The Journey * Wakako

The next day.

The Daimyo of the Land of Fire's Procession was assembled by noon.

Bright red flags unfurled in the spring breeze, row upon row, stretching from the inside of the city gate all the way into the depths of the streets and alleys.

The Samurai's armor was polished to a gleaming shine, and the metal fittings on their swords gleamed in the sunlight. Horses paved the ground and snorted, occasionally shaking their heads, their manes rising and falling. Attendants, civil officials, maids, servants, and all sorts of people filled the entire street.

Ishimi's procession was positioned at the rear of the Procession.

The Envoys from the Land of Earth rode in several palanquins, followed by Samurai and guards on foot. Ōnoki mingled in the guards' ranks; being short, he was almost swallowed up by the backs of those in front of him as he walked at the back.

He didn't mind where he stood, since the Ninjas would have to go to the forest to keep watch soon anyway.

The obstructed view means you have to rely on your senses to perceive your surroundings, which can be quite uncomfortable.

A noise came from ahead.

The crowd's attention was drawn to it.

A transfer Palanquin is coming from the Inner City.

The sedan curtain was lifted, and a young man stepped out first.

He was in his early twenties, wearing a light blue straight-cut dress with dark red Family Crests embroidered on the cuffs.

He stood beside the sedan chair, turned around, and reached out his hand towards the curtain.

A hand reached out.

The Jūni-hitoe, one after another, revealed a section of wrist that was dazzlingly white.

The Karakinu is pine needle color, the Uwagi is two shades of blue, Uchigi is deep scarlet. There are Itsutsuginu, and the color of each layer shines through the cuffs and collar, like layers of rock strata stacked one on top of another.

She stepped down from the Stepping Platform, one hand resting on the Daimyo's, the other hand gathering her sleeve. The soft rustling of the fabric was carried away by the wind.

Ōnoki couldn't see them clearly, but from the astonishment of the Samurai standing in front of him, he knew that the two men must have outstanding looks.

At this moment, Wakako, the Daimyo's Wife, was very excited.

Logically speaking, wearing Jūni-hitoe should be so heavy that it would make a person lose their temper.

The layers of fabric were stacked one after another, and it took a lot of effort just to stand up. Getting here from the palace would have taken even more effort.

But she stood beside the sedan chair without the slightest sign of weariness, her eyes sparkling as she looked at the grand Grand Travel Palanquin ahead.

Yuan Yusheng saw her hand clenched into a small fist. She clenched it once, then released it, then clenched it again.

He thought that if it weren't for the fact that her Jūni-hitoe was so heavy, she probably would have jumped up already.

The sedan curtains fell. The Procession set off.

Flags passed by one after another.

The crimson flags fluttered in the wind. The sounds of horses' hooves, footsteps, and Wheels rolling over stone slabs blended into a muffled din that echoed along the ground.

The people on the street knelt down, their foreheads pressed against the stone slabs, not daring to raise their heads.

They soon left the city.

The road is flanked by fields, and the freshly turned soil on the field ridges has turned a light brown color in the sun, but the rice seedlings have not yet been planted.

Further away are mountains, with a thin layer of spring mist floating along their ridgelines, blurring the boundary between the mountains and the sky into a bluish-gray hue.

The Daimyo sat in the sedan chair, one hand resting on his knee, the other held by his wife.

She had been clutching it the whole way.

Yuan Yusheng, the 23rd Daimyo of the Land of Fire.

At the age of twenty-one, his parents were well and he had been on the throne for over three years.

To this day, he has only had this one wife.

He has a daughter.

Oh right, and he has a mentally challenged son.

The girl is alright, but that boy is a real handful; he'll probably cause trouble again when we get back.

"Ah!"

Yuan Yusheng's wandering thoughts were brought back to reality.

"Finally, I can see Shinrei again!" The lady's voice was low, but each word had an upward inflection at the end. "I'm so excited—oh no, I mean, Ren! Ren!"

When she finished speaking, she raised her hand to cover her mouth, pressing her fingers against her lips, leaving a faint white mark.

"Oh, I'm so excited—" She turned to look at Yuan Yusheng, "Daimyo- sama, when will we arrive?"

Yuan Yusheng looked at her.

It will probably take four or five days.

Wakako remained silent for a moment.

She turned her head, her gaze falling outside the sedan curtain.

Through the gaps in the bamboo strips of the sedan chair curtain, one could see the outlines of the guards flanking the procession.

One of them stood very close to the palanquin, his Forehead Protector was in the shape of Konoha, and his back was printed with Gunbai pattern.

Wakako stared at the Gunbai pattern for a while, then asked, "How fast are you Ninjas?"

Outside the sedan curtain, Uchiha Takashi's voice drifted in, his tone carrying a faint... composure.

"Reporting to Madam, it should take about a day and a half to arrive."

"Then you carry it—"

Don't even think about it!

After Yuan Yusheng finished scolding her, he glared at his wife, who had such unrealistic ideas.

Wakako closed her mouth, her lips slightly pouting, looking rather unhappy, but she quickly calmed herself down and fell back into a state of excitement.

Yuan Yusheng rubbed his forehead, pressed his fingers to his temples, and after a while, sighed.

Wakako wasn't like this before.

When Ruozi first married into the family, Wakako was fifteen years old.

She speaks in a measured and deliberate manner, covers her mouth with her sleeve when she laughs, and walks with the hem of her kimono perfectly still, like a flower petal being carried on the surface of water.

She was the Principal Wife. When she entered the Daimyo's Residence, she moved into the Ōoku and became the person in charge of the inner palace.

She never initiated conversation. If he wanted to talk, she would keep him company, discussing everything from court affairs and family matters to romantic musings.

He didn't want to talk, so she stayed in the Ōoku to manage affairs and occasionally brought him food.

We never argued, never spoke ill of others, and never bothered him with anything.

Gentle, dignified, and sensible.

At that time, he thought, this is what Daimyo wife should be like.

Until she saw Uchiha Izuna's adaptation of the Tale of the Heike.

At first, she remained silent, but later she gradually became involved and even began to idolize a little Ninja named Hinata Rei.

After returning, she sat on the veranda for a long time.

He asked her what was wrong, and she said nothing, she just thought that Uchiha Izuna's performance was really good.

Later, she changed a little. She relaxed a bit, as if she had broken free from her shackles and became much more carefree.

A few nights ago, after serving him in bed, she suddenly told him that the lady-in-waiting in the Ōoku had once again made sarcastic remarks about her, saying that her birth was not high enough and that she was not worthy of the position of the daimyo's Daimyo wife.

Yuan Yusheng, who was wearing only a thin robe and was busy reviewing memorials, paused for a moment upon hearing this.

He looked up at her.

Wakako lay on the bed, the curtains drawn, making it impossible to see her face clearly.

She was born into a family that now holds the position of Major Counselor. Although not as prestigious as the positions held by the Left and Two Ministers of the Right and Left Guards, it was still an extremely important position, responsible for communication between the court and the lower levels of government.

To be honest, her background is quite impressive. That lady-in-waiting was probably just nitpicking, implying that she wasn't born to the Major Counselor's principal wife.

But that's not the point. The point is that she would never have said something like this before.

It seems that scene really affected her.

After that, she started reading Local Gazetteer, because only there would be records of Ninja stories.

Occasionally, he would worry about the little girl's leg injury and then harass the Konoha Ninjas who remained there.

Especially Long.

Poor guy.

Because she belonged to the Uchiha Clan like Izuna, Wakako around Tenten to ask her all sorts of questions.

Today I asked when Uchiha Izuna could come again, tomorrow I'll ask if Uchiha Izuna has any new dramas, and the day after tomorrow I'll ask if I can send something to Hinata Rei.

At first, Yuan Yusheng was a little worried. After all, Uchiha Takashi was Ninja. The reputation of Ninja was well-known, and he was uneasy about letting such a person get close to Wakako.

Stereotypes are things that can't be changed overnight.

Then, after overhearing a conversation between Wakako and Takashi, all his doubts were dispelled.

That day, after he finished reviewing the memorials, he walked from his study to his Bedchamber.

The Wind Lanterns under the eaves were already lit, casting a dim, yellowish light. He walked to the corner and heard Wakako's voice coming from ahead.

She sat upright in front of the screen, asking questions to Long, who was kneeling in the Outer Corridor at a distance.

"Long."

"Exist."

"Has Lord Izuna had any new works lately?"

"Reporting to Madam, I have not heard of it."

"Has that the Tale of the Heike been performed elsewhere again?"

"No, Madam."

"What a pity." Wakako paused for a moment, "Then, is Hinata Rei's leg injury any better?"

"Your Majesty, I do not know."

"You don't know?" Wakako's tone rose slightly, seemingly with some displeasure. "How could you not know? Aren't you colleagues?"

The corridor fell silent for a moment.

Then the male voice said with difficulty, "My lady, Hinata Rei is Ninja of the Hyuga Clan. I am from the Uchiha Clan. We have no prior dealings with each other."

"Oh." Wakako seemed to think for a moment, "Then go and find out."

"... yes."

Yuan Yusheng stood behind the corner, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

Wakako's tone was dignified, his wording was elegant, and every word landed steadily in its proper place, without any faults.

Could you send Uchiha Takashi to inquire about Hinata Rei's leg injury? An Uchiha, going to inquire about a young Hyuga girl?

Only she could come up with such a thing.

Things then got increasingly outrageous.

"Ryu, when you return to Konoha, please give this box of snacks to Ren for me."

"Your Majesty, I am currently residing in the Capital City and have no official duties to return to Konoha."

"Then let's make the trip. These pastries will spoil if left out too long."

"... Your subject must consult with Daimyo."

"Daimyo lord will agree."

Yuan Yusheng did not agree.

Wakako still gave the box of pastries to Takashi.

Long stood under the eaves, holding the box of pastries in both hands, looking at Yuan Yusheng with a blank expression.

Yuan Yusheng was also looking at him.

The two stared at each other for a moment, but ultimately both succumbed to Wakako's sparkling eyes.

Yuan Yusheng sighed.

Go ahead. Come back soon.

Long nodded, turned, and disappeared into the shadows.

Later, Wakako successively stuffed the bag with cloth, letters, an Omamori that was said to help heal her leg injury, and a jar of Dried Plums she had pickled herself.

Each time, Uchiha Takashi accepted the order with a blank expression, followed the command with a blank expression, and disappeared into the shadows under the corridor with a blank expression.

She turned a perfectly good Ninja into a mere errand boy.

Only Ninjas are fast; they can return in less than two hours, but this round trip is quite exhausting.

Look what they've done to this grown man! His once fierce and stern face has become so Buddhist-like.

What a terrible thing to do.

At this moment, outside the sedan curtain.

Uchiha Takashi followed the palanquin, his steps even, his shoulders and back straight, his eyes fixed ahead.

Wakako started asking questions again.

"Long."

"Exist."

What is Konoha like now?

"Your Majesty, I have been away from the village for some time and dare not speak presumptuously."

"And what about before you left the village?"

The houses are mostly completed. The streets have been paved with stone slabs.

"Anything else?"

"There's a Training Ground at the village entrance, where Ninjas often spar. The central area is the office of Lord Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, a two-story wooden building. Shops have opened on both sides of the street, selling Ninja Tools, Medicinal Herbs, and daily necessities."

He finished speaking in one breath, as if reciting a report.

Wakako listened attentively. As soon as he finished speaking, she immediately asked, "Where does Ren live?"

"... My lady, I do not know where Hinata Rei resides."

"How come you don't know again?"

Yuan Yusheng couldn't help but speak up, "How could a grown man possibly know where a young girl lives? If he did, it would be a huge problem."

Long couldn't help but turn his head and chuckle.

Wakako playfully hit Yuan Yusheng, saying, "Don't sabotage me!"

"Alright, stop asking. You'll see it in person in a few days, what's the rush? Take off those clothes first, don't you feel how heavy they are?"

Wakako pouted, but still obediently took off the twelve layers of clothes she had worn, which indicated the importance she placed on this trip.