Judgment of Sins

When heavy thunderclouds gathered in the sky above Mount Inari. When the colossal face formed by the thunderclouds emerged, looking down upon all living beings with indifference. When a thunderous sound of judgment echoed across the heavens. When countless bolts of lightning descended from the dark clouds, striking across the entire Mount Inari.

In the face of such heavenly might, countless people in Heian-kyo involuntarily knelt, trembling with awe and reverence towards the direction where the thunderclouds converged. The rumbling sound of judgment permeated the Three Realms; both humans and Yokai understood at that moment that Inari Okami, who had saved Heian-kyo numerous times, had indeed angered the heavens. The God of Heavenly Punishment, representing the will of Takamagahara, had descended to bring Inari Okami to the heavens for punishment.

Under the boundless pressure displayed by the God of Heavenly Punishment, people were filled with immense fear. Countless individuals, in their terror, prayed to Amaterasu Omikami and Takemikazuchi-no-Kami, begging the heavens to forgive Inari Okami's sins. Everyone believed that Inari Okami, as the daughter of Susanoo-no-Mikoto and the deity of harvest, could not possibly defy the enraged God of Heavenly Punishment.

While countless citizens pleaded with the heavens for Inari Okami, others understood that pleading with the God of Heavenly Punishment was futile, and they began to prepare for other actions.

At the Astronomical Pavilion, after seeing the lightning strike Mount Inari, Seimei immediately drew a talisman, intending to summon a Shikigami to aid Mount Inari. However, he hesitated, wondering if it was truly appropriate for him, a Great Onmyoji, to directly confront Takamagahara and openly assist Inari Okami in defying the gods.

During his hesitation, Seimei heard a wolf's howl from below. He looked down and saw that Yura had already summoned her Tanrou Shikigami and was riding it, rushing towards Mount Inari. Witnessing this, Seimei clenched his fist, silently making up his mind.

“If gods protect mortals, mortals should repay them…”

With those words, Seimei prepared to summon a Shikigami to Mount Inari. He intended to do his utmost to help Inari Okami fight the God of Heavenly Punishment, at least to buy her a chance to escape.

Just as Seimei was about to throw out the Paper Shikigami in his hand, a horrific scream suddenly erupted in the sky. This thunderous scream was very similar to the previous majestic sound of judgment, but it was much louder and even filled with pain. Seimei was startled by the thunderous shriek. When he looked back at Mount Inari in astonishment, he saw a large hole torn through the heavy thunderclouds. The evening glow of the sunset streamed through it, illuminating Mount Inari in the distance.

At this moment, Seimei and countless others who had been silently praying suddenly realized a problem.

Logically speaking, as a deity of the same generation as Amaterasu Omikami and the one who controlled lightning, Takemikazuchi-no-Kami, the God of Heavenly Punishment, should be an insurmountable force for Inari Okami, a second-generation deity who was merely a God of Agriculture… But the myths never recorded them fighting. What if… Inari Okami was actually stronger than Takemikazuchi-no-Kami?

At this thought, Seimei suddenly wondered if that thunderous scream had belonged to Takemikazuchi-no-Kami, then didn't that mean…

Shaking his head, Seimei mused that perhaps he should now return to draft a memorial, suggesting that after this incident, the court should also enshrine Inari Okami as a God of War and a military general.

“The conduct of war requires provisions. Even the strongest samurai needs to eat his fill to exert his strength. Therefore, Inari Okami can also be a God of War and a military general. Hmm… this logic makes sense,” Seimei pondered, gazing at Mount Inari in the distance.

…

Above Mount Inari, Takemikazuchi-no-Kami, robust and bare-chested, was struck in the face by a rapidly incoming stone. He reeled backward, spitting blood, and two of his teeth broke.

Takemikazuchi-no-Kami fell backward, plummeting from the sky. Just before hitting the ground, he abruptly stopped, then righted himself. He clutched the side of his face that had been struck and raised a solemn countenance towards Miketsu, who was not far away. Despite his blood-stained face, his chiseled, resolute features still displayed an air of majesty, and his eyes were filled with silvery electric light.

“Because agriculture requires labor, can a God of Agriculture also wield immense strength? Aided by arcane arts, you managed to bypass my perception. Have you grown stronger by developing numerous faiths in the lower realm? Hmph… I admit, my underestimation allowed you to succeed in a sneak attack.” Takemikazuchi-no-Kami spoke slowly, covering his face. His voice, though no longer like thunder, remained resounding.

“Yes, I admit I underestimated you too. I originally expected that blow to knock you out cold. I didn't expect the foremost God of War beneath the Mihashira-no-uzunomiko to still have some strength,” Miketsu said casually, dusting off the grime that had clung to her hands from picking up the stone, as she looked at Takemikazuchi-no-Kami hovering in the distant sky.

“Nonsense!”

Seeing Miketsu’s nonchalant and relaxed attitude, Takemikazuchi-no-Kami gritted his teeth, swung his blood-stained arm, and struck the small drum suspended behind him, letting out a thunderous roar. The dispersed thunderclouds above Mount Inari gathered once more.

“Do you know what you are doing, Uka-no-Mitama-no-Mikoto! Openly defying the Mandate of Heaven, launching a sneak attack on me, the God of Heavenly Punishment… Do you realize you have committed a heinous crime?”

“Heinous crime? Of course not…” Unmoved by Takemikazuchi-no-Kami’s roar, Miketsu spread her hands, her smile unchanging as she said, “There is no sin without law. Of all the laws in this world, I only follow the law of my own heart. The laws and mandates of Takamagahara cannot bind me. Similarly, there is no punishment without judgment. Of all judgments, no judge has the right to judge me. Amaterasu cannot, and you certainly cannot.”

Miketsu spoke calmly to Takemikazuchi-no-Kami. Hearing Miketsu’s words, Takemikazuchi-no-Kami paused, then a cold smile appeared on his lips.

“Heh… Rumor has it that Uka-no-Mitama-no-Mikoto’s temperament changed drastically after awakening. It seems to have truly undergone an earth-shattering transformation. Such arrogant words, you never would have uttered before. The last time I compelled you to ascend to Takamagahara, you were quite cooperative.” Takemikazuchi-no-Kami sneered. Miketsu’s eyebrows twitched slightly at his words.

“So it was you who forced me to Takamagahara a hundred years ago. It seems besides striking the shrine, we have other scores to settle today…”

“Hmph! Foolish!”

With an angry snort, Takemikazuchi-no-Kami struck the drum surface behind him again. Amidst the thunderous drumbeats, the surrounding world immediately changed color. The real world receded, and the normal scenery twisted into an otherworldly landscape.

Heavy thunderclouds covered the sky, with thick electric arcs surging through them. Beneath the thunderclouds, lifeless, towering mountains rose and fell in layers, and the abysses splitting the peaks were bottomless.

The thunderclouds in the sky all swirled in vortices, at the center of which was a gigantic, embracing three-tomoe symbol. On the mountains beneath the thunderclouds, various swords, spears, and lances were embedded.

This was Takemikazuchi-no-Kami’s Divine Domain. Unleashing a Divine Domain was a sign that a Modern God was about to go all out.

“Do not think that merely succeeding in one sneak attack with arcane arts means you can defeat me. The power I wield is not something you, a mere second-generation God of Agriculture, can contend with, no matter how much faith you have from mortals.

“Watch, Uka-no-Mitama-no-Mikoto, this Sword Thunder Calamity Divine Domain is the realm of judgment for your great sin!”

Takemikazuchi-no-Kami’s words echoed through the Divine Domain. Standing on a mountain peak, Miketsu listened to his words, rubbing her chin and muttering softly.

“I threw that stone directly at your face, didn’t I? What arcane art? You clearly just didn’t react quickly enough.”