Hikaru strolled casually into the large building known as the Terrarium by the clan, a smile on his face as he nodded his greetings to both his kinsmen who were currently working in the room, as well as the myriad of young serpents that made their home within the structure. Ruffling the hair of one youngster who was busy learning to speak with one of the smallest Kaishaku, the clan head made his way over to one of the natural looking hollows at the back of the room. This particular hollow was the resting place of the largest of the Kaishaku by far (Odin excepted, obviously). At 14 feet long Ssyara was the second oldest of the current Kaishaku after the patriarch, and had finally reached her maturity, which is why Hikaru had taken a break from his busy schedule to come and see her. Her patterned scales gleamed in the low light and even curled up she was an impressive size, and Hikaru couldn't help the proud smile that came over his features as he consider how far the clan's serpent partners had come from when he found tiny Odin all those years ago. From technical extinction they had flourished with the aid of the descendants of the Minowara.

"Hail Ssyara" the young man hissed as he approached, the serpent raising her head to stare at him for a few moments, "I have been told that you have become more potent and came to congratulate you"

"Hail Serpent-lord" the serpent preened, "my venom is far stronger than before, am I not the most beautiful and dangerous serpent here?"

Hikaru suppressed a chuckle, Ssyara was a vain one, that was for sure, and he knew better than to mention that Odin was infinitely more dangerous than she was. "I came here to test out the potency of your venom, and hopefully to inflict it upon any who oppose me" he responded, "surely there could be no better thing to add to my fangs than such a potent toxin". The serpent considered him for a moment, "Very well Serpent-lord, since you are unfortunate enough to be unable to produce your own venom I will graciously allow you to use mine".

Bowing to hide the smile that threatened to bloom across his face, Hikaru retrieved the appropriate equipment to milk the large reptile of her venom. "Thank you kindly my lady" he responded as he worked together with her to obtain the matured venom, more potent than the stuff he usually carried around.