Kintouka Shrine, Entrance.
The winding mountain path was lined with countless torii gates in neat rows, flanked by cherry blossom trees on both sides. From afar, the sight was quite beautiful.
Yamato looked smug.
"Isn't this place gorgeous?"
"It's alright."
Gurd gave a noncommittal response.
Having stayed in Wano Country for so long, he had long grown numb to its aesthetics. Besides, compared to the massive torii gate at the entrance of Oni Island, the shrine's torii gates seemed a bit underwhelming.
"Let's go."
Gurd and Yamato walked ahead, followed by a retinue of ministers and nobles.
The sudden news of the Shogun's marriage had caught Wano Country completely off guard, and such impropriety left the retainers deeply dissatisfied.
But they didn't dare voice any objections.
Their only request was to follow tradition and pay respects at the Inari Shrine—a gesture to give the people some semblance of closure.
"Might as well indulge Yamato for a bit."
Gurd leisurely ascended the mountain, admiring the cherry blossoms.
The New Year had just passed, and the New World was in its most peaceful phase. With nothing pressing to attend to, he decided to accompany Yamato for a few days.
Unfortunately, this leisurely respite wouldn't last long.
Loki had begun to move.
Yamato tugged at Gurd's hand, excitedly pointing at the roadside.
"Gurd, look!"
"Hmm."
Gurd glanced over.
Foxes.
And not just one.
Accustomed to humans, the foxes on the mountain showed no fear. Instead, they were quite friendly, even approaching people to beg for food.
This timid nature of foxes meant that, despite being spoiled, they never acted out—unlike the notorious gangs back in his homeland.
Cute.
Aside from the live foxes, fox statues dotted the mountain path. The legendary Inari God was known as the fox deity, so it was only natural for foxes to be enshrined here.
Soon, the group arrived at the shrine.
The shrine's leader, Guuji-san, along with a group of shrine maidens, had been waiting for some time. She hurried forward with small, quick steps to greet them.
"Welcome, Shogun-sama!"
"Guuji-nee!"
Yamato dashed over, chattering away.
Gurd studied the woman.
She appeared quite young, with a girlish voice and an energetic demeanor, occasionally revealing a pair of small fangs when she spoke.
Her mannerisms were more like those of a trainee shrine maiden.
What stood out, however, were the large, drooping ears on her head and the fluffy, orange tail behind her, matching the color of her long hair.
Likely a hybrid of human and Mink.
Gurd wondered if he could extract the coordinates of the Mink Tribe from this fox-like woman. He had long coveted the combat prowess of the Minks.
Dismissing the thought, Gurd stepped into the main hall.
At the center stood a crimson Groudon Statue, its menacing posture exuding Haki. The meek Inari Statues on either side looked like mere attendants in comparison.
"Mm, not bad."
Gurd nodded in approval.
The craftsmanship of Wano's artisans was superb, and it was clear they had put great effort into replicating nearly eighty percent of his transformed appearance.
Now this was more like it.
He was the one who brought harvest and prosperity. If they were going to worship a god, it should be him. What was the point of bowing to a bunch of wild foxes?
Later, he'd have the artisans carve another statue and send it to the Nation of Labor. Good things should come in pairs.
Yamato and Guuji-san entered the hall together. Spotting the Groudon Statue, Yamato froze for a moment—she distinctly remembered it looking different the last time she was here.
Though puzzled, there were more pressing matters.
"Gurd, the ceremony is about to start."
"Right."
Gurd and Yamato stepped outside.
The so-called ritual was actually the Chief Priest leading the Shrine Maidens in praying for blessings for him and Yamato. Each maiden held a "Gohei" and circled around them, sprinkling water.
It symbolized cleansing the body and mind.
"Pah!"
Guuji-san secretly spat.
Gurd narrowed his eyes, catching the woman's subtle action, and couldn't help but feel amused. It seemed she had quite the opinion of him.
Good. Time to raise taxes!
After the ritual ended, Yamato pulled Gurd aside with a mysterious look. "Gurd, let's ask Guuji-san to divine our fortunes!"
"She can do divination?"
"Guuji-san's readings are super accurate!"
"Alright then."
Gurd nodded with a smile.
He remembered Fish-Man Island also had a mermaid with remarkably accurate prophecies. When it came to the mystical, trying never hurt.
Inside the side hall.
"Does the Shogun wish to divine his fortune?"
Guuji-san smiled. "The Shogun bears the countenance of a blessed man. Even without divination, you will overcome calamities and live in happiness and health."
"I just want to try."
Yamato's eyes sparkled.
"Very well."
Guuji-san handed the Divining Bamboo Tube to Yamato.
"Clatter clatter!"
Yamato shook the tube vigorously.
Soon, a Bamboo Divining Stick fell to the ground.
"How is it?"
"Great Fortune!"
Guuji-san looked at Yamato strangely.
Last time Yamato had sought a divination, she'd also drawn Great Fortune.
Was she truly a person of great blessings?
She'd just been saying that casually earlier!
"What does the Shogun wish to know?"
"Hmm~~"
Yamato pressed a finger to her lips, deep in thought.
What should she ask for?
Last time, she'd asked about going to sea, and it had come true immediately.
"I don't know!"
"..."
Think before you divine!
Guuji-san's smile stiffened as she turned to Gurd.
"Does Lord Gurd also wish to divine?"
"Yep!"
Gurd picked up the bamboo tube and shook it.
A stick fell to the ground.
Guuji-san picked it up, saw the same "Great Fortune" written on it, and felt her resentment spike instantly.
Why did this bastard also get Great Fortune?!
Gurd's heart skipped a beat. The woman's expression looked off—was his fortune that bad?
"How is it?"
"Great Misfortune!"
Guuji-san declared firmly.
She'd misread it earlier—it was Great Misfortune!
Gurd's face darkened.
Pah. Superstitious nonsense.
Guuji-san beamed.
"Lord Gurd, what do you wish to divine?"
"Zou!"
Gurd smirked playfully.
Guuji-san's hand trembled, nearly dropping the stick.
She was no stranger to the word "Zou." Her great-grandmother had hailed from Zou, and her journals mentioned it frequently.
Guuji-san forced a laugh. "Lord Gurd, Zou is a land beyond the world. To divine its location, mere sticks aren't enough. Do you have a token?"
"I do."
Gurd reached out and grabbed the woman's tail.
"Ah!"
Guuji-san jolted, nearly leaping up, then winced as her tail stung. A tuft of orange fur appeared before her eyes.
Her tail fur!
"Will this do?"
"It will!"
Clutching her now-bald tail patch, Guuji-san nodded through gritted teeth.
She'd make a voodoo doll. Ten of them!
After a mystically mumbled interpretation, she soon had an answer.
"Northwest direction!"
"Northwest?"
Gurd frowned.
Wano Country was near the Calm Belt. Due east lay Elbaf, southeast was Egghead, and northeast pointed toward Hachinosu Island.
Northwest—the Calm Belt!
Was the giant elephant hidden near the Calm Belt, or within it? At its size, Sea Kings wouldn't be a threat.
The side hall doors burst open!
"Pant pant..."
Antelope was drenched in sweat, supporting his waist as he panted heavily from exhaustion. It took him quite a while to catch his breath before he could report.
"Lord Gurd, the expedition fleet has been fully assembled!"
"Excellent!"
Gurd's spirits lifted.
"Send the order—we depart immediately!"
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