(Third person's POV- omniscient)

Hiroshi sighed as he just received a small mission from his Prince. He had to go to Komaki to Lord Ginjiro Shimadzu and give him an imperial scroll. It was Arashi's Kuro soldier's emblem printed on the it which also represented the power of Shinkyo. It was his land afterall and almost as powerful as the imperial kingdom.

Honestly, he could give it to Haruhito Shinohara since she was now helping Arashi in this mission and she was well acquainted with Duke Gingiro Shimadzu. She could have sent one of her men to send this but why did Arashi made him the messanger here?!

Although he could go to the mission on his own and it would been faster too, he didn't want to go alone.

He went to the quarters of Kuro soldiers and looked for someone to follow him.

There was Hans, Takashi and two other men were chatting. Hans had a different mission so he was going back to sleep.

He was out of the question. Takashi on the other hand still hadn't gone to his duty. He went to him.

"Yo, Takashi..." He said. Takashi greeted him with a nod as he said, "Are you free now? If you are then come with me."

Takashi gave a nervous smile and said, "But I have to go back to Prince Rian's quater. There's the survey which Prince Rian has ordered to do. I will be leaving for it soon."

Hiroshi sighed. He knew about the survey. Koji and Takagashi were in charge of it and had formed small groups of three people to gather information and gather lords of the estates. Apparently it was a big mission Arashi was conducting.

He knew everyone was busy due to it. Arashi had been making everyone busy because he wanted to finish it before his marriage.

He wished Kairo was here. He would have gone with him but he needed to settle in his house first.

Speaking of that, how about he take both Hana and Kairo with him?

They didn't have to do anything just enjoy themselves while he would be a little entertained by them. Honestly, Hiroshi had been feeling depressed because all of his friends were already married and he might be the oldest one who wasn't married yet.

It wasn't like he wanted to get married now but it wouldn't have been hurt...

Besides he was always busy with the protection and taking precautions. The inside and outside affairs were lot to tackle and he needed to be by Arashi.

As he was thinking of all sort of things, he collided with someone. He looked back and saw a bulky man was standing there and glared at him. The deep scar on his face was prominent and he had the same hair of Hiroshi although with trimmed beard and moustache.

They both blinked...

The man who had an angry face immediately changed his expression with a surprised one.

"Hiroshi!" He said with a broad grin and Hiroshi exclaimed as well at the same time, "Father!?"

His father immediately came near and embraced him in a squishy hug but he stood still like an awkward statue. He said, "Oh! Hiroshi! It's been a while I'm seeing you!"

He asked, "Yeah but what are you doing here?" He pushed him away and asked, "Shouldn't you be staying in the Himalayas to train the boys?"

"But I am getting old now... Shouldn't I get a small vacation once in a while?" He humped.

Hiroshi gave him a look as he said, "Then who will train my boys if you are here? You old stupid man!"

His father pouted, "But I have already made Haku and Gotoru my successor so they would do just fine for now... Also, Mine is there too... She can train them well."

Hiroshi glared at him... Although he was good at his work, he was actually a man who loved to live in idle. If he had a chance he would have ran away to live in the forest slacking off all day long.

His father was the successor of Lord An Hao and had been training Kuro soldiers more than a decade. And he was seeing him almost after a decade.

"Old man, you need to go back! Now!" Hiroshi growled since he had to train more of his men. Otherwise Kuro soldiers would fall. The intense training under the harsh weather was what made all of them this strong and Lord An Hao's style of sword arts and martial arts were perfect for any survival situation. Even if they had no weapons with them, they had enough skills to kill a target with a single paper. Each and every men had been under harsh environment to learn to survive at minimal things. That's how tough the Kuro soldiers were.

And the training conducted by his father was important since his father knew no mercy while teaching his students.

"Ehh... But I came to see you after all these years and you are not even happy..." He feigned crying as Hiroshi scowled at him.

And immediately his expressions changed as he said, "But I'm so happy that you got married!"

Hiroshi looked at him quizzically as his father added, "I heard you got married a few days ago so I came to meet my daughter in law. Where's she?"

He gave him a blank face. A few days ago?

That was...

He said with straight voice, "That was Kairo getting married, not me..."

His father was surprised, "That little brat! Wait! You mean even a little boy is married before you?!"

It pinned Hiroshi's ego with a thorny arrow as his veins popped out.

He said with a calm voice but inside his stomach was boiling, "Like. I. Said. It was Kairo not me... Now, go back."

His father shouted, "What! Why? When will you get married?! When will I get an heir?!" He looked worried and asked, "Wait... You are not into men, are you?"

Hiroshi's brow twitched as the boiling anger in his stomach finally burst out. He punched his father's gut and yelled at him, "You stupid old man! I am going for a mission now. I don't have a time for this!"

"Eh?! But you are already 29!" He said his hands clutched to his belly. Of course, his father's sturdy body wasn't going to get bruised by that punch. But Hiroshi wasn't using his full strength either.

Hiroshi started to walk straight toward the crowd but his father wasn't leaving him alone. He knew he was going to pester him if he stayed here. And...why was everyone pointing out his age?!

It was making him irritated...!

He could literally hear his age from all over the place echoing in his ears... Even if he married at 109 years, that would be his choice!

However, he would have to look for a bride that older and he wasn't sure if he could survive that long...

He said, "Just get back to your post!"

"No, I have come here and without seeing my daughter in law, I won't go!" He crossed his arms above his chest as a stubborn old geezer which made Hiroshi more mad. Then he added, "Also how can I go without seeing Arashi...?"

He growled, "Then go see him and get out of Wansai!"

He took long strides to leave his father behind but his father, Lord Fukushi, could catch him even longer strides. It was surprising that how that old man was fit even when he was in his late fifties.

He said, "Since you are still not getting married on your own, how about I find you a bride?"

"No, thanks. I am fine with myself!"

"But you need a strong bride to give me a healthy heir. He needs to be strong as well. Like me. Wahaha." He flashed his arm muscles and laughed.

Hiroshi scowled at him and fastened his pace but his father caught up with him. "How about Mine? She is young, strong and sturdy like me! Yes! A perfect bride for you!"

And immediately Hiroshi halted. He remembered Mine. She was a year younger than him but due to spending time with his father, she got the same personality as him. She was more like a fire wielding sturdy woman who only loved to fight all day and display her strength. He cringed his nose.

Hiroshi liked strong woman but not without a brain.

He said, "She is an ogre and besides she is not going to marry anyone!"

"She will if I tell her that you are the one who could win against her... Wahaha."

Hiroshi knew Mine would not marry unless she finds a man who could defeat her in arm wrestling. But he didn't want to harm his hands since he needed them for writing all those reports and saving people. He might win against her but his palms could be damaged gravely.

But he wasn't into her...

He said, "No, thanks. I can find my own bride."

"Oh! So, you are into delicate girls..." His father scratched his beard and added, "I have old acquaintances who are well-known lords. They might have beautiful delicate daughters..."

Hiroshi growled, "You old geezer! Get off me, will you?"

And he dashed away to finish his mission and also to escape from his dad's nagging.

----
26th January, 23
1571