When going to question Eyebrows, it was found that he hasn't been seen in months by anyone in Ryoko Owari and his home appears mostly empty.
Checking with the various gates out of town the Gate of Increasing Fortune recorded someone matching his description leaving around the time that he vanished. This man was stated to be "Taro", a suspiciously generic name. The pass was valid for any destination in the Scorpion provinces. The authorizing authority was listed as Yogo Osako.
Consulting with Osako-san, she denied ever issuing such a pass and it was not accounted for in her records.
Ichiro Taiki was sent to investigate any records at way stations along the Road Once Hidden. The trail continued to lead north for several days. After crossing the border into An’ei province details get sketchy. It’s too remote for papers to be checked unless heading on the main roads towards Shiro no Soshi or Pokau. Checking in some of the small fishing villages located along the lake, a man matching his description chartered a boat to take him across. That’s where the trail went cold. Locals said that there are a number of small villages off in the mountains. People come down occasionally to trade, but it would take a more concerted effort to investigate them. Taiki thought it best to return and report since he had exhausted all concrete leads.