A steady thought

If she wished to take Jiro, Hattori had no qualms about that. The boy had a sense of street smarts that hadn't been taught to him, just came naturally and took full advantage of that fact. Out of all of his children, Jiro was the most travelled, he was a wise enough choice.

"You shall be my messenger, deliver the invitations in my stead. I do not know the whereabouts of all of your older siblings, find them if you can and if you cannot, try to learn where they may have gone."

He could certainly see how wary she was of this, and he understood to an extent, but it was because she was quiet and always thought before she spoke, that he believed she would serve his needs well in this regard. This would have been a duty Kiriko would have excelled at, smooth words and a gentle demeanour that disarmed even someone was aloof and as prickly as himself. But she was gone and even if she wanted to, Hattori would not have her back.

"If you wish to gather herbs and seeds for the garden on your way, I have no quarrel with that. Jiro can help with that."