Chapter 522: Life is All About Choices!
"Is that so?" Jirochou said meaningfully, "That left arm was the one I chose to discard..."
"But then again, if she really offended me, what do you think your left arm could have changed?" Kawaki narrowed his eyes, asking with a smile, "Elderly people really are cunning, choosing to chop off the left arm that can't wield a sword rather than the right. Is your right arm that important? Or is it... Do you have something else to protect with that sword-wielding right arm? Something more important than that little fox..."
"Young people are to be feared, truly to be feared," Jirochou laughed heartily. "I didn't expect such a person among the younger generation! Kid, if you had joined the war a few years earlier..."
"Stop," Kawaki waved his hand dismissively. "I don't recall ever participating in any silly wars for this country."
"But now, the little fox without the big fox can't do anything..." Jirochou chuckled softly.
"Not necessarily~" Kawaki shrugged nonchalantly, "I also find it quite interesting. Maybe I'll change my mind and help her out."
"Then the end of this street might really come..."
"Just kidding, just kidding," Kawaki waved his hand and laughed, "Don't be so serious, old man. I actually quite like this street; everyone here is quite interesting."
"Do you really like me?" Saigou suddenly popped his head out from the ceiling, covering his face shyly, "Ah~ I'm so embarrassed~"
After a swift uppercut, Saigou was once again hanging from the ceiling.
"If you're feeling troubled, I have a small suggestion," Kawaki said, raising a finger and smiling.
"Recently, I have enjoyed hearing young people's advice."
"After taking over that Vixen's casino, how about making all the waitresses wear mini-skirts?" Kawaki shouted earnestly, "The business would definitely boom! The top should be a tight-fitting uniform that shows off a deep cleavage! What do you think?! No man could refuse that! Trust me!"
"Trust you, my foot!" Tsukuyo shouted from the door, "Why did the conversation turn to this?!"
"I just saw him looking troubled and thought maybe he was worried about managing the casino after taking over, so I just wanted to give a little suggestion," Kawaki explained. "After all, it's mostly men who go to casinos, so as a man, making a little personal suggestion isn't out of line."
"It's obviously not about that kind of trouble!" Tsukuyo shouted, "That's just your desire!"
"No, as a man, I can feel it. He was clearly troubled about that!" Kawaki acted as if he was on to something.
"Yare yare, I thought I was going to hear something more interesting, but it turned out to be just this mundane stuff," Otose stood up, "But thank you both for letting me know why that little fox appeared so coincidentally and why this fox come here after such a long absence."
"Tsukki, see, old ladies, are really something, just a few words, and they think so much," Kawaki whispered to Tsukuyo, "You better not turn out like that in the future; it feels super gross."
"Women's thoughts are much more nuanced than men's," Otose said, standing up and walking to the door, looking at the night that had unknowingly fallen, "Jirochou, that's enough..."
"I don't know what you're talking about..." Jirochou said as he took out a well-wrapped tobacco from his pocket, lit it, and took a gentle puff.
"Actually, I'm quite envious of having a daughter who admires you even though she's been abandoned," Kawaki squatted down, grinning, "Honestly, if I ever have a child, I hope she admires me as her dad."
"Then go get married quickly," Otose glanced at Tsukuyo standing by the door, speaking irritably, "These young people nowadays, I don't know what's wrong with them. Everyone's overage, yet they stubbornly refuse to marry. Once married, you can have as many children as you want."
"Old man, you really don't need to worry; I actually have a nice proposal," Kawaki suggested with a twinkle in his eye, "How about trying it with that quirky naturally wavy hair? It seems he and this old lady have some sort of private agreement."
"You..." Otose's eyes widened, and she looked incredulous. "You know everything about Gintoki?"
"Not everything, just that a few years ago, one winter, I was strolling down the road and suddenly saw a familiar naturally wavy silver hair, dirty and thinly clothed, eating offerings from a grave," Kawaki replied casually, "There seemed to be a heavily made-up old lady nearby, and they even made some lifelong commitment to each other."
"Really, I underestimated you," Otose shook her head and sighed lightly, "But then again, I'm a bit envious of that kid."
"Ah, I almost forgot. This is a secret; you absolutely can't tell that guy," Kawaki slapped his forehead, "And it's irrelevant to him; it's my agreement with someone else. He's just a minor part of it, an insignificant part. Yep, that's it."
"That kid, I've heard of him, but... he's not qualified..."
"If that agreement is like a chain for you, it's the same for him," Kawaki continued, "Then what remains is to see whose chain is stronger. And don't underestimate him; if he gets serious, he should have no problem dealing with an old man like you..."
"Young people love to talk big."
"Hahaha, after all, I'm someone who dared witness the outcome of a war, unlike a deserter who couldn't face the results of war. We do have a bit of a basis for confidence. Few people will like the stubborn old man who relies on his old age. And, no matter the reason, neglecting your daughter, I really can't understand that."
"Which side did you choose?"
"Want to learn from me?" Kawaki narrowed his eyes and smiled, "No, forget it, you can't learn it. You just... don't qualify."
"Single-handedly supporting everything?" Jirochou chuckled, "Impressive guy; honestly, I'm a bit envious. If I could be as powerful as you, I could do it too..."
"You're also an old fox," Kawaki suddenly shook his head, smiling bitterly, "You've been testing me since just now. So now, you've got your answer, right?"
"Ah, indeed." Jirochou stood up from the ground, "But let me make it clear; I don't trust that silver-haired brat, just you standing behind him. Of course, that being said, I still need to personally see if his chain is as strong as you say..."
"It shouldn't disappoint you," Kawaki smiled.
"Jirochou... you..."
"Sorry, Otose," Jirochou smiled somewhat relievedly, "I might have to break the agreement with Tatsugoro,"
"Rather, this is what he would have hoped to see," Otose shook her head lightly, "Welcome back, Jirochou..."
"I'm back..."
Meanwhile, Kawaki couldn't help but rub his eyes and pulled Tsukuyo closer, "Tsukki, I thought I saw a handsome white-haired guy and a beauty just now, did you see? Do I see things? There were only a wrinkled old lady and an old man..."
"Who's wrinkled old lady, wanna die?! You brat!" Otose shouted furiously.
"Tsukki, did you bring an iron?" Kawaki asked Tsukuyo.
"Just go die!!" Otose kicked over.