Kasuga-no-Tsubone
Upon arriving at the Ooku, Bai Mo and Ritsuka confirmed the current situation. First, this location was indeed the Ooku during the Edo period, but due to Kama's manipulation, the current Ooku was completely different from the historical one.
A massive underground labyrinth with five levels of floors has been added, and what's worse, everything here is being eroded by a process called Tokugawafication.
This is the Ooku, the Tokugawa Clan's harem, so the person enjoying himself here couldn't possibly be anyone other than Tokugawa.
The most direct example is Goredolf inexplicably appeared in the Projection —no, at this moment he calls himself Tokugawa Musik, the Shogun of the Tokugawa Clan, dressed in a golden kimono, smiling as he speaks to the crowd:
"So you've gone to greet guests, Tokugawa Ritsuka. Although bringing someone here without the head of the family's permission is a bit presumptuous, never mind. Since you're Tokugawa Ritsuka's friend, the Ooku, which is reserved for Tokugawa's pleasures, will be open to you!"
No preparations are needed, just come in empty-handed! You'll have a great time in the Ooku, be grateful to Tokugawa, hahaha!
Looking at Goredolf, who now completely adopted the demeanor of a samurai, Bai Mo felt a strange sense of déjà vu for no apparent reason.
Fat man, gold, general, kindness.
When these elements are put together, something feels off in several ways.
"Is this what you call Tokugawafication?"
"Yes, when I faced Kama before, I almost felt like I was turning into Tokugawa Ritsuka."
"Then next time you encounter this kind of mind-stealing, remember your name."
As Bai Mo spoke, he turned off the instrument in his hand. Parvati, who had just been dressed as an India goddess and holding a tuning fork, suddenly transformed into another person. Dressed in a kimono, with her purple hair tied up, she exuded a dignified air unique to Japan aristocratic women in every gesture.
"Alas, the Ooku is supposed to be a place for educating the princes, with pleasure being only one part of it. How did my Ooku become like this..."
Excuse me, my name is Saitō Fuku, Mr. Bai Mo, you can just call me Ofuku. Thanks to Miss Parvati's help, I, who should have died, am able to be here.
These two are Miss Mata Hari and Miss Scheherazade Yagyu Tajima-no-Kami Munenori. They are all outstanding individuals, and Miss Kiara...
Saitō Fuku bowed to Bai Mo. Normally, she would proudly refer to herself as Kasuga-no-Tsubone no Tsubone, the name bestowed upon her by the Emperor, when facing others. However, considering that Bai Mo was not Japan and that this was not a serious diplomatic occasion, she simply gave her real name.
However, Bai Mo did know something about this woman who was quite famous in Japan history.
"Kasuga-no-Tsubone?"
"You knew my name before? I never imagined that even people in later generations of Han Chinese would know my name, Ofuku. Whew, I feel I can die without regrets."
Kasuga-no-Tsubone clearly never imagined that she, a woman who rose from humble beginnings, would not only leave her own history in the future of Japan, but would even have her name known in the distant China Empire.
"You flatter me. Not everyone has your kind of courage. Throughout history, you have been the most outstanding wet nurse of the Tokugawa Shogunate."
Kasuga-no-Tsubone can be said to have laid the foundation for Tokugawa Iemitsu's position as successor, and at the same time, he was the true holder of the highest power in the entire Ooku.
"I didn't expect you to be so knowledgeable about the history of other countries. You also seem to know a lot about the Tokugawa Shogunate. I'd love to know what it was like in your eyes?"
Kasuga-no-Tsubone's eyes were filled with anticipation, and even her recent defeat temporarily vanished. She had dedicated her entire life to the Ooku and to the Tokugawa. To say that she didn't care about the opinions of others would be completely impossible.
Ritsuka heard this question, her heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason.
"Except for a few exceptions, the rest are all insects. How good could the ruling class in ancient times be? Normal people were a rare commodity."
Bai Mo's words immediately froze the smile on Kasuga-no-Tsubone's face. He then turned to greet the others.
Mata Hari was a colleague from Salem, so they were familiar with each other. And Scheherazade... was also someone they knew in a sense.
Upon seeing Bai Mo, Scheherazade took a deep breath, seemingly unwilling to recall his previous terrible experience. He stepped forward, bowed slightly to Bai Mo, and then asked:
"Um... Your Excellency, in the end, you won that battle, right? You... you killed him, didn't you?"
"I ripped his heart out."
Upon hearing Bai Mo's reply, Scheherazade smiled sincerely and bowed respectfully to Bai Mo once again.
I owe you a favor.
Communication with Yagyu Tajima-no-Kami Munenori was even simpler. As fellow martial artists, a single glance was enough for them to confirm each other's positions and attitudes.
As Yagyu Tajima-no-Kami Munenori looked at the long sword at Bai Mo's waist, a hint of a warrior's longing for battle flashed in his eyes.
Ritsuka comforted Kasuga-no-Tsubone, saying, "It's alright, Kasuga Kasuga-no-Tsubone. Even Brother Bai has a sharp opinion on his own Great Qin, so it's normal here."
The group entered the labyrinth, and Kasuga-no-Tsubone didn't remain dejected for long. She had faced far too many setbacks in her life and was not a woman easily defeated. Besides, now was not the time to be discouraged; enemies awaited them deep within the Ooku!
"Now that we know about Kama, we can start devising countermeasures, right?"
Ritsuka counted Kama's characteristics on her fingers. Kama had so many characteristics: God of Love, the Formless One, India God, Demonic, and Beast. Now, it had also merged with the Ooku and acquired the Tokugawa attribute.
The more attributes a character possesses, the more methods can be used to counter them. However, it's clear that the group lacks effective countermeasures against Kama / Mara. Therefore, the only viable countermeasure is...
"Only Tokugawa, I suppose."
Bai Mo said, and Ritsuka nodded in agreement. Scheherazade, Ritsuka to the side, asked, "Tokugawa... what should we do then? Use the Black Ships that led to Tokugawa's downfall as a means of attack?"
If we had the blueprints, with my abilities combined with Mr. Bai Mo's ability to create things out of thin air, we might indeed be able to recreate it...
Scheherazade volunteered, but Yagyu Tajima-no-Kami Munenori- no-kami Munenori coughed. It was too late. Upon hearing this, Kasuga-no-Tsubone no Tsubone, who had just been comforted by Ritsuka, immediately lost control of his expression again.
"You mean... my country... the Tokugawa Clan is gone?"