Elevator Dimension Line

The location of Manji Valley, just as the word "valley" in its name suggests, is in a valley in a mountain range. However, this valley is relatively wide, and there is a village in the middle of it. This village is the birthplace of the Koga ninja and is now their gathering place. They have lived here for generations.

Manji Valley is quite a distance from Sunpu Castle, where Tokugawa Ieyasu is located. Even at Hoshimi Masaru and Koi's leisurely pace, it took them a day and a night to reach it.

Standing on the hillside at the entrance to the valley, the first thing you see is a rice paddy with many farmhouses scattered among it. Hu Yi said that those were all swastika people. Beyond that, there is a village surrounded by walls. Just by looking at the various houses inside, you can tell that Koga has a large population and can be considered a large village.

As we descended the hillside and entered the Manji Valley, Hu Yi appeared much more relaxed, walking with an air of ease.

"Oh! It's Hu Yi. You're back from outside. Where have you been again?"

A slightly older woman, who was weeding in the field, greeted Hu Yi as he approached.

"Kuna-nee, I just went out for a walk, and you're weeding again. Do you need my help?"

"No need, no need, that's all. It's almost over. You should go back now. Your brother is still worried about you... Hmm? And who is this lady?" The woman named Kuna asked, seeing Hoshimi Masami following behind her.

“This is a new friend I met outside. She’s traveling around the mainland, so I brought her back to visit,” Hu Yi said.

"So you're a friend. You should go back now, so your brother won't worry."

"Okay, I'm leaving now."

Hu Yi waved his hand and turned around. Xing Jianya nodded slightly to the woman and followed him.

The woman watched Hoshimi Miyabi's departing figure, pondered for a moment, and then continued bending down to weed.

As Hoshimi Miya followed Hu Yi into the village, she could clearly feel more than a dozen gazes, some open and some hidden, falling on her. As expected of a ninja gathering place, those gazes were all locked on with aura.

“We need to go see our Koga leader first. We need to let him know you’re here, otherwise, outsiders can’t just come into our Manji Valley,” Hu Yi said.

"Who is your leader?" Hoshimi Miyabi asked.

"Koga Danjo!"

At this moment, the two arrived at a courtyard that was the most magnificent among the surrounding houses.

It was almost noon, and an old man was sitting under the eaves of the main house. From a distance, he looked like an ordinary old man with a head of white hair tied in a bun on his head. He was smoking a long pipe in his hand, taking puffs here and there.

Koga leaders—Koga Danjo

"Chief, the Hu Yi are back!"

Hu Yi entered the courtyard and called out as well.

The old man raised his head slightly, a kind smile on his wrinkled face, his eyes almost squinting into slits.

"You're back! Any new news?" the old man asked, a glint of light flashing in his narrowed eyes as he glanced at Hoshimi Miya behind him.

"Reporting to the leader, there is no new news. The city seems peaceful, just like it has been a few days ago," Hu Yi reported.

"Yes!" The old man nodded.

He put down the pipe, tapped it against the edge of the wooden floor, and a cloud of ash with sparks drifted out.

"Who is this lady?"

"Oh, this is Ms. Hoshimi Miyabi, a new friend I met at my place of residence. She is traveling around the continent, so I invited her to come and visit us. She is a very nice person!"

Fearing the leader would suspect something, Hu Yi emphasized it one last time.

The elderly leader was none other than Koga Danjo, whom we had mentioned earlier. He was clearly taken aback when he heard Hoshimi Miyabi's name.

"Hoshimi...the Hoshimi clan, former subordinates of Oda Nobunaga?"

The old man's voice was very soft, but Hu Yi and Xing Jianya still heard it. The former quickly waved his hand.

"The leader is not from the Star-Seeing Clan."

"Oh!" The old man looked at Hoshimi Miyabi.

“Yes, Koga lord,” Hoshimi Miyabi said calmly, “My family is just a small family in a remote place, and has nothing to do with those so-called Oda no Kami clansmen.”

"I see! It seems I misunderstood," Koga Dansei chuckled. "Welcome to our Manji Valley. You can have Hu Yi show you around; the scenery here is quite beautiful."

"The chief has agreed to let you stay!" Hu Yi said happily.

"Thank you, Chief Koga!" Hoshimi Miyabi nodded slightly.

Just then, footsteps came from the corner of the eaves, and a tall man came out. He was wearing a traditional dark blue samurai outfit, and his hair was tied in a ponytail. His long hair was casually draped over his shoulders. He was quite handsome, with thick eyebrows and big eyes. Behind him was a man wearing a kendo training uniform. The man's eyebrows were very thin, like a woman's.

“Grandfather, we have guests!” The tall man walking in front noticed Hoshimi Miyako’s unique demeanor at first glance and asked calmly.

"It's a new friend that Hu Yi brought back!"

As the old man spoke, the thin-browed man behind the tall man glared fiercely at Hu Yi with his narrow eyes.

The latter shrank his neck, then stuck out his tongue and gave a mischievous smile.

"My name is Koga Gennosuke. May I ask how you should address me, Miss?" the tall man asked Hoshimi Miyabi.

"This is the chief's grandson, and also the future young master of Koga..." Hu Yi whispered to Hoshimi Miyabi.

"So it's young master Gennosuke. I am Hoshimi Miyabi. I've come here to see the Koga ninjas that I admire."

“Miss Hoshimi, you’re too kind. This place is no different from the villages outside. As for ninjas… that’s just a way of life for us,” said Gennosuke Koga.

“I understand. In today’s society, people may only know how powerful samurai are, but ninjas are still too mysterious. I’ve rarely heard any descriptions of ninjas along my journey. By chance, I met Sister Hu Yi, so I mustered up the courage to come and see the legendary ninjas.”

"Hehe, Miss, you flatter me. The mystery of ninjas is just that we have very strong discipline and don't go out easily. But since you are curious, Miss, I can let Hu Yi show you around the village. However, it may disappoint you."

"Then I thank you here, Chief and Gennosuke!" Hoshimi Miyabi nodded again.

Hu Yi then led Xing Jianya out.

"Gennosuke, what do you think of that Ms. Hoshimi Miyabi from earlier?" Koga Dan asked after the two left.

After a moment of silence, Gennosuke said, "That Ms. Hoshimi Miyabi gives off a very quiet and gentle feeling, but there seems to be a faint sense of coldness about her. This feeling is strange; perhaps I am mistaken."