-Such was what Kazuya told Atsuro upon arriving at Ueda Castle's main hall again in the time rift after spending his birthday back in the normal world, only to find more celebration waiting for him there.
-Already the Sanada, in preparation for the next march, were feasting and drinking for an auspicious occasion. Should Atsuro glance their way back in the lord's seatings, he'd notice them nodding respectfully his way.
"Now, Sengoku-era samurai don't really celebrate individual birthdays, but I convinced them to hold a small feast thanks to your bravery at Hu Lao Gate and holding off Lu Bu for so long."
-A hand was placed on his shoulder, with a reassuring smile.
"Make no mistake though, it's for your birthday, a little belatedly... And... sorry I wasn't there back home." He yearned for when the multi-dimensional battles would end, but that was a while yet.
@byimagination || Kaz gets the boyz together for a late surprise
This year marked the first year where upon hearing the notification for his birthday, the best reaction Atsuro mustered was a, 'Oh yeah, I guess it is'. He'd chalk it up to the fun he just had right before his birthday thanks to a battle at Hu Lao Gate.
In other words, Lu Bu's home turf. And sure enough, the man himself did deem them worthy to come personally kick their asses.
Call it suicidal overconfidence or... yeah, probably just that, but he'd insisted on stalling Lu Bu by himself (with Niao's help of course-- he's not that reckless). And for what it was worth, he actually lasted longer than even he himself expected. By the time he'd exhausted every resource that wasn't his life, the other Orochi forces were either routed or forced to retreat. A good thing too since it meant Nobuyuki had time to swoop in on his horse and carry his barely conscious body back to safety.
After that, a Prayer from Kaz fixed up his issues and like a good best friend, Kaz offered to cover his leave for a day so he could spend his birthday goofing off and eating alllll the cake he wanted. Which he certainly did both those things until the dawn of the next day.
Well I had my fun. Now, back at it!
Stepping back into the mix-and-match world of Orochi's war domain, Atsuro expects to be met with the usual: strategy meetings, marching, and a quick snack in between both those things. Not that he's complaining-- if it bothered him that much, he knows he isn't being held hostage. All that's left is to report to Ueda Castle's main hall to meet his destiny.
...Though call him crazy, but destiny on the other side of the door sounds louder than usual. Must be something big which called for all available hands to report in.
Bet it's a doozy of a battle or--
"Huh....Wha-- HUH?!" This ain't the serious atmosphere of a pre-battle meeting-- this is a full-on party! Why didn't Kaz say anything about a party?! He would've shown up sooner! And why is everyone he walks past being so... reverent towards him?
Where's Kaz at? He's got so, so many questions for him right now!
A question that answers itself when the devil himself appears before him, explaining the party was actually expressly for him. And people actually came. Did everyone just wanna party that bad they'd take some reckless hero's suicide charge as a valid exuse??
"You got them to agree to a party? In my name?!" Atsuro somehow manages to keep his voice down despite the heightened emotions raging in his mind. "Dude, does your Bel powers come with Level 100 Persuasion skills or something? I-I'm not worth all this hullabaloo, am I...?"
Even if he's not, the gesture alone is touching enough he doesn't push the issue any further. Might as well enjoy his brief reign as the most important person in the room while he still can!
"Thanks, man. And don't worry about missing the run back at home-- I know you've got a responsibility as King of the demons. Though I did save you a lil somethin' from the Kresnik kitchen~"
Congrats Kaz on your slice of cotton cheesecake!
