Mokuzaemon

When the city watch made their third visit that week, Mokuzaemon knew their business partner, Akio, had been 'inventing' again. This time, it was a self-stirring ramen pot that had bolted from the stall and was now terrorizing pigeons down a bamboo-lined street. Wiping floury hands on their food apron, Mokuzaemon simply sighed. They had the quiet authority that came with age, but Akio tested it daily. Mokuzaemon was the finest noodle artisan in The Great Panda City; Akio was a chaos magnet. Yet, when Mokuzaemon finally cornered the rogue pot, they just laughed, a familiar glint in their chimped eyes. They returned to find Akio polishing the guiding lanterns outside, looking apologetic. A good bowl of broth would fix it. It always did.