"That fool Oden Kozuki is nothing but trouble!" Yukiko exclaimed angrily. "And then there's Shutenmaru, always acting so high and mighty, only to lose to him. Once he's recovered, I'll make him pay!"
"Let's not worry about him for now. Getting to Hakumai is more important at the moment," Ren said softly, trying to calm her down. He had received a reply from Shimotsuki Yasuie several days ago and had mostly prepared for their journey to Hakumai.
"I understand. Then I'll accompany you this time," Yukiko nodded.
In his reply, Shimotsuki Yasuie had specifically asked Ren not to make too grand of an entrance, also mentioning his origins as a "Hakumai native," hinting that he didn't need to be so formal.
"It seems he heard about what happened in Flower Capital and is worried we'll bring too many gifts when we visit," Yukiko smiled. While such extravagance was a bit lavish, it was undeniably thrilling. Besides, this was typically a reciprocal arrangement that would eventually balance out.
The exception had been their trip to Flower Capital, where they had intentionally brought excessive gifts to showcase the prosperity of Kuri to the other regions and inspire admiration.
This time, the arrangements would be much more modest. However, in addition to the gifts, Ren naturally needed to bring items for business negotiations, so the procession wouldn't be as small as Shimotsuki Yasuie had hoped.
Ren had already set out on his journey.
Meanwhile, in Ringo, Shimotsuki Ushimaru was still sweating profusely as he hammered iron in front of his forge.
"No good, another failure," he said, looking at the ruined blade. He had grown noticeably thinner. When he first started forging swords, he had been doing quite well, even managing to create Grade swords. But as his impatience grew, his skills not only failed to improve but led to constant failure.
"Lord Ushimaru, you're too impatient," the elderly man beside him said worriedly.
"You're right," Shimotsuki Ushimaru nodded. He knew full well that his heart had become restless and uneasy, not just from impatience but from the immense self-doubt he was facing.
He doubted that even if he poured all his heart and soul into it, he could never forge a Great Grade sword.
"It's difficult to grasp the true essence just by looking at the ancestral manuscripts," he said wearily.
"Perhaps, you could travel to Flower Capital and seek guidance from the Shogun," the man hesitated, then suggested tentatively.
As the living legend who had forged a Great Grade sword, Kozuki Sukiyaki was undoubtedly the finest blacksmith in Wano Country today. However, due to his failing health, he hadn't forged blades in a long time.
"Hmm, this won't do. I can't just work in isolation," he nodded, setting down his hammer, putting on his haori, and stepping out into the wind and snow.
During this time, while Ushimaru was preparing to travel to Flower Capital, Ren was also heading to Hakumai with his entourage.
Yukiko should have been part of this journey, as Hakumai was her homeland despite her lack of attachment to it. But now Shutenmaru was injured, and there was no one in Kuri capable of managing the overall situation.
Keiko could only handle the affairs of the accounting magistrate, so Yukiko had to stay behind to maintain order.
Kuri still lacked enough talent to stand on its own. While there were many samurai capable of fighting, few knew how to govern. This made Ren eager to cultivate more talent.
This time, Matsuri and the others hadn't come either. She had wanted to, but was left behind by the displeased Yukiko to be trained.
Shimotsuki Yasuie led his people to greet Ren from a distance, and a large chest of gold was carried into the Yasuie residence. This chest served as their introductory gift, while the business portion wasn't appropriate to present yet. Ren had his men take it to the former residence of Kurozumi Orochi.
"The Daimyo of Kuri, I never expected you to visit in person. I apologize for not welcoming you sooner," Shimotsuki Yasuie said with a surprised expression, though his words were mere pleasantries, as if he hadn't expected Ren's visit.
In reality, they had already corresponded through letters.
"Pardon this sudden visit," Ren replied, engaging in the small talk he particularly disliked, especially when facing a round-faced middle-aged man.
However, Ren didn't particularly dislike Shimotsuki Yasuie.
In the original story, this man had been a decent feudal lord who had helped Kozuki Oden greatly after establishing Kuri. Later, he had sacrificed his life to make Kin'emon's plan succeed.
Shimotsuki Yasuie's strength might have been at the bottom among the feudal lords, but when it came to integrity, he was second to none.
The two exchanged pleasantries over the banquet for some time, but most of it consisted of Yasuie asking about matters related to Oden, to the point where Ren was losing interest in continuing.
So he promptly steered the conversation to the main topic.
"I've heard that in Hakumai, there's a long-abandoned port called Senkō Port, is that correct?"
As soon as he said this, Shimotsuki Yasuie fell silent for a few seconds.
Only now did he understand Ren's true purpose for this visit. The conversation that would follow likely violated Wano's prohibitions, so he waved for the women performing in the hall to leave, leaving the hall empty.
"It is true that Hakumai has such a port," Yasuie said seriously, looking at Ren. He had likely guessed what Ren wanted to say but was still playing dumb. "However, this port has been abandoned ever since Wano closed its borders. Why does the Daimyo of Kuri bring this up?"
"I'll be direct, Lord Yasuie. I wish to lease this port at a price of one thousand gold per year," Ren stated.
This wasn't an expensive price. If the purchasing power of Belly forty years later was equivalent to yen, one thousand gold would be about ten million yen—a fortune for an individual but a mere trifle for a region like Kuri.
This was just the opening offer. In reality, Ren would have agreed without hesitation even if the price rose to one hundred thousand gold. Compared to the potential returns, this investment was insignificant.
"..." Shimotsuki Yasuie lowered his head, sighed, then said, "Daimyo of Kuri, you must know that in Wano, private voyages, especially to foreign lands, are not permitted, correct?"
"Or perhaps, you already reached an agreement with the Shogun during your last visit to Flower Capital?"
Without even mentioning the price, Yasuie had already refused.
(End of Chapter)
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