Where to Go from Here

"Shang, you're quite free, chatting like this. In that case, the Mochizuki Clan's renovation work is short-handed..."

"I'll take the medicine back now. Goodbye, Chief."

The girl stood ramrod straight, saluted Chiyome, and immediately took small, quick steps to leave through the back door. Chiyome said coldly, "You only said goodbye to me? What kind of attitude is that?"

"Oh, goodbye, Doctor."

Bai Mo waved to her, and Mochizuki Mo left carrying a large bag of herbs. Chiyome sighed softly and said:

"That child is just confused because he's worried. Our troubles won't affect you," Chiyome said to Bai Mo with a hint of sincerity.

"But you're in a lot of trouble, aren't you? Even the children in your family need my help as a doctor. It was already a big problem, and now it's even more difficult."

The words were very direct, but Chiyome didn't hide anything and nodded directly. During this time, she hadn't concealed the situation within the clan from Bai Mo, and these things couldn't be kept from some people with ulterior motives.

Bai Mo poured a cup of hot tea and handed it to Chiyome, saying to her at the same time:

"Besides, you should be stabilizing things at the Mochizuki Clan right now, not running off to my side."

"It's alright. I told everyone I was recuperating from an injury and sneaked out. Chang is a smart girl, she won't let it slip... Besides, even if she finds out, no one will care."

Chiyome picked up her teacup; although she was a ninja, every movement she made perfectly conformed to the standards of the tea ceremony.

If you changed her ninja outfit into a beautiful dress, she might be mistaken for a rich young lady.

"Moreover, this favor must be repaid no matter what. If a ninja on the battlefield is rescued, then the ninja must repay the favor."

Not to mention that the Mochizuki Clan is a ninja clan, and they must repay kindness. Although... I really don't know how to repay this enormous kindness, or rather... I've been taken care of by you all this time.

so..."

Chiyome stood up and prepared to kneel on the ground, but Bai Mo helped her up.

The girl raised her head, her eyes flashing with an unusual light as she gazed at Bai Mo. She stopped speaking there, seemingly expecting something, and directly handed over the right to offer a reward to Bai Mo.

This is equivalent to handing over a blank check, where you can fill in everything the Mochizuki Clan can afford in the amount column.

The Mochizuki Clan's dependence on Takeda is now essentially nominal. The ninja world has its own unique "law of gratitude," so it's fair to say that if it weren't Bai Mo sitting here, but a daimyo...

He will gain the Mochizuki Clan, thus acquiring a mature, loyal, and experienced ninja group in one fell swoop.

However, this is somewhat inappropriate. Such a promise should be made at an important clan meeting. Although Chiyome is the leader of the Mochizuki Clan at this time, she has secretly run away to meet Bai Mo alone.

This is somewhat unlike the way the Mochizuki Clan repays their debt of gratitude; rather, it is Chiyome's personal act of repaying a debt of gratitude.

After helping Chiyome, Bai Mo sighed softly.

"Hey, you guys, don't be so quick to kneel down."

"Don't you like it? That's strange. Men usually like seeing women kneeling in front of them, whether it's when they get home at night or before they go to bed..."

"Only those with an empty heart need the submission of others to fill it. Okay, get up first, I really need you... promise me one thing."

Upon hearing Bai Mo's words, Chiyome sat back down in her seat, appearing completely obedient.

"The power within me and you has some connection, as you have sensed during this time. This power is not simple; it has already merged with your Primordial Spirit and is inseparable from it."

You are currently only in the initial stage of Electric Current Push. Once you enter a higher level of Magnetic Field Rotation, you will be able to crush the entire Warring States period single-handedly.

"It's fortunate that someone as kind and harmless as you is, but if these powers fall into the hands of some scum, it will be a disaster. Furthermore, due to someone's request, I need to reclaim the Primordial Spirit like yours that possess power."

Chiyome was stunned, then her eyes dimmed slightly. Bai Mo felt a chill; did she still have some doubts after all? Just as he was about to explain, Chiyome revealed a relieved smile.

"I understand. That's indeed a solution. This way, the Mochizuki Clan won't be a threat, and they can be easily absorbed by the Takeda Clan."

As soon as she finished speaking, Chiyome drew her ninja sword. The blade slid out of its sheath with a clanging sound, but before it was fully drawn, she felt her hand go empty. Looking up, Chiyome saw that the ninja sword was now in Bai Mo's hand.

She didn't even notice Bai Mo's actions.

What are you doing?

Bai Mo frowned and questioned her, but Chiyome seemed somewhat dazed. She opened her mouth and said:

"You need my soul, right? If that's the case, then this is the only way. Since you need my life, I'm willing... Quack!"

The cup in Bai Mo's hand landed on Chiyome's forehead like a spinning iron ball, then returned to Bai Mo's hand like a bouncy ball.

Physics interrupted her. Bai Mo sighed deeply and reprimanded her:

"Who's going to kill you? I think you've been beaten into a daze by Uesugi Kenshin, haven't you? How can you interpret it like that? Didn't I say, is someone like you even okay?"

Looking at Bai Mo, who was sternly questioning her, Chiyome appeared pitiful, but a sweet feeling welled up inside her. Bai Mo was usually very gentle, and this was the first time she had seen him so angry, but this time it was because she wanted to commit suicide that Bai Mo was angry.

Seeing the pitiful Chiyome, Bai Mo waved for her to come over, then took out some ointment and applied it to her head, saying as he did so:

"Since you are harmless, there's no rush to take you back. I'll wait until you die naturally and have lived out your life before taking your Primordial Spirit away."

As he spoke, Bai Mo noticed that Chiyome's pearly skin instantly turned red.

"Is it swollen? That's strange, I was holding back."

Chiyome's heart pounded faster and faster. At that moment, she was completely unaware of the pain in her forehead; all she felt was her heart, which felt like it was about to burst out of her chest.

"Take my soul away after you've lived this life..." This sentence kept repeating in Chiyome's mind.

These words were far more weighty than a confession, and even as a vow at a wedding, they wouldn't be appropriate. But Chiyome didn't feel uncomfortable at all; on the contrary, a warmth welled up from her very bones.

Suddenly, a strange chill ran down her spine, as if someone had pulled open her collar and dumped a handful of snow in winter. Her boiling brain instantly cooled down, and her heartbeat returned to normal.

"That... natural death refers to..."

"I will leave a mark on you, and after you die naturally, I will come back to collect your soul. After all, there are very few Chiyome like you who do not abuse their power. I will let you live out your life in peace."

It won't disrupt your life, don't worry.

Bai Mo smiled and patted Chiyome's shoulder. Chiyo's gaze froze, like a fish washed ashore and dying, her eyes lifeless.

"I see... I guess so... That's true, haha."

Seeing Chiyome staring up at the ceiling, Bai Mo breathed a sigh of relief. At least it seemed she had accepted it. As for her somewhat off-putting mood, it was probably because she felt embarrassed about the misunderstanding.

In Bai Mo's eyes, although Chiyome seemed easy to talk to on the surface, she had her own dignity deep down. After all, it was understandable that she would burst into tears when Uesugi Kenshin ran away.