Saitou Hida: Kuh, who are you?! Are you acting while aware that we are vassals of Saitou Tatsuoki-sama, ruler of Mino?!
Kensuke: We are. But we're some bandits passing by... Takenaka-san belongs to me. I'll be taking her with me.
Saitou Hida: You talk big for a mere bandit! #She believed it?#
Kensuke: If you want a fight, sure... we'll be your opponents! #Well, they do call him "boss" in a bandit-like way#
They were attacking a single frail girl with a bunch of armed men. That is enough to piss me off!
Kensuke: I know hesitate to do this stuff... but if it's against people as rotten as you, I'll fight all I want!
Saitou Hida: Don't be stupid! As if just the three of you can do something! #Two, since Hiyo can't fight#
Kensuke: Me and my allies won't lose to weaklings that rely on numbers against someone weaker than they are!
Saitou Hida: What an insolence! Eei, what are you doing! They're mere bandits! Surround them and cut them down!
Saitou footman: Yes!
Kensuke: Bandits are not that meek to be defeated without a fight lately... don't blame me if you get hurt!
Saitou footman: ...!!
I kicked off the ground before the enemy could get ready and slashed at the footman's legs with my unsheathed blade.
Kensuke: Koro, by my side. Hiyo, take care of Takenaka-san!
Hiyoko: Yes! Koro-chan, look after boss!
Koroko: Of course!
Koroko: I've been a mercenary for ten years already! I'm Hachisuka Koroku, leader of Hachisuka squad that fights for living!
Koroko: Anytime! Come from anywhere you want! #I didn't make a mistake. Her name is both Koroku and Koroko#
Saitou footman: ...!
Intimidated by Koro, footmen started backing away slowly.
Saitou Hida: Eei! What are you doing! They're just three girls and one brat!
Saitou Hida: Surround them with numbers and impale them with spears!
Saitou footman: Y, yes!
Saitou footman: I, I'll do it! I'll do it!
Kensuke: There's no point in using a spear if your waist is so weak!
After leaning to dodge the spear thrust, I used recoil to hit its tip.
Saitou footman: H, hii! ...My spear!
Kensuke: I'll beat some manliness into you, seeing how you can only gang up on the weak!
Saitou footman: Guwa!
Saitou footman: Hii! He! He's strong!
I kept relocating so they couldn't get any distance, slashing at spear footmen's arms and legs.
Saitou footman: A, arm! My arm! #I guess that's one alternative to killing#
Saitou footman: T, that's not what you promised! I tagged along because you said we'll just beat up some girl!
Saitou footman: T, this is bad! #Plot twist, you're that girl#
Some collapsed in pain while bleeding. Some wanted to flee, but couldn't due to fear. We brought quite a chaos here.
Kensuke: It's not over yet! Who's next! #It's a bit cheesy... a lot, actually... but I like it#
I slightly crouched, so I could move anytime, as I provoked footmen that weren't moving.
This provocation is pretty pathetic, but it should be able to intimidate them in the current situation.
Kensuke: (...I'll be at disadvantage if I let them regain their vigor!)
Making fun of them and acting conceited, anything goes... I need to crush their spirit!
Saitou Hida: Eei! What are you doing! You're embarrassing Mino force, said to be the greatest, by losing to mere bandits!
Saitou footman: ...B, but! He's quite skilled! He's not someone we can defeat with morale alone!
Saitou Hida: Tsk... then, bring that out!
Saitou footman: Yes!
Footman followed Saitou leader's order and signalled something towards their rear. And then...
Saitou gunner: ...
Kensuke: Wha?! Wait, wait, wait, wait!
Hiyoko: I, it's a rifle! #Rifles here are pretty pathetic though#
Koroko: This is bad, boss! We need to fall back!
Seeing us panic, Saitou leader made a satisfied smile.
Saitou Hida: Fuhahaha! I can annihilate mere bandits with just a single rifle! Die and regret opposing us Mino samurai!
Kensuke: Hiyo, fall back with Koro! Run while protecting Takenaka-san!
Hiyoko: B, but what about you, Kensuke-sama?!
Kensuke: I'll be the rear guard! Hurry!
Koroko: But! I should be the rear guard instead then!
Kensuke: Don't worry about it! Go already! It's an order!
Koroko: Y, yes!
Hiyoko: Come, Takenaka-san!
Shino: ...(nod)
Kensuke: (Okay. Now I just need to worry about myself)
Kensuke: (Rifles of this age should be flintlock. They're not precise, but they're powerful if they hit...)
Kensuke: (I can't flee until those three get some distance. I guess that means I need to buy some time)
Saitou Hida: Heh. You have a rifle aimed at you, but you're pretty relaxed for a bandit.
Kensuke: And you're not. Bringing out a rifle against a mere bandit. #She's such a Kayuu, to still believe he's a bandit#
Kensuke: Bullying the weak, shamelessly bringing out a rifle. Yeah, Mino samurai are amazing, in a lot of ways.
Saitou Hida: Shut up! I don't need to use katana, which is a samurai's soul, against a mere bandit!
Kensuke: Soul, huh. I know what you mean, but katana is a mere tool. #That's Rinrin's teaching#
Kensuke: And you keep acting proud, but you've been hiding behind their back all this time.
Kensuke: If you're a proud samurai, step out and fight me.
To buy time for the three, I strained my brain and challenged my opponent to a debate.
Kensuke: Or are you a coward that can't fight in a duel? #Yeah, and she made fun of Shino being unable to fight#
I lowered my waist, so I could move anytime, provoking my opponent.
Saitou Hida: Heh... I won't fall for that pathetic of a taunt. I'm an aide of Saitou Tatsuoki-sama, ruler of Mino. My katana is not for dueling scum.
Kensuke: Hmm. You don't seem any dignified, despite calling yourself that... #And I don't even see any weapons on her#
Saitou Hida: Hmm. I've had my nobility since I was born, as if some scum can understand it!
Kensuke: Yeah, I don't smell any nobility... but you reek of being an underling, you know?
Saitou Hida: Y, you bastard! Listen to you talk!
Kensuke: Oh. Are you up for it?
Saitou Hida: ...Kuh! I won't listen to scum's howling! What are you doing! Shoot him dead already!
Saitou gunner: Yes!
Following Saitou leader's orders, footman readied his rifle and aimed at me. At that moment...
Kensuke: Now!
I kicked off the ground as much as I could, shifting aside from the aim of the rifleman.
Saitou gunner: ...?!
Panicking due to my movement, rifleman pulled the trigger by reflex. #Dodge bullets? Prince Bastian de Belgaria, what are you doing here?#
Kensuke: Good!
They won't be able to use that rifle for a while... next!
Saitou Hida: Tsk! What are you doing! ...Eei, everyone else, surround him already!
Saitou footman: Y, yes!
Soldiers that were just watching until now surrounded me.
Kensuke: (Good, now I'm their only target. Next...) #You wish...#
Do something about that rifle, break out of encirclement and run... well, that's the difficult part, but it's easy when I'm alone.
Saitou Hida: Rifle! Load the gunpowder already!
Saitou gunner: Y, yes!
Kensuke: Well then... let's do this.
Saitou Hida: Hah. Don't show off. There's over ten people here. And you're alone. You can't do anything against those numbers.
Kensuke: It's not what I can do. It's what I will and how. That's what really matters.
I'll defeat them and survive. That's my only desire right now.
Kensuke: Laugh if you want. But I... won't give up!
Saitou Hida: Don't act all proud, you mere bandit! Everyone, do it!
Saitou footmen: Yes!
Just when they all responded and brandished their spears...
???: Kensuke, get down!
Hearing voice from the side, I got down by reflex. And then...
Signal rounds exploded next to enemy soldiers, raising a lot of smoke.
Saitou Hida: W, what?! What's going on?!
Saitou footman: An ambush! Aide-sama, back away!
Saitou Hida: ...Kuh!
Kichou: I did it! I did it, Kensuke! #Up until this point, it's a good thing...#
Kichou jumped out of her hiding place and ran towards me. However... #Yeah, THIS is not the brightest idea#
Saitou footman: Bandit's companion! Don't understimate Saitou troops!
Kichou: Kyaa!
Kensuke: Kuh... it hurts... to the point that I want to cry...
Kichou: ..Kensuke, you covered me!
Kensuke: Well, you're Kuon's wife, so I have to, as Kuon's husband...
The tip of the spear tried to pierce my shoulder, but probably slid down my clothes, only grazing my flesh.
Saitou footman: Guh!
Kensuke: Haa... haa... haa... #Surprisingly, his annoying clothes helped#
I touched my shoulder and felt blood pouring out of it. But, despite how it looks, it's not that deep of a wound.
Kensuke: ...It hurts quite a lot, but I'll manage! #A leather armor or chainmail would've been much better#
But, it might not be deep, but it hurts to the point I want to cry.
Kichou: Because of... because of me, Kensuke...
Kensuke: Don't worry. It's not your fault, Kichou. #It is. Even though she did help a bit with that smokescreen#
Kichou: ...But!
Kensuke: It's not your fault! Definitely! #Also, yeah, this is not too smart either, now's not the time#
I encouraged Kichou, as she was about to collapse out of remorse.
Kensuke: This is a battlefield! If anyone is to blame, it would be me, for dropping my guard. So, don't worry about it. Okay?
I tried to not show that I'm in pain. Using my acting skills to the best, I smiled, responding to Kichou.
Kensuke: Anyway, let's run already. Do you still have those signal rounds?
Kichou: Yeah, I have them... #Just how many did he craft?#
Kensuke: Good. I can't put any strength into my arm. So, Kichou, you use them. You should be able to... are you?
Kichou: ...I will!
Kensuke: Good. Then, one, two...
Kichou: Three!
Saitou footman: Uaaaaa!
Saitou Hida: D, don't panic! Fix your formation...
Saitou Hida: Hii?!
Kensuke: Now, let's run! Kichou!
Kichou: Eh... kya!
I grabbed Kichou's hand, as she has slow reflexes, and ran towards the rear.
Saitou Hida: Damn! They're running! Chase them! Don't let them escape! Fire your rifle!
Saitou footman: P, please stop! If we fire rifle in this smoke, we'll end up hurting our allies!
Saitou Hida: Kuh, then, chase them! Finish them off with your spears! Do it!
Saitou footman: Y, yes!
Kensuke: Damn, they don't give up easily... #Even though they forgot why they're here to begin with#
Kichou: ...Kensuke, your wound opened!
Kensuke: It's okay, it's just a scratch! Running away is our priority right now!
That said, Kichou is a girl, with her legs, they'll catch up eventually.
Kensuke: Kichou, sorry... endure it for a bit!
Kichou: Eh... kyaa?!
As I started carrying Kichou on my back, blood started pouring out of my torn shoulder.
Kensuke: Guh... this... doesn't hurt!
It's not like it's flowing out like a fountain. It just pours out a bit when I put strength into it.
If I clench my teeth, frown and tell myself it doesn't hurt, I can endure it!
Kensuke: I'm strong! I won't lose to a wound like this!
Kichou: ...H, hey, Kensuke, you're bleeding! #You don't say?#
Kensuke: It's okay! ...So, don't move around too much!
Kichou: Ah, sorry...
Saitou Hida: I won't let you escape, scum!
Kensuke: ...Damn, they caught up already! #You have a nice shield on your back though#
Saitou Hida: Stop right there! I'll punish you!
Kichou: Kyaa!
Kensuke: Whoa! Hey, you mentioned samurai's honor and whatever, so should you really be attacking from the back?!
Saitou Hida: You're not a samurai, you're a bandit! I don't need to hold back when I'm punishing bandits!
Kensuke: I see... you really like sophistry.
Saitou Hida: Shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up! Everyone is making a fool of me!
Saitou Hida: I planned to forgive you if you cried and begged for mercy, but I can't stand it anymore!
Saitou Hida: I'll cut you to pieces with my own hands! Prepare yourself! #At least she's finally doing something herself#
Kensuke: ...Crap!
To protect Kichou from the slash from behind, I leaned to the side. And then...
Saitou Hida: W, whistle arrow?! What?!
Saitou footman: A, aide-sama, look!
Saitou Hida: T, that's!
Saitou Hida: T, twin goose?! ...Are you telling me Shibata is here?! #The plot armor is strong with this one#
Saitou footman: Hii! So that's Shibata, that makes even babies shut up!
Saitou footman: ...R, run! Or she'll crush our insides! I don't want to become a meat paste!
Saitou Hida: Y, you, so you were a member of Oda after all! #So she at least had a vague suspicion, huh#
Kensuke: I wonder. I know some people in Oda, but I'm not Oda vassal... but, as for reasons, you can think of them on your own.
Saitou Hida: ...W, we were so close too! #To what? Killing a random bandit?#
Kensuke: What are you going to do? Still want to fight me?
Saitou Hida: ...Eei! We're falling back!
Saitou footman: B, but, aide-sama! What about the royal order against Takenaka Shigeharu?!
Saitou Hida: Takenaka Hanbee Shigeharu revolted! She escaped Mino with members of Oda! That's what I'll say! You're a witness!
Saitou footman: Yes!
Saitou Hida: ...And you, I'll cut your head off when we meet at the battlefield next time! Remember this!
Kensuke: Eeh... no, that sounds like a bother. #Lol, she's a living trash, but I feel bad for her#
Saitou Hida: You bastard!
Kensuke: Shouldn't you flee? ...Scary, scary Demon Shibata is leading her soldiers and getting closer, you know?
Saitou Hida: ...Kuh! Remember this!
Kensuke: Oh. Look at her run.
Kichou: So we've... managed somehow. #Things would've been much easier if he had those flares on him#
Kensuke: It's thanks to Mitsuki-san... I'll put you down, okay?
Kichou: Yeah.
Kensuke: Are you hurt?
Kichou: I'm okay... because you protected me.
Kensuke: That's good. Whew...
Kichou: Hey?! Are you okay?!
Kensuke: Yeah, sorry. Just got a bit dizzy...
I apologized to Kichou for leaning on her and tried to stand up straight.
Kensuke: Huh... haha, my legs are trembling and I can't gather any strength...
I desperately tried to put strength into my arms, but couldn't move and ended up clinging to Kichou even more.
Kichou: It's okay, stay like this for now.
Kensuke: Sorry... whew.
Kichou: Anyway, is your wound okay?
Kensuke: Hmm... honestly, it hurts so much I want to cry.
Kichou: It's that bad? ...Ah.
As Kichou looked at the wound on my shoulder, her beautiful face went pale.
Kensuke: The bleeding is quite visible, so don't look at it much.
Kichou: I'm a daughter of military house too... I'm used to seeing blood. Anyway, we should get you treated soon...
Kensuke: Don't worry about treating me. Rather... I got your fancy clothes dirty... sorry.
Kichou: I don't care about my clothes. Don't worry about it, if you're not going to get treated, at least rest up for a bit.
Kensuke: Haha, I'll take up your offer then...
I clenched my teeth and buried my face in Kichou's shoulder.
Is it because of pain. Or because I was scared. I have to endure the urge to cry.
Kichou: I'm glad everyone's safe...
Kensuke: Yeah... I managed to protect everyone somehow.
Kichou: Yeah, right... and you protected me too.
Kensuke: Isn't that natural? Well, it was a close call, I screwed up and ended up like this...
Kichou: It's just because you put your body on the line... I should treat your wound after all...
Kensuke: No, don't worry about it.
Kichou: Let me. Please...
Kensuke: Then, umm... please do...
Kichou: Yeah. Then, take off your clothes.
Kensuke: How lewd of you, to tell me to strip out of nowhere. #Cheesy joke#
Kensuke: Ow.
Kichou: Stop being stupid and strip already!
Kensuke: Okay...
Kensuke: Okay. I took it off...
Kichou: ...
Kensuke: D, don't stare so much. It's embarrassing.
Kichou: Umm... what should I... do next?
Kensuke: Eh?
Kichou: I don't know how to...
Kensuke: ...Pff!
Kensuke: Ahaha! Oww!
Kensuke: You don't know how to, but still offered to treat me?
Kichou: I, it can't be helped! You look like you're in pain and you haven't stopped bleeding yet!
Kichou: A, and I've seen how treatment is done at least! It's just that I haven't done it myself!
Kensuke: Hahaha, okay, okay. Then, I'll explain, so will you do it?
Kichou: ...(nod)
Kensuke: Then, first, wash the wound with some water.
Kichou: Yeah. Ah, but... all I have is the water from bamboo bottle that I drank from.
Kensuke: Ah, that will do.
Kichou: But, I put my mouth on it. Isn't it dirty?
Kensuke: That's not true... come on.
Kichou: Y, yeah...
Kensuke: ...!
Kichou: Ah, sorry! ...Did it hurt?
Kensuke: I, it's okay. It's just that water stings... then, wrap some clean washed cloth around it, do you have any?
Kichou: There's no cloth... ah, wait a bit. #There's a lot of pointless ribbons on her#
Kichou: Is my dress... too dirty for it?
Kensuke: No, it's clean... sorry. Your clothes seem expensive. #Well, she's not exactly doing anything to earn them anyway#
Kichou: Don't worry about money... so, what should I do with this? #Unless she works on politics and domestic affairs too#
Kensuke: Then, push that cloth against my wound. Put a lid on that wound so that blood would not pour out.
Kensuke: I want to fix that cloth to it... do you have some string? #If she doesn't do politics, she's just an overpriced cook#
Kichou: I have a sash... #Maybe Kuon's bath attendant too#
Kensuke: Good enough. Wrap it around my shoulder, so that cloth would be fixed to my wound.
Kichou: But, it will hurt if I do that... #It already does anyway#
Kensuke: I'm aware it will... I'll endure, so please.
Kichou: Got it. Well then...
Kichou: Okay, that does it...
Kensuke: Thanks.
Kichou: You didn't cry out... did you manage to endure?
Kensuke: I'm a boy, after all.
To be fair, I wanted to cry out, it hurt a lot!
Kensuke: ...?
Kichou: W, what? D, does it smell?!
Kensuke: No. In fact... #It should#
This refreshing fragrance tickling my nostrils is the one I like. #She got exhausted to the point she couldn't walk before, after all#
Kichou: ...What? #You SHOULD be sweaty#
Kensuke: No, it's nothing. Thanks, Kichou.
Kichou: It's Yuina... #About time#
Kensuke: Eh?
Yuina: My name. Different from the Kichou one, it's my other true name, Yuina.
Yuina: To tell the truth, I only wanted mother, father, Kuon and vassals to use it... but you can too.
Kensuke: Is that okay? #Isn't he one of those vassals, in a way?#
Yuina: It's okay, I don't mind.
Kensuke: Yuina.
Yuina: W, what?
Kensuke: No, it's just that it's a good name... #It is#
Yuina: Ah... thank you...
Hiyoko: Boss!
Koroko: Kensuke-sama! Are you okay?!
Kensuke: Yeah! I'm glad you two are also okay!
Hiyoko: Uu, it was scary, it was scary!
Koroko: Ahaha, Hiyo was scared as we were running away too.
Hiyoko: Uu, come on, I'm bad at violence...
Kensuke: Yeah, you're fine like this, Hiyo. People have their strong and weak points. Don't worry about it.
Hiyoko: ...Boss! #And noone is going to ask about his wound?#
Mitsuki: It appears you're okay, brat.
Kensuke: Mitsuki-san, thank you for help... it saved us.
Mitsuki: Yeah. Kuon-sama gave an order to go save you. Good thing I made it in time.
Kensuke: Things got dangerous when they brought out a rifle... you're a real lifesaver.
Mitsuki: I don't mind... anyway, did you fulfill your objective? #Next time, bring someone like her or Koyasha with you#
Kensuke: Of course... huh, Hiyo, where's Takenaka-san?
Hiyoko: Yes! She's over here!
Shino: ...
Kensuke: I'm glad you're okay... are you uninjured?
Shino: Thanks to you, I'm unharmed.
Kensuke: That's good. I'm glad you're safe, Takenaka-san.
Shino: Umm...
Kensuke: Hmm? What's wrong? Ah, did you get hurt after all?!
Shino: No, not that... am I going to get kidnapped?
Kensuke: Yeah. I'll kidnap you. From Mino. From your past shackles. So, walk alongside me from now on!
Shino: ...
Kensuke: Ah... does it bother you?
Shino: Ah, no. That's not true. But...
Shino: I never expected to be desired that much... I'm a bit surprised.
Kensuke: Is that so? People of Mino are blind then.
Shino: It's not just Mino, weirdo like me is treated the same everywhere... this world is bound by traditions and boring customs.
Kensuke: Then... let's fix this bound world together.
Shino: Fix...
Kensuke: Yeah! If you land a flying knee kick at those stiffheaded people, won't it feel great?
Shino: Flying knee kick... fufu. #I can't imagine her doing that#
Kensuke: Sounds fun, right?
Shino: ...(nod)
After nodding with a smile, Takenaka-san looked at me and spoke.
Shino: You're Nitta Kensuke-sama.
Kensuke: Yeah. I'm Nitta Kensuke.
Shino: Nitta Kensuke... a mysterious person that suddenly descended at Dengaku crossing.
Shino: Picked up by leader of Oda, Nobunaga-dono, and introduced as her husband. Also, key person of Sunomata construction... that's what about what I know...
Kensuke: Your eyes see far and your ears hear far... you've figured it out back then after all... you're a crafty person, Takenaka-san.
Shino: Fufu, that goes for both of us.
Kensuke: Oh... you figured it out?
Shino: I had a guess. But... the words you said back then sounded sincere.
Kensuke: Because I was definitely serious, after all...
Shino: Yes. It's because of those words... that I fled like this.
Kensuke: Yeah... I'm really glad I managed to kidnap you.
Kensuke: Takenaka-san... will you come with me?
Shino: I'll devote my soul and body to serving you.
Shino: My name is Takenaka Hanbee Shigeharu. Also known as Shino... I'll devote my full talent to you, Kensuke-sama.
Kensuke: Ah, no, umm... not to me. #That's already more loyalty than Kazuto ever recieved#
Shino: Yes. I know. I'll devote my talent to Oda Kuno-sama too, indirectly.
Kensuke: ...I, indirectly? #That's the best part#
Shino: Of course. I belong to Kensuke-sama... so, as long as Kensuke-sama stays with Oda-dono, I'll have a reason to devote myself to her. So, indirectly.
Shino: T, that's true, but... #So, she's a first member of Kensuke faction, not Oda#
Mitsuki: Fuh... fuhahahaha!
Kensuke: Why are you laughing, Mitsuki-san?! #And with Shino's cold logic, she can guard him from slander#
Mitsuki: Brat! Have some moderation at leading women astray! #The problem is if she's going to#
Kensuke: Oww! What, why me?!
Shino: Shibata-dono is right... Kensuke-sama is genius at leading people, especially women, astray. Even me... umm...
Hiyoko: But, isn't that okay for boss to be like that? #That feel when you're too badass for people to handle#
Koroko: He's officially set on Kuon-sama, but I've heard rumors all around. #It's not his fault everyone's easily seduced by just him being there#
Yuina: ...Lead whoever you want astray, but make sure to look after them, okay? Also, your main is still Kuon! If you forget that... you know?
Kensuke: I know! I know! #Fair enough, Yuina#
Kensuke: Of all the things, to call me a flirt! Being called a flirt is really hard for a man to accept!
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