Repayment and compromise

Seeing Chiyome taking deep breaths, Bai Mo poured her another cup of tea and then said:

"Also, I've found out about the guy who caused trouble in Kaizu Castle before. He's hiding in Kyoto, so he should quiet down for a while. I'll take care of him before I leave; he should have something I need on him."

Although I don't know why he's targeting you, it's probably because of the curse on you.

Bai Mo patted the box containing the snake molts behind him. Although that wasn't his main purpose, he guessed that Ashiya Dōman that.

Otherwise, given that the ghost system had released so many Source of Power, there was no reason for it to specifically target Chiyome.

"So, do you want me to lift the curse for you? Let me explain the pros and cons first. The curse on you isn't uncontrollable; if managed properly, it can be a helpful tool."

Bai Mo stood up and looked at Chiyome. If she nodded, then Bai Mo could easily erase the curse by using Enki's authority.

Hearing Bai Mo's words, Chiyome remained silent for a moment, then asked:

"Um, Doctor Bai Mo, what level is your power?"

Faced with this inexplicable question, Bai Mo waved his hand and casually replied, "Currently, like you, I can only use Electric Current Push my realm."

"I understand. Since they don't intend to take my life, I want to keep this power. Perhaps it can help the Mochizuki Clan in the future."

"Don't worry, I already said I'd help you find a way out."

Upon hearing this, Chiyome shook her head and said:

"In that case, I really don't know how to repay you. Please, as a doctor, accompany Mochizuki on this short journey."

Otherwise, this unpayable debt of gratitude would be more painful to me than this curse. Please grant my request, Chiyome, I don't want to owe you anything more."

As she spoke, Chiyome instinctively tried to kneel down again, but Bai Mo had to grab her shoulders and lift the little cat up.

"Okay, I understand. Don't kneel down all the time."

Watching Chiyome leave, Bai Mo simply shook his head. Ignore her? That was impossible. Her situation was beyond his control. He was only saying this to preserve her dignity.

Chiyome left, and looking at the setting sun outside the window, Bai Mo turned back and took the snake molt from behind him.

Now Bai Mo is relieved. With Chiyome's problem solved, any future troubles can be dealt with by fists. There's no need to keep this thing; he can use it to make soup tonight.

As Chiyome sighed deeply, then immediately spotted Mochizuki Mo hiding on the eaves of a nearby building.

"Boss, how did it go? Did you succeed? You should have succeeded, otherwise I'd start to doubt the reliability of what you taught me."

Hearing Mochizuki Mo's words, Chiyome simply shook her head, a deep sense of disappointment flashing in her eyes. She jumped to Mochizuki Mo's side and took the larger package.

"What are you thinking? Really, he's just a kind person who was willing to save us from dire straits. We can't repay him, and we can't take advantage of his kindness; that would only cause him trouble."

When you get back, tell everyone who knows about his situation to keep their mouths shut.

Hearing Chiyome's command, Sho nodded silently. The two leaped across the rooftops when suddenly, Sho abruptly asked, "Leader, is it because of us?"

What do you mean by that?

"What I mean is... Leader, no, if you, Chiyome, were to drop everything and go with him, we... I can't make grand promises, but at least I would support you."

Mochizuki Mo took Chiyome's free hand, her eyes filled with seriousness, and continued:

"He told us before that we kids shouldn't continue being ninjas, and at the time I just didn't understand. But seeing you like this, running around and getting yourself all injured, I understand what he meant."

No matter how well you do, elder sister, those old fogies won't understand you, and old man Shingen won't trust us. It's better to just leave it like this..."

With a soft thud, a chop landed on Chang's head. Seeing Chiyome's stern expression, Chang turned her head away dejectedly, saying nothing more. But not long after, with a soft sigh, Chiyome spoke:

"I'm not a good enough candidate, Chang."

"Huh? I won't allow anyone to disagree with Big Sister, not even you yourself!"

Chiyome raised her hand again, and Sho covered her head, but this time it wasn't a sharp chop to the Mochizuki, but a gentle touch on her hair.

Chiyome slowly said:

"A competent leader would handle this favor properly, but only without harming the interests of the clan. They would do so openly and fairly before the clan members, not like I did, sneaking over here alone."

The glow of the setting sun fell on her face, and a glistening drop of light, reflecting the last rays of the setting sun, rolled down her cheeks.

He had no desire to become a hero; otherwise, a powerful person would not be content to be a doctor.

So, I secretly ran away, carrying a sliver of hope. If he wanted me, then even if I were tormented by my conscience for the rest of my life, even if I carried this shame, I would...

At this point, Chiyome let out a breath and revealed a smile that was even uglier than a grimace.

"Now I've given up hope. From now on, I'll stick to the original plan and integrate into the Takeda Clan. It's painful, but it's the only way to preserve the Mochizuki Clan."

I can't expect his help anymore; it will only bring him a lot of trouble. Besides, I'm also afraid of myself...

Chiyome secretly made up her mind. The reason she wouldn't remove the curse was twofold: firstly, she might actually need the power; and secondly, it was because of Bai Mo's words:

"He should have something I need."

This was the only thing she could do for him, so she was willing to use herself as bait.

What an incompetent leader, Chiyome thought.

As the sun set, upon returning to the Mochizuki Clan, a guest arrived. Inside the tea room, Takeda Shingen, clad in armor, sat at the table, slowly taking out a scroll.

After unfolding the scroll, Chiyome looked at it with a somewhat puzzled expression. It was filled with all sorts of rules and regulations, all of which were the conditions promised to the Mochizuki Clan before the marriage alliance, and some were even better. Some of these conditions were not even enjoyed by powerful forces that had taken the initiative to come to them.

"What does this mean, Mr. Takeda Shingen?"

"As you can see, it is a promise." Takeda Shingen said solemnly. He was very serious. Outside the window, a lot of supplies had been sent in. They had just gone through a great battle and hadn't even repaired the Takeda Clan, so they were sent here first.

"Previously, it was inevitable to be wary of the nobles' situation, but to be honest, I was only worried about you. After all, if the nobles' men did something radical, I couldn't bet that you would side with Takeda."

However, I now have complete trust in you.

I have offended you in the past, but as a fellow head of a family, you should be well aware of what this responsibility means."

Takeda Shingen glanced at Chiyome, who was also addressed as leader, but he never considered Chiyome a leader. The Kōga Clan had always been male-dominated, and the reason she became the leader was partly because they needed a suitable woman for a marriage alliance after their defeat at Mochizuki.

On the other hand, it is also because Chiyome possesses Magnetic Field Power.

But in terms of political acumen, she was just a female ninja; what leader would go to the front lines to show loyalty?

But things are different now. Someone reported that Chiyome can now barely hold her own against Uesugi Kenshin, so her value has greatly increased, and she can no longer be suppressed.

"However, the Takeda Clan has one condition."

Takeda Shingen put away the bamboo scroll in his hand and said to Chiyome:

"As the head of the family, Takeda's dignity cannot be violated. I hope you, Chief Mochizuki, will bear with this. Once you have reconciled with my useless nephew, Takeda will welcome the Mochizuki Clan."

As for my nephew, I won't let him get in your way afterwards.

Leaving these words behind, Takeda Shingen departed. The final condition may seem insignificant, but it was actually a political necessity. Making the current Chiyome and the useless Morotoki submit was a final test of her loyalty.

This was also a necessary outcome for Mochizuki and Takeda — the Mochizuki Clan had submitted.

Moreover, Takeda Shingen's meaning was very clear: if they merely reconciled, then Morotoki would be completely meaningless. Afterwards, he would become a sacrifice for the Mochizuki Clan to vent their anger.