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# Mirage of Blaze volume 7: The Supreme Conqueror's Demon Mirror 2

## Chapter 16: Demon Awakening

By Kuwabara Mizuna (author), Toujou Kazumi (illustrator)
Translated by asphodel

Small birds sang in the forest.

The overcast Nikkou Nikkou-shi (日光市)
Nikkou City, located in the mountains of Tochigi Prefecture, is a popular tourist destination known for the Nikkou Toushou Shrine, where Tokugawa Ieyasu's remains are enshrined, as well as Futarasan Shrine, built in 767. morning was pleasantly brisk. Fog covered the entire area around Kirifuri Plateau Kirifuri Kougen (霧降高原)
Kirifuri (Mist Falls) Plateau is a plateau located to the north of Nikkou City, at the foot of Mt. Nyohou. It is now a resort area with villas and tourist attractions like hiking trails, skiing, and golf courses., limiting sight distance. Chiaki stopped his car in the middle of the gravel road and got out to look through his binoculars at the manor in the distance.

“Damn it. Do they really have Narita in there? There’re way too many rooms,” Chiaki said, peering back through the window at Katakura Kagetsuna Katakura Kagetsuna (片倉景綱) 1557 - 1615
Also known as: Katakura Kojuurou Kagetsuna (片倉小十郎景綱)
A military commander of the Sengoku era and hereditary vassal of the Date Clan. The Katakura family traditionally took the nickname of 'Kojuurou', so Katakura Kagetsuna is better known as Katakura Kojuurou.
Kojuurou first served Date Masamune's father, Date Terumune, as a junior page, then became Date Masamune's attendant in 1575. He was later appointed a strategist, and participated in most of Masamune's important wars where he rescued the Date Clan from many tight spots. His wisdom was extolled by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and his name was a byword for loyalty. (He was called 'Katakura Kagetsuna the Wise', and he, along with 'Date Shigezane the Brave', were named 'the twin jewels of the Date'.)
Kojuurou died in 1615 of illness., who was still inside scowling at a blueprint of the estate.

“This must be the place. If what Tooyama-dono told us was true.”

“If it’s not, I’m gonna beat him up.”

According to Tooyama, Yuzuru was being held prisoner within the Houjou estate, and Chiaki had sallied forth to rescue him. Kojuurou had joined him upon learning that Date Kojirou Date Kojirou (伊達小次郎) 1568? - 1590
Also known as: childhood—Jikumaru (竺丸)
Second son of Date Terumune and Yoshihime, Kojirou was favored by his mother over his older brother Date Masamune for succession as head of the Date Clan. However, Terumune favored Masamune, who became head of the Date Clan in 1584.
Yoshihime planned the assassination of Masamune, but after she failed to poison him in 1590, Masamune ordered Kojirou's death. was with Yuzuru.

“So Kojirou of the Date really is in bed with the Houjou, huh? And there was something about binding Narita to the sacred tree at Futarasan Shrine Futarasan Jinja (二荒山神社)
Futarasan Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Nikkou founded by Holy Priest Shoudou. It enshrines three mountain deities: Ookuninushi, Tagorihime, and Ajisukitakahikone of Mt. Nantai (also called Mt. Futara), Mt. Nyohou, and Mt. Tarou.
Its main shrine (Honden) was built in 767, its middle shrine (Chuuguushi ) in 784, and its rear shrine (Okumiya) in 782. and setting the Mt. Nikkou Nikkou-san (日光山)
Mt. Nikkou, located in the north-west part of Tochigi Prefecture, is one of the 100 famous mountains of Japan and centers on Mt. Nantai, Mt. Nyohou, and Mt. Tarou. forest on fire along with all the souls? Are those idiots planning to go from kidnapping to arson?”

“It appears the Houjou truly are planning to occupy Nikkou.” Kojuurou looked at the beech grove around them. “Nikkou was always endowed with elements of a exceptional sacred site. It was uniquely chosen by Lord Ieyasu as his burial place and supported by the spiritual protection of the Tokugawa Shogunate throughout the years—perhaps that was also a consideration. —Fire has the ability to fuse several distinct types of power into one. By setting fire to Mt. Nikkou Nikkou-san (日光山)
Mt. Nikkou, located in the north-west part of Tochigi Prefecture, is one of the 100 famous mountains of Japan and centers on Mt. Nantai, Mt. Nyohou, and Mt. Tarou., I believe the Houjou are seeking to pare the tree-bound souls down to their nuclei, then fuse this ‘power of souls’ with the ‘power of the sacred trees’ along with the ‘power of the earth’ at their roots. If they can successfully unite these three sources of power, Mt. Nikkou Nikkou-san (日光山)
Mt. Nikkou, located in the north-west part of Tochigi Prefecture, is one of the 100 famous mountains of Japan and centers on Mt. Nantai, Mt. Nyohou, and Mt. Tarou. will become the center of a terrifying spiritual energy.”

“—Because Nikkou is the symbol of the supreme conqueror? So what they actually want is victory over the ruler of Japan. They’ve set up their base smack-dab in neutral territory, and they’re planning to conquer the «Yami-Sengoku Yami Sengoku (闇戦国)
Lit.: "Dark Sengoku", the civil war still being fought by the spirits of the warlords of the Sengoku period in modern-day Japan.» from here. Geez, they should think about all the trouble they’re causing the tourists and students on field trip here!” Chiaki quipped, scowling toward the estate. “First step is to get inside, so what’s the plan? They look like they’re swimming in dough over there, so they’ll probably have Dobermans in the garden.”

“They appear to have set up a barrier. They’ll know as soon as we step inside.”

“A security system for your peace of mind, huh? Too bad we don’t know exactly which room Narita’s in,” Chiaki sighed, when—

“...! Yasuda-dono! The rearview mirror!”

“What?!”

Takaya’s reflection had appeared in the rearview mirror—vivid as a true reflection, though he was nowhere in the car.

It didn’t faze Chiaki in the least. So this is what everybody’s been freaking out about, he thought, grinning.

“Finally decided to pay me a visit, Kagetora? About time, you idiot!”

Takaya didn’t bother with a response. Instead, a vague scene like something out of an illusion replaced his image in the center of the mirror.

“Yasuda-dono, that’s—!”

“...”

The inside of a room, apparently. Blurred though it was, they could tell that it had white walls and a single bed. On the bed was a young man:

“Narita...?”

There could be no mistake. Two youths around his age stood close together with their backs to them. If the image were clearer they might be able to identify them, but it was impossible with what they had. Still, Chiaki had the feeling that he’d seen one of them before....

“Hah, guess now we can at least monitor them using the mirror.”

“Then...this is a room within that estate?”

“Probably. I’m guessing Kagetora is showing us the reflection from a mirror somewhere inside. That idiot’s trying to help us from wherever he is.”

Chiaki detached the wide mirror from the car handed it to Katakura.

“Here’s the plan. I create a diversion: break the barrier, make lots of noise, draw the enemy’s attention. You circle to the back, find Yuzuru’s room and get him out. Kagetora will guide you.”

“I understand.”

“Give it twenty minutes. Let’s go,” Chiaki said, and ran for the front door while Katakura set out along the valley.

A thin white fence around two meters 1 in height encircled the estate, and the barrier followed its path. It appeared to be of the underground variety, sustained by spirit stones or orbs buried at regular intervals.

(It’d suck if I had to dig ’em all up one by one.)

Chiaki crouched, extracting a small wooden statue and two cakraratna cakraratna (輪宝)
The cakraratna is a wheel-shaped treasure possessed by the ideal universal ruler who rules ethically and benevolently over the entire world (the Chakravartin). It is carried in front of him to destroy his enemies and allow easy passage, and is a symbol worshiped in Buddhism. from his belt pouch.

“These should have more than enough power to deal with a barrier like this.”

He had primed the koppashin koppashin (木端神)
Lit.: "wood chip god"; an object representation of a divine spirit made from sacred wood which can house various deities and use their powers for protective and guardianship purposes. Looks somewhat like a kokeshi (Japanese wooden doll). to call upon the God of Thunder. The collected power could only be released once, for the impact always broke the container—a weakness of this particular summons. Its destructive potential, however, was in a league of its own. Since the God of Thunder belonged in the retinue of Śakra, Lord of the Devas, their summoning mantras were the same.

Chiaki doused the two cakraratna with holy oil and set them ablaze.

“On asanmagini un hatta on asanmagini un hatta on asanmagini un hatta (オン アサンマギニ ウン ハッタ)
Shingon used to call on vajra fire, which averts demons barring the way to knowledge. The accompanying ritual gesture is made with hands open, the palm of the left hand cupped protectively around the back of the right hand and thumbs touching, the whole forming a triangular shape. The eight fingers indication the direction of the fire.—...”

The flames from the cakraratna turned purple and reached hungrily into the air. Still chanting the mantra of the vajra flame, Chiaki picked them up.

“On torotoro un on torotoro un (オン トロトロ ウン)
Shingon of the treasure carriage, used to send the carriage which goes out to receive the idol of the Buddha. The accompany ritual gesture is made with the middle, ring, and little fingers interwoven, with forefingers touching and heels of hands touching, and thumbs spread.!”

He switched to the mantra of the racing carriage and threw the cakraratna over the fence. The burning wheels broke through the barrier with tremendous momentum and zoomed into the premises at high speed, leaving behind a set of tire tracks.

Chiaki immediately turned to the koppashin koppashin (木端神)
Lit.: "wood chip god"; an object representation of a divine spirit made from sacred wood which can house various deities and use their powers for protective and guardianship purposes. Looks somewhat like a kokeshi (Japanese wooden doll). and chanted the mantra of Śakra:

“Naumaku sanmanda bodanan indoraya sowaka naumaku sanmanda bodanan indoraya sowaka (ナウマク ソンマンダ ボダナン インドラヤ ソワカ)
Shingon of both Śakra and the 'God of Thunder.' Unique to Japanese Buddhism, Śakra, Lord of the Devas (Śakro devānām indraḥ) is worshiped as the 'God of Thunder' and is often paired with the God of Wind.
"naumaku sanmanda bodanan" = a devotion to the Buddhas/"homage to all the Buddhas"
"indoraya sowaka" = reverence to Śakra, or "hail Śakra!", naumaku sanmanda bodanan indoraya sowaka—”

Blue light flared from the koppashin koppashin (木端神)
Lit.: "wood chip god"; an object representation of a divine spirit made from sacred wood which can house various deities and use their powers for protective and guardianship purposes. Looks somewhat like a kokeshi (Japanese wooden doll). with a whoosh. Chiaki quickly grabbed it and threw it into the sky over the barrier with all his strength.

“Naumaku sanmanda bodanan indoraya sowaka!”

He traced a gigantic symbol in midair with his forefinger.

“ (ii ii
The seed syllable of Śakra, Lord of the Devas, as well as the God of Thunder.)!”

The ground around him shook as an enormous image of the God of Thunder towered in the sky above him. The earth and trees shrieked in torment as they jolted from the god’s booming war cry. His eyes flashed ominously before he spat out a brilliant bolt of lightning, hitting the two burning cakraratna dead-on.

Crack!

There was a blinding flash, followed immediately by an enormous crash and explosion which enveloped the entire area. In the next moment, the curtain of spiritual power forming the barrier vanished as if blown away.

“Yes...!”

Shielding himself from the shock wave, Chiaki destroyed the fence with a burst of will and rushed onto the premises.

“What has happened...?!”

The mansion erupted into pandemonium at the terrific noise and shock. Ujimasa, who had been resting in his room, leapt to his feet in surprise. His aide came running into the room.

“The barrier appears to have been destroyed from the outside. Someone is mounting an assault on the mansion!”

“Who? Who has done this?!”

“I don’t know!”

“Mend it, now! Kill the invaders!”

The Houjou warriors were already converging on the attacker.

Chiaki only licked his lips at the sight of the rattling skeletal warriors. “Been waitin’ for you guys. Looks like you lot’ve got some nerve! All right! Anyone who wants to head off to the next world, come at me!”

Chiaki brought his hands together in Bishamonten Bishamonten (毘沙門天)
Also know as: Bishamon, Tamonten, Vaiśravaṇa, Kubera
Bishamonten is one of the 12 Deva Guardians, the protector of the North and the most powerful of the Four Heavenly Kings. He is the god of warfare and warriors, sometimes called the "black warrior"; black is his symbolic color, and winter is the season over which he presides. He is often depicted as warrior with a crown on his head, a pagoda in one hand and a trident in the other. He punishes those who do evil and is also the guardian of the places where Buddha preaches. He is one who is all-knowing, who hears everything, who is always listening, and is completely versed in Buddha's teachings. He is one of Japan's Seven Deities of Fortune. The soldiers of his army are the powerful earth deities called Yaksha.
Bishamonten is also called "Tobatsu Bishamonten" (刀八毘沙門天), or "Eight-Sword Bishamonten", because of an error in translation passed down through the centuries. The original name, "Bishamonten of Tobatsu", pointed to a manifestation of Bishamonten which appeared in the Central Asian kingdom of Tou-po or Tobatsu (兜跋) to protect the capital city against invaders. Bishamonten in this form is depicted with a diadem on his head, four hands holding a key, a gem, a pagoda, and a halbert before him and eight arms holding eight swords around him.’s ritualistic gesture and chanted his mantra.

“Ari nari tonari anaro nabi kunabi ari nari tonari anaro nabi kunabi ()
In the 26th chapter of the Lotus Sutra, the dharani given by Bishamonten to the followers of Buddhism for protection. A distance of one hundred "yojanas" is specified for the radius of protection.!”

The warriors drew their swords and attacked.

“ (Bai bai ()
Intoned by the Yasha-shuu at the beginning of choubuku, 'bai' is the "seed syllable" for Bishamonten, originally known as Vaiśravaṇa.)!”

“Reporting!” A Houjou retainer rushed into Ujimasa’s room. “The invader is alone! But our warriors are unable to touch him!”

“What?! What do you mean?”

“Anyone who attempts to kill him disappears! They are unable to approach! The enemy is chanting some sort of strange mantra, and he’s making our warriors vanish without even laying a hand on them!”

“What?! Could it be...?”

(Uesugi’s Yasha-shuu Yasha-shuu (夜叉衆)
The five kanshousha at the head of the Meikai Uesugi Army ordered by Uesugi Kenshin to hunt for the onshou who are disrupting the peace of modern-era Japan in a battle which has lasted four hundred years. Led by Uesugi Kagetora, with Naoe Nobutsuna, Kakizaki Haruie, Yasuda Nagahide, and Irobe Katsunaga. The name "Yasha" refers to soldiers in the army of Bishamonten, called "Yaksha".?!)

Ujimasa’s face changed color, and he glared out the window. Something that looked like smoke rose from the forest. He had heard of the Uesugi’s power of «choubuku choubuku (調伏)
Also known as: choubukuryoku (調伏力)
The special power given to the Yasha-shuu to banish onryou to the Underworld using the dharani of Uesugi Kenshin's guardian deity, Bishamonten. The types of choubuku include "kouhou-choubuku", "ressa-choubuku", "kekkai-choubuku", etc. Each choubuku is begun with the incantation "bai" and the ritual hand gesture of Bishamonten's symbol.
Choubuku does not work against kanshousha, who have bodies of their own.». He was not surprised that one of the Yasha-shuu Yasha-shuu (夜叉衆)
The five kanshousha at the head of the Meikai Uesugi Army ordered by Uesugi Kenshin to hunt for the onshou who are disrupting the peace of modern-era Japan in a battle which has lasted four hundred years. Led by Uesugi Kagetora, with Naoe Nobutsuna, Kakizaki Haruie, Yasuda Nagahide, and Irobe Katsunaga. The name "Yasha" refers to soldiers in the army of Bishamonten, called "Yaksha". had been able to break through the barrier using the God of Thunder. But he was needlessly losing men.

“Tono honorifics
A brief list of honorifics used in address:
san (さん) - the most common honorific, usually used to address someone outside one's immediate circle with respect
kun (君) - usually used towards boys and men of junior status or equal age and status
chan (ちゃん) - a diminutive used mainly towards children, and intimate friends, especially women; also used as an endearment for girls
sama (様) - the formal form of "san", showing a high level of respect
senpai (先輩) - used to refer to someone with a more senior status, such as a freshman towards a senior
sensei (先生) - often translated as "teacher", but can actually be used to show respect for anyone with superior knowledge in a field, including doctors and writers
dono/tono (殿) - an antiquated term which roughly translates to "lord", used to show great respect for the addressee, who can be of equal or higher status than the speaker
uji/shi (氏) - in ancient times, carried the meaning "of the ~ clan" or "of the ~ surname"; now used in formal speech and writing to refer to someone unfamiliar to the speaker.
! You are in danger here! We must prepare to evacuate!”

“Tell our men to draw back. They are no match for him, if he is Yasha-shuu Yasha-shuu (夜叉衆)
The five kanshousha at the head of the Meikai Uesugi Army ordered by Uesugi Kenshin to hunt for the onshou who are disrupting the peace of modern-era Japan in a battle which has lasted four hundred years. Led by Uesugi Kagetora, with Naoe Nobutsuna, Kakizaki Haruie, Yasuda Nagahide, and Irobe Katsunaga. The name "Yasha" refers to soldiers in the army of Bishamonten, called "Yaksha".. —The tsutsuga tsutsuga
Also known as: crimson beast
A spirit-beast which takes the form of a long-tailed lion around five-six feet in length with golden eyes, surrounded by red fire, tsutsuga have the ability to devour the souls of people, tigers, and leopards, and spit fire. They can interact with the physical world, their razor-sharp claws and teeth making them ferocious predators, but can be affected by mind powers, such as nenpa and hypnotic suggestion.
Legend has it that Holy Priest Shoudou trapped a male and female pair of the tsutsuga into the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The female tsutsuga has the power to devour spirits as well as the souls of living people who look into the tsutsuga's eyes, entrapping them within the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The male tsutsuga eats fire and exhales fire instead of air. Their cubs inherit both abilities.! Release the tsutsuga tsutsuga
Also known as: crimson beast
A spirit-beast which takes the form of a long-tailed lion around five-six feet in length with golden eyes, surrounded by red fire, tsutsuga have the ability to devour the souls of people, tigers, and leopards, and spit fire. They can interact with the physical world, their razor-sharp claws and teeth making them ferocious predators, but can be affected by mind powers, such as nenpa and hypnotic suggestion.
Legend has it that Holy Priest Shoudou trapped a male and female pair of the tsutsuga into the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The female tsutsuga has the power to devour spirits as well as the souls of living people who look into the tsutsuga's eyes, entrapping them within the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The male tsutsuga eats fire and exhales fire instead of air. Their cubs inherit both abilities.!”

“The tsutsuga tsutsuga
Also known as: crimson beast
A spirit-beast which takes the form of a long-tailed lion around five-six feet in length with golden eyes, surrounded by red fire, tsutsuga have the ability to devour the souls of people, tigers, and leopards, and spit fire. They can interact with the physical world, their razor-sharp claws and teeth making them ferocious predators, but can be affected by mind powers, such as nenpa and hypnotic suggestion.
Legend has it that Holy Priest Shoudou trapped a male and female pair of the tsutsuga into the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The female tsutsuga has the power to devour spirits as well as the souls of living people who look into the tsutsuga's eyes, entrapping them within the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The male tsutsuga eats fire and exhales fire instead of air. Their cubs inherit both abilities.?”

“Yes. Our enemy is a kanshousha kanshousha (換生者)
Those who possess others by driving out the soul from a body and making it theirs.
Unlike normal spirits, kanshousha cannot exchange bodies at will; they can only switch to another host body when their current body dies. Because kanshousha become the owners of their bodies, choubuku does not work on them. It is, however, still possible to exorcise kanshousha when they are in spirit-form (i.e. between possessions).. Let him be devoured by a hungry tsutsuga tsutsuga
Also known as: crimson beast
A spirit-beast which takes the form of a long-tailed lion around five-six feet in length with golden eyes, surrounded by red fire, tsutsuga have the ability to devour the souls of people, tigers, and leopards, and spit fire. They can interact with the physical world, their razor-sharp claws and teeth making them ferocious predators, but can be affected by mind powers, such as nenpa and hypnotic suggestion.
Legend has it that Holy Priest Shoudou trapped a male and female pair of the tsutsuga into the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The female tsutsuga has the power to devour spirits as well as the souls of living people who look into the tsutsuga's eyes, entrapping them within the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The male tsutsuga eats fire and exhales fire instead of air. Their cubs inherit both abilities.. Release as many as we have.”

“Yes, my lord!”

In the basement, Ranmaru and company had also heard the tumult. A flustered Kojirou paced the room. “Ranmaru-dono...! What in the world—”

There was no reaction from Ranmaru. Even the breaking of the barrier had elicited no more response than a flicker of his eyes upward; he appeared unmoved, completely absorbed in his spell.

“There is no need for panic, Kojirou-dono. My guess is that a thief has entered the premises. It has no impact on us. We need only concern ourselves with the barrier upon this room.”

“But...!”

“Distraction will only weaken it, Kojirou-dono.”

Thus reproved, Kojirou ceased his agitated movements and focused his attention once more, hardening the wall of his will.

The barrier closed, so tightly that even light could not enter. The flames rising from tall candles placed at the bed’s four corners danced in place. An incense burner filled the room with the strong scent of incense from Yuzuru’s bedside. Ranmaru was seated on a small Buddhist prayer platform on the floor.

“Naubou aratannau torayaya naumaku ariya barokitei jinbaraya boujisatobaya makasatobaya Maitreya dharani
An Esoteric mantra calling on the Maitreya, a future Buddha, from the Taishō Tripiṭaka. Transliterated from Sanskrit as:
Namo ratna-trayaya, nama aryavalokitesvaraya bodhi-sattvaya mahasatvaya mahakarunikaya tad-yatha,
om, maitre maitre maitra-manasi maitra-sambhave maitra-udbhave mahasamaye svaha
In Japanese:
ナウボウ・アラタンナウ・トラヤヤ・ナウマク・アリヤ・バロキティ・ジンバラヤ・ボウジサトバヤ・マカサトバヤ・マカキャロニキャヤ・タニャタ
オン・マイタレイ・マイタレイ・マイタラ・マナウセン・マイタラ・サンバンベイ・マイタロ・ドバンベイ・マカサンマヤ・ソワカ
Transliterated from Japanese:
Naubou aratannau torayaya naumaku ariya barokitei jinbaraya boujisatobaya makasatobaya makakyaronikaya tanyata
On maitarei maitarei maitara manausen maitara sanbanbei maitaro dobanbei akasanmaya sowaka
The first verse is similar to the Dharani of Great Compassion:
"Hail to the Three Jewels! Hail to the noble Avalokiteśvara! Mahasattva. Great Compassionate One!"
The second verse is a devotion to Maitreya, whose name is from the Sanskrit word maitrī, "loving-kindness".—...”

Ranmaru repeated the mantra in a low, flowing chant. On the bed, Yuzuru lay with his eyes half-open, but they were expressionless, vacant, unseeing.

“On maitarei maitarei maitara manausen maitara sanbanbei maitaro dobanbei akasanmaya sowaka Maitreya dharani
An Esoteric mantra calling on the Maitreya, a future Buddha, from the Taishō Tripiṭaka. Transliterated from Sanskrit as:
Namo ratna-trayaya, nama aryavalokitesvaraya bodhi-sattvaya mahasatvaya mahakarunikaya tad-yatha,
om, maitre maitre maitra-manasi maitra-sambhave maitra-udbhave mahasamaye svaha
In Japanese:
ナウボウ・アラタンナウ・トラヤヤ・ナウマク・アリヤ・バロキティ・ジンバラヤ・ボウジサトバヤ・マカサトバヤ・マカキャロニキャヤ・タニャタ
オン・マイタレイ・マイタレイ・マイタラ・マナウセン・マイタラ・サンバンベイ・マイタロ・ドバンベイ・マカサンマヤ・ソワカ
Transliterated from Japanese:
Naubou aratannau torayaya naumaku ariya barokitei jinbaraya boujisatobaya makasatobaya makakyaronikaya tanyata
On maitarei maitarei maitara manausen maitara sanbanbei maitaro dobanbei akasanmaya sowaka
The first verse is similar to the Dharani of Great Compassion:
"Hail to the Three Jewels! Hail to the noble Avalokiteśvara! Mahasattva. Great Compassionate One!"
The second verse is a devotion to Maitreya, whose name is from the Sanskrit word maitrī, "loving-kindness"..”

Kojirou gazed at both of them, holding his breath. They’d been at this for almost six hours. Kojirou’s face was worn with weariness, but Ranmaru’s looked just the same as it had at the beginning. Whence in that thin frame came the capacity for such willpower and physical endurance? Was he a monster? Kojirou wondered.

(Is he really going to extract that power?)

A chill ran down Kojirou’s spine as he recalled the heroic battle between the Kings of Wisdom and the koko koko (狐蠱)
spirit foxes in the skies over Sendai. He remembered, too, the gallant figure of his brother Masamune Date Masamune (伊達政宗) 1567 - 1636
Titles: Echizen no Kami, Mutsu no Kami
Also known as: birth—Bontenmaru (梵天丸), adult—Tojirou (藤次郎), posthumous—Teizan (貞山), self-introduction—Fujiwara no Masamune (藤原政宗), religious—Takeru Hikonomikoto (武振彦命), nickname—One-Eyed Dragon (独眼竜)
Date Masamune was a powerful daimyo in the Northeastern part of Japan during the Sengoku Period. He was the 17th-generation head of the Date Clan and the founding daimyo of Sendai-han. He was the eldest son of Date Terumune and Yoshihime, the daughter of Mogami Yoshimori.
Masamune was born in Yonezawa Castle (modern-day Yamagata Prefecture). He lost the use of his right eye after falling ill of smallpox in his childhood, and would later come to be known as the One-eyed Dragon. However, because of it his mother thought him unfit for rule of the clan, and favored his younger brother. When Date Terumune retired from the position of the clan head in 1584, Masamune killed his brother and became the head of the clan at 18.
Masamune was known as a brilliant tactician. Shortly after he became head of the clan, Oouchi Sadatsuna, a Date vassal, defected to the Ashina Clan in the Aizu region of Mutsu Province. Masamune declared war on the Ashina for the betrayal, but was forced to retreat by the Ashina general, Iwashiro Morikuni. Three months later, Masamune laid seige to Oouchi's stronghold at Otemori. It was said that he put some 800 people to the sword in retaliation for the betrayal. Thereafter the Hatakeyama Clan, the traditional rival of the Date Clan, kidnapped Masamune's father, who was then killed in battle when Masamune and his troops engaged the kidnappers. War ensued between the two clans, and Masamune would ruthlessly subjugate his neighboring clans, even those who were allied by marriage or kinship. He defeated the Ashina Clan in 1589, but was called by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to lay siege to Odawara Castle of the Houjou Clan.
He served both Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu, though neither trusted him completely due to his ambition and aggression. Under Tokugawa Ieyasu Masamune controlled one of the largest fiefdoms in Japan and turned Sendai from a small fishing village to a large and prosperous city. He encouraged foreigners and was largely lenient towards Christanity and its practioners. He funded and backed the first Japanese expedition to sail around the world, which visited such places as the Philippines, Mexico, Spain and Pope Paul V in Rome.
He died in Edo at the age of 70 of esophageal cancer, and was entombed in the Zuihouden according to his last will and testament. His second son (eldest son by his legal wife Megohime) Date Tadamune inherited the position of clan head after him. in the distance—

(Brother...)

He bit his lip, but the clamor of voices down the corridor jerked him back to himself. Bam bam! Someone pounded on the door.

“Date-dono! Date-dono!”

“Do not enter! Just give me your message!”

“The enemy has entered the barrier! You must prepare to evacuate!”

“What?! Who?”

“One who wields the power of «choubuku choubuku (調伏)
Also known as: choubukuryoku (調伏力)
The special power given to the Yasha-shuu to banish onryou to the Underworld using the dharani of Uesugi Kenshin's guardian deity, Bishamonten. The types of choubuku include "kouhou-choubuku", "ressa-choubuku", "kekkai-choubuku", etc. Each choubuku is begun with the incantation "bai" and the ritual hand gesture of Bishamonten's symbol.
Choubuku does not work against kanshousha, who have bodies of their own.»—it can only be the Uesugi’s Yasha-shuu Yasha-shuu (夜叉衆)
The five kanshousha at the head of the Meikai Uesugi Army ordered by Uesugi Kenshin to hunt for the onshou who are disrupting the peace of modern-era Japan in a battle which has lasted four hundred years. Led by Uesugi Kagetora, with Naoe Nobutsuna, Kakizaki Haruie, Yasuda Nagahide, and Irobe Katsunaga. The name "Yasha" refers to soldiers in the army of Bishamonten, called "Yaksha".!”

(Uesugi?)

Koujirou quickly turned to Ranmaru. Ranmaru continued his ‘spell of awakening’ without any hint of concern.

(Have they come to retrieve Narita Yuzuru?)

Kojirou’s expression turned grim as he commanded, “We’re not moving! You must allow no one to approach! Stop them at any cost!”

Within the manor, chaos reigned.

The shock of a kanshousha kanshousha (換生者)
Those who possess others by driving out the soul from a body and making it theirs.
Unlike normal spirits, kanshousha cannot exchange bodies at will; they can only switch to another host body when their current body dies. Because kanshousha become the owners of their bodies, choubuku does not work on them. It is, however, still possible to exorcise kanshousha when they are in spirit-form (i.e. between possessions). of the Uesugi calling upon the God of Thunder to mount a direct attack on the manor had certainly succeeded in gaining the attention of everyone within. Katakura, who had penetrated within using the cover of the confusion caused by the destruction of the barrier, ducked into an out-of-sight corner to assess the situation.

(Where is that room?)

The image reflected by the mirror in his hand had changed without his realizing it. It now showed a stairwell hall with a large window and a door leading to the terrace. It also contained a spiral staircase with a white marble sculpture standing beside it.

(Landmarks?)

Katakura ran. Judging by the blueprint given them by Tooyama, the hall could match one of two locations. The manor was shaped like an square open on its western side, with several detached buildings. In addition to the front entrance hall, there was also a staircase and hall on the eastern ravine-facing side.

But it was difficult to get through with so many people running around—every retainer in the place, it seemed. He was surprised at the sight of little girls among the adults. At least in the chaos no one stopped to question Katakura’s presence.

(Could this be the place?)

Here, deep in the eastern corridor, there were no signs of life. It did connect, however, to a brightly-lit hall hung with an enormous mirror. From this angle, the reflection appeared identical to the image Kagetora had transmitted. But it lead to a dead end.

(So where is the room?)

He looked around uneasily. Kagetora appeared once more, this time in the mirror.

“Uesugi-dono, where do I go from here?”

Kagetora only stared at him. Returning his gaze, Katakura noticed a line of distortion across his image. When he focused on it, he saw a fingerprint against the surface of the mirror.

Maybe—he thought, reaching out to touch the mirror. It didn’t respond to his push, but when he added a little sideways pressure...it moved. The mirror had shifted just the smallest bit.

(This is...!)

A harder push, and the mirror slid aside to reveal dimly-lit stairs leading to the basement.

(This is it...!)

This must be the place where Narita Yuzuru was being held, he thought as he began to descend the hidden staircase without hesitation.

“Heeey! Where’s your love for your brethren? Come at me with a little more conviction here!” Chiaki yelled, not even breathing hard as he finished mopping up all the warriors in the first wave. Waiting for the next batch, he danced lightly in place as if looking for a more strenuous workout. But his opponents didn’t stir at Chiaki’s tauts.

“Hah! Scared now, ya blockheads?!”

In that case, he’d bring the fight to them. He let out a yell—and sensed something approaching at speed from behind. At the same time, the grass around him began to rustle in the still air.

(Huh?)

He tensed. The grass continued to rustle ominously as something emitting an alien and malicious «aura» moved through it.

“You gonna come out and play?”

He spat into his hand and went on guard.

“Come out!”

He didn’t know if whatever it was had heard him, but the grass split apart to reveal the entity whose presence he had sensed.

“...!”

Even Chiaki’s breathing hitched. Before him stood the crimson beast with curled fur, the spirit-beast which looked like the artistic rendition of a lion. —Spirit-beasts, for the grass parted again and again to reveal more tsutsuga tsutsuga
Also known as: crimson beast
A spirit-beast which takes the form of a long-tailed lion around five-six feet in length with golden eyes, surrounded by red fire, tsutsuga have the ability to devour the souls of people, tigers, and leopards, and spit fire. They can interact with the physical world, their razor-sharp claws and teeth making them ferocious predators, but can be affected by mind powers, such as nenpa and hypnotic suggestion.
Legend has it that Holy Priest Shoudou trapped a male and female pair of the tsutsuga into the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The female tsutsuga has the power to devour spirits as well as the souls of living people who look into the tsutsuga's eyes, entrapping them within the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The male tsutsuga eats fire and exhales fire instead of air. Their cubs inherit both abilities.. He didn’t know how many the Houjou had bred, but nine of them now stood facing him. Though his fearless grin never faltered, he stiffened slightly.

“Man! You guys thinking ’bout starting a circus or something?”

The tsutsuga tsutsuga
Also known as: crimson beast
A spirit-beast which takes the form of a long-tailed lion around five-six feet in length with golden eyes, surrounded by red fire, tsutsuga have the ability to devour the souls of people, tigers, and leopards, and spit fire. They can interact with the physical world, their razor-sharp claws and teeth making them ferocious predators, but can be affected by mind powers, such as nenpa and hypnotic suggestion.
Legend has it that Holy Priest Shoudou trapped a male and female pair of the tsutsuga into the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The female tsutsuga has the power to devour spirits as well as the souls of living people who look into the tsutsuga's eyes, entrapping them within the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The male tsutsuga eats fire and exhales fire instead of air. Their cubs inherit both abilities. padded closer, stalking him with hungry-sounding yowls. Chiaki eyes grew serious, and he shifted into fighting stance as he filled himself with «power».

“Guess I’ll have to be the one to train you bad boys.”

—And the tsutsuga tsutsuga
Also known as: crimson beast
A spirit-beast which takes the form of a long-tailed lion around five-six feet in length with golden eyes, surrounded by red fire, tsutsuga have the ability to devour the souls of people, tigers, and leopards, and spit fire. They can interact with the physical world, their razor-sharp claws and teeth making them ferocious predators, but can be affected by mind powers, such as nenpa and hypnotic suggestion.
Legend has it that Holy Priest Shoudou trapped a male and female pair of the tsutsuga into the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The female tsutsuga has the power to devour spirits as well as the souls of living people who look into the tsutsuga's eyes, entrapping them within the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The male tsutsuga eats fire and exhales fire instead of air. Their cubs inherit both abilities. bared their fangs and attacked!

“Come on then!”

He released a burst of will at the tsutsuga tsutsuga
Also known as: crimson beast
A spirit-beast which takes the form of a long-tailed lion around five-six feet in length with golden eyes, surrounded by red fire, tsutsuga have the ability to devour the souls of people, tigers, and leopards, and spit fire. They can interact with the physical world, their razor-sharp claws and teeth making them ferocious predators, but can be affected by mind powers, such as nenpa and hypnotic suggestion.
Legend has it that Holy Priest Shoudou trapped a male and female pair of the tsutsuga into the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The female tsutsuga has the power to devour spirits as well as the souls of living people who look into the tsutsuga's eyes, entrapping them within the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The male tsutsuga eats fire and exhales fire instead of air. Their cubs inherit both abilities. leaping toward him, knocking them back with howls of rage, but he couldn’t get them all.

“Guh!”

Sharp claws grazed his back as he narrowly evaded an attacking beast. He fired off several «nenpa nenpa (念波)
Lit.: "waves of will/thought"; a nendouryoku attack using spiritual energy which focuses the will and releases it in a burst to strike at a target.» without pause, but the ravenous tsutsuga tsutsuga
Also known as: crimson beast
A spirit-beast which takes the form of a long-tailed lion around five-six feet in length with golden eyes, surrounded by red fire, tsutsuga have the ability to devour the souls of people, tigers, and leopards, and spit fire. They can interact with the physical world, their razor-sharp claws and teeth making them ferocious predators, but can be affected by mind powers, such as nenpa and hypnotic suggestion.
Legend has it that Holy Priest Shoudou trapped a male and female pair of the tsutsuga into the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The female tsutsuga has the power to devour spirits as well as the souls of living people who look into the tsutsuga's eyes, entrapping them within the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The male tsutsuga eats fire and exhales fire instead of air. Their cubs inherit both abilities. didn’t even falter as the shots hit home. They seemed almost to sneer at Chiaki as they converged on him despite his protective barrage.

“Grah...!”

Chiaki tumbled to the ground as tsutsuga tsutsuga
Also known as: crimson beast
A spirit-beast which takes the form of a long-tailed lion around five-six feet in length with golden eyes, surrounded by red fire, tsutsuga have the ability to devour the souls of people, tigers, and leopards, and spit fire. They can interact with the physical world, their razor-sharp claws and teeth making them ferocious predators, but can be affected by mind powers, such as nenpa and hypnotic suggestion.
Legend has it that Holy Priest Shoudou trapped a male and female pair of the tsutsuga into the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The female tsutsuga has the power to devour spirits as well as the souls of living people who look into the tsutsuga's eyes, entrapping them within the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The male tsutsuga eats fire and exhales fire instead of air. Their cubs inherit both abilities. suddenly attacked him from behind. Two or three of the beasts leapt for him at the same time, their eyes glittering gold.

If you look into their eyes, they’ll devour your soul...!

(Bastards!)

Shutting his eyes tightly, he released all the power he had in him, flinging the tsutsuga tsutsuga
Also known as: crimson beast
A spirit-beast which takes the form of a long-tailed lion around five-six feet in length with golden eyes, surrounded by red fire, tsutsuga have the ability to devour the souls of people, tigers, and leopards, and spit fire. They can interact with the physical world, their razor-sharp claws and teeth making them ferocious predators, but can be affected by mind powers, such as nenpa and hypnotic suggestion.
Legend has it that Holy Priest Shoudou trapped a male and female pair of the tsutsuga into the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The female tsutsuga has the power to devour spirits as well as the souls of living people who look into the tsutsuga's eyes, entrapping them within the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The male tsutsuga eats fire and exhales fire instead of air. Their cubs inherit both abilities. back to writhe on the grass. But before he could recover the pride had already rallied around him, a tsutsuga tsutsuga
Also known as: crimson beast
A spirit-beast which takes the form of a long-tailed lion around five-six feet in length with golden eyes, surrounded by red fire, tsutsuga have the ability to devour the souls of people, tigers, and leopards, and spit fire. They can interact with the physical world, their razor-sharp claws and teeth making them ferocious predators, but can be affected by mind powers, such as nenpa and hypnotic suggestion.
Legend has it that Holy Priest Shoudou trapped a male and female pair of the tsutsuga into the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The female tsutsuga has the power to devour spirits as well as the souls of living people who look into the tsutsuga's eyes, entrapping them within the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The male tsutsuga eats fire and exhales fire instead of air. Their cubs inherit both abilities. springing for his throat with fangs bared.

(This is endless!)

He couldn’t deliver a fatal blow with «nenpa nenpa (念波)
Lit.: "waves of will/thought"; a nendouryoku attack using spiritual energy which focuses the will and releases it in a burst to strike at a target.» alone. «Choubuku choubuku (調伏)
Also known as: choubukuryoku (調伏力)
The special power given to the Yasha-shuu to banish onryou to the Underworld using the dharani of Uesugi Kenshin's guardian deity, Bishamonten. The types of choubuku include "kouhou-choubuku", "ressa-choubuku", "kekkai-choubuku", etc. Each choubuku is begun with the incantation "bai" and the ritual hand gesture of Bishamonten's symbol.
Choubuku does not work against kanshousha, who have bodies of their own.» had no effect on spirit-beasts. How was he supposed to break this stalemate?!

“...!”

Chiaki rolled away from savage claws, managed to catch the tsutsuga tsutsuga
Also known as: crimson beast
A spirit-beast which takes the form of a long-tailed lion around five-six feet in length with golden eyes, surrounded by red fire, tsutsuga have the ability to devour the souls of people, tigers, and leopards, and spit fire. They can interact with the physical world, their razor-sharp claws and teeth making them ferocious predators, but can be affected by mind powers, such as nenpa and hypnotic suggestion.
Legend has it that Holy Priest Shoudou trapped a male and female pair of the tsutsuga into the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The female tsutsuga has the power to devour spirits as well as the souls of living people who look into the tsutsuga's eyes, entrapping them within the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The male tsutsuga eats fire and exhales fire instead of air. Their cubs inherit both abilities.’s paws by the narrowest margin, and threw it against a tree. The rest of the tsutsuga tsutsuga
Also known as: crimson beast
A spirit-beast which takes the form of a long-tailed lion around five-six feet in length with golden eyes, surrounded by red fire, tsutsuga have the ability to devour the souls of people, tigers, and leopards, and spit fire. They can interact with the physical world, their razor-sharp claws and teeth making them ferocious predators, but can be affected by mind powers, such as nenpa and hypnotic suggestion.
Legend has it that Holy Priest Shoudou trapped a male and female pair of the tsutsuga into the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The female tsutsuga has the power to devour spirits as well as the souls of living people who look into the tsutsuga's eyes, entrapping them within the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The male tsutsuga eats fire and exhales fire instead of air. Their cubs inherit both abilities. stalked him patiently. Chiaki shifted back into fighting stance and faced them with a tree at his back. His breaths were coming quicker. He averted his gaze. If he relaxed his guard and looked into those golden eyes, he would be sucked in.

(What now...?)

His heart pounded painfully, and he pressed his right hand over it. He touched something hard, and he suddenly remembered that he had a koppashin koppashin (木端神)
Lit.: "wood chip god"; an object representation of a divine spirit made from sacred wood which can house various deities and use their powers for protective and guardianship purposes. Looks somewhat like a kokeshi (Japanese wooden doll). of Shoumen Kongou Shoumen Kongou (青面金剛)
Also known as: Seishoku Daikongou Yasha (青色大金剛薬叉)
Lit.: Blue-Faced Vajra
A deity of healing who protects against disease. He is ruler of the East and is pictured as an angry deity with blue skin (due to taking the diseases of others into himself) and four or six arms holding, variously, a vajra, a ritual staff, a wheel (symbolizing Buddha's teachings), and a noose (symbolizing the triumph of Buddhism over evil). He is a fierce protector of Buddhism and repels the calamities of evil beasts, diseases, and thunder.
Due to his healing powers, he became associated with the rituals of the Koushin beliefs. in his shirt pocket.

(Shoumen Kongou repels evil beasts...)

He had a chance, he thought, pulling out the koppanshin. The tsutsuga tsutsuga
Also known as: crimson beast
A spirit-beast which takes the form of a long-tailed lion around five-six feet in length with golden eyes, surrounded by red fire, tsutsuga have the ability to devour the souls of people, tigers, and leopards, and spit fire. They can interact with the physical world, their razor-sharp claws and teeth making them ferocious predators, but can be affected by mind powers, such as nenpa and hypnotic suggestion.
Legend has it that Holy Priest Shoudou trapped a male and female pair of the tsutsuga into the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The female tsutsuga has the power to devour spirits as well as the souls of living people who look into the tsutsuga's eyes, entrapping them within the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The male tsutsuga eats fire and exhales fire instead of air. Their cubs inherit both abilities. howled and sprang toward him, their paws kicking at the ground.

“On deibayakisha manda manda kakakaka sowaka on deibayakisha mandamanda kakakaka sowaka.
「オン・デイバヤキシャ・マンダマンダ・カカカ・ソワカ」
The mantra of Shoumen Kongou, a Buddhist deity who repels the calamities of evil beasts, diseases, and thunder.!”

He threw it at the tsutsuga tsutsuga
Also known as: crimson beast
A spirit-beast which takes the form of a long-tailed lion around five-six feet in length with golden eyes, surrounded by red fire, tsutsuga have the ability to devour the souls of people, tigers, and leopards, and spit fire. They can interact with the physical world, their razor-sharp claws and teeth making them ferocious predators, but can be affected by mind powers, such as nenpa and hypnotic suggestion.
Legend has it that Holy Priest Shoudou trapped a male and female pair of the tsutsuga into the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The female tsutsuga has the power to devour spirits as well as the souls of living people who look into the tsutsuga's eyes, entrapping them within the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The male tsutsuga eats fire and exhales fire instead of air. Their cubs inherit both abilities. with all his might. Drew the shuji in midair—

(Un un ()
The seed syllable of Shoumen Kongou.)!

The wrathful blue-skinned god appeared with a thunderous roar and met the tsutsuga tsutsuga
Also known as: crimson beast
A spirit-beast which takes the form of a long-tailed lion around five-six feet in length with golden eyes, surrounded by red fire, tsutsuga have the ability to devour the souls of people, tigers, and leopards, and spit fire. They can interact with the physical world, their razor-sharp claws and teeth making them ferocious predators, but can be affected by mind powers, such as nenpa and hypnotic suggestion.
Legend has it that Holy Priest Shoudou trapped a male and female pair of the tsutsuga into the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The female tsutsuga has the power to devour spirits as well as the souls of living people who look into the tsutsuga's eyes, entrapping them within the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The male tsutsuga eats fire and exhales fire instead of air. Their cubs inherit both abilities. onslaught head-on. He crushed a tsutsuga tsutsuga
Also known as: crimson beast
A spirit-beast which takes the form of a long-tailed lion around five-six feet in length with golden eyes, surrounded by red fire, tsutsuga have the ability to devour the souls of people, tigers, and leopards, and spit fire. They can interact with the physical world, their razor-sharp claws and teeth making them ferocious predators, but can be affected by mind powers, such as nenpa and hypnotic suggestion.
Legend has it that Holy Priest Shoudou trapped a male and female pair of the tsutsuga into the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The female tsutsuga has the power to devour spirits as well as the souls of living people who look into the tsutsuga's eyes, entrapping them within the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The male tsutsuga eats fire and exhales fire instead of air. Their cubs inherit both abilities. in his hand as Chiaki joined in with «nenpa nenpa (念波)
Lit.: "waves of will/thought"; a nendouryoku attack using spiritual energy which focuses the will and releases it in a burst to strike at a target.». But the pride of tsutsuga tsutsuga
Also known as: crimson beast
A spirit-beast which takes the form of a long-tailed lion around five-six feet in length with golden eyes, surrounded by red fire, tsutsuga have the ability to devour the souls of people, tigers, and leopards, and spit fire. They can interact with the physical world, their razor-sharp claws and teeth making them ferocious predators, but can be affected by mind powers, such as nenpa and hypnotic suggestion.
Legend has it that Holy Priest Shoudou trapped a male and female pair of the tsutsuga into the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The female tsutsuga has the power to devour spirits as well as the souls of living people who look into the tsutsuga's eyes, entrapping them within the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The male tsutsuga eats fire and exhales fire instead of air. Their cubs inherit both abilities. slipped through Shoumen Kongou’s defenses to attack Chiaki directly.

“I’m not gonna end up as your chew-toy, you mongrels!”

The hidden staircase descended to a long corridor: a basement not drawn on the blueprint. In all probability even Tooyama didn’t know about it.

It held several rooms, with five or six men standing in front of the innermost door. Which meant—that room.

“Wh...you! Who the hell are you...?!”

Katakura attacked the mind of the speaker with his will. The other men turned as he collapsed in place, only to slump silently to the ground in turn as Katakura focused his attack on them.

(Here, then...?)

He strained to see within, but an extremely strong barrier blocked his sight, and he could see nothing.

(Is Master Kojirou here as well?) Katakura made his decision and knocked on the door.

“Narita-dono! Narita-dono, are you in there? Narita-dono!”

An agitated Kojirou rose at Katakura’s shouting. “Who’s there?”

“Kojirou-sama!”

A shiver ran across Kojirou’s shoulders. Katakura banged on the door violently and yelled, his voice urgent, “Kojirou-sama! You are in there, are you not? It’s me, Katakura! Katakura Kagetsuna! It’s Kojuurou, Kojirou-sama!”

“Katakura...Kojuurou...?”

Kojirou trembled. Why was Kojuurou here, in this place? He couldn’t believe it... Ranmaru, immersed in his art, appeared oblivious.

“Kojirou-sama! Please answer me, Kojirou-sama!”

“Oh...” He staggered to his feet, looked to Ranmaru pleadingly before timidly making his way to the door. Kojuurou, his brother’s right hand, here? It was impossible. And yet—

“I have come for you, Kojirou-sama! Kojirou-sama!”

“Ko...Kojuurou...” Kojirou hovered next to the door, speaking through it, “Is it...really you...? Kojuurou...?”

“Kojirou-sama!” Katakura clung to the door at the sound of his voice. “Kojirou-sama, Katakura Kagetsuna is here for you! Please open this door. Let us return to Sendai together. My lord has been waiting for you!”

“My brother...?” Kojirou pressed close, asking, “Truly? My brother is truly waiting for me?”

"Of course he is! He has waited for you for so long, worried about you... Ever since he heard of your resurrection, that you were with Mogami... No, since the day you died by his hand in your previous lives...!

He remembered that day. His fate had been sealed the moment their mother Hoshunin Yoshihime (義姫) 1547? 1548? - 1623
Also known as: Ohigashi-no-Kata (お東の方), nickname—Demon Princess of the Ouu (奥羽の鬼姫), Hoshunin (保春院).
Mother of Date Masamune, daughter of Mogami Yoshimori and younger sister of Mogami Yoshiaki, Yoshihime was born in Yamagata Castle in Dewa. She was given in marriage at the age of 19 to Date Terumune and bore him two sons, Date Masamune and Date Kojirou. She hated her first-born, Masamune, due to his one-eyed state, and favored his younger brother Kojirou. There was additional tension between them due to Yoshihime leaking information to her relatives in the Mogami Clan even while they were fighting with the Date Clan. In 1585, upon Terumune's death, she decided to have Masamune killed to allow Kojirou to become head of the Date clan.
In 1590, when Masamune was participating in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's campaign against Odawara Castle, Yoshihime personally brought Masamune a meal laced with poison. Though Masamune consumed the poison, he was able to counteract it with the antidote. He then had Kojirou commit seppuku. Afterwards, Yoshihime returned to the Mogami Clan.
In 1614, upon Mogami Yoshiaki's death, internal strife split the Mogami Clan. In 1622, Yoshihime could no longer sustain her status in the Mogami Clan, and asked Masamune to return, which he allowed. She went to live in Sendai Castle and died there a year later at the age of 76.
It was thought from the contents of the letters and poems mother and son exchanged that Yoshihime was reconciliated with Masamune in her latter years. had tried to assassinate Masamune by serving him food laced with poison. His brother’s face, filled with bitterness and agony beyond words as he drew his sword in the moment before he cut Kojirou down, was seared forever into his memories. He could forget the pain of his death, but even now he could not bear to recall the expression on his brother’s face.

If you want to tell him, then go to him. He recalled Naoe’s words to him. Please tell him from your own lips. You’ve always wanted to, have you not?

“My lord has carried that pain all these years. Nothing has weighed on his mind more; he has worried about you for so long. Please come back to Sendai Sendai-shi (仙台市)
The capital city of Miyagi Prefecture, it is also the largest city in the northeast region of Japan. It is home to one million people, and is aptly nicknamed Mori no Miyako, the Capital of Trees., Kojirou-sama!”

In his heart he saw again his brother’s face, kind as he had been.

I miss you, Brother...

I want to fight with you for the Date. I want to fight for you, my brother the One-Eyed Dragon, the hero come too late into the world: Date Masamune Date Masamune (伊達政宗) 1567 - 1636
Titles: Echizen no Kami, Mutsu no Kami
Also known as: birth—Bontenmaru (梵天丸), adult—Tojirou (藤次郎), posthumous—Teizan (貞山), self-introduction—Fujiwara no Masamune (藤原政宗), religious—Takeru Hikonomikoto (武振彦命), nickname—One-Eyed Dragon (独眼竜)
Date Masamune was a powerful daimyo in the Northeastern part of Japan during the Sengoku Period. He was the 17th-generation head of the Date Clan and the founding daimyo of Sendai-han. He was the eldest son of Date Terumune and Yoshihime, the daughter of Mogami Yoshimori.
Masamune was born in Yonezawa Castle (modern-day Yamagata Prefecture). He lost the use of his right eye after falling ill of smallpox in his childhood, and would later come to be known as the One-eyed Dragon. However, because of it his mother thought him unfit for rule of the clan, and favored his younger brother. When Date Terumune retired from the position of the clan head in 1584, Masamune killed his brother and became the head of the clan at 18.
Masamune was known as a brilliant tactician. Shortly after he became head of the clan, Oouchi Sadatsuna, a Date vassal, defected to the Ashina Clan in the Aizu region of Mutsu Province. Masamune declared war on the Ashina for the betrayal, but was forced to retreat by the Ashina general, Iwashiro Morikuni. Three months later, Masamune laid seige to Oouchi's stronghold at Otemori. It was said that he put some 800 people to the sword in retaliation for the betrayal. Thereafter the Hatakeyama Clan, the traditional rival of the Date Clan, kidnapped Masamune's father, who was then killed in battle when Masamune and his troops engaged the kidnappers. War ensued between the two clans, and Masamune would ruthlessly subjugate his neighboring clans, even those who were allied by marriage or kinship. He defeated the Ashina Clan in 1589, but was called by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to lay siege to Odawara Castle of the Houjou Clan.
He served both Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu, though neither trusted him completely due to his ambition and aggression. Under Tokugawa Ieyasu Masamune controlled one of the largest fiefdoms in Japan and turned Sendai from a small fishing village to a large and prosperous city. He encouraged foreigners and was largely lenient towards Christanity and its practioners. He funded and backed the first Japanese expedition to sail around the world, which visited such places as the Philippines, Mexico, Spain and Pope Paul V in Rome.
He died in Edo at the age of 70 of esophageal cancer, and was entombed in the Zuihouden according to his last will and testament. His second son (eldest son by his legal wife Megohime) Date Tadamune inherited the position of clan head after him....!

“My lord is finally the fearless One-Eyed Dragon once again, and this time he will conquer all the land...! Kojirou-sama, please, let us fight together! Kojirou-sama!”

“Kojuurou...I...!”

At that instant, the ground abruptly heaved beneath their feet, and the entire building began to shake.

“What... Uwaugh!”

An enormous explosion of sound deafened both men. No—more accurately, there had been no sound at all; instead, a super-nenpa nenpa (念波)
Lit.: "waves of will/thought"; a nendouryoku attack using spiritual energy which focuses the will and releases it in a burst to strike at a target. had collided directly with their souls. Pressing hands against their ears could not block it out, for it beat directly against their minds.

“Uwaaaaaaah!”

Both Kojirou and Katakura writhed against the horrible pressure.

(Wh...what’s happening...?!)

In agony, Kojirou turned to see Yuzuru sitting up on the bed. But there was no trace of Yuzuru in his half-lidded eyes. Something evil glittered in their depths as a breathtaking golden aura surged from him.

Ranmaru was on his knees next to the source of the terrifying tsunami of power. Even he seemed to have been caught unawares by the explosion of will. But he pushed back against it with all his strength, looking at Yuzuru with teeth gritted.

“Good...this is good. It’s perfect, Narita Yuzuru. Now, use that power to crush the Yasha yasha (夜叉)
Also known as: Yakṣa
Warriors of Bishamonten, who are minor deities sometimes depicted as harmless guardians and nature spirits and sometimes as human-devouring demons. outside...!”

Yuzuru’s eyes opened, glittering gold with divine evil. The space around them twisted. Then a ball of terrible energy flew past them.

Gwaaah...!

It crashed straight into Shoumen Kongou Shoumen Kongou (青面金剛)
Also known as: Seishoku Daikongou Yasha (青色大金剛薬叉)
Lit.: Blue-Faced Vajra
A deity of healing who protects against disease. He is ruler of the East and is pictured as an angry deity with blue skin (due to taking the diseases of others into himself) and four or six arms holding, variously, a vajra, a ritual staff, a wheel (symbolizing Buddha's teachings), and a noose (symbolizing the triumph of Buddhism over evil). He is a fierce protector of Buddhism and repels the calamities of evil beasts, diseases, and thunder.
Due to his healing powers, he became associated with the rituals of the Koushin beliefs.. With an explosion like a bomb going off overhead, Shoumen Kongou vanished.

“What...the...!”

The super-nenpa nenpa (念波)
Lit.: "waves of will/thought"; a nendouryoku attack using spiritual energy which focuses the will and releases it in a burst to strike at a target. then turned on Chiaki and the tsutsuga tsutsuga
Also known as: crimson beast
A spirit-beast which takes the form of a long-tailed lion around five-six feet in length with golden eyes, surrounded by red fire, tsutsuga have the ability to devour the souls of people, tigers, and leopards, and spit fire. They can interact with the physical world, their razor-sharp claws and teeth making them ferocious predators, but can be affected by mind powers, such as nenpa and hypnotic suggestion.
Legend has it that Holy Priest Shoudou trapped a male and female pair of the tsutsuga into the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The female tsutsuga has the power to devour spirits as well as the souls of living people who look into the tsutsuga's eyes, entrapping them within the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The male tsutsuga eats fire and exhales fire instead of air. Their cubs inherit both abilities. at full intensity. The tsutsuga tsutsuga
Also known as: crimson beast
A spirit-beast which takes the form of a long-tailed lion around five-six feet in length with golden eyes, surrounded by red fire, tsutsuga have the ability to devour the souls of people, tigers, and leopards, and spit fire. They can interact with the physical world, their razor-sharp claws and teeth making them ferocious predators, but can be affected by mind powers, such as nenpa and hypnotic suggestion.
Legend has it that Holy Priest Shoudou trapped a male and female pair of the tsutsuga into the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The female tsutsuga has the power to devour spirits as well as the souls of living people who look into the tsutsuga's eyes, entrapping them within the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The male tsutsuga eats fire and exhales fire instead of air. Their cubs inherit both abilities. writhed. Chiaki screamed and pressed his hands against his ears.

(What...the hell...is this?!)

Something had happened, he realized, but that was his last coherent thought. The super-nenpa nenpa (念波)
Lit.: "waves of will/thought"; a nendouryoku attack using spiritual energy which focuses the will and releases it in a burst to strike at a target. impacted the mind directly, a violent storm raging through the pysche. This was the first time he had encountered a nenpa nenpa (念波)
Lit.: "waves of will/thought"; a nendouryoku attack using spiritual energy which focuses the will and releases it in a burst to strike at a target. on such a level, and he could not guess its nature. He could no longer grasp his own consciousness or sense of self. He could not form any words. He was going insane! The overwhelming power was crushing his mind...!

Chiaki gathered all of himself, calling upon all his «power». He had the strength to resist. He took everything he had, and finally released it in an attack...!

“Aaaaaah—!”

The impact shook the estate.

Enduring the pain of Yuzuru’s super-nenpa nenpa (念波)
Lit.: "waves of will/thought"; a nendouryoku attack using spiritual energy which focuses the will and releases it in a burst to strike at a target., Ujimasa and company looked out the window.

“What is it now? What has happened...?!”

“Tono honorifics
A brief list of honorifics used in address:
san (さん) - the most common honorific, usually used to address someone outside one's immediate circle with respect
kun (君) - usually used towards boys and men of junior status or equal age and status
chan (ちゃん) - a diminutive used mainly towards children, and intimate friends, especially women; also used as an endearment for girls
sama (様) - the formal form of "san", showing a high level of respect
senpai (先輩) - used to refer to someone with a more senior status, such as a freshman towards a senior
sensei (先生) - often translated as "teacher", but can actually be used to show respect for anyone with superior knowledge in a field, including doctors and writers
dono/tono (殿) - an antiquated term which roughly translates to "lord", used to show great respect for the addressee, who can be of equal or higher status than the speaker
uji/shi (氏) - in ancient times, carried the meaning "of the ~ clan" or "of the ~ surname"; now used in formal speech and writing to refer to someone unfamiliar to the speaker.
! Outside—!”

“What?!”

A portion of the forest—the spot where their tsutsuga tsutsuga
Also known as: crimson beast
A spirit-beast which takes the form of a long-tailed lion around five-six feet in length with golden eyes, surrounded by red fire, tsutsuga have the ability to devour the souls of people, tigers, and leopards, and spit fire. They can interact with the physical world, their razor-sharp claws and teeth making them ferocious predators, but can be affected by mind powers, such as nenpa and hypnotic suggestion.
Legend has it that Holy Priest Shoudou trapped a male and female pair of the tsutsuga into the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The female tsutsuga has the power to devour spirits as well as the souls of living people who look into the tsutsuga's eyes, entrapping them within the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The male tsutsuga eats fire and exhales fire instead of air. Their cubs inherit both abilities. had been battling the intruder—had been gouged out, and thick smoke rose from the destruction. The ground was caved in as if a bomb had been dropped there.

Yet perhaps Chiaki’s counteroffensive had hit its mark, for the intensity of Yuzuru’s attack seemed to have lessened. Yuzuru was sitting expressionlessly on the bed in the basement as if nothing had happened. Kojirou and Katakura lay comatose on the floor. Only Mori Ranmaru Mori Ranmaru (森蘭丸) 1565 - 1582
Also called: Mori Nagasada (森長定), possibly Shigetoshi (成利), Nagayasu (長康)
Historically: A vassal of Oda Nobunaga who served as his attendant from
an early age. His father, Mori Yoshinari, was also a vassal of Oda Nobunaga. Favored by Nobunaga for his talent and loyalty, he also followed the tradition of shudo with his liege-lord. He and his three younger brothers died with Nobunaga at the Honnou-ji on June 21, 1582. was still conscious. He leaned against the wall, panting heavily with a smile on his lips.

“What glorious power. You have fully met my expectations, Narita Yuzuru—”

Around the crater in the flattened forest, tsutsuga tsutsuga
Also known as: crimson beast
A spirit-beast which takes the form of a long-tailed lion around five-six feet in length with golden eyes, surrounded by red fire, tsutsuga have the ability to devour the souls of people, tigers, and leopards, and spit fire. They can interact with the physical world, their razor-sharp claws and teeth making them ferocious predators, but can be affected by mind powers, such as nenpa and hypnotic suggestion.
Legend has it that Holy Priest Shoudou trapped a male and female pair of the tsutsuga into the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The female tsutsuga has the power to devour spirits as well as the souls of living people who look into the tsutsuga's eyes, entrapping them within the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The male tsutsuga eats fire and exhales fire instead of air. Their cubs inherit both abilities. stumbled and collapsed in place. Chiaki lay motionless where he had fallen, pinned by a fallen tree.

A golden glow trailing tiny scatterings of plasmatic light enveloped Yuzuru. Light shone in the shape of an odd Sanskrit character on his forehead.

The ‘threat to the Six-Path Worlds’ that lay within Yuzuru had now revealed its fiendish shape.

## footnotes

1. ~5.5 feet

## Comments

### Many Thanks :)

Yay!!

an update of my fav novel ^^

Thank you dear for this one too, will read it now.

### thanks

Another great chapter. Thank you for the update <3

### Thank you!

Thank you for this! I always enjoy reading the action parts among everything else, so it's really nice that you're translating everything and not just the parts about Naoe and Kagetora.

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