Yamato, My Goodness Just Isn't That Obvious

Amigasa Village is extremely poor.

The last time the villagers had a full meal was when Ace came.

Now that Tama has brought so much food and selflessly shared it with everyone, the elderly and children in the village are all drooling with envy.

A huge pot was set up in the open space at the entrance of the village, and vegetables were put in it to make soup, which was simmering over a high flame.

Ma Qiao sat down next to Tama with a smile on his face.

Tahm Kench was helping to prepare the broth in front of the large pot, using a huge Shakushi.

With the Five-Star Chef Skin, Tahm Kench handles all kinds of ingredients and flavors with ease.

The villagers were initially terrified of the enormous monster.

However, when Tahm Kench kept vomiting up all sorts of fresh ingredients from his stomach, everyone's impression of him improved dramatically.

"The toad symbolizes longevity, and the toad symbolizes wealth!"

The village elders earnestly educate the young people about the auspicious meanings of the golden toad.

While the villagers' attention was drawn to Tahm Kench, a small, faintly glowing point of light emerged from beside Ma Qiao.

If you look closely, it's just a tiny white hair, about the size of a thumb.

As he became more familiar with the state of the soul, Yamato was able to briefly peek out from inside the Lantern.

However, the distance cannot be too far.

Moreover, as soon as Ma Qiao has a thought, Yamato will be sucked back into the Lantern.

Tama covered her mouth in surprise, almost shouting out loud.

"That won't do. As a Bewitching Female Ninja, you must learn to remain calm under pressure!"

Yamato, hands on his hips, flew up to Tama and lectured her in a condescending manner.

Yamato has learned about Tama's dream.

Furthermore, Yamato also heard from Ma Qiao that Tama also knew the Ace brothers.

Given her suspected identity as Kozuki Oden's sister, Yamato naturally assumed the role of Tama's older brother.

"Sister Elf," Tama said softly.

"No, I'm a man!" Yamato puffed out his chest.

"But your breasts... are the breasts I've always dreamed of having when I wanted to become a glamorous female ninja..."

"That's not important, I'm going to become Kozuki... Waaah..."

Yamato was about to spout her usual clichés when Ma Qiao suddenly sucked her into the Lantern.

On Onigashima, he was completely at her mercy.

But at this moment, Yamato is nothing more than a plaything in Teacher Ma's hands.

"Damn it, let me out! Let me out!"

Yamato patted the railing with the Lantern.

Don't forget what you promised me.

Ma Qiao calmly shook the Lantern, and a dizzying Lantern ensued inside.

"How awful!"

Little White Hair clung tightly to the railing, preventing it from falling apart from Ma Qiao's shaking. "Okay, okay, I won't say anything more!"

"Sister Elf, are you alright?"

"Yamato has reappeared, "Tama asked with concern.

"I am neither an elf nor my sister!" Yamato corrected.

"Oh, okay, fairy sister, may I make a wish to you?" Tama blinked her big eyes.

Yamato covered his forehead in exasperation. "Kid, what wish do you want to have?"

"I want..."

"Besides transforming into a glamorous female ninja!"

"Oh... then I want everyone in the village to always have enough to eat!"

Is it so hard to eat your fill?

Yamato sat on Tama's shoulders. "Were you also locked up in a cave by your father, and not allowed to have anyone bring you food?"

"Father... I have no father..."

"You're so lucky!"

Yamato blurted out, but then quickly remembered that, according to Ma Qiao, Tama was Kozuki Oden's half-sister.

His father was the old man wearing the celestial dog mask not far away.

Yamato looked at Tenguyama Hitetsu, the latter also happened to look up and gaze over at him.

Yamato quickly hid in Tama's hair.

"The idea of feeding everyone is just wishful thinking."

Tama looked up, revealing a bright and cheerful smile, "Uncle Ma Qiao, the villagers are very grateful for your food. Apart from the portion that was made into cured meat and pickled vegetables, the rest is for you and Tahm Kench. Please don't find it offensive!"

Ma Qiao nodded.

Just then, Tahm Kench, holding a huge spoon, shouted, "Boss Ma Qiao, we're running out of firewood! Requesting backup!"

"Okay!"

Ma Qiao, holding up the absurdly unscientific gas cylinder that could release a hundred gallons of gas in just one bowl of rice, ran excitedly to the campfire.

The explosion, caused by improper gas handling, was a minor incident during the banquet.

Fortunately, only Ma Qiao and Tahm Kench, two people with Thick Skin, were standing by the campfire at the time.

The gas explosion neither destroyed Tahm Kench's gray shield nor reduced Ma Qiao's health.

However, the two of them looked so disheveled that Tama was quite worried for a while.

The little girl took out a small amount of toad oil that Yasuo had left over from his pocket, which she had carefully treasured, and was about to pour it into Ma Qiao's mouth when Ma Qiao quickly stopped her.

Aside from this incident, the entire banquet was very lively and went very smoothly.

The villagers sang and danced.

The elderly men drank diluted, bland liquor and boasted about their exploits from their youth.

Only Tenguyama Hitetsu remained silent throughout, observing this mysterious outsider.

Night fell, but the banquet continued.

Ma Qiao had drunk a bit too much soda, so he picked up his Lantern and got up to go to the grove to relieve himself.

The forest at night was eerie and gloomy.

The green glow from Thresh's Lantern makes it even more frightening.

Ma Qiao tried to urinate for a long time, but nothing came out.

Of course, the main reason wasn't because the environment was scary, but because a little white-haired guy was hovering nearby, commenting on Teacher Ma's appearance.

"It's really pretty... Can I touch it?"

"Get out!"

Ma Qiao quickly used his access privileges to put this guy, who even dared to go to the men's bathhouse, back into the Lantern.

After feeling refreshed, Ma Qiao rubbed his hands together to Cleanse and then washed them.

Turning around, Ma Qiao saw a terrifying, dog-like face.

"Young man who toys with the dead... who are you really?"

"Toying with the undead? Don't be ridiculous..."

Ma Qiao picked up the Lantern and flicked it with his finger. Yamato flew out, angrily jumping onto Ma Qiao's nose and waving its little Riot Games.

Unfortunately, as a spirit, her Riot Games went straight through Ma Qiao's head.

"Who would dare to mess with such a violent guy...?"

"So they really are spirits from that world... Strange, it's not the day of the ritual."

Tenguyama Hitetsu, lost in thought.

"Alright, stop overthinking."

Ma Qiao shook his head. "Who you are is more important than who I am, isn't it?"

"Me? I'm just an old swordsmith who lives in seclusion in this place..."

As he spoke, Tenguyama Hitetsu froze on the spot.

From the depths of the forest emerged a warrior with purple hair, wearing Demon Dancer Mask.

This guy's steps looked a bit unsteady, like he was drunk, but every step he took was perfectly positioned for attack.

And there were three things hanging from his waist.

A gourd for wine, a shakuhachi (a type of Chinese flute), and a knife.

"The Sandai Kitetsu?"

"Impossible! How could the Nidai Kitetsu be afraid of this sword?"

Tenguyama Hitetsu revealed a surprised and incredulous expression.

The Sandai Kitetsu was a demon sword he forged in his early years. Later, it ended up in the East Blue.

The East Blue is like Teacher Ma's backyard; it's naturally not difficult to get involved.

Yasuo scoffed at such low-end weapons. He was the kind of guy who was going to build Immortal Shieldbow, Statikk Shiv, and Infinity Edge.

He intended to use the Sandai Kitetsu to train Liu Zoro.

Yamato secretly observed Tenguyama Hitetsu's expression.

It was obvious that when he saw Yasuo, he had the expression of someone who had been separated from him for a long time and was seeing a long-lost relative.

This gradually made Yamato believe Ma Qiao's explanation.

Things soon took another turn for the better.

Tenguyama Hitetsu narrowed his eyes.

He then noticed a black moon tattoo on Yasuo's ankle.

"Could you be...?"

Fei Che blurted out in surprise.

The black crescent moon tattoo on the ankle is a unique mark of a samurai who remains loyal to the Kozuki Family.

"Yes, that's me." Yasuo nodded.

"Sixteen years, a full sixteen years..." Fei Che sighed with emotion.

"Yes, do you know how I've spent these past sixteen years?"

Yasuo puts on a dramatic performance. "I could only stay home and play games all day... it was such a waste of my time, until I got your message!"

"I... I have my own difficulties too..."

Fei Che sighed, "Time has passed too quickly, but it's not enough. Now is not the time for us to recognize each other. Please continue to be patient!"

The banquet continued.

Tahm Kench and the newly joined Yasuo sang and grilled together, bringing the atmosphere to a new climax.

Tenguyama Hitetsu can finally drink to his heart's content.

The misunderstanding has now been cleared up.

It turned out to be one of his loyal Retainers, so it made perfect sense for them to send food.

Although it's not entirely clear how these loyal and righteous men recognized their identities, their loyalty is beyond words, and that's enough.

I am very pleased with Tenguyama Hitetsu, or Kozuki Sukiyaki.

But in Yamato's eyes, everything was different.

Yamato sat on Ma Qiao's shoulders, her long, slender, fair legs kicking aimlessly.

Tama, still with her short legs, stood to the side, her eyes filled with envy.

"Brother Ma Qiao, so Yasuo really is Kozuki Oden's younger brother!"

"And Tama..."

Yamato glanced at the little girl who was diligently eating meat to help her grow, and said somewhat dejectedly, "Perhaps those two siblings are more suited to become Kozuki Oden..."

"No one should become Kozuki Oden. Everyone should be themselves, writing their own unique story. That's what life is all about!"

Ma Qiao picked up a delicious skewer of lamb, waved it in front of Yamato, and then ate it with satisfaction.

"You're so mean! Why would Kaido make you my teacher?"

"Oh, do you know I'm your teacher?"

"Hmph, do you take me for a fool? He's been saying for a while that he'd find a teacher to discipline me. If you weren't someone of such status, why would Kaido let a complete stranger like you appear beside me?"

"Aren't you a man? What's wrong with being a man on top of a man?"

"I... I am..."

"Alright, enough of this nonsense. The moonlight is so beautiful tonight, let's drink!"

"Damn it, I can't drink it!"

"It's about time, shall we go back and have some more drinks?"

"Though I hate to admit it, I am Kaido's daughter... you're far from being able to hold your liquor!"

"I recorded this conversation; your father will be very happy to hear it!"

"Damn it, you really are a bad person!"

"Don't say that, I'm just not obviously better..."

"Uncle Ma Qiao, Sister Elf, would you mind staying at my house tonight?"

Tama ran back happily, holding several skewers of meatballs in her hand.

However, the seat where Ma Qiao used to sit was now empty, with only a note and some fine books remaining.

"Miss Tama, someone will come to Amigasa Village regularly to deliver food."

You're welcome.

If you absolutely must express your gratitude, then please strive to become a glamorous female scholar to repay me... Being a ninja has no future!

"Toad oil merchant Ma Qiao is not my uncle, but my brother. Respectfully yours."