Chapter 71: Silver Soul (Earth Chapter)

When she stood once more on the streets of Yoshiwara, Take Okakura felt a sense of ease. This place was just like the bustling, clamorous, dirty, and ugly streets of Kabukicho—yet it was also full of warmth and humanity.

"Ah... this is great," Take Okakura said, stretching lazily.

"You’re so annoying. You’ve said that same thing a thousand times already," Baihua replied, her face half-covered by a black mask.

"Thanks for inviting me out to have fun, Ame. By the way, it’s so hot; aren’t you going to take off your mask?" Take asked, glancing at her.

After the battle that liberated Yoshiwara, she and Baihua—Ame, the one she had once kidnapped—had become good friends.

Ame seemed uncomfortable at the suggestion. She tugged at her mask and turned her head aside. "No need. I’m not hot."

"All right, then keep it on. After all, a black mask gives you that Demon King vibe," Take said with a smile.

"What is that supposed to mean? You always say such weird things," Ame retorted.

Night in Yoshiwara was ablaze with neon lights and temptation. Men and women tangled together in the sultry darkness, the air thick with an almost suffocating sense of intrigue.

Amid this atmosphere, Take and Ame wandered, nibbling on dumplings at leisure.

Suddenly, a shrill scream split the night. "Fire!"

Take looked up to see lines of flame streaking across the sky above Yoshiwara. Embers rained down, setting rooftops ablaze, and smoke billowed toward the heavens. Chaos erupted.

"This is bad! Take, I have to go back and help with the fire. You should leave—it's too dangerous here," Ame said, about to dash off. Take quickly grabbed her hand.

"Wait, let me go with you," she insisted.

"You...?" Ame turned, surprised.

"I love this place. Don’t underestimate me—I’ll help," Take replied, smiling.

"Thank you, Take." Ame turned back and squeezed her hand. "Let’s hurry!"

"Right!"

Together they ran toward the tall building where Hinawa had once been imprisoned. Now, Hinawa lived there and had opened a teahouse; in times of crisis, all the Baihua would gather at her place.

To her surprise, Take found the Odd Jobs trio there.

"What? You guys are here too?" she asked in astonishment.

"Take-chan! You came too!" Kagura greeted her.

"I’m here to meet a friend, but what’s with all the fire in the sky?" Take asked.

"It’s a spider’s trap," Gintoki said coldly, his eyes fixed on the burning sky.

"Spider?" Take frowned, noticing Gintoki’s body wrapped in bandages. Had he gotten hurt again?

"Gin-san, what happened? Why are you hurt again?" she asked him.

Gintoki smiled and shook his head. "It’s nothing, just a scratch."

A scratch...? Take looked at his pale, bluish face with concern. He always got himself into trouble...

What a troublesome guy!

At that moment, Seita ran over, holding Gintoki’s wooden sword and clothes.

Gintoki took them from Seita, then stood before Take and the others, not looking back. "Take, Shinpachi, Kagura—I'll leave putting out the fire to you."

"Listen—don’t let anyone die. If something goes wrong, take everyone and get out of Yoshiwara. Leave it behind." With that, he turned to leave, but Take could see his steps were unsteady with every movement.

His injuries were far worse than he let on...

"What are you saying, Gin-chan?" Kagura noticed his wounds too.

"Where do you think you’re going in that condition? You’re the one most likely to need saving!"

Gintoki was silent for a moment, then lifted his head, anger flashing in his eyes. "I’m not happy... None of this makes me happy."

"That bastard Jiraia—no matter if I die, I’ll never let him call himself ‘Master’ in my name." Gintoki’s words were icy, his presence radiating killing intent. Clearly, this was a matter of deep resolve for him.

Jiraia? Take didn’t know who that was, but anyone who could make Gintoki this angry must be formidable. All she knew was that he was about to risk his life again.

Unable to stop herself, Take reached out and grabbed his sleeve.

"Gin-san... let me go with you," she said.

He paused, turned to look at her, then shook his head. "Let me do this alone. This is my burden to bear. Don’t get involved any further."

Take was stunned by his words and let go of his sleeve, standing there dazed as he disappeared into the panicked crowd.

Why does he always insist on going it alone? What does he mean, don’t get involved? Damn that curly-haired idiot! Take couldn’t help but punch the nearest wall in frustration.

"Stupid bastard!" she roared, smashing a gaping hole in the side of the building.

"Miss Okakura—are you here to help or to destroy things?" Shinpachi cried, clutching his head.

"Sorry... I just lost my temper," Take said.

"Miss Okakura... I understand how you feel," Shinpachi said, head bowed.

"Gin-san always pushes us aside at the last moment when things get dangerous. He’ll sacrifice himself for others, but doesn’t realize that if he’s gone, those left behind won’t be happy either..." Shinpachi’s words echoed Take’s own thoughts. The guy always risked everything to protect others, not knowing there were people who wanted to protect him too.

Still, since he’d told them to protect Yoshiwara, she’d do as he asked—and deal with him when he got back.

"Don’t worry, Shinpachi. That guy isn’t going to die; pests like him always last a thousand years," Take said, patting him on the shoulder.

"So let’s get to work—let’s protect Yoshiwara and show him we’re stronger than he thinks."

"Miss Okakura..." Shinpachi wiped away his tears and rallied himself.

The fire was spreading. Take leapt onto the rooftops, using her spiked club to sever the burning wires strung across the sky. Shinpachi and Kagura joined her on the rooftops, working together to cut down the lines of fire.

Soon, they had put out most of the blaze.

On the ground, all the Baihua had gathered before Hinawa, awaiting her orders.

"Squad One, put out the fires. Squad Two, help those who are slow to escape. Squad Three, demolish buildings to prevent the flames from spreading." Hinawa gave instructions with calm precision.

"Listen! There aren’t enough Baihua alone—other courtesans, help however you can!"

"This is our Yoshiwara. Only we can defend it!" Her final words ignited everyone’s spirits, and they ran off to carry out her orders.

But just then, a gang of ronin, taking advantage of the chaos, surrounded Hinawa, brandishing their weapons at her.

Take and the others were shocked—who would have thought there would be troublemakers even now? As they prepared to run to Hinawa’s rescue, a hail of kunai rained down from above, landing in a circle around Hinawa.

"Ah... my bad, my kunai slipped."

A man in ninja garb stood on the roof, holding a manga in his hand.

Take heard Shinpachi and Kagura call out to him as Master Hattori.

Hattori leapt down to stand by Hinawa’s side. "Your name’s Hinawa, right? How much are you willing to pay for my skills?"

"Heh... So you’ve come to Yoshiwara not to buy women, but to sell yourself. Bold, aren’t you?" Hinawa said, pulling several tickets from her sleeve.

Take’s sharp eyes caught the words "Ugly Woman’s Club VIP" written on the tickets...

So this ninja had unusual tastes...

Hattori seemed satisfied with the payment, smiling. "Hey, I always thought only ugly women were worthy of being called women... but it turns out beauties aren’t bad either."

With that, he pocketed the tickets and set about taking care of the ronin with his kunai.

Things went smoothly from there. Hattori was formidable, quickly dispatching the ronin attacking Hinawa, while Take and the others continued putting out fires.

By the time the flames were completely extinguished, Take was covered in soot, her face as dark as charcoal.

When she returned to Hinawa’s side, Hattori was already gone. The ronin lay groaning on the ground, while the Baihua tied them up one by one.

"Finally done—so tired, aruu," Kagura said as she and Shinpachi returned, both also blackened with soot.

The three exchanged glances and burst out laughing.

"Take-chan, your hair’s about to explode! Hahaha!" Kagura clutched her stomach, laughing.

"Kagura-chan, your dumpling fell onto your forehead—you look so weird! Hahahaha!" Shinpachi pointed at her head.

"Shinpachi, you’re no better. The spot under your glasses is all white—what is this, mutant panda?" Take laughed.

They looked at each other and laughed even harder.

"By the way, Take-chan, hasn’t Gin-chan come back yet?" Kagura asked.

"No, not yet," Take replied.

"Where did that idiot run off to now?" Shinpachi said, gazing into the distance, worried.

"He’s back! Lady Tsukuyo and the savior of Yoshiwara have returned!" came a joyful shout from the Baihua in the distance.

"Gin-chan’s back!" Kagura and Shinpachi exchanged delighted glances.

"Take-chan, come on, let’s go drag that loser back and give him a good beating—what a worry he is!" Kagura said, grabbing Take’s hand and running off.

"Eh? Wait—" Take barely had time to react before she was pulled along.

The three of them ran over. In the crowd, Gintoki stood in the center, supporting Tsukuyo. Hattori had already slipped away—being a ninja, he wasn’t used to so many onlookers.

"Yah!" Tsukuyo stumbled as the crowd jostled her, nearly falling, and Gintoki quickly caught her.

The two of them looked as if they were embracing. Tsukuyo blushed and tried to push Gintoki away, but the people around them cheered and pushed her into his arms again, leaving the two pressed even closer together.

"I’m... going home," Take said, turning away.

"Take-chan?" Kagura called after her, confused by Take’s sudden departure.

"It’s over now, isn’t it? I’m going home... Goodbye, Kagura-chan, Shinpachi." Take paused, then hurried off, leaving the puzzled pair behind.

Take walked faster and faster, listening to the rising cheers behind her—people shouting, "Lady Tsukuyo! Savior!"

They kept shouting... and shouting...

Suddenly, she felt a pang in her chest. Whether it was when Gintoki told her not to get involved, or when she saw him and Tsukuyo embrace, or even when the crowd called out their names—her heart ached, tight and restless.

Why did she feel this way?

What was this feeling? She didn’t understand; it was as if something precious had been taken from her, leaving her distraught...

Author’s note: Dear readers, Kuangtuzi has written a short story, CP is Brother Wei. If you’re interested, check it out. Ahem, the female lead is a pervert + yandere + lunatic. The first chapter is intense, so feel free to... click: (Gintama) Battle with the Lower Limits.