Yashiro the Blind

"If not now, then in the future?" Yamamoto Kansuke pressed.

Yashiro didn't speak, but a slight smile curved her lips. In those few words, she had sorted out her thoughts and stopped worrying—life is only once, and the future is only once.

In that case, we should try our best to choose a future that we won't regret.

Whether or not to accept Yamamoto Kansuke's offer of recruitment was not about Yamamoto Kansuke, but about Takeda. She only knew a little about Kai, all of which came from hearsay, and she had only heard of Takeda Harunobu by name, but not by name. Therefore, the young woman was unwilling to easily tie herself to his chariot.

Whether it's a hundred kan or a thousand kan, if she truly cared about these things, she should be in Iga right now, outwitting and fighting others to reclaim her father's castle and territory. The fact that she's in Suruga instead of Iga shows that she has already made her choice.

"Haha, as for the future, there's nothing I can do. Even if I took out all eight hundred strings of cash of my annual salary, I doubt you would agree. So let's wait a little longer! Anyway, I think I can live for quite a while longer. As long as I'm alive, what I said today will still be valid, and I'll keep these two hundred strings of cash for you."

Yamamoto Kansuke slapped his thigh and laughed as if he were having a good time.

Yashiro smiled slightly and said, "In that case, let's put this matter aside for now and talk about something else."

"What's the matter?"

"It is what you just said, Lord Yamamoto, 'great kindness and virtue'."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Yamamoto Kansuke raised an eyebrow. "You mean you want me to repay your kindness right now?"

"Of course, didn't you just say you would definitely find a way to repay me...? With Lord Yamamoto's status and position, he shouldn't go back on his word and deny what he just said, right?"

"You don't need to worry about that. A true man keeps his word. Tell me exactly what you want me to do."

As he spoke, he shifted his posture, his eyes darting around as he looked the girl up and down, seemingly lost in thought.

Yashiro simply smiled and held up three fingers: "Not many, I just want to ask you to do three things."

"The little girl has quite an appetite."

Yamamoto Kansuke chuckled, then urged, "Stop being so mysterious, tell me quickly what three things that child's life-saving grace deserves."

"Then first..."

Yashiro, true to form, stopped keeping him in suspense and put away his first finger. "The first thing I want to do is plead with you on behalf of someone, hoping you will spare his life."

"Ok?"

Yamamoto Kansuke's smile vanished instantly, and he said coldly, "You want to plead for Hikita Toyogoro?"

"It's less of a plea and more of a reasoning," the girl shook her head. "The culprits of that day have already died by my sword. Although Mr. Xiao Bo was wrong, his mistake was misjudging people and being inexperienced in the ways of the world. His crime does not warrant death. Please let him go."

"...Very well, since you've said so, I'll spare his life for now." Yamamoto Kansuke was silent for a moment, then snorted. "Unfortunately, you're too late. Before today, I had already sent people to stop him. If that kid is not as skilled as others and dies early, don't blame me for breaking my promise."

"Life and death are predestined. If that's the case, then we can't blame Lord Yamamoto."

Yashiro shrugged. She knew that based on the attitude he had just shown, he would most likely not let the unlucky Toyogoro go. After all, most of the other guys had died, and only this kid was left. If she didn't take revenge on him, who else would she take revenge on?

Considering our friendship over the past few days, I offered a word of advice, which is more than enough. If someone like Toyogoro can still be killed by Yamamoto Kansuke's men, it means that this is his destiny, and he cannot escape it. He can only accept his fate.

"Is this the first thing you mentioned?"

"Correct."

Yamamoto Kansuke laughed heartily, "Haha, let me warn you beforehand, my favors aren't something you can just take for granted. Don't you think it's a waste to squander them on something so trivial?"

"Lord Yamamoto, please don't be in a hurry, there are two more things to do."

"explain."

The girl then withdrew one finger. "The second thing... I'd like to ask, after learning about this, how do you plan to treat Xiaoqin?"

"You ask me how to treat him? Of course, I'll bring him back to the manor and take care of him as best I can..." Before he finished speaking, Yamamoto Kansuke suddenly narrowed his eyes, because under his gaze, Yashiro's left hand had already silently grasped one end of the cane as he spoke.

He knew, of course, that there was a sharp sword hidden inside that cane.

"what do you mean?"

"If that's what Lord Yamamoto is planning, then I'm sorry, but I'm afraid... I won't agree."

Yashiro paused for a moment, and when he heard that the other party did not get angry immediately, he continued, "Back in Tōtōmi, Lord Matsushita Kahei entrusted Kotomi to me, and told me that I must not let her suffer any grievances—I have been entrusted with this task, and I must be loyal to it."

Although Kabei actually entrusted the person to the monkey, let's not dwell on such details for now.

"Matsushita Kabei..."

Yamamoto Kansuke narrowed his eyes, his expression changing slightly. "Miss, are you implying that if that child comes back to the manor with me, he will be bullied and suffer injustice?"

"Whether you can or not, Lord Yamamoto, you yourself know the answer..." the girl sighed, "I have no choice in the matter."

……

Chapter Sixty-Three: The Hundred Forms Are Not the Body

Involuntarily.

Upon hearing just those four words, Yamamoto Kansuke's expression visibly softened.

When talking to intelligent people, you never need to spell things out too clearly; just hint at it. Some things aren't that you can't see or understand them, but rather that you subconsciously choose not to look at or think about them. Now that Yashiro has seen through it all, he can no longer pretend to be blind—

Bringing Kokoro back to Kai and acknowledging her to everyone as his daughter would not be the best option for the child.

Not to mention that he had already remarried and had children, such an interference, bringing a child who had been separated for many years back home, would inevitably make his wife feel a little awkward, no matter how virtuous and magnanimous she was. And this awkwardness is often the budding of evil thoughts.

People's hearts are unfathomable, and Yamamoto Kansuke felt he couldn't afford to take that risk.

Furthermore, even without mentioning this, it's easy to predict what will happen after bringing the child home—every family has its own troubles, and ordinary people have their own worries, such as natural disasters, man-made calamities, and the general conscription. Even the seemingly high-ranking lords and warriors have their own things to worry about.

Yamamoto Kansuke is now a samurai with an annual stipend of 800 kan. While this stipend may not seem like much, he has earned the deep trust of his lord, Takeda Harunobu, over the years, and his position in the family is quite significant in a certain sense. The children of such a person would inevitably have to prioritize the family's interests, and would be arranged to marry into other families, negotiating and "selling" them for a good price.

Once he acknowledges the child, and Xiaoqin's existence becomes widely known, he will naturally be unable to avoid this hurdle.

If Kotori were a normal person, it would be understandable. After becoming the daughter of a samurai from an ordinary commoner, she would enjoy a better life and make some sacrifices for the development of her family. However, based on Yamamoto Kansuke's investigation over the past few days and his observation of that brief encounter, he had already grasped the situation of the other party.

Unlike physical growth and development, the mind remains as pure as a young child.

How could such a child understand the necessity of preserving the family name?

How could he be so heartless as to use it as a pawn to seek greater and more benefits?

Moreover, even if Xiaoqin were persuaded, or forced into marriage, given the girl's naive and clueless nature, it's easy to imagine that her married life would not be happy or fulfilling.

Yamamoto Kansuke was well aware of these truths, but he was unwilling to think about them in detail for the time being. He only wanted to immerse himself in the joy of regaining what he had lost, not as the head of the family, but simply as a father, purely experiencing this joy.

But... he's no longer a child.

“What you say makes a lot of sense, young lady…”

Yamamoto Kansuke finally sighed heavily. "So, you intend to continue keeping that child with you, just like before?"

“No.” Yashiro shook her head. “I am a woman with no fixed abode, wandering the world, and all alone. Although I have some rudimentary skills, I can only barely protect myself and do not have much energy to take care of another person.”

"So……"

"Why not ask Xiaoqin's opinion before making a decision on your own?" the girl suddenly asked.

Yamamoto Kansuke, who was about to say something, was taken aback by what he heard. He swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue. He raised his head slightly and looked through the girl's shoulder at the bright sunlight outside the window. The light seemed to dispel the gloom in people's hearts, making him feel relaxed.

“That’s right… Since it’s the child’s future, she should be able to decide for herself.”

As if a huge weight had been lifted from his heart, Yamamoto Kansuke couldn't help but laugh. "Is this the second thing you wanted to say?"

“That’s the second thing,” Yashiro replied.

"Alright, there's one last thing left. Please feel free to speak, young lady."

As he spoke, any slight unease he had felt about the girl's "exorbitant demands" vanished completely.

When Yamamoto Kansuke first heard Yashiro mention the three things, he thought of her as someone who would take advantage of a situation and expect something in return, asking him to do three things for her. Although Kansuke himself said it, and he always kept his promises, he was still somewhat displeased.

There was even a slight disappointment. He had thought the other party was a promising talent who could be cultivated and developed, but he never expected that he would turn out to be a short-sighted person who valued petty gains. As long as he accepted his offer, whether he joined the Tobo clan or became a retainer, the things he could gain in the future would be far more than just these three things.

If she can't even understand such a simple principle, then this girl named Yashiro is nothing special. Originally, he might have intended to groom her as his successor or a trusted confidante. However, if he were to take the opportunity to set three conditions, even if she agreed to serve in his position, Yamamoto Kansuke would probably only use her as a pawn.

That was his initial thought, but after the first two incidents were brought up, he changed his opinion of the girl once again.

It's clear that Yashiro doesn't care much about Hikita Toyogoro's life or death. Otherwise, when he heard that he had sent people to intercept and kill him halfway, he wouldn't have given up so casually. His tone and expression were obviously genuine. He was just mentioning it out of sympathy and pity.

That one word alone secured a point.

The second thing was even more peculiar. It wasn't for himself, but to speak up for Kotoko. According to Yamamoto Kansuke's information, the two had only known each other for less than half a month, and there shouldn't have been any deep feelings developing between them. To put it bluntly, for a penniless traveler like Yashiro, who was nomadic, Kotoko was simply a burden. If it were someone else, they would probably only think about how to get rid of her as soon as possible. A kind-hearted person might even find her a home, but if they encountered a bad person, they would have sold her off for money long ago.

As Xiaoqin's background was revealed, this "burden" was naturally lifted off her shoulders, and no one would blame or blame Hachiro for it. Yet, she still brought it up, raised the topic, and used up another spot.

This only proves one thing:

Whether it's Toyogoro or Koto, they are all just preludes.

Although she said she wanted him to do three things, the first two were just a warm-up, and the real deal was the last one—to ask for an exorbitant price and then negotiate on the spot. Yamamoto Kansuke was no stranger to this negotiation technique; he had used it many times in his interactions with others. However, seeing that the girl was young and spoke with neither humility nor obedience because of his samurai status, nor did she act arrogantly or put herself in a superior position because of his kindness, he was surprised.

This calm and composed attitude was something that Yamamoto Kansuke greatly admired.

There are many brave and skilled warriors in this world, and there are also many young masters. Compared to actual combat skills, a young person with a calm and upright mind who will not be blinded by glory and fame too early is even rarer... It's a pity she's a girl, otherwise he really wanted to adopt her as his son and let her help his son gain a foothold.

However, since the other party doesn't even care about an annual salary of two hundred kan, they probably won't agree to change their surname to Yamamoto... This thought lingered in his mind for a few moments before he reluctantly gave up. Yamamoto Kansuke leaned forward slightly, more curious about what the other party was going to say next.

What is it that you really need his help with?

Looking back on the girl's life so far, Kansuke felt that what could make her so serious must be related to the family feud five years ago. Her parents, siblings, and estate had been murdered and seized. If Yashiro were to ask him for help in reclaiming what rightfully belonged to her in Iga Valley and restoring the Tenfu family's glory, even a strategist like Yamamoto Kansuke would find it somewhat daunting.

Despite the headache, I was also somewhat eager to try it out.

If this matter can be accomplished, it would be equivalent to driving a nail into Iga. Although Iga Province is located in a strategic area of ​​the Kinki region, it has had little contact with the outside world for many years and is commonly known as the "Hidden Country." Outsiders cannot invade it. It is home to numerous factions, none of which are willing to submit to the others. In addition, the land itself is not very fertile, making it a tough nut to crack. As a result, the surrounding daimyo have been fighting each other fiercely, with Ōuchi, Hosokawa, and Yoshimi taking turns to fight, but no one has ever seriously attacked Iga.

Simply put, it's not worth it.

If he could use this thorn to build up a group of loyalists to Takeda in Iga, he could not only directly influence the situation in the Kinki region, but also play a significant role when Takeda Harunobu marches on Kyoto—a king who aspires to unify the country will certainly march on Kyoto to serve the emperor.

Considering all the potential benefits, devising a plan for this helpless girl to reclaim the Tianfeng family's legacy, though difficult, is not something that cannot be given up on.

With a mind racing, Yamamoto Kansuke weighed the pros and cons and made a judgment in an instant. He stared intently at the girl, waiting for her to ask for help. He immediately nodded in agreement, giving Yashiro enough confidence, and then returned to Kai Tsutsuzaki Mansion to report to his lord and discuss specific action plans, thus planting a piece for the future of the Kinki region.

“Very well, Lord Yamamoto, you are straightforward. Then I will speak frankly about the third matter—”

To everyone's surprise, Yashiro seemed to have read his mind. He lowered his head and suddenly chuckled softly, "Since Lord Yamamoto is the leader of the Tōha Clan, I wonder how much you know about the former leader, Kanna?"

"Varied……"

The unexpected words startled Yamamoto Kansuke, and the "I promise you" that almost escaped his lips caught in his throat, leaving him with a feeling of utterly powerless, like punching cotton. After the groundwork laid by the previous two incidents, the "main topic" that had finally been revealed wasn't about asking him for help with something difficult…

It's not a problem.

"Girl, are you sure... this is the third thing you wanted to say?"

"Yes, what else?" the girl laughed. "Judging from your reaction, Lord Yamamoto, do you think I would offer you some difficult conditions, such as... asking you and the person above you to help me reclaim the family property that Momochi Tanba-no-kami has seized?"

Seen through.

Yamamoto Kansuke narrowed his one eye and carefully examined the thin-looking girl in front of him once again. Her face still had a touch of childishness, and her features had not yet fully developed, but it was already clear that she was a standard beauty in the making. At this moment, a faint smile appeared on that childish face.

The smile was always there, yet both moments ago and now, though clearly the same expression, evoked two completely different feelings in Yamamoto Kansuke's eyes.

"interesting……"

He muttered to himself.

If, when presented with those three options, Kansuke was still thinking of recruiting the girl to his cause, at this moment, he suddenly felt even more inclined to introduce her directly to his lord, Takeda Harunobu. If this woman harbors ambition, she will surely achieve great things in the future—

A flicker of apprehension crossed Yamamoto Kansuke's mind, but his expression remained impassive as he chuckled, "To be honest, that's exactly what I was thinking just now, and I was even having a headache over it. I didn't expect you to be so unpredictable, young lady."

"It is an honor for me to have surprised Lord Yamamoto."

"Just for this 'accident,' you've used up this favor for nothing. Don't you think you're losing out?" Yamamoto Kansuke asked with interest.

“If this favor were truly owed, I certainly wouldn’t want to waste it like this.” Yashiro shook his head with a smile. “Unfortunately, this favor shouldn’t be owed to me in the first place. Compared to me, the Matsushita Kabei family is the real benefactor who saved Kotomi’s life. Lord Yamamoto, please don’t mistake the person you’re repaying this favor to.”

Yamamoto Kansuke paused for a moment, then slapped his thigh and laughed heartily: "Haha, I really can't understand you anymore, little girl... Could it be that there really are people in this world who are without desires or wants?"

"You're joking. There's no such thing as being without desires. Haven't I already stated my desires?"

"Is one question enough?"

"It's just a small favor; one question is enough."

Seeing that the girl still insisted, Kansuke's eyes flickered. He stopped asking questions and nodded, "Then I'll just repay this favor here. But to be honest, I don't know much about the former leader of the Tobo clan either. He was mysterious and his origins were unknown. Moreover, he disappeared before I joined Takeda. All the information I have about him is hearsay and may not be satisfactory to you."

“It’s alright, I was just a little curious.” Yashiro replied. “To be honest, I’ve met him twice before—I believe Lord Yamamoto has also heard of him, the one who recently called himself Tenfu Goro in Suruga—although he doesn’t seem suspicious, I’ve always had some doubts about him, so I’m taking this opportunity to ask you about him.”

"I see." Yamamoto Kansuke suddenly realized.

He then slapped his thigh repeatedly, as if organizing his thoughts, or perhaps hesitating about where to begin. Yashiro didn't urge him, but simply waited quietly.

"Kanna... Although I have never directly interacted with him, according to others, he is a shadow."

"shadow?"