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I felt it... Her new owner was coming to that place to claim her after all those years locked up in that cave with a Tachi symbol of a deep and eternal love. The death of the owner of the Tachi was the event that had led his old owner to waste away in pain in the sun.She hears the steps and breathing of the little boy, who was walking in the cave and from hers she understood that he was the same age as when the first wearer had worn it."I've finally found you, Rekka!". The boy looked at the third weapon which was resting on Rekka's lap "And there's also grandfather Louis' Tachi!".Rekka looked at the boy and sensed that the boy who came to claim her was not fully human, and that a part of her was tied to the supernatural world.He had dark ash gray hair with blue-green eyes and wore a chain with two wedding rings around his neck."I am Kiyoharu Sanada and I have come here to claim you!". The boy introduced himself with a cocky smile on his lips.The yoroi remained silent to observe that boy, who without being afraid of her was approaching her. Faced with such bravado, Rekka made flames appear in front of the boy who continued to advance.“These flames don't scare me!”. Kiyoharu spoke in a serious voice “I am willing to give my life to fulfill my duty as a Samurai Trooper. To protect my family, my friends, and the world my grandfather wanted to create. I'm not afraid of my task."The flames began to thin out as a bright red “Jin” appeared on Kiyoharu's forehead.“I am ready to be your bearer.” Kiyoharu spoke in a serious voice "Even though I already know that it will be a difficult relationship...". His hand instinctively went to the coins that tied her dark gray hair.Kiyoharu clearly felt Rekka's fire entering him and closed his eyes as he touched his chest. He hoped to feel the presence of his grandfather through the yoroi and perhaps get to know him and he also did the same gesture for the Tachi that once belonged to Louis.When he was ready he came out of the cave where Jun was waiting for him wearing Oni's yoroi and glanced at the boy and was not surprised when he saw the Tachi, which belonged to Louis.“Master Jun, I managed to obtain Rekka.” Kiyoharu approached slowly as he observed the Tachi's blade in the sunlight."I could ...". Kiyoharu proposed."Absolutely not!". Jun stopped his student before he could speak. “You will first have to grow up and learn to control the power of that yoroi. Or do you risk dying before reaching your goal?”.“No, master ...”. Kiyoharu resumed speaking a little hesitantly while he bowed his head “But can I take grandfather Louis' Tachi with me? It seems like a more suitable weapon for me than the katana...".Jun was not surprised by Kiyoharu's request that he also wanted to have his other grandfather whom he had not known close in battle."It can not be done! but you can take that Tachi with you if you wish.” Jun explained in a serious voice as he placed his hand on Kiyoharu's shoulder. “Now the training will get harder.”“Okay, master!”. Kiyoharu muttered as he followed Jun to resume his training and learn how to use Rekka in battle.
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Kiyoharu was sitting upstairs on the front lawn of the school, drinking an apple juice and eating a snack and reviewing some notes he had taken in the last lesson.“You're always here alone, aren't you bored?”. A voice asked and Kiyoharu looked up at the girl who was standing there looking at him sternly.She wore her dark blue hair in a short cut with golden undertones and brown eyes that looked more like an adult than a fourteen year old girl."No!". Kiyoharu denied dryly as he resumed reading his notes again.“I expected such an answer, so I ask another question.”. The girl sat down next to him "How long do you want to keep hidden from your family that you have become the bearer of Rekka?".“For as long as necessary.” Kiyoharu replied dryly “Are we done with the stupid questions?”.“You can't keep it hidden forever! Imagine if they found out by chance."“I have my own good reasons for keeping the truth from my parents and my older sister and brother.”“What would they be?”.“I don't want to have constant pressure and anxiety on me! I've been on Rekka for three months now and I still haven't learned how to fight well. The master scolds me all the time...” Kiyoharu explained while his hands clawed at the grass.It was frustrating to see how he still failed in the combat tests that Jun supposed him to do every day during after school. He always came home late and every time he used the excuse that he was staying at a school friend's house to study and then quickly locked himself in his bedroom.“You still have difficulty maneuvering two katanas, don't you?” The girl asked as she watched birds fly over the school building.“I can't coordinate with two katanas!”. Kiyoharu complained frustrated "I would like to fight using only the katana that I hold with the left and not also use the right!".“Aren't you better off using the right katana as a shield?”. The girl suggested in a serious tone "You can use your right hand as a shield and to unbalance your opponents and then attack only with your left hand."Kiyoharu looked up from the book to look at the girl and seemed to reflect on what she had told him and even tried to simulate it in her mind.“You're right, I could try doing that!” Kiyoharu exclaimed triumphantly “Thank you, Kikyo!”. He moved his hair making the coins holding his hair tied ring.“Thank me after you see the results.” Kikyo scolded in a stern tone as she looked at the coins shining under the sun and shook her head. There would have been more time to ask why she wore those coins on her head and that uncomfortable haircut.In the distance, the bell rang as classes restarted and Kiyoharu and Kikyo returned to their respective classrooms to continue their lessons.Once the lessons were over, Kiyoharu walked out of the gate and prepared to go to the Youjakai to continue his training with Jun, when he saw his older brother Ren waiting for him.Kiyoharu snorted and decided to overtake his brother and ignore him because he didn't want to waste time or skip that day of training with Jun.“Don't you even say hello, Kiyo?”. Ren asked as he watched his brother walk past him without saying hello.“What do you want, Ren?”, Kiyoharu stopped to look at his older brother “I have to continue studying”.“I'll only take a few minutes away, don't worry.” Ren reassured his brother to stop."Tell me everything ...". Kiyoharu began to jump on one foot to immediately train his right leg.“I don't want to get into your bizarre choices regarding your look.” Ren began to speak in a serious voice "But Midori is furious that you took all three rings that are linked to Grandpa Ryo and Grandpa Louis and she doesn't think it's right!".“I didn't find it right?!”. Kiyoharu replied furiously “She was able to be cuddled by grandfather Ryo and listen to fairy tales read by grandfather Louis! I do not! I'm the only one who hasn't met them, so I want to have their rings with me." He hated it when his older sister acted like that and asked Ren or his parents for help.“So tell me that I will keep my grandparents' rings with me!”. Kiyoharu concluded the speech “Now excuse me I'm going to study. See you tonight for dinner."Ren just snorted and watched as Kiyoharu disappeared into the crowd of people leaving the office. He put on his helmet and decided to talk to Midori once again and convince her to give up on the matter of her rings.“Luckily the cousins don't seem interested in their grandparents' rings.” Ren thought as he started the motorcycle "Or I should ask Aunt Miharu for help to calm the various fronts."Kiyoharu waited to see his older brother's silhouette disappear into the crowd before entering an alley and subsequently disappearing into the Youjakai where Jun was waiting for him for his afternoon training.He was eager to put into practice the advice given by Kikyo which could perhaps solve his problem regarding the use of the two katanas.“Today you are a few minutes late ...”. Jun commented as he stood up and put Oni on in front of Kiyoharu.“I had a little setback, Master Jun.” Kiyoharu replied while also wearing Rekka. Each time the yoroi seemed to reject him perhaps due to the fact that he was half a yokai and his task was to defeat any threat against mankind.“Yet grandfather Ryo wanted there to be collaboration to achieve lasting peace, Rekka.”. Kiyoharu thought as he unsheathed both katanas "Are you spiteful to him by tormenting me?".Jun looked at his student in front of him as he waited for him with the katana in his right hand placed forward as if it were a shield. He therefore decided to launch a close attack to see what kind of plan his student had in mind and to see what kind of flaw that strategy could have and then correct it.Jun got close enough to directly attack Kiyoharu with his chain and the latter used the katana as a defensive shield, creating a small opening with which he attempted to hit Jun with his left katana.Jun jumped back and threw the chain at Kiyoharu who again used the katana held in his right hand to defend himself and then used his left to throw it away from him.“So you decided not to use the second katana in combat, but to use it as a shield.” Jun spoke in a cold voice as he prepared to use a new attack. “A weak and lazy solution I must point out to you.” He again attacked with the chains with greater force.“I know it well, master!”. Kiyoharu dodged a chain and then deflected another that came out of the ground with his right katana "But this way I feel more at ease in fighting than before.""You said well ". Jun commented shrewdly on his student's response as they continued to train until the sound of a shamisen could be heard in the distance.“We're done for today!” Jun turned his gaze towards the gate that led the purified souls towards reincarnation "I must resume the task assigned to me in this place."“Master, I never asked you ...”. Kiyoharu found himself asking out of curiosity "is it really that difficult to bring souls towards reincarnation?"."Yes! The task I received when I inherited Oni is onerous.” Jun put a hand on Kiyoharu's shoulder. “But never forget that the same goes for your duty as Samurai Troopers.”“I know it well, master!”. Kiyoharu replied“And don't forget that neither you nor I will be alone in carrying out our respective tasks.” Jun concluded in a serious voice "Always count on the companions you will find along your path...".“I'm already doing it as a master ...”. Kiyoharu whispered softly this time as he started to go home where his older sister Midori was surely waiting for him and wanted to talk about the two rings.“I hope I can settle it quickly ...”. Kiyoharu thought as he returned to the human world and ran towards home, knowing that he was getting late.Kiyoharu!”. Midori screamed as she heard the front door open.“I have no intention of talking about the rings, Midori.” Kiyoharu replied as she passed her older sister and ran towards her room.Ren watched from his room as his younger brother went up the stairs chased by his older sister and decided to close the door so as not to be involved in that absurd war.Kiyoharu made a cat-like leap and entered his room and immediately locked the door, letting out a tired sigh. The fourteen year old boy ignored his sister who kept knocking on the door and went to lie down on the bed and closed his eyes.“I can't imagine your sister's reaction when she learns that you have inherited Rekka and your Grandfather Louis' Tachi.” A nekomata appeared next to Kiyoharu and began to wag both of its tails.“I don't care, Kaida!”. Kiyoharu raised his head from the pillow to look at the nekomata who went to lie down next to him."For the moment ...". Kaida simply commented as he leaned on top of Kiyoharu's head and began to purr.“Can you tell a story like Grandpa Lou did?” Kiyoharu asked as he closed his eyes in exhaustion. Every time he returned from training with Jun he immediately had to go to the bedroom and collapse from exhaustion."I can try ...". Kaida replied in a serious voice as she got into position to begin her “I will never be as good as him…” story.Kaida began to tell and Kiyoharu slipped into a long sleep while his left hand tightened around the two rings.“I advise you to give up, Midori.” Ren advised his older sister as he poked his head out of the door to her room.“Are you also defending him?” Midori asked in a serious voice as she peered at her younger brother with her green eyes.“I'm not defending either of you!” Ren crossed his arms over his chest and scrutinized his sister's reaction. “But you know when Kiyoharu is stubborn and that you can't win this battle.”Midori cast one last glance towards Kiyoharu's door before leaving towards her room, while Ren scratched his light gray hair before returning to her room to resume his studies.The next day Kiyoharu found himself on the lawn again while eating his bento and continuing to review the notes he had taken in class.“I see this has become your favorite place to eat or catch up on your studying.” Kikyo commented as she sat down next to Kiyoharu again. “How was training yesterday?”“I applied your advice and found myself more comfortable in combat.”. Kiyoharu let out a long sigh “It's just that…”.“It's just that…”. Kikyo encouraged the young Rekka wielder to continue speaking.“Only the teacher didn't seem so happy to me...” Kiyoharu explained in a low voice "He would like to use both katanas to fight, not just the left one like I'm doing now...".“You have to find your own way to fight or you will never fight well on the battlefield.” Kikyo spoke in a serious and wise voice. “You and your grandfather are two different people and therefore it is logical that you have two different styles of approaching Rekka.”“Rekka rejecting a part of me ...”. Kikoyaru underlined those words, while he noticed that he was no longer hungry.“And is the reason why you wear those six coins in your hair related to Rekka?”. Kikyo asked wanting to understand what my friend's problem was."Yes! As you know well, I'm half yokai and Rekka doesn't accept this side of me." Kiyoharu began to explain, lowering his voice. “Rekka attacks him and eats away at him if he wears it for too long and a hanyo can't survive without the demon part of him. That's why I carry six coins with me to pay the tribute to cross the river to the kingdom of the dead, if something goes wrong."“You don't have to go that far!”. Kikyo replied in a cold voice as she pulled Kiyoharu with her jacket sleeve. “Your family deserves no more mourning.”“Ouch, you're hurting me!”. Kiyoharu complained as he tried to free himself from Kikyo's grip which was becoming stronger "The training I'm doing with master Jun is also based on that...". The coins began to make sound.“Besides, you will also be there with me, Kikyo bearer of Tenku.” Kiyoharu concluded as he freed himself from her friend's grip "With your intelligence you will be able to guide me even in Dante's Inferno".Kikyo raised her eyebrow as he didn't know if Kiyoharu was being serious or just trying to free herself from his grasp.“Aren't you better off wearing it around your neck? Don't they bother you when you wear Rekka's kabuto?”. Kikyo asked another question as he released Kiyoharu from her grasp.“She never bothered me.” Kiyoharu explained in a serious voice "In fact, I feel really comfortable despite wearing long hair."“I feel better with this haircut”. Kikyo touched the locks of her hair with her fingertips “When I wear the yoroi I feel free and I want to rise into the air and reach the sky.”“It must be nice to fly ...”. Kiyoharu hastened to clarify "In a normal way, not like grandfather Ryo did inside a demonic weapon and reaching outside the earth's atmosphere." When Uncle Touma told him that episode he was left with his mouth open and in total disbelief.The two remained silent as they waited for the bell to ring and the start of class.“Have you had a chance to meet the other yoroi bearers?” Kikyo suddenly asked as a light wind picked up and ruffled her hair.“I have met members of my uncles' family, but I cannot say for sure whether the yoroi chose among the people I met as successors.” Kiyoharu replied thoughtfully "Also because I can't ask without arousing suspicion...".“So we will only find out on the day we are called to serve humanity as samurai troopers.” Kikyo watched as he heard the bell ringing.“I just hope that day comes as late as possible... or at least when I know how to fight decently.”. Kiyoharu thought worriedly as he closed his half-finished bento and stood up and started running to reach his class with Kikyo.Touma got up from his sofa and went towards the window to observe the aromatic plants, which they had placed outside the balcony.When the now elderly samurai returned he found Seiii looking at him with a serious expression on his face.“She found her owner too.” Touma commented in a strange voice "And her new owner belongs to Ryo's family."“Rekka has decided to stay in the Sanada clan.” Seiji commented as he remained still staring at Touma "As well as all the other yoroi..."."It almost seems as if the yoroi have delved into our families to discover every single secret and find who can be their new bearer and feel the awakening of her virtue." Touma spoke in a bitter voice. "Besides, Ryo's assumptions turned out to be unfounded." Saying the name of his missing friend caused a strong jolt of pain. Fourteen years had passed since Ryo's death, but the pain was still fresh."Already!". Seiji confirmed "Ryo thought that since his children and nephews were half yokai they would never inherit Rekka, that he would choose an heir on his uncle's side."He placed a hand on Touma's shoulder as he looked outwards."We'll definitely have to monitor the new Samurai Troopers." Touma concluded in a serious voice "Also because we know what it means to be unprepared on the battlefield.""Yes, those five don't yet realize what they have in their hands and what they are going to face." Seiji shared the same thoughts as Touma. Even though there had been a long period of peace, one could never let one's guard down.Nasty looked out the window of the house she bought in Tokyo after selling the mansion. It hadn't been an easy decision, but she could no longer stay in a place that reminded her of two people she had lost and she was now tired of crying and longing for a past that no longer existed."Aunt Nasty...". Miharu spoke in a slow, mature voice."You've finished writing your first novel, right?" Nasty invited Miharu to sit next to her, while Miharu brought a laptop."Yes, I have finished writing the novel that will tell how dad and his uncles defeated Arago." Miharu confirmed in a serious voice as she booted up the computer to allow Nasty to read the draft and make any necessary corrections before publishing."Optimal!". Nasty took what he needed to copy the document and pass it to the computer. "You could also send it via email...".“I wanted to see you in person, aunt.” Miharu replied in a serious voice "Also I have finished my diplomatic commitments or at least for today".Nasty looked at Miharu, who was opening the document noting the woman's determination to do her job to continue creating the world of peace that Ryo was working towards."How's work going?" Nasty asked as she adjusted her glasses and began reading the document in front of him."You can't say it's easy...". Miharu confirmed in a tired voice "It takes time to erase the grudges and rivalries of the past and many yokai and youja don't want to collaborate." She knew it was a difficult job, but she wanted to realize her father Ryo's and her uncles' dreams of a world of peace.This is also why she had chosen to completely become a yokai and give up her human half. She needed all the time in the world to work calmly and convince the various fronts.And she hoped that the book she was writing about what had happened in Shinjuku when her father and uncles were fourteen, she could also help."And I have to take advantage now that there is still no threat...". Miharu thought resolutely fulfilling her mission."Are Hotaru and Tsukito okay?" Nasty found herself asking, as she began to read with interest the novel she and Miharu had planned and written together."Tsukito is on vacation with his family in Italy. They should return next week." Miharu explained as she watched Nasty begin to make the first corrections "Hotaru has to manage Midori and Kiyoharu, as well as continue her work in managing her fashion house that produces kimonos.""They don't get along at all?" Nasty asked as she quickly tapped keys on the computer keyboard."No! From what Hotaru said, they're now fighting over who gets to own those two rings." Miharu explained in a tired voice "And Kiyoharu can be hateful especially when he uses the fact of never knowing his grandparents as a weapon." She had scolded him once, but that didn't seem to have had the desired effect."We hope that as Kiyoharu grows he understands that his behavior is wrong." Nasty found himself commenting as she continued her work."I hope so... even if Kiyoharu can be very stubborn...". Miharu let out a long sigh as she continued to observe her aunt."How was his grandfather Ryo...". Nasty bit back a sob as she saw Ryo's smiling face once again.Miharu shook her aunt's hand as they continued their report.The farmer woke up from his sleep after a whole night spent with his friends in the nearest room due to the cow's bleating.“Maybe the cow will finally have given birth ...”. The farmer thought as he took off his pajamas and put on some clothes to go and check on the situation of his cow.After having had a coffee, the man went towards the stable where he found the cow with the calf who turned to look at who had entered the stable.The farmer rubbed his eyes as he looked at the calf who now had a human face and regarded him with a cold gaze.“I must have overdone the sake last night.” The man thought as he slapped himself in the face to wake up, to no avail.“Once again servers gather to serve humanity.” The Gudan spoke as he stamped his hoof five times “Humanity do not rejoice in this because soon the emperor will wake up and it will be the beginning of a terrible war”.The breeder continued to look shocked at the yokai in front of him and again slapped himself in the face because he couldn't believe he was even talking.The Gudan let out a long sigh as he began to drink the milk given to him by a cow, while the farmer ran away from that stable.
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For several days he had felt a certain pressure in the air, as if something was wrong and Kiyoharu felt increasingly restless as if something was about to happen.“Are you feeling it too in the human world?”. Jun asked in a serious tone as he also looked around.“Yes, master ...”. Kiyoharu replied as he continued to look left and right for something.“Anyway, the sun is setting.” Jun remarked as he turned his attention towards Kiyoharu. “You're going out with your friends tomorrow, right?”"Exact!". Kiyoharu used a happier tone and tried to distract himself from what he was sensing around him and decided to go home.“See you on Monday to start our training again.” Jun bid farewell to Kiyoharu before returning to the human world once again.When Kiyoharu returned home he found her mother busy designing her latest kimono with wisteria flowers and Louis' favorite colors.“Another kimono inspired by Grandpa Louis?”. Kiyoharu asked as he looked at the preparatory sketch of his new mother job."Yes! The wisteria reminds me so much of Papa Lou." Hotaru confirmed as he looked up to look at his youngest son.“You're going to Shinjuku with your friends tomorrow, right?” Hotaru asked her son a question as he closed his sketchbook."Yes!". Kiyoharu glanced towards the kitchen and noticed that neither Midori nor Ren had returned home "Now excuse me, but I'm going to study."“You're trying really hard in your studies, Kiyo.” Hotaru noted smiling "Do you already have in mind how to continue after your studies?".“I don't think about it yet, Mom.” Kiyoharu replied and then mentally added "I don't even know if he came to such a decision."“In fact it is still early.....”. Hotaru dismissed her son "I'll let you go and study." He gave his son a quick hug.“I'm going, mom right away.” Kiyoharu exclaimed and quickly ran off to his room.As soon as he entered his room he threw himself on the bed and immediately fell asleep already thinking about tomorrow.The next day in Shinjuku.Kiyoharu greeted Kikyo and the other two schoolmates who had come to spend an afternoon dedicated to fun and entertainment. At least for a day because Kiyoharu already knew that tomorrow he would resume his daily routine.They began walking the streets in Shinjuku to choose a place to stop to spend the whole afternoon and have fun.Kikyo felt a ringing in her ears and a tight feeling in her chest area and looked up at the sky where black clouds were starting to form.“Kiyo!”. The girl shouted towards Kikyoharu and looked up at the sky and noticed the dark clouds gathering.“Not already ...”. Kiyoharu thought in a gloomy voice.“Hey, what's going on? The weather was good all day." Kiyoharu's classmate commented in a surprised voice.“Get out of here quickly!” Kiyoharu shouted at the two companions before starting to run to get away from them and prevent something from happening to him.“What's wrong with him?”. The other companion asked Kikyo.“Do as he says, go home because a strong storm is about to arrive.” Kikyo started running to catch up with Kiyoharu who was running towards the city intersection.The two companions both looked at each other confused before doing what Kikyo told them and headed towards their respective homes.Kikyoharu continued to run as a strong wind began to blow and began to move the shutters and papers on people.Kiyoharu noticed a sign that was coming off and immediately rushed to save a crying child who was right under the sign. Kiyoharu took the child away and the sign broke into a thousand pieces, while a woman approached screaming.“Get out of here! A bad storm is coming quickly!”. Kiyoharu ordered as Kikyo joined him."What are we going to do?". Kikyo asked her friend as he saw lightning begin to fall from the sky."I do not know!". Kiyoharu looked around and saw people running away from the center "We certainly need to remove as many people as possible to prevent them from being involved in the clash.""And how do we do that?". Kikyo replied in a serious voice as he looked at the crowd running in the opposite direction from them “They will never listen to us!”.Kiyoharu bit his lip not knowing how to get those people away from that place, which would soon become dangerous. And he couldn't even wear Rekka and hope that someone would listen to him and not mistake him for a buffoon or an advertising man."Come to me!" A voice spoke in the minds of the two young men."Who is?". Kiyoharu and Kikyo took a defensive stance while ignoring the people who continued to run away and scream. The clouds seemed to take on a human face and a wind blew that seemed to scream through the skyscrapers.“I'm Suzunagi.... come to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.” Thunder was heard in the distance “Immediately!”.Kikyo and Kiyoharu looked at each other before they started running towards the place Suzunagi said, while in the distance the sound of cars colliding with them could be heard.“I hope mum doesn't turn on the television today ...”. Kiyoharu thought as he saw a car crash into a store window after being struck by lightning.When they entered the structure they found it completely abandoned and with clear signs of people who had fled.“Where will Suzunagi be?”. Kiyoharu asked as he looked around and more than that place seemed like a gloomy and haunted place.“Oh, apparently Shinjuku is where you always gather for the first time?” A voice asked in the darkness.“Apparently, yes! Ushio!”. Kiyoharu smiled as he recognized the two voices "Is Wujing also with you?"."How did you guess?". The boy stepped out of the shadows with his orange hair kept in a wild twist and bright brown eyes. “So you're the new Rekka bearer?” He took a small leap and landed in front of Kiyoharu and Kikyo.Ushio followed his friend as he brushed his green hair that looked like seaweed out of his dark blue eyes. He had a kappa-like smile on his face and it was aimed at Kikyo.“And I bet she's the new Tengu wielder.” Wujing turned to Kikyo who observed the two newcomers while their words and footsteps echoed in that place previously crowded with people."You guessed". Kikyo introduced herself to the two newcomers “My name is Kikyo Tokugawa”.Kiyoharu meanwhile looked around, while he tried to hear or locate where Suzunagi was waiting for him.“Have you been friends for a long time?” Kikyo asked curiously while Kiyoharu continued to explore the place also looking for some civilians who had hidden in the structure or possibly some enemy.“We can almost call ourselves cousins.” Ushio explained while Wujing reached Kiyoharu to check if there were any civilians to evacuate "I am the son of Sayoko's first daughter, Aunt Shin's sister, while Wujing was adopted by Shin and Shu when he was three years old when the his parents are dead.""How did it happen?". Kikyo asked as he glanced towards Wujing who had started talking to Kiyoharu.“Accident during a business trip ...”. Ushio replied as he lowered his voice “They were also part of the Fuan family and were Chinese spice traders. After his death, Uncle Shin and Uncle Shu adopted Wujing... I don't know other details."Kikyo gave a short nod before starting to run to catch up with the two companions who had gone ahead.“I see that the choice fell on you ....”. A cold voice spoke in the darkest part of the palace “On the most childish and spoiled of the Sanada family”.“I see that the choice fell on you” Kiyoharu perfectly imitated the tone of voice and cadence of his interlocutor “On the most unpleasant and cold being in the Date family kendo school”.Wujing had to put a hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh, while Kikyo let out a long snort.“You're not funny!”. A boy with ivory hair kept in a short cut and sapphire eyes appeared before them.“The same goes for you, Aki!”. Kiyoharu looked around and spoke in a serious voice. “Especially now that we're up against an unknown enemy.”“Do you believe that like Arago he took civilians hostage?”. Ushio asked, interjecting into the conversation to nip an argument between Kiyoharo and Aki in the bud.“I'm afraid so!”. Kikyo commented in a gloomy voice "Already the fact that we found this structure completely empty makes me foresee something horrible."“We will certainly have to be careful, given that there is also no light in this place.” Wujing tried to operate the elevator but no lights came on and no movement could be heardKiyoharu gritted his teeth as he started walking again to find Suzunagi and talk to her about what was happening in Shinjuku.The five young people advanced towards what appeared to be a large room when stained glass windows resembling those of a church began to appear around them.“We found it ...”. Kiyoharu whispered softly as he watched a golden cross appear before them along with strange music.The red-haired, green-eyed spirit appeared before them and Kiyoharu looked at her as he approached them. The boy wanted to ask several questions not only about the threat facing Tokyo, but also others regarding his grandfather.“It seems the time has come for the new bearers of the yoroi I have created to serve humanity as their protectors.” Suzunagi spoke in a solemn voice. “Ironic since those yoroi are born out of hatred.”“What's going on, Suzunagi?” Kiyoharu asked in a serious voice as he approached her.“A Tatarigami has begun his work of destruction and death throughout Japan.” Suzunagi spoke explaining the situation “The spirit of an old emperor consumed by the desire for revenge has generated this evil aura that is attracting yokai and youja”.“A spirit, so you mean an onryo?”. Ushio asked speaking the last words with a sort of terror knowing how dangerous they could be.“In this case I can't give you an answer.” Suzunagi explained in a serious voice "Sometimes he seems to appear as a spirit and other times as a Tengu, but I can tell you one thing: you are not yet ready to face him directly."“We can't escape! There are people who were definitely captured by that Tatarigami." Wujing stated.“I'm not telling you to run away, but to act with cunning.” Suzunagi replied dryly, "Do you remember what happened to your predecessors?"“They attacked the palace when they still didn't have full control of their yoroi and one by one they ended up captured by Arago who regained his body and his original armor again.” Kikyo paused before concluding, “And only the advent of Kikotei momentarily stopped that monster.”Kiyoharu lowered her head slightly knowing that since then his grandfather has been tortured and burned every time he wore the Kikotei."Exact!". Suzunagi confirmed with a bitter smile on her lips as she turned her attention towards Kiyoharu.“So what do you recommend we do?” Aki asked realizing that the situation was more serious than he imagined.“You must fight against the yokai and youja that infest Shinjuku.” Suzunagi explained, “You must use them to learn how to manage your yoroi and learn about their strengths and weaknesses.”“And use this place as a refuge when you end a battle or are injured…”. Suzunagi turned her attention towards Kikyo "And in the meantime observe the place where the enemy has built their palace and create a future invasion plan."“The problem will appear if this emperor decides to use hostages as he goes out to lure us into his palace.” Kikyo mused as the windows around her changed color.“It doesn't mean he took hostages.” Suzunagi stated in a serious voice, "He might have killed everyone...".All four kids felt astonishment and anger at the hypothesis that Suzunagi had just formulated.“Now you better start preparing...". Suzunagi suggested to the five present "Soon you must take to the field to try the yoroi and begin your journey that will lead you to dominate their power."Kiyoharu nodded and hoped that the training he had with Jun could give some results already in the first battle. The boy's thoughts turned to his family as soon as they knew what was happening in Shinjuku and all the connections to Rekka.Hotaru was preparing dinner when Ren turned on the television with Midori clicking on the channel where their favorite series was on.Except that instead of their favorite show there was the news and the image of Shinjuku obscured by a thick black cloud.“We have no contact with the Shinjuku area, it seems that the entire area is completely isolated from the rest of the world.” The reporter spoke as soldiers prepared to enter the black clouds. “An entire wall of clouds and lightning covers the entire area,”The plate Hotaru was holding shattered on the floor, while Ren and Midori turned their frightened gaze towards their mother."Mom ...". Midori called, noticing her mother's pale expression.“Kiyoharu went to Shinjuku, right?” Ren continued to speak in place of his sister "And grandfather Ryo had his first battle against Arago in that area, right?".Hotaru gave a short nod and then kicked the vast kitchen cabinets enough to scare both Midori and Ren.“Already Kikotei took dad Ryo... now Rekka has taken my baby”. Hotaru thought as he felt the need to scream and cry.“Kaida!”. Hotaru called out at the top of her voice, further scaring both Ren and Midori.“Did you call me, ma'am?”. The nekomata appeared next to Hotaru.“Go to Shinjuku immediately to protect Kiyoharu and the other four who obtained the yoroi.” Hotaru ordered.“It will be done, madam!”. The nekomata disappeared before Hotaru's eyes.As soon as Kaida disappeared, Hotaru burst into tears and immediately both Midori and Ren got up to go hug their mother.“Have you seen the news on the news?”. Shin asked Touma as soon as the latter answered the phone.“Yes, I saw it as well as Seiji.” Touma replied in a gloomy voice "Apparently a new threat has decided to make its appearance in Shinjuku." Seiji was next to him and continued to nervously walk around the room.“And we can't do anything…”. Shin noted bitterly, "The only thing we can hope for is that they manage to defeat the threat." Shu looked up at the sky wondering if Jun and the other three Masho knew what was happening on earth or not.“We have to have faith in them.” Touma spoke in a serious voice as he shook Seiji's hand and turned his attention back to the news.Shin did the same and while still on the phone with Touma, he began to pray that all five would return alive and victorious from that war that began too soon for them.
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Kiyoharu was arranging some objects found inside the structure to give a more shelter-like appearance to the place they would use as a temporary base. The others were sorting out other things and making a list of the food and drinks to pick up from the dispensers once they were about to return.They didn't know how long the war against that negative spirit Suzunagi had spoken of would last, but it was certainly a much bigger threat than what they expected to face at least as a first battle.“I hope my family doesn't worry too much.” Kiyoharu thought as he finished tidying up the last few things.“They are worrying about you, Master Kiyoharu,” Kaida appeared after hearing her master's thoughts.“Did they already know?!”. Kiyoharu shouted in surprise.“That's right, master! The news have already reported the news and it seems that the army is already ready to enter the area."“Like the army?!”.“I saw the images on television, they seem to be ready to enter ...”.“It will be a massacre if we don't stop them ...”.“Master, where are you going?”.“I have to talk to Suzunagi and the others immediately, before a massacre happens!”. Kiyoharu exclaimed to end the conversation with the nekomata to return to the group.“Have you finished sorting everything out yet?” Aki asked seeing Kiyoharu running towards them."Almost!". Kiyoharu looked at everyone present "But we have to go and fight.""And why? Do you want to get killed right away?”. Aki asked in a harsh voice.Kikyo shook her head as Ushio strained her ears to hear what he wanted to say, while Wujing was already starting to warm up.“Because the military wants to try to enter Shinjuku.” Kiyoharu explained in a serious voice “And we know well how effective human conventional weapons are against yokai and youja. It will be a massacre."“So we will have to go there and find a way to desist before they are killed.” Aki whispered softly.Just desisting a group of soldiers, perhaps scaring them with the power of their yoroi, doesn't seem like such a difficult task.The problem is that they had to run to reach the point where the soldiers were before the enemies discovered intruders within their territory.“Do you know where we have to go?”. Kikyo asked as she approached Kiyoharu and prepared to put on Tenku's yoroi.“Kaida!”. Kiyoharu called out to the nekomata again who immediately appeared near the group.Kaida observed the new five yoroi bearers with some curiosity and then turned her gaze towards Suzunagi who had no intention of giving advice.The yurei wanted to first observe those five in combat and then express her opinion about them.“So will you take us to the area where the soldiers were?”. Kikyo asked as she exited the facility, which seemed to be surrounded by some sort of white barrier.“They broadcast a report on television and I recognized the place, Miss Kikyo.” Kaida replied."Let's see how this first battle will go..." she thought as she began to observe those present from a small mirror.When they left the area protected by the Suzunagi barrier, the five found themselves faced with a landscape completely different from what she had seen until then.Shinjuku seemed to have suffered an environmental disaster.The lightning continued to strike, while in some areas it was no longer possible to walk because the water was high and the windows were shattered by the force of the wind which seemed to continually scream an eternal rage against the world.The black clouds began to dump rain that alternated with a snowstorm that seemed to push them back to their starting point.Kiyoharu looked around as he searched the snowstorm for a representative of a yuki-onna or some other snow spirit. Or even just the memory and the passage of one of them who is transported in those white snowflakes.Snowflakes that took the form of hail the size of bowling balls began to fall and destroy everything in their path.“Let's take shelter inside a shop!”. Kikyo ordered and the group immediately entered a shop that sold fishing accessories.“But why aren't we as lucky as our predecessors?” Ushio complained as he saw how the hail smashed a car to pieces “A beautiful thick fog of an unhealthy green color ...”. He began to sneeze several times.“We have to hope that the hail storm calms down, so we can continue.” Aki noted in a cold voice, "We can't even test the yoroi's endurance."Kiyoharu found himself in agreement with Aki for once.“We just left and we're already stuck here.” Wujing complained.At that moment the lights went out and a scream began to rise from the wind and clouds enough to force the five kids to cover their ears for fear that their brains might explode.“Make him stop.” Kiyoharu shouted as he covered his ears which were particularly sensitive to that sound. He was tempted to put on Rekka and hope that the yoroi's kabuto could block the horrible noise that was piercing her eardrums.“For Bakaneko ears that noise must be unbearable.” Ushio tried to cover Kiyoharu's ears with his hands. “Even for a half-yokai like him.”Aki didn't comment while Wujing didn't comment eitherThe scream stopped as did the hail and the five kids went out to find the streets in an even more pitiful level and completely invaded by balls of ice that would not dissolve.“It feels like walking on eggshells now!” Kiyoharu commented "Luckily we're wearing underwear with all this glass around...".By now Shinjuku seemed more like the territory of a long battle than a town and as we continued walking we could see no traces of animals or human beings.Kikyo felt a long shiver as a terrible thought tickled his mind, as he thought about what the enemy might have done to the civilians, who had failed to escape.“Do you think the Masho will intervene?”. Ushio found himself asking as he avoided being hit by what was left of a broken traffic light.“We can't know!” Kikyo replied in a dark voice, “The enemy may have sealed the Youjakai to prevent access to the four Masho on Earth.”“Not to mention that neither the master nor Naaza, Rajura and Anubis can leave that place for a long time.” Kiyoharu added in a serious voice, "Their job is to protect and ensure that souls are reincarnated after they are purified."“I also think there is a risk that a youja like Arago could take advantage of the Masho's absence to try to launch an attack on the Youjakai.” Aki added in a serious tone.The five continued talking, as they realized that although they had Suzunagi as a guide for the rest of the battle, they would find themselves completely alone and without the help of the veterans.“I wonder if it will be possible to at least contact them ...”. Wujing murmured as he thought about Shin and Shu.“We'll have to ask Suzunagi.” Kiyoharu commented as he shrugged and felt quite cold in that area.He continued to advance when a strong wind began to blow again but this did not stop the advance of the five boys, who instead accelerated their pace knowing that they had lost too much time due to the hail.“Shinjuku again, huh?”. Jun found himself commenting as he observed the wrath of that evil spirit that was wreaking havoc on the whole place.“And five brats again to face the threat.” Anubis commented "Your student hasn't even finished his training, has he?".“He is not yet able to fully control the strength of his yoroi.” Jun confirmed in a dark voice "And neither do the other four."He knew well that it took time to take full control of the yoroi not only because he had seen it in his friends, but also because he had also been through it to become the new bearer of Oni.“Two of us can go and help them, while two others stay here to guard the Youjakai in case someone wants to attempt an invasion taking advantage of the mess.” Rajura proposed in a serious voice.“You cannot go to the human world” Kagura spoke in a dark voice “The enemy has created a barrier that prevents us from entering or leaving this world. He is also blocking access to the souls of the deceased."“Don't tell me that like Arago he wants to exploit the souls of dead people for his own purposes?”. Naaza asked worried that he would have to fight spirits seeking vengeance again.“No, the enemy seems more directly intent on absorbing them to become stronger ...”. Kagura explained in a worried voice "He's not like Arago who was trying to experiment to create more youja, he wants absolute power just for himself."“So there is a risk that the more time passes, the stronger that vengeful spirit becomes.” Anubis noted in a bitter voice.“Can't we find a way to neutralize the barrier and allow us to help the Samurai Troopers?” Jun asked in a serious voice.“There is only one power that can break that barrier... but it has no longer existed in this world for fourteen years now.” Kagura concluded in a sad voice.Jun let out a long, painful sigh realizing who Kagura was talking about and hoped that Kiyoharu wouldn't meet the same fate as his grandfather.“For now we will simply monitor what is happening in the human world.” Kagura concluded in a serious tone “If I manage to create an opening, you will immediately be sent to fight and help those five kids. For now, return to your seats...".All four warriors bowed briefly before disappearing, leaving Kagura alone to devise a plan to break the barrier.Jack was nervously moving back and forth as he began to curse himself for not realizing that the yokai were acting strangely again and were flying en masse into the human world."The situation is critical ...". Jack commented "But strangely in this case no half yokai were taken away by force."“Yes, because that enemy is only intent on wiping out every single life in Japan.” Eva spoke in a worried voice as she raised her head. “Have you seen who inherited Rekka's yoroi?”"Yes, I saw!". Jack folded both arms and commented, "I wonder how Miharu will take it once she finds out."“Also because his father Ryo was convinced that the yoroi could not be inherited from a hanyo ...”. Eva commented as she remembered the long chats she had with Miharu also due to her work as a diplomat.“Now we can only monitor the situation since we are stuck in this world just like the youjakai.”.“We hope that I find a solution to the problem.” Eva commented in a serious voice."I hope so! At least we can lend a hand to those five and make sure that creature doesn't do too much damage to the human world." Jack finished the conversation, terrible thoughts tormenting his mind.Meanwhile, the five kids had reached the edge of the barrier, passing through a place that was becoming increasingly unrecognizable in the face of the fury and destruction that that vengeful spirit was bringing to Shinjuku.As they advanced they found the first military vehicles completely destroyed together with some vans that had met the exact same end.“Are we too late?” Kiyoharu thought as he advanced around those metal carcasses looking for any survivors.“They didn't even manage to advance into the barrier and were immediately massacred.” Ushio commented in a dark tone, while Wujing climbed onto one of the few remaining street lamps still standing to observe the area.“You don't see anyone alive in this place…”. Wujing confirmed as he climbed down from the lamppost to rejoin the group.“What do we do now?”. Aki asked, while Kiyoharu moved away from the rest of the group having heard a strange sound coming from near the barrier that fenced off all of Shinjuku.“We will have to return to Suzunagi and figure out how to move around this place since the spirit continued to manipulate time to its liking. We could find ourselves in serious difficulties in the future." Kikyo spoke in a serious tone as she noticed that Kiyoharu wasn't near them.Kiyoharu stopped noticing that the strange noise had stopped right near the barrier and listened to hear if there were other people waiting for the military to return to get a report on the situation.He remained silent to hear some sound of a vehicle or a human voice, but instead he only heard the noisePlin.Plin.Plin.Kiyoharu felt the drops of something cold fall on his head and slide down his face until they stopped along the neck left exposed by the underwear.Kiyoharu looked up and saw that he was under a tree among which the corpses of the soldiers who had gone to check the situation in Shinjuku were hanging. From their corpses you could see the blood that continued to drip while the branches seemed to suck everything they could from those bodies that were slowly drying out.The tree moved a branch to catch Kiyoharu but he jumped backwards and away from that yokai, who began to giggle while moving the blood-colored leaves."What a horror!". Ushio commented as he prepared to fight against that tree.“We will have to wear the yoroi so as not to end up impaled by those branches and not have our blood and organs sucked away by that creature.” Kikyo suggested as he prepared to fight his first battle wearing the yoroi.“We have to do it ...”. Aki looked at the bodies of the soldiers dangling like macabre decorations.“And make sure that the bodies of those people are no longer used as mere decorations.” Wujing finished his speech and summoned his yoroi.“This time too the yoroi are babysitting children.” The tree commented with a croaking voice, while its roots began to expand all around the five boys. They began to take possession of the military's weapons and vehicles, pointing them at the five samurai troopers and began shooting.“Since when do yokai use human weapons to attack?”. Ushio asked as he avoided being hit by a missile.“Since when does that thing not know how to fight unless it catches its victims!”. Aki explained as he began to defend himself from the demonic tree's attacks.Kiyoharu tried to get closer using the katana in his right hand as a shield to protect himself from the branches that were trying to grab him and bring him close to suck their blood. Kiyoharu parried with the Katana and struck the branches with the second katana in his left hand.The tree emitted a moan and with its roots activated the military equipment which began to fire in every direction with the exploding shots creating pools of blood which began to corrupt the surrounding environment.“Apparently he wants to use human weapons as a vehicle for his yokai power, since he is very limited in his movements.” Kikyo noted as he saw how the tree could only stretch its branches so far.Aki launched an attack using Korin's powers to destroy some tanks that were aiming at them and causing the tree to moan in pain.“Ushio, avoid watering that bloody plant! Destroy only military vehicles." Wujing exclaimed towards Ushio who was busy bending the barrel of the tank with his spear and then destroying it.“I don't think Suiko throws water that can irrigate the land!”. Ushio replied in an offended tone as he dodged the roots coming out of the ground.Kikyo tried to shoot some arrows at what appeared to be the yokai's head, but the branches and bodies of the slain soldiers to protect themselves from the blow. The Tenku wielder let out a moan when she noticed that the bodies were releasing the poisonous blood and she turned a look towards Kiyoharu who took a few steps back.Wujing looked at the military vehicles that continued to fire at them, while trying to control the power of their yoroi and make the best use of them.“Wujing!”. Kikyo called out in a loud voice as she dodged projectiles thrown at her. “Use Kongo's strength to destroy the military vehicles and lift the roots.”“But there's no risk that…” Wujing looked around, afraid that he might hurt someone, since he didn't yet control Kongo's power well.“Unfortunately I think there is no one left alive in this area ...”. Kikyo commented as she observed the destruction brought by the fury of that spirit that was causing the clouds to thicken again.“Quick, the bad weather is about to start again.” Aki shouted at Wujing as the wind began to pick up.Wuijing closed his eyes and concentrated, he called upon Kongo's power and unleashed his strength against the military vehicles that began to sink towards the center of the Earth. Together the buildings all around began to collapse and a cloud of dust arose which rose with the wind which seemed to unleash a storm made of dust and water.The roots rose into the air and began to move to try to catch one of the samurai troopers present who defended themselves using their weapons.Kiyoharu turned his gaze towards the pit created by Kongo's power and saw several completely dried up bodies, previous victims of the tree, among which there were also children.“You also fed on civilians ...”. Kiyoharu hissed in fury as he felt his blood begin to boil like lava inside a volcano.“Of course, they are my nourishment after all ...”. The tree stopped noticing Kiyoharu's furious look "You should understand.... you're half like us." The tree moved its branches towards Kiyoharu who blocked it with his right katana.“I don't know like you!”. Kiyoharu replied furiously "Just as the rest of my family isn't."“Don't lose focus talking about your family.” Aki screamed as he tried to hit the roots with lightning but it didn't seem to have any effect on those roots that continued to move like crazy.Ushio unleashed a jet of water against the roots, breaking them into small pieces, while Kikyo again tried to hit the head of the tree, which once again used the soldiers as a shield. Tenku's bearer was knocked off one of the roots that still remained intact, while the others attempted to cut the other roots.Kiyoharu looked again at the withered body of one of the tree victims and then launched what was a fireball at one of the roots.The root caught fire and the tree began to scream in pain, while Kiyoharu turned sinisterly towards the tree.The tree moved its tree branches to move the corpses of the soldiers and begin shooting in the direction of Kiyoharu who looked forward in the direction of the tree ready to attack.Wujing used his power to make a wall of earth and rock appear to protect them from the blows of others.“Burn it, now!”. Aki screamed as she felt the air around him heat up.Kiyoharu gripped his right hand more firmly as he felt the fire burning inside his chest and heart, but she ignored it. The bastard in front of him deserved that fire and he channeled the flames into his swords before throwing them at his opponent and burning him to ashes.Kiyoharu was about to take off his yoroi when he heard the whistling again with such force that he took off his kabuto to cover his ears with his hands. The spirit's screams became so intense that Kiyoharu began to scream himself so as not to hear that terrible sound that echoed in his brain.“Kiyo!”. Kikyo screamed as he approached to help his friend.“My revenge will only be accomplished when I have reduced everything to dust...” Kiyoharu spoke before fainting.“Let's go back to Suzunagi immediately!”. Aki gave the order, while Rekka disappeared leaving Kiyoharu only with his underwear and lying on the asphalt.
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When Kiyoharu opened his eyes he found himself in front of Suzunagi who seemed to peer into the depths of his soul. For a moment the boy had the sensation of wanting to crawl into the sleeping bag and only come out when the yurei had otherwise left.“Rekka has chosen you as her bearer.” Suzunagi began to speak in a serious voice “A choice perhaps dictated by the desire to take revenge on your grandfather for how he was treated. Your yokai half causes you to suffer not only when you wear the yoroi, but also because of the call of the Tararigami.”Kiyoharu rubbed his temples to ease the headache as he listened to Suzunagi's words.“My grandfather Ryo, however, did not choose to also become the bearer of Kikotei.” Kiyoharu lowered his head and spoke “Only Grandpa Louis voluntarily decided to wear Mangetsu.”“And your wish is to be chosen by that yoroi to punish Kikotei for all the harm she has done to your grandfather and the rest of your family.” Suzunagi pointed out as she watched the boy continue to massage his temples for relief from his headache.“I'm not ready for Mangetsu or getting revenge on Kikotei yet...” Kiyoharu clarified in a serious tone “I'm not even capable of fighting with two katanas and I don't have full control of Rekka. Grandpa Louis was much better at swordplay than me and even modified his Tachi himself."“At least you know your limits and don't want to rush straight to revenge.” Suzunagi spoke in a serious voice. “It will help you in the future.”“And then I can't think of Kikotei with such a threat...". Kiyoharu specified again "Also because I think that behind the Taragami there is someone who controls it...". He had this impression because he was sure he heard two voices.“I thought it was just the Taragami, but apparently there is also that emperor who generated that creature from his anger and hatred of him”. Suzunagi spoke while he observed Kiyoharu whose character and leadership abilities he still didn't know well.Kiyoharu still had a headache, but he tried to get up to go and reassure his friends that he was fine and that he was ready to go out and fight again.“Totally useless for you to go out and search the city again.” Suzunagi called Kiyoharu back for him. “There are no more soldiers outside the wall of fog.”“So they gave up…”. Kiyoharu commented in a low voice as he remembers the victims of the blood tree "But the other people who didn't escape in time...".“I understand that you worry about them but I think there is little hope of finding anyone still alive in the area that the Taragami now protects.”"It is not possible". Kiyoharu murmured as he stood up. “I thought he was taking hostages like Arago did in the past...”“Arago is not your enemy, but a new enemy who is not interested in living people but only in human souls”. Suzunagi explained in a serious voice.Kiyoharu punched the blanket and got back on his feet to go to his companions and also talk to them about what was happening in Shinjuku.“The sooner you accept, the sooner it will be easy to face this war, Rekka bearer.” Suzunagi spoke silently as he watched Kiyoharu's figure disappear in front of him.Miharu was in disbelief as she looked at the images of Shinjuku completely invaded by that black fog and what remained of the troops sent to stop the threat. She seemed like everything as in the stories that Uncle Jun told him about the battle against Arago fought in that very place.“Only now dad Ryo isn't here...". Miharu thought as she walked quickly to where Jack was waiting to talk about what was happening.Her cell phone started ringing and she Miharu looked at who was calling on the phone and seeing that it was Hotaru, she immediately answered it.“Hotaru, did something happen?” Miharu asked as she stopped near the river that ran through the yokai world and was surrounded by small blue flames.“It's about Kiyoharu.” Hotaru paused a little before continuing to speak, "She's in Shinjuku and probably inherited dad's yoroi." The last words sounded choked with pain to the incredulous woman.Midori and Ren are next to their mother and were curiously listening to the conversation with their aunt."What?! But dad Ryo always said that...". Miharu remembered Ryo's words well“Dad Ryo was wrong and Rekka chose the only one he never knew”. Hotaru spoke in a serious voice “That yoroi wanted to take revenge in this way for being abandoned by dad. I'm sure!". The last words she spoke in a harsh and harsh tone.Midori and Ren looked at each other as they wondered what kind of reaction Uncle Tsukito would have when they found out what was happening and that Kiyoharu was involved.“Tell me, what is the situation in the other worlds?” Hotaru asked eager to know what the situation was in the other worlds too."They are blocked ...". Miharu replied “They have blocked access to both the Youjakai and the yokai world. Apparently the new enemy doesn't want any kind of interference or for Jun, Naaza, Anubis and Rajura to intervene to help the new samurai troopers.""Damnation ...". Hotaru commented because she hoped that the Masho or even Jack could bring assistance to Kiyoharu knowing all the hardships that her dad Ryo and her uncles had faced in the past.“Jack contacted me saying that Io is studying a method to break the barrier.” Miharu tried to cheer up her sister "We just have to hope that she can quickly create an opening.""I hope ...". Hotaru murmured softly as she wondered if Kaida had successfully reached Kiyoharu and the others or if he too had been stuck due to the barrier. The fact that the Nekomata had not returned home could only portend something positive and that he was now with his son.“The problem will be telling Tsukito…”. Hotaru murmured remembering her older brother. who, unaware, was on holiday with his entire family.“We'd better tell when he gets home from his vacation.” Miharu suggested as she saw that people on the street continued to talk about what was happening in the Shinjuku area.“What kind of reaction do you think your uncle might have?” Ren asked Midori softly."I do not know ...". Midori shook her head, not really being able to imagine a reaction that her uncle could have. "I just hope it's not exaggerated."“I hope so too…”. Ren murmured knowing full well how much his uncle was afraid of losing another member of his family after he had lost both his grandmother, who they had never met and subsequently his two fathers.“Anyway, I'll try calling Uncle Touma now.” Miharu concluded as she continued walking. “I think he can help us.”“Great idea, try calling him ...”. Hotaru spoke in a serious voice “I'll leave you now…if I hear from Kaida, I'll call you.”"The same goes for me". Miharu looked at the phone in her hand. “Say hello to Midori and Ren.”Hotaru ended the call knowing that his children had heard the entire conversation and even Miharu's greeting.Now he had to hope that someone would concretely help his son in that difficult war.“Please dad Ryo, dad Louis and mom get someone to go help those five kids.” Hotaru prayed as she turned her attention back to her older children.Miharu quickly dialed Touma's number and waited for someone to answer the phone so they could talk.“Miharu why are you calling me?”. Touma asked not expecting Miharu's call given his role as a diplomat between the various worlds.“Because I wanted your advice, uncle!”. Miharu replied in a serious voice.“About the situation in Shinjuku? You should go and talk to Kagura or Io who are more suitable for your purpose.” Touma replied as he watched the news on the news knowing that she couldn't intervene directly.“I can't contact them, uncle!”. Miharu quickly explained the situation "The enemy has blocked any type of access to the Youjakai and the Yokai world, that's why I want your advice uncle.""...". Touma was not surprised to hear those words from Miharu because he had suspected that the enemy had created a sort of wall to protect from any external invasions.“Uncle, what do you think?”. Miharu asked not hearing any response from Touma.“I think the enemy doesn't want interference and that the only way they can enter the human world is to destroy their barrier.” Touma spoke in a serious voice as he saw the news on the news that the military had abandoned the area after an entire convoy had disappeared without leaving a trace.“So Kiyoharu and the other four Samurai Troopers will have to hold out until reinforcements arrive.” Miharu murmured in disappointment.“You also understood that Rekka's owner is him ...”. Touma supposed with a bitter smile on his lips."No! It was Hotaru who told me that Kiyoharu inherited Rekka's power...". Miharu explained as she continued to see if she could find another way to access the yokai world. “He called me desperate for my help.”“I understand... you mean that I'll call you later too”. Touma spoke in a serious voice, while he wondered where Seiji had gone, whom he hadn't seen for about two hours.“It will please her too to hear your words, uncle”. Miharu exclaimed trying to be optimistic with little success.At that moment she was worried about the health of not only Kiyoharu, but also the other four samurai.“Call me if there's any news!”. Touma recommended himself.“Yes, uncle!”. Miharu ended the call with that sentence and closed her cell phone.Miharu entered the alley and transformed into his Bakaneko form and pricked up his ears looking for some clue or crack. her that she could take her to the yokai world so she could talk to Jack about what was going on.Nasty watched the news with a completely blank and resigned expression. All the efforts made by her friends for a world of peace had just been shattered with that new invasion.And this time she couldn't do anything to help the new generation of Samurai troopers and was forced to stand by and watch.“Please protect those five kids.” Nasty thought to herself as she continued to watch the military retreat strategically from the black fog-ridden Shinjuku.A specter dressed like a schoolboy with a blue face and beard advanced towards what looked like a throne room.She bowed slightly and a shadowy figure motioned with his hand to speak.“My lord, the entire Shinjuku area is being purified as you requested.” The student raised his head slightly. “Is there any other order we need to follow?”“Those five kids who cut down the blood tree must be eliminated.” The voice spoke in a cold tone that echoed through the empty rooms.“What about the yoroi?” The pupil asked and awaited his emperor's orders.“I want them to be completely destroyed!” The shadow ordered, stamping his foot several times, “We don't need them because the bearer of Kikotei has been dead for a long time. We can target the Kuro Kikotei as soon as we discover where she is hiding."“It will be done my lord.” The pupil bowed and disappeared before the shadow.“My revenge on this world will soon be fulfilled ...”. The shadow whispered and concentrated energy in his palm to allow the Taragami to continue destroying Shinjuku.Kiyoharu returned to the others who were eating something and talking about the first battle against the blood tree.“Do you think they're all really dead?” Ushio asked hesitantly as he ate a chocolate snack.“According to Suzunagi, yes!”. Kiyoharu answered the question dryly as he joined the group."You feel better?". Wuijing asked as he tossed a snack to Kiyoharu who caught it."Yes ...". Kiyoharu murmured as he looked at the chocolate snack "There's not only the Taragami, there's also the emperor who created him."“Do you know this because of your half-yokai nature?” Kikyo asked as he finished eating and got up to throw away the wrapper of his snack.“Yes, I clearly heard two voices talking ...”. Kiyoharu confirmed and then began to eat his snack and recharge.“If the Taragami is so strong, how strong will the emperor be?” Ushio wondered as he finished eating and threw the paper into the garbage can, hitting the mark.“We'll only know once we beat Taragami, I'm afraid.” Aki fearfully commented on the question Ushio was asking.And she was afraid that after the fight it would become even more difficult given what the emperor had created.“But now I would like to know if everyone really died in Shinjuku or if there are any survivors.” Kiyoharu spoke after he finished eating his snack.“Does it matter to you whether they are alive or not?” Aki asked in a harsh voice.“Yes, because if there are any survivors we can bring them here to safety ...”. Kiyoharu spoke in a serious voice.“We still have to check and be sure ...”. Ushio stood up and prepared to put on his undergear to go on patrol."Right!". Wujing exclaimed as he stood up. “Someone must have escaped from the fury of the Taragami and the yokai that are now infesting all of Shinjuku.”“You can try to go around this area, but I'm afraid you won't be able to find anyone alive.” Suzunagi spoke as he watched those five young men who were about to have a serious beating.“Of course we will be out for a short time ...”. Kikyo ordered in a serious voice. “Before we venture into Shinjuku we will have to make sure we solve the problem related to your Bakaneko ears.”"I know ...". Kiyoharu murmured as he walked towards the exit.When they came out they noticed that there was an eerie silence and that the Taragami seemed to have momentarily calmed down or perhaps he was simply in another area of Shinjuku.The five kids advanced in silence with the yoroi worn and checked in every alley and in every shop, which had survived the fury of that demonstration of anger and revenge created by the emperor.They looked around, but the only thing they found was rubble and traces of blood in cars or inside shops.“Let's not lose hope of finding anyone alive.” Kiyoharu suggested as they continued walking as he looked around at his figure reflecting from the broken glass and metal.“If he continues like this he will raze this whole place to the ground…”. Ushio commented as he advanced towards the center of the location indicated by Suzunagi to begin the search for survivors.Aki looked at the ground and saw a robot identical to the one she had bought for her five-year-old brother's birthday. She made his blood boil with anger, imagining that a child the same age as her brother had died.“I have to stay calm... I can't get agitated.” Aki thoughtWuijing walked forward as he saw what appeared to be a spot where not even the rubble of whatever was there remained.The boy made a long noise as he looked at what was in front of him and stepped back as his face went completely white.The other kids came closer and when they looked at the same spot as Wuijing, they turned pale and backed away and shook their heads.In front of them there was only an expanse of corpses and blood.
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Kiyoharu covered his mouth with his hand to resist the urge to vomit as he saw that expanse of corpses in front of him.“As Suzunagi said, they are all dead…”. Wujing commented with a voice broken by the pain he felt at what he was seeing,“We can't even go down to see if there is anyone who survived this massacre.” Aki noted as she pointed, that the hole was deep and there was no handhold they could safely climb down to and check.“They created this place on purpose so that no one would run away ...”. Kikyo commented while Kiyoharu remained silent.The half-yokai clenched his fist tightly and was tempted to find the Taragami and destroy it and then aim directly at the emperor who had created it.He took a step and then froze in place knowing that now he had no strength to do anything to avenge those innocent victims. It was one thing to burn a tree to death, it was another thing to kill the very embodiment of human resentment in the form of a storm.Not to mention that his ears were too sensitive to the Taragami's voice, he risked being left at the mercy of that creature before he could fight.It was a risk he couldn't afford.“I would lead my companions to a fate worse than that which befell my grandfather and my uncles.” Kiyoharu thought as he slowly backed away.“We just have to go back.” Kiyoharu looked at his four companions "We can't do anything here...". He began walking back to their base while his thoughts turned to his family.“I hope mum doesn't find out what happened here or she will get even more anxious...”. Kiyoharu thought as he walked over what remained of Shinjuku's skyscrapers and shops.Ushio looked around looking for something human and still alive and not just death and that specter that had brought all that destruction.Aki muttered something nervously, while Kikyo looked for a solution to protect Kiyoharu's ears since they were far too sensitive to the Taragami's power.They were about to return to Suzunagi, when in the distance they heard what sounded like the crying of a baby about a year old.The four kids immediately turned their attention towards Kiyoharu who immediately strained his Bakaneko ears to understand where that noise was coming from.Kiyoharu began running towards where he thought the noise followed by his companions came from.They came to an alley where they found a yokai with the upper part like that of a woman and the lower part like a snake. The woman was holding what looked like a bundle wrapped in a white blanket in her hands and she started shouting: “stay away from him!”.“He's not a real child, it's just a trap set up by that Yokai.” Aki commented in disappointment as he prepared to fight the creature.“Yet there is something that doesn't add up…”. Kikyo whispered as she watched the woman convulsively clutch the bundle to her chest and step back.“Yeah... usually he offers the bundle he has in his hand, he doesn't hold it to her chest like this...”. Ushio confirmed as the woman trembled in fear.“It may simply be a deception...” Aki replied to the two's statements.Kiyoharu had noticed that detail in the snake woman's attitude and it seemed that she was really protecting the bundle she held in her arms and not deceiving them.Kiyoharu closed his eyes and tried to hear better with his ears the noise of what was coming from that little bundle.Thum...Thum...ThumThe Rekka bearer opened his eyes and slowly began to approach the snake woman, who began to tremble as she tried to hold tighter what she was protecting from those strangers with the yoroi."Everything is fine ...". Kiyoharu began to whisper as he began to walk towards the woman with an uncertain step. “We don't want to hurt you or whoever you're protecting.” She threw both katanas away and continued to approach.The snake woman moved her tail to throw rocks at Kiyoharu, which she avoided without any problem and began to hiss ferociously.“I wouldn't trust her.” Aki shouted behind him "He still remains a yokai in the service of the emperor who is threatening us all."“I'm sure you are not in the service of that emperor...” Kiyoharu continued to approach cautiously as his ears followed the heartbeat of the woman, but also that of the little creature she was protecting.“Get away from me!”.” The snake woman screamed as she continued to swing her tail and throw pieces of glass and rocks.Kiyoharu came close enough to extend his hand towards the snake woman who lowered her yellow eyes to observe the Rekka bearer's hand.“We will take you to a place where you and the child you saved from the Taragami can be safe.” Kiyoharu added still in a calm voice.The snake woman looked at the small bundle in her hands and then turned her attention towards Kiyoharu who also took off his yoroi. “Come with us... please!”. Kiyoharu whispered softly, "Before the Taragami recovers and starts wreaking havoc again."“We also have food and water.” Wujing added shouting behind Kiyoharu's back “The child needs to eat to survive.“We also have the means to conserve it.” Ushio shouted in the woman's direction.“And it will have a safe place until the Taragami and the emperor are defeated…”. Kikyo added that detail to help Kiyoharu convince the snake woman.Aki shook her head vigorously as she watched her companions continue to talk to that snake woman.Kiyoharu held out his hand again towards the snake woman who looked first at the bundle and then subsequently at the hand that Kiyoharu held out to him.“I want to trust you ...”. The woman took Kiyoharu's hand and he smiled and carefully began to crawl along the rubble and pieces of glass, while she held her bundle in her arms.Aki turned his attention to what the snake woman was holding in her hand and saw a small foot emerge from the sheet that wrapped it and that she was kicking. “He was right...” Aki thought as they began walking back to their temporary base.“Now the group is complete, we also have a woman and a child”. Ushio watched as she tried to sound off his words as a joke.“Except that in the group of dad Shin and dad Shu, there were Nasty and Jun”. Wujing whispered softly as he turned his attention towards the woman talking to Suzunagi. “We have a one-year-old boy and a snake woman instead. We are at a disadvantage!”.“And you have me too ...”. Kaida appeared near the two cousins "I certainly won't go back to Kiyoharu's mother, I will stay here to fight with you."The baby had begun to crawl around the small living room and reached Kikyo's feet and I picked her up to lift him into the air and let him play.Aki remained on the sidelines and began to practice with a wooden sword used for kendoThe child began to giggle and move his feet to go even higher.“You were once a human… you became a yokai to seek revenge, right?” Suzunagi asked as she offered the snake woman a hot drink."Yes!". The snake woman confirmed as she took the drink in her hands. “Her human name was Miki.”“Why did you become a yokai?”. Kiyoharu asked curiously as the happy cries of the nameless boy continued to play with Kikyo."My baby ...". Miki looked at the child playing “They took my baby away from me, they ripped him from my arms because my ex-husband's family got custody. I fought to get my baby back, but everyone was against me...".“I lost everything, I went to a forest and before taking my own life I expressed my last wish with all the resentment I felt: I wanted to become a yokai who would bring death to anyone who dared to tear my son from my arms. When I opened my eyes again I was in this shape...".“And your resentment combined with your desire made you take the form of a Nure onna.” Suzunagi concluded in a serious voice.“How did you manage to escape the Taragami's control?” Kiyoharu asked, anxious to discover the secret of the yokai in order to use it on the battlefield.“That child looks so much like my Takeshi…”. Miki replied in a whisper "When I saw that the Taragami was aiming at him to kill him, I immediately threw the stone I had in my hand and wrapped it in my sheet to protect it."Miki put his hands on his face and began to tremble from the sobs that began to spread throughout the room.“I only saved him... not only managed to save the others”. Miki continued to cry while the snake tail also began to tremble along with the human body "I woke up too late...".“We couldn't do much to save the innocent people in Shinjuku either.” Ushio commented while Kikyo let go of the baby who crawled towards Miki, who immediately picked him up to hold her close to her chest.“That spirit is too strong ...”. Kiyoharu commented in a bitter tone “And my bakaneko ears are affected by her voice. I've already fainted once." They had to find a solution if they wanted to try to fight against the Taragami and try to get to the emperor before he could further expand his influence and harm other people.Miki placed the child in Suzunagi's arms who was surprised by the gesture of the snake woman who immediately began to touch Kiyoharu's human ears.“Can you show me your cat ears too?”. Miki asked as she continued checking on her curious about her.Kiyoharu made his human ears disappear and beautiful black cat ears appeared in his place. “I thought your bakaneko ears were the same color as your hair.” Ushio exclaimed as she reached out to touch them. It was something she had wanted for a long time ever since she saw an old anime on television.Aki stopped training and approached the group to see what Nure Onna had in mind to solve the problem of Kiyoharu's ear sensitivity.“The only way is to try to use the gummy substance that Uwabami produces.” Miki spoke in a serious voice “To capture his victims, in addition to his size, he uses a substance that he produces after storing a large quantity of alcohol. It should fix your ears for a few hours...".“It could be a solution ...”. Suzunagi agreed with Miki's words.“Yes, but then Kiyoharu will always smell of alcohol until we can find a way to kill the Taragami.” Wujing pointed out as Ushio began touching Kiyoharu's ears with great curiosity.“The smell of alcohol will go away when I take a shower when this is over.” Kiyoharu replied in a serious voice.“The real problem will be taking a shower before hugging my mother again ...”. Kiyoharu thought scared of her mother's reaction if she smelled alcohol on him.“We will have to find a guide to Shinjuku and locate a place that sells a large amount of alcohol.” Kikyo suggested "Maybe a wine shop with foreign alcohol... the Uwabami are known for their gluttony and I bet that such a yokai won't miss the opportunity to taste some foreign alcohol too."“As long as your solution works…”. Aki pointed out to the group bringing everyone back to reality "How do you know that that monster's drool is also a sound isolate?".“I once saw him capture a human being…”. Miki explained in a serious tone "The human began to scream but the sound didn't come out of that prison of drool." She looked at the child who seemed interested in the golden decorations Suzunagi possessed.“Does the baby have a name?”. Ushio asked as she picked up the baby to play."I do not know!". Miki exclaimed "When I saved him, his parents were already dead...".“We could call him Tetsuya ...”. Wujing suggested the first name that came to mind.“I like it as a name.”. Miki agreed and smiled not knowing what would happen to her and her baby once all that story was over.Sooner or later she had to ask that question, but she had to first get Tetsuya out of that horror and then see what kind of future she awaited him.“We hope that we can open a connection with the yokai world.” Kaida exclaimed as she sat down next to Miki “So you can take the child to a safer place than this…”.“I can stay here to help out, but he can't!”. Miki agreed despite knowing that there was a risk that she would not be able to adopt the child and raise him as her own.Tetsuya's safety came before his individual happiness and furthermore he wanted to help those five young samurai with his limited knowledge and strength.At least to repay the fact that she had given Tetsuya a safe place and away from the emperor's fury for his betrayal.“As soon as we have identified a wine shop or a place that sells alcohol, we will immediately go and look for the drunken snake and kill it to extract as much slime as possible”. Ushio exclaimed trying to give energy to the rest of his companions too.“Let's get to work right away!”. Aki commented still skeptical that they could trust that snake woman.“But then I also have a partner who is half yokai.” Aki thought as he began to search through maps and maps of places that could sell alcohol that the snake was fond of in order to go and kill it.