Kaze no Stigma:Volume1 Chapter4
Chapter Four - Returning to Visit, and Then――
1
Just as he came within ten meters of the front door...
“Ka-Kazuma!?”
With displeasure, Kazuma glared at the guardsman who was screaming in shock.
Too slow.
He mumbled in his heart.
Even though they're on high alert, they only now realized that I arrived? They're beyond useless.
However, the speedy reaction of the other party was worthier of praise! Upon hearing the guardsman's shout, every practitioner that was spread out across the area rushed over one by one.
Within seconds, at least ten Enjutsu practitioners surrounded Kazuma.
“Let me meet the Suzerain.”
Kazuma arrogantly commanded, completely ignoring the killing intent from all directions.
“We've already come out to get the door. You should be grateful.”
Looks like these guys want to pick a fight with me.
Even though Kazuma knew that the other party was taunting him, he did not want to bear with it at all. He became furious.
Ever since he came back to Japan, he came across a series of unhappy events. First of all, he was dragged into the fight between the Kannagi clan and the mystery man, then he fell into the mystery man's trap and watched helplessly as Ren was abducted. Faced with the task of reporting Ren's abduction, he had no choice but to force himself to come to the Kannagi household, which he had sworn never to come close to ever again.
All of this had stressed Kazuma's nerves, and it showed on his face as extreme annoyance. He just wanted to find someone to beat up, no matter who it was.
And now, it just so happened that there were a bunch of idiots conveniently waiting in rows as if saying “Please punch me”. There was 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 the moment, Kazuma had no intention of identifying any of them.
“At a time like this, you think you can stand in front of us and beg for mercy?!”
As he spoke, it seemed like he was trying to control his fury with all his might.
Hoping to save even a bit of time, Kazuma slowly opened his mouth and said,
“I said to summon the Suzerain... But is anyone listening to me?”
“You bastard!!!”
Crrackk!
The shouting practitioner began angrily throwing fireballs, but at that instant, Kazuma attacked him like a giant using an uppercut punch, making a sound like a blunt object striking a wall. Kazuma's attacker flew into the air, his chin shattering into pieces. He lost the strength to even open his mouth, only being able to spit out blood mixed with broken teeth.
None of the other Enjutsu practitioners had seen Kazuma's attack. They began to retreat in disbelief, instinctively fearful of this attack method that they had never seen before. However, even as they realized this, the battle had already begun, so they started to collect their fighting spirit.
Of course, Kazuma had not intended to fight. It just seemed that someone inside him was repeatedly saying that the world would be better off if all those idiots died. Kazuma allowed that voice to persuade him, forgetting the purpose of his visit in the process.
"Fist of Air": Blocks of air that are highly compressed and sent forth at the speed of sound. The instant before contact, the wind compresses almost hundredfold and, after pointing to a certain direction, instantaneously expands to its original state like a spring, hitting the target with unbelievable strength that easily surpasses a professional boxer's finishing blow.
The Enjutsu practitioners were helpless as one after another was knocked down.
Kazuma threw out a string of continuing combos, throwing air bombs without regards to accuracy as long as they flew in the general direction of his targets. They even ended up unearthing the surface and fracturing the wall. The people that were standing were completed knocked down and left helpless on the ground.
Kazuma's hands were still resting in the pockets of his leather jacket. People that were able to stand up against him were nowhere to be found.
The practitioners were spread out across the ground. Some had broken lower jaws, some had sunken noses that continuously spewed out blood, and some were moaning about with serious internal damage. They laid around in various positions, none able to continue fighting.
Even though Kazuma didn't even need 30 seconds to take out the practitioners, he did not show an ounce of arrogance. He simply accepted the landslide difference in strength, passing off his victory as a logical certainty.
However, his expression unexpectedly became pensive.
“...Crap...”
Unable to find even a single unharmed victim, Kazuma realized that he had committed a deadly mistake.
“I thought carefully and spoke clearly to these people so that something like this wouldn't happen...”
A phone call ahead of time would have probably accomplished his goal. Also, there was no need to talk directly with the Suzerain. Even if they had suddenly met, Kazuma wouldn't have been able to find anything to say. This time, it was only because Ren had been captured in front of his own eyes, clouding his judgment. And also...
“Also, I wanted to come back after all, huh?”
This place was what I called home in the past. I thought I had already abandoned this place, and yet here I am.
Kazuma shook his head, interrupting his thought pattern fearing that pondering any deeper would unearth quite an unhappy answer.
“Hey, wake up. Don’t fall asleep on me!”
Kazuma yelled and kicked an inexperienced practitioner, attempting to distract his mood. However, the practitioner weakly opened his eyes, slowly closing them as he became conscious of the pain coming from his injuries. He simply allowed Kazuma to do as he liked.
“...Damn it!”
Kazuma abhorrently threw away his victim. He then went straight for the door without caring whether he stepped on the ground or a practitioner.
The door was already open, since the people that came out through it had already been defeated. And beyond the door was an area where twice as many Enjutsu practitioners were waiting. The moment Kazuma walked through the door, he was met with almost thirty lines of fire.
Honng!
The enormous heat transformed into plasma and completely surrounded Kazuma, emitted enough light to burn even the eyes. The attacking practitioners had their moment of glory.
We killed him!
If we did this much and he’s still not dead...
No human could survive that!
Suddenly, in the dissipating fire, they saw something they couldn't believe.
“Wh, What?”
Kazuma was standing safely inside the white flames that were tinted with blue and green.
“So boring...”
Kazuma lazily waved his hand, extinguishing the collected strength of thirty flames. Not even a hair on Kazuma's head was harmed.
“Impossible... Is that guy a youma god...?”
The practitioners were so shocked that they apparently even forgot how to breathe. If they had looked calmly, they might have been able to see the thin layer of air that separated Kazuma and the flames.
High-level practitioners could even surpass the laws of physics. Whether it was an Enjutsu or a Fuujutsu practitioner, igniting a fire without using oxygen or blocking the heat transferred in the air was most certainly possible.
Kazuma had complete control of the air inside this space. His will was stronger than the laws of physics so, no matter how large the amount of heat there was, it could not be transferred into Kazuma’s body.
The requirements to become a first rate practitioner was not the strength of their spells, nor knowledge, nor technique, but willpower. The willpower to deny the present reality and construct his own own fantasy world.
Jutsu, or magic, is based on mixing willpower into "Initial Principle" and creating new laws to control the effects. The constructed system of the world is rewritten, and the new laws are changed into reality.
In other words, in order to make the flames reach Kazuma, the Enjutsu practitioner would need a stronger will than what Kazuma employed to deny the laws of physics. Basically, what is needed is to use an even stronger will to deny his fabricated laws. Nothing will be achieved if the practitioner does not have enough determination of burning Kazuma to surpass Kazuma's refusal of being burned.
Since nothing was achieved in this case, Kazuma’s will was most likely stronger than the combined will of the thirty practitioners.
“Impossible... impossible...”
The practitioners mumbled, staring with shocked.
It ought to be said that they can only mumble.
They understood the reasons for their ineffective spell. In fact, they understood it very well, the same way they understood things such as arms and legs.
Of course, they did not consider Kazuma’s existence as something beyond common sense. They only considered him as a first-class Fuujutsu practitioner, and consequently, believed that Kazuma simply commanded a huge wind spirit.
Kazuma’s strength had already surpassed what they previously considered, completely achieving another dimension. The difference was clear.
Kazuma didn’t counterattack these practitioners, though. It was obviously not to forgive them, but simply that, from the start, he wanted to ignore the practitioners from the branch families.
Because of the practitioners, Kazuma began to recall the eighteen years he spent in this mansion. They were memories of a home that contained almost no happiness. No matter who it was, everyone disregarded him almost to the point of ignoring his existence. Inside such an excessive clan, there was hardly anyone who kindly accepted him.
But no matter what kind of persecution Kazuma received, he still began to feel homesickness. After all, it was the place of his roots.
That’s right... I came back here...
Kazuma could only admit this thought. Even though he was looked down upon and bullied, he was still protected here. He was shielded from society and from the responsibilities of living alone.
However, yearning for someone to protect him was weakness, escapism, and, to put it simply, running away from reality.
Even though Kazuma admitted that his weakness, which he should have had already abandoned four years ago, still lingered within him, this was something that made him depressed.
In the end, I can't allow this home to continue existing...
Kazuma was assaulted by large amounts of unhappiness, and stubbornly began blaming the roots of his evils on the Kannagi main family. He came to the decision of crushing it with his own hands.
Hearing Kazuma’s will, an even bigger wind spirit appeared. A wind pressure that could challenge a typhoon began condensing within his palm.
If he released all of it, everything within 200 meters would be destroyed in a blink of an eye. Seeing this, the practitioners already prepared for death.
Kazuma completely forgot about the Kannagi clan or anyone living close by. His only thought was to erase the annoying things right in front of his eyes.
Even Kazuma himself did not notice the large amount of pressure that he accumulated. He was indulged in such self-satisfied thoughts that he was not properly regulating his power.
“Wo... Wah...!”
“What, what is this strength?!”
No matter what they did, the practitioners had no way of understanding Kazuma's thoughts. They stood stupidly in the face of such crushing strength, without even thinking of defending with jutsu.
This was clearly within reason. The wind spirits that Kazuma summoned was enough to eradicate the mansion, whether released as a jutsu or as an out-of-control rampage.
“.........”
The older practitioners exchanged glances without speaking. They had more experience, so they weren't as stunned. Being exposed to Juugo when he was a young boy, they were already familiar with out-of-control spirits that could be categorized as a natural disaster. Although, at that time, they felt that they would be protected by that extreme strength.
After making an enormous inner determination, they realized that there was only one way to defend against the attack that Kazuma was preparing.
They would gamble their lives to perform a summoning of massive proportions, which could result in a mutual suicide. But they had already prepared for death.
If only to protect the Suzerain...
Before Ayano-sama returns...
There was no reason for them to gamble their lives other than trying to defeat Kazuma. After all, if Kazuma was standing here, then Genma was probably already defeated.
In that case, only Ayano had the ability to fight on par with Kazuma. With that in mind, the practitioners decided to gamble their lives in order to gain time for Ayano’s return.
“Let's go...”
“Hold it right there.”
The second before the assault, a calm voice detained them. That voice seemed to have immense《power》. All members stopped.
It seemed like time had stopped, for a while now nobody moved. In such a tranquil space, (one) could 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 was similar to facing an admired father, which was in contrast to only having terror in the face of Genma.
A kind of ancient yearning surged, but now Kazuma, even if wanting to cry, would not have any tears.
Certainly it seemed like Juugo completely detected Kazuma’s expression; and just like when speaking to a relative he had not seen in a long time, Juugo greeted Kazuma.
“Long time no see, Kazuma. How are you doing?”
“…Ahh”
Knowing that Juugo still believed in him, Kazuma laughed like being released from confinement.
And after identifying with such, Juugo laughed energetically as well; seeing the typhoon in Kazuma’s hand, he said.
“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 of the accumulated spirits. He even forgot the etiquette of saying 'thank you' to all of 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 would attack when his back was turned.
“S, Suzerain, Kazuma is our traitor!”
Juugo gazed using a very sorrowful appearance towards the still incompetent practitioners, and then slowly turned around to face Kazuma and asked.
“Uh, is it like that?”
“No?”
Kazuma said as he shruged his shoulders. The bunch of idiots continued to be puzzled, having a mouth but no voice.
“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 have already been dead. Now do you understand?”
The jutsu practitioners all looked towards Kazuma with that careless appearance. The power with the strength to annihilate them was completely gone. It could not be disputed that the useless man has returned 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 to someone else was 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 recognized for the first time, that this man was 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 ignored Yuuki’s words, and asked 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 seemed to have thought of something as his face began to show a bitter expression. He said something to the man standing at his side; Kazuma tried hard to remember, and recalled that this was 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 brought chills to Kazuma, and that kind of irregular youma ki that 'it' possess could not 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 could not be practiced; it was a mischievous grin fully covering the face.
Then, Kazuma showed his thumb and turned 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 pulled taut his face; with a severe, unyielding and steadily stare, he said 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 gestured at Kazuma and then entered through the door. Kazuma simply followed Juugo.
And so, after four years, Kazuma finally returned to the place where he was born.
2
Faced with this mansion where he had not walked through for four years, Kazuma looked 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, and only four short years was not enough to grant any changes.
Kazuma continued behind Juugo, and 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 stared at Kazuma as if he seemed to be looking for something..
“Hm, don’t you trust me?”
“It’s not that I’m suspecting you.”
Suddenly a discordant atmosphere began to spread throughout the room.
Certainly from the Kannagi clan’s point of view, there was not even one shred of evidence to believe Kazuma. Besides Juugo, all of the other members believed him to be the murderer.
To appear in the home of all the enemies pursuing Kazuma’s life was really unbelievable.
“Why did you leave the house?”
Juugo broke the silence. Out of everything else, this was what he wanted to hear the most.
“When I heard you were disowned, you had already left without discussing even a single word 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 one minute. She then opened her mouth towards the son that came to her for help.
“Kazuma, your learning was very good, your physical education was also quite above normal. The teacher from the school had also praised you!”
“Oka, Oka-san…”
Miyuki’s words greatly failed Kazuma’s hope; because of Genma’s request, this was like… !
“It was very regretful, if only you had the qualities for en-jutsu then (I) could have treated 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 in the past; for her, everything was 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 smiled as she handed 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, as if escaping, fled to his room; and then, on the second day, without almost anything, one person solely left home, and it seemed like nobody even noticed.
The reason he left Japan, was 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 was 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 were clear: that they will not send people after him; however, his body did 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 had always did things her way since a long time ago; I can’t believe she was so cruel…..)
“Oh well, don’t be bothered by it. It's all in the past now.”
“…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 possessed great power and also had the mental strength to control such power. Juugo felt very happy.
Even though Juugo praised him from the bottom of his heart for accomplishing this feat, what the most important thing 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 did not seem that satisfied with his power. Juugo questioned Kazuma, who believed 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 had not yet fallen into a drunken pursuit of power; instead, it was like he was a lost and desperate youth trying to find a place to repose.
“Yes, I have become stronger… I cannot cry anymore. Even if I had to sell my soul to the devil, it would not 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 could still clearly remember that day, where he had cried feebly, with his pupils frozen by hopelessness and horror. He would never forget it in all his years.
(I couldn’t do anything…)
No matter what kind of crazy, assiduous training Kazuma went through; 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 could not 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 was no reason, no purpose, just plainly because he had talent in this area. The telergy and sensitivity to synchronies himself with the wind spirits was an ability that would never blossom with the Kannagi family.
— — Why do you pursue power?
“… Once wanted to protect…”
Kazuma muttered this as if he was squeezing out toothpaste. In the end, he still could not 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 did not know much about Kazuma’s past, he could only imagine what the meaning of that unfulfilled promise represented, 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 could at least be a listener to Kazuma’s complaints! If he could spit out all of the unhappiness accumulated within his heart, maybe he could gain some tranquility. Juugo hoped that he could help his “son” as a “father”, even if the result would turn out to be very insignificant.
“……Hmm…… alright”
Kazuma hid the scar that was bleeding to this day, and gave 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 that there was one name written it: Kazamaki Ryuuya.
(— —Kazamaki?)
That was 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 was described as a subordinate organization of the Kannagi clan, in reality, they were no different from slaves. That was 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 a headache was part of the job.
On another note, for Kazuma this was completely someone else’s problem. No matter what the problem was, there is no connection with him. The first thing for him to think about, was how to rescue Ren , whether the Kannagi clan survived simply did not interest him.
“Then, why did the Fuuga clan kidnap Ren? As a hostage, his value is quite insignificant.”
Although Ren was from the main family of the Kannagi clan, his existence was 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 would 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 were 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 clenched his fists; the pain from letting his fingernails break skin pulled 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 was 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 would still be impossible to realize the desired defense.
No matter how strong the will, it would not transform into real power if there were 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 had already severed the kekkai. This kind of strength was so much that the branch families could not even compare; it was like the arrival of the sun. No matter how fast Kazuma could summon, in this short time frame there was no way he could 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 assailed, turning the plasma that 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 was already retired from the front line, the power that had 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 would 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 could expand your bones, for Kazuma, who was at a very close distance, the impact felt was simply incomparable.
The thing that Kazuma felt was more like shockwaves than something as comprehensible as a shout. Although his ear membrane was numbed, his brain was still ringing; the membrane could not block those strong waves from penetrating the body.
“… Even my brain feels like it splitting.”
Kazuma stood up unsteadily. Even though his brain was still ringing from the reverberations that sounded like a percussion instrument, he ignored them with his willpower.
"Let’s continue, please ignore that idiot daughter."
Kazuma said as he sat down at the same spot and did not move. To keep standing was not a very easy matter as the ossicles in his ears were still numb. (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 called Ayano over. Ayano gave thanks to Enraiha and hung it in a crevice on the wall. She came closer to Juugo, bowed and lowered her head.
“… Ayano.”
“I’m very sorry.”
Ayano immediately got on the ground and bowed; she was not really clear about what was going on, but she preemptively selected this action in order to apologize.
"That’s enough, in the future pay more attention!"
Juugo did not want to repeat this topic as right now was not 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 Ryuuya, 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 was 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 was 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 be done to seal it?”
Kazuma wanting to hear this situation described was not without reason. After all, evaluating from a human’s rational: a human sealing a god, this situation is quite impossible to achieve. What was mentioned as god, is not the creator that religion adheres too, but 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 would be 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 would not be 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 could only be described as a miracle that surpasses common sense. Even in theory would still impossible. So given Ayano’s questioning, Kazuma coldly replied,
“What would happen? Well it doesn’t matter anyways, 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 was not without reason, because if the sealed god is released, then the Fuuga clan would 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 was 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 was something Kazuma had 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 the 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, would be completely burned, without even leaving any ashes.
In order to send away such thing, it is needed to come in contact with the place of origin of the seal, certainly without a Kannagi main family member it 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 was 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 appeared as though such matters never even occurred.
The fact that the seal could not be removed by a member of the Fuuga clan was 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 was 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 this 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 would be 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; as many methods as could be desired. Although the strength of the Kannagi clan resides in its lineage, such attributes are practical only to that of the body, which means, even when losing conscious, or possessed by youma, the spirits would still protect Ren’s body.
“If we don’t hurry and 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 these 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 this.
“You don’t need to remind me! Even without borrowing your power, I alone am enough. I’ll show you!”
“…Wait a moment!”
Juugo constrained his daughter’s aggressive manner, not because he suspected Ayano’s strength, but because since it will involve the clan’s survival, plenty of battle power would be needed.
“Kazuma, can you defeat Ryuuya?”
“…It would be near impossible. Even under the best circumstance, I would not be able to last five minutes.”
After a slight consideration, Kazuma replied candidly. He frequently used an objective self-evaluation method to assess himself; meaningless over-evaluating of oneself is a very dangerous matter, this was something Kazuma learned from past experiences.
“Is that so…?”
In Juugo’s brain, an inequality was developed like so: Ryuuya> Kazuma> Genma> Ayano, which means that Ayano alone ould 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 was still incomparable with that thing.”
“You, you can even beat… that kind of thing?”
In Juugo’s expression there was probably more incomprehension than astonishment.
“Ha, yeah right! There was 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 did 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 them, 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 was 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 would 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 was 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 was not the same as before.
“Then, where exactly is this place?”
By now there was no further need for discussion. Faced with this kind of direct question, Juugo simply replied,
“Kyoto!”
In the northwest of Kyoto, there lies the ceremonial mountain of the fire god. That location was a sacred place of the Kannagi clan, the contractual place where the earth had 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.
| Return to Main Page | Back to Chapter 3 | Forward to Chapter 5 |
