235. Ashura Dogi

Leo stood in the middle of the road while holding Tama. The cart inched closer to them.

The pirates escorting the cart saw them and raised their guns.

Leo curled his lips and lifted his right arm. He stretched out his index and middle finger and made a stabbing motion.

Sword rays as thin as hairs blinked in and out of existence. The pirates escorting the cart felt a tug in their chest, it felt as if something stabbed through them.

Since he was with Tama Leo didn't want the scene to get messy. He simply made his attack as small as possible and pierced through their hearts.

Like dominos the pirates fell down one by one. The animals pulling the cart kept on moving.

Leo narrowed his eyes. His haoshoku haki leaked out, causing the animals to come to a sudden halt. They trembled and lowered their heads to Leo.

He jumped up and found a comfortable position on the cart. He then patted the animals.

"Let's go."

Tama was excited, "Uwaa, big brother, how did you do that?"

Leo smiled, "Haha, I am very powerful."

They left Bakura town. The pedestrians who saw what happened were shocked, they whispered among themselves.

"They took the tribute."

"Orochi-sama is going to furious!"

On their way Leo and Tama ate some of the food. The fruits were very sweet and appetising.

Very soon they reached the town. Tsuru was outside when they arrived with the large cart filled with food. She was shocked to see them come back so fast.

The cart came to a stop beside Tsuru. Leo held Tama and jumped down.

"Tsuru-san, can you hand out the food?"

Tsuru snapped out from her shock. She stared at Leo and said in disbelief, "I can't believe you did it."

Leo shrugged. Tsuru sighed. What happened had happened.

The townspeople had seen the cart full of food, they were crowding around it. However no one rushed in to get some despite their hunger.

Tsuru instructed some of the townspeople and started to hand out the food. Tama also went to help, though her contribution was negligible Leo was still happy to see her smile.

An hour later the cart was fully unloaded and it's contents were distributed to the townsfolk.

Tama was munching on an apple. Leo was sitting beside her with his hand supporting his chin.

He looked at the smile on everyone's face and sighed. With this they should atleast be fine for a couple of days.

As he was lamenting on their sad fate a ruckus was heard from the entrance of the town.

"Bandits! Bandits are here!"

"The Atayama bandits are here!"

He saw a group of people lead by a bulky man riding a large bull enter the town. He was chugging on a gourd of wine.

Tsuru heard the commotion and came out. When she saw the man leading the group she had a complicated expression.

Leo saw her expression and asked, "You know him?"

Tsuru nodded. She sighed and said, "He is one of Oden-sama's vassals, Ashura Dogi."

Leo was surprised. He turned to look at the man. He had a strong presence.

The man rode the bull through the streets. His men started to snatch whatever food that was handed out to the people.

"Interesting."

Leo had a smiled on his face as he studied the guy. He stood up and walked towards Ashura.

Ashura also noticed Leo. His instinct as a samurai told him that this man was dangerous.

A stern expression took over his face. He grabbed the hilt of his sword and got down from the bull.

"Who the hell are you?"

Leo didn't respond to him and simply said, "Leave."

Ashura was taken back for a second. He glared at Leo and said, "I should leave if you say so?! I am a bandit! I do what I want!"

Leo curled his lips, "Is that so? Then why do you feel guilt?"

"Guilt? What kind of nonsense are you spouting?"

"It's a good plan. Snatch back whatever you can from the people and focus the heat on you."

Ashura narrowed his eyes. A baleful aura started to emanate from his body.

Leo was unperturbed by his scary aura. He smiled and said.

"Rest assured. As long as I am here nothing will happen."

Ashura stared at Leo for a good while. He wanted to draw his sword but he couldn't find a clear path of attack. Every path seems to be filled with death.

After a while he said, "You are strong. But you can't go against that man."

Saying his piece Ashura got back on his ride and yelled, "You fools, let's go!"

His men were stunned for a moment. They then dropped what they snatched and left with Ashura.

Tsuru patted her chest and heaved a sigh of relief. She was afraid they would start a fight. Ashura may come off as an evil person but he was in fact a good man.

Leo returned to Tama who handed him an apple, "Here you go, big brother."

He smiled and took it from her, "Thanks."

He sat down and took a bite.

Very soon smoke rose from chimneys around the town. Though what they got was only enough for a day or two they were still satisfied. They could live for a few more days. And that was enough.

Tsuru came out of her house while wiping her hands with a towel.

"Food is ready. Come in."

Leo got up and walked inside. He smelled some good stuff.

"Kiku and I went all out, as thanks for what you did."

There was a table filled with food waiting for them. Tama silently gulped and sneaked a few looks to see if anyone saw her. As an aspiring kunoichi it would be shameful if she couldn't control her hunger.

Everyone noticed it but no one pointed it out.

All of them sat down. Leo picked up a pair of chopsticks and said, "Let's dig in."