Warning

Within the Secret Realm behind the Inari Shrine on Mount Inari, inside a spacious small building, a banquet, meticulously prepared by the Inari foxes, was underway. Though the number of participants was small, the atmosphere was quite lively.

This was a banquet Tsuruha and the others had specially organized to welcome Miketsu. Miketsu now sat in the place of honor, enjoying the meat dishes brought from Choyo-machi on the small table before her. Holding a cup of sake, she smiled as she surveyed her surroundings, her gaze finally meeting Eirin's not far away, who was currently scrutinizing her with curiosity.

"Is there anything special about me, Eirin?" Miketsu took a sip of sake, set down her cup, and calmly asked Eirin.

"Of course, you're special everywhere. If you're willing to cooperate, I could study you for days and nights," Eirin replied with a light chuckle. Miketsu's lips twitched slightly upon hearing this.

"Heh heh, I'm afraid I won't be able to cooperate..."

"What a pity... I wanted to see the extent of the Central Plains Immortals' techniques, to be able to restore a godhead shattered by Chang'e." Though Eirin's tone carried a hint of regret, the smile on her lips remained unchanged.

Earlier, Miketsu had told them where she had been these past few days, without revealing anything about the Ancient Gods. It was clear that Eirin was very interested in the White-robed Daoist's technique for restoring godheads, as she herself had lost her godhead due to Chang'e's power and had yet to recover it.

"Ah, well... they are Immortals from ancient times, so it's not surprising they possess such techniques... Speaking of which, where are Yorihime and Toyohime now?" Miketsu changed the subject to prevent Eirin from making any more designs on her. She hadn't seen Yorihime and Toyohime, the two sisters, at the banquet. They should have played a significant role on her side during the Lunar War.

"Yorihime and Toyohime, you ask... They're still on the moon, organizing the moon rabbits and the remaining lunarians, preparing for the reconstruction of the Lunar Capital," Eirin said, taking a sip of sake and looking out the window at the sky.

"Reconstruct the Lunar Capital?"

"Indeed... Although I don't know why Chang'e was inexplicably re-sealed in the end, at least the war is over. The lunarians fell due to their arrogance, and the Lunar Capital was completely destroyed. However, almost all the moon rabbits and a very small number of lunarians survived, and the Lunar Secret Realm suffered no damage. Yorihime and Toyohime plan to lead them in rebuilding the Lunar Capital. The new Lunar Capital will be entirely different from the old one...

"Due to the busy reconstruction efforts, they won't be able to attend your banquet for now. However, those two children still asked me to convey their regards to you. They plan to build an Inari Shrine in the new Lunar Capital," Eirin said, looking at Miketsu with a slight smile. Miketsu was slightly taken aback upon hearing this.

'So my shrine can even be built on the moon, huh?'

"Rebuilding the Lunar Capital... I hope the new Lunar Capital learns its lessons. What about you, then? As the former Great Sage of the Moon, aren't you going to help your disciples?" Miketsu asked Eirin with a hint of a smile.

"Of course, I'll go, but only to help them. Once the Lunar Capital is mostly rebuilt, I'll choose to return here. The Princess and I have grown accustomed to life on Earth and don't wish to go back." As Eirin spoke, she glanced towards Kaguya, who was peacefully sipping tea.

"Also, your Princess said she wants to go to the Lunar Capital. When I mentioned that the Princess would be needed to control Chang'e's power for the reconstruction of the Lunar Capital, she volunteered."

"Is that so..." Miketsu looked towards Kaguya, who smiled and nodded back at her.

"Yes, Mother. Kaguya truly wishes to see the place of her birth. Even if it's in ruins, it doesn't matter. I also want to do my best to help the moon rabbits rebuild their home. Once everything is settled, Kaguya will return. Please grant your permission, Mother." Kaguya spoke in a gentle tone, and Miketsu nodded, stroking her chin.

"You want to see your birthplace... and help out? Then go... just remember to come back when you're done."

"Thank you, Mother!" Kaguya said happily upon hearing Miketsu's reply.

Watching Kaguya, Miketsu mused that if she had time, she should also visit the moon. Last time, although she was preparing to attack the lunar surface, she had to turn back midway because of Chang'e.

Lost in thought, Miketsu took a few more bites of her meal, then looked at Tsuruha and spoke directly.

"Tsuruha, has anything happened these past few days while I was away from the shrine?"

"Something... hmm, this..." Hearing Miketsu's words, Tsuruha, who had been sitting nearby, showed a troubled expression, seemingly at a loss for words.

"Don't overthink it. I've already seen the state of the honden." Seeing Tsuruha's expression, Miketsu spoke frankly again. Tsuruha paused, then let out a long sigh.

"Phew... Since Lady Uka has already seen it, there's nothing for it. Tsuruha had originally planned to tell you about the honden after the banquet," Tsuruha said with some helplessness, clearly having held back to avoid spoiling Miketsu's enjoyment of the feast.

"It was like this: three days ago, a sudden thunderclap struck from a clear sky. A bolt of lightning hit the honden out of nowhere, setting it ablaze. Fortunately, the Miko reacted quickly, and the fire was extinguished swiftly. The flames didn't spread, and no one was injured, but the honden was completely burned down..." Tsuruha reported to Miketsu with a respectful expression.

"Thunder from a clear sky, you say? Heh... thunder out of nowhere. I doubt it's that simple."

"Yes, Lady Uka. This wasn't ordinary thunder. Within the destroyed honden, words were carved into the stone slabs on the ground," Tsuruha continued, responding to Miketsu's words. Miketsu then asked in return.

"Words?"

Hearing Miketsu's words, Tsuruha looked at Konkiku nearby and said earnestly.

"Konkiku... bring it over..."

"Understood, Sister."

"Lady Uka, please come outside to see."

Konkiku ran out of the room. Miketsu, guided by Tsuruha, went to the doorway. After waiting for a moment, she saw Konkiku leading several foxes, carrying a large stone slab, taller than a person, running towards them. Soon after, the broken black stone slab was erected before Miketsu. Four fierce, crude characters were carved into it with brute force.

"Seven Days to Heaven...?"

Upon seeing the stone slab, Miketsu understood everything. The lightning strike that burned down the honden, and the words carved by that very strike, were all messages and warnings conveyed to her by Takamagahara.

Clearly, the removal of the seal on her godhead had alarmed Takamagahara. Takamagahara now fully understood that Uka-no-Mitama-no-Kami had awakened, and Kanako's fabricated lie was no longer effective.

It was Takamagahara that had sealed the Inari Okami's divine power in the past. They had now fully sensed the seal's removal, and had sent Takemikazuchi-no-Kami, the strongest deity beneath the Mihashira-no-uzunomiko, to warn her. Takemikazuchi-no-Kami had burned down her honden with lightning, and demanded that she go to Takamagahara within seven days.

"Must I go within seven days? Since they sent Takemikazuchi, and specifically struck my shrine, does that mean if I don't go, they'll use force?" As she spoke, Miketsu rubbed her fists, her knuckles cracking, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"Heh... interesting..."