A Shogun's Fall

Chapter 10: Preparations

So, I just decided to make this chapter into a 3 or 2-part "arc"? This part is during the... Well, preparations and maybe on the next chapter we could see the Renaisians fighting

Okay, that was all! Enjoy

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Shortly after returning to their raid against Shigaraki Omura and his clan's base used by the vanguard of the Renaisian Empire, the Tenryou soldiers along with Laslow and a crate full of weapons and ammo returned to Inazuma city, there. Laslow was caught off guard when he saw how the people there stepped aside and bowed down to them as they give way.

"Whoa, this isn't even a rare sight in Renais," Laslow said with his mouth agape.

"Close your mouth, Laslow. You'll catch flies," Kaiden warns him.

"Yeah, sorry about that."

As soon as they ordered their horses to walk past them. Laslow couldn't help but notice the earrings and the scar that Kaiden has. "Hey, Kaiden. What happened to you?" He asked. "I mean, did you gain citizenship here in Inazuma? The same place you were ordered to conquer?"

"No, technically like you. I am a prisoner," Kaiden answered. "But the patriarch of the Kamisato clan and the Shogun herself treats me as a guest, now as for the public..." He paused for a moment. "Well, I did earn their trust by saving them."

"I see..." Laslow said, "Still, surviving the onslaught from the Shogun would have given you a huge promotion. You could have been a General ranked person in the army." 

"I guess you could say that but I'd prefer not to. I'm tired of wars, Laslow... My hands will never be clean as long as I draw breath but I'll be content by living my life by atoning for my crimes."

Laslow had a deep respect for Kaiden, right now. He admires the man as he looks at him looking at his arm. "You've changed a lot."

"I guess so..." 

The Tenryou Commission's soldiers along with Bob went to the barracks to rest and recuperate while Inoue, Laslow, and Kaiden walked past the barracks and into Tenshukaku castle. As the three of them walked to the top of the stairs, Laslow was getting nervous but from what Kaiden told him, he takes comfort in it as the Shogun is more merciful than they had thought. As soon as the doors to Tenshukaky were opened, they were greeted by Ayato, Ayaka, and Kotaro. 

"Ah, there you are. Kaiden-san," He then looks at Laslow. "So, this is your friend, huh?"

"Yes, this is Laslow." 

"Pleasure to meet you, sir. I am Laslow Cromwell! Thank you for everything for helping out my friend!" He sticks his hand to Kotaro as the patriarch just laughed. 

"I see, I see. Well... Cornwall-san, your friend helped us a lot, so we should be thanking him too. But for now, though, your wounds need tending to." 

"Ah, I'm fine. I can-" As soon as Laslow tries to protest, he was cut off by Ayaka.

"Please, this is important. You could die for this," She insisted.

Kaiden then placed his hand on his shoulder. "Laslow, trust them. They're good people," He said. "Besides, we have at least a few more minutes before we're to meet the Shogun. So go, I trust Ms. Ayaka." 

Laslow then sighed and said. "You know? Stop making that face, you're not even trying to look like a puppy begging," He sighed again and looks at Ayaka. "Thank you." 

"It's no problem at all," She said.  

Both Ayaka and Laslow went to another room for Ayaka to tend to his wounds. As they walk away, Kotaro looks at Kaiden while Inoue and Ayato left, leaving both men alone. Kotaro looks at Kaiden and said. "Walk with me."