Responsibility and Strategic Lies

Death is the end of life, yet it is currently merely a larva that has just broken its shell. The cycle of reincarnation cannot be reversed, so perhaps it is not yet time for it to die?

Listening to the words of the Tokoyo-no-Kami, Miketsu was momentarily stunned. Before long, she immediately thought of the deity's ability: controlling the progression of life and mastering reincarnation. Perhaps even after its physical body was destroyed, it had not truly died because its power was still in effect? Pondering the deity's earlier words, Miketsu formed a hypothesis.

"When you say the cycle cannot be reversed, do you mean your life's progression must be complete? That death can only occur after you have transformed into a butterfly, and therefore, you cannot be killed while in your larval state?"

"Intelligent..." The Tokoyo-no-Kami's voice rang out, tender and immature like a child's. It gave a simple response, confirming her thoughts. Hearing this, Miketsu felt her heart tighten. If she wanted to force the Tokoyo-no-Kami into a state of death, she would have to wait for it to undergo pupation and become a butterfly. It would have to be killed in its adult form. But... it went without saying that the power of the Tokoyo-no-Kami in its adult form would likely be incomparable to what it was now. Furthermore, according to the cycle of reincarnation, it would eventually welcome a new birth even after death.

In a sense, the Tokoyo-no-Kami was a truly immortal god...

Realizing the terrifying extent of its power, Miketsu's heart sank. At the same time, numerous questions began to flood her mind. The most critical one concerned the very nature of the Tokoyo-no-Kami's existence.

"What... exactly are you?"

"I? I am naturally a deity."

"No, you aren't one of those wild gods found everywhere. Your strength in your larval state alone is enough to rival the orthodox gods of Takamagahara, yet you are definitely not an orthodox god." Miketsu voiced her doubt. She couldn't place the Tokoyo-no-Kami in any known category. She only knew its existence was similar to Yamata no Orochi—both were deities, yet neither were wild gods nor orthodox gods.

"orthodox gods? The 'legitimate' deities? Heh... those lowly, shameful creatures certainly know how to label themselves. It is... utterly laughable..." Hearing Miketsu's words, the Tokoyo-no-Kami let out a cold sneer. It displayed an attitude of extreme disdain toward the gods of Takamagahara.

"You seem to harbor deep resentment toward Takamagahara?"

"It is not resentment, but contempt... Remember, all myths are lies. When we return once more, these lies will be exposed, and this world will welcome its true masters..."

As it spoke, the Tokoyo-no-Kami's voice, which echoed through the space, began to grow fainter, as if it were gradually drifting away.

"Until we meet again, mortal. On the day of our return, we shall see each other once more. By then, you had best be prepared—to submit, or to perish..."

As the voice of the Tokoyo-no-Kami faded completely, Miketsu felt a certain power depart. She looked around at the devastated Nightless Island and let out a long sigh of relief.

Gazing at the sun rising on the horizon, Miketsu recalled her conversation with the Tokoyo-no-Kami. Although the entity had not directly answered her question, the words it left behind were deeply unsettling.

"All myths are lies...?" When the Tokoyo-no-Kami spoke those words, Miketsu remembered a conversation she once had with Makoto. At that time, Miketsu had asked Makoto what the difference was between an orthodox god and a wild god. Makoto had repeated the words of her mother.

She said the greatest difference between an orthodox god and a wild god lay in whether they were recorded in myth...

After the battle with the Tokoyo-no-Kami had completely concluded, Miketsu sensed the demonic energy reactions and flew toward East Island. Seimei and the others, along with the other six Yokai Lords, were all there. They had been on that deserted island, watching the battle between Miketsu and the Tokoyo-no-Kami from a distance.

After returning the Tessaiga to Toga, the Great Dog Demon immediately rushed to Nightless Island without pause to search for his son, Sesshomaru. He was joined by the Lord of Arakawa, who went to find Kingyohime. Following the trace of demonic energy, they soon found the still-sleeping Sesshomaru and Kingyohime in a prison deep within the subterranean caves of Nightless Island.

Once the missing persons were found, Miketsu assumed the various Yokai Lords would depart. To her surprise, they did not leave. Instead, they gathered together, intending to find Tamamo-no-Mae.

"In other words... you want to settle the score with Tamamo-no-Mae?" Standing upon the ruins of Nightless Island, Miketsu looked at the assembled Yokai Lords with some surprise.

"Hmph. That nine-tailed fox used Black Tortoise demonic power to gather us here for this Yokai Lord Assembly, but in the end, it was nothing but a total trap. His breach of faith is a severe insult to us. This matter cannot be allowed to slide." The Lord of Arakawa spoke with a stern expression. Though the others behind him did not speak, their countenances mirrored his sentiment.

Miketsu wasn't surprised by their reaction. After all, they were all powerful Yokai Lords in their own right. Having suffered such a humiliating setback after coming to this place, it was obvious they wouldn't let it go.

In the past, Miketsu might not have interfered in such matters, but now she had different ideas.

"I understand your thoughts perfectly. However, what I must say now is that while Tamamo-no-Mae did organize this assembly and many of you were attacked during it, the mastermind behind the assault was not Tamamo-no-Mae, but the Tokoyo-no-Kami..."

"What..." Hearing Miketsu's words, the Lord of Arakawa and the other yokai showed looks of astonishment. On the other side, Ao Andon looked at Miketsu thoughtfully, a faint smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

Miketsu then proceeded to explain to the Lord of Arakawa and the others that Tamamo-no-Mae had indeed held the assembly for his original purpose: to select the strongest Yokai Lord, grant them the Black Tortoise demonic power, and have them perform a task for him. The reason the Lord of Arakawa and the others were attacked and captured was that the Tokoyo-no-Kami had secretly exploited the assembly to facilitate its own resurrection.

In short, Miketsu ultimately framed Tamamo-no-Mae as an unwitting party. The Tokoyo-no-Kami was the mastermind behind everything, and all responsibility lay with it. Since Yakumo Yukari had never shown her face while capturing the Yokai Lords, they had no way of determining who had actually attacked them.

The reason Miketsu went out of her way to help Tamamo-no-Mae escape responsibility was that the fox now realized his friend had been corrupted and used by others to control him. Tamamo-no-Mae was now clearly in an adversarial relationship with Yamata no Orochi and Dark Seimei. This meant that in the future, when Miketsu faced Orochi again, Tamamo-no-Mae could potentially become a powerful ally. Therefore, by helping him avoid unnecessary trouble now, she ensured he could act more freely in the future, rather than being frequently harassed by other Yokai Lords seeking revenge.