Chapter 53 The Kunoichi Chiyome (Part One)
Chiyome gives me a cold, stern gaze. Her finger is on the trigger of a pistol-shaped matchlock gun. In this situation, if I were to draw my sword, I would undoubtedly be shot in the forehead. Furthermore, the women around me all simultaneously drew their weapons and aimed at me. Slingshots, blowguns, daggers, etc...
But before that, there was someone who stood in front of me as if to protect me.
It was Shizuru.
"Please wait, Head Shrine Maiden. He, Akito, is not our enemy."
Chiyome's sharp gaze is fixed on Shizuru.
"Why do you think that? What evidence do you have to support your claim?"
"I have no verbal evidence. However, he is the only one who came here from Sakurakand for us. I don't believe he harbors ill intentions in his heart."
"Whether he has ill intentions and whether he is our enemy, what's the connection? Even a good person can belong to our enemies."
Shizuru could be seen biting her lower lip, and Chiyome let out a small laugh.
"Have you fallen for this boy, Shizuru?"
A blush quickly spread across Shizuru's face. Several other women let out smiles. I felt that this moment of eased tension was my chance. It was a small gamble, but I had enough confidence in it.
"You're all kunoichi, right?"
The tension returned to the women around me. But only Chiyome smiled faintly.
"Oh, why do you think that?"
"Shizuru uses kunai as her weapon, right? And the women behind you. The slingshot is for sniping, and the blowgun is for covert assassinations. What you're holding is a concealed pistol-type matchlock gun."
"Is that the only reason you consider us kunoichi? It's a weak basis."
"One more thing. I come from the same world as you. I know you."
Chiyome narrowed her eyes slightly.
"So, for now, could you put away the gun? I want to talk to you two alone."
One of the women in the back yelled.
"It's dangerous, Head Shrine Maiden! Talking alone with a man you don't recognize from anywhere!"
Shizuru also shouts.
"Akito is not a suspicious person! Shizuru-sama, please put your gun away first and talk about him!"
"Hmmm"
I said this to Chiyome who groaned.
"You should be able to easily kill me without using a gun in the first place. There should be no problem if it's just the two of us."
Yes, from the moment Chiyome pointed the gun at me, I thought she was threatening me, not intending to kill me. Because, as I just said, she could easily kill me if she wanted to.
"Okay. I'm interested in who you are and how you know about us."
As if by magic, Chiyome hid the matchlock she was carrying somewhere and told the women behind her.
"First of all, you guys should take care of your wounds. I'll leave from here tomorrow morning. Don't neglect your watch!"
I entered a room in the underground of the Cave Temple with Chiyome. It's probably about 20 tatami mats (33.058 square meters/355.86 square ft) in size? From the altar in front, it seems to be a place for prayers or something.
"Well, you said you came from the same world as me, didn't you? But with your way of speaking and your attire, it's hard to believe we're from the same world."
"We are from the same world, but different times. I came from a world 500 years after yours."
"500 years, you say?"
"I don't know much about you either. But it was during Japan's Sengoku period, when Takeda Shingen ruled the province of Kai. I heard that you were gathering information from various provinces as a kunoichi in that era."
"Is there anything else you know about me?"
I shrugged my shoulders. Unfortunately, I'm not knowledgeable about history.
"Just the name from that time. I believe it was Mochizuki Chiyome..."
She smiled and had a satisfied look on her face.
"That's right. I am Mochizuki Chiyome, a kunoichi who served the lord who ruled over Kai and Shinano. Or should I say, I used to be? In this world, I go by the name Hoshoin Chiyome."
"I have met you before in a different worldline. At that time, you taught me some ninja techniques. Among them, your throwing axe technique has saved my life multiple times."
"Met in a different worldline? What do you mean?"
"I am traveling through the same time over and over again. When I die or when my comrades are wiped out, I go back to the very beginning of time. This is called time leaping."
"So, you came to this world as you are now?"
"That's right."
"So, you're the rumored 'chosen one'? This is my first time meeting you."
"Are you different?"
"I was born in this world, from my parents' womb. However, I have had the memories of being Mochizuki Chiyome since birth."
I'm hearing this story for the first time. So, Chiyome is a reincarnator?
"You said you were living in a world 500 years after the Sengoku period. How is the world now?"
Based on my limited knowledge of history, I explained what I knew. From the Edo period to the Meiji Restoration, Japan underwent Westernization. And from militarization to defeat in war, leading to modern-day Japan. However, my knowledge only lasted about five minutes.
"I see. So, there really is a magical world in the future."
Chiyome said with admiration. It seems that the suspicion of me being an enemy has been cleared.
"There are two things I want you to tell me as well."
"What are they?"
I pointed to the Five-Leaf Sword (Goyouken) on my back. I have to be careful not to draw the sword and be killed on the spot.
"The water attribute magic stone of the Five-Leaf Sword. This should have been possessed by the 'Swordsman of the Lone Lake Island'. Why do you have it?"
Chiyome's eyes sparkled.
"Hmm, do you know the 'Swordsman of the Lone Lake Island'?"
"I have only met you once, but I have met the Swordsman of the Lone Lake Island several times."
"Is that also due to time leaps?"
I nodded.
"Well, before coming here, I stopped by his place. I was given this at that time. It seems that he received a letter from The Witch of the Valley, asking me to deliver it to you, saying that she anticipated the attack of this monster (mamono) and your presence."
(I see, that's the reason. Both Chiyome and I were saved by The Witch of the Valley.)
Then, Chiyome, looking at me with keen interest, said,
"What is your second question?"
As I was told that, I also remembered the question.
"Why were you walking shrine maidens heading towards Sakurakand? And even passing through this place called the forbidden zone at night."
"I can't tell you the reason."
Chiyome's eyes became stern again. If she says so, I won't be able to get any answers. But in that case, I had another worry.
"Surely, you won't do anything to harm the town of Sakurakand, right?"
"What if I do?"
Chiyome's eyes pierced through me sharply.
(Oh no, did I say something unnecessary?)
In this close proximity, without drawing my sword, I have a 0% chance of winning against Chiyome.
(If only I had my sword in hand, at least outdoors, I could fight to some extent with the Five-Leaf Sword loaded with magic stones...)
Chiyome, who saw through my tension, suddenly smiled.
"Do not worry. I will not do anything that would harm the town of Sakurakand."
I couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief. Upon seeing me like that, Chiyome muttered to herself, "Hmmm, maybe he can be useful," and then said to me.
"Akito, I have a favor to ask of you."
"What kind of favor?"
I asked cautiously.
"I want you to help me in Sakurakand."
"Help? What kind of help?"
"We can discuss that once we arrive in town."
I hesitated. Chiyome shouldn't be an enemy, but I couldn't be certain since we had only been together for a few days in the previous loop. Seeing me in distress, Chiyome said.
"It should be a good deal for you as well. And if you help me, I will reward you."
"What kind of reward?"
"I will give you the two magic stones of the Five-Leaf Sword."
After a moment of contemplation, I responded.
"Understood. I will do my best to cooperate within my capabilities. But promise me, it won't cause harm to me or the town."
"Ah, I will take care of that aspect."
Chiyome said with a smirk, revealing her teeth.
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