Divine Cherry Tree

Sanada Makoto looked at the magnificent ship opposite him, his gaze sweeping across it, trying to find the figure of the legendary shrine maiden.

It is said that this priestess summoned a purifying fire at sea to eliminate Corrupted Ones, and was known as the "Living God Miko," and was revered by the people.

But in Sanada Makoto's opinion, this was nothing more than a tactic to win people's hearts. Since ancient times, which of those shrine maidens didn't claim to be the true chosen one of the gods, beings chosen by the gods, in order to assert their legitimacy?

Amber is now just one of these priestesses.

In reality, Sanada Makoto did not believe that the shrine maiden was truly as talented as the legends suggested. He believed that it was just a facade created by her family to support the lies she had fabricated for the ignorant masses.

He didn't get to see the priestess as he wished, but that was alright. He was just going to give her a little push and let her know who was in power on this Harmony Island.

Sanada Makoto saw a Shrine Officials priest and a man dressed as a ronin standing at the bow of the ship, the two of them whispering to each other as they looked in their direction.

At that moment, he saw the observer on the enemy's mainmast begin waving his flag.

"We're here to help you?"

Sanada Makoto read the message from the flag signal.

"What are these idiots trying to do?"

Just as he was getting curious, he saw the man dressed as a ronin raise his hand.

The next moment, the ship that had been blocking the middle of the channel suddenly began to move forward.

The boat was moving very fast, and the suddenness of the approach caught everyone off guard.

Sanada Makoto lost his balance and fell onto the deck, knocking out half a tooth.

He got up and called out hurriedly.

"Who the hell wants to sail this boat? Stop it right now!"

However, the sailor's answer was unexpected.

"We haven't raised our sails, sir; all our sails are furled."

Sanada Makoto looked up at his mast. Indeed, all the sails were furled, and in theory, the ship should not have moved an inch.

Is there an undercurrent, or...

He looked back at the ship carrying the priestess slowly sailing through the channel. At the bow were two people: the priest covered his face with a fan, so his expression was not visible, while the other ronin waved as if to see them off.

"Sir, we're going too fast and out of control! I... I can't control the rudder!"

The sailors cried out in great panic.

Sanada Makoto rushed to the helm and shoved the sailor aside, trying to take control of the ship. However, no matter how Sanada Makoto turned the helm, the ship continued to sail at an extremely high speed toward the open sea.

"Beware of the rocks ahead!"

The lookout shouted a few times, and Sanada Makoto saw several reefs standing on the ocean surface ahead. If the ship were to collide with them at its current speed, it would surely sink!

But he had no way to control the ship!

"Abandon ship! Abandon ship! Everyone abandon ship!"

Sanada Makoto hurriedly called out.

He ordered the sailors to abandon ship and escape, while he himself sat down for one last attempt.

Seeing that the ship was about to hit the reef, he panicked, threw down the rudder, ran to the port side, and jumped into the sea.

However, the expected impact did not occur.

The ship stopped a short distance from the reef. From underwater, it was clear that the hull of the ship was almost touching the reef. If it had moved forward a few more inches, it would have run aground or collided with the rocks.

The ship bobbed on the swaying waves, as if mocking Sanada Makoto's panic.

He swung his arms in the water and saw a ship in the distance that had already entered the harbor, signaling a message with flags.

"Bon Voyage."

Sanada Makoto cursed.

"That spell was really amazing. I couldn't even figure out how it was done."

As the ship entered the port and began to dock, Natsushima couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

Lu Ban had clearly used some kind of technique, but at a very high level. Natsushima admitted that he hadn't seen through his setup. He had originally thought Lu Ban was just a country bumpkin, but he hadn't expected him to have such a high level of technique. He couldn't help but think more highly of Lu Ban.

"A trivial skill."

Lu Ban saw that a large number of people had gathered at the port.

These people, men, women, and children, were in the cherry blossom rain, some with umbrellas and others with petals on their heads. Their clothes were mostly simple and plain, but better than those of the people on the boat. They must be ordinary people from the Harmony Island.

Holding signs and banners that read "Welcome to the Living God Miko" and "Welcome, Lady Shrine Maiden," they appeared to be there to greet Amber.

"I don't know if they are genuinely waiting for the priestess, or if they have been bought by others to flatter and destroy her."

Natsushima said something.

Amber previously demonstrated her power as a priestess, and now Lu Ban also possesses some strength. Natsushima believes that Amber has a high chance of winning, so Lu Ban might become someone second only to the emperor in the future. Getting closer to her shouldn't be a problem.

If it were just Amber showing favor to Lu Ban, Natsushima wouldn't have such an attitude. After all, if Lu Ban himself was weak, even if Amber helped him rise to power, he would definitely be betrayed by others later.

Only by becoming strong can one sit securely.

"There are rumors circulating around the Harmony Island that the priestess wants to replace the current Divine Child, implying that she wants to incite the Sanada Family to fight against the priestess so that she can benefit from the conflict."

Natsushima explained.

"So, if Amber gets the position of the next Head Miko, when will she inherit the position and perform the ritual?"

Lu Ban realized this too late.

The current Head Miko is still alive and well, and it seems she can continue to carry out the purification work. Amber was elected, but she will probably have to wait a while before she can take over. Does that mean I will have to stay in this world for several more months, or even several years?

"Immediately, Lord Lu Ban, you may not be aware that once the successor is confirmed, the current Head Miko will immediately step down, allowing the new Divine Child to ascend to the Divine Child Pavilion. In fact, holding the selection of the Head Miko means that the current Divine Child's power is almost exhausted. At most one year later, the person in the Divine Child Pavilion will be unable to control the Pure Fire. Therefore, before she weakens, the candidate must inherit this position."

After saying that, Natsushima pointed to the enthusiastic and excited crowd below.

"The selection process has already begun. Starting tomorrow, the next Head Miko will be chosen in seven days at most."

"That's really fast."

Lu Ban glanced at the cabin and saw a girl dressed in a red and white shrine maiden outfit and draped with a pine and crane pattern slowly emerge from the shadows.

She saw the cherry blossoms falling outside, raised a hand, and gently picked up a few petals.

There was a hint of melancholy and sadness in her eyes, and this sadness suited the girl under the warm sunlight perfectly.

The cheers from the crowd at the port grew louder and more intense.

Amber saw Lu Ban and revealed a smile even more beautiful than the warm sun and falling cherry blossoms.