The Three Monkeys seem to have been ninjas of the Dorai-shuu.
With a scratch on his face, Mizar placed a clay pot on his desk and said,
“Princess, we can have this conversation over a meal, can’t we?”
“We can, we can! It’s time to eat, time to eat~♪”
I’ll just ignore the scratch on my face, no need to mention it.
“I hope you won’t be too disappointed, but I can’t really call this a feast. It’s just porridge.”
Mizar said apologetically, opening the lid of the clay pot.
“Porridge is a feast for me. Especially porridge made by you, Mizar.”
“You’re too kind. You might have a stomach ache from surviving in the Witch’s forest. We need to calm your stomach with some easily digestible porridge first. The feast can come later.”
So that’s why it’s porridge. Even though Mizar is short-tempered and quick to fight, he’s incredibly considerate. Humans are truly complex beings.
“I can’t drink with porridge. Miza, could you make something else to go with it…”
“Major’s clay pot is a hearty Nabeyaki Udon.”
Major Toma happily opened the lid of the clay pot and drank beer while nibbling on simmered shiitake mushrooms.
“You seasoned the ingredients to go well with alcohol. And then udon to finish it off. You’ve really thought this through.”
“Of course. How many years do you think I’ve been your subordinate, Major?”
Mizar, a master of subservience, was flawless. All I could do was admire him!
We ate and chatted together, the three of us including Mizar.
“If that’s true, then he’s a troublesome older brother. But you’re not at fault at all, Princess, so don’t worry too much about it.”
Upon hearing about the murder plot, Mizar scowled and comforted me.
“If only I were as sensitive to nuances as you are, Mizar, I might have noticed Sabina’s situation…”
“Don’t say that. We, the Dorai-shuu, will handle investigating the incident.”
“Dorai-shuu? So you really are ninjas! I thought Kika might be a ninja from how she looked in the forest.”
Kika’s mask and Battle Suit had a very oriental feel.
“Oh, Kika is the daughter of the previous Village Chief of Dorai. Though on a different scale than the Empire, you two princesses should get along.”
Kika was a princess too! That means Mizar is Kika’s older brother…
“Then you must be the Village Chief of Dorai-shuu, Mizar!”
“No, I’m the head of the Upper Ninjas, not the Village Chief. The position is currently vacant.”
“Why is that? You’re Kika’s older brother, so you must be the son of the Dorai-shuu Village Chief, right?”
“By adoption. Kika is the biological child of the predecessor, but Gan and I are adopted. We were war orphans living in the slums when the predecessor took us in.”
…I see. The Three Monkeys are sworn brothers.
“But the predecessor raised us all as brothers without any distinction. For Gan and me to repay that kindness, we must raise Kika, his biological child, into a great ninja and support her as Village Chief.”
“You’re very loyal, Mizar. It wouldn’t be strange if I, as the eldest brother, were to become the next Village Chief.”
“Neither Gan nor I are suited to be Village Chief. I’m leading the Dorai-shuu as a representative for now, but it’s only a temporary measure until Kika becomes Village Chief… The problem is that Kika has no self-awareness at all. She’s just a child, so I suppose it can’t be helped.”
Being an older brother and guardian must be tough.
“As for Kika, her pyrokinesis was discovered by Kenrou. Given Kenrou’s intelligence, you should assume her super-hearing has also been discovered.”
“What! What did that Kika do…”
“She encountered something like the Master of the Witch’s Forest. It wasn’t a situation where she could hold back.”
Major Toma, stretching a piece of mochi with the ingredients, offered a follow-up.
“Good grief. Then there’s no need to hide her real name anymore.”
Real name? What could that be?
“What do you mean by real name?”
“Kika isn’t Kikazaru (Listen Monkey), her real name is Kikazaru (Kika-zaru), written with characters meaning ‘shining fire monkey’. Ninjas sometimes use false names to hide their arts. Since you’re Kika’s friend, Princess, I’ll tell you: Kika can also manipulate lightning. The Dorai Village Chiefs have always been lightning users. That’s why she’s called Kikazaru, for her ability to control shining lightning and blazing fire.”
“Amazing! Having one element is rare enough, but Kika has two pyrokinesis systems!”
“On top of that, she has an IQ of 180 and exceptional physical abilities. That’s the kind of talent befitting the Dorai Village Chief, isn’t it?”
Mizar’s face showed pride. Indeed, Kika is a bundle of talent.
“Also, Miza, keep in mind that the Crystal Widow also has ninja dogs.”
“Seriously! …Well, the Crystal Widow’s main force is the Hinokakure Ninja Corps, so it wouldn’t be strange for them to have ninja dogs.”
“I can’t say for sure they’re dogs, but it’s certain they have highly sensitive Bio-Metal animals. Probably female.”
Ah! Kanata’s “exploration expert” he mentioned… that’s what it was about.
Kanata’s estimation was spot on. In fact, Tachikaze found us.
“I’ll compile the facts and predictions from the Princess’s story. Please pass it around to everyone later.”
“Understood. As usual, should I send the information to Commander Roogetsu as well?”
“Yes, especially the fact that Kenrou possesses Wolf Eye. Fighting them unknowingly would be disastrous.”
“Wolf Eye! …So that guy also has an Evil Eye. He’s certainly a worthy opponent.”
And by “also,” you mean Mizar also has an Evil Eye, just like the rumors say.
“Sorry to interrupt, but we won’t fight the Crystal Widow. If we encounter them, we’ll run.”
“Major~, it’s already obvious we’re Spec’s experimental unit. Let’s start causing some chaos.”
“Eventually. But first, Miza…”
“You want more Nabeyaki Udon. I’ll bring it right away.”
Huh? Even though the clay pot was quite large, he’s still eating? Major Toma, despite his average build, has a hearty appetite.
After Major Toma, who had finished his second serving of Nabeyaki Udon and plenty of alcohol, stood up from his chair, Mizar placed a down pillow on the reclining seat.
Mizar then draped a feather blanket over Major Toma, who had laid down with his head on the pillow.
I understand why Koyori complained. Mizar is spoiling Major Toma rotten.
We left the Captain’s room so as not to disturb Major Toma’s nap, Mizar and I.
“The little monkey you picked up, Princess, you called her Tasche. There were no quarantine issues.”
“That’s good. Thank you, Mizar.”
“Tane-san did the examination, so thank her if you’re thanking anyone.”
“Tane-san?”
“Tanegashima Tane, our military doctor. She’s skilled but a grumpy, ill-tempered old woman.”
That’s a harsh way to put it. Isn’t Mizar also ill-tempered, not just Tane-san?
“I’ll guide you to the infirmary, but I won’t go inside. I don’t want to see an old woman I don’t have a reason to see if I’m not injured.”
Mizar guided me to the infirmary entrance.
With a wave as if to say goodbye, Mizar retreated.
She seems like a scary old woman, but since Tasche was taken care of, I have to thank her!
“Ahhh, um! Excuse me!”
I was so nervous that I completely stammered.
“Kii♪”
Tasche, who had been eating beans from the old woman on the infirmary desk, happily ran towards me and climbed onto my shoulder.
“Your escort has arrived. That’s good.”
The old woman in the white coat, with her hair tied up in a bun, smiled kindly.
Huh? She doesn’t seem ill-tempered at all!
“Um, thank you for examining Tasche. I am…”
“I know from the Major, the Princess of Ringvolt.”
“Please call me Rose. Was Tasche not a carrier of any disease?”
“Certainly not. She’s not even a normal little monkey. I should introduce myself. I am Tanegashima Tane, feel free to call me Tane.”
“Yes. Tane-san, what do you mean Tasche isn’t normal?”
“Her DNA sequence isn’t that of a normal animal. She’s likely descended from a genetically engineered animal. The story about the animals in the Witch’s Forest being the remnants of Bio-Weapons seems to be true.”
So that’s why my animal empathy worked to some extent.
“Now, next is your examination, Rose-chan. Please enter the examination pod. You seem to be injured, and you might have caught a disease in the forest.”
I’ll gratefully accept. It concerns the safety of the Albatross’s crew as well.
“Please.”
I entered the examination pod for my check-up.
“It’s nothing serious, Rose-chan. You have a few hairline fractures, but they’ve almost healed. You can let nature take its course for something like this.”
“Uh, um. Thank you.”
“You look tense. Ah, I see, did the eldest monkey brother badmouth me as a grumpy old woman?”
It would be bad to confirm that… How should I answer?
“It’s alright, I’m not a *good* person, you know. I have a *bad* personality, in a good way.”
Tane-san laughed merrily.
“I’m always scolding Mizar. He just keeps getting himself into unnecessary trouble (injuries). He’s a hopeless kid.”
Even Mizar, the head of the Dorai-shuu Upper Ninjas, is treated like a kid by Tane-san.
“Mizar is a good person. He’s also a good cook.”
“A good person, you say. You wouldn’t say that if you saw him rampaging on the battlefield.”
“Certainly, Mizar looks strong.”
“The one who’s truly dangerous is his younger brother, Gan-chan. He’s usually kind and strong, but if he gets truly angry, there’s no stopping him.”
Indeed, it would be terrifying if the massive Iwazaru were to go all out. He must possess top-tier power in the heavyweight class.
“That’s why they call him the main force of the Ghost Brigade. Thank you for examining Tasche and me, Tane-san.”
“No need for thanks, that’s my job. So, what are you going to do with that little monkey?”
“If Tasche wants to return to the forest, I’ll let her… but I want her to stay with me.”
Tasche, who had been sitting on my shoulder listening, squeezed my hair tightly.
“The little monkey wants to stay with you too, it seems. Rose-chan, are you an Animal Empathy user?”
“Yes.”
“In that case, why not have her Bio-Metalized? It will make communication easier.”
“You can do that! I’ve never heard of Bio-Metalizing a monkey!”
I’ve heard about established technologies for military horses and dogs…
“If it’s possible for humans, why not for monkeys? Of course, it won’t be possible for an ordinary technician, but I think Dr. Hyakume could do it. After all, Dr. Hyakume developed the technology for Bio-Metalizing animals.”
Dr. Hyakume developed the technology for Bio-Metalizing animals!
“Koyori-san is Dr. Hyakume’s daughter, so you can contact him, right!”
“Dr. Hyakume is currently at Spec Company’s laboratory. If you ask the Major, you should be able to meet him.”
“Thank you, Tane-san! I’ll ask the Major and Koyori-san!”
If Tasche becomes Bio-Metalized… we’ll be able to communicate properly! It’s like a dream!
I burst out laughing after watching a web commercial for a certain deodorant. Sauzer-san, what are you doing? (lol)
