Heading to Nightless Island

The sun gradually dipped below the horizon, bathing the world in the blood-red glow of the setting sun. It was now Oma-ga-toki. On a certain stretch of coastline in Shimosa Province within the Kanto region, waves washed over the vast sandy beach. This normally peaceful shore was currently teeming with demonic energy as a hundred demons gathered. Countless yokai of all shapes and sizes were continuously emerging from the woods bordering the beach, converging on this single point in a noisy, chaotic throng.

Due to the extreme overcrowding and the naturally poor discipline of the yokai, many who were pushed down or shoved into the sea immediately turned around and began brawling with those who had bumped them. The scene quickly devolved into a mess, with surrounding yokai cheering and watching the fights. In such a chaotic environment, lives were lost from time to time.

This abnormally large gathering of yokai stood waiting on the beach. Those at the very front gazed out toward the distant horizon, where numerous small skiffs were rowing toward the shore. These boats were manned by yokai ferrymen, their bodies entirely concealed beneath oversized straw raincoats. As soon as a boat reached the shore, a swarm of yokai would scramble to board. After tossing copper coins to the ferryman, the boat would turn back and head out to sea. In this manner, the yokai on the beach were being ferried away by a never-ending stream of skiffs.

In the sky above the coast, countless large, black demonic birds circled. On the back of each bird stood a yokai soldier clad in identical armor, keeping a watchful eye on the crowd below and the surrounding area.

Suddenly, a bird yokai who had been repeatedly pushed aside and failed to secure a spot on a boat lost his patience. Gritting his teeth, he spread the wings on his back and took to the sky. He hadn't been airborne for more than two seconds before the soldiers atop the black birds hurled their spears. The bird yokai was instantly skewered and fell dead to the ground. A few of the spear-throwing yokai swooped down to retrieve their weapons from the corpse, and one of them shouted a declaration.

"I will say this once more! By order of Lord Sanmen-oni, those who wish to reach Nightless Island must travel by boat! No unauthorized flight is permitted, or you will be executed on the spot!"

Hearing the soldier's proclamation, many yokai couldn't help but look fearful. However, some naturally arrogant ones simply spat in disdain. In the end, no one stepped forward to pick a fight, and all the yokai continued to follow the somewhat disorganized order, crowding onto the arriving skiffs.

Just as the soldiers on the black birds were looking down at the disgruntled but helpless yokai with smug grins, a cry echoed from the horizon, accompanied by a distinct surge of demonic energy. They immediately turned their heads in anger, tightening their grip on their spears.

"Which blind fool is this? Didn't we say no fly—huh!?"

Flying at high speed from the horizon was a magnificent, bright yellow bird. Its wings spread wide, reflecting the brilliant light of the setting sun in a way that would leave anyone who saw it entranced. Leading the way in front of this great bird was a large, floating eyeball emitting a faint purple glow, acting as a guide.

When they saw the beautiful yellow bird, all the soldiers were momentarily stunned. However, as soon as their attention shifted to the eyeball leading the way, the expressions on their faces instantly turned to terror. The soldiers who had intended to intercept them hurriedly steered their black birds to scatter, clearing a path for the bright yellow bird. Not a single one dared to stand in its way.

They understood that with that demonic eye as a guide, the being riding upon the bird behind it was someone of immense status.

Beneath the setting sun, Miketsu, draped in her black robe, flew over the sea. Her eyes turned toward the east, where the towering silhouette of Mount Fuji was still visible on the horizon. After taking a moment to appreciate the scenery of Fugaku in the twilight, her gaze shifted downward to the numerous skiffs rowing forward.

"Heh. It seems quite a lot of yokai have come, haven't they? Are they all here just to watch the show?"

"After all, the news of the various Yokai Lords gathering at Nightless Island has spread far and wide. Naturally, many yokai want to witness such an unprecedented spectacle, Owl General." The response came from Dodomeki's voice. She spoke through the purple-glowing eyeball floating in front of Makoto. This eyeball was the 'invitation' Dodomeki had given her earlier, and it seemed it also served as a guide and a pass.

"What I'm curious about is why, aside from the invited guests, everyone else is forced to enter Nightless Island only by these specific skiffs. They aren't even allowed to fly. Is this a rule set by the master of the island?" Miketsu asked, shifting her thoughts.

"That fellow Sanmen-oni is extremely cautious and incredibly greedy. Anyone who wants to enter the island for entertainment must use his boats. Not only can he use this to extort ferry fees along the way, but he also takes the opportunity to inspect all the guests. He judges whether they are dangerous or how much wealth they have. Those who aren't welcomed by Sanmen-oni or are deemed too poor to qualify are thrown directly into the sea. It's just that he wouldn't dare try such a trick with a Yokai Lord like you."

This sounds like a shady tour guide taking people on a trip, Miketsu couldn't help but complain inwardly. At that moment, Makoto's voice reached Miketsu's heart through their contract.

'What should we do, Lady Uka? If everyone has to take a boat and be inspected, it will be difficult for Nura Rihyon and the others to sneak in.'

'Don't worry about that. The security on Nightless Island shouldn't be too strict. I believe they will find an opportunity.'

Miketsu responded to Makoto. This time, coming to Nightless Island to stop Tamamo-no-Mae, she wouldn't just go alone on the surface.

...

Far from the beach where the yokai were gathering, atop a coastal cliff, the young yokai Nura Rihyon was frowning as he looked at the scene in the distance.

"To get over there, we have to take a boat... I know Sanmen-oni's style. Taking that boat is not only ridiculously expensive, but they'll also confiscate your weapons in the end. It's a huge loss, and more importantly, you definitely can't board, little brother."

As Nura Rihyon spoke, his gaze turned toward Seimei beside him. Seimei was currently watching the large number of flying yokai soldiers in the distance.

"We can't fly over with Shikigami... The wind and mist over the sea will interfere with the Invisibility Spell. More importantly, I don't know the correct location of Nightless Island. It is indeed difficult to get over there without being noticed."

"Well, there are always more solutions than problems. We can't put all our hopes on the General. Perhaps we can look around the area and ask the humans in the nearby fishing villages... see if we can find another way into Nightless Island," Nura Rihyon replied after thinking for a moment.