ShoNuff ShoGun, Chapter II.b

Part the second: (Glossary)
Toranaga's Logical Logic

When we last left Toranaga, he was  pondering his fateful decision about Anjin-san.

... as he realized full well, there was yet another compelling reason to let it go and cut Anjin-san some slack for his uncouth behaviour.

"If I DO send him to the foul squalid den of the Gehai to teach him a lesson it won't be that long before it becomes known all around the Islands that the shokutaku of Nihon Castle is one place setting short during the morning meal." mused The Shogun to himself.

"My house thusly dishonored, I will end up the laughing stock of the entire Council of Regents and due to the unbearable shame be obligated
to commit ritual seppuku immediately, if not sooner.

Obviously, this must not come to pass!!

On the other hand if I let him stay, he'll learn nothing and NEVER amount to much more than a hootowl's hoot."

Torn between the two courses of action Toranaga bowed his head, gazed intently at his navel, then with both thumb and middle-finger touching, lapsed deep into the throes of transcendental meditation;
a mental exercise not to be formally introduced to the rest of the world until 1958 by the famous Maharishi Manesh Yogi of India.

I would miss him terribly! sighed the great Shogun, wavering toward leniency. The man carries on such an interesting conversation...

I wonder... he thought doubtfully to himself... then suddenly, shocked that he would even consider the idea, he fought against the repugnant, yet just formed question that oozed worm-like, creeping ever closer to the surface of his alert, conscious and horrified mind.

Losing the battle, he succumbed at last to the revolting thought.

Yes I DO wonder! .Good Heavens! .Could it possibly BE TRUE?

His eyes round as dinner plates, he spoke the dreaded words aloud:

Though not likely, is there even the slightest chance that bacon double-cheeseburgers aren't really that disgusting after all?

Crazed with disbelief at the very possibility, the horror almost beyond his wildest imaginations, Toranaga fell to his knees in agony; his distorted, sweat-drenched  features covered by cold trembling hands.

"Ay de Mi!! .What shall I do with such a hakuchi? .The peasant has absolutely no class whatsoever! .Mama mia, tell me... what shall I DO?" cried Toranaga-san, now distraught to the point of tears.

... to be continued ...

Click here to learn the fate of the
barbarian hakuchi Anjin-san in

Chapter III of
 ShoNuff ShoGun