Nobunaga Oda's Isekai Cultivation Experience

As much as he enjoyed just shutting his brain off and clicking, Nobu's patience was beginning to wear thin. His throat was completely parched, and, while it wasn't nearly as bad as when he first arrived, there was a deep, aching, feeling in his stomach."Haaaaa...I swear, if I ever become stronger than that washboard brat, I'm going to lock her in a room for an entire month..."Though there was a chance she was much older than him, Nobu got the impression that the raven-haired woman was a few years younger. She gave off the impression of someone incredibly naive, and, were it not for her ridiculous strength, he could easily imagine her being taken advantage of by someone skilled at manipulating women."It's too bad she's about as flat as a plank of wood...I wonder if I could line up the bubble if I placed a level on her chest..."Amused by the notion, a dry chuckle emanated from Nobu's throat as he set aside the stone tablet and rolled out of bed. Even lying down was beginning to cause him some discomfort so he needed to get up and walk around just to ease some of the tension in his back and joints."Maybe I shouldn't have told her I was Nananamori's grandson...nah...as shitty as this situation is, it's better than freezing to death and getting stripped naked by a bunch of homeless people..."Since he had also gotten a free change of clothes and some surprisingly comfortable boots out of the deal, Nobu decided that, so long as she left him the hell alone, he would be magnanimous and forgive the flatchested psycho for her slights. Besides, he got the impression her very existence was some kind of flag.As the woman herself had pointed out, meeting randomly was way too convenient to be a mere coincidence. In other words, this was the so-called 'fateful encounter'. Thus, before he could get wrapped up in whatever plot that psycho Goddess had contrived, Nobu was determined to get the hell out of dodge.While some might take advantage of this situation to do something along the lines of 'reclaiming' their birthright, the simple fact of the matter was that the Oda Clan were basically strangers to him. They had already invested a shit ton of resources into trying to cure his 'curse' so he would need to be an irredeemable asshat to believe something as asinine as birthright entitled him to even more. Things might have been different if he had reincarnated properly but that was now water under the bridge.Just as he had been preparing to do back on Earth, Nobu was determined to venture out into the world on his own. He already had a cheat, so, even if he just holed himself up in a cheap Inn and survived off of bread, it was only a matter of time before he became strong. After that, he would travel a bit, but, unlike the vast majority of cultivators, he had absolutely no intentions of traveling around for the sole purpose of slaying monsters and battling against evil sects. Just the thought of this made him feel exhausted, so, even if the Goddess had machinated some grand plot for him to play a part in, Nobu would be happy if he could just find a nice girl with big tits to settle down and start a family with.Though it didn't really matter at this point, Nobu had actually been studying Civil Engineering. He was only in his first year of college, but, judging by the bucket located in the corner of the room, it was fair to say this world would benefit from some modernization. The buildings outside looked like something straight out of an eastern fantasy flick, and, as far as he could recall, even the Oda Clan's castle lacked proper plumbing. In other words, so long as he scouted a few eggheads and pointed them in the right direction, he could basically become the Thomas Edison of this world without any real effort.With such thoughts running through his mind, Nobu walked over to the window to stare out at the surprisingly busy streets below. This was one of only three port cities in the Owari Province, so, if he played his cards right, he might be able to secure passage on a trading vessel. This would probably put him at risk against pirates, but, considering most of the feudal lords stayed within their territory, it would be a lot easier to avoid the Oda Clan if he traveled abroad. The only time he had ever been on a boat was when he went on a school field trip to Lake Erie so, seeing the multi-masted Galleons mored in the distance, Nobu couldn't deny the thought was tempting..."Now I just need to wait for little miss BDSM to make good on her promise..."As if his words had somehow manifested her into existence, Nobu's mind blanked as he noticed the sadist in question sticking close to the side of an adjacent building. She seemed to be on high alert, but, due to it being broad daylight, the only way her actions could have drawn even more attention was if she were completely nude."If you're dressed like a samurai, don't try to skulk around like a ninja...seriously, this girl..."Almost as if she had heard his remark, the raven-haired girl shifted her attention to the window, eyes squinting as she placed her palm against the ground and began to exude a golden aura from her body."Now what are you-!?"Before he could complete his sentence, Nobu instinctually blocked his eyes with his right arm as glass shards and splintered wooden shards peppered his body like rain. At the same time, the girl who had just leaped more than thirty meters to both cross the street and leap through the window intoned a confused, "Eh?" before following it up with a startled, "Why were you standing there...!?"Feeling an increasingly familiar heat from various parts of his body, Nobu lowered his bloody arm, face grimmer than a demon as he replied, "I needed to stretch my body. A certain twin-tailed brat thought it would be a good idea to lock me in a room without food or water. Now, mind telling me why the fuck you just jumped in through the window?"Not expecting Nobu to even be awake, Yui found herself at a loss for words, mouth agape as she stared at the rather sizeable shard of glass sticking out of the man's chest. Most people would have, at the very least, flinched after receiving such an injury. The man across from her, however, seemed completely impervious to pain...A stark contrast to the glowering yet calm expression on his face, Nobu was screaming, ("She did it again! This fucking bitch! It's like she exists to torment me! Seriously, what the actual fuck is wrong with her!?")With Nobu's gaze piercing through her, almost as if he were shooting beams from his eyes, Yui began to feel slightly uncomfortable. Despite this, she managed to regain her icy cold visage as she explained, "The people who killed you Grandfather just attempted to capture me. Once I'm finished bandaging your wounds, we'll need to leave the city. There is a safehouse located a few kilometers north of the city. We'll hold out there for a few days before venturing north. Don't worry, so long as you stay close to me, I won't let anything happen to you. You have my word."Though darkness had started to creep into his vision, Nobu's fury allowed his mind to remain clear as he shouted, "Protect me!? With the exception of my right hand, every single one of my fucking injuries was inflicted by you! Hell, even that was made worse thanks to your stupid fucking ropes! Do you seriously expect me to trust you!? You're batshit insane...!"Furrowing her brows in response to Nobu's accusations, Yui wanted to refute them, but, the more she thought about it, the more she realized he was telling the truth. Even now, thanks to the seals placed on windows to prevent people from peering inside, Nobu had sustained numerous injuries as a direct result of her actions. As far as she knew, he had only recently awoken, yet, the moment he got up to walk around, her actions had ensured he would be spending at least a few more days in bed.Noticing the uncertainty contained within the woman's eyes, Nobu's thought processes seemed to speed up as he seriously considered telling her to fuck off. This wouldn't have been a problem if it were a few days ago, but, now that she had earned the attention of the assholes who had killed his 'Grandfather', there was a fair chance they would target him in order to get to her. In other words, thanks to whatever scheme the Goddess had cooked up, he was basically fucked no matter which option he chose.Since fleeing with the psycho was probably his only option if he wanted to avoid being tortured to death, Nobu flexed the muscles of his jaw several times before growling, "Whatever. Let's go. Just know that I hate you more with each passing second. Once this bullshit blows over, it would be the greatest fortune of my life if I never have to see you again..."With strength draining from his body before he had even finished speaking, Nobu stumbled to the ground immediately following his statement. He knew his words were a little harsh, but, considering all the shit she had put him through, she was lucky he didn't try to hold her down until her pursuers arrived. If he turned her over to them, there was a chance they would let him walk away. They might even give him a reward, but, as much as he hated this embodiment of misfortune, Nobu wasn't the kind of guy who could simply toss a woman to the wolves without batting an eye...Though her training mandated that she immediately check Nobu's condition, the former's words left Yui feeling an indescribable feeling in her chest. His indignation reminded her of all the times she had felt weak and powerless in the past. Back then, every aspect of her life had been decided by other people, and, were it not for the fact her fiance had died, she would have spent the remainder of her days playing the part of an obedient servant and concubine. Since her husband was destined to be the next leader of the Oda Clan, she wouldn't even be allowed to have children since it might result in a power struggle between the two Clans. Thus, better than most, she could understand the feelings of indignation people felt when they were forced to accept a situation beyond their power to change..."Grandmother was right...I wasn't ready for this. I've even become the very thing I hate the most...a selfish and egotistical person who forces others to obey simply because I have the power to force them to comply...how pathetic..."Scowling, not at Nobu but because of her own self-loathing, Yui bent down to check the former's pulse before skillfully cutting away the fabric of his tunic. Carrying him while there were glass shards in his body was a recipe for disaster, so, while she was pressed for time, treating his injuries was her highest priority. If he died, the only way she would be able to repent for her actions was to offer her own life in turn. Thus, for both of their sakes, she would make sure he survived...even if it cost both her dream and her life...(A/N: Man, Nobu is a little firecracker...I kind of feel bad for Yui, but, considering the former is the one lying on the ground with a piece of glass piercing his chest, it's hard to blame him for being a little upset. Either way, this is an oof moment.)

Between moments of clarity and unconsciousness, Nobu had the distinct impression he was being tossed around like a ragdoll. It was an extremely annoying, and, at times, agonizing experience, as, every time he awoke, he would feel a range of pain, heat, cold, and moisture. He felt like someone had sent him through a powerwash before subsequently throwing him into a drier on its maximum setting.By the time he managed to stay awake for more than a few seconds at a time, Nobu couldn't move so much as a single muscle in his body. All he could do was stare at the ceiling above, a rocky dome set with green gemstones that emitted a faint glow.Though it took his mind a moment to process it, Nobu actually recognized the peculiar pattern. His 'Grandfather', Nanananamori, had brought him here several times. It was his hope that he would be able to remember this place, and, if something were to happen to him, he wanted his catatonic self to somehow seek refuge within."How the hell did I end up here...?"The last thing Nobu could clearly recollect was the quarrel he had been having with the infuriating woman who had yet to give him her name. Everything after that had been a blur of lights, sounds, and, of course, pain. Now, he had somehow ended up in the exact spot he had intended to retreat to once he parted ways with the woman. After all, this was the location where his Grandfather had hidden most of their savings...With things gradually clicking into place, much like the pieces of an extremely cliche puzzle, Nobu began to suspect that the unnamed woman was either a branch member of the Oda Clan or one of its many vassal families. The fact she had been searching for him, in the first place, was a pretty big giveaway. He just hadn't thought about it previously since every time he saw the woman, he was in extreme pain..."Urrrrrrgh...!"Gritting his teeth, Nobu forced himself to, at the very least, roll to his side. He had learned basic CPR and First Aid during his Senior Year in High School, so, while he didn't remember much, one of the things he recalled was the Recovery Position. This supposed made it easier to breathe, so, with every rise of his chest causing him pain and discomfort, he was hoping to alleviate the symptoms by adopting what was, essentially, just a fetal position."Haaa, haaa, huuuh? Oh, for fuck's sake..."Though he managed to complete the maneuver, part of Nobu wished he had just remained lying on his back, as, situated with her back to the wall was a very beaten and bloodied young woman. Who else could this be if not the raven-haired nightmare that had unceremoniously entered his life a few days prior? Fate seemed to be forcing them together using various cliches, so, if he followed the logic present in most novels, he was, against all rhyme and reason, expected to save her."Let me guess...I save her here...and then she pledges to follow me until she can repay her debt...is that the shitty plot you bastards came up with? Next thing you know, we'll find out we were actually engaged to be married or some stupid shit like that. Right...!?"Seemingly powered by his frustration, the tingling warmth in Nobu's stomach began to spread to the rest of his body. The pain he had been experiencing was gradually beginning to fade away, and, though he made no effort to move, he got the distinct impression he could make it to the woman's side if he really pushed himself."This...is...such...bullshit...!!"Using the strength his rage gave him, Nobu rolled off the thatch mat he had been lying on and began crawling towards the unconscious woman. Don't misunderstand. He might not possess a heroic bone in his body, but, if he didn't at least try to save her, he would never be able to forgive himself. The last thing he needed was the vengeful ghost of his presumed fiancee haunting him in her afterlife.After what felt like a marathon, Nobu collapsed near the side of the unconscious woman before muttering, "Okay...genius...you made it here...now what...?"Though he has resolved himself to save the woman, there was a difference between wanting to do something and possessing the ability to actually follow through with it. His medical knowledge was limited to what could be crammed into a few hour-long lectures over the course of half a semester in High School. As for healing scrolls, precious treasures, and miracle elixirs, where the hell was he, a person who had just reincarnated, supposed to find such things?With a bit of effort, Nobu managed to position himself so that he was sitting to the immediate left of the woman. In hindsight, this was a rather foolish decision as his right arm, while no longer in a cast, had swollen to the point it had black, purple, and yellow spots. While he didn't feel any actual pain, the small alone was enough to inform him there was something 'very' wrong."Well isn't this just fucking fantastic? How am I supposed to save this nameless bitch when I can't even stop my fucking hand from rotting!?"Contributing to the many poor decisions he had made since his initial death, Nobu felt as though all the strength was fading from his body. Shouting at the top of his lungs had not only strained his throat, but it had also drained the last vestiges of what he presumed to be his Aura. He suddenly felt an extreme and overwhelming sense of helplessness, and, for a brief moment, darkness began to invade his senses until he instinctually used his left hand to smack the dark red area between his rotting right hand and the rest of his forearm."......!!!!"For the umpteenth time since his arrival in this world, Nobu felt such intense pain that it was simply impossible to describe with words. He couldn't even scream. Instead, the only sound that came out of his mouth was an unnatural silence followed by a pained croaking sound, the result of his lungs trying, and failing, to exhale the vacuum that had formed within.Fortunately, Nobu was so dehydrated that he couldn't cry even if he wanted to. He also managed to retain his consciousness, so, after trembling for the better part of three minutes, he began to shakily fumble around his pockets in search of the stone tablet. His efforts were rewarded by the sensation of a sudden weight in his left trouser pocket. This effectively confirmed his suspicions that the tablet could be called to his side whenever he needed it, but, putting that aside for the moment, Nobu did his best to stop shaking so that he could properly navigate the strange yet familiar device.Though it might have been smarter to look around the grotto for treasures his Grandfather might have left behind, Nobu's instincts told him he could pass out at any moment. Thus, in the hopes of replenishing his reserves, he used the fact his left hand was trembling like an Eskimo in the buff to rapidly tap the screen. This was much slower than his normal pace, but, considering the state of his body, 5-7 clicks per second wasn't terrible."..."Seeing several Achievements pop up in quick succession, a wry smile developed across Nobu's face despite the pain visible in his eyes. He was especially 'amused' by the one called 'Till Death Do Us Part'. He didn't know if it was alluding to his 'relationship' with the Clicker App or if it was because he was currently seated next to a half-dead, if not fully dead, beauty. Either way, it added insult to his many injuries, and, were it not for the fact this was his one and only lifeline, he might have used the last of his strength to smash the tablet against the wall..................Stopping only to ascertain whether or not the woman had a pulse, Nobu continued to mindlessly click for the better part of five-hours. His gradual recovery had allowed him to up his pace, and, as a result, he had managed to accumulate an additional 119 Aura. He wasn't sure if this was a small or large amount, but, at the very least, it was enough to allow him to painstakingly force himself to his feet.Making the most of his limited and likely temporary mobility, Nobu lumbered over to a small pool located near the far wall. His Grandfather had hidden his stash in a small chest located beneath a flat stone half-buried in soot. It was made to be watertight on its own, but, as an extra precaution, the content had been wrapped in several layers of wax paper and linens."Why does gold have to be so fucking heavy...?"Though it was a little surreal to be lamenting the weight of gold, Nobu managed to extricate the shoebox-sized chest after a considerable amount of effort. His Grandfather had, fortunately, left the box unsecured, so, after fumbling around with the six metal clasps keeping it shut, Nobu extracted a few individually wrapped packages and parcels from the interior.It might be because of his status as the first son, but Nobu's father had never completely given up hope that he would one day break free from his 'curse'. As a result, he had been sneaking a few rare herbs into the bi-annual care packages intended to ensure he was, at the very least, healthy."Of course I would get a BAMF for a father in the life where I waste nineteen years of my life as a fucking vegetable..."Finding the herb he was looking for, a plant that resembled an emerald-green variant of cannabis, Nobu hobbled over to the unconscious woman's side before reiterating his words from five hours prior, "Okay genius...Now what...?"Though his zombie self had seen the process a number of times, Nobu had no idea how to process medicinal herbs. Nananananamori had been an Apprentice Alchemist in his youth, so, while he was a far cry from the monsters who could exchange pills for entire countries, he might as well be a Pill God compared to the inexperienced Nobu...After considering his options for the better part of ten minutes, Nobu completely dismissed the notion of transferring the herb's 'essence' via mouth-to-mouth. It had never really made sense to him why some people believed this was necessary. Unless they were using their tongues to literally force the medicine down their victim's throat, it made a lot more sense to create something like a funnel.With this in mind, Nobu crushed the herb using a pestle and mortar before filling a large basin with water. He knew the final product needed to be both boiled and diluted, but, even if he understood the theory behind producing a fire, attempting to do so with a single hand was a waste of time. He had no idea how long the woman had been unconscious, but, if this situation were anything like the novels he read back on Earth, her time had 'conveniently' begun running out the moment he began his preparations.As if responding to his words, a crashing sound could be heard as the woman slumped over and began to seize. This caused the already apathetic expression on Nobu's face to turn into a flawless deadpan, as, if she continued to thrash about, it would be impossible to use the funnel he spent a full ten minutes folding from wax paper. In other words, fate, or, far more like, an extremely bored Goddess, was doing everything in her power to make sure he stuck to conventions. Thus, without any hesitation whatsoever, Nobu 'diluted' the contents of the medicine by promptly emptying the basin into the pool. Then, after throwing in all the other herbs for good measure, he walked over, picked up the unconscious woman, and tossed her into the pool..."Fuck your cliches..."(A/N: The MC ain't no Prince Charming, that's for sure...)

With the door fastened securely, Nobu's only option to escape was through the second-story window. Unfortunately, this would require him to jump down to the ground.While it wasn't a great distance, Nobu could barely walk, much less perform something as strenuous as parkour roll. Breaking a leg would be a lot worse than being down a hand, so, at least for the time being, he dragged himself back to bed, muttering, "Whatever...at least I got a change of clothes. As long as that airstrip bitch doesn't try and meddle with me when all this is over, I don't give a damn..."Though he suspected the woman might try and drag him away, Nobu had no intentions of following her. He might have been thankful if she had simply saved him. Instead, she burnt any bridges between them by tying him up and assaulting him three times over. Even if this was ultimately the result of a misunderstanding, he didn't want to be associated with anyone unhinged enough to resort to violence before they even had a grasp of the situation.Ignoring the hypocrisy contained within this sentiment, Nobu passed the time by continuing his grind. His stockpiled clicked had allowed him to increase his point value by more than 100 over the last three hours. This caused the subtle tingling in his abdomen to gradually develop into a pleasant warmth, and, as a result, the chill within the room was no longer affecting him.All things considered, Nobu's felt as though his situation was improving with each and every click. His only complaint, ignoring all the other things he wanted to complain about, was that he had no idea how to actually manipulate his aura. He had tried several of the most common methods he read about in his previous world, but, as someone who had lived their entire life as a normal human being, manipulating energy wasn't exactly a part of his skill set."Those novels where the MC taps into their energy after only a few hours is bullshit...seriously, what kind of cheat is that? You expect me to believe a bunch of anti-social otakus who haven't worked out a single day in their life can suddenly focus their minds to the point of being able to manipulate ki and shit? Bullshit."While his frustrations were largely due to the fact he was unable to emulate said result, Nobu still felt it was strange how most stories just glossed over the issue by having their MC simply meditate and, voila, they were suddenly able to tap into an energy that the original natives spent years trying to awaken. He doubted most of them had ever even meditated before so it didn't make a lick of sense for them to be able to achieve that state of mind immediately after being reincarnated. When he tried, his thoughts were all over the place. His broken hand and the lingering pain in his stomach also didn't help, so, while it wasn't exactly fair to the Otakus, Nobu had never been particularly fond of the unique subset of society."Fucking plot armor..."---After an annoying fruitful day of gathering information, Yui attempted to return to the Inn only to find her path blocked by a group of several men. This included two thug-like individuals, a man with delicate, almost feminine features, and, most troublingly, an elderly man with a thick mustache, deep wrinkles, and a platinum-colored chainmail glittering beneath his tunic...Without waiting for the group to explain their intentions, Yui immediately manifested a set of katanas, one long and one short, before demanding, "Move. Only scoundrels and scumbags block a woman's path in the streets. Have you no honor?"Glowering in response to Yui's remark, the feminine-looking man, a textbook definition of a 'Young Master', coldly muttered, "Impudent...it would seem you cultivation base had made you arrogant..." before gesturing to the two men flanking his sides.Though she didn't particularly care about the man's words, Yui sprang into action the moment he gestured to his cronies. She was guessing he either had something to do with Nanamori's disappearance or they had already investigated her to determine she didn't actually have any backup. Either way, they weren't the kind of people she could simply talk things through with, so, even if it cost her life, she had no intention of letting them have their way."Secret Technique - Sword Chases Sparrow...!"Combining extreme speed and flexibility, Yui's swords traced an unnatural arc reminiscent of a pair of sparrows in flight. This caught the men approaching her by surprise, but, before her attacks could connect, golden auras covered their bodies as the sound of metal striking metal echoed through the surroundings.Clicking her tongue, Yui used the face of the man attempting to grab her as a springboard to somersault backward. She wasn't surprised by the fact both men were Golden Warriors. After all, she hadn't exactly been keeping her cultivation base a secret."Grandmother wasn't lying when she said gold is the most difficult rank to overcome...it feels like my attacks don't do any damage..."Though her aura had become significantly heavier and exponentially more malleable, gold wasn't particularly known for its efficacy in holding an edge. Swordsmen transition between Silver Adept and Golden Warrior would find their speed drastically reduced, and, while their aura would become incomparably versatile, it wasn't uncommon for their weapons to deform whilst striking. Yui was no exception to this, and, though she had managed to leave a sizeable dent in the two mens' auras, her longer katana now looked more like a question mark than a sword.Believing his prey was trying to flee, the feminine man shouted, "Don't let her escape! If she isn't kneeling before me in the next five minutes, somebody is going to pay with-"*CLANG*With a flash of cold and the sound of metal striking metal, the boisterous man found himself paling as the elderly man behind him grasped a crossbow bolt intended for his face."Activate your aura and remain silent. If I hadn't been here, your hubris would have just cost you your life."Swallowing the knot in his throat, the feminine man nodded his head before directing a glare in the direction Yui had fled. At the same time, a silvery glow covered his body, but, were you to look closely, it was possible to make out a few darker strands within his aura. This indicated he had either just broken through to the Rank of Silver Adept, or, far more likely, he had used unrefined silver ore to complete the process."I don't care what family you belong to...you will tell me the secret to obtaining gold quickly or you will suffer the same fate as a flower that blooms quicker than the rest..."---If there was anything Yui was confident about, it was her speed. Women, at least among the vast majority of tribes, were physically weaker than men. As a result, they had to rely on skill, flexibility, and raw speed to contend against physically superior foes.Though her speed had drastically decreased ever since she ascended to the rank of Golden Warrior, Yui was confident she could outpace people a full five ranks higher than her so long as they didn't specialize in speed. Thus, after several minutes of jumping between buildings and dodging through alleyways, Yui had managed to successfully give her pursuers the slip.Unfortunately, this was only the beginning of her troubles. After all, if they had investigated her enough to know she didn't have someone supporting her from the shadow, they would obviously know where she was staying. To that end, there was even a chance they had taken Nobu hostage. If that were the case, this mission hadn't simply become exponentially more difficult, it had become impossible to complete. After all, while Owari-Asai might not be the largest city in the Owari Province, the forces governing it were far stronger than what a single Golden Warrior could contend against.Releasing a sigh, Yui extracted a bamboo chute with seals covering one end and a pull cord extending from the other. This was the emergency flare given to candidates undergoing their warrior's trial. In the Yoshitsune Clan, it was customary for aspiring warriors to complete their first mission without the support of the family. Those who were forced to use the signal were considered failures, and, while there had been numerous exceptions in the past, Yui doubted she would be one of them. She had already earned the dissatisfaction of several Elders when she refused to marry the Sixth Elder of the Oda Clan, a man more than a hundred-and-twenty year her senior. Ever since then, she had been labeled as egotistical and self-serving, so, with the exception of her Grandmother and her elder sister, many within the Yoshitsune Clan had been eagerly awaiting the day she would make a mistake."Is it so wrong to want to choose my own path...?"Shaking that thought from her mind, Yui aimed the bamboo shoot towards the sky before hesitantly grasping the pull cord. Countless people who had come before her had given up their lives for the sake of the Yoshitsune Clan so it was pure selfishness on her part to desire something more. She could have done something had she possessed the strength to sweep aside all obstacles, but, with only her Grandmother to support her, becoming the strongest was a mere pipe dream.As that thought crossed her mind, a fair amount of moisture gathered within Yui's obsidian-black eyes before she closed them and pulled the cord with all her strength. There was very clearly some foul play involved in the disappearance of Nanamori Natsu. She could not let his death go unanswered, so, for the sake of carrying out justice, she was willing to sacrifice even her dream.........Confused by the lack of an explosive pop, Yui opened her eyes to see that she had, somehow, managed to yank out the cord without setting off the flare. More specifically, her full-force tug had snapped the cord near the base.Blinking several times in surprise, Yui didn't know whether she should laugh or cry as a mix of emotions, predominately relief, washed over her. For a brief moment, she even felt as though she had suddenly been given a new lease on life. Unfortunately, she wasn't so delusional as to believe that a misfire would afford her an ounce of clemency should she return home without completing her mission.Inhaling a deep breath, Yui waited until she could feel a subtle tingle in her temples before exhaling. This caused a cold sensation to spread through her mind, and, though it did little to calm her nerves, it provided some much-needed clarity."I need to hurry back. If they haven't already captured him, I can still complete my objectives by escorting Nobu out of the city. So long as he is who he says he is, he should know exactly what happened to Nanamori-san..."As these words departed her lips, Yui realized her current predicament was entirely the result of her unwillingness to believe him. Had she taken his words at face value, she wouldn't have had to waste three days gathering information.Exhaling yet another sigh, Yui attempted to psyche herself up by slapping her cheeks with the palms of her hands. Doubt and self-blame wouldn't free her from her current predicament. All she could do at this point was her best. Besides, she would much rather die here, fighting like a warrior, than return home only to become a pawn for the main family. Her Grandmother had taught her there were far more terrifying things in life than death, so, even if it was easier to just turn around and run, Yui pressed forward with the conviction of someone who aspired to become a hero...(A/N: Feel free to let me know what you think by posting a comment or leaving a review. Every bit of feedback helps(so long as you aren't a complete asshat about it xD...))

Chapter 10: Escaping from Plot-sama? I think not...