Kaze no Stigma:Volume1 Chapter4

Chapter Four - Returning to Visit, and Then――

1

When he came within ten meters from the front door

“Ka….. Kazuma!?”

Kazuma looked at the guardsman who was screaming in shock with a displeased look on his face.

(Too slow.)

He mumbled in his heart. Even though they are on high alert, they only realized he was here at this kind of distance. They are really useless.

But, the speedy reaction of the other party was perhaps worthy of praise! After hearing the guardsman’s shout, the jutsushis that were spread out at different corners on stand-by rushed over one by one

Within seconds, Kazuma became surrounded by at least ten jutsu practitioners.

“Get the clan chief out.”

Kazuma arrogantly commanded, completely ignoring the killing intent from all directions.

“We have already come out to get the door, you should be grateful.”

(These guys seem to want to pick a fight with me.)

Even though he knows this was just a taunt, Kazuma did not want to bear with it at all; frankly speaking, Kazuma became furious.

Ever since he had come back to Japan, he had met with a series of unhappy events. First of all, he was dragged between the fight between the Kannagi clan and the mystery man, and then he fell into the mystery man’s trap, having Ren abducted right before his very eyes. Now in order to convey this news, he has no choice but to force himself to come to the Kannagi household, which he swore never to come close to ever again.

All of this has stressed Kazuma’s nerves, resulting in his extreme annoyance. It doesn’t matter who it is, but he just wants to find someone and beat him up. If one sentence could be used to describe how he feels now, it would most probably be as mentioned above!

And now at this place, just so coincidentally there are a bunch of idiots, as if saying “Please punch me”, standing in rows waiting for him to do it. There is no reason to give up the opportunity.

One of the idiots stood out to break the stalemate, he might have been someone that Kazuma used to know, but at this point of time, Kazuma thought that there was no need to verify any one of them anymore.

“In this extraordinary time period, you think that you can stand in front of us and beg for mercy…?”

While he said that, it looked like he was fighting to the death at trying to control his near-erupted fury.

Not trying to waste any time, Kazuma slowly opened his mouth and said.

“Although I said to summon the Suzerain… it seems like I wasn’t heard?”

“Kisama!” (You!)

Crrackk!

With a sound of a blunt object, while the one jutsushi was angrily firing away fireballs, not one of the other jutsu practitioners saw the incoming attack from Kazuma – it was like a giant using an uppercut punch – the jutsushi was sent into the air. His chin was pummeled to pieces and he lost the strength to even open his mouth, which spit out blood mixed with broken teeth

The jutsu practitioners began to retreat in disbelief. They have never seen an attack method like Kazuma’s before. But while also realizing that the battle has begun, they started to collect their fighting spirit.

Of course the goal of Kazuma‘s visit was not to fight. It just seemed like someone inside his mind was continuously saying that this world would be better off if all those idiots were to die. Kazuma let that voice persuade him, and he forgot what he came to do.

[Fist of Air] — — blocks of air that are highly compressed and sent forth at the speed of sound. The instant before contact, about 100 points of air is compressed into 1 point instantaneously — — and while pointing at a certain direction — — it is recoiled to its original state like a spring, with the strength of force far exceeding a professional boxer’s finishing blow. The jutsu practitioners could not do anything as one after another was knocked down.

Kazuma put out a string of continuing combos — — attacking targets without regards to accuracy, as long as the air bombs flew in the general direction, they even ended up digging up the surface and fracturing the wall. The people that were standing were completed knocked down and left helpless on the ground.

Kazuma still has his hands in the pockets of his leather jacket, standing there all alone. People that are able to stand and stop him are nowhere to be found.

The jutsu practitioners are all knocked down on the ground; some have broken lower jaws, some with sunken noses that continuously spew out blood, some moaning about with serious internal damage. They were all laying around in many different positions, but the common point is that all have no fighting capabilities remaining.

Even though knocking down this 10 or so jutsu practitioners didn’t even take 30 seconds, Kazuma’s expression did not have the feeling of arrogance. He simply accepted this landslide difference in strength, thinking this kind of thing happening as logical certainty.

But, that expression unexpectedly became pensive.

“…Doh…”

Not seeing one uninjured person, Kazuma finally realized that he had committed a deadly mistake.

“I thought carefully, and then communicated clearly to these people, so that this kind of situation would not have happened…”

Before this, a phone call would probably have accomplished his goal. Also, there is no need to talk directly with the Suzerain. Even if he had suddenly met him, in such a short time’s notice he wouldn’t have known what to say. This time it was only because Ren was captured in front of his own eyes, making him waver, also — —

“Also I, would very much like to come back, huh?”

This place in the past was where I called home. I thought I already abandoned this place and yet I returned.

Kazuma shakes his head, breaking the thought pattern, fearing a deepening of questing will recall quite an unhappy answer.

“Hey, wake up. Don’t fall asleep on me!”

Kazuma, in order to change mood his mood, yelled and kicked the less hurt and younger jutsu practitioner. But the jutsu practitioner weakly opens and slowly closes his eyes, as he realizes extreme pain, so he allows Kazuma to do what he likes.

“— — Damn!”

Kazuma abhorrently throws him away and starts walking towards the main door. He moves forwards directly towards the door, without a care whether he steps on the ground or a practitioner.

The door was already opened, because the people that opened the door have already been defeated; the door being opened is a logical occurrence. And beyond the door, is an area where two times of the amount of jutsu practitioners are waiting. At the same time as Kazuma stands in front of the door, 30 lines of fire lines arrive to kill.

Honng!

That enormous amount of heat that transformed into plasma completely surrounds Kazuma. The light from the heat is enough to burn even the eyes. The jutsu practitioners started to believe they have won.

(We killed him!)

(If it’s like this and he’s still not dead — —)

(— — no human could survive that!)

But then, in the dissipating fire, they saw something they couldn't believe.

“Wh, What?”

Surrounded by a bluish/greenish white flame, there is Kazuma, safely inside.

“So boring…”

Kazuma ,without any elaborate procedures, waves his hand, removing the collected strength of 30 people’s fires. The strength of the fire and heat completely did not harm a single hair of Kazuma.

“Impossible… Is that guy a youma god… ?”

Now the jutsu practitioners are so shocked, it appeared that they had even forgotten to breath. If they looked calmly, they might have been able to see that the matter separating Kazuma and the flames is a thin layer of air.

High level jutsu-shi can even surpass the laws of physics. No matter if it is an enjutsu-shi or a fuujutsu-shi: igniting a fire where there is no oxygen and blocking the heat transfer in the air is not impossible.

Kazuma has complete control of the surrounding air inside this space; compared with laws of physics, his will has primacy. No matter how large the amount of heat, it cannot be transferred to Kazuma’s body.

The requirements in order to be a first rate jutsu practitioner is not strength of the spells, nor the knowledge and technique, but the willpower; to deny the present reality and having the《willpower》to construct one’s own fantasy world.

Magic, Jutsu comes from mixing your own will into《Initial Principle》, then simply create new laws to control the effects.

It requires a constructed system of the《World》, and then rewriting the procedures and change it into reality.

In other words, in order to transfer the flames to Kazuma, one would need a stronger will in comparison to what Kazuma employed to deny the laws of physics. So what is needed is to use an even stronger will to deny the《Kazuma’s fabricated Laws》.

Realistically speaking, if you don’t have a belief of《Will burn you up》that’s stronger than Kazuma’s belief of《I won’t get burned》 then nothing will be achieved.

Since this is not achieved, it can be said that Kazuma’s will is greater than the sum of the will of the 30 people combined.

“Impossible… impossible…”

The jutsu practitioners mumbled with shocked looks.

It ought to be said that they can only mumble.

The reasons for the ineffectual jutsu spell they can also understand; in fact, they understand it well, just like they understand things such as arms and legs.

Of course, they didn’t consider Kazuma’s existence as that beyond common sense, but only considered him as a first-class spiritual jutsu practitioner. And from that point of view, it is that Kazuma only commanded a huge wind spirit.

Kazuma’s strength has already surpassed what they previously considered, completely achieving another dimension; the difference is clear.

But Kazuma didn’t proceed to counterattack the jutsu practitioners; naturally it isn’t to forgive them, it is just that from the start, he wanted to simply ignore the practitioners from the branch families.

Because of the practitioners, Kazuma began to recall the days he spent for 18 years in this mansion; memories of a home that contained almost no happiness. No matter whom, they all disregard him, even to the point of ignoring his existence. Inside such an excessive clan, people that kindly accepted him are almost nonexistent.

But no matter what kind of persecution Kazuma received, he began to feel a sort of homesickness; after all it’s the place of his roots.

(That’s right… I have returned here…)

Kazyma cannot do anything but admit this thought. Even if he was looked down upon, and bullied, he was still able to be protected here. From society, from the responsibilities of living alone, he, who was a child back then, was protected.

However, to yearn for someone to protect him, that is weakness, escapism, running away from reality.

Even though Kazuma admits that the weakness, which he should have already abandoned since four years ago, still lingers within him, but this is something that makes him feel depressed.

(In conclusion, I can’t allow this home to continue existing)

Kazuma is assaulted by large amounts of《unhappiness》 and starts blaming the roots of his evils — — of course by his own stubborn decision — — on the Kannagi main family. He came to the decision to crush it with his own hands.

Following Kazuma’s will, an even bigger wind spirit is summoned; condensing within his palm is a wind pressure that can challenge a typhoon.

If he releases all of it, within a radius of 200 meters all things will be destroyed in a blink of an eye. The practitioners have already prepared for thoughts of death.

At this moment, Kazuma completely forgot about the Kannagi clan or the people living close by; he only thought to erase the annoying things right in front of his eyes.

Even Kazuma himself did not notice that he has already accumulated such a large amount of pressure. Kazuma was indulged in such self-satisfied thought that he did not have the opportunity to regulate his power.

“Wo… Wah…!”

“What, what is this kind of strength…!”

No matter what, the practitioners certainly had no way of understanding what Kazuma is thinking. In front of such crushing strength, without even thinking of applying jutsu in resistance, they began to just dumbly stand there.

Certainly this is not without reason, the wind spirits that Kazuma summoned, no matter whether releasing as a jutsu or an out-of-control rampage, could eradicate this mansion.

“………..”

The older jutsu practitioners exchanged a look to each other without speaking; because they had more experience, they were more unruffled. Being exposed to Juugo when he was a young boy, they were already experienced to such out of control spirits that could be categorized as a natural disastor. Although at that time, felt that (they) would be protected by such extreme strength.

After making an enormous inner determination and then a guess from Kazuma's posture, the only remaining method of attack is one, and there is no other.

They would gamble their live to perform a summoning of massive proportions; and just like what the words propose; it is the last method, which could result in a mutual suicide. But they have already prepared for death.

(If only to protect the Suzerain…)

(Before Ayano-sama returns…)

There is no other motive for them to gamble their lives besides trying to defeat Kazuma. Because if Kazuma is standing here, then it can be presumed that Genma was already defeated.

Then in that case, only Ayano would have the ability to fight on par with Kazuma. They gambled their lives in order to gain time for Ayano’s return.

“Let’s go…”

“Wait a second.”

The second before the assault, a calm voice detained them. That voice seems to have immense《power》. All members stopped.

It seems like time has stopped, for a while now nobody moved. In such tranquil space, (one) can only hear sounds of the bamboo hitting the stone.

“Suz, Suzerain!’

“It’s too dangerous! Please withdraw!”

All the practitioners recommended that the Suzerain withdrawal.

Although all of the practitioners’ sight was gathered on him, Juugo still walked with ease with his line of sight directed at Kazuma.

Kazuma also didn’t avoid Juugo’s look.

Juugo was always very gentle with Kazuma, with feelings of loving concern over disclosing to strict words. In his shounen childhood, when the surrounding were all enemies, only his time spent with Juugo was when Kazuma could feel slightly relieved.

For Kazuma, facing Juugo is similar to facing an admired father, which is in contrast to only having terror in the face of Genma.

A kind of ancient yearning surges, but now Kazuma, even if wanting to cry, would not have any tears.

Certainly it seems like Juugo completely detected Kazuma’s expression; and just like when speaking to a relative he has not seen in a long time, Juugo greeted Kazuma.

“Long time no see, Kazuma. How are you doing?”

“…Ahh”

Knowing that Juugo still believes in him, Kazuma laughs like being released from confinement.

And after identifying with such, Juugo laughs energetically; seeing the typhoon in Kazuma’s hand, he says.

“If it’s like this, then, what is that thing?”

“Huh? Oh, just trying to surpass the past.”

Kazuma clumsily waved his hand, dismissing all the accumulated spirits. He even forgets the etiquette of saying thank you to all the spirits.

“Huh? Um, ok, standing here is difficult to talk. Come in for cup of tea.”

Although Juugo could not have thoroughly understood what Kazuma had meant, and so he just treated it as neglected mumblings. The practitioners were standing there as if being force fed some mute medicine when perceiving that Juugo, without care, started turning around to the facing Kazuma. They probably thought that Kazuma will attack with the back turned.

“S, Suzerain, Kazuma is our traitor!”

Juugo gazed using a very sorrowful appearance towards the still incompetent practitioners, and then slowly turns around to face Kazuma and asks.

“Uh, is it like that?”

“No?”

Kazuma said as he shrugs his shoulders. The bunch of idiots continued to be puzzled, having a mouth but can’t explain.

“So it seems.”

“No, we can’t trust him!”

The practitioners shouted with voices of dissatisfaction, believing that Juugo had been deceived.

“Calm down, idiots!”

Juugo scolded, accompanied by sounds of sighing.

“If Kazuma was serious, you would already be dead. Now do you understand?”

The jutsu practitioners all look towards Kazuma with that careless appearance. The power with the strength to annihilate them was completely gone. It cannot be disputed that the useless man has return as a superior first class practitioner.

“— — Say why did you return? It can’t only be for a gathering?”

“Ah, that’s right; there is something I need to tell you.”

Kazuma finally remembered the reason for his approach, although admitting Ren’s capture under his watch such to someone else is a very humiliating situation.

(Ah, no way out, after all, losing the initiative was my fault.)

“— — Ren has been abducted. It was someone who can use the wind, most likely an accomplice of the murderer that killed your comrades.”

“Quit joking! You were the one who killed Shinji and Shingo!”

Kazuma recognizes for the first time, that this man is the Soushu of the Yuuki family.

(It doesn’t matter who dies as long as it’s not your sons?)?)

For an instant, he had an urge to say that, but he managed to keep it to himself. Kazuma considered the man unworthy for him to speak to.

“Ren was seized?”

Juugo also ignores Yuuki’s words, and asks Kazuma back.

“They did not kill him?”

“That is right. I am not too sure about the details; however, I can confirm that he is still alive. I believe that if we know their reason for abducting him, we should be able to lock only the criminal’s identity. I came here specially to inform you guys; but could it be, you already know who did it?”

“No, we do not know yet. But thank you for your information.”

Juugo seems to have thought of something as his face begins to show a bitter expression. He says something to the man standing at his side; Kazuma tries hard to remember, and recalls that this is a man trusted by Juugo.

Then that man bowed, and quickly departed from the house.

“Did you see the features of that guy?”

“…I saw what he looked like, but I don’t think it will be of any help. That thing isn’t even human.”

Just thinking about him brings chills to Kazuma, and that kind of irregular youma ki that it possess cannot be from anything human.

“So it’s like that… By the way, what happened to Genma?”

Faced with Juugo’s question, Kazuma sincerely started to laugh. It was unlike that of a grown man, but a laugh of a shonen (boy). That kind of grin cannot be practiced; it is a mischievous grin fully covering the face.

Then, Kazuma shows his thumb and turns it down, with his chin moving backwards, braggingly saying.

“He was sent flying.”

“huh, haha, hahahahahahaha ! That, that’s how, was sent flying?”

Faced with this kind of overly energetic and without any evil-intention reply from Kazuma, Juugo uncontrollably started to laugh, an unstoppable roaring laughter.

“Suzerain! This is not a funny matter!”

Faced with an unstopping laughter from the Suzerain, the practitioners worriedly admonished.

“Hmm, certainly it is like that.”

Then Juugo pulls taut his face; with a severe, unyielding and steadily stare, he says to Kazuma,

“Don’t tell me you killed him?”

“Hey, I was quite merciful. I even called an ambulance; quite kind of me!”

“If that’s the case, then, it’s alright.”

“Absolutely not!”

The person interrupting was like the practitioner before. He was so angry he started to stagger as if he was dizzy.

“If your body is not well, you can withdraw.”

“My situation is of no importance! If Kazuma knocked out Genma-sama, then it is absolutely certain that he is rebelling!”

“…This situation is only that of a father and son argument.”

“This… this kind of situation is…!”

“Understood, that kind of situation has already been heard earlier. Okay, you can withdraw.”

After Juugo disrupted his words, he gestures at Kazuma and then enters through the door. Kazuma simply follows Juugo.

And so, after four years, Kazuma finally returned to the place where he was born.

2

Faced with this mansion where he hasn’t walked through for four years, Kazuma looks about slowly and seriously. As with the outside, the inside of the mansion did not change at all. It was a mansion constructed during the Warring States Period, only four short years is not enough to grant any changes.

Kazuma continues behind Jugoo, he followed without speaking as he was taken to Juugo’s private room.

“Here we can talk straightforwardly. What would you like to drink?”

“It doesn’t matter, besides I’m not thirsty — —.”

With regards to Kazuma’s casual reply, Juugo stares at Kazuma as if he seems to be looking for something..

“Hm, don’t you trust me?”

“It’s not that I’m suspecting you.”

Suddenly a discordant atmosphere began spreading throughout the room.

Certainly from the Kannagi clan’s point of view, there isn’t even one shred of evidence to believe Kazuma. Besides Juugo, all of the other members believe he is the murderer.

To appear in the home of all the enemies pursuing Kazuma’s life is really unbelievable.

“Why did you leave the house?”

Juugo broke the silence. Out of everything else, this is what he wanted to hear the most.

“When I heard you were disowned, you had already left without discussing even a single line with me. Am I this untrustworthy?”

“Ah— — because of the circumstance, I didn’t even think of that. At that time, my only thought was to leave the Kannagi clan without delay. Both otou-san and oka-san (father and mother) said《not needed》, there was no other choice.”

“What did Miyuki say?” Juugo had only heard of this for the first time: that Kazuma had seen his mother before leaving home.

“Now that I think about it, I was so foolish. It was nothing against you; I was requested by that woman and I went to apologize. To think, I still fancied that I still had my parents’ concern.” Kazuma crooked his mouth, ridiculing himself of the past.

It was not about hating Miyuki, but about him being so foolish. He thought that things like ties of blood and motherhood would help him.

“What did Miyuki… say?”

Kazuma was brought back to that day, four years ago. When Juugo’s voice reached Kazuma, it seemed like it was sent from a far distant place.

When Kazuma first entered his mother’s room, he couldn’t calm down, constantly waiting for his mother’s reply.

In contrast, Miyuki was sitting opposite of Kazuma in a type of tranquil attitude as if she was absolutely not affected. She was showing the same composure as if she was idly chatting.

Although it felt like an absolutely eternal silence, in reality, it wasn’t even 1 minute. She then opened he mouth towards the son that came to her for help.

“Kazuma, your learning is very good, your physical education is also quite above normal. The teacher from the school also praises you!”

“Oka, Oka-san…”

Miyuki’s words greatly failed Kazuma’s hope; because of Genma’s request, this is like… !

“It is very regretful, if only you had qualities for en-jutsu then (I) could treat you as a worthy son and deeply love you and be concerned.

This is like… bidding farewell.

Kazuma realized that Miyuki was constantly discussing events as if it was the past; for her, everything is over. She accepted the situation of her son being disowned as if it was a reality that could not be changed. She didn’t need a useless son, and didn’t hesitate to abandon him

“Oka-san…”

Faced with her son as he was begging for help in a quaking voice, Miyuki simply smiles as she hands him a note.

“Inside there is 10 million; although it is a small amount, it can still fulfill the needs of your life. Don’t get sick, and stay alive energetically.”

Those were already the words of departure. Kazuma like escaping fled to his room then, the second day, without almost anything solely one person left home, seems like no one even noticed.

The reason he left Japan, is not because of a firm determination to live independently and alone.

He was afraid; afraid that his parents would really say through their mouths, “I don’t need useless things,” and look down upon him as though he is a monster even more terrifying than a Youma.

He had hoped to hide at a place where they could not find him. Even though his rational thoughts are clear: that they will not send people after him; however, his body does not seem to be able to understand that, and so he ran.

When he arrived at Hong Kong, Kazuma could unwind for the first time. But he could never had known then, of the tragedy that was about to take place there.

“Ahh, it is probably like that.”

“……………..”

Juugo said nothing as he buried his head in deep thought. This woman who always did things her way since a long time ago, I can’t believe she is so cruel…..

“Oh well, don’t be bothered by it. It is all in the past anyways.”

“…You have become strong, Kazuma.”

Juugo said, with deep meanings to it. To think, a simple youth who, four years ago, was considered like a useless pronoun, became an outstanding man that possesses great power and also has the mental strength to control such power. Juugo felt very happy.

Even though Juugo praises him from the bottom of his heart for accomplishing this feat, what is most important now would be to clear Kazuma’s name. Everything will begin from now.

“…I cannot agree with that…”

“Is it still not enough? Why do you desire power so much?”

Contrary to what Juugo had expected, Kazuma does not seem that satisfied with his power. Juugo questions Kazuma, who believes he still does not possess enough power, in a tone that carries some kind of criticism.

But it appeared from Kazuma’s eyes that he hasn’t yet fallen into a drunken pursuit of power; instead, it is like he is a lost and desperate youth trying to find a place to repose.

“Yes, I have become stronger… I cannot cry anymore. Even if I have to sell my soul to the devil, it is not a problem; I absolutely cannot allow myself to remain weak.”

Kazuma said while hiding his head with two arms encircling the one raised knee.

He can still clearly remember that day, where he had cried feebly, with his pupils frozen by hopelessness and horror. He will not forget it in all his years.

(I couldn’t do anything…)

No matter what kind of crazy, assiduous training Kazuma went through; with several times he was on verge of death, it was impossible to return to that moment. He couldn’t save……. her.

— — Why do you pursue power?

Kazuma cannot answer that question.

Is it in order to prevent such tragedies from happing again?

Is it in order to protect better this time?

No

Those kinds of ideas could not satisfy him. She cannot return once again — — she is blocked by the bottom of hell.

— — Why do you pursue power?

(I don’t know!)

There is no reason, no purpose, just plainly because he had talent in this area. The telergy and sensitivity to synchronies himself with the wind spirits is an ability that would never blossom with the Kannagi family.

— — Why do you pursue power?

“… Once wanted to protect…”

Kazuma muttered this like he was squeezing out toothpaste. In the end, he still couldn’t say anything, because he could still not overcome it. There will be one day though, when he will discover the real meaning of power— —

Juugo didn’t say anything, but quietly watched Kazuma.

(“…Once wanted to protect…”)

Juugo does not know much about Kazuma’s past, he can only imagine what the meaning of that unfulfilled promise represents, imagining the pain from that still unhealed wound.

“Oh yeah, when this matter is resolved, let’s find a day and have a drink together! You can choose the place.”

Even so, Juugo can at least be a listener to Kazuma’s complaints! If he can spit out all of the unhappiness accumulated within his heart, maybe he can gain some tranquility. Juugo hopes that he can help his “son” as a “father”, even if the result is very insignificant.

“……Hmm…… alright”

Kazuma hides the scar that is bleeding up to this day, and gives a gentle smile.

3

“Suzerain, the information is here.”

From the other side of the pull door, a sound was suddenly transmitted. Juugo immediately gave him permission to enter.

Entering through the pull door, was the man that was previously commanded by Juugo to go do something. In his hand was a folder.

“It’s this one.”

“Hm”

Juugo accepted the file and slowly and indifferently opened it; he passed the information to Kazuma.

“Although I only have a 10 year old picture…is the culprit this person?”

“— — Ah, that’s right.”

Kazuma replied immediately after seeing the photo that accompanied the information. This shounen, over the ten years, has added onto his self the ki of a youma that could send shivers down the back, becoming that kind of monster.

(Hey, that means, that that thing used to be human?)

“Is that so? Go detain all the Fuuga clan members, quickly!”

“Yes!”

Juugo eyed Kazuma while he was still looking at the photo, then to the man — — and gave commands to the assistant. The assistant’s entire being immediately disappear; he simply vanished without leaving a trace.

“That person… just what kind of person is he?”

Kazuma looked at the place where the assistant was at one instant before. Just how the person moved was a mystery to Kazuma.

“My attendant, didn’t you know?”

“No.. uh… I guess it doesn’t matter.”

Juugo quietly smiled happily at being able to surprise Kazuma. Kazuma decided to give up on the matter.

Kazuma moved his eyes back onto the file and discovered there was one name written it: Kazamaki Ryuuya.

(— —Kazamaki?)

That is the last name of the Fuuga’s captain.

“This thing is the son of Hyoue. Around ten years ago he fell ill, during the recovery I have not seen him even once.

“So that’s how it is, rebellion? Gah, you tormented them too much.”

Based on Kazuma’s knowledge, although the Fuuga clan is described as a subordinate organization of the Kannagi clan, in reality, they are no different from slaves. That is most likely the reason for the rebellion.

“Maybe it is like that.”

Juugo’s voice became very grave. Such things as rebellions are much more problematic compared to attacks from exterior enemies. As a suzerain, having such headache is part of the job.

On another note, for Kazuma this is completely someone else’s problem. No matter what the problem is, there is no connection with him. The first thing for him to think about is how to rescue Ren , whether the Kannagi clan survives simply doesn’t interest him.

“Then, why did the Fuuga clan kidnapped Ren? As a hostage, his value is quite insignificant.”

Although Ren is from the main family of the Kannagi clan, his existence is not irreplaceable. It is arguable that if it was Ayano, who is the successor of the Enraiha, it would be another story. But using Ren as a hostage will not force the Kannagi clan to move carelessly and promote rash acts.

“He is not being held as a hostage….but as a living sacrifice!”

“You said living sacrifice!?”

Kazuma’s face became very red with rage as old scars are torn anew.

— — Maroon hair dyed red by fresh blood, the deep green eyes which was once overflowing with life is now blurred like old glass marbles. Lips that seem to create songs will never open again — —.

《You、can you protect me?》

(Rin ------!)

Kazuma tightly clenches his fists; the pain from letting his fingernails break skin pulls him back to reality.

(Forget it! Even if it is just for this moment…..!)

Kazuma, whose breath was filled with frustration, punched the floor with his fist, which was dripping blood.

“Sorry, I interrupted you, please continue…”

Suddenly, Kazuma stopped talking and looked through the window towards the outside. Although he was late only be a couple of seconds, Juugo also turned to look in the same direction. He noticed a kind of ki of fire spirits that was increasing explosively

“Ayano…?”

After walking close to the window and seeing Kazuma’s form, Ayano’s posture instantly changed as she jumped directly in through the window while holding onto Enraiha with one hand.

“Kazuma!!”

After visually confirming Kazuma’s position, Ayano shouted and raised the Enraiha to the Jodan no Kamae position.。(Note: Jodan no Kamae is attacking position in kendo, where you hold the ken above your head.)

Then without any doubts or hesitation she swung downwards without paying any attention to the surrounding environment. This kind of decisive decision making is worthy of praise!

“Woah!”

Kazuma was surprised by this sneak attack; his reaction was only a short couple of seconds late. But that is already a deadly delay. In order to receive the thousands of degrees from the plasma attack, although having constructed a kekkai…

(Damn, not enough!)

The number of spirits was absolutely inadequate.

Spiritual practitioners when interfering with the《Initial Principle》 are to use the spirits within one’s control to alter the environs.

In order to do that, it is required that enough spirits or spirits with enough strength must be accumulated. If not enough are gathered, then no matter how strong one’s will, it is still impossible to realize the desired defense.

No matter how strong the will, it will not transform into real power if there are no spirits; they are a medium to transmit the will of the world. No matter how much a person will try to curse another, it is impossible to kill that person merely by thinking bad ills upon them, it also requires accumulation of enough spirits to produce an effect.

The scorching plasma has already severed the kekkai. This kind of strength is so much that the branch families cannot even compare; it is like the arrival of the sun. No matter how fast Kazuma can summon, in this short time frame there is no way he can create a strong enough kekkai.

The kekkai that existed outside the room was instantly destroyed; plasma began to contact the glass of the window. Unable to withstand the pincer attack from both wind and fire; the window frame and even the constructed material of the wall began to weather down and collapse.

(Shit! I’m going to get stabbed.)

In the instant that Kazuma, without a doubt, sensed the danger to his life

"Huh!?"

A fierce kiai assails, turning the plasma would have turned Kazuma to dust, into something like a dream, disappearing without a trace.

“Quite powerful?”

Kazuma deeply praised Juugo. Juugo not only seized the spirits under Ayano’s control, but by using such a strong kiai, he completely sent them away without a trace.

It really was willpower beyond that of a normal person. Although he is already retired from the front line, that power that has been proclaimed as the strongest in history has not diminished a bit

“Otou, Otou-san?”

Although the reasons were unclear, but Ayano sensed that Juugo was very unhappy because of her own actions. She began to look as if spying for a chance to flee, bending the back while retreating backwards

But, that chance will never come.

“This, you big fool!!!”

“Ah!”

As if the angry roar punched the entire body, Ayano, like a little child, fearfully rolled into a ball.

That roar displayed such an enormous force that it was at a near-impossible degree. It was so loud that the walls that avoided Ayano’s first attack began to shake. Any glass that remained was instantly shattered by the sound’s attack. The roar displayed such an enormous force.

“This idiot daughter! I don’t know how many times I told you not to swing that sword around without thinking! You still don’t understand that the one who holds the Enraiha should not casually and carelessly use strength. At least have some intellect to accompany the strength! Idiot!”

“Ah…”

Faced with the heartless reproach from her father, who was almost always very gentle and kind, Ayano could not even stand. She was so shocked that she fell towards the garden with her butt to the ground and her eyes grew moist as if she was about to cry.

Then Juugo faced Kazuma again,apologizing for his daughter’s reckless behavior.

“Sorry, my daughter did something disrespectful, very sorry… hmm?”

Kazuma, who should have been standing there, was not found. As if noticing something, Juugo looked downwards, and what entered his sights was the position of Kazuma as he was using his two hands to cover his ears.

“What are you doing? ...”

Faced with Juugo’s surprising question, Kazuma used a hoarse voice as he replied,

“Nothing…Next time if you are going to roar like that, please warn me. You scared me half to death…”

Although Ayano, who was several meters away, felt a loud voice that would expand you bones, but for Kazuma, who was at a very close distance, the impact felt is simply incomparable.

The thing that Kazuma felt was more like shockwaves than something as comprehensible as a shout. Although his ear membrane was numbed, the brain is still ringing; the membrane cannot block those strong waves from penetrating the body.

“… Even my brain feels like it splitting.”

Kazuma stood up unsteadily. Even though his brain is still ringing from the reverberations that sound like a percussion instrument, he ignores them with his willpower.

"Let’s continue, please ignore that idiot daughter."

Kazuma sits down at the same spot and doesn’t move. To keep standing isn’t a very easy matter as the ossicles in his ears are still numb. Kazuma sits down at that spot and doesn’t move, then acts calmly and says. The ossicles are numb until now; to keep standing isn’t a very easy matter. (Note: Ossicles or three ear bones are found in the ear.)

“…No, Ayano only doesn’t know what going on, let her listen it will be easier for me.”

After a slight hesitation, Juugo calls Ayano over. Ayano gives thanks to Enraiha and hangs it in a crevice on the wall. She comes closer to Juugo, bows and lowers her head.

“… Ayano.”

“I’m very sorry.”

Ayano immediately gets on the ground and bows; she is not really clear about what is going on, but she preemptively selects this action in order to apologize.

"That’s enough, in the future pay more attention!"

Juugo doesn’t want to repeat this topic as right now isn’t the time for it.

“Listen closely, Ayano. The guilty one isn’t Kazuma, it’s the Fuuga clan!”

“Fuuga? Those kinds of weak people, what can they do….?”

Juugo slightly glanced at the interrupting Ayano, telling her to be quiet.

“The one that did the act was Kazamaki Ryuya, but it is more accurate to say it was the youma who possesses him.”

“It doesn’t matter what did it, what is going on with Ren becoming a live sacrifice?”

Kazuma hurried the topic. At that instant, Ayano again interrupted.

“What is this? Ren was captured?”

《You should be quiet!》

Juugo and Kazuma accidentally, yet perfectly said this at the same time. Ayano began to pout very unhappily, but given her recent disrespectful actions and behavior, her current situation is in a very weak light. So without any better ideas, she decided she could only sit there quietly and listen.

“Then continuing where we left off: the ancestors of the Fuuga and Kannagi clan started out doing completely different things— —.”

(That’s right.)

Kazuma mumbled to himself. Things like manipulating wind and manipulating fire have different strength and different characteristics. As they are now the same clan, the possibility that the Kannagi clan ended up absorbing the Fuuga clan is quite natural.

“This was an occurrence that happened 300 years in the past. At that time, the Fuuga clan was proud of themselves for being able to manipulate strong and powerful wind. They created a shadow organization that thrived off of assassinating, cheating, and doing destructive types of jobs in order to accumulate wealth. They would do anything no matter what kind of job, but too many of them were evil deeds, and the Kannagi clan was given a direct order from the Shogunate to proceed to eliminate them.”

At the final period of the strenuous battle, our ancestors finally sealed the source of power from the Fuuga clan, and then decided to absorb what was left of the Fuuga clan, who had lost most of their powers, as followers.

“What is the source of their power?”

“— — it’s god!”

Although Juugo’s reply was quick and simple, in order to understand the meaning of those words took a lot more time.

“god~~!”

Kazuma glanced at Ayano, who emitted a sharp sounding gasp. Although Kazuma was also surprised, due to Ayano’s earlier wavering, Kazuma decided to allow the room to return to tranquility before speaking.

“That kind of thing, what would have to do to seal it?”

Kazuma wanting to hear this situation described is not without reason. After all, evaluating from a human’s rational: a human sealing a god, this situation is quite impossible to achieve. What is mentioned as god, is not the creator that religion adheres too, but is a general term for something or someone that surpasses all existence. Surpassing mankind is the reason to be termed as a god and to be defeated by mankind would not be a god.《Humans sealing god》this phase itself is contradictory.

“This kind of situation is only passed down through oral stories told throughout the generations. What really happened, I do not know…Probably, they had to borrow from the King of Spirits or else such a thing is impossible.

The King of Spirits quite simply represents the king of all spirits: governing the existence of all of the spirits on this planet. Although it is speculated that there exists a King for earth, water, fire, and wind, no one has been able to determine whether they all exist.

About a thousand years ago, the first suzerain of the Kannagi clan and the King of Fire Spirits were able to achieve a covenant, and the Enraiha was gifted. Then due to blood relationships, the Kannagi clan received the ability to strongly perceive the power of the fire spirits. Or so the legend goes.

Truly, if you have the power of the King of the Spirits, then it is not impossible to seal a god — —.

“But, even if the suzerain of 300 years ago was able to again have a contract with the King of Spirits, humans’ using such power is still limited. You can’t surpass a god. Could they have directly summoned the King of Spirits?”

“— — that kind of action is impossible isn’t it?”

To let a king that exists in the upper world descend onto this world, such an event can only be described as a miracle that surpasses common sense. Even in theory is still impossible. So given Ayano’s questioning, Kazuma coldly replied,

“What would happen? Well it doesn’t matter, as I cannot achieve that kind of miracle.”

“We already knew that a long time ago!”

“Back to the topic: Hyoue’s motive is to revive that god?”

Kazuma gritted his teeth and continued to ignore Ayano as she was hurrying Juugo to continue explaining.

“Most likely, the act of sealing is passed down in secret throughout the generations of suzerains. For them to start a rebellion means that they have probably found the location of the sealing and the methods to remove the seal.”

As Juugo said this, his facial expression became more impatient. This is not without reason, because if the sealed god is released, then the Fuuga clan will receive strength comparable to that of the Kannagi clan. Also, it is undeniable that the wrath of the sealed god will descend upon them.

“— — Then, Ren will become a tribute to revive the god.”

Kazuma is pretty calm given the situation. After all, he does not have any obligations to help in the survival or destruction of the Kannagi Clan. If things were to really turn out that way, simply running away is a viable option; running away is something Kazuma has absolute confidence in.

“No, in order to remove the seal Ren is needed, or rather I should say, a main family member from the Kannagi Clan is needed.”

After stopping Kazuma from speaking, Juugo continued to say,

“Only the main family members can remove the seal because the seal is inside Samadhi Flame.”

The Samadhi Flame is a crystallization of a《fire》that does not have any corrupting factors. It is a pure flame that should not even exist in this world. Whatever comes in contact with it, no matter what it may be, will be completely burned, without even leaving any ashes.

In order to send away such thing, to come in contact with place of origin of the seal, certainly without a Kannagi main family member would be impossible

“But, if the fire is a hindrance then you can directly blow it away, even if it is a Samadhi Flame, if I can do it, probably that guy also can.”

“The seal is inside the fire.”

Juugo again repeated what was just said, as if testing Kazuma.

“Then it is… hey, isn’t that?”

“That’s right, the fire is sealing that god, if the fire is blown away, the sealed god’s form will also disappear, so without those protected by the fire, removing the seal is impossible.”

The suzerain of that time established several layers of security for the sealing: the existence of the sealing is shrouded in the highest degree of secrecy; the process of the absorption of the Fuugo clan into the Kannagi clan was erased from memory. For both the Kannagi and Fuuga, it appears that such matters never even occurred

The fact that the seal cannot be removed by a member of the Fuuga clan is absolutely certain. If it was not done to such a degree, probably the shogunate that desired the destruction of the Fuuga clan would not have accepted the results.

“If the first thing the released god sees is the descendant of the person that sealed itself, I would fear to think about what would happen to Ren.”

“So that’s how it is…really, if in the beginning they would have completely wiped out the Fuuga clan, we would not have to go through such annoying matters.”

“You… don’t you have any compassion for fellow humans?”“

Ayano did not hide any of her inner despite for Kazuma.

“Compassion for fellow humans? You…do you actually think that the Kannagi kindly rescued the Fuuga?”

“What, what is that, isn’t it like that?”

“Wind can strengthen fire. As practitioners of lower standers, wouldn’t using them as subordinates be more suitable?”

What Kazuma just said was obviously pointed towards Juugo. Because using persuasive excuses right now is useless, Juugo honestly told them the truth.

“That’s right; our ancestors really did use the Fuuga clan only as a tool, a very convenient tool at that…”

“No way…”

“Hey, from the standpoint of a slave, which is how you treat them, such a rebellion is certainly a right. It’s justice to get revenge against you guys

“What? Why are you speaking about it as if it is other peoples’ problems? Ren dying doesn’t matter to you?”

Ayano gritted her teeth as she angrily said to Kazuma with his sarcastic and unimpressed expression.

“Ren is also a practitioner of the Kannagi clan, it is impossible that he would follow Hyoue’s commands.”

“That… it is possible.”

“What!?”

Kazuma ignored Ayano, who was ready for a thorough argument, and said to Juugo.

“At this moment it hasn’t even passed the twelve hour mark so he might be ok, but manipulating him is quite easy. No matter what Ren’s talent is, if there is a day’s time, they could probably get him to kill even his own parents.”

The calm and direct explanation really quieted the two Kannagi.

Brainwashing or possessing, there are many methods that could be used. there are many methods as desired. Although the strength of the Kannagi clan resides in the lineage, but it isn’t practical such as the body, even when losing conscious, or possesses by youma, the spirits will still protect Ren’s body.

“If we don’t hurry and the seal is released, If we don’t hurry, then if the seal is released, there would be no way back. Before this we must rescue Ren.”

“Please work hard!”

Like adding water to the fiery Juugo who just made an insistent statement, Kazuma used a manner of speaking that showed that the matters do not concern him.

Ayano furrowed her forehead. People like him, who have no sense of responsibility, are the ones that she really dislikes. People who have the ability and yet are unwilling to do anything, compared to those who merely do not have the ability, are rotten to the core. Ayano often thinks like that.

“You don’t need to remind me! Even without borrowing you power, I alone am enough. I’ll show you!”

“…Wait a moment!”

Juugo constrains her daughter’s aggressive manner, not because he suspects Ayano’s strength, but because it involves the clan’s survival, plenty of battle power is still useless.

“Kazuma, can you defeat Ryuya?”

“…It would be near impossible. Even under the best circumstance, I won’t be able to last five minutes.”

After a slight consideration, Kazuma replied candidly. He frequently uses an objective self-evaluation method to assess himself; meaningless over-evaluating of oneself is a very dangerous matter, this is something Kazuma learned from past experiences.

“Is that so…?”

In Juugo’s brain, an inequality is developed like so: Ryuya> Kazuma> Genma> Ayano, which means that Ayano alone will have no possibility of winning.

“Yare yare, where did they summon such a high level youma is beyond me. Hell, even a vampire of 3000 years in the interior of China with an extremely powerful youma ki is still incomparable with that thing.”

“You, you can even beat… that kind of thing?”

In Juugo’s expression there is probably more incomprehension than astonishment.

“Ha, yeah right! There is no way to fight against that thing. I just patted my ass and tucked in my tail then ran far way.”

Kazuma used a mischievous tone in order to avoid further questioning. Those were memories he does not want to recall, and so he diverted the topic back to the original discussion.

“The problem with that guy is that the wind he uses is not normal.”

”…What does that mean?”

“It is so abnormal that I have no concept of how nature even developed that sort of thing, the spirits around that guy are all going crazy. Because of this, I can’t interfere with his spells; hell I can’t even sense it. If he chooses to hide himself, it will only be at a very close distance and right before he attacks that I will be able to sense anything.”

“That’s quite… no, really bothersome!”

Juugo worriedly mumbled.

Spirits do have wisdom and ability, although it is not known how to differentiate, they still have will. So, they will get agitated like human being.

Putting spirits in a situation that is completely opposite of its own characteristics for a long period of time— — such as putting fire spirits in water and sealing wind spirits in the ground — — will cause them to go crazy. This is something that is a fact and has already been confirmed

But — —

“That kind of thing, how would you control them?”

Because they have already lost their consciousness, of course they would not be able to hear the words from a human — — well, probably.

“Who the hell knows? There are no cases where this has happened before, so there aren’t any similar topics to discuss about!”

Kazuma replied in very vague manner.

“In order to do it…maybe Ayano’s attribute would work better compared to fighting wind against wind. With fire being the main attacking force, using the Enraiha from inside his body and then proceeding to burn him, no matter how strong his will is, he will still die.”

“Then are you saying that you will not help?”

“I only dislike working.”

“I’ll pay 100 million!”

“Thanks for the job.”

Without any hesitation, Kazuma agreed to the contract.

This is not because the huge amount of money blurred his vision. To receive remunerations is to give him, an outsider, a reason to be involved. Of course, he will take what is his, but Kazuma joining the battle has already become an inevitable reality.

“You’re terrible, without money you would have abandoned your brother?”

Ayano’s words were full of despite, but Kazuma only grinned without replying to her.

Rather than being considered a “good guy” who acts by his emotions, being known as a miser makes him feel a lot better. Ayano’s scorn does not affect him in any way.

“Then, please.”

“Ah, leave it to me.”

After glancing at Ayano, who looked like she is about to shoot lasers from her eyes, the two men shook hands in agreement.

Juugo certainly understood Kazuma’s purpose. In order for him to have a corresponding standpoint, using 100 million yen is needed in order to sustain this kind of cooperation. (I really can’t beat him…)

Juugo really felt that Kazuma’s consideration is not the same as before.

“Then, where exactly is this place?”

By now there is no further need for discussion. Faced with this kind of direct question, Juugo simply replied,

“Kyoto!”

In the northwest of Kyoto, there is the ceremonial mountain of the fire god. That location is a sacred place of the Kannagi clan, the contractual place where the earth has the fire of the heaven’s burning. Revolving around 300 years past of gratitude and grudges, and gambling the two clans’ existence — — the place of the decisive battle is there.

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