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Mount Ōeyama.
Kaito slowly walked out of the forest where he was staying and headed leisurely toward the Uchiha estate.
"Lord Kaito."
Black feathers fluttered down as Karasu Tengu Fūta suddenly descended from the sky, blocking his path.
"Hm?" Kaito smiled in surprise, "Lord? Why are you being so formal today?"
Fūta puffed his cheeks childishly but, noticing the deepening smile on Kaito's face, he felt embarrassed for a moment. He quickly returned to a serious expression.
Kaito, no longer teasing him, directly asked, "What brings you to me?"
"I heard about your plan from Master Onikiri."
Fūta stared intensely at Kaito and then bowed solemnly.
"The Karasu Tengu clan, Fūta requests to join the battle."
"Let's talk while we walk." Kaito took a step forward, passing Fūta. "Did Onikiri agree?"
Fūta quickly turned and followed him, answering, "Master Onikiri said that as long as you agree, it's fine."
"This matter, well, since you and Santarō both have wind attributes, no one considered you at first," Kaito said truthfully.
"Santarō is indeed stronger than me," Fūta said dejectedly, lowering his head.
Kaito clasped his hands and said slowly, "Moreover, Santarō has valuable experience from being on the front lines a thousand years ago that others don't have."
"But there's no rule saying that yokai with the same attribute can't fight together," Fūta mustered his courage and said, "Plus, my swordsmanship can complement Master Onikiri's!"
"Well… I can't say too much about the details for now." Kaito changed the subject and suggested, "Since you're so eager to join, why not take charge of the supporting formation?"
"Yes!"
Fūta's eyes lit up, his expression immediately becoming excited.
Then, with a flap of his wings, he flew into the air.
"Thank you, Kaito! I'll hurry to Master Onikiri for more training!"
"Huh? Leaving already?"
Kaito watched Fūta's departing figure and shook his head.
"He even changed his tone right away. So practical."
He raised his hand, and all the feathers Fūta had scattered automatically flew into his sleeve.
"Little Kaito, what are you doing?"
A soft voice came from the other side of the street as Yūrei approached gracefully, looking at him with exasperation.
"Hm? These are top-notch spellcasting materials; I can't let them go to waste," Kaito said righteously.
"Alright, alright." Yūrei quietly rolled her eyes. "Good thing you didn't just go pluck feathers from Fūta."
"How could I? Hahaha..." Kaito forced a laugh.
Actually, he had plucked them before.
He thought silently.
"Let's go!" Yūrei wrapped her arm around his. "I've already made lunch."
"Alright, thank you for your hard work," Kaito responded easily.
"Hmph, you know it," Yūrei said, proudly lifting her chin.
"Looks like today's lunch will be a feast."
"Of course."
…
Land of Valleys, small town of Hayama.
Sasuke carried a basket of ingredients on his back, walking through the streets and nodding at the uncles and aunts who greeted him.
Not wanting to deal with the overly friendly residents, after leaving the bustling market area, he turned into a secluded alley.
"Sato-kun."
A shy voice came from behind him, but Sasuke continued walking, pretending not to hear.
"Sato-kun."
The voice grew louder, and Sasuke suddenly remembered that he was currently going by the name Sato.
He turned around, and his gaze met that of a girl wearing a pink kimono. She blushed immediately and lowered her head, only the top of her dark hair visible.
"Do you need something?"
Sasuke recognized the girl. She was Yūko, the daughter of Taro-san, a regular at the izakaya. She had once come with her mother to take the drunken Taro-san home.
Contrary to the teasing remarks from the other patrons, Yūko did not look exactly like her father.
As her father often said, though she wasn't a great beauty, she had a rather delicate and refined appearance.
Of course, Sasuke hadn't bothered to remember which of the frequent girls was who.
Yūko was only remembered because, like the Uchiha clan, she had black hair and black eyes.
Yūko had once overheard her father joking with a neighbor, saying he wanted to marry her off to the new guy, Sato, from the izakaya. Since then, she had secretly taken it to heart and even fantasized about what Sato-kun might be like.
When she finally met Sato-kun, she realized how poor her imagination had been—she had fallen for him almost instantly.
'Unlike the boys commonly seen in town, Sato-kun was not only especially handsome, but he also had a unique aura. Perhaps because he came from a samurai background, he seemed noble and outstanding.'
Yes, Yūko had secretly gathered all the information about Sato-kun after he arrived in Hayama.
'Sato-kun must be the son of a fallen samurai family.'
What kind of adventures had he experienced? Had he been to many different places? Would he stay in Hayama for good?
Ever since seeing him, Yūko had silently recited his name in her mind.
Would her father really let her marry him?
Thinking this, Yūko blushed even more.
After hearing that Sato-kun was very popular and that many girls in town had started talking to him, Yūko grew anxious.
'I was the first. It was my father who mentioned it first. How shameless those girls are. But… what if Sato-kun got seduced by someone else?' The thought drove Yūko restless.
Unable to wait for her father, she had rushed out to talk to Sato-kun.
However, after gathering all her courage to call his name, when he turned to look at her and asked if she needed something, her mind went completely blank.
"Are you alright? Do you need help?"
Sasuke, clueless about Yūko's thoughts, looked at her as she stood there, silent with her head down.
Since she was the daughter of a regular at the izakaya, if she needed help, he didn't mind lending a hand.
Feeling Sato-kun's gaze, Yūko bravely lifted her head, instinctively closing her eyes and shouting, "Sa-Sato-kun, please take care of me! I'm Nakai Yūko!!"
Her voice cracked!
How… embarrassing…
Yūko lowered her head again, covering her burning face with her hands.
"Hm?" Sasuke was even more confused. "I know you; you're Taro-san's daughter. What's wrong?"
"N-nothing…" Yūko murmured, her voice barely a whisper. "Please don't mind me."
"Oh, well then, I'll be going."
Such a strange person, Sasuke thought as he gave her a curious glance before turning and heading toward the izakaya.
Goodbye, Sato-kun.
Yūko silently said in her heart, squatting on the ground and covering her face in despair.
I messed up!
What should I do? Sato-kun must think I'm a weirdo!
"Young lady, are you alright?" A gentle and compassionate voice suddenly sounded.
Yūko looked up and saw a monk in white robes, his head mostly shaved except for a long braid at the top. He stood with his hands pressed together, looking at her with concern.
"I… I'm fine," Yūko quickly pulled herself together, stood up, and smiled shyly.
"Hm, this is a secluded place. Be careful and hurry home," the monk advised before passing by her.
"I will, thank you, Master," Yūko bowed quickly and then hurriedly ran home with small, quick steps.