Chapter 45: Kurozumi Orochi Is Quite the Actor
The climate of the Flower Capital was mild. When a cool breeze swept through, it carried petals that fell like a rain of flowers.
The scattered blossoms were pale as snow, yet tinged with layers of pink. As those soft colors gathered, they seemed to transform into a pink-hued sunset.
Petals drifted everywhere.
The so-called "cherry blossom blizzard" must surely refer to a scene like this.
A faint fragrance was mixed into the wind. Cherry blossoms themselves had only a subtle scent, but with so many gathered together, that delicate fragrance became more pronounced.
"What beautiful cherry blossoms," Shutenmaru exclaimed. His level of learning was not high; in fact, he had only learned to read a little over the past 6 months.
Unlike Yukiko, who could even recite a few haiku.
There was no one in Wano Country who disliked cherry blossoms. Their free blooming and free falling, even in death, were still beautiful. When cherry blossoms fell, they did so cleanly, without stain or blemish. In people's imagination, life should be the same.
Life was short; while alive, one should shine like a cherry blossom, and even in death, one should depart decisively.
To live brilliantly, and to die with equal splendor.
However, while people revered this spirit, few could truly face death like cherry blossoms. In truth, the reason the people of this country endured the oppression of Orochi and Kaido for nearly 20 to 30 years without daring to resist was that more people clung to life and feared death.
"I heard that this cherry blossom tree blooms continuously for countless years. Is that true?" Shutenmaru asked Yukiko.
Yukiko shook her head and reached out to catch a small petal carried by the breeze. The delicate pink petal resembled the hoofprint of some animal. In Wano Country, Armament Haki was called Ryuo, meaning "flowing cherry blossoms." This power that flowed through the body was like petals dancing in the wind.
"I don't know, but the last few times I came, the cherry blossoms were just as lush."
In the New World, people often lacked a clear sense of the four seasons. Those who lived on Winter Islands and had never gone out to sea might believe the entire world was nothing but ice and snow.
They did not know spring flowers and autumn moons, nor the quiet cicadas of summer.
"Let's move on quickly," Yukiko said softly, her voice somehow gentler than before.
Warriors clad in imposing armor marched through the streets of the Flower Capital. Their formation was orderly, making them resemble powerful admirals, awe-inspiring and exuding a formidable presence. Yet the cherry blossom petals that drifted down onto their shoulder plates softened that might, adding a hint of gentleness to their stern figures.
"What is this?"
"Who exactly are these people…?"
The common folk of the Flower Capital naturally made way for such a majestic procession. Those tall and powerful warriors made them afraid even to meet their eyes. This kind of presence was something they had never seen in any army before.
For a moment, fear was mixed with admiration and respect.
Many ruffians even had their eyes light up, wishing they could be among them, striding proudly while receiving the reverent gazes of the crowd.
"Where did these warriors come from? They're so imposing!"
"Look, the lord sitting in the palanquin. Don't you think he's very handsome?"
"That's right. You can tell at a glance that he's noble, just like a refined young master!"
The eyes of the women of the Flower Capital were completely drawn to Kurozumi Orochi in the crimson palanquin. This old fellow was quite skilled at putting on airs. Draped in a haori, he leaned lazily against the edge of the palanquin, calmly enjoying the attention of countless people without the slightest hint of nervousness.
On the contrary, he appeared entirely composed, as if such a scene were nothing more than a trivial occasion.
He wore an unperturbed smile, resting his cheek on one hand as his eyes looked down arrogantly at the passersby along the road, lofty and distant like a deity. In his other hand, he held a bowl of clear sake.
He did not drink it, merely allowing drifting petals to fall into the sake, sending out faint ripples.
At this moment, the scene seemed to freeze. That noble, elegant, and handsome image was deeply imprinted in the hearts of the people of the Flower Capital. Seeing the amorous looks in the women's eyes, Yukiko could not help but curve her lips slightly.
To perfectly display Xia Lin's presence before these people, Kurozumi Orochi had finally done something that pleased her.
Still, Yukiko felt that if Xia Lin himself were here, he would surely do even better.
Xia Lin, of course, had no idea what was happening here. Otherwise, he would certainly say that he was not as good as Kurozumi Orochi at putting on a show.
"These people, could they be from Kuri…?"
"Are they warriors from Kuri?"
"I heard the Shogun summoned the Daimyo of Kuri. That must be him. He's so handsome!"
"That sense of being high above everyone else makes it hard to imagine that ordinary people like us could actually see such a noble person with our own eyes."
The residents of the Flower Capital were not unfamiliar with the Daimyo of other regions, but those people were on an entirely different level from Xia Lin. Even from afar, the sense of distance they gave off was completely different from what people felt now.
"The people of Kuri must be so happy to be ruled by such a Daimyo!"
The people of Kuri, living in a prosperous land, were indeed very happy.
Although the sky was gradually darkening, the Flower Capital still had a night market. In the evening, lanterns and decorations lit the streets, creating a pleasant scene. Unfortunately, there was no time to enjoy it today.
Soon, they would enter the Shogun's Mansion. After a welcoming reception, they would attend a banquet hosted by the Shogun.
In Yukiko's view, the banquet was rather dull. It was nothing more than a group of complete strangers eating together, then watching performances by courtesans from the Pleasure Quarter or oiran personally trained by Sukiyaki.
Shutenmaru, however, was greatly looking forward to it.
As a retainer of the Daimyo of Kuri, he was now a man of status and had a place at tonight's banquet. Being able to drink openly was deeply satisfying to him. Moreover, there would be beautiful women prepared by Sukiyaki to accompany him.
In Kuri, he did not receive such treatment. Without a stipend, he naturally had no money to frequent the Pleasure Quarter.
Now that the Tenryu Bugyo was expanding its manpower, many newly recruited warriors originally had clean backgrounds and received stipends. However, Shutenmaru and the others, who had once been bandits, received none as atonement for their past deeds.
As a result, although he was the leader of the Tenryu Bugyo, his life was actually far more miserable than that of his subordinates.
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