Thursday, December 21, 2017

Book 18 Chapter 26 沈黙の鎌

He was infected with an evil virus.
Chiaki tut-tutted as he looked at Takaya. Once his soul was struck with ghosts of suspicion, it was not easy to curb its multiplying effects. With Naoe having snatched away the seat of the general and the order for his erasure seemingly from Kenshin, Kagetora had lost the foundation for his 'standing'.

This is stupid!

Neither of them knew who was going to attack first. They braced themselves for battle and less than a second later, they both made their move. Thus the battle began. Takaya bent his knees like a wild lion. With his fingers on the ground, he lowered his back and the power of his entire body was concentrated in his abdomen. Chiaki knew that he was amassing a huge amount of power whenever he assumed this posture.

He was coming at full strength! --Chiaki did not waver despite perceiving how dangerous the situation was and released a Wave right in front of him...! Then Takaya's tensed muscles propelled his body into the air!

"What...!"

Takaya charged forward at almost the same time that Chiaki shot his incantations at him. He scattered the incantations, which were like an assassin's bullets, one after another as he dashed forward without looking to his left or right.

"Ch!"

Chiaki immediately created a thick wall. Then something profoundly heavy hit him. Chiaki turned pale. He had never experienced this before. Takaya was not attacking using incantations. But what was this unusual pressure pushing him from the front!

His fighting spirit has changed into pressure!

He had never encountered such a phenomenon until now...!

"Damn it!"

Creak. The former leader cracked his defense. His barrier could not hold and was smashed to pieces. This power level was certainly not that of an ordinary onshou ...!

"Ohhh....!"

In the face of Takaya's incantation, which hit him like an avalanche of earth and rocks, Chiaki endured by curving his body. It was like a bomb blast. With strenuous effort, he put up a Goshinha and screamed,

"Like hell I'd let you....!"

He pushed back as he shouted while Takaya firmly planted both his legs on the ground. It was now a contest of brute strength. Chiaki did not finish his sentence and concentrated on pressuring Takaya's lungs. Takaya was in agony as he could not breathe. At this rate, Takaya could end up suffocating to death but Chiaki did not loosen his grip. No, he could not afford to relax his power. If he were to retreat a little, Takaya's incantation would burst through and Chiaki's flesh and bones would be shredded to pieces.

"Ch!"

With a muffled groan, Takaya mustered his strength and glared back with ferocious eyes. Chiaki's mouth opened suddenly.

"!"

His throat was obstructed. Hard blocks of air were stuffed in from his mouth to his esophagus. The area below his stomach was being tightened as air continued to be crammed in to the point of possibly rupturing his inner organs...!

It can't be...!

He felt the relentlessly increasing danger from this sensation of bloatedness. Even if he wanted to stop him, there was no way to do so!

"Ga... arrgh!"

Drip. Takaya's left ear began to bleed. Chiaki barely managed to counterattack. He wanted to destroy his semicircular canals to take away his attacking strength but Takaya was not so naive to allow that. Just by looking at him, he flung Chiaki's body backwards.

"Urgh!"

Chiaki hit a stone monument. Takaya hammered his incantations at his rebounding body. However, Chiaki's real body was not there. He had stealthily substituted it with an illusion. Chiaki was actually standing beside Takaya. He attacked as Takaya turned in surprise...!

The concrete ground between them shattered violently. Takaya's incantation collided directly against Chiaki's attack. A shockwave shook through the surrounding area, the ground shattering to pieces in concentric ripples. Chiaki protected his body from the rebounding shockwave but Takaya sprung back into action.

What!

A shockwave now twice the size of the first struck Chiaki's body.

"Ohhh!"

He protected his body with all the power that he had. Takaya relentlessly created incantations with both of his fists. They were heavy, dense incantation bombs. A kanshousha could not be exorcised if his physical body was still alive. Should he sustain a direct hit, there was no doubt this body would be ripped into pieces of flesh...!

Takaya launched an attack. He aimed at Chiaki and dealt a finishing blow.

A thunderous roar shook the outer rim of the crater. Earth and sand were blown up and a huge crevice appeared in Daikanbou. Severed arms and legs dropped before Takaya's eyes. Although Takaya was covered with a rain of earth and sand together with blood and pieces of flesh, he was not fooled by it.

He turned around and shot an incantation. Another incantation collided with it, creating a bomb blast.

"Ch!"

As one would expect, Takaya was trying his hardest to endure this fight. The cloud of dust began to clear and Takaya saw on the far opposite side that Chiaki Shuuhei was down on one knee, glaring at him. His arms and legs were clearly still attached. Chiaki had created an illusion in an attempt to make him think that he had been ripped to pieces.

He was breathing hard. His bleeding eyes were proof that both were serious in this fight. Chiaki had taken substantial damage and could not create another illusion. Takaya also had unhealed wounds on his body that were considerably painful and his face had turned pale.

"Your incantations are really like the axe of the devil."

Chiaki told him through disordered breathing. He honestly did not think that it would be this terrifying. The situation was different than what he initially expected. This was the first time Chiaki experienced how frightening it was to be seen by him as the enemy.

I've never seen all of his potential as an opponent.

No, to begin with it was not something he would be able to see. His [Kagetora] power grew according to how strong his enemy was. If he were to fight against a god, he would definitely exhibit god-like powers. The thought of that made him tremble. It must be infinite. In truth, he would never have known this sort of fear if not for this fight against him.

"After these 400 years, I finally know your true character. Kagetora. Your power is the sickle of the death god. The guys you've defeated are not killed. Their heads are laid at the mercy of your sickle, right?"

There was pain somewhere in Takaya's eyes but he remained quiet. Chiaki began to detest this beast from the bottom of his heart. Although wounded, he did not seem to know the limits of his fighting strength. Only murderous power, like the instinct of a flesh-eating beast, remained. It was the type of power source that gave rise to the most dangerous of 'slaughters'. He was driven by the impulse that he had to seriously defeat this man at all costs.

"...I will smash that death god's sickle."

His voice trembled a little at the end of his sentence. He filled his body up with power once again.

"If I do that, you'll also be at ease, won't you!"

He energized his will power and attacked with incantations. Takaya deflected all of his attacks with multiple times the power.

Damn it...!

Chiaki did not have enough power to counter all of the incantations. Eventually, he took a direct hit and was thrown backwards. Despite that, Takaya braced himself with more power. But the moment he wanted to attack...

"!"

What...

Takaya's face stiffened unnaturally. The abnormality in him had reared its head. Immediately, the surrounding concrete began to burst in disorderly fashion like living things. It was like planted mines exploding at random.

"Kagetora...?!"

"Ahhhh...!!"

The incantations were not directed at Chiaki but were going out of control as Takaya was pressing his temples with his hands. It was a strange scene of chaos. Tiles and stones were mysteriously bursting, crumbling, intensely colliding in mid-air and innumerable sparks scattered about in the darkness. He could not control his incantations. Right in the center of this, Takaya crouched down without screaming.

His powers are going berserk!

Thinking in this way, Chiaki fiercely kicked the earth and ran towards Takaya through the chaotic debris. Chiaki took an aim at Takaya, who had a startled face, and seemed about to attack with an incantation but did not do so. He swung his fist instead.

Punched in the stomach, Takaya collapsed. At the same time, the tiles and stones dropped to the ground in a clattering chorus. Chiaki pinned Takaya down.

Takaya, while gasping for breath, looked up at Chiaki bent over him.

"...You're not going to kill me?"

"You still can't really control your powers."

Kagetora frowned in pain.

"There's absolutely nothing to be proud of beating a guy who isn't in top form. There's no meaning in it for me."

"..."

"You came here to die, didn't you?"

Takaya's eyes widened suddenly. But soon after, he smiled.
"That's absurd..."

"I'll not play this game of assisting in someone's suicide. If you want a real match though, I'll be all up for it."

Chiaki pushed away Takaya, who was still stiff with caution, and said,

"Your face says that I'm a traitor. If you want to think that way, go ahead and think as you please. It's of no concern to me. I don't care either way. It has nothing to do with me, what Kenshin is going to do, what you'll turn out to. ...If you don't believe me, that's fine. Considering how much of a brat you are, with your delusional persecutions, you won't listen no matter I say anyway, right? I've no problem just leaving you here right here. I can just disappear if you like. But your habit of forcing yourself into delusions all the time to carry on like some spoiled child is the one thing I can't tolerate."

Takaya recoiled and his eyes grew more intense. However, Chiaki ignored him.

"You said you heard about the new Uesugi from Takemata. Did he say anything about Kaizaki?"

"Kaizaki..."

The name of the man that he did not want to come into contact with was mentioned. Takaya panicked and an even greater look of repulsion and caution appeared on his face.

"Why do you mention... him..."

"You haven't heard?"

Takaya's eyes widened.
He realized that he had never really thought of the position occupied by that man called Kaizaki Makoto.

Kaizaki is someone who is dependent on the Ootomo.

The Ootomo was an ally of the new Uesugi. Where Naoe was concerned, this fact was not a coincidence. In the first place, there was no reason a modern person who 'wanted to break away from onshou' had to be exiled from the Ootomo. Not to mention that the Ootomo have allied themselves with the new Uesugi which was rather unusual.

What if Kaizaki is a member of the new Uesugi?

He had betrayed the Satomi but what if he was already with the new Uesugi at that point? What if he had already secretly joined forces with Naoe? Kaizaki wanted to destroy the Satomi from the very beginning. Under Naoe's instructions, he helped to wipe out the Satomi. Of course, there was no proof for this. But Naoe must have instructed him to save Takaya. What if it was Naoe's planning in the background that settled that incident?

...If that's the case

What if Kaizaki Makoto was also a part of Naoe's scheme...
Ha, Takaya laughed. Suddenly, he had a careless look in his eyes.

"So that's what it was all about..."

"What?"

"I finally understand it. Naoe ordered that man to get close to me, didn't he? To cunningly soothe me, manipulate me and use whatever that can be used of me. And after he's exposed, he would've erased me, wouldn't he? That's why he said and did all that. To take advantage of my weakness. By saying those incomprehensible things, throwing me into desperate confusion...!"

"Did something happen between you and Kaizaki?"

"Is that the reason he's so similar to Naoe? Saying things that only Naoe would say. Naoe has exposed my weakness and everything about me to Kaizaki. They're conspiring with each other. Naoe has seen through everything. Like how to attack me so that I'll lose my confidence, how to placate me so that I'll be trusting, how to handle me in any situation, he knows everything. It's like he's saying that in the past men had sex with me because I invited it, because I tempted men I didn't know by opening my heart and body to them, by being naked and shamelessly crying out in pleasure, he must have seen this somewhere and is laughing at me. Exposing my old wounds to make me lose my pride, my confidence, by making me play the woman, he wants to show me just how dirty of a person I am, doesn't he...! He took advantage of my fragile points, said incomprehensible things to confuse me, in order to have his revenge on me, in order to thoroughly exploit me!"

"Kagetora!"

"In order to torment to death the one who has made him suffer all this while!"

Takaya could not endure it and shook his head violently.

"No, I've never believed in that sort of man. The lies, saying things like his place in life is to be by my side. It's shallow sympathy. I'm not such a fool to believe that. All that talk about his place in life being here, always and forever. That I am his life. That no matter how many times he changes bodies, I am his only life. Does he want to kill me! Light words. I've never believed them from the start. He'll find his next precious life after he changes, right, just like how kanshou works. Because people are all like kanshousha. Something which you assume to be the one and only one can so easily be replaced with another!"

"Calm down, Kagetora."

"Even though he said that I'm the only one! ...He still... still did this to me. That narcissist with a persecution complex! I almost fell into his trap. I was almost deceived. It's fine that he has left! It's fine that he and everyone else have left! I don't need anyone. I won't fall into that man's trap! Completely deny me as much as you want. That man is the only one I'll never forgive. I will deny that man! That man is the only one I will not lose to in this world. Just that man alone. I definitely won't, not a second time, not ever!"

"You're the one not making any sense! Kagetora!"
Yelling, Chiaki clutched onto Takaya's wrist as if he was going to tear it off.
"I don't know if you're complaining or being paranoid but I really can't follow you. Is what Kaizaki said and did so similar to Naoe? If that's the case, you already knew at that point!"

Takaya was startled and looked frightened. Chiaki continued with feelings of desperation.

"If you don't get it, I'll tell you what is actually going on. You've realized Kaizaki's true identity despite your condition. Do you remember the strange thing you blurted out after meeting Kaizaki? You said Naoe didn't die, you said that he's alive. Even though you negated Naoe's 'death', at that moment, you understood!"

"I don't know what you're talking about..."

"Enough with this and wake up already! Now that we've come to this point, there's no need to cling onto your hypnotism. I'm really fed up with you. I've had enough of putting up with your degree of stupidity. If you want to accuse people so badly, come back to reality and do it!"

Chiaki grabbed Takaya's collar.

"You still not get it, do you? You've been running away all this time. You've been running away from your inability to deal with the loss of Naoe. The gods must also be exasperated. Because you're so beyond rescue that they just let you be. Yes, Naoe still exists right now. He's still around because of you. The situation has changed. So stop with this meaningless monkey show already! ... Ever since Hagi, the one you believed to be Naoe is Fuuma Kotarou. You went mad! Naoe was killed. In losing him, you exploded and went mad with your escape!"

Takaya gasped, as if he had woken up from a daydream, and widened his eyes.

"Fuuma Kotarou..."

"You don't have any memory of Naoe dying, do you? Of course you don't, because you've warped them. Haruie and the others went along with your ruse so that you wouldn't be reminded of the truth, because it'll be bad if you were to die from madness. For two years...!"

Takaya's eyes remained wide open. He was listening without moving in the slightest. Kikkawa Motoharu had also said something similar. Although Kousaka had said it was a 'consolatory lie', just a little while back when they parted, Motoharu had also said the same thing. --That he thought Takaya continued with this in order to find solace...

Kaizaki Makoto also mentioned this but with a different meaning. He referred to it as a 'nightmare' and said that he was a 'fake'. Takaya had yet to honestly and calmly think about why they had all said the same thing despite having different interests.

"Naoe wasn't killed."

"Right. Because you ran away from that."

"But you all... can't be trusted..."

"Right. You don't trust us. Because in your current state, everyone is the enemy so you don't trust anyone. But are the words of people you don't trust all lies? Did my words not ring a bell somewhere? Can you honestly say it absolutely didn't!"

He could not. Takaya could not deny it. It was true he could not completely trace back his memories. His memories were different from the past. His memories were warped. Kagetora had once erased the past. 'Naoe's death' . 'A miracle happened'. Motoharu did not just make up a story to put his mind at ease. What if he had tried very hard to tell him the truth?

"If you think I'm the enemy then this will be my final show of kindness to you. An insane guy isn’t qualified to suspect others!"

"I... didn't go... insane..."

"Then prove it. Prove to me that you didn't go insane!"

Takaya desperately shut his eyes and pulled the memories of that incident. But this time there was confusion as he did not know what was what. Which was certain? Which was the truth? Gradually, he did not even know where he was. Takaya pressed against his temples with all his strength.

"I don't know... I don't know..."

"If you don't know, I'll help you. If you want to know where your construction of this reality starts and ends, I'll help you! I'll dig into your head with my hand, pull out all of your memories with my power!"

Takaya screamed. Chiaki's thought incantation started to reach into his spirit. He thrust his finger into Takaya's soul against his will with a type of power that if used seriously could transform a person’s personality.

"...!"

The feeling of pressure choked his breath. It was like thrusting one's arm into the womb of a cattle in order to grab onto the legs of the cub and pull it out. No, more than that, Takaya was in a state of violent, intense confusion. 

"I'll take out this pus that has grown in you and let you see it!"

"...Ahhhh!"

His soul was being wrenched open and the images that had been tucked away gushed out from his heart’s receptacle like the flow of soil and stone. He was unhinged by the tender, exposed sensation of being ransacked by a foreign object that finally, even his emotions were in turmoil. He was crying out in a ragged voice. All of a sudden...

"!"

Chiaki eased on his power in response. He had touched something so unnaturally fragile at the center that he was shocked. No, he had come so dangerously close that had he gone a little further he would have crushed it.

What was that...

It felt like rotten fruit. Upon touching it, Chiaki had immediately relaxed his power, He thought that Takaya's heart had stopped because the latter's body had jolted and started to convulse.

"You... what was that..."

Takaya was limp and did not move.

"What are you hiding? What happened to you? Don't tell me the reason your powers are going berserk is because..."

Had he done something drastic?
Sensing something out of the ordinary behind him, Chiaki sharply turned around. A large shadow jumped out of the darkness, covering the moon as it flew over him, as if concealing it. 

"What!"

It was a huge leap, its sharp claws just barely missing him. Chiaki's eyes widened. A silver creature had appeared. It landed lithely right beside Takaya and let out a thunderous roar. It was a huge beast. Its entire body seemed to radiate the light of the moon. It was a large tiger.

A reijiuu! ...Is Kotarou here!

The silver tiger stood before Takaya as if protecting him. With a powerful launch, it charged at Chiaki once again. 

"Ch!"

The sharp claws of its powerful forelegs glinted. There was no doubt that Kotarou had released this being to protect Takaya but he had never seen a silver reijuu before. Chiaki instantly shot an incantation at it. However, the tiger defiantly bared its teeth and aimed for his windpipe. He put up a goshinha but could not stop the momentum of the tiger coming at him head on. He was thrown backwards, his back slamming against a stone monument with immense impact. He collapsed groaning.

"Kage... tora..."

Takaya was crouching and holding his head. His eyes were wide open with tears welling in them, his blue lips trembling like a madman as he went on muttering about something. As the reijuu howled at Chiaki like he was the threat, it moved closer to Takaya's side. Then it burrowed its head under Takaya's body, lifted him up and eagerly rubbed itself against his body. Stimulated by that touch, an awareness returned to Takaya's eyes.

"You..." he said with a hoarse voice, "Didn't you die at Hagi city?"

It seemed like Takaya had confused the tiger with the thing that had protected him at Hagi. He remembered the drizzle at Toukouji on that morning where he was also holding a tiger. The tiger's body was warm. He buried his face into its fur and his unease began to seep away. He remained still like this for a while.

"That was... a different tiger..."

Takaya trembled slightly at the sound of Chiaki's voice.

"Kotarou... protected you... The one who protected you all this time was not Naoe... not Naoe..."

Takaya closed his eyes in pain and continued to bury his face in its fur. --But the one who has been by my side all this while is certainly Naoe. His voice, his form. It has always been Naoe.

"Saying that he isn't Naoe... I can't... believe that..."

"Right now, that's the one thing you can't accept."

"But you all can't be trusted..."

Takaya knotted his brow in anguish. He could not believe in others. He had no support for himself either. The fact was... --There was only one truth and he found it. This was the only one. Takaya was left with only one truth...

"Naoe is just not by my side right now..."

Chiaki's reply remained in his throat. Looking at Chiaki, Takaya's eyes narrowed. He slowly stood up as if protecting an injury.

"...You too... I don't need you with me anymore."

"Ka...getora..."

Takaya narrowed his eyes painfully and murmured, "Goodbye, Chiaki."

Did his fear and doubt run that deep? No, even if Chiaki were an ally, Takaya had already decided to go on alone. Did he feel that he could not accept anyone's help? Did he feel that he had to settle this by himself?

Takaya himself was exhausted.
I will tell Naoe when I see him, Takaya said in a haggard voice.

"If you want to kill me, come and do it yourself."

"Where do you intend to go... all by yourself, Kagetora..."
Gathering his strength, Chiaki shouted.
"Narita has come to Kumamoto right now. Narita has come, okay, to Kojou High."

Takaya's shoulders jumped in surprise. Hearing about Yuzuru should have made Takaya stay. But contrary to his expectation that Takaya would turn around in shock, he only replied, "I see," and nodded.

"Naoe might have summoned him."

What...

Chiaki did not know that Yuzuru was the reincarnation of Kagekatsu. Takaya quietly stroked the head of the reijuu then slowly walked in the direction of the valley, descending through the grass.

"Don't be impulsive, Kagetora! Not everything has been decided. There are still people in the Uesugi who are on your side! Those who have followed you up till now won't just abandon you!"

He tried to chase after him but his body hurt so badly that he could not. Takaya continued on. Chiaki's voice was drowned by the strong wind. The two shadows descended into the valley and before long, dissolved into the darkness. Chiaki eventually managed to stand even though he was still weak.

That guy...

"Kagetora-sama...! Kagetora-sama!!"

Chiaki turned around upon hearing the voice behind him. A man came running along the long gravelly road leading from the car-park. The moonlight illuminated the man's face. Chiaki was surprised. The man was also surprised by the sight of Chiaki.

"You are Ya... Yasuda-sama."

The one who appeared was Takemata Yoshitsuna. He should have remained at Kokuzou shrine but, concerned about Kagetora, he had slipped past the watchguards and managed to chase him all the way here.

"You!"

Chiaki directed his anger at Takemata. Takemata also knew from Hakkai that Chiaki was not included in the new Uesugi yet.

"I... I... Yasuda-sama."

"You've come at just the right time. Takemata Yoshitsuna."
Chiaki compelled him with a demonic expression as Takemata drew back.
"What Kenshin has done and is doing, explain all of it to me starting from the very beginning."

***

At the same time, at Saiganden temple in Asobouchuu, Hakkai and the others were busy with operations.

"Remember. Do not let him take any action. Even if you use the chains make sure he is really detained."

Hakkai instructed his subordinates and got into the car. The full-out battle atmosphere at Daikanbou could be sensed at Saiganden temple. Daikanbou was not that far away. Even if it was, they would still be able to sense that intense clash of powers. Moreover, as members of the Uesugi, they knew perfectly well the identities of the fighters.

"I shall go verify the situation. If you see him [Naoe] trying to act recklessly again, stop him even if you have to use your body. He must not leave this place. It could influence the outcome of the war."

In actual fact, he [Naoe] was in no condition to move. Considering that it was now night, his efforts would probably be in vain. He had collapsed from a high fever after the discussion with Aso Koremitsu and now his condition was such that just getting up was difficult. Even so, his anxiety over Kagetora's situation had made him impulsive and Hakkai had no choice but to shoot him with tranquilizers to knock him out. Now he was under watch, asleep in the center of his residence.

"I will leave it to you, Hakkai-dono."

Sending him off at the entrance of the temple was the Uesugi commander by the name of Yoshie Kagesuke. He had been dispatched to Kyushu together with Takemata and under Naoe's orders, he had joined forces with Aso Koremitsu. Hakkai nodded,

"Once we find Kagetora-sama, we will turn him over to the custody of our Nokizaru."

"Indeed. Right now, he should concentrate on accomplishing the 'Taika Rinhou'. As the new general of the Uesugi, there are many things he must do."

The current alliance with the Ootomo was not only important for the new Uesugi... but for Naoe himself as well. Hakkai knew that. The ability of the new general was being questioned. They were concerned about whether Naoe Nobutsuna can be the man responsible for the new Uesugi.

That person's leadership ability is being put to the test.

Naoe was more sensitive to judgment than any one else. His pride was immense and his avarice, stronger than most others. Although he disliked openly showing off because of his stoic personality, one could tell he was quietly burning with ambition in response to the current situation.

Did Naoe not realize this or was he pretending not to realize this?

He looked like he had some feelings of guilt, having defeated Kagetora by becoming the general.

"I accepted this position because it can't be helped.” This was the stance he adopted but (were those his true feelings?) within this one year, the approach he took to work was definitely not the sort of half-heartedness usually associated with the attitude of “it can't be helped".

If Kagetora was the type of leader who drew people in with his power, Naoe was the type who boosted and mustered the organization. He was the kind of leader who obtained the trust of his subordinates by showing his passion for his work.

In Hakkai's eyes, he appeared more at ease than during the time when he was Kagetora's right hand man although he could not specify when this started to become obvious. There was no sign at all that he was playing the role of acting leader.

Perhaps, from the start, he was more suited to be the 'king of the castle'. It was not readily apparent because his restraint was so effective but he somehow knew the viewpoint of those who always stood above him and the things that these people thought about.

If that were the case, he understood very well what Kagetora had done up till now. When one with leadership traits clashed with another of similar ilk, one of them would definitely have to concede. The one who gave way was Naoe. It was only natural since he was the retainer however back then, Kagetora's leadership ability was probably higher than Naoe's. If Naoe was to succeed him, the state of the organization would subtly change. The Uesugi was Kagetora's one man team. No, it was also a way for Kagetora to make Naoe surrender to him, sometimes more than necessary. Hit by someone of similar ability, it seemed that Naoe was defeated.

Naoe was under Kagetora's authority for 400 years, choking himself in order to continue on. 
Losers who share his nature usually become bitter. Extremely possessive people tend to become severe when suppressed. --That was for 400 years. 400 years. (By the way, the Yashashuu's 400 years differed from the 400 years experienced by Hakkai and the others. They could 'sleep' during times of peace but the Yashashuu must 'live' throughout the entire period. )

Kagetora and Naoe's relationship probably took a turn for the worse because Naoe had reached his limits of being suppressed, or at least that was what Irobe had said.

--By becoming the leader of this new organization, Naoe will be freed from this.

However, he knew what was going to happen from now on. Naoe was not going to get away with being compared against Kagetora even if he does not want it. The real test began now. "Perhaps it is because of the turn over of power but he is nervous about what others think of him," said Irobe. He obviously felt pressure except that now he seemed to be hiding a whole host of other feelings but...

--It would be better if he wasn't so bothered by what other people think. 

Still, this might be more suitable for him than being suppressed.

Either way, someday Naoe-sama will have to... Kagetora-sama...

Hakkai spoke to Yoshie with a deliberately calm tone of voice to shake off the feeling of sorrow that came into him.

"I will search for Kagetora-sama. I shall leave the place in your charge."

After leaving some final instructions to his subordinates, he stepped on the accelerator and headed towards Daikanbou.

Somehow, I have taken an interest in you, Naoe-sama.

On an emotional level, Hakkai was, even now, on Kagetora's side. To be perfectly honest, he had no interest in the fact that Naoe was more than just a guardian to Kagetora. When he first heard that Naoe was to replace Kagetora as the general, he had felt extreme repulsion. He initially thought he was not competent enough.

I have no choice but to show support considering that this is my job but

Even now, he still did not feel that he was better than Kagetora.

So why am I devoting all of my energy for your sake, sometimes even more than is necessary...

This was slightly different than loyalty but--

Regardless of what would become of Kagetora in the end, right now he was focused on securing the person in question.

If he is in Akechi's hands, I must take him back even if I have to use my full power.

It was 1AM, in the deep of the night at Aso valley, when Hakkai solemnly made his way towards Daikanbou. 

***

What on earth happened to Kumamoto?
Tetsuya was sitting on his scooter in a state of shock as he surveyed the situation.

Miike Tetsuya had returned to the city after speeding back on his scooter and was now at the disaster scene near Musashizuka. Prior to reaching the place, Tetsuya was puzzled by the massive traffic jam but managed to make his way through by slipping past the sides of the vehicles. He ended up in a place where numerous vehicles were stacked on top of each other. Tetsuya gulped without thinking.

What on earth is this?

The vehicles were like mini cars piled on top of one another with apparent ease and were obstructing the road. Also bizarre was that further in, all of the street lamps were cleanly sliced through the center. The asphalt road was lined with cracks, parts of it coarsely smashed. The ambulance had yet to arrive so the injured and the people nursing them loitered anxiously about the vehicles damaged by the accidents.

"That's!"

Right in front of him, a female high school student was being helped out of the drivers seat of a car which had crashed into the guardrail. She was wearing the Kojou High sailor-styled uniform.

Inaba...

Inaba Akemi!
Tetsuya was surprised. He immediately rushed over.

"Inaba! Hey, Inaba!"

Wading through the crowd of people, Tetsuya hurried to Akemi's side. It seemed like she had taken a wrong turn and crashed the car.

"You know her?"

"Inaba, why are you here! Weren't you taken hostage!"

Chiaki had planned to rescue this girl.
It seemed like Akemi was unconscious but when her name was called, her eyes opened slightly. She recognized Tetsuya. 

"...Tet-chan?"

"Are you okay? Does it hurt anywhere?"

The airbag worked so there were no serious, external injuries. Due to the impact of the collision, she was instantly freed from the jyako's hypnotism. 

"I was... taken at Nanbashi..."

Akemi did not remember driving the car. Tetsuya looked around at the cars that had crashed. He never expected to find Inaba in one of these overturned cars.

Tetsuya looked down the road. There was a power blackout inside the city. He could hear a roar but assumed it was the howl of the wind. If that came from humans, it would be the eeriest thing he ever heard. 

"Uncle, please take her to the hospital."

"Huh, where are you going?"

Tetsuya got onto his scooter and rode down the uneven road towards the city center.

"Hey, it's dangerous over there! Hey you!"

What the hell! What's happening here!

He could not stand it. He did not want to think that all of this was Hokage's fault but if it was, he had to get her back. 

The road was a complete disaster. Many times the scooter's tires got stuck causing him to fall over but Tetsuya persevered.

I won't lose to this!

Hokage had flown away... 
Tetsuya remembered the old tale he heard from his grandmother when he was a child. It was a story about the people who lived in Aso a long time ago. 

--In ancient times, the Himuka clan members flew freely in the sky.

His grandmother told the Miike about the Himuka people by way of an ancient fairy tale. Tetsuya and Hokage had enjoyed listening to their grandmother tell them this story by their bedside every night. 

All those who had the Himuka blood could fly in the sky. In doing so, they fought diligently against evil people. Both of you also have the Himuka blood flowing through your veins so you might one day be able to fly in the sky. 

Taking the words of his grandmother, who always told this story with a smile on her face, for the truth, he jumped off a cliff once and was badly injured. At that time, he had labeled his grandmother a liar, blaming her for causing him such pain but...

Was it the truth? Grandma

--The so-called 'Flying Bird' technique...

Haruya had revealed this--

Nobody told him anything about Asara because he was still not a fully fledged Hafuriko. The adult Hafuriko, who knew something about Asara, appeared to think of her emergence as something joyous and auspicious. His grandmother had happily said, "With Asara's emergence, as long as Hokage lives, we will not suffer any losses due to the cold weather." The Hafuriko were probably told that she was the 'Guardian Deity of the Frost'. However, only the Tamamori knew the real reason why there should be cause for joy. 

Like a criminal...

During the festival, the Tamamori did not even smile once. He had a pale face throughout, his brow knitted in pain and his cheeks, stiff. It was such a huge contrast to the Hafuriko that Tetsuya found it strange.

They shouldered the sin, committed by their ancestors, of going against Asara's wishes and this matter was definitely part of the prayers. In fact, it took up nearly the entire duration of the Shinto ritual. The Tamamori did not just inherit Asara and Kihachi's long cherished desire. The sinful cross of letting 'Asara' die was carried by the Tamamori of every generation. 

Please forgive us, they said. 
They had betrayed their purpose for being born. Despite that, they wanted to live for themselves. They did not want any conflict. They just wanted to carry on with the livelihood they desired. That was why they let Asara die. They did not wish to beckon the Asara god who brought carnage. 

Have you forgotten the grudge stemming from having been killed by the people of Yamato? Have you discarded the intense chagrin and hatred that could almost burn a hole through one's chest? Who do you think you have to thank for being alive today?

The Tamamori of every generation heard their ancient ancestor's wrath and prayed. Please forgive us, they said. They understood the pain but they could not just change the way they lived.

The descendants were born bearing their ancestor's crime of having betrayed Kihachi. It was difficult to escape from this sin, much like the original sin.
But there was no Holy Mother to grant them forgiveness.

-- We want to be forgiven...

How had Haruya felt when he tried to kill Hokage? At that time, Tetsuya noticed he had tracks of tears on his cheeks when he lifted Haruya in his arms.

He felt like his chest was being torn to pieces. There was nothing but regret. There was more regret than resentment. He had let his father die and now he had let Hokage almost die because of this blood in him. This blood conspired to kill the people who were important to him. It took them away from him. And yet, this blood was also the reason he was alive this very moment. 

Damn it...! Damn it!

Gripping the throttle harder, he shouted in frustration. 
He had been brought up in tradition since young. The Tamamori and Hafuriko were natural aspects of his life. He thought it was normal for the world to have such things.

However, they did not know that their mother had divorced their father when they were still children. Tetsuya was five years old when he saw his mother get into the car of a man he did not know. He had not seen her since then so he had even forgotten her face. He heard from someone that his father's uncle had said that the young lady that was his mother could not get used to the customs of this family.

Since young, he had been taught to treat his 'blood' as important. He was not allowed to donate blood under any circumstance. He was told it was not something that could simply be given to anyone.

Then came his father's appointment as the Tamamori and subsequent death. Following that, his relatives treated them coldly like they were some tumorous existence. It was as if they had done something bad. But after that Shinto bonfire rite, only Hokage's personality changed. Hokage had been touched by the gods. Tetsuya was repulsed by the sense of incongruity and started to have doubts about this family's way of life once she left junior high school. 

-- Why, Father...

Tetsuya and Hokage were not even allowed to see his body. The Hafuriko who had stopped them, everyone in fact, appeared like huge demons to the two children. All of the Tamamori were buried when they died except for his father, who did not get a proper funeral and was cremated. All the events of the past now flashed in his mind one after the other. 
They said that he was killed. They said that he was killed... 

This blood is bad for everyone.

He did not mind if he got punished but he wanted to put this matter to an end. He did not care if it was a 1000 or 2000 year-old issue. He had already lost his father so he did not want to lose Hokage as well. Someone had to do this. They had to be set free. He would not stop until everyone was liberated from this blood!

We are alive.

Tetsuya clenched his teeth and mustered his spirit. 

We'll continue to live on!

As if stitching together the completely shattered asphalt, the scooter weaved in and out towards the central part of the city.

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Book 17 Chapter 25 燃えあがる闇

北岡自然公園 Kitaokashizen Park; 雑賀衆 Saigashuu (Saiga Sect); 田野の大杉 Denya no Oosugi (Great Cedar Tree of the Countryside); 大観峰 Daikanbou; 坪井川 Tsuboigawa; 長六橋 Chourokubashi; 代継橋 Yotsugibashi; 下通筋 shimotorisuji; 白川 shirakawa;泰平橋 taiheibashi;>船場橋 Semba bridge; 北外輪山 Kitasoto Rinzan (northern outer rim of the crater)

The moon was beautiful that night. Ougi Takaya was standing in the curtain of darkness that had descended upon the Kokuzou shrine. It seemed like the clouds bringing snow had moved elsewhere. Moonlight was shining into the chilly cedar grove. His breaths appeared white in the deep darkness of the clear winter air. Takaya walked slowly through the remaining snow in the compound to the front of the 'Denya no Oosugi'.

The large cedar trees in this place were all several hundreds of years old. He could probably find one that was about 400 years old like he was if he were to look around the grove.

Takaya looked up at the large cedar tree.
What was he thinking of?
He suddenly lifted his left hand. His fingertips moved as if in search for the presence that used to always be there behind him but only grasped at emptiness before dropping onto his right shoulder weakly.

--No matter what we go through, my place is by your side.

When did he last hear those words?
His thinly-opened black eyes stared into space as the flakes of snow swirling down took the shape of an illusion. His hand clenched on his shoulder as if to protect his cold back.

Coming to kill you...

Takaya covered his eyes and smiled. He expected that a long time ago. He would someday be killed by Naoe and die. And that would be the end of Uesugi Kagetora.

If that's the case, I should be glad he's cutting me down from behind, yet...

Was this also revenge?
Of the man he never turned around to look at...
Takaya closed his eyes.

What's wrong with me?

Had he grown so weak without realizing it?
He never looked back because that was the only way.
There was nothing he could do for that man's inferiority complex and suffering. He could not show sympathy by looking back at him. He thought that was the one thing he must not do. The only thing he could do, even if it pained him to do so, was to continue to look ahead with determination. To continue to move forward. He thought the only way to respond to his suffering was to have utmost seriousness.
That was why he continued to turn his back on him.

That too... I no longer have to do that...

As he told himself that in his heart, he frowned. Takaya could feel his chest grow heavy from his thoughts.

You are the one fueling this one-sided obsession.

Yes. He did not remember asking for this. That man became obsessed on his own accord.
Therefore, there was no need for him to be wounded by this. It did not matter if his obsession had come to an end as it had nothing to do with him. This never had anything to do with him from the start.
So he will not feel any pain. He had no reason to feel pain in the first place.

If only he could go back...

To being a person who thinks this way...

"..."

Takaya looked up at the sky.

That's not it...

He heard the sound of the blowing wind in the silent woods. Takaya's eyes narrowed as if remembering the pain.
It was not such a big deal. He was not looking to criticize Naoe. That was not it.

That's not it...

A cold wind blew past.
The waning moon was partly obscured by the branches of the cedar trees.

"Kagetora-sama..."

Takaya's fingers twitched at the man's voice behind him.
He was Takemata Yoshitsuna.
Takemata had remained with Takaya. After their meeting, Mitsuhide wanted to dispose of him but Takaya did not allow that for some reason. He told Mitsuhide to leave Takemata with him.
The two of them had not spoken yet.

"Why did you not exorcise me?"

Takemata was the first to speak.
This was torture to Takemata. He much preferred to be vanquished at the hands of Kagetora as soon as possible. He found it painful to remain with him.

"You have every right to be angry. It is only natural for you to feel resentful. Why do you not berate me? Punish me. If not, I will..."

"I've no intention of punishing you," replied Takaya, without turning back. "You were only acting under Father's orders. I won't blame you."

"But..."

"If he has indeed joined the war, Father must have some reason for it. I don't resent that."

"T-That is a lie!" Takemata bravely refuted. "Kagetora-sama, you are cheating your own feelings. Do you intend to just accept this? Do you not find it unreasonable? Kenshin-kou probably used you for his own purposes and now he has cast you aside."

Takaya remained silent.

"You may not wish to hear an opinion from a lowly servant like myself but I wish to say this. Please stop destroying yourself. Kagetora-sama, you have always granted us your support. Your encouragement and compassion, your gracious presence have given us immeasurable motivation thus far. Truly, because of your presence... you do not know how much it means to us... Therefore, Kagetora-sama, please claim your freedom!"

"...Freedom."

"We do not blame anyone. We do not have the right to blame anyone! Kagetora-sama, even if you decide to fight against Kenshin-kou, we will also...!"

Fight...

Takaya murmured in his heart. Takemata knelt before him.

"Now please punish me to your heart's content. If you do not, I cannot bear to remain here! Please punish me, take out your anger on me!"

"...I'm not all that wise."

Ah, uttered Takemata looking up at Takaya. Takaya was looking at the cedar trees, his back facing him still.

"...I'm not."

"Kagetora-sama..."

There was a deep silence between them again. Then from a distance, the sound of a commotion traveled with the wind. Takemata turned around wondering what it was.

"I'll go take a look."


The commotion came from the stone hut where Inaba Akemi was confined. Mitsuhide had been notified but by the time he rushed over, all of the guards were down and the sarcophagus had been smashed to pieces. The stone hut was but an empty shell.

Was it done by intruders...!

Mitsuhide's face turned pale as he yelled.

"Who did this! How did this happen! Who took the hostage away!"

"N...Nobody did!"

Although saddled with injuries, his retainers quickly made their reports to Mitsuhide.

"It was the hostage! That girl suddenly used her powers and smashed through the sarcophagus. She then defeated the guards using Wave and escaped into the woods!"

"She has powers? The hostage should have been an ordinary person."

"T...That was no person! A snake. She was a snake, Mitsuhide-sama!"

Another guard on duty rushed over to make his report.
What, said Mitsuhide as his eyes widened in bewilderment.

The guard cried in a flustered voice.
"That was a snake goddess! A large snake with red, gleaming eyes appeared in front of us and wanted to consume us. The red-eyed snake was... so huge, it stood at the height of a human!"

"That was probably an illusion."

A voice came from behind him. Mitsuhide turned around and saw Takaya.
Mitsuhide's eyes showed doubt.

"Illusion? I hope you did not aid her escape."

"I didn't do anything. The jyako has hatched."

"Jyako?"

"Yes. The offspring of a venomous snake spirit. In order to brainwash the students of Kojou High, the Ootomo implanted them with jyako eggs. When it hatches, it can give an ordinary person power."

Mitsuhide was astonished. He never expected them to resort to such methods...

"Kagetora-dono. Did you do nothing despite being aware of this?"

Takaya pursed his lips together and did not answer as though he was unconcerned. Mitsuhide glared at him hatefully for a moment then reverted to his usual expression and gathered his subordinates.

"Find the hostage and bring her back. She should not have gone very far. Kagetora-dono, if you think you will be freed because of this, you are mistaken. You will now follow the Bird clan of the Himuka and head to Daikanbou. It is the appointed place for the exchange of the hostage with Asara. It will soon be time."

Takaya looked up.

"Are you taking Asara away from the Miike?"

"There is no other way. If the head of Kihachi is going to fall into the hands of the Ootomo, it is even more necessary for us to seize Asara. All the more so if the Ootomo is joining forces with Kenshin. Kagetora-dono, please cooperate with us."

Takaya did not reply. Mitsuhide narrowed his eyes then promptly walked out.

"We shall set out for Kumamoto! The Shimazu's forces are in Kumamoto. Take advantage of the chaos of the battle and recover the head of Kihachi from the Ootomo. Prepare yourselves!"

Takaya observed Mitsuhide with a wary look.
The members of the Himuka Bird clan encircled him from behind. Enoki was the first to speak.

"Please refrain from any tactless behavior. The luminous flame stone in your chest will really ignite next time. If you do not want your heart organ to burn away, follow us obediently."

Takaya turned without any expression. Enoki looked at him pointedly and said, "I think that guy, who appears to be your comrade, will bring Asara together with Miike. The exchange is scheduled at midnight. Let's go, Kagetora-sama."

Enoki's tone of voice was somewhat disrespectful. Takaya gave a sidelong glance at Enoki then walked out ahead of him without saying a word.

"Kagetora-sama, please allow me to come with you!"
Takemata chased after him. Takaya gazed at him coldly and uttered, "You will stay here. You'll be a burden if you follow."

With those words, he continued towards the shrine by himself.

***

Elsewhere, along the national highway, in the deep of the night, a lone girl was making her way into the city center from Aso. She was wearing a sailor-style school uniform.
She was the one who had just escaped from the Kokuzou shrine - Inaba Akemi.
Car headlights flashed past her but Akemi did not once look at them. The real Akemi would not have dared wandered out this late at night. A car with a booming stereo came from behind, slowing down beside her, flashing its emergency lights. It was a metallic sports car. Two young men were in it.

"Miss, miss. Where are you going this late at night?"

Inaba Akemi looked at them with red eyes.

"Isn't it dangerous for a young lady to be walking alone at this time of the night? You know, it's going to get darker ahead. It's not safe, why don't you hop in? We'll give you a lift."

Akemi's lips quivered, saying something. However the music was too loud so they could not hear her.

"What...? Ah, the music's too loud! I'm turning it down. Miss, what did you say just now?"

"Juri...sama..."

"Huh?"

The music from the car's CD player was suddenly cut off and radio music began playing at a deafening volume even though they had not touched the dial. Then the radio buzzed as the channel frequency started changing by itself. The young men were shocked.

"What the... this is way too loud! Weird, is the player is broken!"

"Huh, what happened, oh...!"

The door was flung open and Akemi pulled the man in the passenger seat by the arm, forcibly dragging him out with immense strength. The youth tumbled onto the road.

"What are you doing!" he shouted as he tried to grab at Akemi. Then his face tore open in a snap with a sound like a splitting watermelon.

"Huh? Arggghhh!"

The young man pressed against the area between his eyebrows where blood was suddenly spurting out as he bent over.

"Uwah, hey! What happened!"

The loud music did not stop even when the player was turned off. Surprised, the man in the driver seat was in the process of getting out when he saw Akemi perform an unbelievable jump. Immediately after landing from her huge leap over the car, she grabbed hold of the driver's hair with one hand and flung him out of the vehicle. Akemi then got into the car herself and stepped on the accelerator.

"W-What!!!"

The car sped off in a blast. The young man was left behind, dumbfounded. Suddenly, he heard the screeching sound of brakes behind him and was too fear-stricken to get out of the way.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed! Sitting right in the middle of the road!" shouted the young man who was riding a purple motorbike with no helmet. He was Tetsuya.

"O-Our car got stolen. By a high school girl."

"What!"

"His head was injured. She flung me out of the car with one hand..."

He saw the other boy lying on the ground, his face covered in blood. Tetsuya trembled and his face turned pale. Tetsuya never expected this to be Akemi's doing. He clenched his teeth and sped after the car.

Damn it, what on earth is happening!

Hokage had flown away and something was happening in Kojou High. He felt that there was something unpleasant about the school ever since Mikuriya came and now all the students have turned strange. Furthermore, the head of Kihachi was said to be buried under Kojou High.

This Kihachi thing... I'll destroy Kihachi's head or whatever it is!

Resting on Tetsuya's back was the katana of Takachiho shrine that Haruya had entrusted to him. Tetsuya rushed towards Kumamoto city with all the determination he could muster.

*

The streets of Kumamoto was now a battlefield.
After a long march on the National Route 3, the Shimazu army had reached the city and the invasion was underway.
Chaos was afoot. The place had turned into a ghost city but that did not mean the complete absence of people. Onryou could be seen everywhere.

"Monsters!! There are monsters!!"

Surrounded by the warriors, a taxi driver screamed and leaped out of his vehicle. Signboards and shutters were destroyed by the warriors while shop assistants stood stupefied before them. There were traffic accidents everywhere. Even the dispatched ambulances and police cars ended up surrounded by the onryou.

"Please don't kill me!! Help!!"

The onryou defiantly continued their rampage. The army force pressed on to Kojou High destroying everything in their way. Naturally, timely reports were being sent to Kojou High. Mikuriya assembled the students into groups to meet the enemy.

To protect Kojou High, the Shirakawa river would serve as an outer moat to hold back the invading Shimazu army from the south, and the Tsuboigawa river would serve as the inner moat. The students were divided into castle and external soldiers, the latter group further allocated to Chourokubashi, Yotsugibashi and so forth, so that every known principle checkpoint was covered.

Koganezawa Kyouko and the second year students in class D were stationed at the intersection of Shimotorisuji.

The shopping district was around here. On normal days, the working crowd and students would go barhopping in the back alleys until nighttime. However, this was not the case for the past few days. The occasional passerby took shelter in the buildings as the students ran about.

"They're coming!"

The onryou charged like a surging wave. The sight of them attacking in a swarm resembled a tsunami. Smaller fights against the enemy broke out all over the streets. The bizarre scene of boys in their black school uniforms and girls in their sailor-style uniforms fighting against skeleton warriors could be seen in every corner.

"This way, here they come!"

Kyouko charged her incantation and a bright radiance appeared in her palm as she stretched out her fingers. Snakes took shape in her hands. These snakes can transform into any weapon, such as a spear or a sword.

"Ohhhh!"

With a roar, the souls of the standard soldiers attacked Kyouko and the others. Kyouko, her hair disheveled, brandished her snake sword.

"Take that!"

The result was a strong crackling sound as the soldiers were sliced vertically from the head down. Then, in a returning motion, her blade slashed horizontally across the torso of three other soldiers, mowing them down. Her manner was that of a savage warrior. Koganezawa sliced her way through with reckless abandon. But fresh soldiers kept appearing. Swarms of onryou closed in on Koganezawa.

"Out of my way!!"

She violently cut her way through. The students all fought competently but the onryou were not intent on losing. Not just the invading warriors but the bound spirits too were provoked to fight. Poltergeists awoke everywhere in the arcades, wrenching open door shutters to pillage the shops.

Elsewhere, Takaya's classmates arrived at Shirakawa to set up an offense and defense at the Taiheibashi. Endou was there. He was determined to fight back with the 'incantation wave' using the incantation artillery set up for attacking the Shimazu soldiers.

"Push, push, push!!"

The students who once arranged desks with Takaya now showed the same kind of fighting power that Takaya possessed. The incantation soldiers launched a fierce offensive and defensive front at Taiheibashi.

"Guwah!" "Ohhh!"

One simultaneous attack of the artillery took out many enemies. It was the special artillery built by the Saiga Sect and used by the Ikkoushuu. Its power was not ordinary. The soldiers did not know the stretch of its barrier but were determined to fight back with a barrage of incantations.

"Aim for the archers! The archers!"

The shouts of the executive committee members relaying commands were silenced by the bombardment. The students ducked and desperately fired counterattacks. But they were pushed back. The Shimazu force slowly pressed forward.

"Stand your ground, we must not let them pass! They must not break through! Keep firing incantations until the end!"

Yet elsewhere, the destruction by the onryou was escalating. Here and there, cars were overturned, vehicles were destroyed in pillars of fire. The glass windows of buildings were smashed, the municipal railways were ripped out of the ground. The city's residents, who had no idea what was going on, were being chased and ran about haphazardly trying to escape while the students of Kojou High continued to fight as if protecting them.

With piercing sirens, patrol cars and fire engines raced up and down the streets. Ignoring that, the onryou pranced around as if they owned the place. This abnormal situation began to spread from the city streets to the entire region.


At this moment, main army of the enemy general, Shimazu Toshihisa, was southwest of Kojou, moving into Kitaokashizen Park. It was where the mausoleum of the Hosokawa family was located. Above that was Hanaokayama where the army headquarters was set up. Kojou can be clearly seen from here.

"Reporting sir!"

The messenger came before Toshihisa to make his report.

"Katta-dono's diversionary force has entered the fray in the city streets. The enemy soldiers have also assembled there!"

"Very good. Continue with the assault. How about Noda's army?"

"Moving in like a blade."

"Reporting sir! In the outskirts of Kumamoto city, a new band of bound spirits have started to create havoc!"

What, Toshihisa's eyes widened. Beside him, Saruwatari Nobumitsu supplied additional information. The bound spirits in question were the souls of those who had died in the Seinan war during the 10th year of the Meiji era. The garrison army led by Tani Tateki could not protect Kumamoto city in the battle against the Satsuma army led by Saigou Takamori. The spirits were of those who had died back then.

"Perfect timing. They will further distract the enemy's eyes. Let them stir up as flashy a commotion as they please."

"Understood!" replied the messenger in acknowledgement of the order before he hurried away.

Toshihisa gazed upon the lights of Kojou once more. The sports ground and school buildings were covered in extensive, blinding lights like a city lit with bonfires. This was like a castle seige.

"The enemy's castle soldiers seem to have acquired powers in an unexpectedly fast way," remarked Nobumitsu.

Toshihisa nodded as he replied.
"But they are just spineless puppets at the end of the day. If we attack with force, they will collapse with surprising brittleness."

Just wait a little longer, Iehisa. This is a battle to avenge you. I will crush that tiny city with my own hands.

A different messenger hurried in and knelt before Toshihisa.

"Reporting sir! Akechi Mitsuhide-sama has arrived in Kumamoto! He conveyed his wish for you to pay attention to the movement of the Golden Snake Head beneath Kojou High! Mitsuhide-sama also mentioned that he will personally join the invasion of the city!"

"What, Mitsuhide-sama has..."

Toshihisa was shocked. "All right, I understand," he replied loudly. "Send soldiers to Asoguchi to escort Mitsuhide-sama. See that he reaches the army headquarters safely."

Then a loud sound like a tripped circuit breaker could be heard, and the lights in the park were extinguished all at once. Not just the park, but the street lights had also vanished completely.

"Did it work?"

The Shimazu's covert operative corps had cut the electrical cables under the bridge. Thanks to that, the entire area disappeared into darkness as if a massive blackout had occurred. With this, the naked eyes of the Kojou soldiers were rendered useless.

"This is it. Attack now!"


The blackout plunged the streets into absolute darkness and the students could not see anything with their eyes.
Taking advantage of that, the Shimazu force pushed through in one go. There was chaos everywhere. Although the enemy had broken through, fortunately, the moon was out on this night. As their eyes got used to the darkness, they slowly regained their fighting capacity and did whatever it took to hold their position.

However the numbers of the onryou were too great for the students to handle.

Among the students, one was particularly remarkable, fighting extremely gallantly.
He was Narita Yuzuru.

"Don't fight over there! You will be surrounded, stay here!"

He was fighting together with Yokoteno Gorou and the others near the Semba bridge but his power was far more tremendous. He eventually took charge of the team. Yokoteno Gorou, having lost his position of authority, was dumbfounded.

"What... a monster..."

The snakes that Yuzuru released were no ordinary snakes but serpents with ferocious power. Moving towards the invading onryou, Yuzuru maneuvered his serpents, mowing down ten or more of the enemy in one swing. Furthermore, Yuzuru could create five to six serpents at any one time and freely control all of them. The wave of incantations he fired was like an artillery gun, destroying everything within a range of several hundred meters.

Yuzuru himself was astonished at his own power.

I'm powerful...

The power he wielded was terrifying. He almost wanted to thank Mikuriya for implanting him with the jyako.

With this, I might even be on the same level as Takaya!

Semba bridge was an important position hence the fierce enemy attack. Yuzuru protected the students who ran about trying to escape. A golden aura danced around his body. He did not realize that whenever he wielded his power he had a demonic intensity.

I'll protect everyone in Takaya's stead...!

"Ohhhhh!!!"

Roaring, Yuzuru charged at the onryou. The enemy was overwhelmed and could not come close. He single-handedly defeated a squad of the enemy's forces just like that.

"A..Amazing.... This is amazing."

Yokoteno Gorou was trembling with astonishment. "I must report this to oyakata-sama!"

"Haaah!!"

Incantations came flying in assault. Interestingly, the warriors retreated. Yuzuru remembered this strange sensation. A boundless energy began to boil up from the center of his body. The soldiers retreated out of fear like a receding tide.The students of the Kojou army became more confident having such a powerful fighter on their side and increased their attacks. But the enemy was not to be taken lightly. All of a sudden, they fired one simultaneous volley from their incantation guns.

"Ch!"

Yuzuru stretched out his arms and created a shield to protect the students. The hits were immediately deflected into splashes.

"Everyone, don't try anything foolish! Fall back behind me!" Yuzuru shouted while repelling the enemy's attack. "Just leave this to me! Stay back everyone! My...!"

He shielded his own body as the pavement before him shattered. The moment he lifted his face to counterattack, Yuzuru's forehead became abnormal. He felt an extremely piercing pain run through it.

What...

Another sharp pain attacked him. He bent over pressing against his forehead.

This is...

He looked at his hand. Immediately, the memories flowed through him. The sensation of being physically present on a ferry heading towards Miyajima two years ago. His fingertips grew stiff as if paralyzed by the cold. Soon, both his arms and legs were numb and could not move freely. It was a sign that the root of the seed was going to break through his skin any time now.

Wasn't it supposed to be frozen...?

Yuzuru was struck with fear. He could not hear the students beside him calling him. The "Seed of the Demon King" was suddenly filled with power. Yuzuru desperately suppressed the other consciousness which felt like it was about to burst out.

I should be able to suppress this with my current ability

He now had power. If he could not handle this, he would trouble Takaya and the others yet again.

That's the one thing I do not want...!

Contrary to his wishes, darkness slowly spread through his consciousness. It was an indication that the other being was starting to encroach and snatch control of his body. Yuzuru resisted. This could be dangerous. He had to resist one way or the other, or else...!

Not... good...


"!"

There was a thunderous roar. Yokoteno Gorou, who was starting to run, turned back. Just as he did, his eyes widened in shock.

"What!"

Yuzuru pulled a telephone pole out of the ground. The pavement was viciously turned inside out as Yuzuru forcibly dragged out the live power cables with his bare hands. The students cried out as sparks flew everywhere. Yuzuru seemed to smile a little as he heaved the uprooted telephone pole onto his shoulder.

"I've emerged despite your unbreakable endurance."

Yuzuru announced with a crafty smile.

"Let me have some fun too."

Gorou trembled.

W...Who on earth is he...

The telephone pole hanging over Yuzuru's shoulder slowly shifted down his arm. He then threw it at the retreating soldiers with dreadful, superhuman strength. The pole flew like a missile, roaring through the air, mowing the soldiers down with thunderous ferocity. Incantations were randomly deflected, destroying the surrounding buildings. Yuzuru exhaled gently.

"That's a nice tune."

He noted with a cruel smile on his lips.

***

A cold wind was blowing on the rooftop.
Mikuriya Juri stood with folded arms on the rooftop of the southern school building, glaring at the city streets.
At the military headquarters, reports on the progress of the battle dropped in one after another. Almost two hours had passed since the start of the battle but nobody could tell the outcome as yet. The situation appeared to be a stalemate.

This must end before the students' endurance is exhausted.

This was why the Golden Snake Head had to be dug out as soon as possible.
There was a power blackout at Kojou High at the moment and the backup power generators were running. The goods required to sit out the castle siege were being transported in as well. The recovery operation of the Golden Snake Head using a small crane continued. It was buried ten meters underground. No matter how heavy it was, they had to achieve their goal irregardless of how rough the going in order to protect it.

"It must be dug out tonight. There is no more time." Jouun said to Mikuriya. "It has magnificent power. I can feel it, as if the orochi is awakening in my very hands."

"Indeed. I too feel as if it is overwhelming me. Just the idea of personally commanding the Yamata no Orochi sends a shiver down my spine. Once it is in our hands, we will use it against the Shimazu's soldiers and destroy them in one sweep."

Julia was a snake spirit user. If she were to use her full power, she could freely manipulate the Yamata no Orochi. The Golden Snake Head was the cornerstone of the "Fire Wheel Technique" however it made for a horrifying secret weapon if used on its own.

Of course, the faster it is dug out, the better.

Irobe thought as he listened to the reports on the progress of the war. The longer the war dragged on, the greater the risk to the students' lives. One could argue that they had Narita Yuzuru but he did not believe he could protect all the students scattered over such a vast area.

If the power of the Golden Snake Head could annihilate everything in one shot,

"Mikuriya-sama!"

The one who sprinted in brushing aside other messengers was one of the executive committee members assigned as commander inside the castle.

"Another army has been sighted in the direction of Shinmachi! Their numbers are huge!"

"What," said Mikuriya, turning around. "Are they aiming for the side? Very well, send out the reinforcements. Get the second squadron of soldiers ready for action! Send out the third squadron to attack now!"

After Mikuriya's brisk orders, the students inside the school frantically moved out.

"It seems like the soldiers out on the city streets are a diversion." Jouun said with a grim look on his face. "Please be careful. The strength of the Shimazu's attack is tremendous. It would be better to recall the soldiers and fortify the castle's defenses. Do not take the enemy lightly."

"I did not ask for your opinion on how to deal with the castle siege, Jouun."

Mikuriya replied coldly.

"You fear a siege because you were once defeated by the Shimazu's forces by holing up in your castle. I will not allow a repeat of that failure. I will not let Kojou become a second Iwaya castle."

"!"

What a thing to say...

Thought Irobe. He turned around and saw that Jouun's face had grown pale and stiff.

"I do not need your advice on how to go about the battle. Hurry back to the excavation site and supervise the ongoing operation."

Jouun appeared humiliated and stood very still. In the next moment, he forcefully maintained his calm, bowed and left the roof.

"Jouun-dono."

Irobe called out to him as he disappeared down the stairs.

Chikuzen Iwaya castle was once the place where Takahashi Jouun was besieged by his enemies, the Shimazu army, in a ferocious castle battle that ended in his defeat by death without surrender.

How did Jouun-dono feel during that battle?

At that time, in order to save the Ootomo, who were in a precarious situation, he took the ultimate gamble. The Shimazu were planning to attack Tachibana castle once they took over Iwaya castle, which was situated in front. Tachibana castle belonged to his son, Tachibana Muneshige. Muneshige had planned to resist to the bitter end at Tachibana castle together with his biological father however Jouun firmly refused and purposely confined himself in Iwaya castle, which was in a disadvantageous location, aiming to prevent the invasion of Tachibana castle by blocking their path. During that time, he was gambling on the possibility of reinforcements from Hideyoshi.

The Shimazu was impressed by Jouun's bravery as he did not response to the repeated calls to surrender. The siege culminated in what was considered the most intense fight in the history of the warring states era. The Shimazu suffered more serious losses than expected and could not immediately capture Tachibana castle. Then Hideyoshi's army arrived in response to the Ootomo's request for support. Faced with a large army force meant for the imminent conquest of Kyushu, the Shimazu were forced to retreat. Once Muneshige learned of this, he vehemently pursued the enemy to avenge his father, earning himself outstanding war merits in the process. The Ootomo family managed to survive in this way.

Jouun had sacrificed his body.
Those who understood the significance of that battle would never use words like 'a repeat of that failure' to describe that incident.
During a time where Sourin's retainers began deserting him, to regard Jouun's show of unfailing loyalty in this battle as such was intolerable.
As a military commander in the same vein, Irobe knew how he felt all too well.
He himself did not matter but what could be done to compensate the soldiers who had died? Jouun thought in that way.
Considering what was in Jouun's heart, Irobe was indignant. He turned around and made his way back up the stairs, wanting to say something to Mikuriya, but Jouun stopped him.

"Irobe-dono, let it be. It is fine."

"But Jouun-dono...!"

"Restrain yourself. I am fine."

Irobe, unable to suppress his emotions, looked at Jouun. ---What did the Yami Sengoku come down to?

A conflict that slights the importance of the past...?!

Not just the past. It also infested the lives of modern individuals like worms.
The onryou were insatiable. Ironically, the dead who should hate this 'war' that prevented them from resting in peace, have only this path to tread in search of salvation. Thus they continued to fight without knowing the end.

In the darkness, the streets of Kumamoto resounded with the angry roars of the dead for a long time.
At the same time, a girl could be seen, high up in the sky with her back towards the moon.

***

Based on his wristwatch, it was time for the midnight appointment.
Chiaki Shuuhei had come to the Daikanbou, the designated place for the hostage exchange.
This place was originally called the "Nose" when viewed from afar, however, after it earned the recognition of having the most splendid view in Aso, it was renamed Daikanbou by Tokutomi Soho. At the highest point in the northern outer rim of the crater, one could have an unbroken view of Aso-gogaku and the caldera. It was the most beautiful, nirvana-like scenery one could imagine.

Tonight the moon was visible. The outline of the grand Gogaku could be distinctly seen. It looked like a giant sleeping under the moon. This place protruded out like a small hill inside the caldera and the wind blowing here was also considerably strong. Although the outer rim of the crater had several "Noses" which were considered small peninsulas, it was not necessarily an inaccuracy considering that the area was an enormous lake in the past.

All things considered, it was cold enough to freeze one's ears off. The extreme chill was because of the strong wind. Standing at more than nine hundred meters high, it was understandably frigid on a midwinter midnight. Chiaki Shuuhei was standing in front of the stone monument, which had the words Daikanbou written on it, when the person he was set to meet arrived.

He's here.

The shapes of several people emerged. About five or six of them. Each and every figure could be clearly seen under the moonlight. Among them, Chiaki recognized the faces of Enoki Masamichi and Saeki Ryouko.

The two people I saw at the hospital...

They were part of the Himuka clan. Moreover, they were actually Rairyuu's allies. They were definitely the ones who had informed the onshou of the Yami Sengoku about Asara, being devotees of the Himuka clan.

"You have quite the nerve, pretending to be clueless back then." Chiaki raised his voice.
"You were the ones who instigated Rairyuu to kidnap her. You sky-flying angels. Working with the likes of the Ikkoushuu. You've brought Inaba along, right? You were also the ones who took Ougi Takaya away, right? Where is he now?"

"We do not see Asara-hime. Where is she?" Enoki countered with a question. "It was promised that we would exchange the hostage for Asara-hime."

"Inaba won't be coming."

"...!"

Another voice came from the stairs, Chiaki turned around in shock. It was a voice he knew.
A figure clad in high-school uniform walked from the viewing platform towards him.
Chiaki's eyes widened in complete disbelief upon seeing that face.
The one he saw was Ougi Takaya, who was supposed to have been kidnapped.

"Kagetora, you!"

Are you all right! Chiaki was just about to ask that when he immediately noticed something odd about Takaya's appearance. Takaya did not have a single expression on his face despite reuniting with Chiaki. In fact, he was looking at him coldly.

"Inaba escaped by herself. She isn't here."

"By herself, from the hands of the Ikkoushuu?"

"The jyako eggs that Mikuriya planted for brainwashing purposes have hatched. This gave Inaba some power and she escaped on her own."

"Jyako eggs?"

That was the thing in each and every one of those students, the reason that they could pull spirits towards themselves--- was it a magnet?

"She's probably heading towards Kojou High. Mikuriya has brainwashed the students with the intention of turning them into castle soldiers. But then again..." Takaya paused at these words, then told him in a cold manner. "...You might have known of this plot all along."

What...

Chiaki looked puzzled. "What do you mean by that?"

Takaya lowered his eyes and remained quiet. At this time, a group of Birds came flying in, gasping for breath.

"Sect Guardian! Asara cannot be found, she is nowhere to be seen!"

"What? Asara wasn't brought along? You bastard, what are you planning to do?!"

"It seems like I was wrong about this man having allied with the Miike."

A surprised Enoki looked at Takaya. Takaya was talking about Chiaki.

"What do you mean?"

"You heard about Asara and Kihachi's head from the Miike, didn't you? This information might have been leaked to the Ootomo. Asara might have been taken by these people."

"What...!"

"I've no idea what you're talking about, Kagetora!"

Chiaki was indignant. Takaya looked indifferently at Chiaki, who had raised his voice.

"What are you talking about now! Are you saying that I've joined the Ootomo! Are you sure you haven't gone insane!"

"Where have you hidden Asara?" Takaya asked with half-narrowed eyes. "Did you send her to the Ootomo? Or are you planning to get a head start on the Ootomo by hiding her in your domain?"

Chiaki did not understand Takaya's words. Heading towards the Birds, Takaya said, "There's a possibility this man is in communication with the new Uesugi. The new Uesugi has joined forces with the Ootomo. The Ootomo wants to get their hands on the Golden Snake Head, Kihachi's head."

"New Uesugi...?"

What on earth was that? What on earth was Kagetora talking about?
Chiaki was confused with what he had just heard for the first time.

"What are you talking about? What is this new thing? Who has joined forces with the Ootomo? What have you been influenced with during your capture!"

Takaya did not reply. Instead his expression hardened and a strong fighting force unexpectedly emanated from his whole body.

"You..."

Chiaki trembled. This was the first time Takaya approached him with such direct fighting force. Killing intent floated in Takaya's still eyes.

Does he... intend to fight me?

"What are you planning, Kagetora! Stop behaving like an idiot! Have you allied with these guys! Have you joined forces with the Ikkoushuu!"

Suddenly, there was a stinging pain across Chiaki's cheek.
A sharp object like an arrow had grazed his skin. Feeling the blood flow out, Chiaki's face stiffened. Takaya had used an incantation. Takaya did not trust Chiaki. He might be Naoe's compatriot. He might have received orders from Kenshin.

"...Asara isn't here." Clenching his back teeth, Chiaki shouted. "She has flown away I'm afraid! Just like those guys over there!"

"Flown away. Which direction?"

"I don't know! She was summoned by Kihachi! Asara's blood has engulfed the host body! After driving off Miike's Tamamori, Hokage returned to that Kihachi-sama!"

The Birds all tensed at the same time. With the exchange of glances and nodding of heads, very soon, one after another, their bodies emitted a bright aura. It was the manifestation of their flying ability. The power that the Himuka clan had.

Their feet left the ground. In the next moment, men and women soared high into the air and flew, one after another, from Daikanbou towards the caldera of Aso.
The Birds headed towards Kumamoto.
Only Takaya and Chiaki were left on Daikanbou.
The two of them stood glaring at each other.

"Are you trying to kill me, Kagetora?"

Chiaki asked without letting down his guard. Takaya's killing intent did not diminish.

"Who fed you this nonsense? What have you been told...!"

"Kenshin-kou has joined the Yami Sengoku."

"...!" Chiaki's eyes widened. "What... did you say?"

"Kenshin-kou has created a new Meikai Uesugi army with Naoe as the general. Naoe has formed an alliance with the Ootomo. His very first order was to subjugate Ryuuzouji using Saga's Byakuime. When this was discovered, the Byakuime were killed by Kikkawa Motoharu."

Chiaki was extremely shocked.

Joined... the Yami Sengoku... Naoe is the new general.

At the same time, everything in his head became clear. Kaizaki's alliance with the Ootomo, Irobe and Hakkai's actions, which were kept absolutely secret from Kagetora and under the direct supervision of Kenshin. And lastly, the fact that Naoe was alive...!
In his mind, all these words suddenly connected in a single thread.

A new Uesugi army...!

Chiaki was shocked.
He felt as if a blade had been thrust at his own throat by Kenshin.

That's... impossible...

"The details were explained by Takemata Yoshitsuna. He's being held as a prisoner of war by Akechi Mitsuhide."

Takaya had no expression as if he had killed his own feelings.

"I was told that Hakkai has mentioned it."

"..."

"It seems like Naoe wants to... Kenshin-kou wants to remove me."

Words were lost from Chiaki's throat.
Standing in front of him, Takaya was amassing his power with a confrontational stance. He had been looking at him with eyes full of caution. There was no other reason for that killing intent and Chiaki perceived that.
There was a reason the blade was pointed at him. It was to protect himself.
If Kagetora had been removed from his position as general of the Uesugi, there was only one path left to him.
Kagetora was to be obliterated.
He understood the meaning of Takaya's wariness. A strong energy was burning from his body like a crimson flame.
Takaya was protecting himself.

The moon previously hidden by a slate of clouds appeared, pouring clear light onto Daikanbou.
The two people on the concrete came into view.
As the strong wind continued to blow, Chiaki looked at Takaya intensely.

"Are you going to destroy me as well?" He asked in a subdued voice.

"..."

"Do you think I'm on Kenshin's side too? Do you think I'll kill you?"

"..."

"Are you going to exorcise me to prevent yourself from getting killed?"

Takaya gave Chiaki a pained look.

"Are you going to kill me! Kagetora!"

An aura began to blast from Chiaki's entire body. Gritting his teeth, Takaya revived his incantation. A wind surged between them.

Like hell I'm going to get myself killed by you! Kagetora...!

The place where one could see Ashura was now the site of a duel to the death.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Book 17 Chapter 24 永き夜を明けさせるために

From the original Japanese novel.

Draft: Version 1 final
Notes: 西巌殿 Saiganden;  古坊中 Furubochu; 比叡山 Hiei zan (Mt Hiei in Kyoto); 一揆煽動 ikki sendou; 有明海 Ariake-kai (Ariake sea); 火焚殿 Hitakiden; 神棚 kamidana
PS: please don't distribute this without my permission



The last flight from Tokyo landed at the Kumamoto airport just a few hours after the arrival of Yuzuru and Nobunaga.

A man reached the arrival hall together with his aides. Shiba had attracted attention for the wrong reasons. This man, however, was conspicuous as he was in a wheelchair, possibly due to illness. He seemed around 30 years of age by appearance. He wore a suit, which looked slightly different from the usual attire for business trips, that perfectly fitted his broad shoulders. Perhaps he was visually impaired as he wore a pair of pale-colored sunglasses.
As he exited with the crowd of other passengers, someone who had just arrived by car to pick him up, hurried towards him breathlessly.
That person was Hakkai. He had rushed to the airport after being notified moments ago.
The man took off his sunglasses and nodded at him.

"This is suicidal," Hakkai said unexpectedly once they got inside the car.

This was a rented vehicle as his car had unfortunately been burned in the recent battle. The man's aides were in another car. Hakkai was angry.

"Coming here in this body was an overly rash course of action to take. Whatever the circumstances may be, this is far too reckless. This is the body you received in Nikkou. Once you head out, there is no guarantee for your life."

"The situation calls for it. Please stop treating me like a sick patient."

"Do you fully comprehend it all? That body of yours is still far from meeting the conditions required to support life."

"Please do not concern yourself with my actions."

"But," Hakkai started to object but was interrupted by the man.

"The military collaboration with the Ootomo is the first important project of the new Uesugi. The 'Sun Power dam' will be the main military task of the Uesugi from now on and its success is essential. If we fail, there will be no future for the Uesugi. I wish to be onsite to give the directions."

"Of course, much more can be done by using your powers instead of a Wave. However if you were to unleash your full powers in your current state, I do not think your physical body can withstand it. To engage in fighting would be absurd."

"It will be fine. It will hold up."

"Impossible. I object to this."

Hakkai was obstinate. The man looked troubled but his resolve did not change.

"Can you tell me what happened after that?"

Hakkai replied through clenched teeth.

Kousaka had just barely managed to repel him. During that fight where both opponents refused to yield an inch, Kousaka had efficiently driven him back before they could come to a decisive finish. After that, Kousaka could not be found thus Hakkai decided to follow Naoe's tracks. In doing so, he finally came to the scene of the battle between Kaizaki and Kotarou though by the time he got there it seemed like everything was already over.
Kotarou was dead. He had been shot in the forehead.

"He died? Who killed him?"

Hakkai replied that he did not know. He suggested that it was perhaps the doing of the Shimazu.

"...Kaizaki Makoto managed to escape death. He is now under intensive care in the hospital."

"I see, " replied the man with a mournful sigh. "We have really done something inexcusable to him."

"Also, Kagetora-sama has...," Hakkai paused for a moment. "He has fallen into the hands of Akechi's company. My subordinates have confirmed this."

"..."

"My apologies."

He thought he would be blamed however the man remained uncommunicative. Although his gaze was sharp, his calm behavior reflected some measure of resolve. Hakkai continued with his report.

"The police are conducting an autopsy on Kotarou's dead vessel. I wonder if he has regained his strength by changing vessels."

"He will revert to Fuuma Kotarou I suppose."

"I expect he will rejoin Kagetora-sama."

"With the intention of taking him back to the Hojo," he added, recalling Kotarou's behavior in the mountains. Something had awakened in the heart of that mechanical doll. He was frightening due to the unpredictability of his actions. He would have exorcised him if it were possible at that time.

Hakkai drove towards the national highway.

"More importantly, we are now heading to Saiganden temple, the Ootomo's headquarters in Aso. Aso Koremitsu-dono and Kai no Souun-dono are both at Saiganden temple. The briefing on the 'Fire Wheel Technique' will be held there. They seem delighted that the general is personally going to see them."

"I see. How is the crater? What of the volcanic activity of Nakadake?"

"Access to the crater is still restricted and the installation of the technique platform is ongoing. According to the Ootomo, the volcanic activity is gradually approaching the conditions ideal for the malediction. The Shimazu's movements have also raised some concerns. It seems that once Sourin-kou has the Golden Snake Head in his possession, the orders are to waste no time in initiating the ceremony."

" Waste no time in initiating..."

"Sourin-kou will depart from Usuki tomorrow."

The so-called meeting would take place on the next day.
The man gazed at the side of Nakadake sunken in darkness with a gloomy expression.

"Also, the Ikkoushuu's retreat has been confirmed. It appears that the incitement at Kaga was successful. With this, we will have no natural enemies. Moving around will be easier."

"Ahh," said the man with a nod. His eyes turned cold.

This is revenge. Ikkoushuu.

While other places were left as they were, he was unrelenting towards Kaga. This decision was made for the sole purpose of retaliation for Shimozura Rairyuu's actions.

Nevertheless, I never imagined a body without freedom of movement would be this irritating.

He did not feel as though this body, with its many drawbacks, was really his. Although he behaved as though everything was fine in front of Hakkai, the truth was that slight movements were enough for him to break out in cold sweat and experience breathing difficulties. He only managed to come this far from sheer willpower alone. Indeed, perhaps it was a mistake to leave Nikkou at this point. ...It might have been safer to just use a Wave.

However, he had to come personally this time.
So as to not leave things as they were until it was too late.

I have to come, with these two legs.

He gave a sidelong glance at the mountainside of Eboushidake where he fought against Kotarou as the car sped along the national highway. They made a right turn in front of the Aso station and continued on to the road entrance of Kusasenri. Their destination of Saiganden temple was there.


This temple was not the only thing deeply associated with Aso.
In ancient times, when Mountain Buddhism flourished, there was an area at the peak of Mt. Aso known as Furubochu where 88 temple buildings had been built as though each had been constructed to compete with its neighbors. But only vast stretches of grassland could be seen if one were to take a walk in this place. Additionally, the sheer number of stone monuments made it difficult for one to imagine the look of this place in the olden days. However, like Mt. Hiei, this place probably saw a period where temples existed in abundance. Many priests and mountaineering ascetics must have worked hard in their daily ascetic training; there was no doubt it had once been an extremely busy place. The main temple building was Saiganden temple. It was said to be old residence of its founder, Saiei Tokushi.

Furubochu was apparently reduced to ashes during the riots of the Warring States era. With the efforts of Katou Kiyomasa, it was reestablished at the bottom of the mountain. This new development came to be known as Fumotobochu. And Saiganden temple was relocated from the top of the mountain to its current location.

The car arrived at Saiganden temple. The desolate main temple building, usually devoid of life, was now swarming with lights, causing one to wonder if there was a festival underway.
After alighting from the car, the welcoming party came out to usher them in. They ascended the flight of stone steps lined with elegant cedar groves to where the main temple building was. The entire building had a black tinge; it was truly a structure of the old ages. It did not look as big when viewed from the front thus its internal length came as a surprise to them. Some sort of Buddhist memorial service was being held inside.

Hakkai pushed the wheelchair past the bonfire, escorted by the retainers who had received them. Then a middle-aged man accompanied by a young man emerged from the interior of the hall

"My apologies for having kept you waiting."

The older man's name was Kai Souun.
And the young man was Aso Koremitsu. He was the young head of the Aso clan during the Warring States era who had been falsely accused of 'Ikki Sendou' by his old enemies, Sagara's retainers, and had been executed by Hideyoshi. His current physical appearance was probably closely reflective of the age when he died.

"A long journey it must have been. Allow me to extend a most warm welcome. I am Aso Koremitsu."

The young man bowed deeply. The other party also bowed politely in response and said,

"Thank you for receiving us despite the cold weather."

"This is my first time meeting the gentlemen of Echigo. I hear snow accumulates in abundance in Echigo. Although we, too, have snow in Aso, I am curious about the experience of enduring snowfall so heavy that houses become buried. It is an occurrence beyond my imagination."

"It snows a lot less now than in the past, however the heavy snow tempers our legs and loins, granting strength to the warriors of Echigo. Snow ploughing also increases physical power."

The young man smiled innocently.
During his lifetime, he was barely three years old when he became the head of the Aso family. When the age of the riots came, the Aso family probably struggled hard to survive with a three-year-old lord. With all of their holdings taken away, he was the one lord in the history of the 90 generations of the Aso clan to fall into such ruin that he had to be protected by Narimasa and Kiyomasa. Naturally, his retainers could not help but sympathize with his plight.
Koremitsu's suicide by the sword took place at Mt. Hanaoka. A pine tree was planted as a memorial for his death. It was called the Aso Dono Matsu and the tree still stands today.

"This gentleman here is Kai Souun. I wonder if you have heard his name."

Souun lowered his head deeply when he was introduced. Souun was once part of the Aso family, a man renown throughout the entire land of Kyushu. He was the mainstay of the Aso family who offered support when the clan was surrounded by formidable enemies like the Shimazu and Ryuuzouji.

"Souun. I say this with a throbbing in my chest. Never have I imagined a day like this where we convene with the gentlemen affiliated with Uesugi Kenshin. This is amazing, truly amazing."

Koremitsu's cheeks flushed due his excitement. For some reason, the long-serving military warriors gazed at him tenderly. Both men had a favorable impression of him. They even felt a sense of nostalgia at certain points.

”Tomorrow, Sourin-kou will depart from Usuki. I believe he will reach Aso by nightfall. The meeting will be held here at Saiganden temple. Now, please enter. Hereafter, we will explain the details of the 'Fire Wheel Technique.'"

Following Souun's words, the lord and retainer of the Uesugi stepped into the main hall.

***

News of Shimazu Iehisa's defeat in Kumamoto soon reached the rear Shimazu army.
A retainer by the name of Asao, who had been with Iehisa, brought the news to Honmyouji.
The army was gathered in Northern Kumamoto at Uto castle. The general of the army assigned to capture Kumamoto was the military commander Shimazu Toshihisa. He was the third youngest of the four Shimazu brothers, the immediate elder brother of Iehisa.

"Iehisa has..."

Toshihisa stood rooted to the ground, at a loss for words.
The information was also promptly relayed to Yoshihisa, who was in their native land, via Yoshihiro. Among the brothers, Iehisa was the one with the greatest spiritual power. In his lifetime, he was a skilled campaigner, evident by the fact that he had destroyed Ryuuzouji's army of 30,000 men with only 3,000 soldiers, thus his contributions to the Shimazu invasion of Kyushu had been invaluable. After his resurrection, the brothers had high hopes for him. In order to expel the Oda and the Ootomo from Kyushu, Iehisa had personally volunteered to be the advance guard.

"My lord...! Please steady yourself!"

Saruwatari Nobumitsu came to Toshihisa's side to support him, the latter having lost his strength and fallen to his knees. Nobumitsu had once risked his life together with Iehisa in battle during Ryuuzouji's assault and was also a trusted friend.

"Nobumitsu. Iehisa has disappeared from this world."

Toshihisa's shoulder was trembling from fear.

"Reports say that his soul has been shattered."

"W...What!"

Toshihisa struck the floor with his fist, unable to bear it.

"He did not just disappear. His soul has.. his soul...! This must be the doing of the Ootomo at Kojou. Iehisa... Iehisa has vanished from this world, he has vanished from the other world as well!"

"Do you mean that Iehisa-sama can never be reincarnated? He no longer exists..."

Blood sputtered out from his lacerated fist. As Toshihisa's tears of anger streamed down his face, he glared in the direction of Kumamoto with eyes full of hatred.

"Of all things, the Ootomo has...!"

Of course, Nobunaga himself, not the Ootomo, was responsible for Iehisa's defeat. Nobunaga had allowed Asao to live for a reason. He had imprinted a piece of fabricated information in his mind and let him go. In doing so, Toshihisa and his company would not doubt the veracity of the report and believe in it.

Never to be reincarnated again, no longer exists...

Iehisa had hated Ootomo Sourin. Deep in his heart, he always harbored contempt for Sourin who had thrown himself at the mercy of the likes of Hideyoshi. Sourin's submission had given Hideyoshi an excuse to invade Kyushu.

Although his elder brothers endured humiliation when confronted with Hideyoshi's strength by surrendering, Iehisa alone did not bow down to him. Iehisa never withdrew from his desperate resistance thus Hideyoshi had him killed by poisoning. Toshihisa had decided to live up to such mettle shown by his younger brother and thereafter no longer submitted to Hideyoshi's will. Toshihisa's refusal to serve in the Korean expedition ultimately led to his decision to commit suicide. But even now, Toshihisa had no regrets over that incident.

Iehisa had chosen to revolt not only as a demonstration that he depended on his own strength for survival but more importantly, to live up to his pride as a Satsuma warrior. That was the kind of man he was.

--One day, the Satsuma will acquire the power to stir the whole country.

These were Iehisa's words when he wept bitter tears after his brothers decided to surrender to Hideyoshi. True to his words, during the Bakumatsu the Satsuma fiefdom, with Iehisa's descendant at its helm, became instrumental in leading the revolution that changed Japan.

--The power to correct the imbalance of the country will always manifest itself when the nation comes close to an end!

You, of all people, destroyed by the Ootomo...!

"We will take Kumamoto city, Iehisa."

Toshihisa fought back his tears and glared in the direction of Kumamoto.

"As a result of Iehisa's audacious struggle, the kekkai has been removed. This a battle for revenge. We must have recompense for Iehisa's death. Expel the Ootomo from Kyushu. The entire army is to move out towards Kumamoto!"

***

"My apologies, oyakata-sama!"

It was past 8 o'clock at night. The military operations meeting at the Kojou High School Student Association Executives room was in session when Yokoteno Gorou suddenly rushed in with a troubled look.

"Kumamoto's kekkai has vanished!"

"What did you say?"

"According to a spy on location, Katou Kiyomasa appeared at Honmyouji and apparently disabled the kekkai himself. Reports also say that Honmyouji is currently occupied by Kiyomasa. Furthermore, the Shimazu's large army have set out from Uto! It appears that they are marching straight towards the city!"

An uproar erupted among the shocked executive committee members. Only Mikuriya Juri reacted to Gorou's news in a calm manner.

"Silence. ...Silence, everyone!"

The people in her presence instantly quietened down when they heard her sharp, commanding voice. The executive committee members looked at Mikuriya as she slowly stood up.

"What good are commanders who are shaken? Steady your minds. This matter is to be expected. We will ambush the enemy."

Mikuriya sharply indicated on the map hanging on the white board.

"As I explained before, the Shimazu will not be launching any shore attacks because the Ariake sea has been blockaded. The battle strength of our army ground forces will be more than enough to repel the enemy. All of the students, soldiers inside and outside the castle are to be divided into two squadrons. Fortify Utoguchi, engage the enemy near the castle. As for Kiyomasa, dispatch our surveillance squad. He is waiting for an opportunity to sabotage our operations. Put him out of action. Muster all the students in the entire school in one hour. Prepare to sortie."

"Understood!"

"Communications officer, assemble the supervisors of every squad in the emergency meeting room. We will have a briefing on our strategy."

"Understood!"

They immediately headed to their duty stations after receiving their individual instructions from Mikuriya. Before long, the hymn broadcast inside the school was replaced with an instructive announcement to all the squads. Mikuriya entered the president's room, initiating the preparations for battle. From her window, the students outside could be seen busily hurrying about.

Please watch me, my lord. The manner of Julia's warfare.

***

Of late, the number of vehicles on the road would drop substantially inside the city whenever night came.
The National Highway Route 3 heading in the direction of Yatsushiro was no different; the amount of traffic just before nine o'clock was so scarce it might as well have been three o'clock in the morning. Wherever one looked, there was nothing but lines of street lamps along the highway.

"This feels really creepy, it's like we're not supposed to be using these roads."

While stopping at the red traffic light on the empty road, a transport truck driver muttered to the young man seated next to him.

"Not that it's against traffic regulations or anything but I wonder why it's so deserted."

"Doesn't it feel nice though, like the road is all ours? Looking at it reminds me of my younger days."

"Oi oi. Don't drive the truck like we're competing in a Zeroyon drag race."

"Well there're no opponents anyway," said the young man in the passenger seat. He stretched his body out of the window and stared out at the empty road behind him. There was truly not a single vehicle in sight. He found the empty highway reminiscent of a night car-free mall.

"Eh?" he suddenly exclaimed while staring at something.

"What's the matter? Saw a Porsche?"

"T...T-T-That.... aahhh...."

"What is it?"

Letting out a high-pitched shriek, he suddenly clung onto the driver.

"What," uttered the driver as he surveyed the back via the rear mirror. It seemed like a group of people were approaching from a distance.

Is there a demonstration at this hour?

That was not possible. To get a better look, he stuck his head out of the window and, just like the other man, his eyes were transfixed on the strange sight. With a deeply resonant clanging, something was approaching...

A procession of warriors...

All of them were clad in helmets and full armor. They were fully spread out across the road, their footsteps growing more audible as they drew closer. He wondered if this was part of some event however it did not make any sense for them to be parading at this time of the night.

The two of them inside the truck screamed when they saw the warriors' faces. They were skeletons. They were skeletons in armor. But that was not all. Despite their seemingly human form, they were anything but normal-looking. With eyes grotesquely sunken in on a bluish-white face, these blood-stained beings looked like the accursed, clad in tattered armor, staggering forward with swords and arrows sticking out of their bodies. There were headless ones and even lower-ranking soldiers with half of their bodies missing. Those straddled on horses were also armor-clad warriors with faces of the dead.

"Waaaaaa---!"

They were the dead. Onryou warriors...!
The sound of armor pressed nearer like a tsunami and within an instant the truck was swallowed right into the middle of the march. The warriors could be seen on all sides of the truck. A terrible number of onryou were marching towards Kumamoto on the national highway.

"What the hell is this...."

The young man did not even notice that he had wet his pants due to overwhelming fear. The military force of spirits flew their large flag. The flag had the emblem of a cross inside a circle. The driver grew even more terrified.

"S...Satsuma warriors.... they're Shimazu's. ...Eek!"

Suddenly the truck shook. The contingent of warriors were scrambling up and over the vehicle causing it to shake in the process.

"Waaaa---! Please rest in peace! Please don't kill us!"

Their screams were buried in the loud rumble as the truck overturned sideways. With complete disregard for the vehicle, the swarm of warriors continued north. The roads of Kumamoto city were just ahead of them.
The onryou warriors were invading Kumamoto.

***

"Ambush the Shimazu!"

All the students were gathered in the schoolyard at night. Mikuriya Juri stood on the stage often used for morning school assemblies, to make her address.

"The enemy army comprises 12000 men. However, war is not about numbers. Our army consists of a select few and every single one of you possess the power to match a thousand warriors. Be not afraid. You are strong! I have no doubt that you can crush the enemy!"

Mikuriya's long headband fluttered in the wind as she swung her fist with authority.

"Protect this city to the last man for this battle will be pivotal in the establishment of our earthly paradise. Entrust your lives to Julia! Unite your hearts in the fight against the invaders!"

The steady eyes of the 1200 beings in uniform had a singular focus as Mikuriya held her fist to her heart. The silver cross on her chest glittered.

Like an Asian 'Joan of Arc'

Irobe thought. In her lifetime, Julia had also led a personal army to fight for the Ootomo during the clan's decline. She was not to be taken lightly despite being a woman. She was a military commander a cut above the rest.

Irobe looked at the students. Among them was Koganezawa Kyouko. He also saw the faces of Endou and Emi. Not even Takaya would have expected these students to end up like this.

Magnificent leadership.

It was not only because of the jyako.
Julia was capable of commanding a large force even if she was primarily not one to use such petty tricks.
She had a wondrous presence during her speech as she led her soldiers to something worth risking their lives for...

Why couldn't she use that power for the early Japanese Christians?

If she had wished to fight against the oppression, she could have succeeded like 'Amakusa Shirou.'

It may be unfair to say that.

The 'Zenibutsu' should still be there, concealed within her clothes.

"Let us fight for the kingdom of heaven! Let us become its foundations!"

The executive committee members stood in a row beside Mikuriya as she raised the morale of the troops. They were the commanders of the teams formed by dividing every squad into two. And there was another. Among those standing in the row, there was one outsider.
Narita Yuzuru.
He looked nervous.

Takaya really isn't here...

Yuzuru thought as he surveyed the students.

I must protect.

His fists balled up tightly as if to confirm the power pervading his body. After that encounter, Yuzuru had accepted Irobe's request for a favor.

--You have powers now. If fighting breaks out, please protect the students.

If Takaya were in his position, he would have done that.

--You can fill in for Kagetora-dono's absence.

Yuzuru felt inclined to do so when he was told in this way.

I'll do my best here. Takaya.

"Be not the least bit afraid of the Shimazu! Advance, everybody!"

Mikuriya raised her fist to the top. As if saluting to demonstrate their agreement, the students raised their fists over their heads in unison.

***

The wind howled ominously as though it was throbbing with the roar of the warriors.
Living, flesh and blood soldiers ran out one after another from Kojou High School.

"In no time, the battle has started."

Oda Nobunaga and Katou Kiyomasa were looking down at the situation inside the city from the elevated platform behind Honmyouji.

"The Shimazu army isn't all that big, is it? Is that all the onryou they managed to gather?"

Nobunaga observed the city lights below, his belligerent eyes shining like they were dazzling.

"Don't you feel it, Kiyomasa? The Orochi is getting excited as it can sense the battle atmosphere."

"You mean Kihachi's head?!"

"It's resonating with the grudge of the Shimazu onryou. They are both defeated beings so they have something in common. That is not the only reason though. Ha! Is that Narita Yuzuru?"

Kiyomasa's expression stiffened.

"My Lord. Who is this Narita Yuzuru? He possesses such a unique power."

"Well, just watch, Kiyomasa. Very soon you will understand. Yes, I can see it, I can see it, I can see it. The 'Seed of the Demon King' moving through Kojou. Fufu, seems like he's planning to fight. What a brave guy."

Nobunaga understood it well as if everything was playing right into his hands.
The 'Seed of the Demon King' had thawed completely when he encountered it at Kumamoto airport.

"Now let it begin. Oda Nobunaga and the stage of Kumamoto."

***

Elsewhere, Chiaki together with Hokage and the others had returned to Asara's Miike family. She was then confined inside the Hitakiden under Haruya's instructions. The Hitakiden was a building structure used solely for Hitaki Shinto rituals. Inside, Hokage used the goshinka of the head family to set up a fire to signal the start of the Shinto ritual.

"Ahh!"

The fire she built suddenly blew past her, soaring inside the room like a dragon. The pattering of footsteps could be heard as Haruya rushed over, ducking when he entered to avoid the flying blaze.
The situation had turned dangerous.
Haruya's voice was nervous and shrill as he peered at the blaze.

"Such chaos from Kihachi-sama."

An unbelievable power had evidently gathered beside the shintai. The tremulous presence of Kihachi's power flooded the room like the blaze. Hokage was the shrine maiden for managing the fire. And the fire she built stimulated a response from Kihachi.
No, perhaps Hokage's own body was responsible for this response.

"Hokage. Can you suppress Kihachi-sama?"

"Ahh... Ahh...."

Hokage was in front of the blaze, both hands grasping her cheeks, trembling in fear.

"The blood inside my body... The blood inside me is full of it. Kihachi-sama is calling Asara's blood. Asara is screaming."

Hokage pressed her hands against her head, writhing about painfully.

"Oi, Hokage!"

Hokage hugged her own body, tossing about in agony. In order to suppress Kihachi, her own blood must be brought under control.
Haruya could no longer bear to just watch and held Hokage in his arms.

"I beg you, Hokage! Do not let Asara out. Shut out the other by whatever means necessary. If you suppress Asara, Kihachi-sama will be suppressed! Persevere despite the pain!"

As the force of the blaze increased at intervals, Hokage's struggle grew more desperate. At this rate, Asara would emerge. If Asara were to consume Hokage, Kihachi's onryou would definitely be released.

"Uhhh...Uhh...Uhhh....!"

Writhing in agony, Hokage's body was hot like burning steel.

What should I do...!

Haruya had a pained look on his face.
He was compelled to make a decision.


At that time, Chiaki and Tetsuya were at Shimo shrine waiting for Haruya and his company.
Seated under the light bulb hanging in the shelter, Tetsuya had remained silent for a long time. He fiddled with the pull tab of a can on the ground.

"Ow..."

He grumbled softly. It seemed like he had cut the tip of his finger by accident.

"What happened? You okay?"

Tetsuya stared at the blood seeping out of his fingertip for a brief moment.

"I wonder if my blood is tainted with Asara's grudge as well."

"...Miike."

"I might be carrying Asara's grudge inside me as I live."

"Not only Asara's," Chiaki mumbled while looking up at the moon above the telephone pole. "There are many, the grudges of various other guys are also mixed in."

"Sensei."

Indeed. With the onset of each generation, Asara's blood was progressively diluted. Therefore her grudge was also made weaker through the ages.

Perhaps that person's burden is greater than I expected.

While they were at Takachiho, Haruya had a gloomy face throughout, as though he was brooding over something. He was rather tight-lipped about it too. Chiaki was more concerned about him than Tetsuya and Hokage's unease.

One hour before the appointed time for the hostage exchange, Haruya finally came out of the Hitakiden. Noticing that Haruya was walking over from the opposite side of the dark road, Chiaki and Tetsuya stood up.

"Miike-san. Where is Hokage?"

"My apologies, Chiaki-sensei," Haruya muttered in a dispirited voice. "Circumstances have turned out such that Hokage cannot be taken away."

"What!" yelled Tetsuya. "What are you saying now! Inaba will be killed if Hokage doesn't come along! Do you understand what you're saying!"

Haruya suddenly prostrated himself on the ground. Tetsuya was shocked.

"I beg you. Please think of a way to save the hostage without Hokage. I beg you!"

"Uncle..."

Tetsuya was overcome with surprise. He would never even dream of seeing this uncle of his prostrate himself on the ground.

"U...Uncle, it won't work."

"Still, I beg you. This is the only way."

Chiaki placed his hand on Tetsuya's shoulder. The latter was still rather dumbfounded as he looked up at Chiaki and saw that he was looking at Haruya with a solemn expression. It seemed like he had expected this. He understood Haruya's intentions.

"The man is already begging on his knees. We can't just refuse him."

"..."

"Will you have no regrets? Miike-san. Truly?"

Haruya remained prostrate without lifting his face. Both of his hands were pressed firmly against the ground however Chiaki noticed them shaking a little.

"Let's go, Tetsuya. We'll save Inaba without Hokage."

"That's impossible, we won't be able to do it!"

"Impossible or not, we still have to try. C'mon, you can go in Hokage's stead. You can just wear some girl's clothes or something and pretend to be Hokage since you guys are twins. That's the kind of courage you should have at the very least."

"Sensei!"

Chiaki walked out, dragging along Tetsuya, who continued to protest. When Haruya finally stood up, they had made their way across the road. Haruya bowed at the small figures of them in the distance and returned to the Hitakiden.

Inside the Hitakiden, Hokage had a demonic expression as she grappled with Asara. In just a few hours, Hokage's face had become that of an old woman. Hokage looked up at Haruya in her dazed state.

"Ta...mamo...ri..."

Haruya narrowed his eyes painfully as he stepped beside Hokage.

Princess Asara...

Haruya knew that Asara's blood had already greatly thinned with the passage of time. Compared to the olden days where Asara frequently appeared, the past few generations have seen increasingly fewer occasions of her emergence.
Perhaps this would be her last appearance. Hokage might be the last Asara.

This is the last...

"Why did things have to turn out this way, Hokage..." Haruya uttered in a reflective manner. "Among the Tamamori of the generations, I may be the most unacceptable one. But I choose this."

"..."

"Perhaps Hideya's death at that time was a blessing to him."

Hokage had never seen Haruya with such an expression before. Her uncle, filled with nothing but fear, smiled for the first time. But what she thought was a smile was in fact an expression that masked his strenuous effort to hold back his tears.

"I will have to finish this, the crime of killing one's own child that Hideya did not commit..."

After telling her this, Haruya slowly wrapped his hands around Hokage's small neck.
His strength intensified.
Groaning, Hokage's fingers grasped at thin air. Haruya's hands were full of power as they firmly constricted Hokage's neck. Haruya did not shut his eyes. He would look at Hokage right until the very end. Growing pale, Hokage's lips trembled as if she was trying to say something.

"Uh... Uhhhh....Uh..."

A groan escaped Haruya's lips as he bore the pain in his heart.
Tears slid down his cheeks from the corner of his eyes.


"Miike-san intends to let Hokage die."

"!"

Chiaki mentioned on their way back to the head family. Tetsuya stopped in his tracks in shock.

"Wha....t!"

"If Asara emerges, Kihachi's spirit will no doubt be released. I know very well how terrible an onyrou that has survived the years can be. If released, Kihachi will act violently with reckless abandon and it'll be impossible to recover him. In order to prevent Asara from emerging, letting the host die is the most reliable way."

Tetsuya's face was drained of its color.

"It's possible that all previous instances of Asara's emergence were dealt with in the same way, buried by the hands of the respective Tamamori."

Tetsuya was absolutely speechless.
The Tamamori was always pressed to make a choice whenever Asara was born. If Kihachi were liberated, peace would cease to exist. Everything from the lives of the people to the health of the country would gradually be destroyed.
The Tamamori of the various generations were probably aware of the possibility of such a catastrophe. But as individuals, they might have unconsciously wished for it.

Haruya could not do it.
The Tamamori who could not do it were those who could not kill the girl who became Asara with their own hands. Thus they would be burdened with the crime of disobeying their ancestors. With the passing of each generation, many more perpetrated this crime. And before long, the worship of Kihachi changed into a prayer asking for forgiveness for the accumulated sins of the predecessors.
And the Miike were yet another family that contributed to this pile of sin.

"I... won't allow that."

Tetsuya said in a coarse voice.

"I don't care. I don't care about Asara or whatever! But I won't allow Hokage to die! That's the one thing I won't allow! I will never forgive that!"

"Tetsuya!"

He did not heed Chiaki's words and turned back. Tetsuya ran back to the Hitakiden. Suddenly, together with a thunderous roar, a pillar of fire appeared in the direction of the Hitakiden.

"What!"

Chiaki was startled by it and hurried back as well. A blaze flared up with a terribly violent sound. It was like a gas explosion. The Hitakiden was blown apart.
Then he saw two golden beings flying away from the flames.

That is...

"Miike-san!"

Chiaki dove into the burning ruins of the Hitakiden and found Haruya lying in the center of the dirt floor. He quickly helped him up. As they made their escape, one of the pillars began to fall...!

"Kuoooh!"

Chiaki used his powers to deflect it, successfully making it to the outside with Haruya. Tetsuya immediately ran to his uncle to give him shoulder support.

"Uncle! Hang on, Uncle!"

"Hokage has..."

Injured with burns, Haruya muttered through faint breaths.

"Hokage has... flown away. It's the flying ability of the Kihachi clan. I was too late. Asara's blood... has overpowered... Hokage."

"What?"

Haruya called out to Chiaki painfully.

"I... kept one thing... a secret from you. About the spirit... the sealed head."

"A secret? What is it?"

"Kihachi's spirit... is not the only thing...that was sealed. The people killed by the Yamato race, from the Kihachi clan -- an enormous swarm of onryou of the Himuka people."

"What!"

Haruya looked at Tetsuya with anguish.

"Give chase, Tetsuya... For you, can definitely call back Hokage from... Asara's blood."

Saying that, Haruya handed Chiaki a mirror he had been holding in his arm. The mirror belonged to the kamidana of the head family. On its back was a carving of the Big Dipper constellation.

"Please project... the blaze... Sensei... you should be able to see it..."

"I can see it but what is this?"

"This blaze is... synchronized with... Kihachi-sama. You should be able to see whatever Kihachi-sama sees... Hokage's whereabouts. Is probably... Kojou..."

The mirror glowed blue as the blaze began to form a projection just like he had said. Within the blaze, an image slowly emerged. It was an image of Kojou High. The place where the 'Golden Snake Head', Kihachi's head, was buried. He could clearly see Mikuriya and her company...!

What!

Chiaki was shocked again. He had seen something unbelievable in the mirror's reflection.
Narita Yuzuru. Narita Yuzuru was in the same place as Mikuriya and the others.

Why is Narita in Kumamoto!

"Sensei... I brought this... from Takachiho... the Paulownia box."

"Paulownia box?"

"Give that... to Tetsuya...I am certain... it will be useful."

"That's... What's inside!"

"A katana... from... Takachiho shrine---..."

It seemed like Haruya had exhausted the last of his strength with these words.

"Miike-san!"

"Hurry... please go..." Haruya uttered before losing consciousness. Before long, a fire engine and ambulance arrived. Chiaki and Tetsuya, entrusted with Haruya's request, stood up.

"We'll leave now and you bring that so-called katana. We're heading back to the school."

"The school?"

"Right. Hokage is going to Kojou High. We've to immediately pursue them in order to rescue Inaba. If you understand now, get going!"

With a nod, Tetsuya sprinted into action. Chiaki turned around and dashed towards the car.




Original fiction © Kuwabara Mizuna

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