Book 12 Chapter 26 楊貴妃飛翔

From Chinese translations by Hinako.

Draft: Version 1 - final
Notes: final chapter of Book 12; 杉之浦 Suginoura; deities of Itsukushima 市杵島姫（いちきしまひめ）,湍津姫（たぎつひめ）,田心姫（たごりひめ）
PS: do not distribute this without my permission

---

A young man crawled out of the sea onto the rocks on the shore.

"Ha....Nh..."

It was Narita Yuzuru. No, his body was still being controlled by Nobunaga. However he was worthy of the name Nobunaga, it seemed like he did not drown in the sea. He pulled himself up, water continuously dripped off his body as he climbed up onto the harbor.

"...this isn't my own body, sure enough I still can't do as I please."

His injuries from the backlash of the Hakonha were fairly serious, but Nobunaga could not be defeated in this way. Apparently he came through by allowing the current to carry him to shore. Far ahead, the Ootorii of Itsukushima shrine stood on the sea. The black tengu circled over the shrine like red clouds, destroying the kekkai of the Oda headquarters, launching an attack on the soldiers.

"Damn it... Uesugi..."

Muttering in this way, a fierce headache assailed him.

"Nnhh... ahh..."

It was as if Yuzuru, within the body, was saying 'Leave at once', continuing to struggle. Nobunaga held his head and managed with difficulty to suppress him, talking to himself.

"Not yet. I can't free you yet... Narita Yuzuru. Not until I defeat Kagetora."

Although Nobunaga's body wobbled unstably, he still headed towards Itsukushima shrine.

***

Not along after the tengu attack, the army in Itsukushima shrine retaliated.

"Shoot them down! Don't lose to the tengu!"

Ranmaru shouted. The tengu wanted to break down the kekkai that had been established from the Ootorii. This assault by the tengu legion was led by Jirobou. The soldiers remaining in the shrine desperately carried out defensive measures. Then, at the point when the fight was raging like a vigorous wildfire.

Suddenly, a strange cry resounded from the depths of the main shrine, the gateway flung open without warning.

!

Extremely dazzling rays of light shot in.

"Nnnh Ahhhh!!"

The soldiers of the Oda could not help but shield their eyes.

"What! What is going on!"

"Yahhhhh!!!"

An exceptionally strong flash from the interior destroyed the Oda's kekkai. A fierce storm suddenly blew out from the main shrine, the possessors issued a cry of grief, they were stripped of their bodies.

"W-What...!"

The large army of tengu pressed in from outside the wrecked kekkai. They began to attack the soldiers of the Oda. The shaden was full of cries and snarls, the situation sank into a huge chaos.

"What happened! What on earth...!"

Ranmaru yelled as he protected his body. An intense power blasted out from the main shrine.

Don't tell me it's...!

The power that had been abruptly released was a divine one. The enshrined deities of Itsukushima -- Ichikishima-hime, Tagori-hime, Tagitsu-hime and so on, finally exhibited their godly might. Until just moments ago, it had been Nobunaga's power that had suppressed them all this while. Taking advantage of the hour that Nobunaga's strength was lessened, the deities broke through the repression and were visibly indignant, beginning to attack the intruders.

Not only that...!

Ranmaru immediately noticed another matter. Someone from the outside had spurred this. An outsider possessing enormous power had beckoned the three deities, incited them to destroy the kekkai. Someone who possessed a similar divine power.

Who could that be...!

"Nnhh Ahh!"

The might of the gods gradually intensified, Ranmaru was nearly blown away. He resisted with great difficulty, and shouted.

"Everyone, it's too dangerous! Retreat, retreat!"

From Senjokaku, Ayako and Tomo-hime gazed at the devastation of the shaden. The Oda's soldiers guarding Senjokaku had already been repelled by the both of them.

"Looks like Isari-hime did that for us."

The three deities of Itsukushima had been called upon by Isari-hime, who had underwent deification with the Kanman-iwa. She was the one who provided assistance in the destruction of the kekkai.

"Isari... Yes."

Tomo-hime mumbled, after painfully closing her eyes she once again lifted her head without hesitation.

"Kakizaki-dono. I shall assume responsibility for protecting Satsuki. This place will fall to the enemy soon. Leave the rest to me, please return to Kagetora-dono's side."

"Tomo-hime."

"I thank you very much. Really... thank you."

Tomo-hime said, looking at Ayako.

"Narumi's body, I will return it once this matter has concluded. I shall leave the two of them at Miyajimaguchi, when that time comes I would have to trouble you again to take them home."

Ayako nodded. After Tomo-hime confirmed with a nod, she turned and ran towards Itsukushima shrine.
Watching the shape of Tomo-hime's back for a moment, Ayako then ran in the opposite direction.

***

The battle at Oono Seto had ended. In general, the sea had finally resumed its tranquility, but the crowd on the coastal areas could not be calmed. The residents, policemen and others that had rushed to Miyajima harbor were in an uproar, crying out 'What on earth happened', 'What was that just now', demanding explanations amidst the chaos.

Takaya had returned to land. In order to evade the commotion, he landed at Suginoura. Not long after, Chiaki arrived on Tarobou's back. After Ujiyasu had placed Takaya down, he flew back to the sky.

"Hey, pull yourself together, Kagetora!"

Chiaki rushed over to Takaya's side on the sand beach. Because he had carried out a Kekkai Chobuku, a huge amount of his physical strength had been consumed.
Chiaki supported Takaya with his shoulder, he stood up with a great deal of difficulty. Takaya's breathing was disorderly, his body was also incapable of exerting itself.

"Can you walk?"

"...have to go... save Yuzuru..."

"Nonsense! Your body can no longer move. Leave the rest to me, you should take a break."

"No, I can't..."

Takaya was gasping for air.

"Nobunaga is waiting for me. I'm the only one who can remove the 'Seed of Evil Kings' from Yuzuru's body..."

"Trust me a bit will you. You'll die if you continue in this condition."

"Kagetora!"

A resounding female voice came from across the street. It was Ayako's voice. Driving a long distance bus, her expression changed greatly as she stopped the vehicle, got out and ran over.

"Are you alright? Are you injured?"

"Haruie...?"

"Where did you get that vehicle from?"

"It was by the roadside, just borrowing it for a while. I saw it when I reached Suginoura. ...Tomo has succeeded. Destroyed the 'manju' and 'kanju'. It won't be long before the Oda at Itsukushima shrine decide to flee."

"Seems... like it."

"What happened to Motoharu and the others? Have all of the Mouri's men been exorcised?"

"Weren't they supposed to be exorcised together with the navy soldiers?

"I don't know..."

Takaya, who found breathing painful, answered.

"Sue Harukata's exorcism has been confirmed, but there's no surplus energy confirming Kikkawa Motoharu's exorcism. It's possible that he escaped before the 'Yamato' sank."

"Then Motoharu is still alive?"

"I don't know."

Takaya shook his head.

"Anyway, he's no longer at Itsukushima. Don't bother with that, what's important is Nobunaga. We have to rescue Yuzuru from Nobunaga's hands."

Takaya lifted his head to look at Ayako.

"How did things go? Did the summoning of the might of the three deities go smoothly?"

"Yeah. Isari-hime helped us. Isari-hime's soul assimilated with the Kanman-iwa in order to destroy the 'manju' and 'kanju'. Because she underwent deification with the strength of the spiritual fire and Goddess Youkihi, we succeeded."

"Isari-hime she..."

Chiaki revealed a somewhat regretful expression.

"Really..."

"What about Nobunaga's movements? What happened to him?"

"Still haven't found him yet. A person like him surely won't let Narita die though, so he should still be stolidly alive somewhere."

Takaya stared in the direction of Itsukushima shrine with an exhausted expression.

"Nobunaga will definitely return to Itsukushima shrine. I'm going to Itsukushima shrine. Drive, Haruie."

"Ah, okay."

"Are you going to use that sort of body to fight him?"

"I still have some strength left. At least I can drive him out of Yuzuru's body."

"How would you be able to do that! You moron!"

Chiaki scolded him all of a sudden, Takaya was taken aback.

"Don't bullshit me! With that completely powerless body, even if you confronted him you won't be able to defeat that bastard! If you're looking for death that's your business, but if you're looking for a place to commit suicide, I won't accompany you!"

"Chiaki..."

"Commit suicide...?"

Ayako's ear sharpened, she had heard it.

"What do you mean by that? Nagahide?"

"Being so reckless all of a sudden. Do you think yourself to be very old! I don't know if that's your sense of responsibility as a general or whatever, but do you want to die that badly! How beautiful, watching your ability to stay so calm up to this point, one would soon be moved to tears! Stop acting so tough! It's not like you're some tragic leading character of a story! You couldn't even manage the small task of protecting him! I won't pity you just because Naoe died, Kagetora!"

Ayako suddenly widened her eyes.

"Naoe died?!"

"I won't die."

Takaya said clearly, in an unusual manner, looking directly at Chiaki.

"I won't die here."

"Because you have a duty you must complete? Such perfection that one would weep."

"..."

Takaya hung his head.

"...I won't die in a dream."

Chiaki and Ayako stared at him, startled.

"Kagetora... you..."

Takaya fiercely threw off both of their hands, not depending on anyone for support he alone walked away from the sand beach. For a moment, Chiaki and Ayako were speechless. Takaya spurred his body, forced himself to straighten his back without any emotion, he proceeded ahead in a defiant manner.

The sound of the great waves followed after.
A gale brushed away the sand on the beach.

***

When the Sun had begun to set in the West, the serenity of Itsukushima shrine had been restored.
There was no sign of anyone in the shaden.
The tidewaters rippled just beneath the shaden, the entire base of the shrine looked like a temple that stood on the sea.

After the might of the gods had been mobilized, scattered all over the corridors of Itsukushima shrine were the bodies of men who had originally been possessed. Every one of them had been emptied. The retainers of the Oda clan, whose numbers were originally numerous, suffering the activation of the power of the deities and the invasion of the tengu, had believed themselves to be no match for their opponents, and hence, it seemed as though the entire army had been commanded to withdraw from Itsukushima. But despite sustaining such a fierce attack from the tengu and the onslaught of divine power, the shaden was not in the least bit damaged. One could say that it was a fairly splendid way of making the enemy retreat.

"So the enemy was no match for the gods. Naturally. Would Nobunaga that bastard have retreated too?"

"...No."

Takaya was on alert.

"Yuzuru is still here. I can sense him."

"Narita is here?"

Takaya nodded. At this instant, his sensory capacity was even more keen than that of a third-rate soul investigator.
The vehicle stopped in front of the treasure hall, Takaya and the others entered the shaden.
It seemed like Satsuki had been rescued by Tomo without any complications. They did not see any trace of her. Chiaki and Ayako followed behind Takaya, they came to the shaden from the Western corridor.

"!"

Looking into the hall of worship, Takaya and the others could not help but gasp.
They did not believe anyone would be inside the hall of worship, but there was the form of a person.
It was a young man. He sat cozily in a large, gorgeously decorated chair in front of the altar with his legs crossed.

"Welcome, men of Uesugi."

Takaya and the others stared at him.

"Narita..., Nobunaga!"

Yuzuru smiled craftily. Chiaki and Ayako, surprised, braced themselves, but Takaya only calmly returned his gaze without flinching.

"So you're here as we've expected."

"Haha, it was you who took advantage of my absence to call upon the three deities of Itsukushima shrine wasn't it? I really can't take you guys lightly, annoying rats."

The menacing aura that Nobunaga emanated compelled Chiaki and Ayako into silence. Owing to Nobunaga's return, the power of the three deities had apparently been suppressed once again.

"Word has it that every single deity here is a goddess. Haha, it really makes one feel at ease. It doesn't mean much to have a common woman serve me, but to be able to overpower the goddesses and the rest of the world, only I, Nobunaga, am capable of that right?"

Nobunaga laughed haughtily.

"Just like the almighty Zeus."

"..."

"My soldiers seemed to have provoked the goddesses, making them unhappy. It can't be helped, all of them are but vulgar folks who don't understand manners. They can only fight and are incapable of anything else besides that, what a bother. So I allowed them to withdraw beforehand."

Nobunaga sat up slightly, he grasped his knees with his hands as he looked ahead.

"Thus all those people that would disturb us are not here anymore, Kagetora."

"..."

"I've always wanted to have a long hearty talk with you, and appreciate your tiger eyes at the same time. I've been waiting for you in this place for quite a while, haven't I?"

"We have nothing to discuss."

Kagetora coldly replied.

"Release Yuzuru at once."

"Don't be so anxious."

Nobunaga hummed with his nose and smiled.

"It was really delightful just now. All of your powers were expressed right. But to exhaust all your powers like that in one go, you probably can't even release an incantation now. You look pale, no? Are you having much difficulty with just standing up?"

Takaya glared at him sharply like a ferocious beast.

"I asked you to release Yuzuru."

"It's okay to not exert yourself. After all it's impossible for you to fight me. Even if you want to die, don't be so anxious."

"You...!"

"If I say 'No' what are you going to do about it?"

Nobunaga made the first move to gain the upper hand, he uttered maliciously.

"What if I said I won't leave him. Haha, want to kill me? Alright. Go ahead and try. You would only kill Narita Yuzuru."

"...!"

"Can you kill your own friend?"

Takaya ground his teeth in agony.

"Even if I have to use a katana to cut it out, I will dig it out...!"

"Unfortunately for you, the 'Seed of Evil Kings' can't be eliminated with just the death of the physical body. It has already deeply planted itself within the soul."

Nobunaga said as he slowly stood up, looking at them with an arrogant expression as he spoke.

"Come. What are you going to do, Kagetora?"

"..."

"I'll let you do whatever you please. What are you doing? Aren't you going to expel me from Narita Yuzuru's body right away? What's wrong? Can't move?"

An egoistical smile appeared on Nobunaga's face, he walked towards them. One step, then another. The three of them felt threatened, and could not help but retreat backwards. If their opponent was Yuzuru, they could not act.

"Hmph, the three of you can't do anything? You're completely dispirited now because you've been used to having it easy! All of you are truly degenerate at the end of the day, Uesugi Yashashu!"

"Damn you!"

"Stop, Chiaki!"

Not heeding Takaya's command, Chiaki attacked with an incantation. Nobunaga lightly extended his right hand in an unconcerned manner to defend himself with a Goshinha. Sharp plasma broke out, the bamboo screens were blown about violently.

"Ha---ha ha! This degree of an attack! It is but child's play!"

"A Touketsu Nami! It's the only way to freeze that Seed!"

"Wait... Chiaki!"

"Attack, Haruie!"

Shielding Takaya, Chiaki and Ayako concentrated their powers in their fingers and released the incantation at the same time!

"Ha!"

Boom!
The two of them fired a straight, skin-piercing line of Touketsu Nami at Yuzuru's forehead. But Nobunaga did not move at all.

"What an insignificant technique!"

Their incantations were reflected back, directly striking Chiaki and Ayako.

"Nnhh!"

Both of their bodies traced an arc as they were thrown backwards onto the hirabutai, they collapsed onto the floor in this way.

"Haruie! Nagahide!"

Nobunaga, wanting to chase Takaya who ran towards them, leaped to a great height. His body flew in midair, right over Takaya's head, and landed right in front of him.

"!"

Nobunaga obstructed him, startling Takaya. Then, with a speed faster than thunder can reach the ear, he grabbed the folds of Takaya's clothing and single-handedly tossed him over to the floorboards fiercely.

"Nnhh ahh!"

Takaya's body went past the stage, flung to the dock overlooking the sea, he tumbled onto the boards heavily, then he curled up at that place and ceased to move.

Nobunaga jumped again, and silently landed on the takabutai. He folded his arms, stepped lightly on the floor as if he was floating, and laughed fearlessly as he looked over Takaya.

"What an awful sight, Kagetora!"

Takaya, enduring the severe pain, lifted his head. His eyes were burning with loathing.

"Damn... it...!"

"You can't even use your powers to protect your body? Hmph, how pitiful."

Chiaki and Ayako could not move owing to their extensive injuries. Nobunaga got down onto the floor, a fiendish smile hung from his mouth as he approached Takaya.

"What now? Let's see you resist?"

Threatened in this way, Takaya retreated one step backwards. Nobunaga slowly advanced, driving Takaya to the edge of the dock.

"What are you going to do? Strike back at me? You don't even have any strength to attack with spells?"

"..."

"Revealing that scared expression..."

Nobunaga mercilessly narrowed his eyes.

"There's nothing more comfortable than seeing the frightened expression of a fierce beast. Compared with holding a woman, making a strong person submit is the moment of my climax."

Retreating backwards, the base Takaya's foot struck against the pillar of the stone lamp, he fell backwards against the column. This was the end of the dock, there was no other place to run to. Below was the high tide. Takaya stared at Nobunaga with hostility, his eyes filled with the fortitude of his entire body.

"There's no mistaking that pair of eyes."

Nobunaga uttered with glee.

"What's the matter? Come, make me feel a little bit more. Satisfy me a little bit more. I won't just simply kill you. I won't let you die so easily!"

Takaya recited an incantation. Clenching his teeth he used his full strength to call upon Yuzuru. Wake up. Resist Nobunaga.

"I will subject you to every single torturous method of interrogation I can think of. Let me hear all of your whimpers. After you die, I will paste gold foil on your skull. Use it as a luxurious wine cup. Then fill it with blood-red wine and drink it all in one go...!"

Yuzuru!

Nobunaga concentrated his powers in his hand!

"Come, make me happy, Kagetora!"

"!"

An intense incantation exploded out. Takaya reflexively used a 'Wall' to resist it. The Nen Nami ruptured, sharp plasma spurted out. But Nobunaga was merciless.

"No need to struggle, Kagetora!"

At that moment, Nobunaga's upper body suddenly shook.

What...!

A pain that nearly made him want to rip his skull apart ran through his temples. Nobunaga held his head and struggled in agony. It was that headache. That fierce headache attacked Nobunaga again.

"Nnhh Ah... Ahhh!!"

"Yuzuru... Yuzuru is that you!"

"Damn... it... Narita Yuzuru!"

"Yuzuru...!"

"Don't hinder me ahhh!"

Take advantage of the current situation!

Takaya moved into action. Amassing all of his remaining strength he released a Touketsu Nami...!
But Nobunaga was not so careless as to allow him to do that.

"I won't let you succeed!"

Slam!

The air shook, Takaya's Touketsu Nami and Nobunaga's Nen Nami collided directly.

"...!"

The Touketsu Nami was scattered. Nobunaga's incantation was overwhelmingly strong.

"Nnnh Ahh!"

Nobunaga did not release his hold on Takaya, he [Takaya] had became vulnerable within that split second...!

"The one who will die is you, Kagetora!"

Will be struck...!

Then at that moment.

The seawater behind Takaya suddenly erupted like a geyser...!

"What!"

Nobunaga widened his eyes. At the same time, a white shape appeared behind Takaya, controlling Takaya's arms. Takaya could not understand what was going on at all. He could only sense that there was something behind his back flaming brightly, his entire body heated up all of a sudden.
In the next moment, Takaya's hands released a Touketsu Nami...!

"!"

The white ball of light shot through Nobunaga's forehead.
Yuzuru's body was forcefully thrown backwards, he collapsed onto the floor of the takabutai with a 'thud'.

Wh...at...!

Takaya did not understand what had happened. That attack did not come from Takaya's own willpower. He obviously did not do anything, however he had attacked with a Touketsu Nami!

How can this be...

Chiaki, lying prone on the ground, had witnessed the white form behind Takaya at that moment.

That... is...

Chiaki, with a blurred vision, had positively seen the shadow of a man. The person that stood behind Takaya, had worn a white hood and had the military appearance of a souhei.
Chiaki knew the name of that man.

-Kenshin... kou...?

The seawater that sprouted to a great height poured down on Takaya's head like rain.
The figure of Uesugi Kenshin was screened by the seawater, and slowly faded away.
Drenched by the seawater, the floorboards gradually moistened. Yuzuru's body, lying on the floor, was also soaked in water. The 'Seed of Evil Kings' was frozen for the moment, Nobunaga's remote control was completely cut off.

Takaya sat down and dully stretched his legs. He did not seem to notice that his entire body was drenched with water, but sat there in this condition without moving.
The floorboards were wet. The spray of seawater did not stop, like an evening shower it pelted his entire body.
Takaya still did not budge.
In this way, the spray of water that persisted for several minutes gently weakened, then it finally disappeared...
Leaving behind a mist.

***

In that long period of time, he waited in this way.
Takaya did not hold Yuzuru either, he only sat with an empty expression in his eyes.
In the shaden that was incomparably quiet, there was no sound of human activity besides the rumble of the waves that thrashed on the outside.

Is it over...?
Takaya thought ignorantly.

Is this how everything ends?

It is the end. Somebody replied.
Is this really the end? Takaya asked the owner of the voice.

[Yes...]

A female voice replied.

[It has ended...]

The voice echoed in the entire shaden at that moment.
A large bird landed on the takabutai. Huge and crimson in color. Like a peacock... It was the illusion of a bird, what was known as the spiritual bird of the legendary phoenix.
Takaya could not make any sound, he only opened his eyes.
Takaya knew the true identity of that bird.

[Thank you...]

The red phoenix said. That tone was pleasing to the ears, causing one to feel that the female voice did not belong to this earth. The voice permeated the depths of his heart, it was exceedingly beautiful to listen to.

That is the voice of the goddess, Takaya thought in this way.
Such a sacredly beautiful timbre existed in her voice.
Takaya did not know her appearance when she was still a human. Neither did he know how big of an appraisal her beauty had won from the people. But Takaya felt the soul of this phoenix to be extremely beautiful.

[You can sleep now...]

Yeah. Takaya answered, calmly closing his eyes.
I understand everything.
Takaya murmured, thereafter the beautiful red phoenix spread its wings. On her back appeared a smaller bird, but it was extremely similar in appearance. The phoenix led the younger phoenix to the sky, unfolding its wings. The smaller phoenix followed, flying behind.

The goddesses stretched their wings and soared. They circled around the summit of Mt. Misen and flew towards the Western sea that was dyed red by the sunset.
The view of them blurred. Takaya watched the phoenix disappear, then once again closed his eyes quietly.

It was calm.
The sound of the great waves battering against the harbor was audible.
The tender din of the waves.
As if the ripple of the waves wanted to infiltrate his heart.


Quietly...


About to awaken...

Feeling his body gradually turning cold, Takaya thought.

The nightmare is about to end...

He was about to return to the real world...
This inexhaustible, endless nightmare was about to end... He was about to wake up soon.
He could immediately return.

Return to the real world which has you.

You would definitely be waiting beside my pillow when I awaken. Then use that gentle voice of yours to say to me. --Are you awake?
He would always never fall asleep in front of him [Takaya]. Whenever he awakened, he would always be by his [Takaya] side, gazing at his appearance of having just woken up. It has always been this way. He was always beside his pillow waiting for him to wake up, even causing one to puzzle over when did he actually go to sleep.

This time it would definitely be the same.

Naoe---...

The next time I awaken, I can't say for sure but perhaps I would be crying out loud like a child. But you would be like a father... and proceed to comfort me.
With that pair of eyes filled with the utmost tenderness...
This nightmare is about to end. Not sure since when or where had reality been replaced by this startling dream. This frightening dream.

I wish to hear your voice soon...

Leaning against the column of the stone lamp, Takaya thought.

My body is so cold. My wounds hurt so badly. It's painful and terrifying, uneasy and cold, so hurry.
Don't let me stay in this sorrowful dream any further... I can implore you if you want.

Even if you hate me, please hurry.

It doesn't matter if it's not love. If that is the case, it doesn't matter if it's hatred.
Be it lust, or desperation.
Please return to my side...


The small waves bounced against the side of the harbor.
Allowing his extremely tired body to lean against the stone lamp,
Takaya's head drooped down.

This time when I wake up, we will be able to find it right? Naoe.

Our 'ideal' way of existence.
It must exist in a certain place. The ideal place, there must be one.
We have shed so much tears along the way. Always reflecting... We should be able to find it.

The sea, reflecting the radiance of the sunset, flickered brightly.
Thinking of the happy moment on the brink of arrival,
a faint smile formed at the corners of Takaya's mouth.
The waves were so tender.

I can hear it... Your voice...


   --Are you having a nightmare...?

---

Original fiction © Kuwabara Mizuna.