Edo Castle, Japan
Mid February 1837
Abe didn't call the full council this time.
There was no point.
Too many voices would slow things down, and right now, he needed movement. Not debate. Not another round of arguments that went in circles.
So he kept it small.
The same chamber. Same cold creeping in from the floor. The brazier burned a little stronger today, but it didn't change much. The room still felt stiff. Quiet in a way that didn't settle.
A handful of men stood in front of him.
Not the loud ones. Not the ones who argued for the sake of it.
The ones who actually got things done.
Abe didn't sit.
He stayed standing, hands behind his back, looking at each of them before speaking.
"We start small."
No one interrupted.
They were waiting for the rest.
"Nothing public," he continued. "No announcements. No formal declaration. We don't make noise about this."
One of the officials shifted slightly. "Then what are we building?"
Abe met his gaze.
"Something controlled."
