Miketsu felt a surge of disbelief in her heart; she truly hadn't expected their intentions to be like this. At this moment, her mouth twitched and her expression was blank. Fortunately, the bandages and hood once again concealed these well, helping her maintain her persona.
"Surpass me? I don't think that's something a follower should say," Miketsu spoke after a moment of silence, first wanting to clarify their intentions.
"Indeed, usually, one who wishes to follow another would emphasize loyalty and devotion, but I am different. My purpose in following you is to grow more rapidly. While upholding yokai chivalry by your side, I will gradually reach your level, and ultimately surpass you." As he spoke, Nura Rihyon raised his head, looking directly at Miketsu with piercing eyes.
"At that time, I will depart from you and establish my own enterprise," Nura Rihyon continued, his demeanor entirely unlike a junior seeking a boss.
"Heh... growth? Establish my own enterprise? Is it really wise to expose your ambition so directly?" Looking at the yokai youth, who appeared to be under fifteen, Miketsu felt a flicker of interest.
"You are not one to be narrow-minded. By stating things clearly here, I am also demonstrating sincerity. With open honesty between us, I believe you will not take issue with this," Nura Rihyon continued with certainty. Seeing the earnest yokai youth, Miketsu began to genuinely consider their proposal.
Further expanding her influence in the demon realm was a pre-determined plan from the start. Now, an opportunity presented itself. Moreover, with the alliance between herself and Toga, it wouldn't be ideal to be a lone wolf when the time came to gather allies. All in all, having more assistance in the demon realm was not a bad thing.
After secretly making her decision, Miketsu calmly said,
"I'm not used to having people follow me... but if you truly wish to do such things, you can wait in Choyo-machi. When needed, I will find you."
Miketsu was not in a hurry to clarify their relationship. After all, her identity was not that of a yokai, and she couldn't stay in the demon realm for long to build influence. So, she decided to make a partial promise first, then slowly figure out how to build her power in the demon realm.
Hearing Miketsu's words, Nura Rihyon and Tamamura exchanged glances, then stood up together and bowed to Miketsu in unison. Yamausagi, who was following behind, mimicked their actions.
"I am Nura Rihyon, the Nura Rihyon from Musashi in Kanto. Please guide me in the future."
"I am Tamamura... um... a tanuki from Tosa in Shikoku. It is an honor to meet Lady Owl."
"I~ I~ I'm Rabbit-Rabbit, I'm Yamausagi! This is Mr. Frog~ We live in the mountains, please take good care of us, Mr. Crane~"
Seeing the three introduce themselves, Miketsu paused, then after a moment's thought, said,
"Owl... Heian-kyo..."
After Miketsu finished speaking, she glanced around, seeing many yokai in the area curiously watching them. Many of them were still in their cells, with shackles on their bodies.
"I'll leave this place to you. Do not touch those frozen humans."
With that, Miketsu, feeling perfectly justified, left all the aftermath work to Nura Rihyon and his companions, then turned and departed alone.
...
Miketsu walked alone through the forest. Along her path, she saw a familiar figure: Itsumaden stood on a high tree branch. When she saw Miketsu approaching, she spread her wings and slowly descended, seemingly having waited for Miketsu's arrival.
"You are free now," Miketsu said slowly, looking at the bird yokai girl before her. After saving her, Miketsu had told her to leave directly through a secret passage, but she hadn't expected Itsumaden to be waiting for her specifically here.
"So-called freedom might just be a brief distance between me and the next cage..." Itsumaden said with a hint of sadness in her voice. Miketsu understood her meaning: as long as the Golden Feather remained on her, people or yokai driven by greed would come endlessly. The fundamental problem remained unsolved.
"So... you are seeking refuge?" Hearing Itsumaden's words, Miketsu roughly guessed her intention.
Upon hearing Miketsu's words, Itsumaden did not answer directly but quietly bowed her body and lowered her head.
"I have nowhere left to go. I only long for a peaceful dwelling..."
"Are you sure I can protect you? I am merely a yokai."
"No... you are more than just a yokai. You are also human, you are that onmyoji who controls paper cranes..." Itsumaden raised her head and met Miketsu's gaze silently, her eyes filled with firm conviction.
"I remember your eyes. They left a particularly deep impression on me, eyes I could never forget. Even if you change your appearance, change your voice, I can still recognize you."
Miketsu neither affirmed nor denied Itsumaden's words, while the other continued speaking.
"You are both a yokai... and a human... but I believe both are merely your outward appearances. Your true identity... must be that of a deity..."
Itsumaden voiced all her conjectures. All these speculations stemmed from that prayer at the crucial moment, after which a miracle immediately occurred. Was all of this truly a coincidence? Considering that the onmyoji had guided her to pray, and that the onmyoji and the yokai who saved her were the same person, a bold idea formed in Itsumaden's mind.
Looking at Itsumaden, who met her gaze, Miketsu sighed softly. She removed the hood from her head, then pulled at a loose end of the bandage on her head, and the bandages instantly unwound.
A girl with white hair, crimson eyes, a gentle and beautiful face, and an aura of divinity appeared before Itsumaden. This was the first time Miketsu had shown her true form to anyone outside of the Inari foxes.
Seeing this scene, Itsumaden took a deep breath. She suppressed her turbulent emotions, lowered her head, and prostrated herself deeply before Miketsu.
Miketsu's gaze was calm. She was not surprised that Itsumaden had guessed her true identity. After all, she had provided too much information to the other party beforehand, and such a result was to be expected.
"Tsuruha."
Obeying Miketsu's call, the Divine Messenger darted out from Miketsu's sleeve, quickly growing to her original size. She stood respectfully by Miketsu's side.
"Lady Uka..."
"The foxes won't reject yokai, will they?"
"As long as Lady Uka gives the command, all the foxes of Inari will consider Miss Itsumaden a companion," Tsuruha replied, while inwardly thinking, 'You've already disguised yourself as a yokai to blend into the demon realm, what else could we not accept?'
"Uka... Inari..." Itsumaden, still prostrated on the ground, couldn't help but murmur upon hearing Tsuruha's words.
Looking at Itsumaden, still bowing on the ground, Miketsu made her decision.
"Uka-no-Mitama-no-Kami... that is my name. From now on, come to Inari Mountain. Live within my Secret Realm, and no one will be able to spy on you again."
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