Chapter 14 Hidden Tenderness

Upon arriving at the citadel, Tsurumaru Kuninaga was anything but calm. In this vast citadel, they constantly encountered white cranes that would suddenly dart out and startle them.

Even though he had only just arrived, he had already quickly integrated into the citadel.

"Honestly, Tsurumaru really likes to mess around!" Hasebe complained to Kasen about his new colleague while helping in the kitchen.

Kasen, who was holding a small dish and tasting the food, smiled upon hearing this and said, "Isn't this great? The citadel is getting lively now."

After tasting the soup, Kasen nodded in satisfaction. Just as he was about to put the small dish down, he noticed something strange.

He examined the small dish in his hand, noticing a pair of beady eyes and a mustache painted on the porcelain surface. The poet chuckled softly; he knew without a doubt who had done it.

Hasebe, noticing Kasen Kanesada's pose, leaned closer and also saw the harmless graffiti. He put his hands on his hips, his tone full of helplessness.

"What a troublesome fellow!"

Meanwhile, Tsurumaru Kuninaga, who had just finished playing, happened to run into Mikazuki, who was drinking tea in the corridor. He sat down next to him without any politeness and poured himself a cup of tea.

"Oh my, even cranes that fly around everywhere come to rest here, old man?" Mikazuki teased with a smile, his crescent-shaped eyes fixed on Tsurumaru Kuninaga.

"Wow—this citadel is really big! I've only explored half of it." Tsurumaru finished his tea in one gulp. He was wearing the light kimono that Hanshu had bought in advance.

"Well, that's why it's so easy to get lost," Mikazuki remarked, sipping his tea. Clearly, he'd gotten lost in the citadel more than once. Each time, he was found by a short sword from the Awataguchi family.

Two elderly men sat and chatted in the corridor.

Ran Toushirou and Mori Toushirou followed Ichigo Hitofuri nervously, familiarizing themselves with the citadel. To avoid making them uncomfortable, Yagen and the others didn't approach rashly. Furthermore, they trusted Ichigo-ni to comfort the two young tantō.

The little fox hurried past the two katanas who were drinking tea and chatting under the eaves. Tsurumaru Kuninaga, seeing this, excitedly followed them.

She glanced at Kitsunenosuke and Tsurumaru Kuninaga, who were looking at each other in bewilderment, and shook her head with a sigh. She walked straight past them to the forging room, intending to awaken the tsukumogami. Upon seeing the swords, Hanshu looked somewhat surprised at the white crane peeking in from the doorway.

"What's wrong, my lord?"

Noticing Hanshu's gaze, Tsurumaru Kuninaga asked curiously.

"Look who's here!"

Upon hearing this, Tsurumaru Kuninaga entered immediately, and three swords were placed on a sword rack. Those were:

Short sword - Taiko Bell Sadamune, fighting sword - Daikurigara, tachi - Candachi Kirimitsu Tadashi

These are all swords from the Date family; even Tsurumaru Kuninaga once stayed briefly at the Date family's residence.

"This really startled me..."

Even Hanshu found it unbelievable that the swords Tsurumaru Kuninaga had just arrived at the Date clan's citadel were forged at the same time.

Golden power seeped into the swords, awakening the slumbering spirits within them.

"My name is Shokudaikiri Mitsutada. I can cut through bronze candlesticks, you know... Hmm, I guess I'm still not cool enough."

“I am Ōkurikara. Nothing much to say. I have no interest in fitting in.”*

"I am Taikogane Sadamune! Let's make a grand spectacle!"*

The three tsukumogami who had appeared looked at each other in shock at the fact that they had all appeared at the same time. Taiko-kan Sadamune saw the white figure standing behind Kanshu.

"Mr. He?!"

"Hey, Zhen-chan. It's truly astonishing that you two were forged at the same time."

"Hmph, I don't want to get along with you."

Though he spoke coldly, Han Zhou could sense the other person's joy.

Ōkurikara's words immediately dampened the lively atmosphere. Shokudaikiri Mitsutada chuckled and patted his companion beside him, "Don't say that, Kara. You're happy too, aren't you?"

After they quieted down for a while, Han Zhou finally spoke.

"I am Hanzhou, welcome to the citadel. Perfect timing, you've arrived just in time for lunch."

Upon hearing Han Zhou's words, Shokudaikiri volunteered, "My lord, may I go to the kitchen to help? I have some knowledge of cooking."

Hanshu naturally wouldn't refuse; she asked Tsurumaru Kuninaga to take them for a stroll around the citadel. This would also allow the Date clan to keep an eye on the white crane, preventing it from constantly frightening people.

Meeting old friends is a joyous occasion, and the four of them must have a lot to talk about. On his way back to Tenshukaku, Hanshu encountered Hasebe.

"Hasebe? Is something wrong?"

“No, lunch will be ready soon. You…” Hasebe looked hesitant, as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t. Hanshu already guessed what he wanted to ask.

Why take in those two disloyal daggers?

“They are brothers from the Pharmaceutical Research Institute and the First Phase, I understand your concerns. But I also trust you, you won’t put me in danger.” Han Zhou herself was very powerful, but she didn’t mind showing weakness when necessary.

"Yes! We won't let you down." Having gotten the answer he wanted, Hasebe took his leave.

Han Zhou did not have lunch with the swords this time, mainly to give the restless short swords some space.

Ran and Mori were sandwiched between Yagen and Ichigo. Kanshu's absence certainly made them more relaxed. The restaurant was somewhat noisy; they didn't observe the rule of not talking while eating, and Tsurumaru Kuninaga and Taikogane Sadamune were chatting happily.

The laughter stood out clearly amidst the cacophony of conversation.

"What kind of person is Yagen's lord?" Ran asked Yagen, who was sitting next to him, with his head down.

"I'd like to know too," Mori said, glancing at Ichigo Hitofuri beside him.

"Although he may seem unapproachable, he is essentially a gentle lord," Ichigo Hitofuri replied with a smile, gently patting his head.

“Ichigo-nii is right, you’ll feel it as you spend more time with him,” Yagen said with a smile, putting food on Ran’s plate to soothe his slightly uneasy mood.

He was afraid, afraid to see the Saniwa's disgusted gaze again. He knew that someone trusted by Yagen and Ichigo-ni wouldn't be like his former Saniwa. But he still couldn't let go of the past.

Meanwhile, Han Zhou was currently in the jewelry shop at the Wan Ya store. There were many Ran Toushirou there, so she asked one of them...

"Hello, excuse me for bothering you. A young man named Ran Toushirou just visited my citadel today, and I'd like to bring him a gift, but I'm not sure what to get."

Ran Toushirou blinked his azure eyes, revealing a bright and cheerful smile. He readily offered his opinion to Hanzhou.

Pink and bright red bow hair accessories. And cute hair ties to tie the hair up.

"You can also buy some cute little dresses from other stores; I think he'll be very happy!"

Thank you for your suggestion, I will.

Han Zhou's clothing is mainly light and simple. She struggles with the cute style, but whenever she sees Ran Toushirou in the store, she politely approaches him to inquire.

Following numerous suggestions from Ran Toushirou, Hanshu bought several dresses. Both the styles and colors were to the liking of the "Ran Toushirou" sword-wielding group.

Thank you.

"It's nothing, I just think that Lord Ran Toushirou would be very happy to see these!" They could all sense Han Zhou's seriousness, and she would patiently listen to their suggestions.

While they argue about which style looks better, I will quietly wait for them to finish expressing their opinions.

It's hard not to like someone so gentle and considerate.