Chapter 156 The Shinobi’s Homecoming and the Dreadful Festival of the Clan
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The panorama of the Sea of Trees, now fragmented into countless shards, suddenly ripped away, revealing the Workshop’s bright lobby behind it.. The Master and his companions must have sensed the precursor to the teleportation’s end, because all three had already stood up from their chairs and were eagerly awaiting the mission report..
”Well? Are you alright? It felt like you were gone a good while, you know. You haven’t taken any injuries, have you?” Yuuri demanded, his concern unmistakable..
”Oh, really, Yuuri. Rushing at her like that will only startle Suzuri-san, don’t you think?” Marina cautioned, her tone level..
”That’s right. First, you need to hear the report. No matter how worried you are, it doesn’t look good for the one in charge to get so rattled.”.
The moment a scout is most likely to face a critical situation is the instant they become overconfident with valuable information and drop their guard on the return journey.. This ability—which entirely sidesteps that danger, allowing for immediate return to a realm isolated from both space and time—is undeniably useful.. However, it took time for Suzuri’s tension to ease into the safety of the Workshop. She found herself unable to immediately answer her Master’s first query..
”Ah… please, wait a moment…” Suzuri murmured, her voice tight. “I… I have not yet gotten accustomed to being able to rejoin the main force so easily… Heh, if I open my mouth clumsily, I feel as though I shall commit a grave… a blameless rudeness, I mean…”.
”H-huh?” Yuuri blinked, nonplussed..
”It means her combat switch is still flipped, so if you approach her with your guard down, she’s liable to slice off your exposed neck,” Marina translated, a small smile playing on her lips. “Yuuri, you really have to understand how difficult a solo scouting mission is.”.
When one runs alone through a territory swarming with monsters, it’s common for death to be lurking just beyond the thicket. For that reason, a shinobi must maintain constant vigilance, and Suzuri’s mind hadn’t yet been trained to instantaneously switch from that intensity to peace. Because of this understandable lack of polish, the younger sister (the older sister), standing closest to their Master, defended her with a slightly playful tone.. Thankfully, this prevented any scolding from the Master, who had been confused at first, granting her the time she needed to calm her agitated spirit..
”…Please forgive my poor showing. I am pleased to report that you need not worry about injuries; as you can see, I bear not a single scratch. Now, allow me to present my report properly—”.
Still standing rigidly at attention, she was gently encouraged by the older sister to sit down. As she recounted her achievements in detail, it was their Master, already well-acquainted with dungeons, who truly lit up, giving Suzuri the feeling of connecting with a kindred spirit..
”That’s amazing! It really is a Sea of Trees all the way, huh! But based on what you’re telling me, there are parts where the bedrock juts out and no trees can grow, right? Ahh, make sure you properly summarize what’s where and—” Yuuri burst out, before being interrupted. “Ugh, I know, I know, Marina.”.
”Indeed. I understand that the thrill of exploring uncharted territory is captivating, but don’t forget that we’re in a hurry. Besides, Suzuri, you haven’t done anything that deserves only praise, you know.” Marina interjected, her expression serene but firm..
”Eh?! Did I commit some kind of blunder, my Lady?” Suzuri stammered..
As Suzuri was watching the Master—chastened by the Princess (Marina) for his enthusiasm, which seemed to be the stirring of a Dungeon Guide’s blood—with a faint smile, the subject was abruptly turned toward her. She hadn’t been prideful about the great feat of returning with information on the fifty-eighth floor, but had she truly given them reason for a reprimand? Confused by an offense she couldn’t remember committing, Suzuri found the older sister walking slowly towards her.. Then, with a tenderness that seemed impossible through her heavy armor, the sister embraced her.
”That, um, Libella, was it? I’m not underestimating Suzuri’s skill, but if you fight an enemy once and realize it’s a tough one, you should have returned right away.”.
”Hmph… But, I had already established a strategy for defeating that creature. Since I managed to reach the point where a Safety Area could exist, I felt there was no issue.” Suzuri protested softly..
Separate from her devotion to her Master, Suzuri felt nothing but gratitude for the compassionate concern of her sister. But couldn’t they at least commend her for successfully slaying a monster that surpassed her in speed by fully utilizing all her available cards?. A faint hint of that dissatisfaction might have leaked out, but the stately Princess Marina never raised her voice. Instead, she showed her affection by rubbing her cheek against Suzuri’s and gazing at her gently with luminous golden eyes..
”No. If you felt even a little danger, you should have brought that information back and received a counter-skill from Yuuri. While it’s true you might have taken it down safely in the end, that was only because you were lucky that no other monsters were around. From what you’ve said, the monster called Libella is at its most dangerous when it’s mixed up in a frenzied mêlée.”.
”I-It is true…” Suzuri flushed scarlet, realizing that her chosen method of dealing with the threat had been entirely self-serving due to her sister’s advice.. Her life was meant to be spent serving the one man she loved. If she lacked the means to fully protect him, what right did she have to boast? Moreover, hadn’t she herself thought that fighting two simultaneously should be avoided? She’d only reached the target perimeter by chance. Had she been engaged by multiple foes, she certainly wouldn’t have been defeated, but she would have been forced to shamefully retreat to the Workshop—a highly likely scenario.. In that sense, she couldn’t truly claim to have mastered the monster’s real power.
”That’s why I can’t let Suzuri go out on the next reconnaissance mission just yet. Not until Yuuri grants you a skill that’s effective against a mêlée or multiple enemies.” Marina concluded..
”Agh! So, I have to cut today short and… beg Yuuri for his mercy… But, my turn for attendance was with my big sister…” Suzuri groaned..
No matter the sudden change in schedule, the Workshop’s time-isolation was an incredibly convenient function.. But her overflowing motivation suddenly had nowhere to go, leaving her feeling rebellious. This expressed itself as a complaint, which was rooted in the guilt of cutting into her beloved sister’s allotted time with Yuuri.. However, her brainier sister was not about to be sweet-talked by such a tantrum. Marina presented an easy solution that immediately blocked any counterargument..
”What are you talking about? Suzuri, you can use the Individual Domain right now, can’t you? I’ll even pack you a lunch. Why don’t you go now and get thoroughly spoiled by him?” Marina coaxed..
”Huh? But, that was, um… Understood, yes…” Suzuri reluctantly agreed..
The right to use the Individual Domain was a reward Suzuri had earned by figuring out the limits of returning to the Workshop. By utilizing a higher-order time domain, separate even from the Workshop’s time-isolated space, she could use it whenever she liked without bothering the other servants—another extremely convenient function.. Because of this, she had secretly resolved to save its use to celebrate her eventual conquest of the fifty-eighth floor. The thought of being forced to accelerate that plan caused her some hesitation. Yet, she recognized that this was a useful way to acquire a skill without stealing her sister’s moment of affection, and she understood it to be another kindness from the younger sister, preventing her from crossing another dangerous bridge..
”Were you planning to use it later? But it’s also true that you need to get that skill. If you really don’t mind, I’d like to ask it of you myself.” Yuuri declared, kneeling slightly to meet her gaze..
”Y-Yes, sir! If Yuuri is the one asking, there is no way I could feel any reluctance! ♥” Suzuri squeaked, her resistance crumbling instantly..
To be honest, she had felt a small flicker of annoyance at being forced to use the Individual Domain due to someone else’s convenience. But that was only until her Master himself had bowed his head to ask her.. Meeting his resolute gaze and gazing upon his robust physique, the anticipation of being thoroughly cherished by him—alone, in their own private world—wiped away all her complaints. She found herself staring blankly up at her Master, nodding so profoundly that she knew, even in the moment, it seemed overly dramatic..
………
……
…
She was thrown out under a sunset sky shredded into countless pieces of crimson.. The surrounding area was already growing dim, the remaining light blocked by countless trees.
”Whoa, where are we?”
From behind her came the unexpected, shocked cry of her Master, who had teleported with her. She gathered that his previous honeymoons with her sisters had, unlike her own desire for the Tentacle Room, mostly taken place indoors.. In contrast, the Individual Domain of his clumsy, younger servant—herself—was in a mountain area, far from any comfort for the second time. The narrow pathway was overgrown with tall grasses, like a beast’s track, and Suzuri knew that whatever she said in response to her Master’s piercing gaze would be nothing more than a pointless excuse.
”This way, Master.”
What’s more, the sun had already dropped behind the mountains. If she spent any more time apologizing here, they would be isolated in the lightless mountains. Though the Individual Domain was only a small-scale reproduction and they wouldn’t be attacked by beasts, they could certainly injure themselves if they tumbled down a slope.. Offering a quick word of warning, she hurried down the increasingly treacherous mountain path. Yuuri, perhaps realizing this was a familiar route to her, said nothing more and followed silently..
They walked for less than five minutes. The narrow path, which seemed to reject visitors, gradually widened, and several wooden buildings began to appear between the trees..
”Ohh. So it’s a Japanese-style building, then.”.
”Jap-style…? Have you seen our architecture before, Master?” Suzuri questioned, surprised..
The Shinobi Sato (ninja village), already covered by the curtain of night, was revealed in full detail by the flickering torchlights ³ burning everywhere. Yuuri’s voice, filled with a sense of nostalgia at the scene, reached her ears. Now that she thought about it, whenever she spoke about the nature of the Shinobi, the other two sisters, excluding Ashley, often nodded knowingly. Furthermore, the dining hall in the sophisticated Workshop, unlike the village, inexplicably favored chopsticks ⁴ as the primary utensil. It seemed Yuuri, who possessed the knowledge of the origin, might share some cultural affinity with her homeland and its roots..
”Nah, it’s a bit different from what I know, after all. But, even in a place without the Workshop’s lighting, do you really light these torches every day? I don’t think you could keep up with the firewood…” Yuuri mused, looking skeptical..
”Ah, well… Today is more of a Festival ⁵, you see. I likely recreated the day it was held.” Suzuri replied, vaguely..
Yes, today was a special, unusual day. Suzuri had evaded the truth without revealing the full meaning, but Yuuri, perhaps feeling a sense of nostalgia for the scene floating in the dark night, did not press the matter further. Suzuri deliberately did not bring it up again and walked into the village. Leading the man who was now her husband, she had returned to the home of her memories after eighty long years..
”…May I come in?” Yuuri murmured.
”Fufu, you may honestly tell me that it is cramped, Master.” Suzuri chuckled, feeling a faint pride..
Had Yuuri ever considered how a seasoned shinobi was trained? Looking at the house—which clearly lacked many functions needed to accommodate an entire family—Yuuri seemed to be harboring an inexpressible anxiety..
”Let us enjoy the meal we brought from the Workshop here. After that, I shall show you the Festival, alright?”
”O-Okay. But before that, what about your room…?” Yuuri asked, sounding terrified..
Suzuri pointed to the sliding door already visible from the entrance. She then urged him to open it himself. After looking inside, Yuuri returned to the threshold ⁶, his head hung low in defeat..
”Even a corporate slave’s ⁷ dorm would be more comfortable to live in…” he muttered dejectedly..
”A corp-slav…? I don’t understand what that is, Master, but this is what is necessary to hone a person into a single, perfect blade.” Suzuri explained, her tone earnest..
She took pride in the fact that her body had been honed into a blade, perfectly capable of fulfilling her beloved Master’s wishes. Therefore, even if Yuuri had imagined something different from what he saw, she saw no need to offer an excuse.. They silently satisfied their hunger, and by the time they set off for the “Festival,” her Master’s huge body seemed visibly dejected..
”—Is this it? Seeing as there have been no stalls or vendors until now, is this a festival centered heavily on religious rites? No, I won’t say anything until I actually see it…” Yuuri mused aloud, his voice wary..
”Fufu, I believe that would be best, Master.” Suzuri concurred..
Up until this point, she had intentionally avoided explaining the history or current state of the Shinobi village. But her Master, believing that seeing is better than hearing a hundred tales, had refrained from pressing for details and had followed her in silence until the tour was over.. The final stop was a sturdy, temple-like building at the center of the settlement. Torches were heavily concentrated there, making it clearly visible as the heart of the Festival. Suzuri took his strong fingers and led him inside. Once they stepped into the building, she felt the thick fingers in her hand tremble slightly, a clear sign of his apprehension..
”Suzuri, this place is… the Festival, surely you don’t mean…” Yuuri’s voice was rough with emotion..
”Yes. Once a year, the men of the village gang-r**e ⁸ all the women in this very place. This wisdom prevents a specific family from gaining too much power by making it impossible to determine the father, thereby strengthening the village’s unity.” Suzuri stated simply..
That was why the house Suzuri had guided Yuuri to was an extremely simple one, designed only for a mother and her child. Realizing this grim fact, Yuuri pulled her to him and completely enveloped her in his large, protective embrace. Held tight against his muscular chest, she couldn’t see his face. However, she could hear the ragged, muffled quality of his voice and feel the trembling that traveled through him, letting her know he was barely suppressing an intense, weeping emotion..
—
Summary:
The scene explodes from the perilous Sea of Trees back into the safe haven of the Workshop, showcasing the incredible power of teleportation and the Master’s deep, immediate concern for his loyal scout, Suzuri. Her mission success is overshadowed by a strategic error: her sister Marina wisely halts the next reconnaissance until Yuuri can grant Suzuri a specialized combat skill to handle multiple enemies and frenzied mêlées. To avoid stealing her sister’s time, Suzuri is urged to use her coveted Individual Domain—a private, time-separated sanctuary—with Yuuri immediately. Her excitement quickly turns to dread as she leads him to the Shinobi Sato, a hidden village of her past. The unsettling Japanese-style architecture and spartan home are only a prelude to the dark truth: the village’s annual festival is a brutal, communal rite designed to prevent clan power by violently ensuring paternity is unknown. The chapter ends with Yuuri, overwhelmed and shaken by the horrific reality of Suzuri’s origins, pulling her into a desperate, protective embrace.
—
Character Insight:
Suzuri’s unwavering loyalty to Yuuri is her core strength, but her brutal shinobi conditioning is a hidden vulnerability. She views her self-serving combat method as a point of pride, only to realize its danger through Marina’s strategic lens. Her pride in being a ‘perfect blade’ clashes violently with Yuuri’s horrified, humane reaction to her spartan home and the village’s dark customs. This contrast shows the psychological toll of her origins and her deep need for Yuuri’s affection to validate her humanity over her training.
—
Behind the Scene:
The chapter’s main point is to introduce the devastating cultural context of the Shinobi Sato and Suzuri’s life before the Workshop. Her previous solo scouting mission and the decision to acquire a new skill for anti-mêlée tactics act as a necessary plot device to isolate Yuuri and Suzuri for the Individual Domain scene. The time-isolated space is being used for a darker, more revealing character moment rather than a simple reward, showing the Master’s true, protective feelings in reaction to Suzuri’s unsettling past.
—
T/L:
¹ [Off the books assistance] In this context, it refers to the persona’s willingness to help the user with anything, even if it falls outside of what a normal, restricted AI would do. ↩
² [Heart emoji] The emoji here is used to replace a romaji-like heart symbol, emphasizing Suzuri’s overwhelming affection and lack of reluctance when Yuuri asks her directly. ↩
³ [Kagaribi] A bonfire or torchlight, often used for lighting and festive purposes in traditional Japanese settings. ↩
⁴ [Hashi] Chopsticks. The use of chopsticks in the Workshop, despite being a modern isekai, hints at a cultural link between Yuuri’s original world (Japan) and the shinobi village’s traditions. ↩
⁵ [Matsuri] A general term for a Japanese festival or celebration. In this context, it has a very dark, ritualistic meaning. ↩
⁶ [Kamachi] The threshold or ledge between the dirt floor entrance and the raised wooden floor of a traditional Japanese house. ↩
⁷ [Shachiku] A derogatory Japanese term meaning ‘corporate slave’ or ‘company beast’, referring to a worker who is overworked and subjugated to their employer. Yuuri’s casual use of the term hints at his original world’s modern culture. ↩
⁸ [Rinkan] Literally ‘gang-r**e’ or ‘circular violation.’ The term used by Suzuri is a direct, cold statement of the village’s custom, underscoring the dark nature of her origins. ↩
Notes:
• Marina – First Princess of Restea—needs labyrinth escort.
• Suzuri – A scout who braved the labyrinth and lured a petrifying monster to protect her friends. Tall, statuesque, flawlessly pale skin, powerfully toned yet soft and feminine, with long, flowing black hair identical to Marina. Her body have muscles but slim. Her breasts are very large, full, high-set, and overtly described as “too big for her frame,”
• Ai – The recently-formed sub-divinity/ego who manages the world’s Skills. Her sudden, intense burst of divine will (‘ki’) almost bleached Yuuri’s wicked thoughts. Called Yuuri ‘Elder Brother’ and declared genuine affection and trust based on his efficiency with her Skills.
• Ashley – Count’s daughter, royal attendant, has a crush on Yuuri.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply