Edo
Edo
As they rode along the horse carriage, Minato and Nozomi poked their heads out, enjoying the scenery.
"Everything's so different!"
Minato smiled as he noticed the many machiya[1] that filled the streets of Edo. Looking around, he noticed people wearing similar clothes to Yamanoue, but completely different from what he was used to in Konoha.
"Of course it's different. We're not in Konoha anymore!"
Jiraiya smiled. He remembered when he had left on his first mission out of the village… Those were the good times.
Noticing Minato's interest, Nozomi took the opportunity to flaunt some more knowledge.
"The most important philosophy of the land of tea is Neo-Confucianism, stressing the importance of morals, education and hierarchical order in the government and society. A strict four-class system separates the people of this land."
"At the top of the social hierarchy stand the samurai, followed by the peasants, artisans, and merchants. The members of the four classes are not allowed to change their social status. Outcasts, or people with professions that are considered impure, form the fifth class. Although the fifth is in name only."
"Of course, above all these classes, stands the Daimyō of the land of tea."
Hearing Nozomi's detailed explanation, Yamanoue sighed in amazement.
"I can't stress it enough… The young princess is so knowledgeable! In your opinion, which class do you think yours truly is a part of, degozaru?"
"Dead last. Aren't you a merchant?"
Before Nozomi could answer, Jun interjected, slightly opening his eyes. His body was stiff from so much sitting and he needed some action.
"He didn't ask you!"
Nozomi glared at Jun, but he ignored her, facing Yamanoue.
"Bingo! Yours truly is a merchant, so I belong to the absolute lowest class… As for my master, he's an artisan! While he makes the tea, I sell it. My dream is to succeed in his position and become a renowned tea master, degozaru!"
Hearing him, Jun sighed. He always hated weak people, which meant that he hated the entire land of tea. Most of them lived like normal people, while some thought they were strong after swinging a katana...
Although it was better than doing D-rank missions, he still felt like it was a waste of his time.
"Your dream is to become a tea master? Then, are tea masters renowned over here?"
"Certainly so, Minato-dono. My master is the best there is, and therefore is treated like an elder in the Ryokucha family- Oh! We've arrived!"
Smiling, Yamanoue pulled over the carriage and parked it near a small tea-shop. Finally getting their chance to walk on firm ground, the four ninja quickly hopped off the carriage.
The entrance of the small shop had a cloth covering half of it, with big characters engraved on it.
"Ryokucha Tea House…"
Reading it, Jiraiya rejoiced. He was craving some sweets! Seeing his smile, Yamanoue took the lead as they entered. Once inside, he removed his Kasa hat and called for the waitress.
She seemed to recognize him and immediately sat them down, taking their order.
"Could you bring us some of our finest tea? Oh, and please include some Dango, degozaru."
Nodding, the waitress left, prompting Jiraiya to ask a question.
"I thought we were meant to escort you all the way to Ryokucha castle, not a tea house."
Even though he said this, he was actually really looking forward to having some tea and Dango.
"Yours truly knows, but I couldn't just let you leave without tasting our products! I hope that you can forgive me, degozaru."
Noticing the waitress coming back with their order, Jiraiya got excited.
"You are forgiven!"
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[1] The typical Kyoto machiya is a long wooden home with narrow street frontage, stretching deep into the city block and often containing one or more small courtyard gardens or 'tsuboniwa'. Machiya incorporate earthen walls and baked tile roofs. They could be one, one and a half, two, or occasionally even three stories high. The front of the building traditionally served as the retail or shop space, generally having sliding or folding shutters that opened to facilitate the display of goods and wares.
Here's a link to the wiki page if you're interested: bit.ly/2UzjA9M
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