Next on the schedule is a meeting in the fourth-floor conference room. The Young Dragons of the Bergen Street Youth Association, in their black suits and red blouses, serve a light breakfast. The atmosphere is formal and tense. All the senior leaders of the clan are in attendance: the shatei , or younger brothers, the wakashira - hosa , or directors, the san ro-kai , or counselors. The bosses and assistant bosses and special consultants or advisors. Some hold official positions within Nagato Corporation and some do not, but the point is of no importance. These are the men and women who make the decisions. They set policy and issue the orders. And here for the first time Machiko must stand just to the rear of the Chairman's right as the acting senior of the Guard. Here, she must present herself as capable of leading the Guard and keeping the Chairman safe. It is a provocative experience, a challenge to her both as a warrior and as a woman, to keep spirit settled and mind and body focused. Those of the leaders who were not present at earlier meetings, who are only now learning the fullest details of what has occurred, ask many questions, and several of them direct questions at Machiko herself.