Nobunaga Oda's Isekai Cultivation Experience

With Hitomi promptly recovering Nana's obi, Nobu joined Hiashi at the side as Yui, Kumiko, and Onihime helped to fix her kimono. She was apparently incapable of dressing herself, so, despite a Platinum 3 cultivation base, Nana was completely dependent on others to get through her day-to-day living."Has she always been like this...?"With his arms crossed and his gaze firmly fixed in the opposite direction of where Nana and the others were, Hiashi answered, "Lady Suzuki would be heartbroken to hear you refer to her as 'she'. Even if it's only when the two of you are conversing, you should get in the habit of referring to her as your mother. As for the answer to your question...she has gotten better with age..."Forcing a smile, Nobu found it hard to imagine how Nana could be even worse. He had only truly known her for a few minutes and he already got the impression she was completely airheaded. If he hadn't met her himself, he wouldn't have believed it was possible for someone to be as oblivious as she appeared to be..."Don't worry. I don't blame her for what happened. It was my own selfishness that led to this set of circumstances. I'm not sure I can ever truly see her as my mother but I'll do my best..."Though he felt a little uncomfortable hearing Nobu 'confiding' in him like this, Hiashi just nodded his head in approval before closing his eyes and promptly meditating. Most skilled cultivators had mastered techniques to suppress or even erase certain memories that might prove detrimental to their growth. He also knew his Lord would kill him if it was discovered he briefly caught a glimpse of Nana's sarashi, so, before things could get further out of hand, he compartmentalized everything that had transpired over the last couple of minutes...Thinking that Hiashi was simply ignoring him, Nobu just shook his head before staring up at the canopy overhead with a blank expression on his face. He really didn't know what to think right now, so, while it wasn't really a technique, he just shut off his brain as he listened to the sounds of nature as felt the cool Spring breeze washing over his quickly drying body.........After a surprisingly long period of time, roughly forty minutes, Nana, now appearing as a proper lady, appeared alongside her impromptu escort. This allowed Nobu to properly look at her for the first time, a parched feeling spreading through his throat as he internally cursed his father's good fortune.Though she was still rather petite, Nana was considered tall among Nianese women at 163cm. She also possessed a lean and athletic figure that hadn't lost a hint of its charm despite giving birth to four children and suffering nearly two decades of illness. This, combined with her crimson eyes and long black hair, the latter of which was tinged with red highlights, gave her a unique and ephemeral charm that was rare even amongst the most beautiful and mature women.Despite being well in her fifties, Nana could have easily passed as Yui's older sister. If she were to back on Earth, Nobu could easily imagine her getting carded if she attempting to purchase alcohol. Even he had trouble believing she was more than twenty even though his catatonic self had eight years of memories related to her...Sensing Nobu's gaze, a smile blossomed across Nana's face as she stopped mid-conversation with Hitomi to walk over and embrace him. This caused the former to tense, but, after several seconds of extreme awkwardness, Nobu managed to sheepishly reciprocate her embrace with a wry smile.Relaxing the moment she felt Nobu's arms around her shoulders, Nana entrusted her weight to him as she looked up with the kind of smile that pierced through mental walls and emotional defenses as if they were wet paper. Then, in the most sincere tone Nobu had ever heard, she gently cupped his face with one of her hands and said, "I feel like a piece of my soul just returned. Thank you, my precious...my beloved Nobu..."Feeling an irresistible sourness building in his nasal cavity, Nobu clenched his teeth in a last-ditch effort to stymy his swelling emotions. He didn't even know this woman, yet, the moment he heard her voice, a shudder passed through his body as something deep within him resonated with every word. For a brief moment, he thought this might be an echo of his catatonic self. The version of him that had been forced to suffer at his behest for nineteen years.Wiping away the tears from Nobu's face, Nana's expression, against all rhyme and reason, became even more loving, her voice carrying an unfathomable amount of tenderness as she said, "I'm glad. I thought you were all grown up but it appears there is still room for me to be your mother..."Punctuating her words, Nana guided Nobu's face to her chest. It was a little awkward due to their difference in height but that didn't deter her in the slightest. Even if she had to stand on the tips of her toes or raise herself using her aura, she was determined to comfort her baby boy, the child who had once refused to cry no matter how desperately she pleaded..."Let it all out...mommy is here..."......Seeing Nana cradling Nobu in her bosom, a man with two-toned hair, ashen-grey on top and dark brown on the sides couldn't help furrowing his brows. This was none other than Oda Senken, who, due to feeling too awkward to appear earlier, ended up watching the scene play out from behind a tree.Though he would never admit it, Senken had been dreading this day even more than Nobu. He had never been good at dealing with sentiments and emotions, so, despite rehearsing every day for the last eleven years, he couldn't even bring himself to step out of the shadows. This caused him to feel pathetic at first, but, now that he was watching his beloved wife doting on someone else, a growing urge to give Nobu a few light smacks was developing in the back of his mind."People would laugh if they heard about the Great Lord Senken brooding in the shadows like some kind of jealous lover..."Recognizing the voice in an instant, Senken just snorted through his nose before saying, "He might be my son, but he's also a grown man. Crying into the bosom of his mother at this age is pathetic..."Giggling in response to Senken's words, Hitomi casually approached until she was standing next to him before teasing, "He's a lot like you in that regard. Rather, the longer I observe him, the more I see you and Nana reflected in his character. It's quite jarring at times..."Tearing his eyes away from the scene, Senken looked at Hitomi with a slightly incredulous look on his face as he asked, "Huh? Have you gone senile on me you old bat? That snot-nosed brat and I have absolutely nothing in common..."Rolling her eyes, Hitomi casually remarked, "Even the way you address people is the same..." before pulling out an inordinately thick scroll and saying, "This is all the information I kept out of the other reports. He has a few character flaws, but your son is growing much faster than we ever anticipated. Based on my findings, there is a reasonably high probability that his growth will accelerate with the passage of time rather than decreasing. By this time next year, he may even be stronger than you..."Knowing that Hitomi would never exaggerate such a thing, Senken's expression hardened as the reality of what she had said settled within his mind. He knew Nobu's potential would have to be exceptional if he were to be able to catch up and surpass his peers but it was hard to imagine him going from Foundation Building to the Sixth Realm in a single year. It was beyond monstrous.Since Hitomi had compared Nobu's character to his own, Senken briefly considered what he might do with the power to unify and rule over the entire archipelago. It seemed like a major hassle, but, at the same time, there were a significant number of issues with the current administration. This had been exacerbated by the current Emperor's inability to produce an heir. If something didn't change, and soon, it was only a matter of time before the forces of the Heavenly Kingdom both invaded and conquered Nian.Feeling a headache just thinking about local and international politics, Senken habitually combed through his hair. This earned him an amused chuckle from Hitomi, but, with his thoughts focused on other things, Senken was only vaguely aware that she was even standing next to him.........After forcefully suppressing what he had convinced himself to be the remnant emotions of his catatonic self, Nobu attempted to escape Nana's embrace only to fail miserably. She did let his head go, but, instead of separating from him, she linked her arm around his with the kind of smile that left no room for argument. He could argue, sure, but his instincts told him that wouldn't end well.Fortunately, Nana separated of her own volition after the group had made its way down the long and dark corridor leading to a small cottage in the middle of the woods. As for the reason, it was due to the presence of a man who, from memory, Nobu knew to be his father.Much to Nobu's amusement, and Senken's chagrin, Nana completely shattered the latter's facade of a Lord who had been patiently awaiting their arrival. She sauntered over to him without a care in the world before promptly pulling him by the arm as she asked, "Sen-chan, what are you being shy for~? Come and meet your son~!"Though he grumbled something under his breath, Senken didn't resist as Nana pulled him over to within less than a meter of Nobu. She wanted to pull them all into a hug, but, the moment his feet impacted the ground, long spikes of Mithril-colored aura rooted him to the spot as he said, "Long time no see..." with the straightest expression he could manage given the circumstances.With a remarkably similar expression on his face, Nobu returned a curt, "Mmm..." before crossing his arms to match Senken. Under normal circumstances, this would have caused the atmosphere to quickly turn tense, but, having none of their shenanigans, Nana forcibly pulled Nobu the remaining distance before practically bonking his and Senken's heads together as she hugged them both.After squeezing the duo tightly for several awkward moments, Nana released her hold on them but didn't allow them to separate as she adopted a serious expression and said, "Don't fight." in a stern tone. Then, despite wanting to stay near both of them, she joined the other girls at the side to give the father-son duo the chance to converse on their own terms..."...""..."With neither knowing what to say, Senken and Nobu just stared at each other in absolute silence for the better part of a full minute. When they finally did speak, it was Senken asking, "What do you want to do?" with a serious look on his face. He actually wanted to apologize for his failures as a father, but, no matter how he forced himself, the words simply wouldn't form within his throat.Scratching the back of his head, Nobu forced a smile as he said, "I was thinking of staying on the mountain for a bit. There are some things I want to accomplish before setting out to do my own thing...""Mmm..."Having received daily reports from Hitomi, Senken was well aware of what Nobu had been doing since arriving in Yumegakure. He had originally wanted to tease Nobu for playing around all day, but, knowing how quickly he was progressing, Senken was afraid he might inadvertently offend the young man he had spent the last nineteen years thinking of but knew nothing about..."Very well. I have discussed the matter with Hitomi and agreed to let you stay on the mountain for the next year. Your mother won't like it, but I should be able to convince her by saying it's for your own good. When you're ready to return, we'll be there waiting for you..."Not really knowing what else to say, Senken extended his hand to give Nobu a pat on the shoulder. He could still vividly recall the days when he toured the Province causing countless problems for its residents. His son deserved the same opportunity, so, much like his father before him, Senken just gave Nobu a few light pats before walking away with a smile on his face..."Nana is going to kill me..."......(A/N: Nobu could have had such awesome parents...)

As it was pretty rare for her to be able to talk freely with other people, Nana had been enjoying the opportunity to catch up with Hitomi. The latter was her former guard, and, in many ways, the two of them could be considered best friends."Sen-chan is still just as protective as always. I'm hoping he'll be able to calm down now that Nobu-chan has returned. Hais~."Amused by Nana's grumbling, a light chuckle emanated from Hitomi's throat as she mused, "It's because he can't even imagine living without you. That boy has always been the sentimental type. It's a trait he and Waka-chan have in common."Beaming the moment she heard Hitomi compare Senken and Nobu, Nana practically pounced on Hitomi, asking, "What else can you tell me about Nobu-chan!?" in an overly excited tone. She was actually afraid of inadvertently offending her eldest son, so, while she wanted nothing more than to spend time with him, Nana wasn't sure how to go about it. If Hitomi could provide her with a bit of insight into his character, she would at least have something to work with.Though it would have earned her accusatory and disdainful looks from many within the Oda Clan, Hitomi gently caressed Nana's head as she explained, "I know it can be a little scary, but these are things best discovered on your own. Just like when you conquered Senken's heart, you need only show him a bit of sincerity to completely break down Waka-chan's walls. Isn't that right, Yui-chan?"Not expecting to suddenly be brought into the conversation, Yui's body tensed as she averted her eyes and sheepishly replied, "So it would seem..."While it wouldn't have been abnormal for someone in her position to be upset that her eldest son had an intimate relationship with a kunoichi, Nana beamed when she heard Hitomi's words and saw Yui's reaction. She was well aware of the former relationship between Senken and Hitomi. Rather, if not for the fact it was strictly prohibited, she would have happily shared her darling with Hitomi and whoever else Senken wanted to marry. If she didn't have her children to dote upon, she would have been unfathomably lonely in the Oda Clan estate with nothing but servants to keep her company...Tilting her head to the side, Nana adopted a mischievous smile that sent shudders through Yui's body as she playfully inquired, "Yui-chan~? Did you fall in love with my Nobu-chan~?"Feeling more nervous under Nana's gaze than when she faced her first Aura Beast, Yui began to fidget until she noticed her Grandmother's slight nod. It didn't help all that much but it was more than enough to give her the strength to nod her head, answering, "Yes..." in an uncharacteristically meek tone.If not for the fact she had noticed Senken walking over, Nana would have pounced on Yui to give the adorable girl a hug. She could still vividly recall the innocence and excitement in Yui's eyes the first time they met. She also knew how devasted the young girl had been when she learned about her son's supposed death, so, while it would invariably complicate things if Yui and Nobu wanted to be together, Nana was more than happy to support them."Nana...Hitomi...we need to talk..."Furrowing her brows the moment she saw the hesitation in Senken's pale golden eyes, Nana's body began to tremble as she shakily inquired, "Sen-chan...?"......Though it wasn't easy, Senken managed to convince Nana that it was in their son's best interest to stay on the mountain to train. The Oda Clan wasn't exactly unified, so, the moment Nobu made his appearance, countless people would either try to exploit or dispose of him.Nana didn't want to admit it, but even her own sons had been pitted against each other as a result of the Clan's internal politics. She couldn't deny her own fault in this matter, so, while she wanted to argue that they could protect Nobu, Nana understood things were never that simple.In the end, Nana agreed on the grounds that arrangements would be made so that Nobu would, at the very least, be able to spend time with his little sister. She had been born on the exact same day as his awakening and Nana refused to believe it was a mere coincidence. Since Nobu could use his Heavenly Treasure to identify the unique traits of infants, there had to be a reason she was born on the same day as his return to their world.As the same thought had crossed both Senken's and Hitomi's minds, neither had any problem with making the necessary arrangements. The latter was even willing to allow Nana and Nobuhime, her first-born daughter, to spend the next year on the mountain. This would undoubtedly be opposed by many within the Oda Clan, but, so long as they were living on the mountain, there was very little anyone could do to harm them.Unfortunately, while the thought of spending an entire year alongside her son and daughter made her feel giddy, Nana didn't want to leave Senken alone. She was also afraid that her other children would be led even further astray by the machinations of the other factions, so, after spending the better part of an hour hugging her biggest baby, she elected to return to the Oda Clan alongside Senken, Hiashi, and several of their most trusted retainers........."What did you think of Lady Suzuki and Lord Senken...?"Hearing Hitomi's question, Nobu awoke from his twenty-minute stupor to lazily reply, "If I'm being honest...they're amazing..."Nodding her head in response, Hitomi's expression relaxed as she said, "Indeed. Lord Senken used to be a very passionate and hot-blooded individual. He's calmed down over the years, but there is still a perpetual flame burning in his eyes. As for Lady Suzuki...well, it's best you learn about her on your own terms. Let's just say she isn't as simple as she appears..."Realizing that Hitomi was basically calling his mom an idiot, Nobu was about to complain when the realization that he actually viewed Nana as his mother hit him like a ton of bricks. This didn't escape the heterochromatic beauty's notice, but, instead of drawing attention to it, she asked, "I know your father already asked, but what are your plans moving forward? You may not have realized this, but, now that he has given you his consent, you can basically do whatever you want. Even if you choose to leave the mountain, it is beyond my authority to stop you..."Blinking in surprise, Nobu's expression briefly displayed his disbelief before returning to normal as he shook his head and said, "Nah, I've already made my choice. Even if it's only for a year, I want to focus on my education and growing stronger. If I venture out now, I would just be an illiterate idiot fumbling around in a world I know nothing about. I'm not going to jeopardize my life and the lives of the people around me just to play at being free..."After everything he had experienced thus far, Nobu knew that he was far too weak to venture out and do his own thing. If he were to leave now, he would just be distracting himself and relying on the influence of his family and the Yoshitsune Clan just to preserve his life. Thus, until he was strong enough to body anyone who tried seeking trouble with him, he intended to focus on his education and training.Nodding her head in approval, Hitomi adopted the most sincere smile Nobu had seen on her face as she mused, "That is the correct decision. It would appear your aura isn't the only thing increasing at an exponential rate. Ufufufufu~."Rolling his eyes, Nobu resisted the temptation to point out just how creepy Hitomi's laugh was with a sincere smile on her face. Instead, he returned his attention to the tiny swirl in his palm, the result of nearly half an hour of condensing his aura. This earned him an amused chuckle from the 'elderly' woman, but, rather than paying her any mind, a smile developed across his face as he mused, ("This shit is basically airbending...")Though he may have hated anime in his previous life, Nobu hadn't been incapable of appreciating animated movies and cartoons. He was quite fond of Pixar films and he got a real kick out of shows such as Venture Bros, Rick and Morty, and, when he was younger, cartoons such as Spongebob and Avatar, the Last Airbender. The writers had done Aang dirty when they scripted Legend of Korra but the original Avatar was legit as fuck.While his abilities were child's play compared to Aang's airbending, it was the first thing that came to mind when Nobu realized he could manipulate the air. He wasn't going to be shaving his head any time soon, hell fucking no, but that wouldn't stop him from trying to incorporate some of the bald monk's move into his own skillset. Thus, under the watchful eyes of Yui, Kumiko, and Onihime, Nobu continued to create a swirl in his palm until his aura had become dense enough to appear as a pale, greenish-blue sphere...(A/N: Rasengan!? xD...)......After waiting impatiently for several hours, the tensions eased from Inami's body as she sensed the activation of the gate connecting Yumegakure to the outside world. When she saw Nobu appear, a breath she didn't know she was holding escaped her throat. After all, after everything he had been through, the odds of Nobu returning to the Oda Clan weren't exactly small...Demonstrating a degree of sincerity that took even Hitomi by surprise, a relieved smile developed across Inami's face as she practically pounced over to Nobu and said, "Welcome back, Waka-danna. I was a little worried you wouldn't return..."Though he was a little taken aback by Inami's behavior, Nobu quickly recovered, saying, "I might be an asshole, but I do my best to keep my promises. Besides, I'm not going anywhere without the rest of my entourage. Those three brats would probably cry if I disappeared on them..."Issuing a rare giggle in response to Nobu's words, Inami made a mental note to try and befriend a few of the girls closest to him. Nobu seemed to be the type of person who cherished those close to him, so, even if she wasn't particularly fond of the idea of making friends with a bunch of children, it was a small price to pay if it meant swaying his heart in her favor.As that thought crossed her mind, Inami briefly cast her gaze over Yui, Kumiko, and Onihime before meeting Hitomi's penetrating stare. This caused the hairs on her tails to bristle slightly. Fortunately, as perceptive as she was, even Hitomi wouldn't be able to take notice of such a thing when she was staring someone directly in the eyes. Thus, after a couple of tense moments that actually lasted less than a second, Inami returned her attention to Nobu and asked, "Shall we return~?"Smelling what he believed to be the pheromones wafting from Inami's body, Nobu's nose began to itch as he resisted the temptation to cover it with his hand. Fortunately for the vulpine woman, he had every intention of confirming whether or not she could continuously provide him a 10x boost to his aura gains. If so, they would probably be fucking like rabbits over the next year, or, at the very least, until she no longer provided him with a bonus...Thanks to her own enhanced senses, Inami easily able to detect Nobu's growing arousal. She had no idea what he was actually thinking about, but, knowing it had something to do with having sex, a gentle glow appeared in the depths of her peculiar pink eyes. At the same time, the perpetual fire in her body increased in intensity, and, were it not for the fact there were numerous people present, she might have legitimately pounced on him when he said, "Let's go."......(A/N: Is it just me or does it feel like Inami is slowly being tamed...?)

After a short rest that included tea and a light snack, Nobu found himself hiking down the Northern face of the mountain with a listless look on his face. Alongside him were Yui, Onihime, Kumiko, and, as could be expected, Hitomi and Inami. He could have brought more people with him, but, feeling it would only complicate things, he asked everyone else to patiently await his return."I'm getting real tired of walking up and down mountains..."Chuckling at Nobu's expense, Hitomi used her aura to casually sweep aside brush as she stated, "It's good for you. If you want to strengthen your foundation quickly, scaling the mountain a few times a day is a step in the right direction.""Yeah, yeah..."Since he apparently no longer had to put a filter on the things he said, Nobu didn't even pretend to be courteous towards Hitomi. This earned him a disproving look from the heterochromatic woman, but, instead of saying anything to correct him, she just continued smiling as a thin branch managed to slip through her hazy, bluish-green aura.Not expecting her Grandmother to perform such an act, Yui didn't immediately react to the branch whizzing towards Nobu's face. Fortunately for the latter, a remarkably thin blue line immediately cut the branch into tiny pieces as Inami plainly stated, "Never drop your guard, even amongst allies."Furrowing her brows, Yui was about to thank Inami for the lesson when the latter simply stated, "No need. From this moment onward, the only person you lower your head to is your Lord. If he refuses to bow, you shall stand with him. If you can't do that, you have no right to stand in that spot..."With Yui walking beside rather than behind Nobu, Inami intended to put as much pressure on the young woman as possible. After all, that position was supposed to be reserved for Nobu's partner, or, more specifically, his wife. If Yui was going to occupy such a position, she would need to adapt to the scorn and resentment directed her way. If she couldn't, she needed to vacate the spot so that someone more competent could whether the trials and tribulations that would invariably follow.Tensing up in response to Inami's words, Yui was at a loss for words until Nobu grabbed her hand and said, "Relax..." in an awkward yet soothing tone. In truth, he wanted to say more, but, with the eyes of several people focusing on him, he refused to say anything cheesy or embarassing.Fortunately, the tensions in Yui's body eased the moment Nobu grabbed her hand. His words also helped, but, compared to his actions, they were supplemental at best.Noticing her Granddaughter's slight yet sincere smile, the corner's of Hitomi's curled upward as she softly mused, "How enviable it is to be young..."Since Hitomi's words weren't exactly discreet, even Nobu was able to hear them. This caused a look of mock disdain to appear on his face as he asked, "Aren't you like fifty or something? Compared to the two chibis, you might as well be a brat. Don't go talking like you're about to kick the bucket..."Raising her brows, Hitomi's smile became ostensibly more sincere as she asked, "Oh? Is Waka-chan worried about me~?"Rolling his eyes, Nobu elected to ignore Hitomi's question since they were already nearing the base of the mountain. A few footpaths had started to appear, and, though it was still rough terrain, it was a lot easier to walk compared to the unmanaged terrain further up the forested slope.Clicking her tongue in a playful manner, Hitomi briefly exchanged glances with Inami before waving her hand to sweep aside another layer of the underbrush. This would leave an easy trail for anyone tracking them to follow, but, considering where they were, she wasn't particularly concerned about the possibility of an ambush. Her own skills were nothing to scoff at, but, so long as she was on the mountain, Inami may as well be invincible........."We're here."After reaching the base of the mountain and separating from Inami, Hitomi led the group along the edge of a river until they reached a series of Jizo statues lining a relatively clean dirt road. It wasn't uncommon for patrols to pass through the region, so, while there were no official roads, there were quite a number of paths present in the forests surrounding the walled city looming in the distance.Just as Nobu was about to ask, Hitomi casually twisted the heads of each Jizo statue. Immediately thereafter, a path that hadn't been present before appeared off to the side. It stood out from the rest of the forest because it was almost like a tunnel formed from hundreds of trees that had been grown in such a way they block out most of the sun's light."One can never be too safe. Even if they were especially careful during their departure, the forces that oppose Lord Senken would invariably take notice of his absence. Though it isn't too likely, you should always be prepared for a potential skirmish. That goes doubly for the three of you. There is no greater shame for a warrior or a kunoichi to outlive their Lord..."Though Nobu couldn't help frowning, Yui, Kumiko, and Onihime nodded their heads with serious expressions on their faces.What none of the girls expected, Hitomi being the obvious exception, was for a raspy yet masculine voice to immediately respond, "Well said. It would appear your long life hasn't been entirely wasted, Hitomi-kacho..."Appearing like a phantom, a muscular man with clothes that screamed 'samurai' appeared with a platinum-hued aura lingering around his body. He was attired in a loose yukata, a pair of hakama-style pants, black-plated tassets, and a blue haori with a dragon pattern and the symbol of the Oda Clan plastered at numerous locations across his body. Even the guard of his white-handled katana resembled the flower-like pattern of the Oda Clan, and, based on the aura exuding from his body, he bore the symbol with tremendous pride."Ara ara~? This isn't a face I expected to see any time soon. Weren't you protecting the Eastern border, Hiashi-dono~?"Snorting through his nose, Hiashi cast his gaze over everyone present before setting his pitch-black eyes on Nobu. Then, with a loud 'pa', he brought his hands together in a respectful yet unyielding manner as he firmly stated, "Hyuudou Hiashi greets the Young Lord of the Oda Clan."Taken aback by the short yet muscular man's obeisance, Nobu's expression hardened as he replied, "Yeah...nice to meet you..."Though he was briefly confused by Nobu's excessively casual response, Hiashi just lowered his head even further before rising to cast a disdainful glare at everyone else. Onihime, in particular, seemed to have earned his ire, as, for a brief moment, the thumb he had resting on the guard of his katana twitched. Half-Oni were considered abominations by most people, but, as a proud warrior of Nian, Hiashi was offended by her mere presence at Nobu's side.Fortunately, Hitomi managed to adequately deter him by flaring her aura and asking, "Hiashi-dono...are you disobeying our Lord? I cannot imagine Lord Senken asking you to come here to cause trouble..."After sending another quick glare Hitomi's way, Hiashi seemed to have reached the conclusion that he should simply ignore everyone else's existence as he supplied another polite bow towards Nobu and stated, "Nobunaga-sama. Please, follow me. Your father, Lord Senken, has ordered that I escort you to your destination...""..."Staring at the man's bushy ponytail with a frown, Nobu waited until Hiashi raised his head before shaking his own and saying, "Yeah, that's not gonna happen. We've never met before and I'm not going to just follow someone I just met to a destination I've never been to. These four are coming with me. If you've got a problem with that, please inform my parents that I couldn't meet with them because you decided to behave like a bigot towards your own allies."Not expecting such a response, Hiashi was at a genuine loss for words as he stared at Nobu with a completely blank expression on his face. Moments later, however, a slight smile developed across his face as he mused, "You really are Lord Senken's child..."Leaving Nobu at a loss this time, Hitomi began to giggle into her sleeve as the tensions that had been building spontaneously relaxed. Then, with a significantly less hostile expression on his face, Hiashi gestured behind him, stating, "You really should hurry. If you delay any longer, Lady Suzuki might not be able to restrain herself. She has been sick for a long time. It isn't good for her to move around too much."Confused by the sudden change, Nobu blinked several times before looking towards Hitomi to find her staring back at him with an amused smile on her face. It was at that moment that he realized he had been played, a hint of red bleeding into his cheeks as he cleared his throat and said, "Lead the way..."Nodding his head in affirmation, Hiashi turned to do just that when a silvery crimson blur pushed him aside, shouting, "My baby...!" in a feminine, audibly stressed tone. In the next moment, Nobu felt as though he had been hit by a truck as a petite woman wearing a crimson kimono tackled him with enough force to send them both crashing into the river."Nobu...!""Suzuki-sama...!"Fortunately, unlike the river Nobu had trained in, the one running adjacent to the forest path was shallow enough to cross without issue. Thus, while everyone else was panicking, Nobu had turned statuesque as a woman who had only appeared in his memories clung to him, tears pouring from the corners of her ruby-red eyes as she cupped his face and asked, "Am I imagining things? I have dreamt of this day for so long that it doesn't feel real. You are my son, my beloved Nobu-chan, are you not...?"Not really sure what he should say, Nobu just swallowed hard before slowly nodding his head in affirmation. If he were being honest, his mother was a lot more beautiful than his memories gave credit. He was grateful for the frigid water, as, despite being related by blood, he was genuinely afraid that his body might react due to her fragrant aroma and the warmth transmitting from her body...Further exacerbating Nobu's difficulties, a loving smile developed across Nana's face as she gently kneaded his cheeks with her thumbs. This was something mothers and old grannies did with young children. Combined with the fact she was currently lying on top of him, the awkwardness Nobu was experienced built to the point that a part of him wanted to throw her away from him. He just didn't have the heart to actually do it...As if finally realizing how awkward of a position they were in, Nana took a moment to sweep aside Nobu's bangs before moving away from him, seemingly oblivious to the surrounding water as she sat properly and said, "This is something I've wanted to do for a very long time..."Just as Nobu was on the verge of recovering some semblance of his mental faculties, Nana caused him to nearly allow the current to take him away as she suddenly performed a low dogeza, her nose touching the top of the water as she tearfully exclaimed, "I'm so sorry! Please forgive me! I know my actions were beyond reprehensible. I know I don't deserve forgiveness, but...but...!"Though he would like to say he went forth to grab Nana to assure her that everything was okay, the truth of the matter was that Nobu's brain had stalled the moment he saw the remarkably beautiful woman lower her head. Her words impacted his heart and mind like a hammer, but, despite hearing each and every word she said, the only thing his mind was currently able to process was the fact her kimono was gradually being pulled open by the river's current...Fortunately, just as Nana's obi was whisked away, Nobu recovered enough of his senses to grab her shoulders, forcing her to rise before promptly closing her kimono and saying, "I forgive you..." with a complexion similar to someone who had gone to the beach without sunscreen.........(A/N: Spoiler alert: Nana is a bit of an idiot.)

Chapter 88: Awkward