Book 14 Chapter 16 はるかなる道

From Chinese translations by Hinako.

Draft: Version 1 - final
Notes:
PS: do not distribute this without my permission

---

That night, a warm breeze atypical of the weather in winter blew over Enoshima.
A splendid bonfire was alight in the middle of the Sannomiya of Enoshima shrine. A great number of guard soldiers were positioned on the roads leading to the Okutsunomiya and the cave where the Esoteric ritual was about to be carried out.

Numerous mermaids floated about in the sea, their eyes glinted orange-yellow. They were the 'Yachou' gathered by the Satomi for the purpose of guarding against any invaders that might enter via the sea. As the cave was fronted by the sea, there was an especially large number of protective mermaids.

Nearly an hour had passed since the start of the Esoteric ritual.
Kaizaki stood at the entrance of the cave, his head was inclined as he listened to the Satomi Yoshitaka's voice originating from the inside of the cave. The altar for the spell had been set up in the deepest part of the First Cave. The 'Sutra of the Ten Kings' resonated from within. No electricity was used for the internal illumination of the cave, the flames of the candles flickered at fixed distances from each other, brightening the dark, moist wall of the cavern.

Kaizaki faced the sea.
The waves beating up the shore tonight were calmer than usual.
The execution of the 'Method of Connecting to Hell' inside the cave was still in preparation stage at the moment. They would wait for the invocation of Benzaiten at the Okutsunomiya to be set on track, after which Benzaiten's power would be transmitted to the primary altar. Once this energy is received, the implementation of the 'Method of Connecting to Hell' would then officially begin.

Kaizaki was not excited, neither did he look impatient, he was fairly calm. What was he thinking of, not even his subordinates could read what was weighing on his mind from his expressionless face.
Or was he perhaps waiting for something?
The resounding voice of Yoshitaka chanting the scriptures came from the very depths of the cave.

"Kaizaki-sama!" A subordinate attired in a suikan dashed over from Chigo fuchi, reporting to Kaizaki.

"What is it?"

"Masaki Tokishige-sama has a message for Kaizaki-sama."

"Tokishige-dono?"

"Yes! Tokishige-sama said that he has located Uesugi Kagetora's whereabouts! Apparently, they have sent their men into Enoshima, please immediately strengthen the garrison!"

"Are you giving me orders?"

Questioned by Kaizaki's cold voice, the subordinate could not help but stutter in reply.

"No... This..."

"There's no need to worry, the garrison has been completely secured. So, Kagetora's whereabouts have been found?"

"Yes! Tokishige-sama said that he will immediately kill him the moment he finds him!"

"He should take care not to get himself killed instead."

"Un...Understood!" The subordinate fearfully withdrew with a bow, he left the place as though he was fleeing from Kaizaki. No one noticed that Kaizaki's lips were slightly twisted, displaying a pained expression.

***

Elsewhere, a homa-mandala had been installed inside the prayer hall of the Okutsunomiya, pressing on with the invocation of Benzaiten. Miura Yoshimoto was seated before the crimson flames of the homa-mandala. Yoshimoto began with the Esoteric ritual of the Eighteen Paths, he knotted his fingers in a series of complex mudra formations and utilized the ritual implements, carrying out the procedures to beckon Benzaiten. The moment these formalities are completed, they would finally be able to start the ceremony of calling upon Benzaiten.
Constructed on the inner side of the homa-mandala was an altar positioned at a higher level, on which the yorishiro dressed in white robes was lying. The shrine maidens sat side by side towards her left and right.

"On Sorasabataei Sowaka, On Sorasabataei Sowaka--"

Holding his fingers in the mudra of Benten, Yoshimoto's forehead was covered with large drops of sweat. He was devoting his entire strength to the Esoteric ritual, even the thick veins at his temples had emerged. The prayer hall was sweltering, the tension heightened.
Ayako, disguised as a shrine maiden, gazed at Yoshimoto's manner.

That was fast...

Ayako could feel the encompassing atmosphere intensify. Very soon, Benten would descend into the yorishiro - into Reiko's body. For the purpose of the curse, Reiko had been forced to drink an arcanum, and was already unconscious. She was put through a religious fasting process, so that she would be ready for Benzaiten's descent at any moment. Listening attentively, Ayako peered at her surroundings. The Satomi's troops were indeed numerous. It would be great if Takaya could smoothly seize the yorishiro's unrestrained might (and control her movement by means of his own willpower) via the attached gohou douji...

Ayako looked solemn as she faced the flames of the burning cedar sticks that brightly illuminated the interior of the building.

We're counting on you, Kagetora.


At this moment, Takaya was at Koyurugimisaki steadily proceeding with the spiritual waveform synchronization. It seemed like he could sense what stage the implementation of the invocation was at. As the Esoteric ritual reached its apex, Takaya's expression grew somewhat solemn. The mirror placed in front of Takaya exhibited a change at this very juncture.

What...!

No wonder Kotarou, who was standing guard, stared at it in surprise. The mirror displayed the appearance of the individual who was carrying out the Esoteric ritual.

This is...!

It was Miura Yoshimoto. What was the meaning of this? The person who had previously requested an alliance with the Uesugi for the armed suppression of the Satomi, had now unexpectedly become a subordinate of the Satomi participating in the 'Method of Connecting to Hell'.

Has he betrayed us?

Kotarou scowled slightly, gazing at Enoshima. Had he been tempted by the support of the Oda? However Kotarou was not shocked. This degree of betrayal in the world of Yami Sengoku, renegades were common issues that were of little importance. He immediately restored his usual expressionless face and looked over Takaya.

It was possible that Takaya had realized this the moment he began with the spiritual waveform synchronization. But, he did not waver. Takaya also knew that Miura Yoshimoto was part of the Miura clan that had been extinguished by Hojo Soun. Had he anticipated this move from the very beginning?

Kotarou's subordinates, the Fuuma ninja, appeared from the underbrush, calling out to their leader.

"What is it?"

"There is some abnormal activity in the surroundings."

"What?"

"Armed personnel from an unknown faction have surrounded the promontory. We fear they might be the subordinates of the Satomi."

Have we been discovered?

Kotarou squinted. Although it was only a matter of time before they were discovered, it seemed like the Satomi were not unskilled after all. Kotarou immediately gave an order to his subordinates.

"Deal with them at once. Do not let them close in to Saburo-dono. Do not let anyone near this place before Saburo-dono has finished with the spiritual waveform synchronization. Is that clear?"

"Understood!"

Upon hearing the order, the Fuuma ninja disappeared with the rustling sounds of the underbrush. Kotarou focused his attention on any changes in the surroundings, expanding his cautionary sensors, he grabbed the reijuu crystal. Several layers of a unique defense network of the Fuuma was set up around Koyurugimisaki, it would not be so easily breached, however there have been unforeseen cases.

At this moment.

Takaya's upper body shook all of a sudden. At the same time, seven beams of light shot out of the mirror, shining like a moon going through a change of phase.
Benten had finally descended into the body of the yorishiro.
The energy emitted by Takaya carried an air of contention. Benten's power was conveyed to Takaya via the gohou douji. Takaya immediately elevated the degree of his wave of thought as though he was responding to it. Takaya's battle had thus begun. Takaya and Miura Yoshimoto, who would be able to gain control over that unrestrained might? This was a fight with Yoshimoto. Yoshimoto was concentrated on this curse to the extent of disregarding his own life, hence Takaya could not take this lightly.
He centralized the strength of his power, causing the air around him to tense up. Takaya's spirit was now reaching its peak.

***

"Ohhhh!"

The people at the scene could not help but gasp in admiration. In the next instant, the fires of the burning cedar sticks swayed greatly, transforming into the figure of Benten consisting of a human head and a serpent's body, after which the yorishiro's body promptly erupted into blue flames.

"Benzaiten!"

She had descended. Benzaiten had now entered Reiko's body. In an instant, Reiko's face contorted in pain, her body began to convulse fiercely. Not long after her eyes widened with a stare that evidently contained a divine essence.

"!"

Reiko's eyes glinted red like a snake's. She slowly sat up on the bed, turning towards them.

"It's the Goddess Benten...!"

"Goddess Benten has descended!"

Everyone exclaimed in unison, an uproar circulated all around. Reiko's body was aflame with a pale shimmer of hot air. The open lapels of her white robes made her look extremely sultry. She moved with an air of composure, setting one leg over the other, she sat extremely upright and looked over. Her eyes were full of dignity. This divinity was absolutely nothing like Reiko, causing Ayako to gasp.

It's really Benzaiten...

The blaze of the homa-mandala raged more intensely.
Yoshimoto could feel that substantial amount of energy, he chanted the shingon loudly with increased vigor. Reiko's body, housing Benzaiten, issued a clear white radiance in the darkness of the night.

The power that Benten possessed was to be delivered to the cave from the Okutsunomiya via Yoshimoto. Following Benten's descent, within a split second the homa-mandala in the cave turned to a deep blue, blazing with greater intensity. At the same time, Satomi Yoshitaka's body swelled with an exceptional volume of energy.

Has she descended...!

Sensing that his body was brimming with formidable strength, Yoshitaka widened his eyes. The immense richness and exaltation that was difficult to describe in words made Yoshitaka tremble.

I never expected such a feeling to exist in this world...

So much that it made him feel as though he had become a god, this richness surpassed the level of the human spirit. As though he had become an individual from a different dimension, as though he had transcended dimensions...!

Nothing is impossible!

Yoshitaka had such confidence. As long as he had this power, there was nothing he could not handle. He could achieve everything!

Anything can be done...!

"On Yamarazya Ugurabirya Agassya Sowaka, On Yamarazya Ugurabirya Agassya Sowaka."

The fires of the homa reacted hugely to Yoshitaka's shingon. The pale blazing flames flickered wildly, highlighting the figures of the deities. This response felt completely different from before. It was almost unbelievable, Yoshitaka could carry out the curse with such ease.

"On Yamarazya Ugurabirya Agassya Sowaka!"

A shingon that nearly delivered his request to the heavens, the perfect figure of the Enma-ou arose from the fires of the homa. In the next moment, the ten Kings of Hell appeared around the homa-mandala.

"Ohhh!"

Shinkou-ou, Shokou-ou, Soutei-ou, Gokan-ou, Henjou-ou, Taizan-ou, Byoudou-ou, Toshi-ou, Gotoutenrin-ou and the Enma-ou. The ten judges of Hell had large bodies, they stood side by side before Yoshitaka. Every single one of them was wearing a red Taoist garb, possessing strict appearances in accordance to their duty as judges who could ascertain any truth.
Yoshitaka practically felt his entire body freeze at this astounding sight. The Enma-ou with huge eyes like copper bells stared directly at Yoshitaka who looked dumbfounded in enthrallment at the ten kings. Wanting to drive away his own fear, Yoshitaka proclaimed loudly.

"Oh, Enma-ou! Please open the path leading to the realm of the dead!"

Yoshitaka placed his hands together again, and fervently repeated the Sutra of the Ten Kings starting from the beginning.

At the Okutsunomiya, Miura Yoshimoto entreated Benten in prayer with a desperate expression. He had entered a state of partial entrancement. As though there was something attached to his body, Yoshimoto continuously shouted out the shingon. Beads of his sweat splurged out, white foam trickled out from the sides of his mouth, he had gone overboard in his concentration, he appeared to have lost his usual cognizance. Reiko, the yorishiro, was seated on the bed with her legs crossed, holding her hands in the mudra of Benten just like the stately physical body of a Buddha or a bodhisattva. Her beauty stirred everybody's spirit. Everyone was enraptured by the moment as though in a daze, Ayako alone gazed at Yoshimoto and Reiko in turn with a nervous look.

Still not done yet? Kagetora.

The unrestrained power of the yorishiro was still in Yoshimoto's hands. If this persisted, Benten's power would continue to flow into Yoshitaka's hands and allow him to accomplish the 'Method of Connecting to Hell', wouldn't it?
Suddenly wondering if Takaya's unstable spirit was affecting the synchronization at this moment, Ayako felt worried.

Hurry! Kagetora!

Had Ayako's prayer been answered?
The fires of the homa-mandala swayed all of a sudden, they were nearly extinguished. At this point, Yoshimoto yelled out 'Ah' halfway through his chanting of the shingon as though something had scared him.

"Wh...What!"

Yoshimoto anxiously re-concentrated his spirit. However Benten's power, previously flowing straight through him,, had been diverted to a different location, it was no longer directed at him.

"How can that be...! What's going on!"

The break in Yoshimoto actions stirred up a ruckus in his surroundings. Yoshimoto assumed that Benten had left the body of the yorishiro, however that was not so. The yorishiro was still in front of them, encircled in clear white light, the pale flames wrapped around her like a celestial maiden's robe of feathers. Yoshimoto yelled out in confusion.

"What on earth is going on!"

An extremely powerful attraction force from some other area was present. Benten's power had been drawn away by a large magnetic force that far exceeded Yoshimoto's strength. What was the true nature of this magnetic power!

"W-Why! Who is doing this!"

"Ohhh! Goddess Benten!"

Hearing the commotion, Yoshimoto looked at the yorishiro. Reiko had stood up, leaving the platform she was now stepping down at a slow pace.

"Goddess Benten is...!"

"She is walking over, she is walking over!"

He did it...!

Ayako stood up as well. Takaya had finally succeeded in wrestling that unrestrained power from Yoshimoto's hands. Reiko's body stored an abundant amount of energy, emitting a hallowed brilliance, she approached with graceful motion.

"Nnnh... Wah!"

Yoshimoto stared dumbstruck. Reiko stepped into the center of the homa-mandala. Although the intensity of the flames had weakened, it was still extremely hot. Yet Reiko had simply moved into it without any trace of fear.

"What's going on! Don't... Don't come over!"

The yorishiro did not listen to him. Yoshimoto could not help but back off from the homa-mandala. After passing through the flames of the homa, Reiko placed both of her hands on her chest, and chanted a shingon. Then spheres of fire arose from her hands, within the next intant, Benten had cast them at the soldiers of the Satomi.

"Nnarghh!!"

There was a strong blast, the soldiers of the Satomi were flung backwards. A large crater was left in the floor. A truly astonishing power. Reiko's eyes twinkled brightly with a red ominous light. She tore off the wig as though she was feeling vexed, concentrating her power in her fists once again.

"!"

The masses of fire struck out from her hand unintermittedly, everywhere in the compound the blasts left a ruin in their wake. Benten had destroyed the homa-mandala until not a sign of it was left, proceeding with her attack on the Satomi's soldiers with greater cruelty.

"Nnarghh!!"

"Waahhhh...! Benzaiten...!"

As though she took pleasure in destruction. Indignant roars and cries of grief resounded all over the place, the people fled in panic from Benten who had abruptly went out of control.

"Just... Just what on earth happened!"

"Let's go! Destroy every single one of them!" On Ayako's orders, the 'Ken En'-possessed shrine maidens jumped up from their seats and moved into action. They attacked the browbeaten soldiers of the Satomi fleeing the battlefield, Ayako also began to exorcise the Satomi's soldiers one after another.

"Wh....What!"

The Okutsunomiya was a scene of pandemonium. All over the area, some were fleeing, some were confronting the enemy, while others were howling. The masses of light exploded through the darkness striking out in all directions, even the trees were uprooted, chunks of earth were scattered everywhere from the bombardments, the building was demolished. Benzaiten reduced all that she saw and touched to a wreck, tearing down everything to pieces. Then she exited the Okutsunomiya, proceeding towards the cave.

"Some-Someone stop her! Stop Benten!"

Yoshimoto cried out in desperation. The 'Yachou' gave their lives in their attempts to hinder Benten, however that formidable strength of Benten did not even allow them the opportunity to demonstrate their skills. They were thrown back one after another.

"Don't let her reach the cave! Stop her!"

Yoshimoto shouted, attacking with incantations together with his subordinates. However, it seemed like Benten had created a shield, none of their attacks were effective, neither could it encumber her progress.

"Damn it! It doesn't matter, continue to attack! Continue to attack with incantations!"

"The yorishiro will be injured!"

"As long as she doesn't die it will be fine! Strike her down with incantations, stop her from advancing! I will immediately reclaim control over her!"

Yoshimoto concentrated his spirit, wanting to synchronize with the yorishiro once again, however the yorishiro could not be controlled at all. She did not obey a single one of Yoshimoto's directives. While Yoshimoto was frantically struggling to regain control of the yorishiro, Benten turned and attacked him.

"Narghh!"

"...Yoshimoto-sama!"

Having been struck, Yoshimoto was flung to the surface of the road. Benten was like a mechanical weapon of war, crushing the Satomi's soldiers, destroying everything around her at random.

"D-Don't let her proceed!"

Yoshimoto crawled on the ground, crying out.

"Somebody stop this demon---!!"

***

"Shuryou!"

Hearing a call that sounded like a cry of grief, Kotarou spun around. Kotarou was beside Takaya, guarding him as the latter remained absorbed in the spiritual waveform synchronization. Covered in a mass of bruises, his subordinate dashed over. At the periphery of the promontory, the battle between the Satomi and the Fuuma had begun.

"What is it!"

"It really is the Satomi! The others are currently engaged in battle! However the enemy has an extremely ferocious high-ranking officer...!"

"You must not let them approach. Use whatever methods necessary to stop them, do not allow them to get close!"

"Shuryou!"

His voice was abruptly cut off by a miserable yell, blood splattered out of the subordinate in front of Kotarou before he collapsed to the ground. He had been shot in the back. Kotarou raised his guard, protecting Takaya. A black figure emerged from the depths of the underbrush.

"Who goes there?"

With sharp query, the enemy drew near. Accustomed to recognizing objects in the dark, Kotarou could clearly see the appearance of the one who approached.

"Uesugi Kagetora, are you here!"

Appearing from the shadow of the trees was Masaki Tokishige who had possessed the body of Yashiro. He was holding a pistol in his hand. Kotarou glared at the enemy, opening up a Goshinha, he stood in front of the muzzle of the gun, shielding Takaya.

"You're quite the runaway, Kagetora. Not even a wave of thought should have been able to penetrate that mansion's room. Looks like we have a traitor among us."

"..."

"I have received word that the Okutsunomiya's Benten has gone out of control. You're responsible for it aren't you, Kagetora. You're the one controlling Benten right." Masaki said, his body began to issue a spiritual air of aggression. "Move aside."

"I will not." Like a panther, Kotarou arched his back, his entire body adopted a fighting posture. Masaki concentrated his incantation in his hand.

"If that's the case, I'll just have to force you to step aside."

"..."

"I won't let you obstruct the 'Method of Connecting to Hell'! I will take your life! Kagetora!"

"!"

Kotarou gathered all of his strength from head to toe, confronting Masaki head-on. Masaki chanted the shingon of the Enma-ou, using it against Kotarou.

"Prison guards of Hell! Please lend me your assistance!"

Masaki threw a bundle of burning incense to the ground. Flames tore through the surroundings, the bundle of incense transformed into the figures of the ghost soldiers of Hell and attacked Kotarou.

"Ch!"

Kotarou fetched a single crystal ball from his garment and threw it into the sky.

"Arise, reijuu!"

Discharging a sound that resembled the burst of a gas gun, the crystal ball turned into a golden lion and tiger. The savage lion growled, attacking the ghost soldiers with sharp fangs that could pierce through blocks of iron. The large ghost soldiers with strong physiques challenged the lion directly, wanting to suppress it. While the two sides were engaged in battle, the tiger stood beside Takaya as though it was guarding him.

"Don't be so sure of yourself!"

"!"

Kotarou used his full strength to beat back Masaki Tokishige who was attempting to strike with incantations. The lion bit on the neck of the prison guard with its sharp teeth. The prison guard throttled the lion's neck, blood spurted out, a howl followed after. Both opponents toppled to the ground entangled with each other, and fell into the sea.

"Nargh!"

Masaki fell backwards as a result of sustaining a direct hit from Kotarou's incantation, falling backwards.

"Nnnh...!"

Kotarou's arms were grazed by the vacuum whirlwind that Masaki created, blood spurted out. Kotarou gritted his teeth to endure the pain, concentrating his spell in his hand, he attacked Masaki who was about to climb back to his feet. Masaki's body landed on the ground violently.

"Nnn wahh!"

Takaya was protected by the tiger, he consolidated his spirit with Benten's movement.
Benten continued to wreck the area with breathtaking strength.
As though he was witnessing it with his own eyes, Takaya was well aware of the incredibly chaotic situation. The place was on fire as the Satomi's soldiers continued to fight Benten. However Benten was simply like a weapon of destruction, creating large spheres of light in her hands, viciously casting them at the soldiers of the Satomi.

!

There was a blast, the ground was furrowed. The Okutsunomiya's Ryugu was reduced to debris within an instant, as though it had been wiped out from a bomb. Benten's hair thrashed about wildly as the explosive winds blew against her. She displayed a glamorous smiling face, her eyes glowed splendidly.

"Damn... it...!"

Miura Yoshimoto's ribs appeared to be broken. Blood was streaming out from the sides of his mouth, he could not even stand. He looked in horror at the surroundings that had become a scene straight out of Hell within a mere few minutes, shouting at Benten who was still walking towards the cave.

"You must not go there! You must not go to that place! You're not allowed to go there!"

"Miura Yoshimoto!"

"!"

A yell came from behind, Yoshimoto turned back. Ayako was standing there against the backdrop of flames. She had dealt with no small number of individuals. Panting, she knotted her fingers into the mudra of Bishamonten once again.

"This is the end!"

"Damn... Damn it, are you the Uesugi!"

"Joining the Satomi marks the end of your fortune. Now's the time for you to pay for your evil karma! Bai!"

Yoshimoto was externally bound, he could not budge. Neither could he move his fingers. Ayako concentrated her spirit and chanted the shingon.

"Namutobatsu Bishamonten! To subjugate the demons, grant me thy power!"

Yoshimoto's face was contorted, completely frozen in terror. Ayako mercilessly declared.

"Exorcise!"

Another white flash exploded in the Okutsunomiya.

***

"Why has it turned out this way! What happened!"

Benten's strength, previously flowing from the Okutsunomiya, had been severed without warning, the transmission had been lost in this way. Positioned in front of the altar, Satomi Yoshitaka grew confused. Due to the insufficient level of power, the figures of the ten kings of Hell that had temporarily appeared gradually faded away, finally disappearing as if they had been dispersed by the air.

"Why did Benten's power... Why is it gone!"

"My Lord!" The subordinate dashed over from behind, kneeling before Yoshitaka.

"What happened!"

"Benten's yorishiro at the Okutsunomiya..." The subordinate's voice was choking, he spluttered. "The yorishiro has gone berserk! She has broken away from Miura-sama's control, as though she is being controlled by someone else!"

"Controlled by someone else! Has the free might of the yorishiro been snatched away!"

"The yorishiro is making her way to the cave! If this continues, it would be too dangerous to remain, my Lord!"

"Ngh!" Yoshitaka stared reproachfully at the blazing fires of the homa, he roared bitterly. "I never expected to be hindered at this juncture, especially when we've come this far...!"

Yoshitaka snarled at his subordinate with an indignant face.

"Where is Makoto! Tell Makoto to go to the guards, don't let Benten approach the cave!"

"Understood!"

Watching the subordinate hurry away, Yoshitaka shuddered from anger and terror. If Benten's power could not be acquired, the 'Method of Connecting to Hell' would not succeed. It would come to nothing.

I won't just let it end like this...!

Yoshitaka clenched his fist, pounding against the rock strongly.

"I won't just let it end like this!"


The outside of the cave had become a battlefield.
Sustaining Benten's indiscriminate attack, the escarpment collapsed as the cliff was miserably shattered to pieces, the walkway was decimated to a hideous state. The area was strewn with the bodies of the Satomi's 'Yachou' whom had fallen, those who were still alive fled in every direction out of fear of Benten's might.

Reiko proceeded to the cave barefooted, the lapels of her white robes were open, her white skin appeared in the darkness, a tender beauty akin to the enshrined Myouon Benzaiten. However, her eyes alone glinted like red rubies, that countenance resembled a white serpent. Benzaiten was usually regarded as the goddess of fortune and kindness, but in truth she was a fierce god who possessed a brutish power. So much that Minamoto Yoritomo and other military leaders used to pray to her requesting the exorcism of enemies.

The seas were turbulent, conveying what sounded like the piercing cries of black-tailed gulls. With one glance at the sea, one could see numerous eyes twinkling with an orange radiance hovering on the surface. They were the mermaids of the Satomi. In the presence of the fierce enemy, they howled desperately wanting to drive her away. Reiko saw them and frowned. Seemingly finding them annoying, she once again concentrated her power in her hands, casting the bombs of light she created at the sea with full force.

Ka!

The spheres of light cut a straight path through the waves like a ballistic torpedo. In the instant the surface of the water glowed white, the entire sea was ignited in deep blue flames. The cries of the many mermaids resounded. The mermaids were burned by the fires that sped along the surface of the water, turning into ashes one after another.

"Wah... Waahhhhh!"

"We'll... we'll be killed.. Ahh--!"

Witnessing this, the Satomi's soldiers scrambled to escape from the cliff. Benzaiten did not even glance at them, she walked towards the cave with an expressionless face. Kaizaki's figure was nowhere to be seen.

"Ben...Benten is coming!"

The guards to the cave did not even have time to escape, they were struck down by Benten, crying out wretchedly as they fainted from pain. With her snow-white ankle, Reiko stepped onto the moistened rock and cement, heading inside the cave.

There was an ugly howl of grief.

"!"

Yoshitaka turned around in shock. The monks behind him had all been knocked unconscious. Opposite the fallen monks, was a flaming shadow like a white shimmer of hot air.
As if he had been struck in the back, Yoshitaka's face contorted intensely in terror.

"Ben... Benzaiten..."

The flame of the candle illuminated Reiko's face. She had snow-white skin that was nearly crystalline, scarlet eyes and lips. Those exquisite lips slowly opened.

[This is my domain...]

The melodious voice that pervaded the cave, caused Yoshitaka to gasp.

[Son of Man, leave this place.]

"Wh...What!" Yoshitaka bellowed deliriously with a pale face. "I will not leave this place! I have to open the path here! Open the path leading to Fuji!"

[Leave this place.]

Her voice was strict, without any leeway for compromise. Yoshitaka jumped up, shouting.

"Return to the Okutsunomiya! Then grant me your power! I summoned you for this very purpose! Come, please offer your strength for the achievement of the 'Method of Connecting to Hell'!"

A radiance with renewed magnificence erupted from Benzaiten's body. She probably understood that Yoshitaka would not leave. The deep blue flames entwined around her body burned more fiercely; her eyes, scarlet like the red lotus of Hell, stared straight at him.

"I...I won't let you do this! I won't let you use your powers to defeat me!"

Roar!

Benzaiten's mouth opened widely. That astonishing circular mass of power that she had stockpiled inside her body was cast out of her mouth at Yoshitaka.

"Nnhargh!"

Sustaining a direct hit from that golden circle of light, Yoshitaka was flung into the air, severely colliding against the rock wall behind him. Yoshitaka crumbled to the ground, Benten was relentless with him. She wrecked the homa-mandala to pieces, then accumulated her powers once again as she faced Yoshitaka. Blood was flowing out the corners of Yoshitaka's mouth, he groaned in a pained voice.

"Will not... I will not let you succeed! This level of defeat, I won't be finished because of this!"

Yoshitaka wound up the strength of his entire body. Benten opened her mouth widely. Another powerful golden circle of light was about to...!

"Our dream will not be extinguished in this way!"

!

The shout was dissolved, the sound of an amazing explosion resounded in the cave.
The bedrock collapsed together with the blast, an intense gust of wind swept through the cave before jetting to the outside.


"What!"

That earth-shattering blast caused an incredible earthquake. Ayako and the rest at the Okutsunomiya turned towards the direction in which the explosion originated.

"That was the...!"

"The cave over there, Kakizaki-sama!"

Benzaiten...!

She must have clashed with Yoshitaka in the cave. Ayako was startled, she could not help but run over.

"Nikaidou-san!"


Benzaiten's and Yoshitaka's powers had smashed directly into each other. As a result of the large impact, the rocks tumbled down, the bedrock crumbled as well, more than half of the cave had been buried. She ran over to inspect the situation, the vicinity of the cave was enshrouded in immense clouds of dust, the wall of the cliff had collapsed, the surrounding landscape had been completely modified.

The stairs leading to Chigo fuchi had been completely destroyed by Benzaiten. Wanting to dash down from there Ayako saw the figure of someone running across the rocks and exclaimed 'Ah'. That was...!

Satomi Yoshitaka!

"Wait! Yoshitaka!"

He fled from the buried cave by himself. Ayako chased after him in a frenzied manner, but Yoshitaka had boarded a small electric-powered boat tied to the harbor. This must have been prepared so that he could immediately escape in the case of any contingency.

"Wait!"

Ayako did not even get the chance to yell, the small electric-powered boat that carried Yoshitaka had set out to the night sea with great speed. Ayako threw an incantation at the small boat, however Yoshitaka had set up a Goshinha, it could not be destroyed.

"Damn it!"

Ayako clenched her fist and pounded on the railing, she was gnashing her teeth in anger. Yagami and the others caught up soon after.

"Kakizaki-sama...! Where is Yoshitaka!"

"He escaped. Get the 'Ken En' to chase him down at once! It's still not too late to capture him now!"

"Understood!"

Yagami promptly turned around and dashed down the road on which he came. Ayako turned towards the entombed cave.

Nikaidou-san...!

***

The blaring collapse of the cave shook the Shounan sea, so much that it was communicated to Koyurugimisaki.
Following that, a considerable length of time passed before Takaya moved again. He slowly knotted his fingers in the mudra in a calm manner.

"Gyashya Gyashya."

The chanting of the shingon allowed Benzaiten to return to the heavens.

"On Basara Bokisya Boku."

The kekkai was erased after he finished the chant, terminating the ritual.
Takaya exhaled deeply, opening his eyes. Once he was alert, he discovered that a tiger reijuu was standing beside him. It pressed the tip of its nose towards Takaya as if in appreciation of Takaya's efforts. Takaya smiled, caressing the tiger's head.

"Kagetora-sama."

Hearing a call from behind, Takaya turned around. Seeing the man standing there, Takaya's body unexpectedly stiffened in shock. The words he uttered were even more surprising.

"Kotarou...!"

"!"

Kotarou gasped. Takaya widened his eyes.

"Why are you...!"

His sentence broke off halfway as Takaya abruptly came back to his senses. He had realized that 'the person he believed to be Kotarou in that instant was in fact Naoe'. Looking at Kotarou whose expression had tensed, Takaya covered his mouth with his hand, with an ambivalent appearance he began to explain himself.

"Ah... no, what's with me..."

"Kagetora-sama."

"My eyes went fuzzy for a second. Sorry, Naoe."

Takaya uttered, he rubbed his eyes as though nothing had happened.
Kotarou grew solemn.

"..."

"? What's that?"

A man laid fallen beside Kotarou's feet. Takaya had seen his face before. He was a member of Kyoutake real estate, a man called Yashiro who was connected to Kaizaki.
But Takaya immediately understood the situation.

"Did you kill him?"

"Yes. The hyouza should be unaffected."

"I see." Takaya replied, sighing deeply. "Although Yoshitaka escaped, Haruie and the others are now pursuing him. He would probably be caught soon. Miura Yoshimoto has been exorcised. Looks like we managed to stop the curse."

"..."

"Thanks for the effort."

Hearing Takaya's words, Kotarou revealed a complicated expression. Takaya hugged the tiger, burying his face into its fur as though he was exhausted, but he felt a sense of accomplishment from successfully thwarting the 'Method of Connecting to Hell', hence his expression was extremely calm. Kotarou squinted slightly, he said in a deep voice.

"Your leadership abilities are truly exemplary, you have your subordinate's utmost admiration. Kagetora-sama."

Hearing 'Naoe's' words, Takaya lowered his gaze a little.

***

The small electric-powered boat carrying Yoshitaka drifted to the coast of Kayasaki. Ayako's incantation had damaged the boat slightly. The engine had stopped working along the way. It was finally pushed to shore by the waves.

"Damn it..."

Yoshitaka's entire body was drenched in seawater, he dragged his wounded body out and stepped onto the beach. Blood and seawater dripped onto the sand, contaminating it. Yoshitaka's breathing was in disorder as he groaned miserably.

"This sort of... matter... Definitely won't be finished... because of this..."

Sensing that there was someone around, Yoshitaka lifted his head in shock. As though he had been waiting for Yoshitaka, a man was standing there. Once he saw that face, Yoshitaka's face filled with joy.

"Makoto...!"

Kaizaki Makoto was standing there. He was wearing a black cashmere coat over his black Western-styled suit, he gazed at Yoshitaka with a steady expression in his eyes.

"What have you been doing all this time! Why did you leave the yorishiro without doing anything! I was relying on your strength, a guy with this level of ability...!"

His sentence trailed off midway, Yoshitaka's back trembled from apprehension. There was a certain austerity in Kaizaki's eyes that Yoshitaka had never seen before, this made him feel afraid. Kaizaki would never exhibit this sort of expression in front of Yoshitaka.

"Makoto... Makoto..., you..."

"It seems like the 'Method of Connecting to Hell' has failed."

Kaizaki's cold voice froze Yoshitaka's entire body. This was not the usual Kaizaki. This was not the obedient and faithful Kaizaki Makoto that he knew.

"I have given you a taste of betrayal at the very end, I am truly sorry." Kaizaki uttered in an indifferent voice. "I wanted to know the true objective of your attempt, Satomi-dono. I wanted to find out exactly what you people were doing for the Oda. However your strength was not good enough. The 'Method of Connecting to Hell', its true nature is not something as extraordinary as a path leading to Hell."

"You... what are..."

"I still have one more thing to ask you. Yoshitaka-dono." Kaizaki calmly took off his glasses, hanging them in his breast pocket. "Oda Nobunaga-kou's whereabouts."

"Don't tell me you..."

Yoshitaka gulped. He stared wide-eyed with an incredulous expression so much that his eyes were practically about to crack. He looked at Kaizaki as cold sweat streamed down his body.

"Could you please tell me this?" Kaizaki asked in a low voice as though he was threatening him. "Where is Nobunaga-kou currently situated at? What is he doing there?"

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

"It's impossible for you to be unaware of this, right? The Oda's directives and information have all been conveyed to you. The Oda were the ones who told you about the 'Method of Connecting to Hell', right?"

"I really don't know! Apart from Hayashi Michimasa-dono, we had no way of acquiring contact with the Oda! I have not met Nobunaga-kou once! As for his whereabouts, I absolutely don't...!"

"You don't know it?" Kaizaki asked coolly. As though he was sorry that this had to happen, he continued with a deep, clear voice. "Then, you are no longer useful."

"What is going on! Who are you really, Makoto! You are my faithful descendant right! Don't tell me you remained by my side for the purpose of spying on us? You're not Makoto are you! Didn't you wish to join me as individuals who could stand up to the Oda and the Takeda, and acquire the Kanto region together!"

Kaizaki looked at Yoshitaka with pity. Yoshitaka stared at Kaizaki with a pleading expression.

"If I was allowed do that, I would have liked to give you a helping hand. Yoshitaka-sama."

"Makoto...!"

"To the extent of allowing your soul to remain. I understand that intense feeling of longing of yours very well. There is no place to vent resentment stemming from lack of power. No matter how much you pursue it, you can never come close. You can never obtain it."

Second rates, third rates, mediocrity... He could not escape from these denominations. In order to reach the highest position, no matter how much he bled or toiled, no matter how much he had to sacrifice his own life in his striving, he was still lacking in some form of decisiveness that thus obstructed his goal of reaching that place. He lacked a certain determination that was needed to reach that place. Even if he understood this, the luck, ability and originality that he could not obtain regardless of what he did...

"If I were to concede to the fact that this standing befits my abilities and just give up, there wouldn't be anymore suffering. However I cannot abandon it as I've seen the one at the very peak. That is why I struggle. We so-called ordinary people... This dark precipitate that cannot be raised to any higher level..."

"..."

"Because of your attachment to it, you have remain in this world right."

Yoshitaka was such a person. The Hojo, the Takeda, the Uesugi, the Oda... All of them were pursuing a status that was worthy of themselves, however, at the very end, they had entered the coffin in death before their hopes came to realization. Indeed, Yoshitaka was not one without any merits. His people acknowledged him as well. But he could not forgive himself for just dying in this way.
In order to allow those so-called ordinary sediments to sublimate, they were left in this world. However they still could not achieve it.

Kaizaki's expression grew calm. He understood Yoshitaka's pain. There was an exceedingly sincere emotion in his eyes, he looked at Yoshitaka with sympathy.
Hearing the sound of the great waves, Kaizaki uttered.

"Despite the pain,"

"..."

"We can only accept it."

Tears welled up in Yoshitaka's eyes. Could Yoshitaka feel a sentiment identical to his own from Kaizaki's body, a breath that had the same sorrow?
Kaizaki slowly knotted his fingers into the mudra. That was indeed the same mudra that Takaya and the others used, the mudra of Bishamonten.

"Bai!"

Yoshitaka's body convulsed, he could not move. Kaizaki chanted the shingon in a calm and downcast voice.

"Noumakusamanda Bodanan Baishiramandaya Sowaka. --Namutobatsu Bishamonten."

Yoshitaka did not resist. Kaizaki concentrated his spirit in the mudra. Holding his fingers in the shushi of Bishamonten, he chanted.

"To subjugate the demons, grant me thy power."

Beautiful rays of light slowly accumulated in the mudra. Yoshitaka listened to Kaizaki's voice as he looked up at the sky. Kaizaki released the sphere of light gathered in his hands.

"Exorcise!"

A pure white radiance diffused out from the coastal region, just like the flow of the galaxy, illuminating the waves to a silver white.


Tatsumi Yoshitsugu dropped onto the silent sandy beach.
Attired in a hat and a windbreaker, Hakkai came to Kaizaki's side as the latter stood gazing at the sea. Kaizaki did not turn around, he asked.

"How is the situation at Fujinomiya?"

"A complete success. Satomi Yoshiyori has been exorcised by Yasuda-dono."

"I see."

After Kaizaki replied, he grew silent. Takaya and the others had acted according to what they had hoped for. Although Nobunaga's whereabouts remained unknown, they had thwarted the Satomi's scheme. Even though the city councilor, Gotou, was sacrificed in this incident, at the very least they had minimized the overall amount of harm.

The sound of the waves echoed rhythmically on the wintry coast. It suddenly occurred to Kaizaki that this body of water was the Sagami sea of Kagetora's homeland, he cast his line of sight towards the coastline of a faraway region. -- Was Odawara in that place?

"..." After that period of silence, Kaizaki said to Hakkai. "I am a little tired. I shall let Kaizaki return to the apartment then terminate the synchronization. I will leave the following matters to you."

"Understood. Can you not use this person a second time?"

"No, let me make use of him for a little longer. Although I feel sorry for doing this to him, his 'power' is particularly outstanding. This strength can be exploited. ...Return to Nikko after you are finished with the post-affairs. I will leave that in your care."

"Understood!"

Kaizaki gazed at Koyurugimisaki once again. There was no hint of what he was thinking, he turned on his heels, making his way to the road from the beach.
Hakkai gazed at his back.

The waves of Shounan were as serene as before, calmly beating up the night beach.

---

Original fiction © Kuwabara Mizuna.