After hotpot, they fooled around nearby for a while and then broke up for the night.
On the walk home the three princesses were unusually quiet. The Second Princess spoke first: "Come to my temple." The other two agreed.
Back at the temple, the Second Princess dismissed the attendants. After a pause, she asked, "Third Sister, that 'Tang Bohu Courts Autumn Fragrance' routine—what did you make of it?"
The Third Princess understood what her sister truly wanted to ask. She answered lightly, "Kaede's just a child. I didn't take it to heart. He was sulking because I closed the door on him and wouldn't share my sugar hawthorns, so he was 'getting back' at me."
Shiji wasn't foolish. "This afternoon Ennosuke said something right: most people meet the right person by chance—if you don't seize the moment, the chance fades."
The Third Princess fell quiet. "First, isn't that a bit hasty? It's normal to like someone outstanding. We've known him less than a day—before yesterday I didn't even know his name. Second, the two of you are tangled up with interests; it's too easy to be pushed together with 'the right person.' Father won't let me and Fourth Sister move at the same time, mind you."
The Second Princess cut in. "Don't worry about the second point. I know Father. If he learns what Kaede can really do—and that he's your choice—he'll back you strongly."
The Third Princess nodded slowly. "I'm young; I can wait. Strip away outside pressure… But did you notice? He was focused today. After that girl Aoi and that Tang Bohu skit, Aoi's mood dropped. Three times Kaede watched her—like he was sounding her out. I'm afraid tonight's story was to probe Aoi's mind."
The Second Princess's eyes hardened. "Risky or not, I see no threat in that girl. She isn't a shinobi."
The Fourth Princess hurriedly tugged at her sister's sleeve. "Don't. Kaede isn't ordinary; his insight is sharp. If he catches your 'touch,' he'll put the pieces together fast—and that could blow up. Remember the pen shot at the bird? And how he argued the monk into a corner today? Better not stir the pot." The Fourth Princess had her own little abacus; trouble now would spoil everything.
The Third Princess made up her mind. "It hasn't reached that point, but I'll try first. Otherwise he may return to the Leaf next time and never come back to Kagu."
That night Kaede didn't cycle chakra as usual; he lay on his back, planning quietly. Starting tomorrow: spear practice in the morning, clone work in the afternoon. He'd learned Water Prison these days but hadn't trained his own set at all. Give it a month or two to harden real combat sense.
Across the courtyard, Aoi tossed and turned, inexplicably anxious. She knew why—she'd known for some time. Her status and temperament left her no power to fight for anything. She only blamed herself, hating her own helplessness. All she could do was pray: may Hokage-sama call Kaede back to the village soon.
Kaede rose at six. Morning drills. June heat was settling in; sunlight had already spread across the earth. In the yard, a faint cool breeze brushed his cheeks—summer's damp, particular feel.
Shouts came from the back garden. Over his shoulder, Kaede carried the Overlord Spear and wandered in. He found Ennosuke dancing the Meiji staff, sweat beading and flicking with every snap.
Genius is one percent spark and ninety-nine percent sweat. Seeing Kaede arrive with that odd long weapon, Ennosuke halted and greeted him.
"Morning, Aniki!"
"Morning. Up this early to grind?" Ennosuke chuckled, set the staff down, and cracked his knuckles.
Truth be told, what Kaede feared most was close-quarters fighting. He always felt weak there, always dodged live sparring; it wasn't laziness, just lack of confidence.
He'd imagined himself a shinobi of pure ninjutsu—flying when needed, killing from range. The modern-mind flaw: forever maximize benefit, minimize risk, forgetting this world belongs to the strong. He'd flipped through the "Mixed Monkey Vajra Staff" scroll while copying in Chinese; his body drills still looked like aerobics.
"Aniki, I'll work the Overlord Spear. I'm still in the early phase of this set—can't beat you yet." After a long moment he still declined the spar.
Ennosuke smiled softly. Today his little brother finally sounded like a kid. He asked seriously, "What do you think is the key to defeating an opponent?"
Kaede lowered his head with him, thinking. Ennosuke spoke on, calm and firm. "Fear only drags you back. It won't drag you into the abyss—but it will cut your power in half. Out there, taijutsu is full of tricks and shocks, famous names and unknown killers—each kind plants fear."
Kaede chose the blunt answer. "The key is overwhelming force."
(End of Chapter)
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