Obscure Shadow

On the edge of the Eastern Island, waves crashed against rugged reefs. The Lord of Arakawa and Kingyohime stood upon the rocks. The Lord of Arakawa watched the dark figure fly into the distance before turning away.

"He's gone... there's no need to stay here any longer."

"Huh? Big oaf, aren't you going to watch the rest of their duel? You're leaving already?" Kingyohime turned her head, looking curiously at the Lord of Arakawa.

"Hmph, there's nothing interesting to see. In the end, whoever wins has nothing to do with us. This journey is over; let's return to Arakawa." As he spoke, the Lord of Arakawa leaped into the sea. Kingyohime, after a reluctant glance at the distant Eastern Island, followed him.

Far from this reef, a single eyeball floated in mid-air, observing everything that had just transpired.

...

Beneath Nightless Island, at the center of an ancient, long-abandoned altar, a massive orb of demonic power floated in the air. Master Enmi, now merely a soul, continued to sustain this immense Black Tortoise demonic power. Below the orb, Tamamo-no-Mae and Yakumo Yukari stood.

Before Tamamo-no-Mae, several floating eyeballs displayed images transmitted from outside, allowing Tamamo-no-Mae to clearly understand the progress of the duels.

"The first round of duels has concluded, and the initial losers are beginning to return..." Tamamo-no-Mae said in a deep voice, while Yakumo Yukari beside him smiled.

"Oh my... just as expected. Those arrogant fellows won't pay much attention to matters that no longer concern them. No one is willing to stay and witness the birth of the 'strongest,' for all who call themselves kings possess an inherent arrogance."

"As you predicted, the duels have consumed much of their demonic power. If you intend to execute your so-called plan, you must act now," Tamamo-no-Mae continued, his tone as calm as ever, in contrast to Yakumo Yukari's playful demeanor.

"Oh, why say that? Shouldn't it be 'our' plan?" Yakumo Yukari smiled at Tamamo-no-Mae.

"No, I merely wish to destroy Heian-kyo. The affairs of other yokai are none of my concern. This time, it's simply a matter of mutual utilization."

"Hmph, you're still so aloof. But I truly envy your ability to live a reclusive life, unburdened by worldly affairs, unlike me, who must plan for the future of the yokai..." Yakumo Yukari said, turning around. Before her, a spatial gap tore open in thin air.

"Well then, it's time for me to attend to serious business. This so-called Yokai Lord battle isn't just about them vying for the strongest title... Heh heh..."

With a mysterious smile, Yakumo Yukari stepped into the spatial gap.

...

Under the dark sky, amidst the turbulent ocean, Eastern Island still stood. However, it was now drastically different, covered in scorched forests, with many areas of the ground severely damaged. At the island's center, Miketsu and Ao Andon confronted each other, their battle on the verge of erupting.

"Miketsu, the Owl General of Heian-kyo, a Great Yokai who suddenly appeared and rose to prominence over a decade ago, mysterious and powerful. You are perhaps the most enigmatic among the Yokai Lords. What truth lies hidden behind your great power? Heh heh, I'm truly looking forward to finding out." Sitting on her lamp staff, Ao Andon smiled and spoke to Miketsu, who remained silent.

"No need for many words. If you wish to witness something, then come and test it yourself."

"Very well. Since we've both witnessed each other's abilities, there's no need to hold back. I'll make the first move..." Ao Andon said, drawing a few cards from thin air. Without hesitation, she played them all.

"Secret Lore Summoning: Kamaitachi, Abura-sumashi, Carrion Monster, Onmora-gaki!"

Accompanied by a flash of azure light, four yokai of various forms appeared before Ao Andon. One wore a dark blue cloak, revealing only a pair of eyes. Another was a short, plump little yokai resembling an oil jar, dressed in a straw raincoat. One was a disgusting, moving mass of flesh, exuding a foul stench. The last was a large bird yokai, shaped like a rooster.

With a wave of Ao Andon's hand, the four distinct yokai charged forward. The fastest was the strange yokai cloaked in dark blue; its furry hand emerged from the cloak, wielding a spiked club that struck directly at Miketsu.

Facing this yokai, Miketsu drew her katana and, without even transforming it, met the attack, effortlessly cleaving the club and its wielder in two with immense force. But before it was fully severed, two swift shadows darted out from within the cloak. These were two weasels, each holding a scythe and a blade. This peculiar yokai, Kamaitachi, was composed of three small yokai, and Miketsu had only struck down the lead one.

By sacrificing one, the remaining two weasels successfully circled to Miketsu's sides and launched a surprise attack simultaneously. However, Miketsu, as if having anticipated it, sidestepped, avoiding both, and then cleanly dispatched them both in mid-air with another strike.

Yet, the time gained by Kamaitachi allowed the Onmora-gaki to fly above Miketsu, carrying the Abura-sumashi, into which the Carrion Monster had been stuffed. Releasing its sharp talons, the Onmora-gaki dropped both Abura-sumashi and the Carrion Monster towards Miketsu on the ground. Miketsu, seeing this, transformed her katana into a demonic blade and unleashed a Wind Scar, striking the Abura-sumashi in mid-air. The jar-like yokai shattered, spilling its contents: a vast cloud of oily mist!

As the oily mist spread, the Onmora-gaki in the sky spat out a burst of flames, igniting the mist completely and engulfing a wide area. Miketsu was temporarily enveloped. When the Carrion Monster ignited, it also released an unbearable stench that permeated the dense fog. Seeing this, Ao Andon's lips curved into a faint smile.

"Secret Lore Summoning: Yobuko..."

Amidst a flash of azure light, a beast-like yokai with floppy ears appeared before Ao Andon. It stood like a marmot, opening its mouth and letting out a cry.

The Yobuko's cry did not emanate from its mouth, but rather mysteriously echoed from various points within the mist. The sound was unusually strange and unpleasant, causing discomfort while continuously reverberating.

Thus, the Yobuko incessantly produced various sounds from different locations within the mist. Miketsu was surrounded by these sounds, completely unable to discern any direction, as if danger lurked everywhere in the dense fog but its origin remained elusive.

This was Ao Andon's strategy: the vast expanse of dense fog, foul stench, and incessant noise would continuously weaken Miketsu's senses, severely disrupting her sight, smell, and hearing, drastically reducing her ability to perceive enemies. All of this was preparation for her true killing blow.

In the impenetrable, foul-smelling fog, Miketsu stood motionless, surrounded by the cacophony, as if at a loss. During this, an unseen danger gradually approached.

"Swish!"

A sharp blade pierced Miketsu from behind, emerging through her chest. A bald yokai elder materialized from the void behind Miketsu, the sword gripped in his hand.

Using the senses of her Secret Lore yokai, Ao Andon witnessed Miketsu being successfully ambushed and stabbed in the back. Just as she was about to smile, Miketsu's dark figure twisted into a shimmer of light, vanishing into the dense fog.

"What... Ugh!"

Just as Ao Andon gasped in surprise, a cold blade pierced through her chest. Ao Andon turned back in astonishment, seeing Miketsu's single eye, glowing with a terrifying red light, beneath her hood.

"So that's it. You used the stench, dense fog, and noise to weaken my perception, ultimately creating an opportunity for Slippery Nura's sneak attack? It seems you learned from your previous battle with the Forest King. For a Great Yokai's perception, Slippery Nura's ability cannot hide him a hundred percent...

"Your idea was good, but unfortunately, when it comes to understanding and utilizing Slippery Nura's abilities, I might be slightly stronger than you. After all, unlike you, who learned about Slippery Nura from secret lore, I have a true Slippery Nura among my subordinates."

At this moment, Miketsu's demonic blade had, at some point, become elongated and imbued with a translucent, ethereal quality. Wrapped around it was not Miketsu's demonic energy, but that of her subordinate, Slippery Nura.

"demonic energy lending... Obscure Shadow Illusion Break..."