I Can Do It Right Now

Yamana Mochitoyo had talked with them for two days. Not only had he gained no clarity, he had grown increasingly irritable. Naito Hironori feared that if they pushed him too far, he might truly smash the pot and attack Yamaguchi Hall regardless.

They needed to cut off a larger chunk of flesh. Naito Hironori was not worried. He lowered his eyes, concealing the myriad thoughts within them.

Yamana Mochitoyo was nothing to fear. His son was just as foolish as he was, and Otagaki Iekaku was old. They could have these lands for now; one day, he would seize them back, so long as he could become the master of Yamaguchi Hall.

Now that Pan Yun provided an excuse, Naito Hironori would have something to tell Ouchi Norihito when he returned.

The corners of his lips lifted slightly. He rose and gave a slight bow, showing Pan Yun his respect.

Pan Yun gave him a faint nod, then sat beside Yamana Mochitoyo. She did not interrupt, only speaking when their discussion had reached an impasse. "Why not have each side take a step back? Let Aoki Village be the boundary. Everything east of it shall belong to the Yamana clan, and everything west to the Ouchi clan."

Naito Hironori said nothing, but another retainer seated below him strongly objected. "That is impossible..."

Pan Yun frowned slightly. "From Aoki Village westward, all the way to Yamaguchi Hall, is currently in our hands. Even if we refuse to yield it, what can you do?"

The retainer was choked speechless by her words.

Yamana Mochitoyo's eyes lit up. He said repeatedly, "Exactly. If we refuse to return it, what can you do?"

The Ouchi clan's retainers fell silent in unison and looked toward Naito Hironori.

Yamana Mochitoyo felt something subtly strange. He had