A topic from AEG's L5R CCG Rules forum, copied for Oracle of the Void from a copy of the forum saved in October 2015, so pages it didn't save are missing. Players' names are left out; the rules officials are named. Rulings are as they stood on these dates; later rulings, the rulebooks and the Rules Archive may differ.
A player, 6 June 2008
After reading this thread, I took a second look at the naval reaction. The only restriction I can find for the targeting seems to be that the personality must have the Naval keyword. Does this mean that a personality that the attacker does not control is a valid target when playing Misdirection (or, for some unfathomable reason, initial targeting) for this ability?
If so, such targeting would almost certainly result in the attacker having no valid actions, and being forced to pass.
[Mod edit : there is no such thing as "Misdirecting"; please use complete card titles (and Experienced levels if any) when asking question - LH]
A player, 6 June 2008
Does this mean that a personality that the attacker does not control is a valid target when playing Misdirection (or, for some unfathomable reason, initial targeting) for this ability?
Yes, the Naval Reaction can target any Naval Personality in play, even if she is not controlled by the Attacker. For example the Attacker, or Misdirection's player, can make it target a Naval Personality at home, at another battlefield, or controlled by the Defender.
Neither a Personality whom the Attacker doesn't control, nor her Followers, can perform an action played by the Attacker (see Perform) so he must use the opportunity granted by the Naval Reaction to pass. And he is hosed.