Ebisu and Genma Attacked!

Two days later, at the Fire Temple.

The atmosphere at the Fire Temple was different from usual today.

Since yesterday, the temple had been filled with a busy, tense air.

Early in the morning, the monks lined up along both sides of the stone steps from the mountain gate to the mountainside, waiting.

Their gray robes formed a forest, their expressions solemn.

It was as though they were welcoming some truly important figure.

Guy was among the line as well.

He wore a gray warrior monk's robe, his polished bald head gleaming in the morning light.

Unable to resist, he yawned and lightly nudged Chiriku beside him with his elbow, looking utterly bored.

"Say, Senior Brother Chiriku, when exactly is the daimyo coming?"

Guy lowered his voice, his tone full of impatience.

With his palms pressed together and his gaze fixed ahead, Chiriku replied in an equally low voice:

"He should be here soon. Junior Brother Fahai, mind your attitude. We need only wait properly."

Guy rolled his eyes.

Today was the day the Fire Daimyo came to the Fire Temple to burn incense and worship Buddha.

The man was a regular visitor to the Fire Temple, coming once or twice every year.

Moreover, the daimyo was nominally the highest ruler of the Land of Fire.

None of the proper ceremony and pageantry could be lacking.

The temple had been cleaned in advance, and the monks had formed lines to welcome him.

Those were the rules.

Guy only found it unbearably boring.

Waiting for leaders to come inspect the place was always the hardest part.

The important figure would usually show his face and go through the motions for just a few minutes.

Yet the people below had to wait for half a day in advance.

He might as well