While travelling to Edo and stopping in a tavern, Naritaka speaks before his samurai retainers.
You must know, my trusted servants, that I would be honored, with the blessing of the Ancestors, to join the Thunder Alliance, for I believe than in this union lays the future greatness of the Nihonjin.While I may be in sympathy of the many principles professed by the Unity and Honor faction, I believe that the edges of the Samurai sword have guarded the Sons of Amaterasu for hundreds of years and it is neccessary for the Empire and the daimyo to have strong and able armies - as well as, if it is truly neccessary, learn certain new ways of warfare to strengthen our holy land. I do hear much about the doings of the white-haired gaidzin who, by force and by cunning, bring other people under their dominance.The land of the rising son should be strong and united in case barbarian dangers come from beyond seas.
- Asano Naritaka, Lord of Clan Asano, 10th Daimyo of Hiroshima