The next day, early morning.
Oda Nobunaga woke up early, not because he was excited, but simply because he was awakened by the heat.
The effects of the potion were gradually weakening, and he would often wake up after only an hour or two from the Heat, as if a swarm of ants were gnawing at his body.
Fortunately, all of this will end today.
If he gets his hands on the snow lotus, he can mix it with other medicinal herbs, grind it into an ointment, and apply it to the burns all over his body, thus freeing him from the fiery energy that has tormented him for three hundred years.
Oda Nobunaga stood up from the water vat, the splashing water startling Kichō, who was sleeping beside him. " Nobunaga!"
Her voice was soft and sweet, and her expression was extremely docile. She didn't even use words to persuade others; she could only express her inner thoughts with her captivating eyes.
"Put bandages on me."
Oda Nobunaga was not deterred, and said with undisguised pride, "Today is a momentous day for the expedition. How can I let my men see their commander-in-chief huddled in a water vat? I will personally go to greet them!"
"Hi." Kichō lowered her eyes, gently wiped the water droplets off his body with a towel, then wrapped a large bandage around his body and put on a bright purple kimono.
He reached out and picked up his Zanpakuto, tucked it into his waistband, and stepped out of the thatched hut in his wooden clogs.
At this moment, the sky was just beginning to brighten, with the east turning a pale white, while the rest of the world was still a grayish-blue.
The air at the mountaintop was fresh. Oda Nobunaga took a deep breath and looked westward, where he could see a sizable town.
That is the center of the West District 15, Ryūgetsu Ryūgetsu Castle, named after the district.
All the taxes collected in the entire region are gathered in the city, where the tax collection team that arrives later verifies the accounts. If there are no errors, they proceed to the next region.
"Snow lotus." Oda Nobunaga's eyes were filled with longing as he told himself to be patient; it would be over soon.
He looked away, turned around, and sat cross-legged on a moss-covered rock.
Kichō didn't wait on the side; instead, she rolled up her sleeves and went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for seven people.
Oda Nobunaga stared at the narrow mountain path, shrouded in morning mist, wondering who had arrived first.
It must be that guy, he thought to himself.
The mist rippled, and two figures stepped out from within.
The first man had a silver ponytail, and his eyes sparkled with confidence. He carried a large blue bundle on his back, with two rolled-up straw mats across his shoulders.
A beautiful woman with a blank expression followed behind.
"Haha," Oda Nobunaga laughed heartily, standing up and saying, "It's so good to see you're alright. I heard about your glorious feat of fighting four captains single-handedly; I was worried you wouldn't be able to come today."
Shiraishi retorted, "You're outdated. The latest rumor is that I single-handedly fought four captains and killed three of them."
The more impressive the scene of all four squads appearing at once, the more pathetic it seemed afterward.
The residents of West District One learned the truth through their own inquiries, and naturally, they were not content with simply spreading the truth.
With everyone chiming in, the story became quite interesting.
Oda Nobunaga smiled and looked at Nemu Kurotsuchi behind him, "The story of being captivated by your charm and willing to abandon his position as vice-captain to wander the world with you can't be a lie, can it?"
"It's all made up by a bunch of bored guys. I'm not handsome enough for women to throw themselves at me."
Upon reaching the mountaintop, Shiraishi didn't dwell on the rumors and went straight to the point. "When do we make our move?"
Oda Nobunaga replied, "The tax collection team's calculations will take a long time, so there's no need to rush. Put your luggage inside first, and we'll get started as soon as my men arrive."
Shiraishi nodded, strode towards the thatched hut, and casually tossed the bundle and straw mat on the table.
Compared to his carelessness, Nemu Kurotsuchi seemed very cautious.
The small bag she carried was full of treasures: a frying pan, salt, oil, a kitchen knife, and so on; she couldn't just leave them lying around.
" Kichō used to run a tea shop; her cooking skills are superb. You could go and learn from her."
Shiraishi wouldn't let Nemu Kurotsuchi participate in this operation, nor did he want her to stay in one place in a daze.
"Okay," Nemu Kurotsuchi readily agreed and ran towards the kitchen.
Shiraishi returned to Oda Nobunaga's side and asked, "Is the person coming down from the mountain a guest or an enemy?"
Oda Nobunaga smiled and said, "Guest."
Before long, an old man with white hair appeared on the mountain path, drinking strong liquor in large gulps. He had two knives, one long and one short, at his waist. His clothes and hair fluttered in the wind as he strode toward the summit with an extremely carefree attitude.
Oda Nobunaga turned his head and said, "You should have heard of his name, Miyamoto Musashi."
"He is Miyamoto Musashi?"
A look of surprise appeared on Shiraishi's face.
This name also frequently appears in Japanese anime, and its appearance is often associated with the title of "sword master".
Oda Nobunaga nodded emphatically, "Indeed, the Niten Ichi-ryū he created is unparalleled in the world."
"Haha, unparalleled in the world, nothing to boast about."
Miyamoto Musashi heartily, tossing his sake gourd high into the air. " Nobunaga, how have you been?"
Oda Nobunaga caught the sake gourd, gulped down a few mouthfuls, the strong liquor stirring his inner fire, but he paid no heed, and shouted, "As expected, a victory celebration is incomplete before the battle! Would you like a drink?"
"I don't drink." Shiraishi shook his head; he had no interest in indirectly kissing two grown men.
Oda Nobunaga tossed the sake gourd back to Miyamoto Musashi, introducing him as follows. "This is the recently renowned the Unforgiven, Shiraishi."
"Oh." Miyamoto Musashi's gaze was somewhat probing; at such close range, he couldn't sense the other's Reiatsu at all.
What would it look like if that ornately decorated sword were drawn from its sheath?
boom.
A pale skull came into view, proclaiming the word "death."
Miyamoto Musashi's pupils dilated. It was him—no, it was him!
Miyamoto Musashi immediately realized that this intense and unrestrained killing intent wasn't emanating from Shiraishi. His eyes turned towards Ryūgetsu Castle. " Nobunaga, have you noticed?"
"Hmm." Oda Nobunaga uttered a single word coldly. Thanks to the potion not completely losing its effect, his strength could still be maintained at more than half.
The ferocious Reiatsu that was causing Reishi in Ryūgetsu Castle could not escape his perception.
Shiraishi recognized the Reiatsu as belonging to someone, and said with a look of astonishment, "Hey, is it really that serious? You're sending out Kenpachi Zaraki just to collect taxes at the end of the month?"
Oda Nobunaga's face, hidden beneath bandages, darkened; he knew whose credit this was.
Aizen.
It must have been that guy who notified the Gotei 13, which led to the arrangement for the 11th Division Captain to personally escort the tax collectors.
"Heh." Oda Nobunaga let out a cold laugh, his eyes showing no sign of backing down, and said in a deep voice, " Musashi, do you have confidence?"
"Yes," Miyamoto Musashi replied. He hadn't experienced this exhilarating feeling of his blood boiling even before the fight had begun.