Akaya scrutinized his opponent carefully, his mind racing. The mysterious assassin had emerged from the shadows, her identity veiled in secrecy. Yet, a single word had slipped from her lips: "Jinka-sama."
(Jinka? She must mean Shibahime.)
Akaya's sharp mind quickly pieced together a plausible explanation. He had dealt with such fanatics before and understood their peculiar logic all too well.
(It's always the same with these overzealous beauty cults, he mused, recalling the Silver Maiden Preservation Society. (Ridiculously elaborate organizations springing up around exceptional women like it's a universal law. Yep, this assassin is likely part of Shibahime's fan club—or something like that. What a hassle.)
Having constructed his theory, Akaya extended his hands in a placating gesture.