[4] Family Ties

The time for classes came when the sun laid down. Ren opened the sliding door to the inside and felt a hitch when he pulled it, the shoji paper trembling. Some oil was needed on these frames, he thought, remembering it for later.

He began another of his walks—hurriedly—through the numerous corridors of the manor. As much as he wished to take a nice bath to replenish himself before going to his mother, she would surely have a clever quip stored for him if he came late to her classes. And he didn't want that at all.

Mom is like a demon whenever I come late, Ren thought while shivering. I was late yesterday and she nagged on about punctuality for a whole hour. At least I feel like I'm at one hundred percent now... Should I not exercise tomorrow?

After the happening at the library, they decided on another place for him to continue his studies. And the chosen area was his mother's room, where layers and layers of protection plus guards were around to avoid the same from happening.

Far behind on the same corridor Ren walked on, shadows formed the size of ants how far they were. They squinted their eyes to make out whose back it was on their front and shone when they recognized it was Ren. An evil glean was in their eyes.

"Heeey, Ren — I mean, Young Master!" one of them shouted.

Ren halted, fists tightening. Really? Now? Heavens be damned, but the timing was the worst.

As if preparing himself for what would come, Ren took a long breath before he turned to face the individuals. There were three people, all his cousins. They walked like a pack of wolves in his direction. Starveling like winter was on.

The oldest one, Akihiko, had been the one to shout. He was son to one of Ren's aunts, Hara. He looked in his thirties and was the boldest amongst the three, with fiery hair and a malformed beard helping in judging a book by its cape. His eyes, however, were always kept crooked against Ren, snaking resentment made obvious if seen in him at the right moment.

The middle one, Ena, was the daughter of one of Ren's uncles. Her father, like many, had been prey to Sakamoto in the last battle of succession, his life forfeited. Consequently, not even crooked, she would need to mask the ire in her globes ten times out of ten whenever she glanced at Ren for it to not appear, hiding it behind bitter scoffs and laughs.

The last one was a boy Ren's age, Hitomi, also son of Hara. With his back always arched, he appeared timid, and he always kept his gloomy eyes off the actions of his cousins, hands not partaking in it too. Like his brother, he also had hair the color of a strong red. Contrarily though, his temperament was another.

"What do you want... cousins?" Ren said, his tone a sneer at the word—cousins.

Immediately, Akihiko responded, "Ehhh? Why are you being so cold? You should call us by our names, Young Master. We are family, aren't we?" Akihiko wore the most obviously exaggerated expressions of hurt he could act out.

"Yeah, we are aaall family," Ena added her part with a cheeky smile. She knew how to push Ren's buttons.

These guys... Ren thought, furrowing his brows. Although hard to endure at first, their provocations were something he became used to when he factored in that they were jealous of him and his position. However, one thing he thought himself unable to ever resist in his life was getting called family by those he held no attachments to. These he held enmity against even.

I am talking to children, I am talking to children, I am talking to children...

Mood slightly cooled with some mental gymnastics performed, Ren spoke slowly, "Could the three of you excuse me as I now have classes to attend?" He used his most polite smile as he pointed them in the other direction. His middle finger was the indicator.

This little shit...! Akihiko thought, the veins on his temple bulging. He had to extenuate the offense through all his mental fortitude to halt himself or else. His look was barely serious.

He got lucky because of his Birthgrade and he thinks he can mock me?! Akihiko thought, eyes an evil glimmer. Just because he's the clan's to-be Heir while I'm just another of the ones in line?! He's never worked hard in his life, that punk!

Jealousy filled Akihiko's mind as he aspired to the thought of having everything given to him in the palm of his hand. Then, he had an idea. Perhaps a brilliant one if he was to consider it. He hid a smirk and spoke, "I see you've been diligently training with the sword, dear cousin. If I'm not being too rude, would you consider sparring against me so I can check your progress? You might need this bout since the ceremony's approaching."

Without waiting for an answer, Akihiko unsheathed his sword. Behind his friendly smile, a veiled excitement came in the form of a mouth's twitch.

Yes, how come I haven't considered this before?! Akihiko thought, hands slightly adjusting to hide the trembling. It came from the obvious incitement.

If I injure him just the right amount and his condition is termed as unfit for the ceremony, I might be given the chance to do it myself! I could even become the Patriarch! I could even kill hi—...

An influx of adrenaline rushed through Akihiko's blood, his smile distorting more and more as he thought of it all.

Hitomi's usual timid expression turned into one of shock when he heard his brother. 'You dumbass! I know what you're thinking and it won't work! You will be punished accordingly if you try to injure an Ashikaga of the first Lineage!' He tried whispering to Akihiko, but his words went through one ear and left through the other. A hungry look had spread throughout his brother's whole face. His greed was like no other.

Ren stopped for a moment, his blood cooling in fear. As much as he didn't remember how their bullying went when he was younger, his body still flinched whenever they came close. It was an unconditional thing, this relationship between them. He gave them his body for harm and never asked for something in exchange. But to wisen up was to judge fairly. He wanted to be better. Do better. To take the helm for once.

Ren pulled his katana off its sheath. It rang on deaf ears like the warning sign ignored for the rush of the moment. "I accept your proposal." A cold voice came, very much unlike him.

Akihiko observed in a cool smirk, his feet sleazy and sword behind his back still, as Ren took a stance. He seemed not to take his cousin seriously at all. Both he and Ena were mocking and talking, laughing with each other. Barely a glance was spared in the to-be Heir's direction. Though not one person. Hitomi. He recognized the threat Ren posed in this present moment.

Ren's posture was unlike any Hitomi had seen before, and he had read almost all of what the library could offer in martial arts form. One of Ren's feet had slid back, making it so that both were far apart and in a line, the toes of each pointed in opposite directions. With one of his hands, Ren held his katana above his head. With the other, he secured the tip of the blade firmly. A rock paled in firmness as to how Hitomi saw him. A mount of confidence in the posture. Years of training.

"T-This is mad..." Hitomi mumbled, stumbling as his footing turned weak. His pupils expanded like crazy. And the hurt hit like a shark's jaw. He saw something in the far. Beyond this time. He felt horror like how a child feared the dark. Immense eyes were looking at him.

"G-Give up this bout, now... brother!" Hitomi spoke, teeth clattering. He couldn't take his eyes off Ren, even if he wanted to as badly as fire was hot.

Akihiko looked at his brother as if he was crazy. 'Give up this opportunity in a million? Not in even if the Patriarch told me to,' he whispered to him and turned back ahead, tongue going across his lips. He would savor this.

"I will now commence the countdown," Ren said, still in the same position.

"True men don't need that." Akihiko laughed and lazily brought his sword to his shoulder, changing his weight from one knee to both.

He then blinked. He should be as intimidated as I could've made him be. I didn't even give him prepping time.

He blinked again. With his sword finally in his front, Akihiko would start. His grip was still lax though.

He blinked once more. Firming his hand on the sword, he used his other to caress his hair.

Another blink. Slouching into position, Akihiko picked his stance.

A last blink. And suddenly, a katana was pairing right above his head.

"Wha...—!" Akihiko yelped as he barely cowered back. At least he had trained to this point.

But the katana and its owner were faster. A monstrous gaze hid behind the katana as both followed Akihiko — those were Ren's, his hands fully forward into the motion. Yearning for the hunt. For the kill. A beast. In the most visceral sense of the word too.

Ren's katana descended each millimeter the slowest it could in Akihiko's view. Done in a way the prey would fear the most. Suffer the most.

Akihiko's eyes began widening. He felt the wind of the blade approach him just ever-so-slightly. And then a miserably small thought came across: What in the hell. Is this.

His eyes completed their broadening and he stiffened, gazing at death as it knocked on his door.

The katana came a hair strand's length of distance from Akihiko's neck before, abruptly, metal met metal, not Akihiko's sword. And sparks flew everywhere like fireworks

It had halted. The katana had stopped. Akihiko wasn't dead. His eyes came off their blurriness, and the view was two menaces in a stalemate. His brain became mush and he could not think anymore. He fell on his butt, panting like a haggard warrior would after warring their third consecutive day.

Oden was there. The sword he used to block the hit was as still as a mountain.

He then sighed, relieved. "Wait a minute, Young Master. I think you might regret doing this."

Ren broke out of the view he had narrowed to the neck of his cousin. It was like a spell had been cast on him. His only wish was to cut off Akihiko's head. No hesitation to be sighted during the moment.

I'm glad I came back, Oden thought, a single drop of sweat descending on his cheek.

...

..

.

..

...

Some Minutes Before.

---

Oden was as bored as a dog without an owner. He walked through the various corridors within the manor, finding something he could use or do to his enjoyment so he would not just huff away like a dying bull the rest of his time here. It had become his routine by now — walk and walk around these areas.

He had talked to many people; Gone to courtyards; Trained with the clansmen; Explored the mountain's surroundings; Secret routes he had found by accident; Trifling conflicts he had resolved for the Ashikagas; Knowledge he had shared or received; Meetings he partook in as the Kozuki's spokesperson; and now all that was left was plain boredom.

"Hah... I shouldn't have left that quickly after all." Oden's shoulders dropped. He thought it the right thing to leave Ren at that moment and try again tomorrow, but his consciousness was tingling in just the end, protesting against it so he would go back if only for a second.

"Mmm... okay, okay. Should I go take a look to see how he's doing?" Oden smirked.

Rushing back to the courtyard, Oden slowly opened the door, a hitch causing it to make noise—him cringing—and he took a peek. "Hmm? He isn't here?" He fully pulled the door open and scanned through the yard of white camellias... but no signal of life existed in there anymore.

"Weird, I went away for barely some minutes..." he mumbled by himself.

Oden then left again and went looking for Ren elsewhere—that until he heard people chatting in the corner ahead.

Ohh, probably the maids. I'll ask them if they saw him.

However, as he approached the source of the conversation, he soon realized it was Ren and three of his cousins he met before.

Interesting, he thought, scratching his chin. It won't do any bad to observe this for a bit, right?

As the events progressed and Ren's mood worsened, Oden could observe some changes in Ren.

"Eyes get a darker shade. Hair slowly takes a darker shade too"... so it matches the descriptions, Oden thought, confirming long-risen suspicions of his.

He took one of his swords out and quickly ran in to stop Ren before things could get any worse.

...

..

.

..

...

Back in the present.

---

Ren's two other cousins absconded with Akihiko like rats after the duel. The fiery man while being dragged, hurled insults at his cousins, asking them to let him down while claiming Ren had fought dirty by attacking him while his guard was low.

Ren had no mind to rebut him. He didn't care and was too mentally tired — he still had classes to attend. Nonetheless, he recalled, in these instances, he would be the one on the ground, being dragged away to an infirmary even if from the slightest of bruises, so he was feeling a bit proud, even if confused as to his actions.

"I'm grateful you stopped me." Ren slightly bowed toward Oden. Lots of complications would be borne if he killed someone as regarded in the clan as Akihiko. And he knew his Aunt wouldn't let this just be broomed under the rug if such was so.

Oden scratched the bridge of his nose, feeling proud, and laughed. "No Ashikaga from the first Lineage should be bowing toward someone else. I just did what I had to, so don't mind me," he said, smiling big. However, although his frontispiece was of pure humility, his mood inside was a maelstrom of elation — some circumspect thinking was in the mix too. Because after all, he was finally progressing toward his goal of befriending Ren, and as such, he would have to be twice more careful not to mess it all up. Not for his own good, but for Ren's and the country's.

"Should I talk to someone about this event?" Oden asked, his posture of a soldier asking their superior. Squeeze from the cow as much as possible while she's meek, his thinking.

Ren simply shook his head. "No need. They aren't worth the time." He then swung around, looking to leave finally. "Though I'm certain we will see each other tomorrow, I'd like to say goodbye for now—"

"Wait a minute, Young Master." Oden held Ren's shoulder. His hand had moved on its own, but now he hadn't a choice. "I have something important to tell you." The samurai's tone was chilling.

Ren had forever thought him a fool unable of stoutness, so when he turned his head slowly to face him and saw seriousness there, chills ran up his bones. Oden was heads taller than him, had lived ages beyond what he was yet to live, and was experienced in a way Ren couldn't compare. Yet, funnily enough, he felt Oden wore an air of respect toward him whenever he was around forget his playfulness. But for Oden to cross the line and touch his shoulder was like a shock. Ren felt severity creep up his skull.

Ren swung back. "Important you say? Do speak."

Oden brought his hand back, face still stern, and spoke, "I advise you tremendously not to engage in any fighting as it could trouble your peace of mind. If unavoidable and you're obliged to respond, may I say you were disrespected or attacked first, let rampant thoughts be rampant thoughts only. Nothing more."

Some seconds passed and no one talked. With no wind and crickets to adorn the atmosphere, Ren had to tilt his head, confused nonetheless. What was Oden's point? Wasn't it common knowledge not to let anger do you in?

"Should I know of something important?" Ren asked, weirded by the subject brought by Oden.

"Just... I cannot say much. I fear ears hover about and eyes that sight from kilometers are watching this little talk of ours. I can only ask you to picture reins in your mind whenever you're about to lose it. It's my biggest piece of advice," Oden said, anon it him looking to both sides, eyes suspicious, and arching his back to close in on Ren's ears. He finally whispered, "Meet me after the ceremony. I'll definitely tell you all then."

Ren peered intently at Oden from one eye corner. Just what was he planning? Ren thought, brow raising at the weird samurai.

The large man pulled back, his smile as wide as ever. "I'll send you something with the specifics afterward though." He gave Ren a thumbs-up.

Ren couldn't hide the face he had on. The only thing crossing him now was puzzlement and more puzzlement. What was even Oden's objective? All this pep talk had been more confusing than anything.

Ren gave the man a slight nod and left walking. He wasn't planning on seeing him when the time came.

.

..

...

..

.

The same day.

Some miles of distance from Wano.

---

Money, fame, and strength are from all what pirates hunt the most. To rise to this world's top and have those three in their hands they will employ whichever means to their end. And no different were those in the new world. Differently was the fact strength was in the mounts for those pirates already. Battle scars had hardened their skin beyond what steel could do them in.

And even more resilient were the pirates lodged on a certain island. Miniscule it was, but they waited for one simple thing while in there.

A man finally arrived, claiming to be the messenger sent to call for them. All pompous and gaze belittling the scummy bunch at first, but he was now like a pup surrounded by a pride of lions.

"I-I'm sorry I took so long! Please believe me! I'm the one sent by the Kurozumi!" he spoke, face all swollen from the beating he was given.

"After how long you've made us wait on this island?" One of the highest positioned members of the crew scoffed, all the while he grabbed the messenger by the hair. "Why should we believe you at all? I'd rather kill you and wait for another."

The messenger shrunk in the man's grip, eyes widening. "I-I swear! It's hard leaving Wano because of the guardposts the Ashikagas and Kozukis have on all beaches! We tried for a breach for a long period of time and have only now found one! I'll show you, I promise! And the day of the ceremony is coming... there's no better time than now to go there!"

"Be quiet. You dare to make any demands while in this situation?" The man holding the messenger, red-eyed like the devil, pulled him by the hair for a second to close in their eye contact and the poor messenger felt his soul leave his body.

"I-I promise I'm telling the truth!" the messenger begged, grasping the man's arm by reflex.

The red-eyed man's disgusted gaze shone through his mask and he threw the messenger to the side. The fragile man cracked at some rock, gasping, and fell stunned for the moment.

"Kaido-san," the red-eyed man called. His body was clad in a black, spiky uniform, not a feature shown, but his tone and body language still gave away his reverence toward the buff man sitting on a rock like it was a throne.

Kaido supported his head with a hand while he looked over the scene. His gaze was austere in a way. Very much unlike him. Boredom could kill from the inside after all. He had been waiting for far too long.

Nose finally huffing, Kaido grinned. "I'm tired of this scenery! Same clouds and the same sea every day! Same food too!" He bit on some dragon meat he had caught. "Let's go now! Let the weak creature guide us!"

The enormous hunk of a man got up and he struck his bagua at the ground to make it a cane. His joy was overpowering.

His three main crew members looked at each other. They exchanged conflicted glances.

A chubby fiend in round glasses was the one to speak from the three. "But, Kaido-san, we still don't know if this will be a waste of time or not. How do we know he's not taking us elsewhere just so he can stall for time? Wano's location is well kept off pirates' hands after all! Just remember how astute that fox-like guy was when we met him!"

"I don't care! If those Kurozumi guys are really trying to trick us, then I'll personally go there to take their lives with my bagua! Worororo!"

...

..

.

..

...

On the Land of Wano.

Some manor at the Flower Capital.

---

A man with a head as big as seven of them paced around the quarters of his manor, steps sounding rather erratic, perhaps anxious even. His body was large and stocky too, his purple hair made in a crown; a sign of his unending greed.

"Gah!" The man heaved a table away and it fell, the vases above it breaking as water and dirt splashed and slumped around.

"Huff... puff..."

Many were watching as their lord threw a fit, yet could do nothing to interfere in his affairs. That was because he was the remnant of what the Kurozumi clan once was, their sole liege, Kurozumi Orochi.

"That Oden guy... that Oden guy... he played us!" Orochi bit his nails. "He surely knows of our plans now that he saw it! And he is even staying at the Ashikaga manor! He will definitely tell it all to that Sakamoto!" he yelled, slamming table after table, kicking flower pots and chairs like all was nothing. He then turned to his subordinates. "Also, how come we haven't received any response after we sent our messenger a week before?! Those vermin or whatever they are called should've come long ago!"

"Please, calm down, my lord!" One of his servants stepped up, hands haggling when he spoke as he asked of his lord his cooperation. "We've only now found a way to leave Wano without being noticed! He's been gone for a day only!"

"Too long! How come you've taken this long for something so simple?!" Orochi yelled and finally, he was out of breath. He had to sit down for the moment. "Huff... you ask me to calm down but we have two days left until the ceremony happens! Everything needs to have been scrubbed, tabulated, organized, and done by the end of the next day! If we don't carry on with this plan on the day of the ceremony, our chances of successfully copping Wano's reign will be slimmer than ever on later tries... maybe impossible even! And now that Oden knows of our plans, how will we proceed with it anyway?!"

None of his subordinates could answer him. Faces went down, almost recumbent, and ashamed they couldn't quench their lord's worries.

But Higurashi, they all thought, turning to look at the old woman in the corner. If anyone, it had to be her to calm their lord at this moment.

She stepped up smirking. Several of her teeth were missing. "He is right, Orochi-sama. You should calm down. Oden definitely doesn't know about the plan as no one leaked any information about it. He only stopped us because we were illegally trading with another clan."

The old woman was circling the room, hands behind her back as she spoke. Her steps were loud in Orochi's ears. A good sound, he thought. A calming one. Of refuge.

Higurashi continued, "And even if we don't receive the support we asked from these pirates, if we just follow along the plan perfectly by using the troops and weaponry we have gathered throughout the years, we'll be able to deal a huge blow to the Ashikagas and there won't be a single piece of evidence for them to try and condemn us for! Do not fret about if or if we'll not be able to conclude this plan. Your brother and I are personally overlooking all!"

The next moment, the strings of a biwa sounded to attune to Higurashi's speech. Orochi spun around and saw Semimaru's long hair and beard swaying as he gave him an approving nod.

"Higurashi-san... Semimaru-san... after my grandfather died, I don't know what I would've done without having you two to support me!" Oden cried, his voice a shriek.

...

..

.

..

...

At the Kozuki's residence.

---

"Sukiyaki-sama, shouldn't we've already begun preparing some gifts for the birthday of the Young Master from the Ashikaga Clan?"

Jibuemon—Sukiyaki's most trusted retainer—was worried about appearing rude towards the Ashikagas and gaining their hostility if they didn't gift them anything on such an important date. His lord seemed not to care after all, lazing around every day like his responsibilities as the Shogun were none.

Sukiyaki hummed for some time, eating off the plate on his side some grapes his servants had brought. He was sitting peacefully on his throne, sideways even. But he looked bored. Incredibly so.

Sukiyaki finally sighed and spoke, "Don't worry about it. I have a gift prepared for the boy. Should be arriving there some time now." He ate another grape and closed his eyes. So bored. And tired. Hands were trembling until now even. It was harsh but fun, he thought smiling. But he almost couldn't do it because of his obligations. Oh, how boring these obligations were.

Jibuemon looked at the Shogun smirking in his lone and was confused. He hadn't received a word about this present from him. What could it be that he wanted it kept a surprise?

Maybe it's a personal gift he plans on giving them? Jibuemon thought, still uneasy with the situation. If so, then I don't have permission to question this matter any further...

.

..

...

..

.

Ashikaga Manor.

Sakamoto's office.

---

Paper shuffled. Pages turned. Ink scribbled. The noise was unbearable like always. Sometimes he could forget it when he focused on his work enough. But the content was barely something to be remembered when the same things happened every day just at different times.

Customary trading between clans. Overseeing the selling of workmanship to craftsmen and alike. Expansion of inns and stores. New machinery being created. Drunkards fighting in taverns. Reports of all cities' activities. Charges from exasperated citizens had bad luck stricken them. Collecting fees from patronized enterprises. Paying the working men. Thieves trying their luck. Receiving the smallest of complaints and assuring those were taken care of. Misalignment between nobles from petty comments towards one another. And even where the dog pissed and the cat shat. Believe it or not, the time you saw it all came, and after it, everything became boring.

Barely anything of noteworthy again, Sakamoto thought, ruffling his hair while he picked another paper. He sighed as he looked over the lines, someone asking their neighbor be taken care of as his grass was invading their territory by a finger.

A good reign breeds stability. And stability breeds nescience to the hard work put into maintaining that stableness. Something Sakamoto had to tell himself always or he would have gone crazy already.

"Going to have to tell the ones sending me these down there to double-check the urgency of these requests." Sakamoto sighed and stamped on the paper, 'to offer small aid', and continued with the others. Thinking his son was about to share a part of these responsibilities with him soon was a huge blessing.

Sakamoto stretched and yawned and picked another paper, feeling ten years younger how more apt to the work he became with the morale boost. This temporary push was something all patriarchs and matriarchs had probably experienced at some point when they thought of the same. Their children helping them. He laughed at that.

The moon shone through the window on Sakamoto's back facilitating him to view the letters on the papers. Still, a candle was lit next to him creating a weak but good enough light to brighten the room slightly.

Sakamoto pulled himself back in his chair, resting his hind against the wood, and looked ahead. There was someone there.

"Yes, Hisashi?" Sakamoto said, and the man looked ahead at him.

The moonlight with the fire was dyeing all in purple. Hisashi's blonde hair had turned another color, the same for his blue eyes. "Sir, you should rest now. Permit me to finish the paperwork you have left," he spoke on his knees.

"I can't have you do this kind of thing, Hisashi," Sakamoto replied in his usual tiredness from the late-night paperwork. "If I have you doing these kinds of things, I won't have a job as the Patriarch. What I want though, is for you to report to me on how close we are to finishing the preparations for the ceremony's stage."

"Yes, Sir," Hisashi said and complied. He had disappeared and reappeared in a second, several papers now in his hands. "We've positioned the Spear Twins, Bull Squad, Elegant Sword, and many others of our elites to stand at guard there. The security is at the tightest it could ever be." Hisashi then flipped to another paper. "In regards to the stage's preparation, we are having some troubles since many civilians are surrounding the area at all times as they are curious about it. That makes it difficult for us to accelerate the process. Still, this delay won't be enough for us to have to postpone the ceremony's date."

Sakamoto nodded. "And about the Kurozumi? Have we noticed any suspicious movement from them? Although they are just a fly in our way, sometimes their sting might hurt."

"From what we have noticed, some passage through the Hakumai region to the shore was seen from them. However, this doesn't appear to have any relation to the previous report. If they are trying to hide their participation on this matter, say they're bribing the citizens to do what they're doing, they are doing it masterfully."

Sakamoto slouched to have a hand support his chin. "Really, it doesn't seem like they are planning something..." He hummed, thinking hard.

"If you permit me..." Hisashi rose from his knees and approached the table. He placed a map of Wano on it and began explaining what he thought of their movements. "We have traced their actions and from what it appears, they've been passing through the back part of Mt. Fuji to get to Hakumai. Although it may be unlikely, they might be planning to invade the manor through the mountain's treacherous rear path as we've no guards there. Perhaps they are aiming to cause some damage to it while we are at the Capital on the day of the ceremony."

Sakamoto seemed to ponder about the matter but said nothing.

Hisashi then advised, "We should put some troops on standby behind the manor in case any of this happens. Even if we use a small amount, their forces would be too weak to get through ours while the ceremony still won't be harmed by the lack of personnel to keep the civilians at bay or if any attack occurs. However, I doubt they'd be able to escalate and attack us through that hellish cliff. This is just a precaution. A silly one."

Sakamoto agreed with a small hum as he looked through the map on the table, stopping his eyes at the Kozuki manor. "Any movements from the Kozuki as well?"

"No, Sir. It appears they've been quiet in their place all this while. After Sukiyaki's present, I haven't seen a soul leave their household."

"And about that Oden guy?"

Hisashi's expression brightened for the first time as he heard Sakamoto's question. "I've been receiving daily reports from a maid named Aki who says Oden has been interacting with the Young Master for a couple of days."

Sakamoto's brows twitched. "Are you sure about this matter?" He was sensing something, and that something wasn't keen to his taste.

"Yes, Sir. And it appears that the Young Master has been smiling a lot more than usual. The maids mention that to me every time we talk. We were all worried about him since the attack and..."

As Hisashi spoke more and more, Sakamoto finally understood what he was having a bad feeling about. "Oh, is that so? I'll definitely visit him tomorrow. I can't let him go to the ceremony without him seeing his father at least once before," he spoke, face in a slight smile. But really, he wasn't at all fond of one ruining his hard work. He would take care of this tomorrow.

Sakamoto shifted in his chair suddenly as he remembered something. "Oh, right... there is also the matter with Yamamoto." The atmosphere suddenly weighed as he mentioned the name. "Have you received any news about him?" he asked Hisashi, a hand to his forehead as his frown turned heftier.

"I apologize for not finding him still, Sir. It has been four days since we've last had a trace of his location."

Sakamoto's grimace increased. "So he's really betrayed us, huh? I had quite expected it. Have the Kurozumi perhaps been able to contact him and offer him something he couldn't refuse?"

"Unfortunately, I've no information on this matter," Hisashi replied with his head down.

"Hah... it's alright. Go rest now, Hisashi. It has turned late."

"Yes, Sir," Hisashi answered with a straight back and began walking away. As he did so, however, he remembered something he had to report. "Ah, sir. The ship we sent has successfully left Wano and gone overseas."

...

..

.

..

...

One day before the ceremony.

---

Ren rose from his bed and sat on it, wiping some sweat from his forehead. Anxiousness had risen within him just like the sun had risen just a couple of minutes after morning came. The celestial body had gradually began to appear sooner in this damned mountain ever since the week before, and now it would rise with the dawn break just the following day.

Tomorrow it is! Ren thought while clenching his bed's fabric. The smile on his face wasn't actually a smile, but rather the pile of all his worry in a single expression. He needed to perform well tomorrow. He had to.

Let today be a normal day, please. It's my break, Ren thought, imploring the skies, and rang a bell next to his bed.

A maid entered his room. She was Aki. Her face was aloof today too.

"Uhh... good morning?" Ren said, tone a bit skeptical. She had been acting strange since yesterday.

"Good morning," Aki responded straightforwardly, saying nothing more afterward.

"Hmmm... may I have something to eat?" Ren asked, voice doubtful if she would comply.

"Of course, Young Master," Aki responded with the simplest smile she could muster and left, soon coming back with freshly made food.

Ren smiled. She had it learned when he would wake up.

Aki gave him the plates while he was on the bed and Ren began to eat everything like a beast. It was Aki's cooking. It had been some days since she began cooking for him in the mornings but she was damnedly good at it.

Ren took a bite of everything. The bread. The cheese. The eggs. The berries. Even the coffee he drank so quickly he got confused and masticated it instead.

Aki's face couldn't hold up and she had a slight smile break in the corner of her lips. It was a quick one though. Not there long enough for Ren to see it.

Ren reckoned while in his devouring, Mom has finally decided to give me a break from studying. This means... I can do whatever I want for the entire day!

Ren finished the food and turned to face Aki. "Thank you," he said smiling, and Aki had to turn her face away. She took the plates and left the room without saying nothing, him looking as she did so, his gaze failing him. He shook his head. Don't let it bother you, he thought. It's temporary.

He sighed when the door closed. Best to focus on something else, he thought, and began his plans for what he would do today. "First of all, I'll go down to the city. Will eat a lot of the food I've been itching to eat. Will walk around and observe what's there of new. Mmmm... what more? Maybe I could talk to people while disguised. Also, I could get some new clothes—"

Two knocks suddenly sounded from the door and Ren had to stop. He raised a brow, estranging someone coming to him when he didn't call for a servant. Maybe it was Aki and she wanted to talk about what happened. He smiled like a fool at the thought.

"You can enter!" Ren spoke feeling bright. Today was to be a good day.

The door slowly crept open, and Ren felt his heart thump for some reason. Weird. Why was the door taking so long to open? It creaked in Ren's ear like a distress signal. Ren's heart thumped louder. And he finally saw who it was.

A spark of thoughts crossed Ren and he imagined all scenarios. Wearing a black outfit. Dagger in their hand. Mask to hide their face. Rushing toward me. Ren's eyes widened. An assassin!

Discomposure met Ren as he fumbled in the bed, trying to get up. The assassin hadn't let a single second be spared as they charged toward Ren like a freak, throwing their limbs to reach their objective faster.

Ren's mind fully caught up to the moment and he thought, They sent another one to me already?! A breath escaped out. One of panic.

Ren threw a pillow in the assassin's direction, trying to blind them even if for a second. He then proceeded to jump for his katana. It was on his bedside. But he had just woken up. His body wasn't quite in the state he wanted it to be, and so he fell on the ground barely off the reach of his katana. He scrambled up, heart rushing.

The assassin on the other side, had carried enough momentum not to be bothered at all by the pillow. They let it hit their head and the clash was like a feather against a train, the pillow blowing out of the way. What came into their view afterward, however, was the unguarded back of the one they were meant to kill. A smile full of malice spread on their face, the intent shining through.

Sensing the danger behind him, Ren's heart began to beat faster. Louder. Stronger. His bloodstream filled with adrenaline and his blood turned thick, pumping tenfold throughout his whole vessel. Ren felt something snap, and his body began to act without his consent.

Turning on his crawling to face the assassin, Ren's eyes focused on the dagger in their hand. It was too late to evade already, so as it approached his body, Ren used one hand to slightly alter the dagger's direction from going to his heart to having it pierce below his ribcage.

Ren held himself from crying out from the pain. He would worry about it later.

The assassin fell above him, momentum halted, and Ren had to push them to get to his knees afterward. The dagger was out of their hand, lodged in his body, and the assassin was right by his side, rising to their feet.

Ren picked himself up, to his feet too, and kicked toward the assassin's head.

The assassin reacted fast, holding Ren's leg as there was barely any impulse behind it, and used their free hand to give Ren a straight in the face.

Ren turned stunned, world spinning, and the assassin saw it, fabric tightening around their mouth's area as they smiled. They thought it their victory as they pulled another knife from their calf pocket, and sent their hand with the blade to their target like it was a missile.

Decisions are to be made in a split second while in a battle and they can cost you victory, Ren remembered his teacher's words. They made sense more now than ever.

How exciting, Ren thought, his smile a scoff. He would die right before the ceremony.

His mother. Aki. He could see their faces in his mind right now. They would be grieving probably.

Ren remembered his uncle's tales, the feeling of his eyes shining as they once did coming through again. He reminisced about his father's harsh teachings, every session engraved on his body through the injuries and slight scars.

For a second, Ren had all the time in the world to think. And surprisingly, memories were flashing by. Was this the phenomenon of one's life flashing before their eyes?

Ren grimaced. What if I don't want to remember shit?

Ren's head began turning to the assassin and he saw their knife come to him like the slowest snail. He thought it easy to dodge, and so he slithered by their slash, wind showing visible while his kimono was grazed by the weapon. He passed by the assassin, their eye slightly following him while despairing, and he grasped them in a sleeper hold.

It was done. They would never be able to leave his grasp. His body was blessed after all. Perks of being a descendant of the strongest family.

The assassin struggled, and Ren began pressing harder. "Huff... I don't know who you are, but just know you were really close. I'll be waiting for our little talk after this," Ren spoke, a fresh smile flashing on his face. He felt crazy right now.

The assassin gave up struggling, as if afraid, and Ren continued pressing until the job would be done. But they suddenly moved their hand. Ren frowned. A cracking sound came when they did that. Together with some ticking.

Ren held his breath. He recognized what the noise was.

"Shit!" Ren pushed the assassin away and began running in the other direction the fastest he could. He looked back for a second and saw the assassin smiling for the last time.

You fucker.

An explosion ensued, and everything was blown away.

---

[7161 Words - Word Count]

[Q&A]