Shigehira * Banter

After their visit to Itsukushima Shrine, the Taira reached the pinnacle of their power.

Throughout the court and among the people, there was a deep-seated resentment towards the Taira's arrogance, but no one dared to speak out, and a fragile calm was maintained on the surface.

In this relatively peaceful moment, a melodious and clear flute tune, like a babbling brook, flowed across the stage.

The light and shadow focused, and there stood an elegant man dressed in red, playing the Shakuhachi with his eyes closed.

The flute's ethereal and melodious sound carried a subtle, almost imperceptible loneliness.

What's most striking is his fiery red hair, which stands out vividly under the stage lights.

He is played by a young man from the Uzumaki Clan, Taira no Shigehira, the son of Taira no Kiyomori and the younger brother of Tomomori.

He had originally planned to use Transformation Technique to change his hair to black, consistent with historical descriptions, but Izuna waved his hand to stop him. "No need, red is fine. Shigehira... he suits red very well."

At this moment, he is at the residence of the Taira no Shigemori, playing the Shakuhachi for his nephews who have lost their father.

Kiyotsune, now a handsome young man, listened intently and sincerely praised, "Uncle Shigehira, you played the flute so well!"

Shigehira stopped playing and looked at him gently. "I'm truly pleased to receive praise from Kiyotsune."

However, sitting to the side, Sukemori, Sukemori was even more stern than when he was young, uttered a harsh remark. "Is this really alright? At a time like this, he's still leisurely playing the flute."

Kiyotsune frowned. "Brother! We brothers lost our father, and our uncle came to visit us because he was worried about us!"

Shigehira, however, didn't seem to mind Sukemori's barbed words. Instead, he smiled helplessly and said in a relaxed tone, "Well, I also want to stay away from Munemori- nii."

He abruptly changed the subject, bringing up a recent farce that made people shake their heads. "Have you heard? My Munemori has taken a fancy to Minamoto no Nakatsuna's most cherished thoroughbred horse, 'Kinoshita,' and despite the other party's repeated tactful and even explicit refusals, he still insists on asking for it."

The lights on the other side of the stage then illuminated the scene.

Minamoto no Nakatsuna Taira no Munemori him and said, "This is your prized horse! Truly extraordinary. How about I name it 'Nakatsuna'?"

Minamoto no Nakatsuna clenched his fists, his lips turning white, but he dared not lash out.

Munemori, flipped himself onto the horse, and actually shouted, "Nakatsuna! Run!" while waving his whip.

The horse, in pain, reared up and galloped away, Munemori's wicked laughter, filled with malice and smugness, echoing in the courtyard.

Left behind, Minamoto no Nakatsuna watched his beloved horse being so humiliated, and heard the piercing shouts of "Nakatsuna." Finally, he couldn't help but turn away, his shoulders trembling slightly, and silently shed tears of humiliation.

A moment of silent murmurs rippled through the audience below the stage.

That's outrageous!

"Really..."

"How did this stupid and wicked person become the head of the family...?"

Let's shift our perspective back to the children.

Takuichi, who had been hiding in the shadows of the roof beam, couldn't help but mutter, "Wow... weirdo..."

Many viewers nodded in agreement, feeling a sense of shared experience.

Shigehira sighed, "Although we tried to persuade him in many ways afterward, as the head of the Taira, his behavior was truly... sigh."

He didn't finish his sentence, but everyone understood what he meant.

Sukemori sneered, his eyes filled with undisguised disdain for the current head of the family. "If Father were still alive, His Cloistered Emperor wouldn't have been imprisoned."

Shigehira tried to ease the tension by changing the subject. "Retired Emperor Takakura, disregarding the objections of those around him, personally went to Itsukushima Shrine to pay his respects, showing an extremely humble attitude. Father should be more receptive; in any case, his confinement should be lifted soon."

He paused, his voice lowering, "The Emperor Emeritus... he only obeyed Father so readily in order to lift the Cloistered Emperor's imprisonment."

"Father was too tough," he murmured, then rallied and looked at his two nephews. "But I understand Sukemori's concerns. That's precisely why we will have to shoulder the responsibility for the Taira from now on. And for that, we will do more than just play the flute."

He brandished the Shakuhachi in his hand. "You still need to pay attention to political affairs and hone your martial arts skills. Kiyotsune, you too, can't just be obsessed with Waka."

Kiyotsune obediently replied, "Yes~"

Sukemori glanced at his younger brother, his sharp tongue still sharp. "You little rascal, you agreed so quickly, you look just like a little puppy wagging its tail. But you're still a bit better than Takuichi, that cat demon who's always appearing and disappearing mysteriously, lurking in the shadows and spying."

Shigehira curiously, "What does 'cat demon' refer to...?"

Without turning his head, Sukemori pointed precisely to the corner of the rafters where Takuichi was hiding. "That's the guy. Look at the way he's squatting there, doesn't he look just like a lazy cat? And a black one at that."

The person named, Takuichi, rolled his Byakugan in the shadows, then vanished instantly, silently moving behind another, more concealed pillar.

Upon Shigehira this, Shigeaki couldn't help but laugh, "No wonder you grew up with Ninjas; I didn't even know there were people there."

Sukemori snorted, "Being followed like this all the time is bound to make you suspicious. Now that Grandpa Kiyomori isn't in Kyoto either, I really don't know what else he has to hide."

There seemed to be a subtle hint of resentment towards his grandfather, Kiyomori, in his words.

Shigehira shook his head, his tone carrying the advice of an elder. "Sukemori, you're being really harsh. You'll drive your friends away if you keep saying that."

Sukemori retorted, "Hmph, it's good that he's gone, so he won't haunt us all the time."

A hint of a smile flashed in Shigehira's eyes. He deliberately spoke in a casual tone, "That won't do. Not only friends, but even the ladies-in-waiting will dislike a man who speaks too harshly. I remember... you seem to have a sweetheart among those ladies-in-waiting in the Imperial Palace, don't you?"

Sukemori: "...!"

Takuichi, who ran to Shinrei's side and hid in the corner with her, almost burst out laughing and quickly covered his lips with his fist.

Shinrei looked at him helplessly.

A rare crack appeared on Sukemori cold and stern face, and the base of his ears turned red at a visible speed.

He opened his mouth as if to refute, but in the end he said nothing. He just glared at Shigehira, then turned his head and pretended to be focused on the artificial rockery in the courtyard.

Shigehira looked at Sukemori's profile, which stiffened instantly yet forced a composed expression, and his smile deepened as he deftly twirled the Shakuhachi between his fingertips.

Kiyotsune stood to the side, trying hard to suppress his laughter, his shoulders twitching slightly.

"Alright, alright," Shigehira said, knowing Shigehira. He placed the Shakuhachi across his lap, his tone returning to its previous gentleness, but with a hint of seriousness. "Joking aside, Sukemori, I can see you harbor resentment. To Munemori, to Father, and even to this situation."

"But as I just said, there are many times when we are powerless to change our father's decisions. What we can do is, within our own capabilities, to preserve some things and change others."

He looked at Kiyotsune, then glanced at Sukemori: "For example, protect you children, so that at least you can still be here listening to me play the flute and bicker. Try your best to dissuade your elder brother before he does anything more outrageous—though it will have little effect."

He chuckled self-deprecatingly. "For example, sharpen your knife, hone your martial arts skills, so that when you really have to resort to force, at least you can protect those you want to protect, instead of just helplessly watching."

Sukemori pursed his lips, not immediately refuting, but the stubbornness on his face did not disappear.

Kiyotsune nodded vigorously. "Uncle is right! I will practice martial arts diligently!"

"That's more like it." Shigehira stood up, brushing off non-existent dust from his clothes. "I've listened to the flute and chatted enough, I should go. I'm always slacking off here, and if I get caught, you'll nag me again."

He paused, then looked at Sukemori. "Sukemori, sometimes being a little softer isn't about showing weakness. Being a little more honest with those around you, especially those who care about you, might make things much easier."

Sukemori turned his face away, his voice muffled. "... It's none of your business."

Shigehira didn't press the matter. He smiled, waved to Kiyotsune, and turned to leave.

The figure in red gradually disappeared into the distance under the corridor, his Shakuhachi casually draped over his shoulder, his gait still carrying a touch of the carefree and unrestrained elegance of a noble young master.

Only after his figure disappeared around the corner did Kiyotsune whisper to his elder brother, "Brother, Uncle Shigehira is actually a really good person..."

"Hmph, a busybody." Sukemori replied curtly, but his eyes unconsciously drifted in the direction Shigehira had left.

A moment later, he suddenly turned to a shadowy corner where Takuichi and Shinrei were hiding, "And you! Haven't you laughed enough?"

From the shadows came Takuichi's voice, tinged with laughter. "Sukemori, please calm your anger. I was merely fulfilling my duty."

"Does being loyal to your duty mean hiding away and watching your master make a fool of himself?" Sukemori said irritably.

"Your subordinate wouldn't dare. Your subordinate just feels," Takuichi's voice carried an obvious hint of mockery, "That last sentence of Lord Shigehira's made a lot of sense."

"Higa Takuichi!"

"Exist."

"Get out here!"

"Yes, sir."

Takuichi's figure materialized from behind another pillar like smoke, a smile still lingering on his face. He walked up to Sukemori and bowed respectfully, but the slight upturn of his lips looked utterly irritating.

Sukemori stared at him for a long time, then suddenly asked, "Just now... before Uncle Shigehira came, were you really there?" He pointed to the roof beam that had been initially pointed out.

Takuichi nodded. "Yes."

"And then what happened?"

"Later, when I heard that Sukemori complained that I looked like a cat demon, I changed to a place that you might find more pleasing to the eye," Takuichi replied readily.

Kiyotsune couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"... Never mind." He simply waved his hand dismissively. "Do as you please. Just don't disturb my conversation with Kiyotsune."

"Yes." Takuichi readily agreed, his figure disappearing silently into the shadows of the courtyard as if he had never been there.

Seeing that his elder brother still had a stern face, but his aura had clearly relaxed a bit, Kiyotsune secretly smiled and leaned closer to whisper, "Brother, actually, Takuichi cares about you a lot too."

"Who needs his concern?" Sukemori scoffed, but didn't refute further.

He looked up at the sky above the courtyard. The walls of the Taira's courtyard blocked most of his view, leaving only a square patch of azure sky, cut into shape by the eaves, yet cramped and narrow.