The limit of endurance
After waiting for some time without seeing the person she expected, Chiyome looked at the sun outside the window and sighed deeply. Looking at the empty room, she took an object from her bosom and placed it on the bedside table.
She sensed that the inscription "Mochizuki Kyūdayū" was written by Bai Mo, and she thought to herself, "Kindness must be repaid." Chiyome went directly to Bai Mo's clinic.
She shouldn't have come at this sensitive time, but she did anyway.
She didn't want to stay in the Mochizuki Mansion anymore; she still wanted to protect Mochizuki. But for some reason, Chiyome felt a sense of estrangement from those "people."
It felt like a tiger had wandered into a cat's den.
Only here does she feel a sense of familiarity, only here is he like her, one of her kind. But he's not here; no matter how peaceful this place may feel, it's just a room.
"Thank you for your help; I will repay your kindness. If needed, I will do my utmost."
After leaving those words, Chiyome departed. This time, she made no attempt to conceal herself, walking out openly through the main entrance. She was not wearing her night clothes, but rather the formal attire of the Mochizuki Clan.
As she expected, a few passersby noticed her, but Chiyome didn't care. When these people's thoughts could be easily read and everything they did could be understood, what was there to care about?
Some women whispered among themselves. At eighteen, Chiyome was considered quite old in an era where twelve-year-olds could marry. It was hard not to speculate when such a woman walked out of a man's residence.
Moreover, quite a few girls had developed feelings for this generous and kind doctor, Chiyome could already guess that some gossips would start spreading the word about it this Tianxia.
In the past, she would have been in a hurry to explain the situation or leave in a rush. But this time, she showed no intention of leaving.
"Fragile and pitiful."
She narrowed her eyes. These rumors that she had once worried about now seemed utterly meaningless. If one could achieve one's goals and overcome difficulties with mere words, then the Emperor would surely be a giant salamander.
She could easily know what a person was thinking, and she had the power to crush their heads. So, what meaning did these rumors have for her?
This is true; if Chiyome wanted, she could rip their tongues out before they could even start talking. With the help of Magnetic Field Power, she has countless ways to do this silently.
Throughout the entire Kaizu Castle, no one except Bai Mo could find any trace of him.
Thinking of this, Chiyome couldn't help but shake her head and laugh.
"I was such a ridiculous fool to have sneaked in through the window and the back because of these weak people. I was such a laughable fool to have worried about them."
She walked confidently down the street, her loose clothes much more comfortable than the tight-fitting ninja outfit, and she didn't have to worry about stepping on roof tiles; the thick, soft soil meant she didn't need to watch her step.
Previously, she had always regarded this power as an unexpected bonus, something she shouldn't have received and that did more harm than good. But now, without realizing it, a crescent-shaped smile curved at the corners of Chiyome's mouth.
Looking around the market and at the young girls, Chiyome lowered her head, gazing at her own childlike figure. Having always worn ninja attire and undergone rigorous training since childhood, it was normal for her body to be like this.
This is the normal figure for a female ninja; after all, the smaller the ninja, the better. But now, Chiyome feels somewhat disgusted with her body; she feels she shouldn't be like this.
This was a thought she had never had before.
Not long after Chiyome left, the back door of the pharmacy room opened. Luckily she left early, otherwise she would have seen someone suddenly walk out from the empty doorway.
Bai Mo quickly noticed that there was something new in the room. A metal object, engraved with nine semi-circles, was lying quietly on the headboard of the bed he had never slept on.
"The Moon Ring and Nine Luminaries family... isn't that the Mochizuki Clan family crest? It belongs to Chiyome, and she even came over?"
Looking at the Moon Ring and Nine Luminaries family crest in his hand, Bai Mo shook his head and chuckled:
"Although we can figure out it was me by process of elimination, if we rely on intuition, then maybe Chiyome is quite talented?"
But is this considered a counterattack? Knowing that I forged a Mochizuki Kyūdayū, they threw the Mochizuki Clan crest at me. Heh, that's quite an interesting move. It seems they've improved in both power and political maneuvering."
This was a very good way to handle a friend who had offended the head of the family; it served as a warning without offending the other party. Bai Mo wasn't angry at all; on the contrary, he was happy about Chiyome's growth.
"But this isn't a solution. After all, it's the family crest of the patriarch. Let's return it later."
Chiyome, who had just left, was unaware that the token she left behind to repay a debt of gratitude had been completely misinterpreted by Bai Mo. At this moment, she walked all the way to the front door of the Takeda Clan, intending to see Takeda Moritoki.
After all, I had already made an agreement with Takeda Shingen that I needed to do some political pretense with that guy.
Chiyome frowned; with each step she took, she felt an inexplicable fire burning in her heart.
"Strange, what's wrong with me? This is something I have to do for the sake of the Mochizuki Clan, and it's always been like this, but... what's with this feeling of resentment?"
This little thing is nothing compared to the power I gained and the series of suppressions and ridicule I experienced after Morotoki broke off the engagement. But why do I feel resentful this time?
She shook her head and murmured, "Just bear with it for a while, it will pass. After this, no one will insult me or the Mochizuki Clan again. Think of Sho and the others, think of those ninjas, they are all counting on you, Chiyome."
Thinking this, Chiyome had already reached the door of Morotoki's room and took a deep breath.
It's alright, it's just a negotiation. The other party is just some clueless good-for-nothing. With this mind-reading ability, I can handle even Takeda Shingen.
It's just enduring some humiliating words; haven't I gotten used to them already?
Thinking this, she went inside. After opening the door, a pungent sour smell mixed with some incense wafted into the air, like fragrant flowers blooming on a rotting corpse.
Takeda Moritoki was dressed in samurai attire, sitting upright. Although he still looked somewhat disheveled, it was clear that he had taken great care of himself.
Not appearing in public looking disheveled is basic etiquette, but now, Chiyome felt she was just like those old men in the household. Why bother dressing up when your inner self is so ugly?