CHAPTER 117: CHAPTER 117: WHEN ARE YOU PLANNING TO GET MARRIED?

The next morning, Sosuke woke up refreshed and invigorated.

After washing his face, he sought out a Kakushi member to deliver his letters.

On his way back, he passed Kanao’s courtyard and saw her struggling to blow into a large gourd, her face flushed crimson from the effort.

Just as Sosuke was about to show off his training progress to her, Kanae and Shinobu approached, carrying the Big Hammer.

"What are you doing?" Shinobu immediately spotted Sosuke and stared at him, speechless. "Were you spying on Kanao?!"

Shinobu’s loud outburst nearly made Kanao, who was in the courtyard, choke on her breath.

Sosuke’s lips twitched. "Even if we’re close, I’ll still... hmm, I’ll still discipline you for talking nonsense like that."

"Discipline me? With what?" Shinobu had been annoyed with Sosuke for ages, and his words struck a nerve. "Come on, let’s see if you’ve actually improved lately!"

If it had been anyone else, they probably would have taken the bait.

But Sosuke just rolled his eyes. "As a young lady, you’re always bouncing around like a kid. Can’t you learn some grace and composure from your sister? Besides, I just soloed Lower Moon Three, and my injuries haven’t even fully healed yet. You want to fight me now? Have you no shame? Even if you win, what would you even be proud of?"

"Who are you calling ’bouncing around’?" Shinobu gritted her teeth, completely ignoring the rest of his words.

Kanae watched the two of them with a hundred layers of exasperation.

Helplessly, she shoved the Big Hammer into Sosuke’s arms. "Can’t you two stop arguing the moment you see each other?"

"This isn’t an argument, it’s just teasing a child," Sosuke grinned, casually pulling Kanae’s hand closer.

Shinobu watched, grinding her teeth, wishing she could devour Sosuke whole, rice and all.

In the courtyard, Kanao suddenly produced a coin, flipped it into the air, and let it fall. She then set down her gourd, silently walked to the gate, and closed it.

Sosuke and the Kocho sisters were momentarily speechless.

Finally, Sosuke pointed at Shinobu. "See? Even a kid can’t stand your childishness anymore!"

"...Who’s the childish one here?" Shinobu retorted, indignant. But then she remembered something, her face lighting up with surprise. "Wait, did you just say you single-handedly killed Lower Moon Three? You encountered the Twelve Kizuki?"

The sisters hadn’t mentioned the incident with Jigoro the previous night, as Shinobu had considered other matters more pressing.

Sosuke was taken aback. "Is this kid’s reaction time a little slow?"

"Enough nonsense! What exactly happened?" Shinobu, her anger forgotten, immediately pressed for details.

Kanae knocked on Kanao’s door, urging her to come out for breakfast.

As the group walked toward the dining hall, Sosuke briefly explained what had happened with Jigoro.

After recounting the events in detail, Shinobu fell into a long silence.

This unusual reaction left Sosuke puzzled, and Kanae was equally surprised. The entire breakfast passed in this heavy silence.

Growing concerned, Kanae began to worry. Sosuke, in turn, resorted to provocation, hurling insults like "jumpy little midget" and "weakling child who can’t even lift a chicken but still acts so tough."

Yet Shinobu remained completely unresponsive!

"We’re doomed! Has the kid gone mad?" Sosuke exclaimed in shock. "What do we do now?"

Kanae grew increasingly anxious. "It’s like she’s been traumatized and withdrawn into herself."

"Then we need to find a way to break through her shell," Sosuke said. "What if we beat her up? Use pain to shock her back to reality?"

"I think you just want to hit her, don’t you?" Kanae said, rolling her eyes at Sosuke.

After a moment of silence, she added, "Or... should I try stimulating her acupoints with acupuncture needles?"

As they were speaking, Shinobu suddenly looked up at them.

In that instant, Shinobu’s expression was utterly serious!

Sosuke and Kanae were both taken aback by her intensity, exchanging bewildered glances. What was going on this time?

Then Shinobu asked, "When are you two getting married?"

"..."

Sosuke and Kanae nearly fell off their chairs!

Sosuke rubbed his forehead and tilted his head back at a 45-degree angle, staring at the sky. "What’s been going on lately? I must be hallucinating."

"Me too..." Kanae seemed equally incredulous. "My own sister is asking me when I’m getting married?"

"I’m being serious!" Shinobu snapped, her anger rising at their dismissive attitude. "Can’t you two just listen properly when someone’s talking to you?!"

The two immediately turned their attention back to Shinobu.

Sosuke said, "Quick, check if she has a fever. She might not even realize what she’s saying."

Kanae nodded and leaned closer. Shinobu immediately gripped her sister’s hand.

Kanae soothed gently, "It’s okay. If you have a fever, medicine will help. Don’t worry, your sister’s here."

"...You’re going to drive me crazy!"

Shinobu’s face turned pale as she released Kanae’s hand. "Listen, I don’t have a fever, and I’m not talking nonsense. I’m asking you seriously: when are you planning to get married?"

She was serious!

She had spent the entire breakfast carefully considering this question before finally asking it.

The prerequisite for her asking such a question was that Sosuke had single-handedly defeated a member of the Twelve Kizuki!

Regardless of the process or the methods used, this was undeniable proof of his strength.

He had likely already reached the edge of becoming a Pillar. Whether he would actually attain the title likely depended on a single word from Lord Kagaya.

He had essentially met the requirements Shinobu had set for him.

With the prerequisites fulfilled, Shinobu began considering other matters.

She couldn’t quite understand the nature of their feelings, but it was clear they were deeply fond of each other. They didn’t seem to be playing with each other’s emotions; both appeared genuinely serious.

Moreover, they always shared a room whenever they traveled.

Shinobu had previously worried that her sister might perform a "great disappearing act" before the wedding—otherwise, why would she have prepared children’s clothes in advance?

Now that Sosuke had met the requirements, their feelings were clearly deep, and they were already living together... it seemed best to just get married quickly!

’Then I can make clothes for the baby myself, and there won’t be any more mix-ups!’