"Hahahaha… You? Dare to speak of promises with me? Of pride? The Aoni clan gave up everything so that the Akaoni clan could survive in human society, but you, Arataki Itto, what have you done in human society?"
Aoni Zuo Ye's face turned green, his eyes blazing with rage and regret.
"Wallowing in ignorance, neglecting your duties, often becoming a laughingstock, and then having your Vision snatched during the Vision Hunt Decree, you never once thought of earning pride for the Oni! You've long disgraced the Oni!"
"Hey, hey, hey, this great me is a troublemaker! A troublemaker's proper business is to not mind their business. This great me proudly eats and waits for death. I haven't stolen, nor have I robbed. I stand tall and sit straight. As for the Oni's pride, I've never forgotten it. I've been using my actions to earn the respect of Inazuma's people!"
Arataki Itto quickly waved his hands, feeling wronged by the other party.
"Hmph, you're actually proud of neglecting your duties? Perhaps to you, all this means nothing, because you can do whatever you want. No one can restrain or supervise you anymore. But… do you know? While you were just getting by in human society, what kind of lives were my kin living?"
Aoni Zuo Ye tightly clenched his fists, his fingernails digging into his flesh, bleeding without him noticing. He stared intently at Arataki Itto, speaking in a cold voice about the tragic plight of the Aoni clan.
"We are isolated, having severed ties with the human world with our own hands. We have no fixed abode, nor a stable source of food. Let alone clothes and medicine, we have nothing left but the will to uphold our oath and our so-called Oni pride…
People like you would never imagine that every winter, our kin boil meager food into thin gruel to barely fill their stomachs, enduring food shortages and severe cold…
People like you would never imagine that due to food shortages, the elders of our clan would voluntarily go hungry, leaving the limited food for women and children, just to ensure the clan's survival…
People like you would never imagine that due to a lack of medicine, every illness among our kin becomes a life-or-death ordeal, witnessing our kin perish before our very eyes…
Arataki Itto, tell me, haven't we Aoni done enough?!
While we bear heavy burdens and sacrifice for the future of the Oni, what were you, Arataki Itto, doing?
Using our sacrifice as capital for your idleness?
Truly laughable!!!"
Aoni Zuo Ye furiously questioned Arataki Itto, his heart unbalanced.
Why were the Aoni's immense sacrifices so carelessly discarded by this fool, Arataki Itto?
Even if… Arataki Itto had done just a little bit of proper work, Zuo Ye wouldn't be this angry.
"I'm sorry, but that was my past self. I'm different now. I've found a formal job, earning money through my hard labor. At the same time, I'm using my own methods to earn everyone's respect…"
Arataki Itto lowered his head. He truly hadn't considered the difficult situation of the Aoni clan.
But had the Akaoni had an easy life?
If he hadn't been adopted by Granny Oni, he would have starved to death long ago.
Neglecting his duties? Was that truly what he wanted?
If he could have a decent job to support everyone in the Arataki gang, why would he refuse?
Arataki Itto remembered when he had enthusiastically gone looking for work. Aside from temporary jobs like moving, delivering, or filling in at openings, no one was willing to take him.
Human prejudice against the Oni was like a mountain in their hearts. Though unspoken, Arataki Itto could clearly feel it in every word and action.
All he could do was adjust his mindset, remain optimistic, optimistic, and even more optimistic, so as not to let this cruel society wear down his pure heart and his aspirations for the Oni's future.
Of course, there was no need to tell Aoni all of this.
Because a man never shares his troubles!
"I no longer hold any hope for the Oni's future. You can do whatever you want, and I won't stop you. Likewise, Arataki Itto, don't stop me!"
Aoni Zuo Ye pushed Arataki Itto, who was blocking his path, aside, and left with these parting words.
He had indeed seen the changes in Arataki Itto these past two days, but it was far from enough. He wanted to save the Aoni clan in his own way.
Zuo Ye would no longer be fixated on 'pride'. These things were worthless compared to the lives of his kin.
If robbery could improve his kin's lives, stop their hunger, and alleviate their pain, even if he became a sinner of the Oni for it, Zuo Ye would not hesitate.
After all, the robbing Aoni had nothing to do with the Akaoni and would not implicate that idiot Arataki Itto. The sacrifices of the Oni would not be in vain.
Arataki Itto watched Zuo Ye's retreating back, instinctively taking two steps forward, reaching out as if to stop him, but then sadly let his hand fall.
"Sigh…"
With a heavy sigh, Arataki Itto, feeling a bit down, walked towards the Arataki gang's hideout.
…
Meanwhile, at the Kamisato Estate.
Feng Yi entered the Kamisato Estate at night for a private meeting with Kamisato Ayaka.
"Ayaka, are you sure big brother won't be back tonight?"
Feng Yi looked at Kamisato Ayaka, whose skin was as white as snow, and couldn't help but ask again.
"Feng Yi, you've asked this question more than ten times tonight. Brother is attending a meeting of the Tri-Commission. Such meetings usually last until noon tomorrow. Don't worry, brother will definitely, definitely not be back tonight!"
Kamisato Ayaka covered her mouth and chuckled. Feng Yi rarely showed such nervousness, which was quite amusing.
Feng Yi: Sneaking into someone's house in the middle of the night to "steal" their younger sister, it's impossible to be in the right with this!
"That's good, that's good. Ayaka, you've been massaging me for so long, let me massage you in return!"
Feng Yi was very worried about being caught by Kamisato Ayato, so he was extremely cautious, asking repeatedly.
Every time he heard Kamisato Ayaka's assurances, Feng Yi would feel at ease for a while.
He and Kamisato Ayaka were currently in the Kamisato Estate's hot spring, which was the highest quality spring apart from the Shogun's.
Kamisato Ayaka, wearing a yukata, was massaging Feng Yi's shoulders to help him relax. Hearing Feng Yi's suggestion, she happily agreed.
After massaging for so long, her hands were indeed a little sore.
Kamisato Ayaka lay down where Feng Yi had just been, resting her cheek on his crossed arms, and closed her eyes, quietly awaiting Feng Yi's service.
"Mmm? Such great strength!"