"So what did you promise her?"
"Nothing much, just to spend a day with her, and maybe go on a date."
Kikunojo spoke of the cost she had to pay, although it wasn't much of a cost—just time and energy, while also getting manipulated and suffering some mental anguish.
This was the most convenient time for Drake in her duty, she just needed to swap shifts with Greninja. Greninja excelled in stealth and tracking, and she wasn't lacking either.
Her concealment skills couldn't match Greninja's, but Luxray's special dual eyes allowed her to monitor the other party from a safe distance.
This was an opportunity Kikunojo had offered herself, and she had no reason to refuse.
"Well done, Kiku, this will make things much more reassuring."
Even if they were enemies, they were powerful adversaries. Denjiro also had to face the reality that the people of Hundred Beasts were on the same side as them, hoping Kozuki Hiyori could survive smoothly.
"But Kiku, beginnings are always hard, have you considered getting a bit more intelligence from her?"
Since discovering that Drake had a fondness for Kikunojo, Denjiro had been trying to persuade Kikunojo to use her charms a bit. In his view, it wasn't a bad deal.
No matter what, Kikunojo was essentially a man, and even if Drake had a scar on her face, it didn't affect her beauty; instead, it added a wild charm.
In his perspective, this was something that always favored the man.
This was Wano Kuni, a country with an unprecedented level of chauvinism. In its closed-off environment for hundreds of years, this mindset had only grown stronger.
The Hundred Beasts were different; they recruited many women in Wano Kuni because they valued strength more.
As long as one met the Hundred Beasts' requirements, everyone, regardless of gender or age, could enjoy the same rights. In fact, with many female officers, the Hundred Beasts became an anomaly in Wano Kuni's environment.
However, their strength was enough to silence everyone.
Born in Wano Kuni, Denjiro didn't know that in some worlds, an "ideology" called transgenderism had been born, a "magic" developed to counter magic itself, which accomplished unimaginable feats.
Even if he knew, he would still think Kikunojo wasn't losing out, because even if Kikunojo saw herself as a woman, since the other party was also a woman, two women going out together wouldn't change anything.
Moreover, despite Drake not considering herself a man, her lifestyle was more masculine than many men, and her personality appeared bold in others' eyes, but it was different in Kikunojo's perspective.
In the past, he had always refused this idea, and Denjiro never forced him. Now the opportunity had arisen, many things only had the first time and countless times; once you started, there was no stopping. Hence, Denjiro continued to persuade Kikunojo.
As household attendants under Oden, they had been old comrades for decades, and wouldn't fall out over a word or two. Nevertheless, regarding this matter, Kikunojo still hadn't agreed; in her view, making an exception this once was already quite good.
"Right, it's not just that; she also had another request."
"A request?"
"Yes, she mentioned that the children of the officers have recently taken an interest in kappas, so she wants Kawamatsu to interact with them. They also have a special kappa."
"I understand; I will go there then."
For Kozuki Hiyori, Kawamatsu didn't find it shameful to entertain someone, and as for the kappa identity, it was already a part of his subconscious. To him, the identity of a kappa accompanied him longer than that of a fishman.
...
Some time later, while Denjiro and others were still discussing, Kozuki Hiyori had already arrived at the foot of Mount Fuji.
As the tallest peak in Wano Kuni, you could see this mountain from any area, yet it was her first time planning to climb it.
From the Flower Capital, the mountain didn't appear tall, but upon arriving at its foot, she understood what it meant to be towering into the clouds.
The difficulty of climbing was greatly related to the height of the peak. Besides the sheer height, the snow accumulation and steep cliffs of Mount Fuji added a lot to its climbing difficulty.
For normal people, climbing this mountain required the support of an entire team, various tools, and cold weather gear. But in this world, people generally possessed stronger physical attributes, and coupled with the influence of religious sentiments, free-climbing Mount Fuji was the way to test a believer's faith.
Even though the Arceus Sect had a profound influence in Wano Kuni, few dared to challenge Mount Fuji, and most climbed in groups, only then daring to ascend the treacherous mountain range.
Some climbed due to devout faith, while others aimed to experience the legendary breathtaking scenery visible only upon reaching the top, and more rarely, the divine medicine that healed diseases for the most devout followers.
Individuals like Kozuki Hiyori, who climbed solo without assistance, were extraordinarily rare.
Initially, the process wasn't difficult; at the base, Kozuki Hiyori even saw some people preparing to ascend Mount Fuji, but she neither greeted them nor intended to join them.
According to the teachings, this was a challenge to one's body, and going solo was the best demonstration. Bearing two swords, warm clothing, and food, Kozuki Hiyori's climbing journey began; however, as she ascended, the difficulties increased more and more.
...
"Ah... how many days has it been? I think I've lost on this...,"
Drake rubbed her cheeks, her stamina and spirit were fine, but she overestimated Kozuki Hiyori's pace. The trained Kozuki Hiyori was much stronger than the average person, ordinary thugs couldn't match her.
Yet, for an inexperienced novice, free-climbing such a high mountain was already at a Hell Level of difficulty. After several days, she still had a significant distance to the summit.
Along the way, she'd encountered numerous risks, but Drake never showed herself. From the inception of the Holy Mountain's climbing challenge, no unlucky person had died from a fall while climbing.
The fact that few dared to climb the mountain in terms of believers was one aspect, and on the other hand, this was the domain of the gods. To show divine mercy, there were secret special mountain rescue personnel, of which Drake was an example.
"Little one, is that fruit ripe? Can I have a taste?"
"Mm~mm!"
In the snowy terrain, a Pokemon revealed itself, petite with a snow-like hood on its head, appearing like a fusion of a plant and a snow monster.
Its legs, rooted firmly in the snow, were currently plucking a fruit resembling a snowball from itself.
This was the second favorite fruit of Queen of the Hundred Beasts Pirates, only second to the bananas grown on Tropius itself. Due to its unique nature, it couldn't be cultivated and could only grow on this Pokemon known as Snover...