Sometimes, a turning point in life is just a matter of a single thought from an outsider.
Seiya's single sentence saved the Matsudaira mother and daughter from dire peril.
Matsudaira Nai had no time to worry about why Megumai had suddenly changed her mind.
Her heart was filled only with the relief of having survived a calamity.
Overcome with emotion, she covered her face and began to weep softly.
Matsudaira Tachibana was momentarily lost, staring blankly ahead.
She only snapped out of it when she heard her mother's sobs and realized with a start that her face was wet-she had been crying all along.
To avoid scarring her young son's mind, Megumai covered Seiya's eyes and used a Fire Release technique to clear the corpses and bloodstains from the ground before allowing him to see again.
"Mama is so awesome! She defeated all the bad guys!"
Seiya clapped his hands happily, beaming with pride as if he had defeated the villains himself.
Meanwhile, Matsudaira Nai and Matsudaira Tachibana composed themselves and walked up to Megumai.
They bowed and said, "Thank you, Madam, for saving us. The Matsudaira family is eternally grateful!"
"Don't thank me," Megumai said flatly. "I didn't want to save you. It was my son who wanted to help you."
"..."
The mother and daughter were stunned, completely unprepared for Megumai's reply.
Even if she truly didn't want to help, there was no need to say it out loud. It made things quite awkward.
However, this candidness also revealed their benefactor's true character!
The mother and daughter, taking an optimistic view, exchanged a look.
They then turned to the adorable little boy in Megumai's arms and bowed solemnly to him.
"Thank you for your compassionate kindness, young one. The Matsudaira family is deeply grateful!"
"You're welcome!" Seiya flashed a bright, innocent smile.
"Mama and I are just nameless heroes passing by!"
Megumai smiled knowingly at the familiar line format, recognizing it instantly from one of the animated shows her son was obsessed with.
Matsudaira Nai and Matsudaira Tachibana silently counted their blessings for having encountered a child's innocent heart, one that had not yet been jaded by the world.
"The matter here is concluded. We shall now part ways."
Megumai had no interest in small talk and started to walk away without hesitation.
Matsudaira Nai quickly called out, "Madam, please wait! The Matsudaira family has not yet fulfilled its promise!"
Fifty million ryo and a life of wealth and glory-all must be delivered to their benefactor.
The people of Matsudaira honor their word!
Matsudaira Nai and Matsudaira Tachibana looked solemn. Their beautiful clothes were stained with mud, but a sense of nobility faintly showed through.
Megumai raised an eyebrow, sizing up the pair. She asked, "Do you have fifty million ryo with you?"
"No," Matsudaira Nai shook her head, but quickly added, "We can withdraw it at the bank!"
Megumai considered this, then shook her head and refused. "It's too troublesome. I don't want it."
They were currently in the suburbs.
Traveling all the way to a city bank for the money and then pursuing the promise of wealth and glory... both would require spending more time with the mother and daughter.
Since Megumai had publicly used her abilities in Kumogakure, she was at constant risk of an attack with unknown motives.
She was not a Samaritan, but neither did she wish to harm others, so she preferred not to associate too closely with Matsudaira Nai and Matsudaira Tachibana, lest she drag them into her troubles.
Matsudaira Nai called out to hold her back again, "Madam, please wait! I have an important matter to discuss!"
"What is it?"
"I wish to hire you to escort me and my daughter back to the Daimyo's estate."
Matsudaira Nai chose her words carefully and did not mention the payment.
After all, the benefactor had dismissed fifty million ryo and was clearly eager to leave.
Talking about money was pointless; she would pay once the task was complete.
Megumai raised an eyebrow. This woman is quite resourceful, she thought. Hiring a bodyguard? Are we that familiar?
"Do nobles nowadays travel without protection?"
"I originally had fifty elite guards. However, the bandits were numerous and fierce. Our samurai desperately delayed them, which is how my daughter and I managed to escape by chance. Now, out here in the wilderness, we are stranded and alone."
"It seems the quality of your elite samurai was not high enough to ensure safety. Why then were you so bold as to widely publicize your travels across the nation?" Megumai asked pointedly.
Matsudaira Nai sighed, "There are... special circumstances."
"Recently, there has been an increase in vagrant bandits whose movements are highly secretive. The authorities find them difficult to apprehend, and the common people suffer greatly. I decided to use myself as bait, having my samurai disguise themselves and feign weakness to lure these criminals out so we could capture them all."
"Who knew these thugs would be so daring and ferocious! Alas!"
So, she wasn't a careless idiot courting death after all.
Megumai's brow relaxed, and she found the mother and daughter much more palatable.
She softened her tone and said, "In that case, you are certainly patriotic and concerned for your nation. It is a pity that you cast your fishing line daily, only to hook a shark today."
"Indeed," Matsudaira Nai nodded slightly.
"We had great success along this route, eliminating many bandit groups. But the bandits today were exceptionally fierce, and my samurai could not cope. Had it not been for your rescue, I would have died."
Megumai said lightly, "This group were not fools seeking death. If they dared to attack you, they must have some genuine skill."
Matsudaira Nai nodded, sighing again.
The authorities had misjudged the strength of the civilian bandit groups.
The rogue shinobi currently roaming the land were already powerful enough to stand against well-trained elite samurai.
A larger force of samurai must be dispatched to relentlessly purge these bandit groups!
However, this decision could only be fully set in motion once she returned to the capital.
The immediate priority was to safely return to the capital and report the situation to the Daimyo.
With this thought, Matsudaira Nai extended her invitation again, "I wish to hire you to escort us to the Daimyo's estate. What is your opinion?"
"That is not a good suggestion," Megumai refused, shaking her head.
"Why?"
Matsudaira Nai asked out of reflexive confusion, then quickly added, "I know you are disinterested in fame and fortune. But everyone in life has something they desire. As long as the Tetsu no Kuni can provide it, you may ask for anything."
Megumai smiled faintly, yet still refused, explaining, "I myself am a danger. Traveling with me would not be wise for you."
Matsudaira Nai insisted, "Not traveling with you, Madam, is even more perilous-a day-to-day risk of death!"
Out here in the wilderness, she and her daughter, who were defenseless, were lambs for the slaughter.
Whether Megumai was dangerous or not, she was certainly safer than them walking alone!
Matsudaira Nai saw this clearly.
Especially given Megumai's effortless dispatch of four fierce thugs-that level of skill was far more powerful and reliable than any samurai!
Moreover, she had dismissed fifty million ryo so casually, proving she was unmoved by wealth and possessed excellent character!
And then there was her candid, genuine nature, refusing to take credit...
People often harbor a near-blind trust for those who save their lives.
Matsudaira Nai felt this way about Megumai and would not consider anyone else as a protector.
Megumai, however, was indifferent.
Her original route was already set to pass through the capital, which was in the center of the Tetsu no Kuni.
Escorting the patriotic mother and daughter along the way was not out of the question.
Still, traveling with two ordinary people would cause some inconvenience.
Megumai pondered for a moment, then finally sought her son's opinion: "Baby, do we want to travel with them?"
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