In the distant sky above Rito, a powerful demonic energy manifested. The sound of howling gales was incessant as a violent storm swept toward the central tower of the island at high speed. Sensing the powerful demonic energy and the sound of the wind from afar, everyone inside the building couldn't help but turn their gazes toward the massive gap previously smashed open by the Lord of Arakawa. They could all clearly feel that something was approaching at high speed from that direction, and Miketsu recognized that specific demonic energy.
"That is the Tengu Wind. If we don't stop it, it might blow this house down," Miketsu said nonchalantly. Upon hearing her words, Toga leaped toward the large hole in the main building. He drew his blade and slashed forward; under a burst of radiance, the Tessaiga manifested in his hand, swirling with a gale of demonic energy as it struck out.
"Wind Scar!"
The roaring storm of demonic energy erupted from the opening of the main building, colliding with the Tengu Wind blowing from the distance. The resulting turbulent storm instantly swept across the entirety of Rito. Many yokai strolling through the streets were caught off guard and knocked off their feet. Dancers performing on the stages screamed as they clutched their dresses, and a heap of signs and decorations on the streets were blown far away. The main building creaked and groaned under the pressure, causing Sanmen-oni to cry out in a mournful wail.
"My—my building..."
In the center of the chaotic winds, a figure flew out with great speed, entering the main building through the hole and hovering above the assembly hall. Upon closer inspection, it was a handsome young man dressed in a white robe with blue patterns. He held a ritual fan inscribed with the character for 'festival' and bore pitch-black wings on his back. His ash-white short hair framed a face as refined as jade. He looked down at the crowd below with an expression of absolute confidence.
"Great Tengu of Sugo Ungo, reporting in. My mastery of the Tengu-do is still unrefined. I thought that flying at high speed from that distance wouldn't cause much of a wind... Heh, I've truly made a fool of myself before my seniors." Although he spoke of an apology, the Great Tengu maintained a proud posture. Two Karasu-tengu attendants followed closely behind him.
"Oh! Look at that, big guy! That’s the new Great Tengu of Sugo Ungo! He looks pretty handsome!" Beside the Lord of Arakawa, a young yokai girl named Kingyohime spoke as she watched the Great Tengu's entrance. The Lord of Arakawa’s face remained indifferent.
"Hmph. I heard not long ago that Sugo Ungo finally had a new Great Tengu. I didn't expect it to be such a young, hot-headed brat. Has your Tengu clan run out of elders capable of inheriting the Tengu-do?"
"There are naturally elders within Sugo Ungo capable of inheriting the Tengu-do. However, they have all placed their hopes in me, for I possess greater aptitude and a brighter future. I shall not fail their trust, Lord of Arakawa," the Great Tengu replied with a smile. The other lord merely snorted and said nothing more. Then, the Great Tengu turned his gaze toward Miketsu. He descended to stand before her and spoke with respect.
"It has been thirteen years, Lord Owl. How have you been lately...?"
"Heh, so it's you. I never expected you would eventually inherit the Tengu-do. Was it luck? Or hard work?" Miketsu said with a smile as she looked at the Great Tengu. The person before her was the same little tengu she had once saved in Heian-kyo. Time had passed, and he had now become the new leader of the Tengu clan.
"I suppose it was a bit of both. Many things have happened to me over these ten-plus years. Of course... Sugo Ungo and I will never forget the kindness you once showed us," the Great Tengu said solemnly. The other yokai present, including Toga, were slightly surprised. They hadn't realized that Owl had a history with the tengu of Sugo Ungo.
"Let's not talk about that for now. What's important is watching the next few arrivals make their entrance," Miketsu continued. Shortly after she finished speaking, another powerful demonic energy reaction was sensed. This time, unlike the previous two, the reaction was coming from underground.
Suddenly, a slight tremor shook the ground, followed by a dull rumbling sound that grew louder as it approached.
"This vibration... what is it?"
"It seems something is coming from below..."
Miketsu responded calmly to the Great Tengu's question. She then looked toward the center of the room's floor. The original round table had long since been washed away by the water.
"Boom!" With a loud explosion, the floorboards in the center of the room suddenly burst apart. A cloud of dust scattered upward, instantly plunging the scene into a gray haze.
"My—my building! Cough, cough, cough!!" Sanmen-oni wailed again, but he was immediately choked by the thick dust and began coughing loudly. Finally, as the dust settled, a male yokai appeared.
Worn armor covered his loose, casual clothing, and his exposed muscles radiated strength. Beneath his pale hair was a resolute face. Two sheathed swords were tucked into his waist. The most striking feature about him was the beast-like helmet he wore on his head, resembling a pangolin. The spikes on the back of the helmet layered downward, making it look as though the man had a head of needle-sharp hair.
"Yamakaze of Mount Nanakaku, as promised..." After scanning his surroundings, the yokai man, who carried an air of natural wildness, spoke coolly. Everyone present immediately recognized his identity.
"Yamakaze... the ruler of Mount Nanakaku, the protector of the forest yokai... the Yokai Lord known as the Forest King." Looking at the man named Yamakaze, Toga murmured his name. The Lord of Arakawa, however, spoke up loudly.
"The Forest King Yamakaze? Did you dig your way here through the seabed?"
Hearing the Lord of Arakawa's words, Yamakaze glanced at him and the Great Tengu before speaking.
"Compared to floods and storms, I simply prefer the scent of the earth." After saying this, Yamakaze ignored the others and walked silently to the side.
Seeing this, Miketsu glanced around and counted the people. She found that five Yokai Lords had arrived. The number of seats Sanmen-oni had prepared was eight.
"Three left, General," Makoto said from behind Miketsu. Miketsu nodded silently. Just then, a clap of thunder suddenly echoed in the distant sky.
On the sea horizon far from Rito, in the direction of the thunder, a massive ghost ship rose from the junction of the sea and sky into the air.
It was a giant flat-bottomed wooden ship, dozens of meters long. A massive demon mask was carved onto the bow. Long wooden oars, resembling the legs of a centipede, extended from both sides of the hull, arranged from front to back. Atop the deck of this massive flying ghost ship stood a small castle keep.
Such a giant ghost ship sailed through the moonlight toward Rito. Standing at the bow was a rebellious figure.
He had messy, short black hair and a sharp horn protruding from his forehead. He wore a white short-sleeved shirt with sturdy armor beneath it. A blade connected to a chain hung behind him. His golden eyes stared directly at the brilliantly lit Rito in the distance, his expression filled with disdain.
"Is that Rito? Have all those so-called Yokai Lords gathered together? Hmph, let me see what these mainland Yokai Lords are made of. Kujira... full speed ahead!"
Rate on N.U.
