Oden stood alone, chest heaving, sweat and snow mixing on his skin. The crowd had dispersed, there were no more laughter like when he 1st did it just murmurs and dissapointment .
From a distance, Mamoru approached with calm steps along Kiku and Raizo. The young samurai bowed slightly, his tone respectful yet warm.
"That was a great performance, Lord Oden."
"Indeed it was a splendid performance even though im against it ,Lord Oden " Raizo said
"It was indeed great "Kiku added as well
"You think so?" Oden asked, chuckling wearily. He looked at Kiku and Raizo and said
"You didn't have to come all this way just to watch me " Oden said with a smile
"How could we not , we are your retainers, wherever you go we shall follow you "Raizo said with conviction . Kiku also had a look of conviction .
Mamoru smiled faintly. "Come, let's return back to my father at home for tea . Kin'emon and Dogstorm are already waiting with my father."
Oden blinked. The corners of his eyes softened.
"They also came?" he asked, with joy
Mamoru nodded.
"Well lets not keep them all waiting , off we go "Oden said while in the process of wearing his kimono
...
Inside Ushimaru's wooden hall, the hearth burned gently. Steam rose from porcelain cups as the men sat in a half-circle, laughter slowly filling the air again.
Oden sat opposite Ushimaru, his hands wrapped around a teacup far too small for his size. Kin'emon, Dogstorm, Raizo, and Kiku sat nearby, the room alive with nostalgia and comfort.
"It's been quite some time since you last came " Ushimaru said with a smile. "Is Ringo to cold for you liking , i heard you visit the other regions almost everyweek ."
Oden laughed " if it came to Ringo all the time ,I fear I might catch a bad cold "
Laughter followed, breaking the tension of months apart.
After a pause, Ushimaru turned toward Mamoru.
"You know, Oden… Mamoru has a retainer now."
Oden blinked, clearly surprised.
"Retainer?! At his age?!"
Mamoru smiled sheepishly as Kiku and Raizo looked at him in astonishment.
"It happened by fate," Mamoru began. "After I freed Gyomei, we traveled to Amegase. We stayed and helped the villagers with farming and hunting . Later, when the time came, we crossed through Kuri where we aided the Tokito family and then returned here, to Ringo."
He paused, remembering Gyomei's quiet strength, the way the man bore his guilt like armor.
"Gyomei is a great man " Mamoru said after some thought
Kin'emon hummed.
"You freed him… and he chose to serve you? Incredible."
Oden leaned back, stroking his chin.
"Come to think of it , Denjiro once mentioned to me that just before leaving Kuri you freed a prisoner and took off to Amegase , Could your retainer be that boy?"
Mamoru nodded quietly.
"I was going to tell you all about him and my reason for freeing him when I saw you again"
Oden laughed again, this time softer.
"Well , he sounds like an interesting fellow ,you'll have to introduce us sometime "
Mamoru nodded with a smile .
The fire crackled softly. Tea was poured again.
The warmth in that room felt like an echo of the golden days before Wano's storm began.
Far beyond Wano's snowy peaks, the world continued to turn.
Empires rose and fell, and the age of dreams moved quietly toward the age of fire and blood.