Escape

The fact that Inari Okami is not physically atop the Mikoshi does not mean she isn't watching all of this. The purpose of the Mikoshi isn't truly to carry the deity, but to provide a focal point for the faith of the believers. If the people are willing to believe that Inari Okami is upon it, then she truly is... Looking at the blue-haired woman standing nearby, Miketsu spoke slowly with a lingering smile. The blue-haired woman glanced back at Miketsu, a hint of curiosity rising in her expression before she continued.

"I have heard that Inari Okami once ignored the affairs of the world for a hundred years. Yet, in the last decade or so, miracles have suddenly become frequent and her efficacy absolute, leading the entire Kinki region to compete in their devotion. People often say this is the return and revival of Inari Okami. But whether the one who has revived is the true Lady Uka or some impostor... who can say for certain?"

"Heh, as long as one can sincerely listen to the wishes of all living beings, guide them on their path, and bring prosperity to the world, does it truly matter how that Inari Okami came to be?" Miketsu responded, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes as she looked at the blue-haired woman.

"True. To the masses, what Inari Okami is like might not matter, so long as she creates blessings. But for the gods of Takamagahara, that might not be the case. In their eyes, if the name of an orthodox god is held by an impure and lowly being, they will surely erupt in fury..." the blue-haired woman continued. She watched the young Onmyoji before her with a curious gaze. Miketsu maintained her smile and answered slowly.

"Is the will of the people more important, or the will of the gods?"

"This..." Apparently not expecting such a question, the blue-haired woman’s brow furrowed. After a moment of thought, she spoke again. "If Inari Okami is truly a fraud who angers the other gods and invites divine punishment upon the people, then this Inari Okami neither respects the gods nor cares for the lives she indirectly endangers."

Hearing the blue-haired woman's words, Miketsu let out a soft laugh and waved her small fan. "Heh. If the gods use their name to carry out slaughter at a whim, regardless of right or wrong, involving the innocent and forcing their will upon others... then what use are such gods?"

Miketsu’s words were startling. Neither the blue-haired woman nor the green-haired attendant behind her seemed to have expected such a statement from the young Onmyoji. They were momentarily stunned. After a few beats, the blue-haired woman finally laughed.

"Haha! As expected of Heian-kyo. Even a mere Onmyoji possesses such mettle. Aren't you afraid that those words will be seen as sacrilege and invite divine punishment?"

"If we speak of disrespecting the gods, you were the first to disrespect Inari Okami. We are two of a kind," Miketsu replied, her smile unchanged.

"Fair enough. Since we are both blasphemers, let us speak no more of divine punishment... Heian-kyo is truly interesting. Meeting someone like you has made this trip worthwhile. Well, it is time for us to leave. I hope we meet again."

The blue-haired woman glanced at the sky, then turned and walked down the Five-Story Pagoda. Her green-haired attendant followed closely behind.

Watching the blue-haired woman’s retreating figure, Miketsu rubbed her chin thoughtfully.

On the outskirts of Heian-kyo, inside a deserted estate.

Within the desolate courtyard, a large number of men in black were gathered. Many of them lay collapsed on the ground, seemingly struck by a powerful energy shockwave. In the center of the courtyard, the Onmyodo array that had been flickering with strange light had dimmed and vanished. In its place was a bottomless pit. The withered branches and weeds around the crater had been blown outward in a radial pattern. The dilapidated buildings of the estate groaned, appearing as though they might collapse at any moment. A violent energy eruption had clearly just occurred here.

Suwako, who had been imprisoned here, was nowhere to be found. The Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi lay on the ground, fresh blood still dripping from its blade.

"Hmph. It seems that even in this state, your power has not entirely faded... I underestimated you." A purple-scaled serpent coiled around a pillar, flicking its tongue as it spoke in a cold voice.

Just moments ago, as Orochi’s subordinates had thrust the Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi into Suwako to begin the corruption process, she had suddenly unleashed a burst of power, shattering her shackles and immediately escaping into the earth.

"We shall pursue her through the tunnels at once..." The men in black who had been blown back scrambled to their feet. Their leader knelt before the serpent, speaking with absolute reverence.

"Go. She is wounded and cannot have fled far. But do not send everyone. You have another task." With a wicked whisper, Orochi’s voice echoed in the minds of all his servants.

"Another task?"

"I truly did not expect that even after falling to the status of a wild god, her spirit could maintain itself under my corruption and even resist... However, that does not mean my corruption was entirely useless. During the process, I read her memories... and I found some very interesting information."

As Orochi spoke, a sharp light glinted in his violet-red eyes.

"Heh. So Takeminakata came to Heian-kyo for such a purpose... to find Uka-no-Mitama-no-Mikoto. This is quite a grand gift indeed."

As he spoke, the purple-scaled serpent’s body suddenly bulged. He spat out a large mass of mangled flesh and blood. The mass was significantly larger than the serpent's own body, making one wonder if his interior was connected to another dimension.

After the blurred flesh hit the ground, it immediately began to shift and grow. Through constant transformation, the flesh gradually took on a human shape, eventually becoming a blonde girl. She was the spitting image of Suwako.

The girl formed from flesh slowly opened her eyes, revealing a sinister smile.

In a dense forest in the suburbs outside Heian-kyo.

Clutching the wound in her chest, Suwako crawled out of a hole in the ground with great difficulty. She stumbled to a tree and sat down, gasping for breath.

"Huff... huff... Has that guy's power recovered that much? To be able to corrupt to that degree... I have to leave here immediately, or his pursuers will catch up. I must find Kanako right away!" Suwako whispered urgently as she tried to stand, but then a realization hit her.

"No... that guy looked through my memories while he was corrupting me. He must know the meeting point Kanako and I agreed upon. If he sets an ambush along the way, wouldn't I be walking straight into a trap?" Realizing this, Suwako felt a sudden wave of helplessness and urgency, not knowing where to turn.

"Forget it. I have to get away from here first... otherwise, it'll be too late once the pursuers arrive..."

Having made up her mind, Suwako forced herself up, but her injuries made her movements painfully slow. Just as she was consumed by anxiety, a cheerful voice reached her ears.

"Hum~ hum-hum~ hum~ Mr. Frog, let's go! Let's head to the festival together!"