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Kuri Inari Shrine, Entrance
Countless torii gates were neatly arranged along the winding mountain path, with cherry blossom trees lining both sides of the road, looking quite beautiful from afar.
Yamato looked pleased.
"Isn't it beautiful here!"
"It's alright."
Daichi was noncommittal.
Having stayed in Wano Country for a long time, he had long grown tired of the scenery. Moreover, compared to the giant torii gate at Onigashima's entrance, the shrine's torii gates felt somewhat petty.
"Let's go."
Daichi and Yamato walked in front, followed by a group of ministers and samurai.
The Shogun's sudden marriage, completely unknown to Wano Country, greatly displeased the vassals due to such a lapse in decorum.
But they dared not voice their opinions.
Following the traditional visit to the Inari Shrine was their only request, serving as an explanation to the people.
"Just consider it accompanying Yamato for fun."
Daichi leisurely ascended the mountain, admiring the cherry blossoms.
The New Year had just passed, and the New World was in its most peaceful period. He had nothing pressing to do, so he accompanied Yamato for a few days.
Unfortunately, the leisurely days would soon end.
Loki had begun to act.
Yamato pulled Daichi's hand, excitedly pointing to the roadside.
"Daichi, look!"
"Mm."
Daichi glanced.
It was a fox.
More than one, in fact.
Seemingly accustomed to humans, the foxes on the mountain were not afraid of people. Instead, they were quite friendly, proactively approaching humans to beg for food.
This was related to the foxes' timid nature. Even when indulged, they dared not be presumptuous, completely unlike the nefarious gangs of a certain mountain in his homeland.
Quite cute.
Besides foxes, fox statues were ubiquitous on the mountain path. The legendary Inari God was known as the God of Foxes, so worshipping foxes was normal.
Soon, everyone arrived at the shrine.
The priestess, the head of the shrine, had long been waiting with a group of shrine maidens. She took small steps forward to greet them.
"Welcome, Shogun!"
"Priestess-sister."
Yamato ran forward, chattering away.
Daichi scrutinized her.
The woman looked young, her voice was girlish and full of vigor, occasionally revealing two small canine teeth as she spoke.
Her demeanor and conduct were more like those of an intern shrine maiden.
What was particularly noticeable were the large floppy ears on her head and a fluffy large tail behind her, both orange like her long hair.
She must be a hybrid of human and Mink. He wondered if he could extract the Mink coordinates from this fox. He had long coveted the Minks' combat power.
Daichi withdrew his gaze and entered the main hall.
The crimson Groudon statue stood in the center, menacing and majestic, with the two smaller Inari God statues on either side looking like attendants.
"Hmm, excellent!"
Daichi nodded in satisfaction.
The craftsmanship of Wano Country's artisans was exquisite, and it was clear they put a lot of effort into it, restoring seven or eight parts of his transformed state.
Now that's more like it.
He was the one who brought bountiful harvests and prosperity. They should worship him, not a bunch of wild foxes.
He would have the artisans carve another one later and send it to the Labor Country. Good things come in pairs.
Yamato and the priestess entered the hall together. Seeing the Groudon statue, Yamato was momentarily stunned. She remembered it wasn't like this the last time she came.
Although puzzled, the main business was important.
"Daichi, the ceremony is about to begin."
"Alright."
Daichi and Yamato came out of the hall.
The so-called ceremony was essentially the priestess leading the shrine maidens in praying for him and Yamato. Each shrine maiden held a 'gohei' and circled them, sprinkling water.
It symbolized cleansing the mind and body.
"Ptooey!"
The priestess secretly spat.
Daichi narrowed his eyes, observing the woman's small gesture. He couldn't help but inwardly chuckle. It seemed this woman had quite an opinion of him.
Excellent, time to raise taxes!
After the ceremony, Yamato pulled Daichi, looking mysterious: "Daichi, let's ask Priestess to tell our fortune!"
"She can tell fortunes too?"
"Priestess's fortunes are super accurate!"
"Alright then."
Daichi smiled and nodded.
He remembered there was also a very accurate fortune-telling fishman on Fish-Man Island. When it came to metaphysics, there was no harm in trying.
In the Side Hall
"Does the Shogun wish to draw a fortune slip and divine a hexagram?"
The priestess smiled and said, "The Shogun has the appearance of a blessed person. No divination is needed. She will overcome misfortune and enjoy happiness and well-being."
"I just want to try."
Yamato's eyes sparkled.
"Alright."
The priestess took out a fortune-telling bamboo tube and handed it to Yamato.
"Clatter!"
Yamato held the bamboo tube, shaking it vigorously.
Soon, a bamboo slip fell to the ground.
"How is it?"
"Excellent luck!"
The priestess looked at Yamato rather strangely.
The last time Yamato came to draw a fortune, she also drew Excellent Luck.
Could she really be a person of great fortune?
She had just said that casually!
"What does the Shogun wish to know?"
Yamato raised a finger to her lips, pondering deeply.
What should she ask for?
The last time she asked about going to sea, it came true immediately.
"I don't know yet!"
Think before you draw a fortune!
The priestess's smile stiffened, and she looked at Daichi.
"Does Daichi-sama also wish to draw a fortune?"
"Yes!"
Daichi picked up the bamboo tube and shook it.
A bamboo slip fell to the ground.
The priestess picked up the slip, and seeing the same words "Excellent Luck" on it, her resentment instantly surged.
Why was this scoundrel also Excellent Luck?!
Daichi's heart skipped a beat. The woman's face didn't look good. Could his fortune be too bad?
"How is it?"
"Terrible luck!"
The priestess interpreted the slip decisively.
She misread it - it was Terrible Luck!
Daichi's face darkened.
Bah, feudal superstition!
The priestess was all smiles.
"Daichi-sama, what do you wish to ask about?"
"Zou!"
Daichi looked amused.
The priestess's hand trembled, almost dropping the bamboo slip.
She was not unfamiliar with the word Zou. Her great-grandmother came from Zou, and Zou was mentioned most frequently in the notebooks she left behind.
The priestess chuckled awkwardly: "Daichi-sama, Zou is an otherworldly place. To divine it, a fortune slip is not enough. Do you have an object to use as a token?"
"Yes!"
Daichi reached out and grabbed the woman's tail.
"Ah!"
The priestess jolted, almost jumping up, then her tail hurt, and a clump of orange fur appeared before her eyes.
It was her tail fur!
"Will this work?"
"Yes!"
The priestess hugged her now bald tail, gritting her teeth and nodding.
She was going to make voodoo dolls - ten of them!
Muttering mystically, the woman quickly had an answer.
"Northwest direction!"
"Northwest?"
Daichi frowned.
Wano Country was located near the Calm Belt. East was Elbaf, southeast was Egghead, and northeast was the direction of Hachinosu.
Northwest - that was the Calm Belt!
Was the giant elephant hidden near the Calm Belt, or even within the Calm Belt? Given its size, it certainly wouldn't fear Sea Kings.
The side hall door was pushed open!
"Hoo~ hoo~~"
Gazelleman was covered in sweat, holding his waist, out of breath from exhaustion. It took him a while to catch his breath before he could report.
"Daichi-sama, the expedition fleet has assembled!"
"Good!"
Daichi's spirits lifted.
"Notify them to depart immediately!"