Chapter 523 Old Nobles

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Wonokuni

Guri

Mita Castle

This simple and elegant palace embodies the exquisite craftsmanship of Wano Country craftsmen.

A little boy was kneeling on a straw mat. He was wearing a pink kimono with a longevity peach pattern on each sleeve.

"I'm starting~!"

Looking at the steaming food in front of him, the boy couldn't help but pick up his chopsticks and said happily.

"Da me yo~! (No)"

Mitsuki Toki hurriedly called out to the boy who was about to put the food into his mouth.

"You can't eat it, Momonosuke. You haven't tried the poison yet!"

"Oh! I understand, mother!"

Momonosuke shrank his neck, quickly put down his chopsticks and sat down again.

"I'm so sorry, Mrs. Shi."

"Excuse me, Master Momonosuke."

A samurai hurried forward, took out a pair of chopsticks, carefully picked up the food on Momonosuke's table and put it into his mouth.

On the main seat, Mitsuki Toki had a dull expression and didn't even glance at him.

Although Momonosuke and Hiyori didn't want their servants to do this, they were just eager to eat.

It was very common for servants to test poison on themselves for people of the aristocracy, so no one thought there was anything wrong with it.

As the legitimate heir of the Kozuki clan of Wano Country, Momonosuke has an extremely noble status and position, so he naturally cannot take risks.

If the food was really poisoned and the servant who tasted it died of poisoning, then it can only be considered bad luck. However, he would have completed his mission at that moment: successfully protecting the life and safety of the master! He realized his self-worth and died a worthy death!

The warrior tried all the food one by one, waited for a moment, and after making sure that there was nothing wrong with his body, he bowed and spoke.

"Please enjoy your meal, Momonosuke-sama, Hiyori-sama!"

Kozuki Toki nodded, and the samurai lowered his head and retreated.

"Yeah~ I'm starting!"

Kozuki Hiyori couldn't wait any longer. When she finally heard that she could start eating, an innocent and lovely smile appeared on the little girl's face. She immediately picked up the rice and started eating it in big mouthfuls.

"You can eat now, Momonosuke."

Seeing that Momonosuke still hadn't picked up his chopsticks and looked worried, Kotsuki reminded him with a smile.

"Mother, why would the bad guys target my life?"

Momonosuke raised his head and asked with trembling lips.

Kozuki was stunned at first, then thought for a while before explaining with a smile.

"Because your father is great! And very powerful, the enemy can't do anything to him, so they can only start with his relatives and threaten him with such despicable means."

"Ah... what should I do? Father and Kin'emon are not here. If... if the enemy attacks at this time..."

Momonosuke said this timidly, tears already welling up in his eyes.

"Brother?"

Xiao Rihe, who was eating happily, looked up in confusion and blinked his big eyes at his brother in confusion.

Kotsuki Toki frowned slightly, and was very displeased with the cowardly look shown by Momonosuke.

Alas, I don’t know who Momonosuke resembles with his timid and cowardly character.

Guang Yue Toki sighed secretly.

Even though she has become gentle, virtuous, quiet and elegant now that she is married, before she met Kozuki Oden, she was a female samurai who could travel through time and space alone.

"Don't be afraid. Your father has asked Master Kang to protect us. We will be safe."

"And, Momonosuke, you have to be a man who can shoulder the responsibility of an entire country in the future! Be brave, like your father!!"

Kozuki encouraged.

"Yes, I understand, Mother! If the enemy attacks, I will definitely protect Mother and Hiyori!"

Momonosuke blew his nose and clenched his fists nervously.

"Thank you, Onii-sama! Onii-sama is the best!"

Kozuki Hiyori happily applauded.

Upon hearing this, Guangyue Toki smiled with relief, and her eyes narrowed into two beautiful curves.

"Okay, eat first. Only when you are full will you have the strength to protect us."

"Yes! Mother."

Momonosuke no longer had any appetite. He ate a few bites, then put down his chopsticks and continued asking.

"I'm full!"

"By the way, mother, um, where did father and Kin'emon go? Didn't you say they would be back soon? It's been several days, why hasn't father returned yet?"

Although Momonosuke said that he wanted to be strong and brave, he was still just a child. When he thought that there were bad guys eyeing his life, he was so scared that his legs went weak. He only wanted his father and Kin'emon to come back quickly, otherwise he would not be able to sleep well.

Toki turned and looked out the window.

A breeze blew by, and the cherry blossoms in the garden fluttered and danced in the wind.

"Mother?"

Seeing his mother staring in a trance, Momonosuke called out softly.

"Momonosuke, Hiyori, your father is fighting hard for the future of Wano Country."

Kozuki Toki spoke slowly.

"And Kin'emon, Denjiro, Raizo, Ogiku, Kanjuro, Inuarashi, Nekomaru, Ashura Douji, Kawamatsu, they are all men of character. No matter what the outcome, everyone in Wano Country should remember their names!"

"..."

The brother and sister followed Guangyue, looking at the petals falling outside the window, not quite understanding what was going on.

"Father is so powerful, and with Kin'emon and the others' help, the bad guys will definitely be defeated by Father and the others!"

Hiyori clenched her fists and said seriously.

"Brother, don't you think so?"

"Ah, that's right! Father is the strongest samurai in the entire Wano Country, how could he lose!"

Momonosuke, who was still in a daze, quickly agreed loudly.

"Brother, let's learn swordsmanship after dinner. Hiyori will become a warrior as powerful as father in the future!"

"it is good!"

"..."

Listening to the chattering of children in the hall, Shimotsuki Yasuie, who was guarding the door, raised the corners of his mouth in a gratified smile.

"Everyone, cheer up. Before Lord Oden comes back, you must protect the safety of Lady Toki, Lord Momonosuke, and Lady Hiyori."

Shimotsuki Yasuie gave orders to several warriors around him with a serious expression.

"Yes! Lord Kang!"

...

"I caught it! I caught it! Hiyori, come and see!"

Momonosuke slowly loosened his little hand, and saw a colorful butterfly flapping its wings and flying away from his palm.

"Wow! Brother is really amazing!"

Hiyori clapped.

"He must be very capable, otherwise how could he be your brother?"

Momonosuke raised his chin proudly.

After dinner, the brother and sister started to practice swordsmanship in the yard. Becoming stronger requires sweat, and training is often tiring and boring, so after a while they couldn't hold on any longer. They threw away their wooden swords and started chasing bees and butterflies, playing and fighting.

Children who grow up in a greenhouse have the same concentration as their worries, and can put them all behind them in three minutes.

As for the dream of "practicing swordsmanship and striving to become a great warrior like my father as soon as possible!", it can only be put on hold for the time being.

...