5 Days Later
Our stay in the city lasted a couple more days. The first 3 days were spent by the caravan members drinking every night before they had to reluctantly leave to go back to work.
The man from the samurai police visited us this morning.
"Your story has checked out and everything has been cleared."
"That's good news." Teru nodded.
"We can finally go home now." Shohei let out a breath.
"I wouldn't mind staying here a little while longer." Mister Bando said.
"We reserved a place for the four of you on an official ship bound for Yamainu Town tomorrow."
"We gladly accept your generosity. Since we lost our wagon, travelling back by ship would be most appreciated." Mister Bando smiled happily at the news.
I turned to see Teru's face had froze.
"Something wrong?" I asked.
"No." He said, his voice sounded dry.
Teru and I decided to visit the temple before our departure. As we entered the large temple grounds where we were greeted by one of the monks who had travelled with us.
"Amida, welcome to our humble temple, friends." The monk bowed.
"It's good to see you again. How is Anzan?" Teru asked.
"He is recovering well, thanks to young friend Zai." He nodded at me.
"That's great. We decided to stop by since this will be our last day in the city."
"If I recall correctly, young friend Zai has mentioned frequenting the temple in Yamainu Town."
"Yes." I nodded.
"If its not too much trouble may I impose on you to deliver a few letters to the temple?"
'I didn't expect to come to this time period to become a mailman.'
"I don't mind, they've helped me out a bit too."
We spent the afternoon having tea and chatting with some of the monks before attending a meditation session with them. When we returned to the inn, a sullen Mister Bando found us.
"The company decided not to pay us for this trip." He said.
"I've been expecting this." Teru said, not surprised.
"Although they're thankful for keeping everyone safe, they basically said 'we pay you to keep the cargo safe, be grateful we don't ask for compensation for the losses.' Hmph! I'm going to drink all I want tonight."
"Then I'll accompany you as well, this may be the last time we can enjoy staying in such grand establishment."
"You said it."
3 Days Later
"It only took 3 days." I stated as I observed Yamainu Town's port in the distance.
"If your run, and I mean run, you can make the trip in less than a day." A seasick Teru said from beside me on the deck of the ship.
He had a look of relief on his face at finally seeing land. As the ship docked, one of the officials, who had accompanied us, approached with Mister Bando and Shohei following along.
"Before you go on your way, we have an appointment at Yamainu Castle first." He said.
"What is this about?" Teru asked as he glanced between the man and Mister Bando.
"More documents to sign?" Mister Bando shrugged.
There was already a police escort awaiting us when we alighted from the ship. We ended up in another large reception room at the castle, similar to one we had been in at Shimamaki Castle. This one already had five guards in it, who watched us like hawks the moment we entered the room. The atmosphere here was much different from the one we received in Shimamaki.
A middle-aged man holding a box showed up shortly after and introduced himself.
"I'm the Commissioner of Treasury here in Yamainu. And I just wanted to let the four of you know that the Daimyo highly values the ruins you have found." He said as he sat across from us.
"It's an honor to be of use to the Daimyo." Mister Bando said happily with a bow.
The man's face suddenly turned serious. "What I'm saying is the daimyo highly values the ruins you have found." He stressed.
'So he's warning us to keep our mouths shut or else.' I thought, reading between the lines.
Teru and Mister Bando had looks of understanding on their faces as well.
"Of course, we understand." Teru said.
"Excellent. Do make sure that everyone in your party has the same understanding." The commissioner glanced my way.
'Sure, discriminate against the kid...I already got the message, I don't think Shohei did though.' I thought as I looked over at Shohei, who just sat there.
"To show appreciation for the services rendered, the Town Lord has seen to it that you'll all be rewarded handsomely." He said as he opened the box.
'And here's the carrot.'
The commissioner turned to Mister Bando. "Bando Kozaburo, you are planning to open your own merchant house, are you not?"
"Yes, Lord Commissioner." Mister Bando nodded. "That is my dream."
"This is the deed to an empty shop in the Uegawa district, along with the required licenses. All under your name." The commissioner took out a scroll and some paperwork and passed it over.
"This is..." Mister Bando hands trembled as he held the paperwork. "Thank you very much!" He said with emotion as he kowtowed with zeal.
The commissioner turned to the next person. "Yokoyama Shohei, you are to be betrothed to an Inoue Tomo, correct?
"How did you...I mean yes."
'Another warning. He's subtly telling us that he knows all about us. It seems they've done background checks on all of us. '
"This is a deed to a house close to your current place of residence. In the house, you'll also find a befitting dowry."
"Thank you very much, Lord Commissioner." Shohei also kowtowed in thanks.
"This is the magnanimity of the Town Lord."
"Maeda Teru, your current place of residence is Master Mitsuhide's orphanage, correct?"
"Yes."
"Do you have any plans on moving out?"
"Not yet."
The commissioner nodded and as his hand subtly passed over the next scroll in the box, reaching for another one instead. He also signaled at one of the guards in the room, who stepped out at the command.
'I guess he really wanted to give away another building.'
"I understand that the orphanage is a bit...dated. With this document you can hire a carpentry group to renovate the orphanage and the Town Lord will bear the expenses."
At this time, the guard returned with a long box and placed in on the floor.
"You've been using that second-hand blade of yours for over 10 years now, have you not?" The commissioner asked.
"Yes, that is true."
The commissioner opened the box and took out a katana in a decorative looking sheath.
"This is a blade taken from the castle's armory, akin to those our police sergeants are authorized to use."
'The renovation can't be worth too much, I wonder how much that sword is worth to match the cost of a whole building?'
The commissioner held out the katana with both hands and Teru received it the same way, with a bow.
"Then I humbly accept the gift and thank the Town Lord for his generosity."
The commissioner nodded in approval at Teru's words before turning to the final person, me. From the previous rewards, I had an idea of what he might give me, but considering the size of the building he might not.
"Umezaki Zai, your eatery is in the process of being opened, yes?"
"Yes."
"This is the deed for the building you are currently renting for your eatery."
"Thank you very much." I accepted the scroll with a bow.
"Then the matter here is concluded, I'll be taking my leave." The commissioner stood before turning to the guard again. "Escort our guests out."
Everyone had smiles on their faces as the guard was escorting us out. We passed by the commissioner in the foyer, who was now chatting with a young man in high-quality clothing. I couldn't help but notice he had a wild head of completely gray hair.
'Is this some kind of dye or does he have poliosis or something?'
"I was merely settling a few matters for your father, Young Lord." I heard as I passed by.
'He's the Town Lord's son?'
The young man glanced our way and his eyes caught mine for an instant. Although he had a curious look on his face, I couldn't help but feel like I was staring at a predator when our eyes locked. I didn't know if it was his wild hair or his stare but for some reason he reminded me of wolverine.
The moment was over as quickly as it began and I shortly found myself outside of the castle gates.
"It's been an eventful few weeks, but it was nice to meet you." Mister Bando said to us. "Now I need to get home and sleep for a few days."
"Likewise, good luck with your new business, and your wedding." Teru nodded at the two respectively.
"It was nice to meet all of you too." Shohei said. "And thank you for saving me, Big Brother Teru."
"No problem."
"Don't forget to explain to Shohei what the commissioner was saying, Mister Bando." I reminded him. "Good luck the two of you."
Teru and I parted with the two and went back to our home street.
"I'll see you later, little Zai." Teru said once we reached the door for my row house.
"See you, Teru." I said as I went to open the door.
I gathered up ki between my brows and then sent out a detection pulse that I tended to do throughout the day lately, and I sensed Teru reaching for one of his katanas.
*Clack*
I blocked Teru's sneak attack with a quick-draw of my own.
"Mhmm." He nodded in approval. "You're finally getting a grasp of countering ambushes with awareness and quick response. You can call yourself a true practitioner of the iaido now." Teru walked away as someone approached. "Hey, Nobu."
"Big Brother Teru, Zai, you're back." Teru gave him a passing head ruffle.
"You're suppose to do that to, Zai." Nobu shook it off and came up to me.
"Some inspector came by a few days ago. Big Sister Azu has been setting up the new shop since then."
"That's great. I have a new recipe I want to add to our menu now that we have a kitchen to work with, so you will have to get familiar with it."
"Really?" Nobu asked in excitement. "What is it?"
"It's called a hamburger."
jhsilver123: This is absolutely fantastic.
Though I am curious if this world going to be AU.
I ask because I find it so odd that he has yet to find out where he ended up (unless he doesn't know about Naruto)
The fact that chakra is hidden from the general public hints at this being a major AU.
Either way, I'm loving this.
P.S you should add a warning that this story is going to be extremely slow paced, else you're going to get asswhole who complain a lot. (that's if you haven't already got some)
I don't consider this an AU. Chakra is sort of an open secret in this story but not enough that everyone is jumping on roofs and throwing fireballs.
This story was actually suppose to be a power fantasy in the first place, but as I was writing I kept having thoughts like "this won't feel earned if these characters aren't more developed" or "the story won't have enough impact if I don't add these scenes in", and for better or worst the story just turned out this way.
PyromaniacRabbit: I wonder, will the MC ever figure out where he is ?
He will, it's getting there.
P.S. I don't think Yuki clan were from Mist, the wiki says they are from Water Country.