The sun gradually dipped below the horizon, and the light shrouding Tokyo dimmed. Amidst the sunset, only a blood-red residual glow remained in the sky. Crows cawed overhead as streetlights slowly flickered to life along the roads.
On a secluded path bathed in the evening light, the elderly yokai Nura Rihyon paced forward slowly with his hands behind his back. Beside him, the small Natto-kozo trotted along, struggling to keep up while shouting at the top of his lungs. Rihyon, however, acted as if he hadn't heard a word, continuing his walk.
"Grand Commander! Wait for me!"
As he walked, a faint smile played on Rihyon's lips. His mind was elsewhere, completely ignoring Natto-kozo's pleas as he muttered to himself under his breath.
'Fushimi Inaba... the reincarnation of Tsuruha? Heh. Even after a thousand years, the Grand Commander's love for her hasn't diminished in the slightest. I wonder if I'll get to see her again...' Rihyon sighed with sentiment. Then, a thought suddenly struck him.
'Wait, this generation's Asakura is now a miko of Inari. If the people there have some misunderstanding about the Owl General, and a conflict arises, that would be a pointless loss.' Rihyon realized that if the Inari Okami or the High Priestess managing Fushimi Inaba didn't know the truth about the Owl General, it could lead to some cliché, tragic drama. Having lived for a thousand years and seen the world, Rihyon had witnessed far too many stories of miko and princesses falling in love with yokai, only for their families to intervene and cause a catastrophe.
Although modern times were much more open-minded, and the Inari organization—comprised of gods, humans, and yokai—wasn't some stubborn group dedicated to anti-yokai sentiment, he still had to prevent accidents. After all, the temperaments of Inari gods varied by region. Rihyon knew the previous Inari god of Mount Kagami-oboro, but they had recently been transferred. The newcomer had yet to visit him, so he had no idea what they were like. What if they were a yokai-hater? Wouldn't that be a massive obstacle in the Owl General's pursuit of love?
At this thought, Rihyon froze. He felt he could perhaps assist the Owl General's modern-day romance. If the Owl General was happy, he might even pay Rihyon a visit.
"It seems necessary to write a letter to the Tenko god at the Kyoto headquarters once I get back to explain the situation. Ideally, she can send an Inari god to Mount Kagami-oboro who's a bit more relaxed," Rihyon continued to ponder. At that moment, the small Natto-kozo behind him finally reached his limit. Seeing Rihyon lost in thought and ignoring him, he screamed at the top of his lungs.
"GRAND! COM! MAN! DER!!"
Startled by the shout, Rihyon snapped out of his reverie. He turned around to look at the panting Natto-kozo.
"Oh, Natto. Is something the matter?"
Rihyon asked, looking at the gasping creature, who didn't sound very pleased in his response.
'Is anything more important than the reincarnation of the Owl General's lover?' Rihyon thought. Seeing Rihyon's confused expression, Natto-kozo grew anxious and continued to shout, "You were just stabbed! You were targeted by an unknown yokai assassin! This is very likely the same type of yokai that killed Hihi. Our entire main family is being watched, and now assassins are coming for you personally! How is this not a major event?!"
Natto-kozo spread his hands, looking quite frantic. Hearing this, Rihyon clapped his hands in realization.
"Oh, that. Right, right. I was indeed just assassinated. That is quite a serious matter," Rihyon said perfunctorily, while privately thinking, 'How could such a trifle compare to the Owl General's business?'
"Anyway, Grand Commander, since you know the severity of the situation, this is no time to be wandering outside. Let's hurry back to the main house and tell the Young Lord and the others. We need to mobilize the entire Nura Clan to face the enemy together!" Natto-kozo suggested. Rihyon didn't answer immediately. He stood in place, gazing at the red clouds on the horizon for a moment before speaking in a low voice.
"No, now is not the time to go back."
"It's not the time? But Grand Commander, those unknown yokai might be scattered all over Tokyo right now, targeting members of the main family! It's far too dangerous for the Grand Commander to stay out like this!" Natto-kozo said urgently.
Rihyon laughed unhurriedly. "Hoho... don't think so lowly of this old man. I can handle a couple of assassins. Besides, those aren't exactly 'unknown' yokai."
Natto-kozo froze, then replied in shock, "Not unknown? Grand Commander, do you already know where they come from?"
"More or less."
Rihyon sighed. The attack methods of the assassins and their words had provided enough information to confirm their origins. 'Yokai using wind whips... the Yi of Shikoku... and the name Tamazuki.' As he thought this, Rihyon spoke to Natto-kozo again.
"Natto, I shouldn't go back yet. We need to go to an important place first."
"An important place? Does... does it have something to do with those assassins?"
"Of course."
As he spoke, Rihyon began searching through his sleeve. Moments later, he pulled out a small, slender, and exquisite box. Seeing this box, Natto-kozo was stunned.
"Grand Commander, this is..."
"This is a supreme treasure that both humans and yokai would pursue madly," Rihyon said with a mysterious smile. He slowly opened the box and took out a magnificent feather that shimmered with radiant, golden light.
The moment the feather appeared, all the surrounding light seemed to pale by comparison. Natto-kozo's eyes went wide, completely captivated by the object in Rihyon's hand.
"So... so beautiful. I've never seen anything so beautiful. Grand Commander, what exactly is this?" Natto-kozo asked blankly. Rihyon smiled with a look of nostalgia.
"This is the Golden Feather, a treasure the people of today have no chance of seeing."
As he spoke, Rihyon waved the Golden Feather, shaking loose specks of golden starlight.
The starlight converged instantly, causing ripples in the space ahead. Then, amidst a flash of gold, a figure slowly descended. Long, flowing azure hair, elegant palace robes, gold-embroidered patterns, and hairpins made of phoenix feathers—the edges of her garment were shaped like wings.
The beautiful woman who descended from the sky looked at Rihyon with indifferent red eyes. Seeing her appear, a look of relief and satisfaction crossed Rihyon's face, while Natto-kozo stood beside him in utter shock.
"Long time no see, Makoto. How have you been lately?"
Rihyon spoke in a nostalgic tone. Makoto, who was much different than she had been a thousand years ago, gave a slight smile and teased the old yokai.
"Much better than you look now."
"Heh, still the same as ever. Your tongue hasn't softened. I'll be counting on you again this time," Rihyon said with a chuckle. Makoto tilted her head slightly.
"When we parted ways back then, I gave you those feathers to save your lives in times of dire need, not to have me deliver letters or people for you. So, you'd better have a very good reason for the situation you're facing."
"Don't worry, I definitely have a sufficient reason for calling you here. In a moment, I'll provide you with something you're absolutely interested in as a reward..." Rihyon spoke mysteriously, leaving Makoto confused.
"Something I'm interested in?"
"Hoho, we'll talk about that later. For now, please send us to Shikoku immediately."
"Shikoku? Are you trying to start an old friends' reunion, Rihyon?"
"Something like that. No time to waste, let's move. With your speed, the sun won't even be down yet. We might even make it to that fellow's place for dinner in Shikoku," Rihyon said, looking at the western sky.
Inside the Nura Residence, yokai of all kinds were busy scurrying about. In the courtyard of the mansion, the Young Lord of the Nura Clan, a boy with brown hair and glasses named Nura Rikuo, stood looking up at the moon slowly rising in the distance. Just then, a small Karasu-tengu flew over from afar. Sensing his approach, Rikuo spoke.
"Karasu-tengu, what's the situation? Have you found Grandpa?"
"Um... Young Lord... I'm very sorry."
Rikuo's brow furrowed slightly. "I see. It seems Grandpa has hidden his tracks himself. If that's the case, he truly doesn't want to be found."
"The Young Lord is correct. If the Grand Commander truly wishes to hide, none of us can find a trace of him. However... although we found no clues regarding the Grand Commander, we did unexpectedly find traces of those intruders!" Karasu-tengu reported solemnly. Hearing this, Rikuo paused.
"The intruders... so they've finally slipped up."
"Karasu-tengu, immediately gather all the yokai of the main family who can be reached in time!"
"A... an emergency mobilization?! Young... Young Lord, what are you planning to do?" Karasu-tengu asked in surprise. Rikuo replied calmly.
"What am I doing? Naturally, I'm going to give those fellows who dare act so lawlessly on Nura territory a lesson."
"Are you... are you going into battle? But Young Lord, the Grand Commander is absent. You won't be able to command the elders!"
"Then we won't call them. Aside from the elders, gather as many as you can. This is an opportunity that cannot be missed, otherwise, it might lead to unnecessary danger."
"Young... Young Lord... Is it really okay for you to directly usurp the authority of the Grand Commander like this?" Karasu-tengu asked, his voice trembling slightly. Rikuo turned around.
"Usurp the Grand Commander's authority? No, this power was given to me by that old man. By disappearing so mysteriously, isn't he essentially saying, 'Do whatever the hell you want, kid'?"
Under the rising moonlight, Rikuo's stature grew taller, and his hair turned white. He looked at the Karasu-tengu and smiled.
"Let it begin tonight—the Nura Clan's Night Parade of One Hundred Demons!"
Rate on N.U.
