Nobunaga Oda's Isekai Cultivation Experience

("This settles it. Anyone who thinks it's fun to get reincarnated into a fantasy setting is fucking retarded...")Though he was previously among this exact group of people, Nobu had failed to consider what a life lacking modern conveniences would be like. Camping out in the cave hadn't been that bad. At times, it was even enjoyable. Now, however, he had to spend upwards of fourteen hours a day in an overburdened wooden carriage without any cushioning or suspension. This, combined with the fact most roads were just dirt or mountain paths, meant he was getting his ass pounded throughout the day, and, even if he wanted to, sleep was hard to come by due to the putrid aromas that constantly assaulted his senses.The only things that brought solace to Nobu during these times were the stone tablet, and, though he would never admit it, Yui. The former provided a much-needed distraction whilst simultaneously allowing him to increase his strength. As for the latter, she had fallen into the role of a dutiful young wife with surprising ease, almost as if she had been practicing how to care for others her entire life.Since most of the people in the caravan either gave him a wide berth or outright scorned him for just sitting around all day, the only person Nobu had to interact with was Yui. She would bring him food, peel fruits for him, ask how he was feeling, and, at times, she would even snuggle up next to him as if they were an actual married couple. This earned him an extreme amount of envy from the predominately male group of caravaners, as, despite her lack in the breast department, Yui was an exceptionally beautiful young woman. Since she was also a Golden Warrior, so, even if they didn't know her background, they knew she was backed by a group that could invest 100kgs of gold, an amount most people wouldn't even be able to collect in their entire life.Simply put, everyone envied the position Nobu was in, and, were it not for Yui watching over him like a hawk, the more opportunistic among the group would have taken their anger and frustrations out on him. Instead, they talked behind his back, accused him of hiding behind a woman, and, in at least one instance, someone had tried to poison him by mixing herbs and fecal matter into a bottle of sake and offering him a swig.Though the man ended up losing his left hand as penance, the incident earned Nobu even greater scorn from the rest of the caravan. The only reason he hadn't been ousted or outright lynched was because the caravan leader, Atarashi Tsuneo, was the one to carry out the punishment. At first, the man was going to be killed by Yui, but, after learning what had happened, Tsuneo settled things by creating a silvery-green wire around the man's wrist and severing it in an instant.As the leader of a caravan organized by the Za Trading Company, Tsuneo had cultivated to the Realm of Rank 4 Platinum Hero. This placed him squarely among the top 1% of cultivators in Nian, as, even among the Noble Clans, Platinum was very near the pinnacle of what most people could aspire to. Even the current Patriarch of the Oda Clan was only a Rank 7 Mithril Lord, so, while there were certainly stronger individuals living within the archipelago, the Platinum Realm wasn't referred to as the Realm of Heroes for no reason.Out of recognition for Tsuneo's status and authority, Yui decided not to press the matter further once punishment had already been meted out. Instead, like a mother hen protecting its chick, she began watching over Nobu with even greater scrutiny. She personally checked all of his food and water for signs of tampering, and, in many cases, sampled it directly just to make sure the taste and aroma were palatable. He would vomit anything too gamey or poorly seasoned, so, using the skills that had been ingrained into her ever since she was an infant, Yui dutifully prepared each of Nobu's meals with an attention to detail that could only be emulated by others who had spent the entirety of their youth preparing to be an attendant, concubine, bodyguard, and assassin.........Accepting the wooden bowl offered to him by Yui, Nobu lowered his face to the point tiny beads of condensation built upon his nose as he deeply inhaled the rich, fragrant, and savory aroma. Though he could complain about virtually anything, the one thing he appreciated about the culture of Nian was its food. The people might have distinctly 'western' appearances, but, as could be expected of a nation inspired by Japan; rice, soy sauce, miso soup, and umami-rich dishes were both popular and tremendously delicious.Thanks to his ability to inhale continuously, Nobu was able to appreciate the aroma of food unlike any other. This was also one of the only times throughout the day when he could tolerate removing his face mask, so, after allowing the rich fragrance to pervade the entirety of his senses, he exhaled a sigh of relief before silently whispering, "Thanks..." in a sincerely grateful tone.Offering a practiced yet discernibly genuine smile, Yui packed a few scoops of steamed white rice into a second wooden cup before replying, "You're welcome." in an equally soft tone. She had also come to enjoy moments like this, as, unlike the brash man he had presented himself as during their stay in the cave, this version of Nobu wasn't simply 'tolerable', he was also polite and sincere.Though she would never admit it, Yui also found it surprisingly refreshing to be able to use the skills her Grandmother had forced her to refine over the past eighteen years. Before now, she considered them a waste of time and a constant reminder that she might, one day, be forced to marry the Sixth Elder of the Oda Clan. After all, these were skills that were originally intended to serve her husband. Thus, prior to meeting Nobu, Yui had always harbored the hope that she would never be forced to use them. Now, seeing Nobu slurp her soup as if it was the most delicious food in the entire world, it was surprisingly difficult not to feel a subtle sense of gratification...Waiting until Nobu had finished, quite literally, licking his bowl clean, Yui passed him the cup of rice before explaining, "At this point, we are only three days away from the capital. If you'd like, we can travel the remaining distance on foot. This area is heavily patrolled by both the provincial army and warriors serving the Oda Clan. My permit allows me to travel with upwards of three people, so, even if we are stopped along the way, it shouldn't be an issue."Hearing Yui's explanation, a frown immediately developed across Nobu's face. He wasn't annoyed by the suggestion. Quite the opposite, actually. What bothered him was the fact that his 'plot sense' had triggered the moment Yui asked if he wanted to walk the rest of the way to the capital. He had failed to dodge every flag thus far, but, perhaps as a result of reincarnating into a fantasy world, he could generally sense when 'something' was about to happen.Misinterpreting Nobu's expression as dissatisfaction, the nascent smile on Yui's face faded away as she whispered, "It was just a suggestion. If my words somehow offended you, I apologize. I just-"With a silencing gesture and a dismissive shake of the head, Nobu prevented Yui from finishing what she intending to say before clarifying, "Relax. I'm not upset. In fact, once this is all over, I'm going to be avoiding wooden carts and carriages like the fucking plague. Seriously, haven't these fuckers ever heard of cushions...?"Shaking his head with a mix of exasperation and annoyance, Nobu set aside the half-finished cup of rice before donning his face mask and adding, "This might sound dumb, but I get this weird feeling whenever something bad is going to happen. That feeling triggered when you mentioned walking the rest of the way, so, even though I'd like to get my ass off this shitty wagon, I'm not sure it's the best idea."Not expecting Nobu to reveal his thoughts in such a straightforward manner, Yui found herself at a loss for words. He had also inadvertently revealed that he might possess some kind of precognitive ability. These were exceptionally rare but not unheard of, and, more often than not, individuals who possessed such abilities went on to become famous merchants, competent tacticians, or even great generals. After all, while individual strength was important for duels, few things triumphed intuition on the battlefield.Though she would have been skeptical if someone else had claimed to possess such an ability, Yui knew Nobu wasn't the type to exaggerate or mislead people with his words. He was straightforward to a fault, and, more importantly, there wasn't even a hint of deceit or falsehood in his eyes. He was simply informing her of his gut feeling, completely ignorant of the value such statements possessed if they were proven true...With an inordinately serious expression on her face, Yui said, "Tell me more. What, exactly, does this instinct of yours tell you? Does it only inform you of impending danger to yourself? How long have you been having these feelings?"Annoyed by the sudden interrogation, a frown developed behind Nobu's mask, brows furrowing as he asked, "Why are you overreacting? It's just a gut feeling. Seriously. You're going to get wrinkles if you continue harping over every little thing. It's also really annoying so cut it out..."Noticing the hostility and suspicion that had appeared in Nobu's eyes, the serious expression on Yui's face instantaneously faded away as she released a sigh and said, "Forgive me. It's just that, if you truly do possess such an ability, it is of paramount importance to ascertain how it functions. I have sworn to protect you, so, even if you wish to keep it a secret from others, it would help me to perform my duty if you reveal such important details as soon as possible."With Yui punctuating her words with a polite bow, the expression on Nobu's face became awkward as he muttered, "Yeah...okay..." before proceeding to explain, "I never really thought about it before. I'm guessing it only applies to me since it only ever seems to trigger when I'm about to get my shit kicked in. Hell, I don't even know if it's an actual ability. It could just be 'experience'. I don't fucking know..."Having regained her serious expression, Yui nodded her head in understanding before surprising Nobu by asking, "When I told you I was taking you to meet with my Grandmother, did this 'feeling' of yours trigger? Do you feel as though your life is endangered by heading to the capital?"Resisting the urge to ask what the hell she was talking about, Nobu was surprised to find he didn't actually feel anything 'strange' about meeting with her Grandmother. If anything, he just felt like he was going to be forced to deal with some cliche and completely bullshit plot. However, now that he actually reflected on it, he didn't feel like he was in any danger. Instead, his 'intuition' just told him it was going to be unbelievably troublesome...Figuring he had already cast the die on this matter, Nobu adopted a serious expression of his own as he explained, "I don't really feel danger...if anything, my intuition is telling me your Grandmother is going to say some dumb shit about duty and fate...I don't really know how to put it. All I know is it's going to be really fucking annoying..."Blinking in surprise, Yui felt a mixture of relief, and, for reasons she couldn't quite put her finger on, anxiety. If Nobu's words were true, it meant her Grandmother didn't intend to harm him. This would remove a heavy burden from her shoulders, as, even now, she found herself questioning whether or not her actions were just. After all, she had always hated people who used their power and status to force people against her will. Despite this, she was forcing Nobu to accompany her against his will, and, were it not for the feelings of trust and loyalty she held towards her Grandmother, there was a very real chance she might have escorted him elsewhere before ultimately fleeing the province...As this thought crossed her mind, a sigh of profound relief escaped Yui's throat. At the same time, however, the uncomfortable feeling in Nobu's became increasingly stronger. This caused a frown to develop across his face, but, before he could ask what she was thinking, Yui beat him to the punch, saying, "We're going to walk the rest of the way to the capital. While it might be dangerous, it is of paramount importance that we verify whether or not your intuition is accurate. Prepare your things. We will be departing once the caravan makes camp..."With that said, Yui stood up and promptly departed from the coach to inform the caravan leader of their intent to depart. As for Nobu, he was left to gawk with an incredulous look on his face, various emotions contending for dominance within his mind. For a brief moment, he was tempted to shout out and ask what the hell was wrong with her. Instead, he just shook his head before massaging his temples and groaning, "Women..." in an exasperated, griping, tone.........(A/N: Does Nobu actually possess the ability to sense the plot? Find out in the next exciting chapter of Drag- I mean, NOICE~!)

Since it was marginally better than having his ass tenderized an additional three days, Nobu ended up accompanying Yui without much of a fuss. He was also curious to learn whether or not he had a special ability, so, having already resolved himself to die several times in the past, he decided to go with the flow."At least I don't have to smell literal bullshit any longer..."Hearing Nobu mutter something under his breath, Yui's ears twitched as she looked back and said, "It would be best to remain silent. Aura Beasts become more active in the evening. The Provisional Army would have eliminated most of them, but it's better to be safe than sorry."Deadpanning in response to Yui's warning, Nobu didn't hesitate to reply, "Your argument would sound more convincing if you hadn't just dragged me away from safety..."Furrowing her brows, Yui was about to retort her own when the sound of a distant twig snapping reached her ears. As a result, she held up her left hand in the classical 'stop' gesture seen in movies where a team of elite soldiers skulk through a forest or attempt to sneak into a top-secret facility.Though his cultivation base had increased to Rank 4 after more than two weeks on the road, Nobu knew he was nowhere near the level of being about to fend for himself. Thus, while he was tempted to continue with his snide remarks, his body naturally tensed up as he purposefully moved to stand behind the petite yet heroic woman. She might have been more than a head shorter than him, but when it came to strength and combat potential, they were leagues apart...After several tense seconds of silene, Yui's brows slowly morphed into a furrow as she softly uttered, "It must have been a rabbit...or maybe a rat..."With the meaning of Yui's words flying completely over his head, Nobu casually retorted, "A rat that can break a twig? That must be one fat ass rat...""Indeed..."......"I can't believe you stepped on a twig...""Shut it! I'm already frustrated enough as is! I don't need your reminder...!""Both of you need to be quiet. If we're to have any hope of completing this mission, we'll have to coordinate as a team. Yui isn't called a once-in-a-thousand-years prodigy for no reason..."Annoyed by the two childish voices arguing within the darkness, a moderately more mature voice had spoken out to get them back on task. This was enough to silence the youngest of the duo, but, seemingly unconvinced by what the eldest had said, the middle voice retorted, "Tch! She isn't anything special. If I had access to half the resource-"Before the immature voice could finish speaking, the eldest adopted a harsh tone as it said, "If you had half her talent, you might have received half her resources. Now, cease this childish blathering and focus on the mission. If they cross the border or link up with one of the Provincial Army's patrol units, this mission is bound to fail. We'll only have one chance. Don't waste it.""...""..."With neither of the voices responding, the owner of the mature set of vocals turned around with a serious expression, asking, "Do I make myself clear...?"Withering under their leader's gaze, two girls, one with raven-black hair and another with peculiar pink locks replied, "Understood." and "Yes, Aneue..." in turn. Then, as if the shadows around them possessed depth, all three figures melted away, absolute silence descending in their wake.........With the evening passing without incident, Yui was beginning to believe she had made some kind of mistake. There was a chance the sound had been something like an owl attempting to land on a perch, and, due to the silent nature of their wings, she hadn't heard it flying away.While most people would have overlooked the sound of a single twig snapping, merely tensing for a few moments, Yui's training had taught her to be skeptical of such abnormalities. If a creature was large enough to snap a twig with its movements, common sense dictated that it would make some kind of additional sound as it either fled or approached. In other words, for there to be no sound at all, the only answer was that the creature had either paused in its tracks or disappeared into thin air.Though there were a handful of Aura Beasts with an intellect that rivaled humans, most were little more than animals that had, somehow, managed to increase their cultivation base. They lived life by adhering to their instincts, and while there were innumerable exceptions, most animals reacted in one of two ways: fight or flight.Yui had never heard of an animal that would move about when a predator is nearby only to freeze after it had already made its presence known. This was a behavior typically associated with humans, so, after a short and silent breakfast, she broke the silence between her and Nobu by asking, "What do I smell like to you?""Pfft...!"Not expecting such a question while he was in the middle of engorging himself on a neatly-packed ball of rice, a wayward grain ended up slipping into Nobu's esophagus. This resulted in a painful coughing fit, and, though Yui's gentle patting helped, it didn't prevent him from exclaiming, "What kind of stupid fucking question is that!?" the moment he recovered.Without showing any change in expression, Yui calmly explained, "There is a chance we are being followed. I want to ascertain how sensitive your nose is. If you can distinguish between people and animals, your current weakness might become one of your most powerful strengths."Though he was tempted to tell her he wasn't a bloodhound, Nobu wasn't so daft that he couldn't understand where she was coming from. It was a pretty common trope in fiction that people with an enhanced sense of smell could track targets vast distances. This sentiment had been exacerbated by the existence of real-world animals with this ability, so, while it might sound like utter nonsense, it would be remiss of him to simply dismiss it.As this thought danced across his mind, Nobu managed to elicit a rare blush from his raven-haired companion by leaning forward and inhaling deeply through his nose. However, it wasn't the fact he had smelled her that caused the reaction. It was the fact he had reacted with an expression of utter disgust, unabashedly covering his nose as he rebuffed, "Dear God, woman! You seriously need to-"Interrupting Nobu's brash remark with a left hook that would make a Boxer blush, Yui's expression darkened as she growled in a threatening tone, "We just spent two and a half weeks accompanying a caravan. It's hard enough taking care of my hair. Where am I supposed to find the time to sponge my body? If you want to complain about aromas...try smelling yourself...!"Hissing from the pain in his cheek, Nobu licked the outside of his teeth to discover that his gums were bleeding. As for Yui's remark, he didn't pay it any mind. He wasn't dumb enough to carelessly sniff his armpits under these circumstances. Instead, he just spat a mouthful of blood off to the side before climbing to his feet and asking, "What now? This thing isn't as convenient as something like a Witcher Sense. Even if we double back, I don't think I'll be able to detect anything unless I put my nose to the ground."Cocking her head to the side, Yui asked, "Witcher Sense? I've never heard of such a thing..." in an uncertain tone. If the answer had anything to do with actual Witches, she might seriously need to reconsider how she interacted with Nobu in the future. After all, Witches weren't exactly beings of benevolence and righteousness. There were cases where 'good witches' appeared, but, more often than not, they were vile creatures who had formed pacts with dark gods or demons for power.Noticing the caution in Yui's face and body language, Nobu just shook his head before saying, "It's nothing serious. If I had to describe it, it's the ability to 'see' smells directly. It's super convenient for tracking targets and searching for clues. In other words, it's nothing like my shitty sense of smell."Though she was tempted to ask where he had learned about this 'Witcher Sense', Yui just nodded her head before scanning the horizon at his back and saying, "There's no sense in doubling back if you lack confidence. We'll press forward and try to rendezvous with a group of patrolling soldiers. If we don't encounter any before the sun reaches its highest point, we'll begin searching for a place to rest. Seeking shelter when you're being tracked is dangerous, but it will be even more problematic if we suffer a sneak attack while exhausted..."Returning her gaze to Nobu, Yui was honestly surprised by how energetic he appeared. He had put on a bit of weight since their first encounter, but he was still extremely thin. It would likely take him a year, if not several, to return to a healthy weight. Thus, ever since they had separated from the caravan, she had been waiting for him to demand they stop and take a rest. Instead, he managed to press forward with an annoyed yet determined expression on his face, seemingly unwilling to show any form of weakness...("His strange cultivation technique probably helps. Even so, it's impressive he's managed to last this long. His willpower isn't as lousy as I previously concluded...")Noticing Yui's pause as she stared at his face, Nobu presented a blood-stained smile as he cockily inquired, "What? Did you fall for my roguish good looks? Just wait until I cut my hair and put on a few muscles. You'll need to wear extra padding in your panties just to avoid a scene."Punctuating his words with a wink, Nobu earned a deadpan stare from Yui before she promptly turned away and said, "We should hurry. The longer we rest, the more time we give our enemies to recover. A pursuit where the enemy isn't confident in being able to attack directly is basically a war of attrition. So long as we can drain their stamina at a faster rate than ours is spent, we'll be able to maintain an advantage."Without waiting for Nobu's response, Yui looked toward the sky to determine the sun's position before pulling out a compass and choosing their heading. Detailed maps were considered a military and state secret in Nian, so most people were limited to following establish paths and trade routes. Yui, however, had been receiving navigational and survival training ever since she was four-years-old, so, as long as she could get her bearings, she could navigate the forests of Owari without fear of getting lost.Confident they were going the right way, Yui stowed away her compass before gesturing for Nobu to follow. This caused the latter to roll his eyes, but, the moment she began moving forward, he did his best to remain within arm's reach of the raven-haired beauty's backside.........From atop a distant tree, a woman with inky black hair that reflected an unusual green hue could be seen observing Yui's and Nobu's departure like a hawk. This wasn't an exaggeration either, as, ever since she was a child, the woman's most striking feature had been her amber-colored eyes.While Nobu would have undoubtedly pointed out that her most striking feature was the fact she was half-naked, her athletic figure veiled in little more than a cloth binding and loose green pants, the odd-eyed woman had always taken pride in her hereditary trait. They allowed her to see clearly even on moonless nights, so, while most of her sisters lamented night hunts, she was one of the few who favored them.Waiting until Yui's and Nobu's figures had vanished entirely, the woman flipped from her perch, a silvery-white aura veiling her feet moments before she struck the ground. This allowed her to land silently even atop the layer of leafy mulch that covered the forest floor. Such skills were extremely important for people in her profession, as, much like the majority of Yoshitsune Clan members, her specialties were scouting, pursuit, and assassination..."Let's go. Shizune, Rynka."Responding to the woman's silent yet barking tone, two discernibly younger women emerged from their own hiding places, answering, "Understood..." and "Yes, Aneue..." in concert.........(A/N: When scantily-clad kunoichis start appearing, you know the 'plot' is beginning to thicken...)

After some of the worst sleep of his life, Nobu emerged from his room with the kind of expression typically reserved for mothers with quadruplets, code monkeys, and game developers adding the finishing touches on a project that had been delayed by several years. There were dark bags under his bloodshot eyes, as, even with a mask covering the lower half of his face, the putrid smell of piss and shit wafting in from the city streets was enough to drive lesser men insane.Surprised by the aura of gloom exuding from Nobu's entire being, Yui, despite having spent the last ten minutes knocking on his door, promptly decided against lecturing him. Instead, she pulled out a bottle of mint oil she had extracted during their stay in the mountains, asking, "Is it really that bad?" while applying the substance to a fresh cloth.Since even speaking allowed a foul aroma to rise up through the back of his throat, Nobu simply nodded in response to Yui's words. It was only after she had handed over the moderately cleaner cloth, the smell of fresh menthol invading his senses, that he deigned to speak, answering, "We're going to be traveling with a merchant caravan, right?"Nodding her head, Yui placed the old cloth into her satchel before explaining, "Due to the number of people traveling to the capital around this time of year, the merchant guilds and za traders have reached an agreement with the provincial army to act as escorts. Though travelers are expected to work, gather materials, and carry supplies, it is the safest way to travel without a permit."Noticing the confusion in Nobu's eyes, Yui restrained a sigh before gesturing towards the stairs and appending, "Nian has become increasingly unstable ever since the Ashikawa Clan acquired the title of Shogun from the dishonored Kamakura Clan. Though there have yet to be any large-scale wars, tensions between the various provinces and prefectures are at an all-time high. This has contributed to a growing number of people fleeing poor and impoverished territories in order to seek shelter in neighboring provinces. To combat this, the Ashikawa Shogunate introduced a law prohibiting travel between prefectures without a warrior, merchant, or travel permit. Very few Daimyo actually uphold this law, but, to prevent denunciations and accusations of treason, they have implemented policies similar to this one so that people can travel freely at certain times throughout the year.""Mmm..."Since he didn't really have anything to say, Nobu just hummed a simple response before stepping out of the relatively warm lodge and into the cold. Winter might have ended, but, due to its close proximity to the sea, a frigid and biting wind assailed Owari-Asai in the early mornings. It would get warmer as the sun emerged from over the horizon, but, as that was still more than three hours out, an icy sensation washed across the lower-half of Nobu's face due to the minty oil suffused through his makeshift mask...Though she was a little annoyed by Nobu's curt response, Yui managed to rein in her emotions as she gestured towards the distant city gate, explaining, "We need to hurry. The caravan is scheduled to depart the moment the sky begins to illuminate. If we're not checked in before the first call, our seats will go to someone else. It is a three-week journey if we end up having to walk. Traveling with a caravan isn't much faster but it allows us to rest in a carriage and seek shelter from the rain. Let's hurry."Without waiting for Nobu to answer in the affirmative, Yui grabbed his hand and began pulling him along at a running-jog. This gave the former the urge to pull his hand away but Yui had preempted this by manifesting a golden manacle around his wrist and fastening it to her own. Thus, even if he wanted to escape, doing so was easier said than done.........Thanks to his Breath Progression Technique, Nobu wasn't even remotely winded by the time he and Yui reached the gate. There, Yui signed both of their names in a migration registrar before dragging him to the bustling merchant caravan located a few hundred meters away.As one of the few caravans that benefitted from a military escort, more than a thousand people had gathered with the intention of purchasing inexpensive fare. This was far larger than the usual group that would gather at the beginning of the year, and, as a result, a dispute seemed to be taking place between a small group of uniformed people and a much larger group of soldiers.Though quite a number of people were drawn closer to this conflict, Yui ended up dragging Nobu towards one of the larger supply wagons located near the very front of the convoy. There, a middle-aged man with off-color blue hair could be seen barking orders at various younger men and women. His hair color, alone, would have been more than enough to draw attention back on Earth, but, as if he wasn't content with simply standing out, the backs of the man's ears were lined with a layer of fur that came to a point near the tips..."So beast-human hybrids really are a thing in this world..."Hearing Nobu mumble under his breath, Yui turned her head, asking, "Did you say something...?"Shaking his head, Nobu was about to say it was nothing before remembering they were still cuffed together. He also recalled the 'cover story' Yui had come up with, so, before she could drag him any further, he stopped his feet and said, "We're supposed to be a married couple. What are you going to say when people ask why we're handcuffed together?"Furrowing her brows, Yui began searching for an answer until Nobu exhaled an annoyed sigh and said, "Just take it off. I'm not going to run away. Besides, even if I tried, you would just catch up to me."While she was more than confident in her ability to track him down, Yui didn't immediately release the shackle around Nobu's wrist. There was a very real chance he would alert the provincial army or ask for help from someone with a higher cultivation base if she allowed him to wander freely. From that moment onward, the only option she would have is revealing her identity or accusing him of a crime he didn't commit. Neither of these outcomes would be ideal, so, before removing the golden manacle, she adopted the most serious expression he had ever seen before saying, "I will remove it if you promise to stay close and not make a scene. There are far greater dangers in this world-"Before Yui could finish her mixed warning/threat, Nobu adopted a serious expression of his own, saying, "I already said I wasn't going to run away. Seriously, woman. You need to stop stressing out over everything. Nobody likes a clinger."Though she squinted her eyes in response to the unfamiliar expression, Yui knew better than to fret over everything that came out of Nobu's mouth. He was the type of person that could call someone every insult under the heavens without actually meaning any of them. This would lead most people to believe he was disingenuous, but, after spending nearly a month observing him, Yui had come to realize that he rarely deviated from the things he said he would or wouldn't do.Hoping she hadn't been wrong about him, Yui maintained a serious expression as she said, "I trust you..." in a delicate yet somber tone. This caused a deep frown to appear on Nobu's face, but, while others might interpret this as an expression of dissent, Yui interpreted it as something positive. He would never admit it, but, despite behaving as if everything was troublesome, Nobu had a relatively straight-forward and surprisingly earnest personality. If he cared as little as he pretended to, there's no way he would offer advice and question the flaws present in the existing system...Clicking his tongue, Nobu tore his gaze away from Yui's crystal clear eyes, muttering, "Whatever..." in an aloof tone.Had she been the more expressive type, Yui might have smiled in response to this. Instead, she replied with an approving nod before dissipating the shackle and saying, "I used the rest of my savings to secure our passage on one of the main supply coaches. They are transferring tea and spice to the capital so the smell shouldn't be unbearable unless you dislike the aroma of herbs. As for our individual duties: I explained that you sustained an injury that left you unable to speak and act normally. I'll have to defend the cargo during the evenings, but, so long as you don't draw too much attention to yourself, you should be able to relax until we reach the capital."Though he got the sinking suspicion he was somehow being looked down upon or manipulated, Nobu just grunted in response to Yui's explanation. They were still a fair distance from the actual convoy and he was already lamenting the journey to come. Animals and livestock weren't exactly fragrant, so, with a number of horses, oxen, and a few animals he didn't recognize making up the convoy's beasts of burden; the less he had to work, the better.Thinking Nobu was already beginning to play his part, Yui nodded in approval, saying, "Let's go." before leading the way to the dog-eared man. When he noticed them approaching, an even fiercer expression than the one he was already wearing developed across his face as he shouted, "Well! It's about damn time! A few minutes longer and I'd have sold yer spots off to some of those migrant bastards!"Crossing her right hand over her heart, Yui performed a curt yet respectful bow as she said, "You have my most sincere gratitude, Atarashi-dono. I will do everything in my power to ensure I do not inconvenience you a second time."Snorting through his nose, the furry-eared man, Atarashi Tsuneo, shifted his gaze from Yui to Nobu, asking, "This is the man you mentioned previously? Nanamori Nobu, was it? Quite the difference in your appearance..."Without missing a beat, Yui calmly and confidently explained, "My husband is a former Yamabushi Monk's Apprentice. He lost most of his faculties and cultivation after being attacked by a Demonic Spirit. Please do not draw attention to it a second time."Though his cover would be blown the moment Nobu opened his mouth, his appearance wasn't all that different from a Yamabushi Monk. They were ascetic mountain hermits who lived outdoors and spent most of their time communing with nature. Most wore little more than rags, and, due to their ascetic practices, they were inordinately thin and lanky. The only thing that distinguished Nobu and a conventional Yamabushi was his hairstyle, as, the moment they took their vows, most shaved their heads...Without tearing his eyes away from Nobu, Tsuneo issued a grunt of acknowledgment before saying, "Well, so long as he doesn't cause trouble for me and my men, I couldn't care less. Just keep him in line. If he wanders off into the woods, we ain't sending out a search party."Nodding her head in understanding, Yui pulled Nobu a little closer, naturally linking her arm with his as she said, "Worry not, Atarashi-dono. As a Golden Warrior, my words carry a similar weight. I promised we would not inconvenience you. If something happens, I will resolve it on my own."Since he couldn't really afford to just stand around and make idle chatter, Tsuneo just waved Yui off, saying, "Yeah, yeah. I hear ya. Just stow him away in coach three. We'll be departin' the moment the Governor's forces finish their pissing contest with the provincial army. Seriously, those louts have no sense of self-preservation..."Rather than responding to the comment, Yui performed another quick salute before guiding Nobu towards a massive cart pulled by a total of six inordinately large oxen. Her gentle behavior caught him by surprise, but, rather than appearing even remotely appreciative, Nobu's expression gradually darkened as the smell of cow feces grew stronger the closer they got to the coach..."Fucking bullshit..."......(A/N: Yes. Quite literally o_o...)

Chapter 26: Subtle Changes : Intuition