Book 13 Chapter 06 三眼の犬

From Chinese translations by Hinako

Draft: Version 1 - final
Notes: 鎌倉山/镰仓山 Kamakurayama; 廣大/广大 Koudai; 村雨妖刀 Murasame Blade; 富士宮 Fujinomiya; 淺間/浅间 Asama; 武藏 Musashi
PS: do not distribute this without permission

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"It seems like your use of hallucinatory hypnotism on the residents of the island were effective."

They were at Tatsumi Yoshitsugu's residence in Kamakurayama. Tatsumi had called Kaizaki Makoto to his study on the second level of his house, from the window he could see the pond of the Koudai Japanese-styled garden.

"It is as you saw during the day."

Kaizaki replied to the chairman, Tatsumi Yoshitsugu, standing beside him. The black Western-styled suit fitted his well-proportioned body well, his black hair was combed to the back and the slender frame of his glasses gave one the impression that he was a knowledgeable person.
In front of Kaizaki, Tatsumi was looking over the night courtyard. This dwelling was constructed in the first year of the Meiji era, possessing rooms that have a fair amount of antiquity. Tatsumi moved his hands, originally placed on the clean and polished cream-colored window sill, into his large silk coat, he turned around.

"When I saw that, it was really difficult not to be startled. The phantom ghost was certainly hideous... I heard that an innumerable amount of people had moved out due to fear of those ghosts. As a man of the current era, you have a fairly remarkable spiritual ability."

"Thank you for the compliment."

"Worthy of being called a descendant of our Satomi clan. To have been blessed with such an excellent offspring, I'm really pleased. Makoto."

"Thank you, Yoshitaka-sama." Kaizaki addressed Tatsumi in this way. "I am also proud to be a descendant of the Satomi. It is an honor to be serving my distinguished ancestors."

"Mmm. The one capable of using our clan's blade? The Murasame, you are the only one. I'm truly looking forward to it from now on."

Satomi Yoshitaka.

Satomi Yoshitaka was the military leader of Bousou, after making a stand and fighting furiously against suppression, he had turned the Satomi into one of the leading powers of the Kanto region within the time frame of barely a generation, he was a brave general.
In Yami Sengoku, although the Satomi only recovered their domain after the extinction of the Hojo, at present they were still engaged in fierce resistances as a result of an invasion by the Takeda.

Three months ago, he decided to bribe a youth that belonged to the clan's bloodline - Kaizaki Makoto - for a certain purpose. Yoshitaka himself possessed the body of the chairman of Kyoutake real estate, Tatsumi Yoshitsugu, also instructing his retainers to possess the bodies of Kyoutake associates, the entire company was thus seized by the Satomi.

"The base has at long last been well-established."

Yoshitaka sat on the large desk chair.

"The residents have been driven out, the opposing members are dead, operations have gone through smoothly. The only thing left is to wait for Enoshima shrine to reply our purchase proposal. But," Yoshitaka paused for a while, then spoke. "I heard the Uesugi have begun to move."

"Yes."

Yashiro, standing to one side awaiting orders, replied. No, it would be more appropriate to refer to him as the Satomi retainer that had possessed the body of Yashiro - Masaki Tokishige. The hyoui rei that Takaya had detected, was this Masaki.

"There was no mistake. That was the Uesugi general, Saburo Kagetora, and Kakizaki Haruie."

"Are you certain you're not mistaken?"

"Yes. During that time when they were hunting down Nagano, Tokishige had seen them with his own eyes."

"Hmph. They're still not satisfied despite killing Nagano, have they now extended their evil influence to our premises?"

Yoshitaka gnawed his tongue hatefully.

"Saburo Kagetora huh? I've heard of him. Wasn't he originally a son of the Hojo? Hmph, once I hear that he's a son of that hateful Hojo clan, I feel an even more pressing urge to crush him with these two hands."

Countless grudges existed between the Satomi and the Hojo, the two clans had a relationship of mutual intolerance, akin to fire and water. After the Hojo were destroyed in the Battle of Odawara, it could be said that the Satomi obtained the final victory. However, even now, once Yoshitaka heard the name Hojo, he still could not restrain his hostile feelings towards the other party.

Yoshitaka said to Kaizaki.

"You probably don't know of the Uesugi's kanshousha. They are the monsters who have lived on this earth for 400 years."

"Saburo... Kagetora..."

"They answer to Kenshin, have the ability to use what is called the 'power of exorcism'. Souls that are inflicted with this 'exorcism' are forcefully sent to another world. They're extremely terrifying freaks. But this has nothing to do with you."

Yoshitaka said, smiling. Apparently, he was very fond of this truly valuable commodity, this modern person that was Kaizaki, who was even capable of using enchantments with outstanding finesse.

"You must be careful. Make sure those bastards don't become aware of this plan."

"Understood."

"I definitely won't let them get in our way. Besides that, the Takeda and the Miura have took notice of us and have begun their operations. How is the situation at the cave? Masaki."

"Sir! Yesterday, under the pretense of the story of falling rocks, the cave has been sealed off. I fear that the thief who invaded the cave today is a subordinate of the Miura." Masaki faced his lord. "The one who stole Koubou Daishi's dokkosho is Miura Yoshioki as we expected."

"Damn Miura. They want to bury the cave and stop the 'Method of Connecting to Hell'. Truly hateful bastards."

"I will strengthen the garrison."

"Mmm. Do that, Masaki." Yoshitaka rested his elbow on the armrest and supported his face with his hand, he said in a low voice. "How is the situation at Fujinomiya? Yoshiyori."

"Yes, Father." Standing behind Yoshitaka, a youth that looked like a college student replied. "Everything has gone smoothly. It won't be long before we have Asama shrine in our hands."

"Is that so? You've done well, that's the good son that you are."

Yoshitaka smiled widely, praising his son Yoshiyori. Yoshiyori hummed softly, he looked at Kaizaki and Masaki with an arrogant expression in his eyes.

"Hmph. But both of you are still conducting operations in a roundabout manner. Even if we didn't employ this sort of troublesome methods, we can still easily take Enoshima in just one day with our strength. The one who planned this was you wasn't it, Kaizaki? ...Hmph, modern people are like that, timid as a mouse."

Kaizaki lifted his eyes slightly.

"Father. It's annoying to use this kind of insignificant, flowery tricks. If it were me, I would've settled all the residents by tomorrow, and obtained Enoshima for you."

"Don't be so anxious, Yoshiyori." Yoshitaka appeased his son and said. "Everything has already been well-arranged. Tomorrow, we only have to deliver the final blow to that president of the self-government, Suga, then all is done. This will serve as an effective sign of foreboding to the residents. Also, it'd be better if Enoshima shrine's lawsuit causes most of them to leave. Judging from that stubborn look of rejection, if we were to wait for them to agree, it'd probably take who knows how many days."

"'The Method of the Juuou Night Devil'..." Masaki lowered his voice and uttered. "Do you wish to use it one more time?"

"In order to obtain Enoshima, use it. There's still the need for a sacrifice."

"Yes. The sacrifice has already been prepared."

Yoshitaka nodded haughtily. "There isn't much time left before the deadline. Nobunaga-sama has nearly reached the vicinity."

"..."

"It was Nobunaga-sama's order to present him with Enoshima. As long as we can accomplish this task, we can become Nobunaga-sama's allies and acquire the state of Bousou. If the Takeda is destroyed, sooner or later we will be the faction in control of Sagami, won't we? Kai? Probably the region of Musashi."

Yoshitaka's wild ambitions burned in his eyes, he placed both of his hands on the desk, which had beautiful wood carvings.

"At this moment, if we can accomplish the 'Method of Connecting to Hell', we the Satomi would be guaranteed of eternal peace. Just one more step will do. Let us strive for that together."

Masaki shrewdly replied, "Understood". Yoshitaka shifted his gaze towards Kaizaki.

"The same goes for you. Your powers have progressed remarkably fast within this few months. Have a little more confidence in yourself. You are also a high-ranking warrior. Have confidence, and vow loyalty and devotion to I, Yoshitaka."

Kaizaki uttered 'Understood', he lifted his eyes ambitiously.

"I, too, want to know how far my capabilities go. I have inexhaustible gratitude to Yoshitaka-sama who has allowed me to realize my own abilities. As long as I am still of use, I will definitely put forth my utmost efforts."

"Mmm. If that is the case, these are your orders." Yoshitaka slanted his eyes and looked at the miniature of Enoshima placed beside his desk. "Seal the strength of the Yashashuu."

"... Do you want me to get rid of the Yashashuu?"

"Let me remind you, the Yashashuu are very strong. The ordinary onshou cannot compare with them. But you're not a hyoui rei. As long as you're not killed, you don't have to worry about getting 'exorcised'. You have the power to handle the Yashashuu. Fight, let your powers develop further. With them as the adversary, I trust that you have more than enough to deal with them?"

"I understand." Kaizaki's expression was full of certainty, a smile was carved onto his thin lips. "Kaizaki will do his best."

"What a fearless appearance. Take the Murasame with you. That will make you even more powerful."

Yoshitaka's upper body shook in laughter. He leaned against the back of the large chair, muttering 'And...'.

"As for our gift to Nobunaga-sama, the leader of the Yashashuu will do..."

***

Kaizaki left the Tatsumi residence, returning to his car parked beside the road. He saw a man emerge from behind the car, Kaizaki stopped in his steps. The man wore a large anorak, he was around his mid-thirties. He seemed to be familiar with that man.

"Ah it's you..." Kaizaki said, nearing the side of the car.

"How did the proceedings go?"

"Mmm. Things have gone very smoothly and according to plan. The other party seems to be extremely satisfied as well. We have nothing to worry about. But I still haven't grasped the situation entirely."

"I see. How about your synchronization?"

"Mmm. As you can see, all is well." Kaizaki uttered, lighting the cigarette in his mouth. The smoke from the cigarette floated upwards gently in the dark, Kaizaki gazed at the rising vapors, then lowered his head slightly and said in a gloomy voice. "--Today, I saw them at Enoshima."

"Them? ...! You have seen them...!"

"Mmm."

Kaizaki grew silent for a while with a grim expression, contemplating some unknown matter. After a while, he lowered his line of sight and smiled softly.

"He looked really lonely..."

"..."

He became silent again after saying this. The man gazed at Kaizaki, whose smile had disappeared from his lips, probing his heart.
Then he said in a subtle voice.

"You are still unable to abandon your uncertainties."

Kaizaki was slightly startled, he widened his eyes.

"I understand that you cannot accept this in your heart. It is not surprising that you will feel this to be an act of betrayal. Since you are the very person involved. But..."

"You don't have to say anymore." Kaizaki interrupted him with a tough intonation, the man closed his mouth. "I am only uncertain over my own power. I was merely thinking, is this truly a good way to acknowledge it?"

"Your worry is needless. All of us whole-heartedly believe in your strength."

"What a flatterer..." Kaizaki revealed a self-mocking smile. "Despite what you have said, from what I observe, you are the one who questions my ability the most."

"..."

Was he right on target? The man's expression became stiff. After a moment of observation, Kaizaki smiled.

"Let it be. This is no surprise. With regards to this matter, I would only be able to convince you with a solid accomplishment."

With those words, Kaizaki seemed to be repressing his emotions as the smile on his face faded away. He pursed his lips together and gazed at the cigarette smoke for a few seconds, then forced himself to resume a business-like appearance.

"What about that situation? Is it underway?"

"Yes. My Lord has scheduled to contact him tonight, he has headed to Yokohama."

"I see." Kaizaki replied, he got into the car. "That would be all for today. Report back to me again tomorrow. I will leave the rest to you."

"Understood!"

He closed the door, inserted the key to start the car engine. The engine roared in the quiet, high-class residential district. Then, the car effortlessly disappeared into the darkness.

***

"!"

Signaling by brandishing her whip, the pack of wild dogs charged together towards Chiaki and Kotarou.

"Nnnhh...!"

The wild dogs bared their sharp fangs as they howled fiercely, attacking the two of them. They were not ordinary wild dogs, the red eyes on their foreheads were gleaming. Chiaki stared in shock.

Three-eyed hounds...!

Chiaki elbowed the face of a wild dog attempting to bite his throat, resulting in the haphazard discharge of his incantations. The piercing cries of the wild beasts resonated across the harbor. One by one, the wild dogs were repelled like rubber balls, but they regained their footing immediately and attacked the two of them once again.

Are these cursed hounds?

They had the souls of dogs that were cursed, a kind of spiritual animal created by means of spells. They were also known as inugami.

"...Damn it...!"

Despite continuously striking with incantations, it was endless. The pack of three-eyed hounds assailed them from all sides. There was also a limit to their powers with respect to the amount of incantations that could be used in attack. Chiaki desperately peeled off the wild dogs that bit at his shirt, shouting out.

"Damn... it! You dog freaks!"

Whoosh!

There was a noise that sounded like a spray of gas catching fire, and in one breath, turquoise flames surrounded the insane dogs that were around Chiaki. The dogs collapsed to the ground, writhing their bodies, struggling in pain in the inextinguishable fire.

"Yasuda-sama!"

A distinct voice came from the warehouse. A 'Ken En' had took notice of the disturbance and was running over.

"! Stay back!"

"Ah!"

Chiaki's warning came too late. The cursed dogs, discovering another target, turned their heads in that direction, and attacked the 'Ken En' with astonishing strength.

"Wahhhh---...!"

The distorted cry of grief, that came to an abrupt end within the pack of cursed dogs, sounded in his ears. The sharp fangs of the cursed dogs gnawed at the flesh of the 'Ken En', devouring the body in mouthfuls, mangling his blood vessels, fighting with each other over the blood that came gushing out like a fountain.

"It won't be long before you become food for the cursed dogs! Yasuda!"

The bold general Yamagata Masakage, who had possessed the body of the blond woman, cried out, swinging the whip. Chiaki concentrated his powers within his body and charged towards the oncoming cursed dogs all of a sudden.

"You're the one who will end up as dog meat! Yamagata!"

Chiaki yelled as he knotted his fingers into a mudra, at the same time a flame-like spiritual ambience spouted from his body.

"Ari Nari Tonari, Anaro Nabi Kunabi!"

The third eye on the forehead of the dogs thirsted for blood and glinted. With the strength of his entire body, Chiaki faced them and launched a 'Ressa Choubuku'.

"Bai!"

Pa!

As though they were sucked in by the splitting winds of a vacuum, the cursed dogs were annihilated. Chiaki took advantage of this moment to continue with his attack.

"Damn things! Out of my sight!"

In an instant, fierce whirlwinds of vacuum appeared in several places, the cursed dogs were swept in, torn apart. Yamagata positioned herself in a battle posture, a brutal spiritual aura burst from her entire body. Chiaki called out.

"Pity! The score at Kawanakajima had long been settled!"

"Die here... Yasuda!"

Yamagata struck with spells. Chiaki deflected them with a Goshinha. The whip brandished by Yamagata glowed as though it was heated and elongated unexpectedly, before it was whippped around Chiaki's neck, Chiaki obstructed it with his right hand.

"Nnnhhh!"

The blazing heat burned into his skin. Chiaki clenched his teeth and endured it, taking hold of the whip and pulled it over aggressively together with its handler.

"Mmmwahh!"

It was possible that Yamagata could be pulled over due to the fact that the body was that of a woman, the moment when she lost her balance provided a window of opportunity. Chiaki relentlessly attacked with an incantation.

"Wahhh!"

The flames blasted into the asphalt ground, shattering it. Yamagata was a hyoui rei. Now, he should be able to expel him from the woman's body by exorcism. Chiaki centralized his powers.

"Prepare yourself, Yamagata!"

"Nnhhh Ahhh!"

Yamagata issued a vicious growl, in addition, she concentrated incantations in both her hands.

"What!"

Suddenly the pavement rose deliberately, bulging upwards. Following that, there was a muffled crowing, the asphalt was stripped off, some sort of huge, black form was emerging from beneath the surface. Like an enormous tube-like mass hovering before him, the black lump of an object lifted its head.

It was a centipede. The venomous conjuration had condensed into the body of a centipede.

"Nnyahh!"

The centipede attacked by spitting a sticky, yellow fluid at Chiaki. With his full strength, Chiaki headed for his opponent's abdomen and struck.

"!"

The red and black chunks of flesh were send flying asunder into the air. Chiaki furthered his assault by continuing to strike with incantations. The centipede convulsed, with a 'boom' it collapsed prostrate onto the ground. Yamagata transformed back into a human body from one part of the centipede and began to flee. Chiaki trampled on the lumps of flesh and gave chase.

"Didn't you want to settle our score! You scoundrel!"

"Nghh!"

At this moment, Kotarou was caught up in a bitter fight. Chiaki turned around and fired a series of incantations like a machine gun. Even though the cursed dogs that were struck flew back, there was still one that savagely clamped onto Kotarou's arm without letting go of him.

"Damn it!"

Kotarou clenched his teeth, he firmly grabbed the unyielding jaw of that wild dog, which had bared its fangs, and struck the eyes on its forehead with a spell.
With a yelp, the head of the wild dog shattered, green blood splattered out all over. As Kotarou flung the corpse away, a new wave of cursed dogs charged towards him, he grabbed a handful of crystals from the pocket of his coat.

"Arise, reijuu!"

With a blare, the crystals that were thrown above the sea burst and emitted a flash. Appearing there was a lion with a large body. The pack of cursed dogs dashed towards it. The lion suddenly flung its mane, issuing a roar that was more resonant than the steam pipes of the ships. The battle had begun.

"Shuryou!"

A Fuuma ninja called out and hurried over. Kotarou's right arm had been bitten, his sleeve was tattered and stained in blood.

"Are you all right!"

The cursed dogs that had their necks broken by the lion issued a gurgling sound, like they were vomiting earth, and collapsed onto the surface of the pavement. Gradually, the remaining cursed dogs fled before they were destroyed by the sharp fangs of the lion.
Kotarou watched the lion defeat the last of the cursed dogs, tolerating the pain. The three-eyed hounds that were formerly filled with relentless anger, easily melted away like candle wax, then changing into a sandstorm they were dispersed by the harbor winds, disappearing without a trace.

"Shuryou! The condition of your wound is serious, please let it be treated immediately!"

"It is nothing serious. Where is Yasuda-dono?"

"He chased after that woman!"

Kotarou stood up, panting. "Takeda's Yamagata Masakage... I never expected that general to show up..."


"Don't you escape! You wretch!"

Chiaki released spells as he pursued Yamagata closely. But even though this woman was wearing high heels, she was running unusually fast. Although Chiaki was using all of his strength to chase after her, he could not overtake her. Furthermore, the distance between them was increasing. Since he was actively pursuing her down the warehouse alleys, it was easy to lose sight of his target.

She'll get away if this continues...

The distance between them was growing larger, just when Chiaki was about to lose sight of the figure of the woman...

Ka!

All of a sudden, Yamagata's path was obstructed by the brightness of a car's headlamps. The blinding lights startled Yamagata, she covered her eyes. A man got out from the driver's seat of the car.

"Who are you!"

"... I can't let you proceed any further. Takeda."

Chiaki, who had finally caught up, was also forced to shield his eyes from the car's lights. The rays were too glaring, he could not see the face of the person who had come.

Who is it?

"Where are you from? Identify yourself!"

"Unfortunately, the Takeda's Atake ship has sunk."

The words that came out of his mouth shocked both Yamagata and Chiaki.

"What did you say!"

"They suffered an attack by a group of mermaids in the waters of the Miura Peninsula, the ships have capsized, they have sunk in Sagamiwan together with the elemental stone. It seems like this rare opportunity to carry out your transportation plans ended unsuccessfully."

"You're a kanshousha, aren't you?" Yamagata surveyed the other's way of speech with deep caution. "If you're the enemy, I won't spare you!"

"It's dangerous, get away quickly!" Even though Chiaki yelled out, Yamagata was already heading towards the other, attacking with an incantation.

"Yahhhh---!"

The mass of spells stored in her fist were released! But the man moved at the same time. The man sent out bundles of missile-like incantations that rumbled deeply, with a Goshinha he completely smashed through Yamagata's spells.

This brat...!

Chiaki gasped once again. What the man implemented next, was unexpectedly a procedure that could not be executed by anyone other than the Yashashuu.

"Bai!"

In a split second, Yamagata's body violently convulsed as though it was bound by an iron wire, unable to budge. This was a powerful bind. Despite struggling, Yamagata could not move an inch.

"Nnh... Nnnhhh....!"

"Noumaku Samanda Bodanan Baishiramandaya Sowaka!"

Indeed, from the fingers knotted in a mudra, an unyielding and powerful energy bubbled forth. The man stood there in the center of the radiance, uttering each and every word of the oath in the proper way without a mistake.

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

Yamagata struggled, her face contorted. Unable to escape from the bind. If this continued, she would be struck with the full force of that power...!

"Damn it...! Are you the Uesugi!"

"Exorcise!"

A flash several times more dazzling than the car's headlights erupted from the man's palms. Yamagata cried out, struggling by twisting about with the utmost effort. Chiaki could not help but shield his eyes. The sound of great amounts of gravel collapsing before him surrounded the area, the bright rays of light swirled into a vortex and engulfed Yamagata.

Then the noise faded away to a distant place, the radiance was gradually eaten away by the darkness, the 'power of the exorcism' left behind streaks of red rays, it grew tranquil. The woman originally possessed by Yamagata had collapsed to the ground between Chiaki and that man. Her long, blond hair laid on the asphalt road, as if streams of gold flowed there.

"Looks like he escaped."

The man laughed bitterly. The exorcism had failed. It appeared that he had not used it in a long time, as though his full sense had yet to return. But the man did not seem to mind much, pulling the lapels of his mountain jacket together he turn towards him once more.

"It's been a while, Nagahide."

Chiaki was startled. The fact that the other had anticipated the place of battle left him utterly astonished. Chiaki absolutely did not expect that he would undergo adult possession. To Chiaki, this was a reunion after having been apart for 30 years.

"You..."

"She might catch a cold if we let her sleep here. Nagahide, lend me a hand."

The man held up the blonde who was lying on the ground. Chiaki stared at his actions dumbly. He squatted down as if his strength had escaped him, pressing against his head. The one that they had so desperately searched for but failed to find, was now...

"Why are you in this place..."

"..."

The fifth member of the Uesugi lifted his head and smiled, a smile that reflected the several tens of years of disconnection.

---

Original fiction © Kuwabara Mizuna.