Ryūsei gritted his teeth.
He said nothing.
What Master Shihōin had taught him — that was one thing he couldn’t deny.
Ichiryu walked past him without a glance, straight into the main hall.
Not wanting to watch Ichiryu’s departing back, Ryūsei’s eyes fell instead on the torn robe left behind the formation.
If this were “back then,” even facing a captain, if he and his brothers dared to go together… they wouldn’t have been picked apart so easily.
But now?
Once you put on the robe, even if a hole is punched through it, you still have to stick to it with blood.
Inside the main hall, Ichiryu was pleased.
Rurichiyo Kasumiōji looked bored, but she was here.
Her two loyal guards, Saruyoshi Rusaburō and Inuzaki Ryūsei, breathed a sigh of relief at his entrance—then tightened with wariness.
“You are indeed here,” Ichiryu said.
Rurichiyo, not very tall for her age, rolled her eyes.
“Wasn’t it you who insisted I walk around the clan halls when I’m idle and stay here when I’m busy?
Why don’t you stay in your own place?”
“Of course.
Otherwise, how will we lead the Kasumiōji family in the future?” Ichiryu nodded.
“Master Shihōin,” Saruyoshi cut in, voice tight with concern.
“Was there conflict outside just now?”
He’d felt the surge of reiatsu.
“Nothing serious.
Just teaching a dog that bites its master a lesson.” Ichiryu gave a brief summary.
There was no need to use Rurichiyo’s full name.
Just like his own brother, Ōmaeda.
The full mouthful—Ōmaeda Marechiyo Nikkō Tarōemon Iritsuke Suki Chiyo—was for formal occasions only.
Even the Second Division barely remembered it.
“Hah!
You taught that guy a lesson?
Well done!” Rurichiyo patted Ichiryu’s arm—her height prevented her from reaching his shoulder.
She was clearly already deeply irritated with Kumoi and his lackeys.
Her two guards were not so cavalier.
Their expressions stiffened.
“Master Ichiryu, with all due respect.” Saruyoshi stepped forward.
“I am grateful for your encouragement of Lady Chiyo, and for your… restrictions on Steward Kumoi.
But you have never stated what is to be done about him.
You only urge Lady Chiyo to expand her influence. The source of this chapter is g.com.
If this continues, wouldn’t it…”
His tone was pure worry.
“That’s incorrect.” Ichiryu’s reply was flat, a statement of fact.
“Chiyo is the head of the house.
Is there any problem with the head increasing her influence?”
The younger guard, Inuzaki Ryūsei, could not hold back.
“Don’t dodge the point!
You were the one who proposed the family stewardship rules to Kumoi, helping him sideline Lady Chiyo!”
“No.” Ichiryu’s voice was smooth, reasonable.
“I merely thought Chiyo was too young at the time.
I wished to avoid open dispute.
I proposed stewardship so he could assist her with a clear mind, to ensure a smooth transition of power.
I simply didn’t expect it would fuel his ambition.
Seeing he had no intention of supporting her as she came of age, I’ve drawn a clear line.
Correct?”
“But—” Inuzaki started.
Saruyoshi stopped him with a hand.
Ichiryu continued.
“And the stewardship rules forced Kumoi to put his ambition on the table.
They prevented Chiyo’s position from worsening.
Otherwise, if it came to drawn swords, the Kasumiōji family would suffer heavy losses.
Clan Head Chiyo would be in grave danger.
I at least prevented that.”
Inuzaki was unconvinced.
He didn’t know how to refute it.
Rurichiyo waved a breezy hand.
“I know, I know.
You’re amazing.
But… you’re sure that marriage arrangement he’s cooking up won’t succeed, yes?
I don’t want to look at your cousin every day.”
Her disgust was plain.
“Of course.” Ichiryu’s tone was solemn, as if the collusion between Kumoi and the Shihōin clan meant nothing.
“You are the head of the Kasumiōji family.
Who you wish to wed depends entirely on your own wishes.”
“Really?
You have to promise!” Rurichiyo’s smile turned mischievous, as if she already believed he could sabotage it.
Saruyoshi pressed again. Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
“Master Ichiryu!
Though Lady Chiyo has never asked… you should reveal at least a little of how you intend to take it back from Kumoi.”
Ichiryu took two steps closer.
Saruyoshi fell silent.
“Since you insist on knowing,” Ichiryu whispered, “let me give you a hint.”
Both guards fixed their attention on him.
Rurichiyo herself was lost in some thought, smiling faintly.
Ichiryu wondered if she’d already decided to open a harem—her faith in his unrevealed “plan” might be small, but her ambitions certainly weren’t.
Under their nervous gaze, Ichiryu said gravely, “It’s actually very simple.
Only four words.”
He paused.
“Wait for the enemy to collapse.”
Saruyoshi and Inuzaki stared.
Inuzaki’s face said we’ve been fooled again.
Saruyoshi blocked him from speaking.
“I see.” Saruyoshi’s voice was carefully neutral.
“It is because we failed to grasp Master Ichiryu’s wisdom.
Then… please, carry on.”
He was already “convinced”—Ichiryu did not wish to tell him the plan.
He even doubted the authenticity of Ichiryu’s claim entirely.
But… he tentatively believed Ichiryu did want to help Rurichiyo.
At the very least, the marriage contract should be manageable.
Based on his understanding of Ichiryu’s methods…
If tomorrow, Kumoi suddenly announced that the family head’s fiancé was Shihōin Ichiryu himself—Saruyoshi wouldn’t be surprised.
At least Lady Rurichiyo didn’t seem as resistant to Ichiryu as she was to that other fellow.
“Leaving now?” Rurichiyo asked unhappily as Ichiryu turned to go.
“When will you come back to play?”
“I have to visit the Awan household.
As for next time…” Ichiryu’s tone turned mysterious.
“I believe the next time the head of the Kasumiōji family sees me, it will be in Central 46.”
Saruyoshi and Inuzaki immediately tensed.
Was he speaking nonsense again, or did he truly have some scheme?
Rurichiyo ignored the hint.
Hearing the first half, she wrinkled her nose.
“Going to find that little one?
I heard… she’s in confinement again.
She’s spent a year in the Senzaikyū—probably longer than she’s spent outside…”