"Strange..."
The former castle deputy's retainer walked along a street in the slums. Garbage was piled high on either side, and the pungent stench made him knit his brows.
At the same time, he couldn't help feeling puzzled. Those merchant caravans today looked fairly substantial, so why had they chosen to settle in a place like this inside the city?
As he gazed into the alley, where shadows pooled thick as ink, he sensed something was wrong. Unease stirred in his heart.
But the castle deputy had given him an order, so he could only steel himself and go in.
He had barely taken a few steps when a series of piercing screams erupted behind him. He spun around and saw the tax official and guards who had accompanied him being swarmed and knocked to the ground by several shadowy figures.
The dull thud of blades plunging into flesh mingled with desperate cries, echoing through the gloomy alley.
At the sight, the retainer's hair stood on end. Cold sweat trickled down his back, and his heart hammered so violently it seemed ready to burst from his chest.
Just as he tried to cry out, a cold blade suddenly pressed against the front of his neck. His whole body stiffened, his throat bobbed, and his voice trembled.
"Y-you... brave warriors, please spare me!"
The burly man at the head of the group glanced at his fine robes and growled, "From the looks of him, he's an official. Tie him up and take him to see the Grand Governor!"
Before he had even finished speaking, several men lunged forward.
The retainer didn't dare resist and let them bind him hand and foot.
As they shoved him deeper into the secluded alley, the faces of his enemies flashed through his mind, but he couldn't imagine who would resort to such ruthless measures.
It wasn't until they reached the end of the alley that he realized how completely wrong he'd been. In the slum's garbage dump ahead stood over a thousand soldiers, packed together in a dark mass, their blades and spears bristling like a forest. Their murderous aura hit him like a wave.
"This... this..."
He opened his mouth, but it was as if an invisible hand had clamped shut his throat; he couldn't force out a sound. His legs went weak, cold sweat soaked his back, and only one thought remained in his mind.
"How did they get all these weapons and armors into the city?"
Before he could think further, the man behind him shoved him hard. He stumbled a few steps and fell heavily to his knees.
"Grand Governor, this fellow just brought a group of people in. Could our operation have been discovered?"
Dongfang Mao stood tall at the head of the crowd, his light armor glinting coldly in the dusk. Hearing Yasuke's report, his narrow, phoenix-shaped eyes narrowed slightly.
"See if he has anything else on him."
Yasuke nodded, held the trembling retainer in place, and searched him. After a moment, he pulled a black booklet from inside his robe.
Dongfang Mao took it and gave it a quick look before letting out a cold laugh.
"So we really have drawn attention after all. But they aren't here to deal with us. They're here to collect taxes."
As he spoke, Dongfang Mao slowly crouched and looked at the trembling retainer.
"Tell me, what's your name, and what position do you hold in Tsukimiura?"
The retainer nervously raised his head, but the moment he saw Dongfang Mao's face, he froze. The other man looked far too young, his features as delicate as a painting, still touched by the air of a boy.
In the moonlight, his refined features looked even more harmless, standing in stark contrast to the grim ranks of soldiers around them.
The retainer swallowed. He couldn't understand how someone who seemed so frail could command such a vicious army.
But the blade at his throat reminded him that this was no one he could afford to slight.
"My lord... I'm Shimizu Yano. I'm... I'm the castle deputy's retainer. I usually handle the city's affairs on his behalf..."
Dongfang Mao's eyes lit up at this. He hadn't expected to catch such a big fish.
The man was a scholar and knew the city's affairs inside and out. With him on hand, Dongfang Mao would have far fewer headaches once everything was done.
"Lock him up for now. Leave two men to guard him."
Dongfang Mao rose and waved a hand, ordering his men to take Shimizu Yano away.
Shimizu Yano felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted. His legs went weak as they dragged him away, and his back was already soaked with cold sweat.
By now, he couldn't be bothered to wonder what these people were planning. He was simply grateful to have survived.
"BOOM—!"
Just as they were taking him into the dungeon, a deafening explosion came from the western part of the city.
A moment later, a crimson pillar of fire tore through the night, dyeing half the sky blood-red.
Amid the billowing smoke, countless sparks could be seen scattering in every direction like shooting stars.
Dongfang Mao's pupils contracted abruptly. He spun around and looked toward the flames shooting into the sky.
"Mataichi has made his move!"
He quickly understood what had happened and turned to those around him. His youthful face was now sharp as a blade, and his armor gleamed with a blood-red chill in the firelight.
"Everyone, move out!"
"Yes, sir!"
A thousand elite soldiers answered as one, their voices so loud that the tiles and bricks on the surrounding houses rattled.
Amid the clatter of armor, Yasuke, Kyuzo, and Zenpachi led their respective units, splitting into three columns and surging toward the three great families of Tsukimiura.
Dongfang Mao, meanwhile, led over a hundred elite soldiers straight for the Magistrate Office, where the castle deputy was based!
At the same time, inside a gambling house in southern Tsukimiura, dice rattled and gamblers shouted in a constant din.
Tsunade idly turned the dice in her hand and tossed them without much thought, watching them roll around the bowl.
For some reason, this usually thrilling moment felt dull to Tsunade now. A touch of impatience welled up inside her, and before the dice had even stopped rolling, she flipped the bowl over.
"I'm done playing."
After tossing out those words, she ignored the confused looks of the gamblers, got up, grabbed Shizune, and strode over to the drinking table. She seized a wine jug and tipped it back, gulping down the liquor. The fiery drink ran from the corner of her mouth and soaked her clothes.
The burning in her throat eased Tsunade's irritation.
"Shizune."
Tsunade wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. Her eyes were bleary with drink, and an unusually plaintive look crossed her face.
"Tell me, what's Mao thinking? He's only building a village. Couldn't he leave it to the people under him? Instead, he came to keep me company for a little while this morning, then left again. I can't even catch sight of him!"
Shizune's mouth twitched at that. She wasn't sure who had insisted that Mao supervise the work personally so no one would cut corners.
And now she was the one complaining.
But looking at Tsunade, Shizune couldn't help feeling a little sorry for her. She ventured, "Since Lady Tsunade wants to see Mao, why don't we go back to the village and have a look?"
Tsunade was tempted by the suggestion, but hesitated.
"But Mao said the village is being renovated right now, and the conditions aren't very good. He told us to stay here for the time being, then promised us a surprise once the village was finished.
If we go back now and spoil the surprise, do you think Mao will be angry?"
"He probably won't. Mao—"
Before Shizune could finish, a deafening explosion suddenly cut her off.
She shuddered, and Tonton, tucked in her arms, was so frightened that she squealed and burrowed into her clothes.
"Lady Tsunade!"
Shizune pointed at the window in alarm. Flames blazed in the western part of the city, dyeing half the night sky blood-red.
Even more alarming, the streets that should have been fast asleep were now in an uproar. Chaotic footsteps, panicked shouts, and the sharp clink of metal rang out especially loudly in the night.
Before you continue