Nobunaga Oda's Isekai Cultivation Experience

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 failing to rendezvous with any patrol groups, Yui began guiding Nobu along animal trails until they found a large burrow. Everything from rabbits, shrews, minks, and foxes could evolve into Aura Beasts if they consumed a large quantify of medicinal herbs, so, if you knew where and how to look, it was surprisingly easy to find burrows large enough for human occupants.Though it had resulted in a number of tragic events, it was hard to come across a group of children who hadn't converted at least one burrow into something like a secret hideout. Others became the dens of homeless vagabonds attempting to survive on the bounty of the land or elude capture by the Provincial Army. Thus, while it wasn't an ideal solution, seeking shelter in a burrow that already had numerous exits was a viable alternative to setting camp when traversing the wilderness.Unfortunately, despite thinking it was pretty cool to have a secret bunker underground, the interior was so pungent that Nobu literally had to be dragged back inside after attempting to escape to the comparably fragrant forest air. This put him in a particularly foul mood, but, after Yui spontaneously asked if he would feel better if she gave him a blowjob, he bounced back pretty quickly.Though he would probably vomit if he went down on a woman in his current condition, Nobu was surprised by Yui's ability to basically ignore his odor. He knew he had to smell bad after spending a total of sixteen days in a carriage without so much as rinsing his face, but, as if it didn't hinder her in the slightest, Yui managed to stupefy him with her intensity as technique. If she hadn't told him her dream was to become a warrior, he could have easily been convinced that her purpose in life was to suck dick...Seeing the raven-haired beauty swallow his seed without even a hint of hesitation or disgust on her face, Nobu was able to ignore the burrow's odor long enough to remark, "Don't misunderstand me. I'm not trying to insult you when I ask this. I'm just genuinely curious how a virgin like you managed to get so good at...well...you know..."After swallowing several more times, Yui produced a waterskin to clear her throat before explaining in a disturbingly blasé tone, "Since we're already nearing our destination, I suppose there's no harm in making you aware of a few things. My true name is Yoshitsune Yui, a daughter of the Yoshitsune Clan that has served the Oda for more than six-thousand-years. Due to a curse inflicted upon us by the Goddess Inari, we're a Clan comprised almost entirely of females and hermaphroditic males. As a result, we have had to adopt a unique set of skills to help us survive in a world that is traditionally unforgiving to females..."Though she wouldn't have been affected by this statement in the past, Yui was surprised to find her thoughts wandering to the times Nobu had expressed outrage regarding the state and traditions of Nian. Despite this, she managed to appear calm and unflustered on the surface, adding, "My family specializes in the rearing and training of female assassins known as kunoichi. We are taught how to seduce men, satisfy their sexual urges, gather information, and, once everything is said and done, it is our duty to kill the enemies of the Oda Clan. Though there are other reasons, it was my desire to avoid this fate that led to me pursuing the path of a warrior. Unfortunately, while my selfishness has always been supported by my Grandmother, the only way I could pursue the path of a warrior was to simultaneously master the skills expected of a kunoichi..."Without noticing it, Yui's voice became gradually lower as she neared the end of her explanation. Her gaze had also wandered away from Nobu, her obsidian-blue eyes reflecting a melancholy that managed to go unnoticed thanks to the low-light of the burrow. Even without this, however, Nobu was able to tell she was upset. He just didn't know what to say, as, prior to coming to this world, he had never had to deal with this kind of situation.In the end, the only thing Nobu could think of was trying to cheer her up, his expression and tone awkward as he said, "That...really sucks. Now I know why you're so eager to complete this mission. You'll become an official warrior once this is over with, right?"Seeing Yui turn towards him and nod, a wry smile spread across Nobu's face as he said, "Then it's pretty much settled. We just need to hurry back and you'll finally be able to live your life the way you want. Don't worry. So long as they don't try to string me up and turn me into a blood bag, I'll tell them you did a good job. I'm pretty good at bullshitting when I need to."Surprised by Nobu's attempts to 'console' her, Yui found herself at a complete loss for words. She knew he wasn't a bad person but this was a level of 'benevolence' she hadn't expected. If she were to say these same words to another person, most women would express pity or envy while the vast majority of men would outright disdain or fear her. After all, with the exception of other cultivators, kunoichis were the leading cause of death for young and inexperienced Nobles. Each of the major Noble Clans had a branch that specialized in the rearing of Kunoichis, but, despite the role they had played throughout the entire history of Nian, they were despised by Nobles and commoners alike...Though she didn't tear up, Yui's impression of Nobu had increased by leaps and bounds in a matter of seconds. He was unlike anyone she had ever met, and, rather than resent her for being a vile and despicable woman without any morals, he was more upset by the fact she had been forced against her will to become something she, like most sensible people, detested. In this regard, he was much stronger than her, as, despite understanding they didn't actually have a choice, Yui had grown to resent her 'sisters' for following the path that had been decided for them by fate and circumstance...As that thought crossed her mind, a seedling of guilt had begun to sprout within Yui's heart. On the outside, however, she actually managed a sincere smile before bowing her head and saying, "You're a good man, Nanamori Nobu. Thank you..."Unaccustomed to receiving gratitude, especially with his dick out, Nobu's skin began to crawl as he quickly pulled up his trousers and said, "Yeah...don't mention it..." in an awkward tone. A part of him even began to regret the fact he had let her suck his dick, but, having encountered a few prostitutes in equally shitty circumstances, he managed to get over it pretty quickly. His own life hadn't exactly been filled with fortune and favor, so, while he could empathize with her plight, Nobu had learned a long time ago that it was a waste of time to worry about things he couldn't change.Amused by Nobu's surprisingly cute reaction, a marginally more prominent smile developed across Yui's face. She was even tempted to dedicate her sword to him once she officially became a warrior, but, until she understood what her Grandmother wanted with him, she couldn't make any promises. A warrior's vow wasn't to be taken for granted, and, while there were examples of capable warriors serving multiple Lords throughout the course of their inordinately long lives, most ended up serving the same Lord until death. Many even committed suicide after failing to protect their Lords against assassination, one of the many reasons kunoichi were universally hated.For the first time in her life, Yui was tempted to tease someone, but, almost as soon as the urge had manifested, she quickly suppressed it. Nobu didn't exactly have a track record for reacting calmly in situations where he had been slighted, so, rather than risk ruining the moment, she whispered, "I'm going to get some sleep. You should try and do the same. If we continue at our current pace, there is a chance we'll reach Owari-Shuto by tomorrow evening. You've greatly exceeded my expectations since we separated from the caravan. I'm genuinely impressed by the resolve you have shown..."Snorting in response to Yui's complimentary words, Nobu proceeded to recline against the burrow wall before muttering, "Whatever..." in a dismissive tone. This very nearly caused Yui to issue a light chuckle. Instead, she settled on moving next to him, unabashedly leaning against his shoulder with an amused yet contented smile on her face.........Though a more inexperienced kunoichi might attack the moment her quarry had cornered itself, the amber-eyed woman, Yoshitsune Yuriko, loosely translating to 'lily' and 'perfect at birth', honored her namesake by never underestimating her opponents. She had also sparred against Yui, quite literally, hundreds of times without securing a single victory. Thus, while her sisters had come to resent the former heiress quite a bit, Yuriko deeply respected Yui's strength.Despite the fact they were born a mere three months apart, Yui had already reached Rank 3 Golden Warrior at the ripe age of eighteen. Yuriko, considered by many to be a genius, had only managed to achieve Rank 9 Silver Adept in that same amount of time. On paper, this implied that Yui was, at the very least, three times stronger than her. Her only advantage was that Golden Warriors, at least in the earlier stages, were actually weaker than high-ranking Silver Adepts. They struggled to adapt to the weight and malleability of their aura, so, as long as they played their cards right, it wasn't too difficult for a skilled Silver Adept to take out a low-ranking Golden Warrior.Unfortunately, Yui wasn't just any Golden Warrior. She was a monster who had managed to secure her status before the age of twenty. Even talented individuals only achieved Golden Warrior around the age of twenty. Most were actually between the ages of 22-24, so, while 'logic' dictated they had the advantage in speed, offensive, and defensive capability; personal experience had taught Yuriko that Yui was a monster that defied common sense.With this in mind, Yuriko turned towards the youthful duo patiently awaiting her orders, declaring, "We'll rest for the next four hours. The two of you will focus on recovering your reserves while I set traps in the surrounding area. There is a high possibility she is trying to bait us into attacking so we will focus on recuperating until the sun begins to set upon the horizon. If we fail to accomplish our mission before tomorrow morning, we'll have no choice but to retreat. Golden Warriors are stronger during the day."Though it was common knowledge that Gold and Silver were more or less reactive depending on the cycles of the sun and moon, Shizune and Rynka weren't exactly the brightest among the current generation of Yoshitsune kunoichi. Their cultivation base wasn't terrible, Silver 4 and 5 respectively, but, like many of the girls riding the bandwagon of hate aimed at Yui, they were excuse-prone and lazy. This was a cause for concern among the older generation as it would jeopardize the survival of the Yoshitsune Clan if their kunoichi suddenly became inept, incompetent, and petty...Demonstrating why there was cause for concern, Rynka adopted a defiant expression as she asked, "Why don't we just burn them out? Yui might be able to escape on her own but there's no way she can protect a normal civilian while fending off three kunoichi. Why are you so afraid of that useless wench? Her cultivation base might be decent but she would be nothing without the support of the Matriarch."Since the 'older generation was prevented from sparring with the younger members of the Clan, primarily to prevent bullying and a breakdown of the existing hierarchy, most of the girls beneath the age of sixteen had never fought against Yui. This had allowed them to gossip without fear of retribution, as, due to her dual training, Yui simply didn't have the time to worry about what others had to say.Suppressing a tired sigh, Yuriko adopted a threatening glower as she asked, "Are you refusing to obey your superior's order, Trainee Rynka? I don't believe I asked you for your opinion so why are you speaking?"Paling under the pressure releasing by her senior, Rynka hastily lowered her head, saying, "I meant no offense..." in an apologetic and slightly reverent tone. This was the mission to determine whether or not she and Shizune would be officially recognized as kunoichi. Yurko wasn't merely their senior, she was the proctor evaluating their worth. All it took was a single disparaging report from the ink-haired beauty and her official duty would become seducing some no-name merchant. After that, it would be nigh-impossible to obtain any high-priority missions, so, while she resented every fiber of Yui's existence, Rynka understood it would be ill-advised to allow her personal feelings to interfere with her mission.Though she wasn't particularly fond of the brash trainee, Yuriko still nodded her head in approval of Rynka's response. One of the most essential qualities of a kunoichi was the ability to quickly assume a servile posture. They needed to be able to convincingly dupe their target into believing they were in a powerless position. This was paramount to lowering the guard of powerful cultivators, so, while Rynka was lacking in other departments, Yuriko couldn't help but admit she had mastered the art of groveling.........(A/N: I'm starting to like this Yuriko chick...)

("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~!)

Chapter 27: Intuition, Suspicion, Pursuit