Book 12 Chapter 25 厳島、ふたたび

From Chinese translations by Hinako.

Draft: Version 1 - final
Notes: 紅葉谷/红叶谷 Momijidani
PS: do not distribute this without my permission

---

A staggering blow was dealt to the right side of the ship.

"Wahh!"

The body of the vessel tilted greatly towards the left, Motoharu and the others on the bridge simultaneously struck against the walls of the ship. Kuchiba seemed to have knocked his head severely, blood was flowing out of his nose.

"Kuchiba! Pull yourself together, Michiyoshi!"

Motoharu held onto him, but Kuchiba had already fainted, he could not answer. Motoharu fiercely cast a glance ahead. Several figures of dragons twirled across the sky and sea. Clear and natural billows surrounded the 'Yamato'.

"What is going on here!"

The great amount of seawater that had transformed into beautiful shapes without reserve, changed into a large dangerous weapon. Attacking this sort of object with a multitude of incantations proved to be ineffective. Even if it were effective, it would not inflict much harm. It should be this way, but...! Could it be that a Tsukugomani created from the sea had no way of surpassing the strength of the waters? No, could this be the spiritual power of the sea itself!

"Could it be that...!"

Motoharu widened his eyes, his face turned pale all of a sudden.

"Is it the 'kanju' and 'manju'! Why! Who is controlling them!"

Immediately after those words were uttered, there was an intense impact once again. The attack came from the direction of the Itsukushima shrine.

"My Lord, a torpedo!"

"!"

Now countless traces of thunder came from the front below the surface of the sea, violently pressing closer with speed. They were in the form of torpedoes that took shape from the deluge of seawater.

"Left rudder! Evade it!"

It was too late!
The rushing torpedoes came to a close distance and exploded. A violent impact could be felt from beneath.

"Nnnh!"

The bottom of the ship had apparently been damaged. Motoharu grabbed the compass and shouted out.

"Strike back! Prepare our cannons! The opponent is in front! ...On the sea!"

"My Lord, the armor is disintegrating unceasingly!"

"Our rudder is damaged! There is no way to move!"

"Our main gun turret seems to be abnormal! We cannot load the spiritual shells!"

"Damn it!"

Motoharu hissed and shouted out from his throat.

"Prepare our secondary artillery, our supplementary guns!"

"An Oatakebune has been spotted ahead!"

"What!"

"There are people onboard. It is a ship of the Oda!"

Motoharu snatched the telescope from his retainer's hand. He looked carefully, amongst the turbulent waves was a large Oatakebune. A young man was standing there gazing ahead...

Don't tell me it's Oda Nobunaga!

The 'Yamato' began to fire. Despite executing a fierce counterattack, every spiritual shell was blocked by an extremely thick wall of seawater and detonated upon contact. There was no way to defeat the enemy. The sea was protecting the Oatakebune!

"Nnnh Ahhh!"

They came under an intense merciless assault. On the verge of defeat, if this continued they would be smashed to pieces by the sea. The Tsukugomani warship that should have been unrivaled, the Mouri's flagship, was about be sunk by the strength of the sea itself instead of an enemy ship!

"This is it, we cannot continue like this ahhh!"

Blood flowed down from Kodama's eyes, he cried out.

"Attack! Counterattack with all strength! The dangerous weapon of the opponent is the sea, the seawater! Don't retreat, as long as we hold our positions with incantations we can definitely crush it! Charge!"

"My Lord, the fleet! The Tsukugomani fleet is being sunk!"

"What!"

Nobunaga, with the 'manju' and 'kanju', could freely control the sea from every direction. When the 'Yamato' had desperately tried to put up a resistance, the other ships were already submerging one after the other.

"It's the 'manju' and 'kanju'! Kill that controller! Stop him! If we don't liberate the sea from his control we will be sunk!"

"A torpedo is approaching!"

"Attack!"

"Prepare to fire the cannons!"


"Ha---hahaha! Don't struggle don't struggle, 'Yamato'! It's no use it's no use, you all can't beat me! Why don't you obediently raise the white flag...!"

Oda Nobunaga, with bright perception, was on the Oatakebune manipulating the 'manju' and 'kanju' according to his will. The two jewels had apparently received the owner's influence, emanating an even more dazzling flaming radiance. The 'Yamato's' own cannons could not even touch him.

"It's no use it's no use, Mouri! Kneel before me! Kneel before the Demon King! Come on!"

A wave of torpedoes was fired once again. The 'Yamato' erupted violently in flames, it began to tilt severely. However Nobunaga had hardly any mercy. The great waves took the shape of a saw and dashed through the surface of the sea with great speed!

"Sink, 'Yamato'---!"

***

"Exorcise!"

An incandescence covered the area. The Oda's soldiers occupying the watchtower at the hilltop were engulfed and disappeared in one breath.

"You did it, Kakizaki-dono!"

Isari-hime and Tomo-hime, originally hiding behind a rock, ran out.

"Come, Tomo-hime. The Oda's soldiers have all been settled. Which is the Kanman-iwa?"

"This one."

Tomo-hime placed her hand on a large rock at the watchtower. In the center of the rock was a hole about the size of a fist.

"In order to rob the strength of the 'manju' and 'kanju', we have to construct a new 'manju' and 'kanju' that is more powerful than the former. Contained inside this rock is a great amount of minerals that was used to construct those two gems. Look at this hole."

Tomo-hime said.

"In this hole one would be able to ascertain the hour of the high tide, that is when it fills with water, including the unfathomable phenomenon of the water drying up with the time of low tide. Furthermore the water that fills up within is seawater. During high tide this rock would draw water from the seabed to the summit. During low tide it would allow the seawater to flow back to the bottom of the sea. It is this very force that is the power of the 'manju' and 'kanju'."

"Then, this is the original form of the 'manju' and 'kanju'..."

"Not exactly. The true form of the 'manju' and 'kanju', are the extraordinary spiritual minerals of the 'man ishi' 'kan ishi' crystals that possess the strength to raise the waters of an ebbing tide. This rock took shape from both the Kanman types of minerals. There is a fascinating thing over here."

Tomo-hime pointed to the bottom of the rock.

"There are wonderfully engraved characters here. Can you see them?"

"Yeah...?"

There were indistinct characters, like a kind of cipher. They did not look like Sanskrit characters...

"Apparently, this is known as the rock-shaped letters. It was a long time ago, archaic characters from approximately 30,000 years ago to about 2000 B.C."

"Archaic characters?"

Ayako lifted her head in amazement.

"The rock-shaped letters... I've heard of them before! Ancient characters that can be understood by using the plum flower-decorated writings and what not. Many were discovered in Japan... But why would this sort of thing...!"

"These are actually the letters of records of the ancient Gods."

Tomo-hime said unenthusiastically.

"These rock-shaped letters were symbols transcribed by the ancient Gods as a guide to identifying the locations of the spiritual minerals of the 'manju' and 'kanju'. Besides Itsukushima, they were also discovered at Momijidani and Itsukushima shrine. Every place that bore these rock-shaped letters would have the 'man ishi' and 'kan ishi'. But the amount is never as abundant as this Kanman-iwa."

"So this Kanman-iwa is the ore of the 'manju' and 'kanju'. We have to use this rock to make a new 'manju' and 'kanju' right?"

"Yes. But even though the contents of this rock is considerable, the crystals are relatively small moreover its power is loosely scattered. In order to outstrip the 'manju' and 'kanju', we need a certain object."

"A certain object...?"

"What...! What is that!"

Isari-hime, hearing it from the lookout tower that overlooked the sea, called out. Tomo-hime and Ayako turned around, startled.

"Ahhh!"

Oono Seto twirled up into several immense bodies of coiling dragons. The large pillars of seawater swirled up in a whirlpool with an astonishing force, causing the 'Yamato' and the rest of the Mouri fleet to overturn in succession.

"What is that!"

"It's the 'manju' and 'kanju'! Nobunaga has begun to employ those two gems!"

The sea level swelled to a great height, changing into the huge blade of a saw, attacking the fleet all around from the front. The large amount of seawater became a fierce tool. The sea was like a living organism freely transforming into a variety of shapes, the great waves caused the upheaval of the ships themselves, one by one the vessels were overturned. Following that, the front side of the churning columns of water changed into a diamond head and charged towards the 'Yamato'.

"The 'Yamato'...!"

Isari-hime called out in grief.

"The 'Yamato' will sink!"

Tomo-hime gasped. Motoharu was onboard. If this continued, Motoharu would go down together with the 'Yamato'.

"...Motoharu-sama...!"

"What are you doing!"

Isari instantly opened her eyes, she cried out loudly.

"Quick! Sister! Stop Nobunaga at once! Destroy the 'manju' and 'kanju'! If this continues, the 'Yamato' will sink, Motoharu-sama will die!"

"Isari...?"

"Motoharu-sama will die! Hurry and save Motoharu-sama, hurry, Sister!"

"You...!"

Tomo-hime, stunned, looked at Isari.

"You want to save Motoharu-sama?"

"Wait a minute both of you! We can't destroy it yet!"

"Don't interfere! Be quiet! Sister, quickly destroy the 'manju' and 'kanju', and save the 'Yamato'!"

"You can't!"

"I told you to be quiet!"

Isari-hime shouted in this way, and unexpectedly unleashed a net-like incantation on Ayako. The net-like incantation wrapped around Ayako's entire body, immediately immobilizing her. Despite struggling, Ayako could not loosen it at all. Even if she tried to use her powers, her spells were absorbed by the net and could not be released.

"Damn... it..."

"Hurry, Sister! How do we do this! What must we do to destroy the 'manju' and 'kanju'!"

"Don't you hate him? Isari..."

Tomo-hime murmured a query.

"Don't you hate Motoharu-sama? Wanting to kill Motoharu-sama like that..."

Isari-hime came back to her senses, she was at a loss for words.

"That... that is!"

"Didn't you say that Motoharu-sama is the chief instigator for incurring our misfortune and so you hated him? Do you want to save that sort of Motoharu-sama?"

"..."

Isari could not refute, she was in a very difficult position. She could not find any excuse to defend herself. After considerable vexation, she came to her thoughts.

"Correct. That is so."

"Isari."

"That is so, that is so! I hate Motoharu-sama. If he hadn't come to our family to discuss marriage, that incident would not have happened!"

But...
Isari recalled the past.
That day when Motoharu came to that secluded village deep in the mountains.
Having had her facial features burned by her sister, this incident was hushed up, her family members were afraid it might stir up a scandal and had send Isari deep into the mountains where no one lived. The day before her sister's wedding was held, Motoharu-sama had visited Isari-hime.

--How is the condition of your health?

Apprehensive of Isari-hime in his heart, Motoharu had told her the long and short of the matter.
Informed her of Motoharu's sincerity, as well as the truth of the matter.
From the very beginning, Motoharu had wanted to wed Tomo-hime. He had decided to take Tomo-hime as his wife, because she was Kumagai Nobunao's eldest daughter, there was no other reason besides this. Because he needed Nobunao's strength, Motoharu had hoped to forge ties of kindred with a solid marriage.
Motoharu's willingness to take her elder sister as his wife, was certainly not due to that disaster. And it was definitely not because Isari had become uglier than her sister, thus he could only compromise by taking her sister as his wife.
To prevent Isari-hime from misunderstanding, after telling her of the truth of the situation, he had said to her.

--However, after I learned of what had happened, for the first time I deeply pondered over that princess' matter. From the bottom of my heart, I wish to eliminate that princess' loneliness.

Motoharu had lowered his head after saying this, a bashful smile much like a youngster had appeared on his face. Isari-hime would never forget that smiling face for the rest of eternity.
To Isari-hime, Motoharu would always be the man she longed for.

"Motoharu-sama is a gentle person. I... have always loved him too."

Isari mocked herself with laughter.

"It was because I took the words of the people all around me to be true and had looked forward to the moment. Thinking Motoharu-sama would surely not want my ugly sister, thus would take me as his wife. Logically speaking, he would tie the knot with I who was so pretty."

"Isari..."

"I was so full of myself. Hmph, at the end of the day there was actually not much to choose between the two. Honestly speaking, I am the same as all those heartless people around me. Unable to do anything but blame Sister alone."

"..."

"Sister, you burned my face and acquired Motoharu-sama's love. The princess that no one loved, in the end, however, obtained my most desired treasure..."

Isari pursed her lips together and hung her head.

"So I will not sympathize with you. Sister must make amends for what you did to me until the end. I will not forgive Sister. Even now, I don't mean to forgive you. But, Sister..."

Although it was difficult to speak up, Isari-hime still lifted her head.

"Be it Sister or Motoharu-sama... I have always, always liked the both of you."

"Isari..."

***

Rustle rustle!

"Nnnh!"

A gigantic wave rose above the breakwater, water poured down on Takaya's head as he ran towards the embankment. Takaya, nearly swept away by the tide, desperately clung onto the breakwater.

The 'Yamato'...

Lifting his head to gaze afar, there was the huge black reflection of the ship on the sea, which was behaving like an agitated, ferocious living creature. It seemed like the Tsukugomani fleet had long lost navigational function, and could only suffer the turbulent condition of the sea, in the face of crisis they helplessly endured the tide waters which had changed into a menacing instrument that attacked in waves.
The enemy warships had ceased to be from the start. The 'Yamato' was now the only opponent left on the sea itself.

Whish!!!

The waters rose to the skies, tracing a tall arch as it turned, as though it were a large dragon. The seawater morphed into several dozens of dragons that charged at the 'Yamato' continuously.

"!"

Among them, one dragon finally connected with the body of the 'Yamato'. Defiant fires burst out on the ship. The spiritual bodies that had become its armor gradually fell into the sea. The 'Yamato' tilted greatly towards the right.

No...!

The large dragons of seawater transformed into sharp probing heads that ruthlessly penetrated the body of the ship. This was the end. The 'Yamato' was going to sink. If this continued, the coastal area would subsequently be damaged!

"Stop, Nobunaga!"

Takaya faced the sea as he shouted.

"Your control ends here!"

But it was impossible for his voice to be transmitted to Nobunaga's ears. An even more frightening glint appeared in Nobunaga's eyes, as he controlled the 'manju' and 'kanju'.

"Ha---ha, ha, ha! There's nothing else that's as interesting! Satisfying, satisfying! Come, heed my commands, great sea! Dragon God, you can merely be my servant!"

With a rumbling sound, the 'Yamato' had almost been entirely stripped of its armor. The 'Yamato's' exposed belly that had been miserably shredded by the shells, was lifted up by the great billows and began to submerge.

"Come, one last attack!"

The surrounding seawater went up in an uproar with the erratic slapping waves. Nobunaga poured his strength into the 'manju' and 'kanju'. Then, the jewels reached the peak of their powers.
Nobunaga suddenly opened his eyes.

"Charge---!"


Inside the ship of the 'Yamato', the sailors wanted to escape. The bridge where Motoharu and the others were was already flooded, there was no way they could endure this anymore.

"My Lord, please escape at once!"

"I won't leave! This is Mouri's ship, I can't leave...!"

"That won't do, my Lord!"

Kuchiba, leaning on Motoharu's shoulder had regained consciousness and muttered.

"Kuchiba..."

"The ship's destiny is tied to the captain's, there only need be a battlefield. You must save yourself. Please carry on living for the sake of the Mouri...Nnnh!"

"Kuchiba! Pull yourself together!"

"My Lord!"

Motoharu turned his head, at present countless torpedoes were approaching.

"!"


Bang rumble!


"!"

Hearing an explosion that shook the earth, Ayako and the others at Misen lifted their heads, gasping.

"The 'Yamato'!"

The 'Yamato'... scattered in every direction.
The spell that had condensed the body of the ship together was broken up in one breath, dispersing in all directions haphazardly.
There was nothing left in that place.
Tomo-hime and Isari-hime both widened their eyes. Their faces contorted, their breathing grew disorderly, then there was an outcry of grief. Both of them shouted at the same time.

"Motoharu-sama -----!"


"Aha---hahahaha!"

Seeing the 'Yamato' fragmented, Nobunaga pondered as he sought for his next target.

"Come, what's next! You, Kagetora! Let me be your opponent, this sea is my servant! Do you want to request for the submarine of the maritime self-defense force to be my challenger, or the seventh fleet of the United States!"

Nobunaga could not stop his explosive laughter.

"Forward forward---! I, Nobunaga, alone want to conquer Japan, no, the entire world! Wah---ha, ha, ha!"

What a frightful bastard...!

Takaya, on the holy mountainous region, trembled as he watched the fragments of spells of the 'Yamato' flying about the sea. If he continued to sit and not bother in this way, who knows what Nobunaga would do next.

"That is enough! Hurry and destroy those two jewels in Nobunaga's hands! Haruie!"

Takaya's call was communicated to Ayako. Ayako cut off Isari's spell, and yelled at Tomo-hime.

"Tomo-hime! Now's the time! Quickly use the Kanman-iwa to...!"

Isari-hime was caught in a lull owing to her astonishment, Ayako desperately called out.

"Tomo-hime, please, quickly destroy the 'manju' and 'kanju'! The 'Yamato' has already disappeared! There's no need to continue to hold for them!"

"..."

Tomo-hime turned to Ayako, shaking her head.

"I don't want to..."

Her eyes were full of tears.

"I can't do it."

"Can't do it... Why!"

"I can't do it!"

Tomo-hime knelt on the ground and hugged her head.

"In order to raise the power of the Kanman-iwa..."

Tomo-hime painfully lifted her face.

"A person's soul is required."

"!"

Ayako and Isari gasped.

"A person's soul!"

"Yes. The body of a soul is required to combine with the rock. It will become the core, and fuse as one with the 'manju' and 'kanju'. The soul will neutralize the differing characteristic spiritual energy caused by the rising of the tide, and change into an immense singular power. In order to destroy the 'manju' and the 'kanju'...!"

"!"

The three of them looked at one another.
Tomo-hime obviously had to remain to carry out this task.

"The soul that is to become one with this rock will undergo deification, and never be able to leave the rock ever again. It will also never be reincarnated. But become the soul of the rock forever."

A suitable sacrifice.
Someone had to be the sacrifice.

Ayako's soul, or Isari-hime's soul?

"The soul of a kanshou-sha can't be used."

Tomo-hime said.

"The spiritual arrow is incapable of passing through and implanting in the physical body of a kanshou-sha's soul. Only a soul that possesses a body can be used."

"..."

A long silence followed. All of a sudden, Isari's face quivered without reason before she laughed.

"You want me to sacrifice myself?"

"Isari..."

"Is that right? As long as I become the sacrificial lamb then it'll be fine! So you brought me here for this very purpose, Sister!"

Tomo-hime turned her face away in grief.

"Not just once, but twice! You want to sacrifice me! Trample on me, this little sister, as long as the results are favorable then all is well, right! Just like when you burned my face in order to wed Motoharu-sama, this time you want to place me in that rock, and make yourself the heroine! A filthy woman! An incredibly repulsive woman!"

"Please be a bit sensible, Isari!"

"I refuse, I definitely refuse to be the sacrifice!"

Isari finally cried as she shouted.

"I want to be happy as well! Start my life over, this time I definitely want a blessed life!"

"Isari...!"

"Becoming a person, I imagine Sister wanted to be married to a tender man as well, have many children, and lead a happy life! This time I definitely want happiness!"

"Isari!"

"I refuse! I refuse! I don't want it this way---!"

"Isari!"

Tomo-hime shouted loudly, and tightly embraced her younger sister.

"...!"

Being held firmly around her [Isari] own arms, Isari was stupefied and widened her eyes.
The elder sister buried her face onto her [Isari] shoulder, tears flowed out. Isari calmly felt the hot tears moistening her neck.

"Forgive me, Isari..."

Tomo-hime uttered into her ear.

"...I've always hoped that you would forgive me. Adorable princess, just like the tender spring wind. The princess that warmed everyone's internal spirit..."

"..."

"I too, really liked Isari..."

Isari was dumbfounded. Tears gradually welled up in her eyes.
Isari wrapped her arms around her sister's back, slowly embracing her elder sister. Tears silently flowed out of her closed eyes.

"Sister..."

The younger sister tightly embraced her beloved elder sister. They firmly held onto each other as if closing the gap in between that arose from the endless years of mutual loathing.
They hugged in this way.
The sound of the great waves arrived.

"..."

Isari calmly let go of Tomo-hime. Then with both her hands she stroked Tomo-hime's cheeks and gazed at her delicately. Isari, with a tear-streaked face, smiled brightly for the first time.

"You're beautiful. Sister..."

"Isari..."

Isari-hime slowly stood up. She approached the Kanman-iwa, quietly turning so that her back faced the rock, she opened both her hands.

"I will become a deity am I correct?"

Isari-hime was crying.

"Even if I cannot be like Youkihi, I will always be here protecting the sea of Aki."

Closing her eyes, she leaned her head against the rock.

"Do it, Sister."

Tomo-hime shed the final drops of tears, slowly stood up firmly, placed both her hands together in a mudra of the Goddess of Mercy. As soon as she chanted the shingon, the spiritual bow appeared in her hands. She held the torch alight with the spiritual fire taken from the 'Temple of the Unextinguishable Spiritual Fire' in her right hand, and began to chant the Buddhist dharani of the repentance prayer of the Goddess of Mercy.

Ayako quietly watched the both of them.

"...Kibishisu Nantori Hogyari Oruni Hokyuuri Mokyuuri Chubiri Soko."

Tomo-hime opened her eyes.
The divine fire of the torch changed into a spiritual arrow. The flames of 1000 years began to emit a golden radiance and burned more intensely. Tomo-hime drew her bow, facing Isari she pulled the bowstring to the maximum with all her strength.

"Isari..."

The younger sister closed her eyes, awaiting the moment for the bow to launch the arrow.
Tomo-hime also closed her eyes, hissing out loud.

"Isari---!"

The arrow was fired.
The golden arrow struck through the center of Isari-hime's chest. Then it was sucked into the rock and the entire rock turned golden...!

Ka!

"!"

A flash permeated their entire field of vision.
The Kanman-iwa released a dazzling luminescence.

***

"What!"

On the opposite bank of the body of water, Shimozura Rairyu and the others were stunned.
All of a sudden the summit of Mt. Misen emitted rays of light, causing everyone to stare in shock.

"What is that!"

"A missile!"

Golden beams of light shot out from the peak, the rays that left trails of light flew towards the sea with sudden speed. Its target was...

The Oda's Oatakebune!


"!"


Nobunaga on the ship turned his head in surprise.
In the next moment, his field of vision turned completely white.

"Nahhhhh!"

Ka!

An intense white light exploded over the sea.
The golden blaze silently scattered in two directions.
Both the jewels issued a soundless cry of anguish.
Mottled cracks like a tortoise shell instantly appeared on the 'manju' and 'kanju' in Nobunaga's hands before completely disintegrating into dust.

"Ah... Ahhhh!"

Nobunaga stared as he cried out.
He did not know what was going on!

"Why---!"

The power to control the sea was lost in a blink of an eye. The seawater shaped like a large dragon flying in mid-air promptly issued an explosive clamor and fell onto the waters.

"...!"

Like a huge waterfall.
The great amount of seawater that poured down from the sky ruthlessly battered the obscuring all vision.
Takaya protected his body. The flying shower of rain invaded the coastal area with an astonishing strength.

"Nnnh Ahhh!"

Close by, a great wave surged upwards, charging towards Takaya. It was a huge tsunami...!

He would be engulfed...!

Takaya could not help but crouch down in a huddled position and shut his eyes however, at that crucial moment, something bore Takaya's body and headed upwards.

What...!

Whish!!

As if it wanted to break through the large waves that were swallowing up the coastal area. A certain object was flying through. It was a dragon. This was a real dragon...!
A silver dragon was soaring across the surface of the sea.
Takaya rode on its back.
Takaya rode on Ujiyasu's back as he confronted the Oatakebune on the sea.


"Nnnnhhhh!"

The Oatakebune managed with difficulty to endure the gigantic waves that tossed about. After the huge waterfall had disappeared, Nobunaga took notice of the dragon that appeared to the side of him.

"Damn it, Kagetora! Was it you!"

Nobunaga bellowed as he was angry, a new wave of power festered within his body. Many souls like isaribi were floating all about the sea surface.

"Unexpectedly destroying my gems...! Damn it, I've truly underestimated you! I want you to end up together with them! Kagetora! Go to hell---!"

"!"

Bang bang bang!

Along with the howl of the crying wind, Nobunaga waved his arm in one great turn as though he was drawing a circle, concentrating all of his power in his tanden. The surrounding stream of air rapidly changed into negative energy. This technique of causing the natural current of air to behave contrarily, assimilating all of the wave motions, is...

What...!

Takaya remembered this wave motion. This excessive brutality, a merciless wave form that could nearly freeze the soul...! An evil wave form that turned light into darkness...!

"It can't be...!"

"Hahhh!"

Nobunaga drew a deep breath, and concentrated his entire body's strength in his fist.
Nobunaga roared.

"Everyone go to hell ahhhhh!"

Nobunaga attacked with his Hakonha!
An immense energy that warped space approached.
Takaya centralized all of his power, he cried out from the depths of his soul.

"Father, please grant me your strength---!"

The growl of the dragon and tiger shook the sea!

!

Tremendous forces that surpassed all imagination clashed directly against each other.
The entire area of Itsukushima was enclosed by a white light, an impact that seemed to distort dimensions shattered across the Oono Seto.
The sea was sliced into two.
The seawater had been parted such that even the seabed was exposed.
Blowing out from the crack in the sea was an astonishing cyclone that almost swept everything away.

"Nnnh Ahhhh----!"

The cyclone that burst out surged up to edge of the heavens, the entire region was bleached. The Oatakebune, unable to withstand the force of the collision, was split apart on impact, the sailors that fell into the sea were engulfed by the fierce billows.

"Nnhh!"

But Takaya and Ujiyasu endured. They exhausted all of their strength to block Nobunaga's Hakonha, finally everything had returned to normal.

Rumble rumble!

The seawater thrashed about, gradually filling the crack. The tide waters mutually collided, giving rise to eddies of various magnitudes everywhere.
The Oatakebune had been pulverized, becoming discards of the sea. They did not see Nobunaga's form. Even if it was possible that Nobunaga sustained fairly serious injuries, it was not likely that he would die from this degree of an attack.

[Help...!]

 [We're drowning...!]

  [Water...!]

   [We're in pain...!]

Hearing the painful cries of the souls conveyed from beneath the surface of the sea, Takaya came to himself. The sea that had become a battlefield, now had more than 10,000 souls requesting for help.

Kekkai Choubuku...

Takaya spurred his fatigued body to once again concentrate his power. Ujiyasu continuously called out 'Stop', and desperately tried to advise Takaya against it. If he carried out a Kekkai Choubuku now, his physical body would not be able to take it. Should anything go wrong in the implementation, Takaya could just die like this.
But Takaya had no intention of stopping.

Please grant me your strength...

He said this to Ujiyasu.
Possibly feeling uneasy with what he was doing, Takaya sought in his heart and called out that name, clenched his teeth and focused his spirit. Takaya suddenly opened his eyes.
With him situated in the center, a light wave began to enclose the surrounding surface of the sea.

But right at this moment, Takaya was attacked by surprise with a spell.

"!"

Takaya set up a Goshinha just in time, he sharply shifted his gaze. A small motorboat from the opposite side of the sea rapidly approached.

"I won't let you exorcise me, Kagetora!"

"You... Rairyu...!"

It was Shimozura Rairyu. Rairyu was attacking with incantations like a machine gun, widening his eyes streaked with capillaries and shouted.

"I want to exact revenge for Brother! Kagetora, fight me! This time I definitely want to take your life!"

"Don't get in my way, Rairyu!"

"Are you afraid, Kagetora!"

Rairyu yelled, he grasped the stone idols in his hand and threw them up into the air.

"!"

The air shook with a loud noise, several forms of the Goddess of Mercy appeared. Takaya wavered. If the opponent was a god, exorcism would be ineffective.

"Come now! What's the matter, Kagetora!"

"Nnhh...!"

The goddesses together launched an attack against Takaya. The rays of light were like several tens of thousands of sharp arrows fired at him. Takaya desperately extended his Goshinha to defend himself. But the power unleashed by gods was honestly too strong...!

Ujiyasu roared and began to counterattack. He released an incantation with his entire body, the goddesses parried his attack with hostility. Several incantations penetrated the Goshinha, blood began to gush out of Takaya's wounds.

"Nnhh!"

"The real battle comes next!"

Rairyu called out, he struck Takaya with all of his accumulated power that he had stored all this while.

"Look this way, Kagetora!"

"!"

Takaya expanded his Goshinha, but could not completely ward off the attack. Sparks sharply broke out, they had sustained a direct hit. Together with Ujiyasu, Takaya fell into the sea. He submerged into the water, unprepared. Rairyu did not let go of this opportunity.

"Go to hell!"

The goddesses' attacks intensified. Then right at this moment.
Amazing sparks of plasma broke out, Takaya's body was wrapped in a protective spherical barrier. Someone protected the unprepared Takaya with a Goshinha.

"What!"

Rairyu widened his eyes. At this moment, the unexpected sound of the fierce flapping of wings drew near, a large group of black objects flew from behind Mt. Misen.

"I won't let you continue with this recklessness!"

It was the voice of Chiaki Shuuhei. He was riding on the back of a huge tengu, nearly three meters in body length, commanding the group of tengu to attack.

"Tarobou, I request of you!"

The tengu issued a vibrant call.
At one glance, flying in from all four directions of the sky was a large, black group of objects. Misen's tengu chief, Tarobou, had summoned the tengu legions, that came in support from various regions.

"Nnnh Ahhh!"

Rairyu's view was covered by the group of tengu. The tengu's numbers were staggering. Even though Rairyu haphazardly attacked with incantations, the tengu did not seem to decrease in number at all.

"Damn it, this again all of a sudden! Scram! Scram, hateful tengu!"

Nevertheless, the numbers of the tengu did not decrease. The red tengu and raven tengu only flew in one after the other persistently, surrounding the goddesses, they pricked with their beaks, or used their tin staffs to strike their opponents. The goddesses were stunned by their startling numbers, and one by one gradually disappeared and left.

"Now's the time, Kagetora! Kekkai Choubuku!"

Ujiyasu brought Takaya back to the surface of the sea and flew up to the sky once again.
In the sea were many souls facing the sky, calling out with outstretched arms. Among them was the figure of Aida. He cried, 'Please take me go immediately.'
Takaya concentrated his spirit again. A film of light wrapped the sea. Then its intensity slowly increased, a semi-circle was formed from his powers.

"Noumakusamanda Bodanan Baishiramandaya Sowaka... Ari Nari Tonari, Anaro Nabi Kunabi."

Takaya's body hoisted what seemed to be countless fine threads of spiritual energy. This was different from his usual self. A great amount of spiritual energy grew continuously until it seemed to be overflowing.

"Shatter demonic grudge, to achieve submission of the sworn enemy!"

Takaya faced the heavens and declared powerfully.

"Namotobatsu Bishamonten! Descend!"


Ka!


White lightning illuminated the sky. At the same time a great thunder, with a similarly astounding intensity, fell to the ground from the sky.

"Hahhh!"

In the concentric circle the large waves surged upwards, Rairyu's boat was swallowed by the great waves. With the boat overturned by the unruly waves, Rairyu was flung into the billowy sea.

The rays of light inside the completed kekkai slowly congealed a little, issuing dispersive plasma, gradually changing into the figure of Bishamonten. The left hand held a multi-storeyed pagoda, the right hand grasped a long spear, the military appearance of the God of War!

Takaya dictated.

"At present to be exorcised by Kekkai Choubuku. The many souls of the soldiers floating about the Oono Seto!"

Bishamonten answered with what seemed to be the discharge of lightning. Takaya concentrated his spirit once again.

"Noumakusamanda Bodanan Baishiramandaya Sowaka!"

Hovering out from Takaya's body was a swaying spiritual air much like a red lotus. A gentle breeze blew from beneath Takaya.

"We are the Yasha of the six realms. We pledge our entire souls to uphold uncorrupted justice. Come forth!"

He suddenly widened his eyes.

"Namotobatsu Bishamonten!"

Power from his entire body poured into his mudra.

"To subjugate the demons! Grant me thy power!"

Bishamonten released a flash of light, condensing into a round sphere of radiance in both of Takaya's hands within an instant. Then the ball of light expanded, changing into a katana.
The katana of Bishamon carried an immense energy, discharging plasma.
The plasma crackled in his ear.
Takaya clenched his teeth, planted his feet firmly, and centralized all of his strength into his hands.
The bright-red spiritual energy leaped from his body!
Just like a red lotus blaze...!

"Exorcise!"

The sea turned snow-white.
The explosive radiance covered the entire world in white light.
The navy soldiers, the Mouri soldiers, Sue's soldiers...
At last, the soldiers saw the rays of light.
Not darkness, but brightness.


--Mother...!

In the black smoky tar of the sea there came a cry, reflecting the tender appearance of his mother, which scattered in the pupil of his eye.

--Let this country...

Together with the irreparable, the most dangerous warship, that represented the beloved country's land, sank to the seabed in the pupil of his eye.

--Please be sure to find happiness...

The face forgotten in the high tides, the hands full of blood grabbed onto the oxygen cylinder, praying for the next generation of the household in the pupil of his eye.


In the end, the souls saw the radiance.
Pure, bright, clean rays of light.
Leaving behind their cravings, that could never disappear, at the bottom of the sea.
They melted into the surrounding radiance...

---

Original fiction © Kuwabara Mizuna.