My Gang of Swordsmen

“Only by sitting in a pleasure boat on the Sumida River can one truly appreciate the fireworks.”

“No problem, leave it to me.” Sasaki nodded without hesitation, “Old man, give me 30 minutes… no, 20 minutes, I’ll immediately arrange the most luxurious pleasure boat for you.”

“There’s no need to make a big fuss. Just get me a boat that’s comfortable enough; tonight I just want to quietly enjoy the beauty of the fireworks.”

Shimizu Eiichi raised his hand and gently patted the straw hat on his head.

“Also, don’t make too much noise about my visit to the fireworks festival tonight. I don’t want to be disturbed by too many people.”

“Understood.” Sasaki nodded in agreement.

Shimizu Eiichi waved his hand, indicating that everything he wished to say had been said.

Sasaki bowed respectfully to Shimizu Eiichi and then intended to get up and complete the task assigned to him by Shimizu Eiichi.

But at that moment… Sasaki suddenly remembered something.

After a moment of hesitation, Sasaki gritted his teeth and sat back down.

“… Father, there’s something I need to report to you.”

“Hmm?”

“Well… I just encountered Lord Gosaku…”

In just a few words, Sasaki reported to Shimizu Eiichi the details of his unexpected meeting with Shimizu Gosaku.

Sasaki personally felt it was necessary to inform Shimizu Eiichi about Shimizu Gosaku being nearby and his current state of heavy intoxication.

After quietly listening to Sasaki’s report, Shimizu Eiichi murmured expressionlessly:

“I see… Gosaku is nearby, drinking, huh…”

“…” Having truthfully revealed the details, Sasaki kept his mouth shut, not saying another word.

“… Sasaki, thank you for your hard work.”

After this brief and unsentimental compliment, a contemplative gleam appeared in Shimizu Eiichi’s eyes.

He raised the teacup in his hand, drank the tea in one gulp, and slowly stood up…

…

…

Shimizu Gosaku, who was heavily intoxicated, staggered forward in a zigzag path.

It’s common knowledge to stay as far away as possible from drunks.

Moreover, the drunks in question had tattooed dragons and phoenixes on their bodies.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, all pedestrians ahead of Shimizu Gosaku deliberately scattered in the opposite direction.

“Ah, Lord Gosaku! We’ve found an Izakaya!”

One of Shimizu Gosaku’s followers pointed to a still-operating Izakaya ahead.

Having walked such a long way, they finally found an Izakaya still open for business, filling Shimizu Gosaku’s followers with expressions of joy.

“Lord Gosaku… hmm? Lord Gosaku?”

It was only then that Shimizu Gosaku’s followers realized that their master had halted his steps, with eyes fixed keenly on something ahead.

Following Shimizu Gosaku’s gaze, they noticed the graceful silhouette of a young woman with a fair complexion wearing a dark brown yukata emerging into view.

At this moment, there was no expression on Shimizu Gosaku’s face.

Only the whites of his eyes suddenly had many red blood vessels appear…

…

…

“Wow, look at that girl’s hairpin… it’s so luxurious…”

“To have a set of hairpins like that must cost a fortune…”

“How wonderful… I wish I could have a set of hairpins like that…”

…

While strolling around the fireworks festival venue with Chang Ci and others, Ozuki Minoru occasionally received envious glances from those who recognized the extravagance of the hairpin she wore.

Though feigning calm, Ozuki Minoru could barely suppress a grin from forming at the corners of her mouth.

The innate sense of superiority made Ozuki Minoru feel utterly comfortable, her head held high, almost as if her nose was pointed towards the sky.

She couldn’t help but feel incredibly fortunate in her heart.

In these chaotic times, countless people live on the brink of starvation, while she could indulge in luxurious cosmetics and clothing.

With these thoughts in mind, Ozuki Minoru unconsciously wore a smug smile, standing closer to the husband who brought her all these luxuries.

But just then… Ozuki Minoru suddenly felt someone embracing her from behind.

The person’s left hand slid down her back to her **, while their right hand wrapped around her right shoulder, reaching over to her chest.

The entire person pressed closely against Ozuki Minoru’s back.

Ozuki Minoru screamed out in shock.

Chang Ci and his friends were all taken aback by the sudden incident.

“Hey! Who are you?!”

Chang Ci was the first to react, shouting sternly while reaching out to push away the young man—Shimizu Gosaku—suddenly embracing Ozuki Minoru tightly.

“Hee hee hee…” Shimizu Gosaku, staggered backward by Chang Ci’s push, swayed a few times before regaining his balance and showing a strange smile.

The frightened Ozuki Minoru, having been thus violated for the first time, became tearful, clutching the collar of her yukata tightly, and looked timidly at the unfamiliar Shimizu Gosaku.

Chang Ci: “Who are you people? What do you want?!”

Upon pushing Shimizu Gosaku away, Chang Ci immediately noticed that both Shimizu Gosaku and his followers appeared thoroughly intoxicated, with tattoos on their bodies… his face momentarily flashed with surprise and unease.