Bear School Astartes

"Then, as originally planned, organize the ronin into a team, mix in trustworthy personnel as overseers, and deploy them outside the manor for patrol and vigilance. Let that man from the Ming Country, Lann, be the leader."

Jiulang said cautiously.

This was their intended method of using the ronin. Most of the combat strength of the Hirate family itself had to be sent to the frontlines to assist the Igami Main Family against the Inner Mansion.

And even if the ronin deployed outside the manor were to betray, there would be no threat in terms of information or destructive power. Moreover, they could indeed contribute to the defense war.

"Understood, I will notify Lord Nogami Genji of your arrangements shortly."

Lady Butterfly nodded, indicating she understood the instructions.

"But what about the choice of overseers?"

"How about... Izusuke?"

After a brief consideration, Jiulang tentatively suggested. But Lady Butterfly frowned.

"He is your eunuch, tasked with protecting your safety at critical moments. Sending him outside the manor would be unwise."

Jiulang waved his hand with a smile.

"No problem, I still have the 'Wolf' by my side."

As the word 'Wolf' left Jiulang's lips, a not-so-tall figure emerged from the shadows behind his seat.

About 1.7 meters in height, the standard height of an ordinary warrior. An orange robe, with a short ponytail.

He knelt respectfully on one knee, looking up slightly.

The indifference and apathy in his eyes were identical to those of Lady Butterfly and the burly Owl.

This was also a ninja, and one specifically trained to protect the master closely.

In other words, he was the elite of the elite.

However, the burly ninja in the room interrupted at this point.

"Lord Yuzi, the Wolf has other uses. With the Inner Mansion about to mobilize, ninjas from the opposite side are surely infiltrating our areas as well. I intend to send the Wolf to investigate the surroundings."

The burly ninja sat cross-legged, fists on the ground on both sides, with his body slightly bowing.

"Please understand, I command the Igami Ninja Path — the Taka Group. Most have been sent to the frontlines, leaving only a few incapable hands nearby. Exploring the surroundings requires elite forces."

After speaking, the Owl gently raised his head, looking at Lord Yuzi and the Wolf behind him.

"Orders cannot be changed lightly, and given the circumstances, only the three of us — the elderly, Butterfly, and the Wolf in Hirata Manor — can be considered proficient in the way of the ninja... Now, only the Wolf's position can be adjusted."

"I trust him, the Wolf is capable of undertaking the reconnaissance mission while simultaneously overseeing the ronin squad."

As the subject of discussion, the Wolf's gaze remained lowered. As if he were merely a tool awaiting use, ready to execute the mission without hesitation once the user's intentions were clear.

As for what those intentions were, and the considerations involved, they were not his concern.

"I understand."

Lord Yuzi pressed his lips together and nodded with difficulty. He knew the Inner Mansion Army was formidable, but it was only now he felt it instinctively.

An attack that was neither too large nor too small for the Inner Mansion Army had made Igami so anxious.

Perhaps only a small team of ninjas was sent by the opposite side, yet the Taka Group here needed to be fully mobilized to maintain an equal ninja count on the frontline, even leaving the Hirate family's mansion short of ninjas.

"Then, summon Izusuke back and let the Wolf complete the mission while overseeing the ronin squad."

Lord Yuzi revised his command.

And the Wolf, upon receiving his master's orders, accepted without hesitation,

"Understood."

Reconnaissance of enemy ninja infiltration entailed a thrilling battle between ninjas, and simultaneously supervising a patrol team of ronin. The ninja known as the 'Wolf' had no emotional reaction to this, his mind focused solely on completing the task.

-----------------

Night fell as the Hirata Manor began to light up with scattered firelights.

In ancient times, fuel was a precious resource.

Thus, in the residential Castle Town of commoners, there was currently only one longhouse still under the glow of light. Coarse shouting echoed incessantly.

Lann and a group of ronin resided in this longhouse; it would serve as the Ranger Group's base during their employment by the Hirate family.

Early in the evening, the reward promised by the hosts, a 'live chicken,' was delivered.

Initially, when Lann heard that Nogami Genji had only rewarded a single live chicken, he wondered if ancient East Japan was truly lacking in resources, or if the Hirate family's household was not very generous.

A single live chicken, for nearly thirty bloodthirsty men... each would only get a slender strip of meat?

But when the Hirate family's reward and his appointment came through, his mouth twitched, realizing the value of this 'otherworldly' reward.

Raising its neck, it was a chicken that stood about 1.7 meters tall!

Is this something that could be counted by 'individual'? It should definitely be measured by 'head'!

A head of chicken!

This chicken appeared sturdier than most commoners, with pitch-black feathers and a brilliantly red comb atop its head. Its skeletal and biological characteristics seemed like that of an ordinary fowl, except for its extraordinary size.

At a rough glance, it weighed over a hundred pounds, larger than any ordinary sheep.

"There's definitely something off about Igami!"

Lann now sat cross-legged at the head position of the longhouse hall, holding a plate with a piece of roasted chicken leg. He looked around, hesitating on whether to eat it.

His martial prowess had been proven in front of everyone, and the Hirate's appointment further provided an official guarantee. His seat at the head position didn't elicit much objection.

But 'most' meant that... some people didn't think so.

Holding his plate amongst the lively and noisy longhouse, Lann finally decided to eat that piece of chicken leg.

After all, these local Igami people, having lived for dozens of generations using the local resources, seemed perfectly normal.

And indeed, the chicken meat was delicious... fragrant, tender, with rich oil, not at all dry.

As Lann slowly chewed on the chicken, Kotaro leaned over, bowing, to refill his rice.

This was the same Kotaro who had led him to Hirata Manor.

The Hirate family wouldn't let the ronin act alone; few main families fully trusted a Ranger Group with questionable loyalty.

The Hirate family seemed to think Kotaro and Lann were acquaintances, so they assigned him along with dozens of ashigaru to Lann's Ranger Group, making up a total of fifty men.

"Sir, Pingbala Lang and his group... I just saw them looking at you unfavorably!"

Kotaro looked around slyly, lowering his voice to inform Lann, as if revealing a great secret.

And Lann, upon receiving the rice Kotaro filled, first thanked him.

"Thank you, Kotaro... but can you stop referring to yourself as 'this humble one'? It makes me uncomfortable!"

"No, sir!" Kotaro was shocked that at such a time, Lann was caught up in such trivial matters. This was a subordinate eyeing the leader position with hostility!

Lann continued to savor the robust chicken.

The longhouse was noisy, ronin not being rule-abiders.

But this noise wasn't enough for Lann to ignore voices within a roughly five-meter range.

Continuing to eat his chicken, he calmly whispered.

"A group of rogue friends, taking exception to an outsider being in charge, I can understand that. But..."

"Planning to take advantage of the chaos to kill me, take my sword... whew, where does that courage come from?"

Kotaro involuntarily shivered when, in that instant, he met those catlike eyes.