It wasn't until noon, remembering he had to prepare lunch for the children, that Suzuki Makoto finally let Shinobu go and got up to cook.
After lunch, the husband and wife went to the garden together to finish the work left undone from the morning. Shinobu Kocho, curious, grabbed Suzuki Makoto's right hand and began to ask questions.
"What is this?"
"This is a Command Spell. In that world, it can summon ancient Heroic Spirits to fight. It is the proof of a contract."
"Ancient Heroic Spirits? Like Yoriichi Tsugikuni?"
"Yeah, pretty much. But it seems that as long as they are famous, it works. Whether it's a good reputation or a bad one. So, you might even be able to summon Muzan Kibutsuji."
Shinobu Kocho slapped Suzuki Makoto in playful rebuke. He was the only one who talked about that name every day; everyone else wished they never had to mention it again.
"Who is the Heroic Spirit you summoned?"
"I didn't summon one. A masterless Heroic Spirit sought me out to establish a contract in order to gain power."
"Oh—is it a man or a woman?"
"Um, a woman."
Shinobu narrowed her eyes. Seeing Suzuki Makoto's calm demeanor, she gave a soft hmph.
"Is she pretty?"
"Average, I guess. Not as pretty as you."
"Smooth talker. How did I not see you were this kind of person before?"
"Haven't I always been honest with you?"
The two chatted idly like this until the entire garden was cleaned up.
"By the way, Makoto, didn't you say you were going back to kill that evil demon? Did you kill him?"
"Not yet. My power is still insufficient... so I might have to leave again in a few days."
Suzuki Makoto had no intention of hiding it. After returning from the world of Chaldea, he had a vague feeling that he could actively choose a world to open, one that would satisfy his own desires.
So he didn't return to the Tiga world, but went straight back to the Butterfly Mansion. He planned to wait until he was fully prepared, then go back to deal with the demon Ryomen Sukuna once and for all and retrieve his first sword.
"Oh, alright. Will it be the same as last time?"
Speaking of this, Shinobu Kocho felt a bit down. However, it was much better than the first time. If her husband was only gone for half a day, it wouldn't be a big deal.
"Of course, as long as I don't d—"
"Don't you dare say that!"
She covered Suzuki Makoto's lips with her hand, her gaze burning.
The man looked at her quietly and nodded. Only then did Shinobu Kocho lower her hand.
"Of course. I won't be delayed too long this time either."
"Okay, I'll wait for you."
Suzuki Makoto didn't know if Shinobu had come to terms with it or was just suppressing her emotions. However, her desperate attempt to seize the initiative that night proved the uneasiness in her heart.
"You must always remember what you said to me today."
"Don't worry, I won't say those kinds of words again."
"No—that you will never lie to me."
Shinobu Kocho closed her eyes, lying in Suzuki Makoto's arms.
"Are you still bothered about the contract? Then tattoo one on my left hand too. What should it be? A wisteria flower or a butterfly?"
"That kind of thing isn't important."
Shinobu took Suzuki Makoto's left hand to her lips and bit down gently, leaving not even a trace.
"You are a person who walks between worlds, a person who saves worlds. Too many people will fall in love with you, just as I have. I don't think I'm stronger than them, nor do I think I'm better than them, it's just... I want to be the main wife."
The sudden turn of conversation almost threw Suzuki Makoto's back out. Seeing the mischievous look in Shinobu Kocho's eyes, he remembered that his wife before him wasn't actually much older than Kanao Tsuyuri.
"Three wives and four concubines is normal anyway. Tengen Uzui has three wives, so why shouldn't you? Anyway, I don't care about other worlds, and I can't control them, but as long as you are here, you have to listen to me!"
Suzuki Makoto didn't speak. He simply reasserted his authority as a husband amidst Shinobu Kocho's startled cries.
Ten days later, Suzuki Makoto prepared to embark on his journey again. Shinobu sent him off with blessings as always.
"I wish you... everlasting fortune in war."
The man stepped through the space-time vortex. Before him was a wide road, and not far away, a group was marching.
He looked at the stone slabs beneath his feet. There were no weeds in the gaps, indicating the road was constantly traveled.
The construction quality was also high; clearly, this was a main road.
"Hey, young man over there! Are you heading to Ashina too? How about we travel together for company?"
The man walking at the very front greeted Suzuki Makoto openly.
It was still Japanese. That was good. After all, he didn't think a wild Saintess would pop out here to give him a Saint's Blessing.
"Sure. But are you willing to accept a stranger traveling with you?"
"Hey, you look like a commoner samurai. Nowadays, anyone traveling alone to Ashina is looking to apprentice and learn arts. And Lord Isshin doesn't accept those who kill innocents indiscriminately. So traveling with people like you actually makes us feel safer. After all, there are bandits on this road."
Since that was the case, Suzuki Makoto didn't stand on ceremony. He naturally blended into the group and shared their communal meal.
"Brother Shibata, to be honest, I had a falling out with my family and decided to go to Ashina in a fit of anger. I didn't know anything before I left. Could I trouble you to tell me about Ashina?"
"Hahaha, I understand. Young people are always hot-headed. But once you settle down, you should write a letter home. Your family worries about you the most."
Shibata patted Suzuki Makoto's shoulder with emotion, then began to tell him about the nation of Ashina.
Originally, Ashina was just a place name.
However, twenty years ago, a Sword Saint named Isshin Ashina led the Ashina people to slay the Interior Ministry's General in battle, seizing and occupying this land to establish the nation of Ashina.
Awed by Isshin Ashina's strength, the Interior Ministry could only hold their noses and tolerate it, temporarily avoiding his edge.
However, the Interior Ministry naturally wouldn't let the nation of Ashina off that easily. They were constantly dispatching Shinobi to infiltrate Ashina and its surroundings, waiting for Isshin Ashina to grow old.
This situation persisted until three years ago, when the Interior Ministry made a move against the Hirata Estate, which guarded the gateway to the Ashina nation.
That night, the Hirata family was wiped out, but the Interior Ministry didn't fare much better.
The Lone Shadows were annihilated, the heroes they recruited all fell, and even the attacking army suffered heavy losses.
Consequently, the Interior Ministry had to retract its claws once again. They considered the nation of Ashina to still be a prickly hedgehog, and since Isshin Ashina had not yet died of old age, they had to continue waiting for an opportunity.
And the turning point appeared at this moment.
Genichiro Ashina, in his capacity as Isshin Ashina's grandson, used information regarding 'Immortality' in his possession to sign a truce with the high-ranking officials of the Interior Ministry.
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