Chapter 11: Kikasa Village
Those skilled in swordsmanship are known as Sword Masters. Although Ren did not specialize in swordsmanship, his ability to unleash flying slashes undoubtedly placed him among their ranks.
In Wano Country, the status of a Sword Master was far higher than overseas. Aside from the ninjas who served the Kozuki Clan, nearly all powerful individuals in this land fought with swords.
At the same time, the definition of a sword in this country was extremely broad. In short, any bladed weapon was generally categorized as a sword.
"Lord Ren is so amazing…"
"He's amazing in that aspect too… and amazing in this aspect as well…"
Yukiko's eyes sparkled as if filled with tiny stars. She clenched her fists against her chest, her face flushed with a spring-like expression as she stared at him.
"If Lord Ren wants it tonight… should I just give in, or pretend to resist a little before giving in…?"
Hearing her muttering to herself, Ren rolled his eyes helplessly.
"Don't say your thoughts out loud."
"Eh!"
Yukiko finally reacted. She stiffened as if struck by lightning, her entire body burning with embarrassment.
Ren helped her stand properly before letting go. The moment he released her, a trace of disappointment appeared on her face.
"If only I could keep hugging him…"
"Or…"
"No, no, if it's outdoors…"
"I feel even more excited…"
Her face reddened again as she fell back into her fantasies, her body trembling slightly.
Ren pressed his fingers to his forehead. What kind of person had Orochi bought? When he first met her, she had seemed perfectly normal.
"Let's go."
"Eh—oh, yes! Wait for me, Lord Ren!"
Yukiko snapped back to her senses, hurriedly gathered her belongings, held two swords in her arms, slung a bundle over her back, and followed after him with quick, small steps.
Most people in Wano Country wore geta. They made loud clacking sounds when walking, were stiff and uncomfortable, and were not easy to move in.
Ren wore tall cloth shoes that Semimaru had later made for him. That old man sat around all day holding his biwa anyway, so it was better to have him do some needlework.
The two continued northward, quickly passing through the forest and arriving near Kikasa Village.
Along the way through the mountains, they encountered many criminals and wild beasts. Most of the criminals were left for Yukiko to practice against, while Ren decided whether to receive the wild beasts depending on the situation.
The variety of wild beasts in this world far exceeded anything Ren remembered.
Among them were some particularly strange creatures, such as those resembling stone lions carved in ancient times. In Wano Country, they were called Komainu.
In fact, there were differences between Komainu and stone lions. For example, Komainu often had small horns on their heads. According to the history of Ren's original world, after stone lions spread from Huaxia to this land, they underwent changes, eventually giving rise to these creatures that closely resembled stone lions.
In legends, they existed only in carvings and myths.
Yet in Wano Country, Komainu truly existed as living creatures. They were not mythical beasts, but rather a peculiar species. Even if they became Devil Fruits, they would likely not qualify as Ancient Types, at best being a subspecies of canines.
Adult Komainu were often several meters tall and extremely strong, though their appearance carried a somewhat comical quality.
Aside from Komainu, Wano Country also possessed other strange creatures, such as the Mountain God wild boar once killed by Oden. That beast had been larger than a mountain, like a giant among humans, a giant among wild boars.
It was a pity that it had already been slain. If Ren had encountered it and received it, it would have been equivalent to obtaining an exceptionally powerful Devil Fruit.
What Ren did not know was that the Mountain God had not actually died. After its wounds were stitched up, it survived thanks to its terrifying vitality.
When humans obtained the power of animals and trained continuously, they could often unleash strength surpassing that of the animals themselves.
"That wild boar should have left offspring behind, but finding them would be troublesome," Ren said, shaking his head as he pushed the matter aside.
As they approached Kikasa Village, a smile appeared on Yukiko's face.
"That's great, Lord Ren. We finally see a village. We won't have to sleep outdoors tonight," she said happily, clearly relieved.
"You're celebrating too early," Ren replied, shaking his head.
The villagers here might not welcome them at all. Living in Kuri, when they saw outsiders approaching, they would instinctively treat them as bandits coming to rob them.
They also did not dare resist.
Resisting bandits meant death. Not only would the individual die, but their family members would be slaughtered as well. Only by silently enduring humiliation could they survive.
Thus, when Ren and Yukiko approached the village, a strange scene unfolded.
Gaunt men, elderly people, and children all hid inside their homes, doors tightly shut. Only an old man led a group of ragged, emaciated women kneeling at the village entrance, as if they had been waiting for them from afar.
"Lord Hero, the women and food of this village are all here," the old man said as he knelt. "If you need them, please enjoy them to your heart's content."
He looked like a lowly stray dog, yet this seemingly humble act carried the lives of the entire village.
Such raids by bandits had happened countless times. The villagers had long formed a habit of offering up food and women in exchange for survival. Bandits, wishing to enjoy it again in the future, would usually spare these women's lives.
Their methods were brutal, and people still sometimes died, but it was better than being wiped out for resisting.
As for the men hiding in their houses, no matter how unwilling they were, they had no choice. The village still had elderly and children, and angering mountain bandits meant total destruction.
So even though Ren and Yukiko were only two people, they did not dare resist at all.
At the same time, the old man carried a faint hope in his heart. The man before him already had a woman by his side, and her appearance was far more striking than the village women. Surely he would not lay a hand on them.
After a long time with no response from Ren, the old man began to panic, thinking he had displeased him.
Trembling, he spoke again. "This Lord, the women of the village are often underfed and forced to work, so they are not pleasing to look at. Please forgive us…"
Ren showed no reaction.
But Yukiko felt a sharp ache in her heart.