Book 14 Chapter 13 死者は還らない

From Chinese translations by Hinako.

Draft: Version 1 - final
Notes: 茅崎市 Chigasaki-shi
PS: do not distribute this without my permission

---

There was no one in the room when he woke up.
He could not tell how bright it was outside, probably because the light was kept out by the curtains. Was it still night? Or was dawn approaching? A pitch black darkness, he could not even see the clock.

Takaya could not comprehend the current state of his body. It seemed like he had slept for a very long time. Once he was alert, he noticed that he was wearing bathing robes, both his hands had been bound in handcuffs. He felt like the handcuffs had been taken off at one point, had that been a dream?

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

His head felt incredibly heavy.
What was this strange, lucid feeling of having been touched lingering on his body? As though his entire torso had been kissed..., and those lips. Takaya vaguely remembered. Someone had kissed him last night. It had been a profound, flowing kiss. The sort of intense kiss that one would never forget after one kiss...

Naoe...?

Impossible. Naoe was not here. However, it was very similar. It was his kiss. Takaya thought back carefully, he almost could not restrain himself from jumping up. But he could not get up as his wrists had been bound with the handcuffs.

It was... Kaizaki...

Once he figured this out, he remembered the entire conversation between Kaizaki and himself the previous night. Kaizaki was the one who had kissed Takaya deeply. Not Naoe... but...

"..."

Takaya felt a chill run down his back. He recalled Kaizaki's words one after another. Only Naoe should know this, keywords that belonged exclusively to their communion, yet they had rolled out of Kaizaki's mouth in succession. Indeed, the words that the current Naoe could not convey to him at all, Takaya had now heard them from Kaizaki instead.
As though he just had a conversation with Naoe himself. It seemed as though Naoe was not 'Naoe', but Kaizaki was 'Naoe'.

What on earth... is going on...

Takaya felt a whiff of cold air, his body tightened. He was scared.

That man... who is he really?

He could not understand it. However the words that he had spoken, their meaning and cadence, all of it had made him feel extremely comfortable. There had been a response regardless of what he had said, hadn't that made him feel satisfied, that ability to grasp that sort of dialog which only someone with the same perspective as his own would be able to understand? Didn't he feel that this was something that he had been searching for?

I feel this way...

This was an emotion that he had forgotten not so long ago. It was not something that could be clearly illustrated using reason. Indeed, this was the very feeling that he would always have whenever he conversed with Naoe back then. It could also be considered as a particular sense of unity. This affection was what the current Naoe, who had lost his interest in Takaya, was completely incapable of conveying to Takaya. On the other hand, Kaizaki had this specific sentiment.

I'm scared...

Had he changed? When did this start? What happened exactly? The object that Naoe could not give him now, yet always lavished it upon him as much as he could previously, that 'conversation that only the two of them would be able to understand'... That man possessed this very object in spite of everything.
Who on earth was Kaizaki?

--Takaya-san...

Kaizaki's voice had called him in this way last night. Its presence firmly remained in the depths of his ears. It was not an illusionary sound. It was Kaizaki's voice.

I don't understand.

Takaya closed his eyes tightly. He could not understand what had happened.

Naoe...!

He wanted to see Naoe urgently. He was in agony because of his unease. What should he do? He felt a strong need for certainty. If he disregarded this, he might even lose sense of his own footing. He felt a dangerous foreboding of the foundations of his own existence collapsing together with the world from beneath his feet.

Becoming someone that isn't you...

This was a future that ought not to exist. What happened?
Could it be that the day where Naoe Nobutsuna would become someone unworthy and unneccesary was fast approaching? Could another individual, more capable of being closer to Takaya than Naoe, possibly emerge - someone who could make Takaya thoroughly feel that he needed him? But the current Naoe was no longer like the previous Naoe. There was already such an immense rift between them.

"I... don't get it...!"

Perhaps this would still be acceptable. Because it was Naoe himself who willingly wanted to be bound. He freely loved him, then ceased to be faithful at his own discretion, abandoned him. He was to think nothing of such a person. It would not matter even if he did not have him. It should be this way.
But...

I will die if you abandon me...

It should be this way.
However, even if Naoe leaves him, what if there was another person capable of saving him with the same intensity?

It's impossible for someone like that to exist.

However the fact was that there was another individual besides Naoe who could fulfill this hungry feeling. He was extremely similar to the previous Naoe, but he was not the man that he [Naoe] was previously...

--If this is for my own sake, even if the partner that you long for isn't myself, it shouldn't matter right...?

It would be fine even if it wasn't Naoe, that was how he thought wasn't it? As long as he could be furnished with those words and warmth... As long as those actions could be shown to him, that smile, that expression in his eyes and that intense speech.

That's not true...!

He alone possessed these things. That was why he needed Naoe. He was someone unique. The current Naoe was not Naoe. Even though his external appearance was identical, he was not Naoe.

A fake...?

Impossible. However by thinking in this way he could embrace hope, he would no longer suffer injury.

No longer suffer injury?

Was this for the sake of protecting his body? Takaya felt a severe dislike of himself. But it was impossible for him to be a fake. It was not possible for this issue to be true. If this was really the case, then where was the real him? ...Impossible.

It's simply a delusion.

Takaya could not forgive himself for thinking in this manner. Was he once again thinking of escaping reality in this way? Always evading, allowing himself to be forced into a hopeless situation, crying out as he could not solve anything, was he exposing that ghastly appearance of his? Takaya felt a severe burst of pain at his temples, he pressed against his head.

Kaizaki---...

His bearing and actions were extremely similar to Naoe's. He had an exceptionally similar way of speaking. What is that man? How was he capable of passing through the breadth of his mind, invading his innermost being? Why was he so bothered about him? His head hurt. He would go mad if this continued.

"Na...oe...!"

At this moment, an unexpected clamor came from the other side of the room.
Takaya's entire body jumped all of a sudden like a wounded beast, he faced the direction in which the noise originated. The door on the other side of the room flung open, a man attired in Western-styled suit fell onto the floor. His hands had been bound together with rope, losing their freedom of movement.
Then the door closed, the sound of locking came from the outside. The Western-clad man who had been thrown in was around 40 years of age. The man had been unconscious, but owing to the impact from being thrown to the floor he had awoken.

"Nnnh... nnnh..."

Sakaki tossed his head back, looking the predicament he was in.

"Those brats... what on earth..."

He wanted to undo the ropes, however it was too firmly bound, he could not loosen it. Then Sakaki took notice of Takaya on the bed. Of course, Takaya did not know who Sakaki was.

"You... are..."

Sakaki looked at Takaya in alarm, feeling that he had seen this young man from somewhere, after a while he remembered the photograph, and exclaimed 'Ah'.

"Ougi... Takaya...! How can that be!"

Takaya was startled. "How do you know my name?"

"There's no mistake. Why? Why are you in this place?"

"Who are you?"

Sakaki managed with difficulty to prop up his upper body, he faced Takaya.

"I am Sakaki from the special investigation department of the National Security committee. You are Ougi Takaya right. You're an important witness to the events of Strange Area Designated #36, I've a lot of things to ask you."

A special investigator...

Hearing Sakaki's words, Takaya recalled what Ayako had said about 'being saddled with a troublesome individual'. He had heard that they were in the process of investigating the series of happenings that were related to Yami Sengoku, considering Takaya and the others as important witnesses and thus were trying to locate their whereabouts.

Do you want a testimony?

"Why are you here? What's going on? Was it the people of Kyoutake real estate who brought me here? So you're really working with them."

Seeing Sakaki's enthusiasm increase and his torrential questioning, Takaya frowned.
"Someone working with them wouldn't have any reason to be imprisoned here in this way right?"

"Eh..."

Takaya's hands had been chained in handcuffs.
"If you want a testimony, fine. But first you should take a look at the present situation you've gotten yourself into. You were also captured by the Satomi and brought here right?"

"Satomi...? What is that?"

"You've seen Kaizaki right? They are the guys from Kyoutake real estate who want to seize Enoshima."

"What did you say?" Sakaki's eyes grew even wider. "What do you mean by seize? Are they related to city councilor Gotou's death? What about that dream of the Enma Daio by the residents?"

"..."

Takaya hesitated, and mulled over whether to keep silent or tell him the truth of the matter, however silence was apparently not going to work on this investigator who seemed fairly stubborn. Takaya sighed and said.

"City councilor Gotou was killed by the Satomi by jusatsu. This served as a warning to the residents who are dependent on Enoshima and wouldn't leave, cautioning them that if they oppose this project they will become an eyesore to the Satomi."

"Jusatsu...! How can there be such a preposterous thing...!"

"If you don't believe me then forget it." Takaya uttered firmly. "In any case, there isn't an existing law that punishes those who implement jusatsu. No matter how much authority you hold, you people are powerless when it comes to those who cannot be punished by law. There's no need for you to get involved in this muddy situation and lose your life right? Don't investigate this matter any further."

"...!"

What was this manner of speaking that Takaya used when conversing with an adult much older than he was? It made one feel that this was not the behavior of a minor. Moreover, his tone was haughty, it displeased Sakaki.

"Who are you really? We know that you were involved in the string of events that occurred in Matsumoto, Sendai, Nikko, Hiroshima and others. Curses, riding on the back of a dragon and so forth, they're nothing but bullshit. Who are you? Tell me everything like a good boy."

"Even if I told you, you wouldn't believe it right?" Takaya laughed. Then he restored the serious expression on his face once again. "I don't know what those Satomi guys intend to do to you, but it seems like this room's lock can only be opened from the outside. Why don't you just give it up and lie down over there."

"What is this Satomi that you speak of? Why have you been imprisoned in this place?"

Sakaki's unfeeling external appearance was completely contrary to his personality, it seemed like he was a rather long-winded and obstinate man. Like a tortoise, once he gripped onto something he would continue to hold onto it tenaciously. Takaya believed the Satomi had captured a truly bothersome individual, he closed his eyes finding him tedious.

"Hey, I asked you a question. Answer."

"..."

"The reason you don't answer, isn't it because you're actually the mastermind?"

This man was honestly so desperate to use striking words to affect him. Takaya stared at Sakaki fiercely. Sakaki was somewhat overwhelmed by Takaya's glare, he grew silent.

"...More importantly, getting out of here should take precedence over those issues right? If Enoshima isn't recovered from the clutches of the Satomi, the consequences would be terrible."

"Terrible?"

"Enoshima may turn into a group of islands no longer habitable to man."

For the moment, regardless of whether the dead could really return, he could not just lay idle and disregard it since the Satomi had the backing of the Oda. The situation would intensify.
Furthermore, if he allowed things to continue in this way, sooner or later he would be delivered into the hands of the Oda.

"If we don't find a way to get out of here..."

But what could he do? He could not sever the handcuffs and break down the room door as he could not employ his powers. Even if he wanted to utilize a wave of thought and direct it outwards to request for help, due to the installation of some kind of kekkai he could not establish contact with the outside.
Naoe and the others were probably searching for him desperately. If only he could let them know that he was here...

"...!"

At this very moment. Takaya's sixth sense caught the breath of a person. He felt someone outside calling him, Takaya exclaimed 'Ah' as he widened his eyes.

"Naoe?"

"?"

In that moment, Sakaki turned his head towards the door as well. There was the sound of the main entrance being forced open, followed by the patter of running footsteps that drew close and then the cries of the guards. Someone ran over, opened the locks to the room, and roughly opened the door.

"Kagetora-sama!"

"Naoe...!"

Kotarou appeared in the doorway. He bolted to the side of the bed at once, fetching out a key attached to a small keyring from his pocket, Takaya's hands were finally freed after the handcuffs were efficiently unfastened. Takaya suddenly embraced Kotarou's neck deeply, startling Kotarou.

"Kagetora-sama...!"

"..."

Takaya grabbed onto Kotarou firmly, burying his face into the space between Kotarou's neck.

"...Kagetora-sama..."

Takaya shook abruptly, widening his eyes. For a split second he had detected a scent from Kotarou's neck that was clearly not Naoe's. Takaya creased his brows and squinted, after a moment of silence he mumbled lowly beside Kotarou's ear.

"What have you been doing?"

Kotarou was alarmed, he looked at Takaya. Takaya lowered his voice, pressing his lips against his ear and whispered.

"You came so late..."

"..."

Kotarou placed both of his hands, which were trembling slightly, on Takaya's shoulders. Then strongly tore Takaya away from him in one breath.

"Are you hurt?"

Takaya looked at Kotarou as he came back to his senses. "...No."

"My deepest apologies. I made a mistake. At that time, if I had been able to immediately give chase..."

"How did you know I was here?"

"I instructed my subordinates to investigate the Kyoutake-owned apartments that Kaizaki and the others frequented. After that, I received this..." Kotarou took out a silver key and a card about the size of a business card, he showed it to Takaya. "I was told someone handed it to the front desk of the hotel this morning."

"Key..."

It was the key to this apartment. The address of Chigasaki city had been written on the card.

"It is the address to this place. Someone informed us that you have been imprisoned in this place, together with this room's key."

Takaya and the others usually communicated with each other by car phones and pagers, but whenever they could not come into contact in any way, the standard measure was to leave a message at the hotel they were lodged at. In order to immediately know of any news on Takaya, Kotarou had given the hotel receptionist the telephone number of his car, requesting the clerk to call him the moment there was any information.

"There was also this."

The object that Kotarou took out was Koubou Daishi's dokkosho. This was really strange. The dokkosho had always been in this room until just now. Had someone taken it out? Who was the one who had went through all this trouble just to help Takaya? If it was a subordinate of the Satomi, this would be an act of betrayal.

"Kagetora-sama...?"

Takaya's eyes had been fixed on the card all this while.

"Is something the matter?"

"This handwriting..."

Takaya stiffly observed the writing style of the handwritten address. It was a rather regular style of writing. The strokes were extremely natural. The size was suitably moderate and the graceful form of the characters...

"I've seen this before."

"What?"

"This... isn't it similar?"

To your handwriting.
He was about to voice out these words, however Takaya bit them back. It was substituted with eyes that stared relentlessly at Kotarou.

"Do you know who gave this to the front desk? What was his name, what sort of person was he..."

"Apparently the other never stated his name. I heard he was sent there by request. The receptionist said it was a medium-sized man, around 30 years of age, wearing a half-length overcoat."

"..."

Takaya widened his eyes in astonishment. The key to the handcuffs that he had seen last night was indeed still here. It should be in Kaizaki's possession. After Yoshiyori and the others went out, Kaizaki and himself had been the only ones left in this apartment.

I'm thinking too much...

Kaizaki was a subordinate of the Satomi. There was no reason for him to specially aid him in this way. Furthermore that person was aware of the hotel Takaya and the others were staying at, even knowing of the way in which they contacted each other.

But this handwriting...

Was extremely similar to Naoe's. Takaya had not been together with Naoe for so long for nothing. He had long grown accustomed to Naoe's handwriting. He had always envied Naoe's ability to write in such a regular and proper typeface that he himself could never rival.

What if the person who had written this was Kaizaki...?
However he had no reason to help him.

But...

"Kagetora-sama." Kotarou urged with an anxious intonation. "Let us leave quickly. Enoshima has been occupied by the Satomi."

"What?"

"The residents have been forced to shift out of the island. The entrance to the island has been sealed off by the Satomi, there is no way of entering, furthermore the mermaids have appeared in the sea."

"Mermaids?"

"Yes. Apparently they are the 'Yachou' of the Satomi. They will destroy any vessel that comes close to the periphery of the territorial waters of Enoshima, no one can approach via the sea."

Takaya was flabbergasted. The Satomi were indeed aiming to start the 'Method of Connecting to Hell'. Takaya could not use his powers in his current physical state.

"Kaizaki that damn brat, doing this all of a sudden..."

"Is something wrong? Kagetora-sama."

"Anyway, let us first go to Enoshima."

Even if he could not use his powers, he had to think of a way to stop the Satomi. Not to mention that if he wanted to bury the vajra into the cave, he had to go to Enoshima.

What happened to Miura Yoshimoto?

"What mysterious subject are both of you discussing over there! Do you intend to escape by yourselves!"

Takaya turned towards Sakaki, exposing a frustrated expression. If they let him tag along he would definitely be annoying to no end, however they could not just ignore him and cast him aside like this either. Takaya took the short knife from Kotarou's hand and threw it to the floor.

"If you're skilled enough, you should be able to cut the ropes. Do your best."

"Damn... you...!"

Takaya changed into his own clothes, after gesturing to Kotarou by nodding his head, he walked out of the room. Casting his eyes aside, gnashing his teeth in anger, Sakaki cried out 'hateful little rascal' in discontent. Takaya and Kotarou disappeared to the other side of the doorway.

***

Driving rapidly from Chigasaki, Takaya and Kotarou reached the seacoast of Katase. The shops by the sea would usually become incomparably idle in winter unlike in summer where they would be bustling with activity due to tourists bathing in the sea.
However this place was presently swarmed with journalists from the news media and others, anxiously gazing afar at Enoshima.
The entrance to the Enoshima causeway had been completely blockaded, with the policemen and defense guards stationed there to warn the public. They heard that the police and City Hall had justified this blockade to the members of the news media with the reason that 'the seismic activity at the geological fault line near Enoshima had become serious, hence there was a danger of a large scale bulge or cave-in occurring, therefore it has been sealed off'.

"We really can't get close with this situation."

Takaya stood on the beach staring at Enoshima on the other side of the bridge. "Furthermore, they have set up a kekkai. In this way, we have no means of sending in a gohou douji."

"We have to think of a way to infiltrate the area."

"Don't tell me we have to fly in from the sky?"

Takaya showed a somewhat pessimistic expression. Occasionally, something would show its face on the surface of the sea. It was a mermaid. Reportedly, they were the 'Yachou' of the Satomi... They appeared to have the intention of hindering any intruders coming via the sea. During a time of emergency, it would be feasible to use incantations to disperse the mermaids and enter the islands, but what was unfortunate at this moment was that Takaya's body could not use the power of spells. He had to think of other tactics.

"..."

Takaya pondered as he stood in the blustery sea wind. Kotarou, standing to one side, gazed at him stiffly.

"Kagetora-sama." Kotarou called him in this way with an ineffably strange look, Takaya turned his head questioningly. "If by any chance the Night Devil Path is truly capable of bringing back the dead from the underworld..."

"What?"

"If the effected 'Method of Connecting to Hell' is capable of summoning the dead, Kagetora-sama, you..."

Takaya revealed a guarded expression. "What are you trying to say? Naoe."

Kotarou looked slightly hesitant, however he made up his mind to voice it out. "Do you not have someone you wish to call back? If the dead could really return-..."

Upon saying this, Kotarou suddenly came back to his senses. What was he trying to say just now? Did he want to say that this was the opportunity to call Naoe back? Did he want to say that if Takaya wanted to call Naoe back, he could just let the 'Method of Connecting to Hell' be, ignore the implementation of the sorcery? Was he trying to suggest allowing the Night Devil Path to make such a connection?

Takaya widened both his eyes, he looked at Kotarou, who was trembling a little.

"What do you mean... by that..."

"Kagetora-sama..."

"...Want to call someone back... that..."

Kotarou immediately realized his mistake. A glint of fear began to simmer in Takaya's eyes. What Kotarou had said made him feel as though a certain object, buried in one part of the depths of his heart, was about to be dug up, a feeling of danger.

"...Lost... an important..."

"Kagetora-sama, what I said just now..."

"What on earth are you trying to say? If there was such a person then what do you expect me to do..."

"I..., but you..."

"...Impossible..." Takaya shook his head, as though he wanted to negate himself, and said. "It's impossible for a dead person to return. Once they're purified by exorcism that's the end... Death is a one-way street. This act of returning from the other world... can't be done... is impossible to achieve!"

Takaya yelled, clenching his fists.

"Granted, we can send people to another world, but this matter of returning from another world, people are absolutely... incapable of this. It's impossible! Even for the gods, this is one thing that can't be done!"

"..."

"That is what 'death' is, right?"

Takaya's shoulders shivered fiercely. He stared at him with all the strength of his perception, Kotarou could not budge. Takaya lowered his line of sight and gritted his teeth in pain.

He must not compel him. It was too dangerous. Kotarou thought in this way. However Kotarou could not comprehend his reason for bringing up this subject. He obviously knew that this matter would certainly incite panic in Takaya.

Allowing the dead to return in order to turn them into their military strength. This ploy must not be ignored. Of course, this was not a question of ethics but rather an issue of strategy. Obviously, they could not let the enemy move as they please, yet why had he asked Takaya this question?

Was I planning to let Naoe return to this world?

Too foolish. Kotarou dispelled this thought. If that was the case, didn't it appear as though he had indeed fallen in love with Takaya?

Was I thinking that it would be acceptable to merely watch the implementation of the 'Method of Connecting to Hell' if it was for the sake of allowing Saburo-dono to call Naoe back...

It could not be acceptable. He had never been flustered by matters not pertaining to combat. He only had to consider the advantages and disadvantages of a fight, this was all the data he needed for decision-making. It should be this way...

What is the matter with me...

Kotarou could not understand himself.

But...

If it was really possible to call Naoe back from the other world...
The issue of Takaya's heart not having any recollection of Naoe's death. He believed that Naoe was here. Therefore, even if Naoe could really be brought back from the other world, because Naoe was not dead to Takaya, he could not come to a decision.

What is the best thing to do...

Kotarou was at a loss. Wasn't he the only one capable of deciding? If this was the only chance. If this was the only chance of calling Naoe back.

No, even if it was possible, he could not let Naoe return to Takaya's side. If that happens, he would no longer be 'Naoe'. He would not be able to continue as Takaya's aide. The plan to make him return to the Hojo family would then fail.
But Takaya needed the real 'Naoe' more than anyone else. If Takaya were normal, he would definitely hope for Naoe's return. Even if he stayed by his side as a counterfeit, he would only injure him unceasingly, he would only wear him down.

The expression in Takaya's eyes reappeared in his vision.

--Are you no longer interested in me...

If Takaya hoped for it, wasn't it only right that he should bring back that man from the other world no matter how much he had to sacrifice? If Takaya could not survive without that man, shouldn't he bring Naoe back for his sake?

I can't do that sort of thing...!

Kotarou clearly understood. He was plainly aware, why was he still so perplexed?

It should not be this way...!

The man who ought not have any emotions frowned, clenching his teeth painfully. Takaya took notice of Kotarou's manner, he asked earnestly.

"Why... did you ask about that?"

"..."

"You have something to say to me right! Tell me!"

"Saburo...!"

After blurting this out, Kotarou closed his mouth with an 'Ah!'. Takaya wrinkled his eyebrow slightly, he slanted his head and said.

"Naoe...?"

Kotarou was silent.
Takaya, with an unrelenting focus in his eyes, looked directly at Kotarou. An expression that wrapped around him closely as though he was coercing him.
Kotarou could not tolerate it, he cast his eyes away.

At that moment, a man's voice came between the two of them.

"Indeed. The dead cannot return from the other world."

"...!"

Kotarou turned around in shock. Takaya looked over as well.
There was a young man attired in a blue short coat standing there on the beach.

"Yagami..."

"It's good to see you safe. Kagetora-sama."

Yagami, the new leader of the 'Ken En' replied, revealing a faint smile, he briefly stared at Kotarou again, then faced Takaya.

"What were you talking about just now? Yagami."

"It has to do with the Night Devil Path. The channel that will be opened by the 'Method of Connecting to Hell' is not a path leading to the other world at all."

"! ...What did you say!"

"What is going on then?"

"The Night Devil Path that the Satomi want to open, is not for the sake of constructing a road for the dead to return from the other world-" Yagami said, his look was sharp. "Rather, it's an underground tunnel that can transport souls from a distant location."

Takaya's eyes widened. "Underground tunnel?"

"Yes. The object that the Satomi have named as the Night Devil Path, is a kind of underground tunnel. Of course there would be an opening on the ground surface leading to it as well."

"Where?"

"The Asama Grand Shrine at Fujinomiya-shi in the Shizuoka prefecture."

What followed after Yagami's words was the voice of a woman. Ayako and Nikaidou Reiko appeared before Takaya and the others. Ayako almost seemed like she wanted to lunge forward as she happily grabbed onto Takaya's hand.

"You're all right, that's great! Kagetora. I was so worried about you! I just received word from Kotarou, agreeing to meet in this place...!"

"What's going on with that situation you just mentioned? Fujinomiya's Asama Grand Shrine?"

"The nation of Hell is beneath Mt. Fuji, there was such a legend right? But the entrance to the Night Devil Path that the Satomi wish to open is located on Mt. Fuji. The Satomi are planning to draw the large army of the Oda from the entrance at Fuji to this place!"

"What...!" Takaya widened his eyes and asked in reply. "In that case the so-called Night Devil Path is not referring to a road that would lead to the other world, but a conduit to transport the Oda?"

"The region of Fujikawa in Fujinomiya-shi is the place where the border between the dominion of the Oda and the Takeda lies. At present time, conflicts often break out between the two armies in that area."

The Oda had plans to invade the Kanto region, they had been pouring their military strength into the confrontations with the Takeda, Takaya and the others were aware of this. However the Takeda's army at the Fujikawa defense line would not surrender so easily, the Oda had been incapable of overcoming this situation all along, for this reason the plot to capture the Kanto region was delayed and could not proceed smoothly, they were caught in a deadlock.

Hence, the Oda had designed another military strategy.
That is to not break through the Takeda's defense line from the front, a battle tactic of sending their armed forces straight into the Takeda's domain.
From Fujinomiya to Enoshima. Via this secret underground tunnel, the Oda would be able to avoid clashing with the Takeda's powerful army, they could send the troops of their own army into Sagami at one go. If they do not cross swords with the Takeda's military, they would not have to suffer heavy casualties from battle. If they could set up a stronghold at Enoshima, the large army of the Oda could then easily advance towards the central district, the invasion of the Kanto region would then have huge progress.

"With the Oda's military strength, by allying themselves with the Satomi they can easily capture the region of Sagami all the way until Bousou. This includes the central district. The Oda consider the Night Devil Path as a transport channel, it's possible that they will take advantage of the time when the Takeda is caught off-guard and launch a military assault from Sagami which is the Takeda's weak point."

"..."

Takaya and Kotarou listened with imposing expressions.

"So the Satomi wish to carry out the 'Method of Connecting to Hell' in order to transport the Oda's soldiers from Suruga. Not a road leading to the other world..."

"Yes." Yagami nodded clearly. "About a month ago, the Oda's army brought the Fujinomiya district under their control. The Asama Grand Shrine is currently the largest military front-line of the Oda."

"They want to send their soldiers to Enoshima from there right?"

"The 'Method of Connecting to Hell' will be implemented tonight at both Enoshima and Fujinomiya simultaneously."

Ayako anticipated Takaya's following question, and answered in advance.

"Nagahide has gone to Fujinomiya. He said to leave the situation over there to him. We have to stop the implementation of the curse on Enoshima. At Fujinomiya, even if we obstruct them this time, as long as it's still under the influence of the Oda, they'll be able to recover and carry it out regardless of how many times we hinder them. Therefore, we've to concentrate on Enoshima's fuuketsu. In order to prevent the execution of the curse, we have to seal the entrance of the fuuketsu."

Takaya's eyes were brimming with the will to fight, he looked disparagingly at Enoshima. They were a group of lush green islands that extended horizontally across the sea on the other side of the undulating waves.

"In order to carry out the 'Method of Connecting to Hell' the Satomi are also planning to exploit the power of Enoshima's Benzaiten."

Reiko uttered after Ayako had spoken. Takaya wrinkled his brows.

"Who are you?"

"I'm a special investigator, my name is Nikaidou."

Reiko replied firmly. Vouching for her, Ayako said.

"I told you yesterday evening right? She'll be providing us with her assistance. The ability of this person's soul can be trusted."

Reiko continued once more. "In order to borrow the power of Benzaiten, they need Benzaiten's yorishiro. Suga Natsuo-san was kidnapped yesterday."

"Kidnapped? Don't tell me she's...!"

"Exactly. They intend to use Natsuo-san as a living yorishiro." Ayako's expression grew solemn. "It won't be good if we don't save her as soon as possible. An ordinary person is incapable of bearing that kind of load, if she becomes Benzaiten's yorishiro, she'll die if it's not done properly."

"Then, we have to prevent the 'Method of Connecting to Hell'...!"

Takaya grew silent, he pondered over a countermeasure for dealing with the situation.
It was already dark. The curse would be carried out tonight, there was not much time left.

"I've understood the situation."

"Kagetora-sama."

"In order to stop the curse, we must infiltrate the islands no matter what. Let's draw up a battle plan. I'll take command from now on."

Ayako and Yagami nodded deeply. Takaya expression had changed to that of a calm and composed leader.

"Immediately gather information. We have to be sure of Suga-san's whereabouts. Yagami, mobilize the 'Ken En' for war, locate her within several hours. Go immediately."

"Understood!"

After Yagami responded, he turned and hurried towards the harbor. Takaya turned towards Ayako.

"Haruie, where did you get this information from? How is it that you even know of the Satomi's true..."

"Nagahide told me."

"Chiaki?"

Takaya exposed an expression of bewilderment. This was surprising. Chiaki should be in Yokohama conducting an investigation into other matters, such as thwarting the Takeda's transportation schemes. His tracks had been lost after fighting with Yamagata. How did he suddenly obtain information about the Satomi?

...Something is fishy.

Takaya could not refrain from feeling suspicious.

Kotarou quietly looked at Takaya in that manner.

--The dead will not return.

He felt relieved at this fact. Why?
Beneath that false mask of an expressionless face, Kotarou could not understand himself.

---

Original fiction © Kuwabara Mizuna.