Descending Kiyomizu Temple's approach after sightseeing, Yūgen and Fuko strolled. Fuko voiced a sudden doubt.
"By the way, Yūgen. You said business at Kiyomizu—why no meeting with the abbot?"
"Hm? Oh, that. Not the temple itself."
Last night, he'd mentioned visiting. Yet purely touristic—no action; natural confusion. Yūgen explained.
"Said Kiyomizu to hit a Traditionalist base en route."
"Traditionalist base? Risky?"
"Arashiyama's were rougher."
Fuko accompanied Arashiyama; sensed their volatile aura—hence concern. This base: milder Kyoto faction. Pre-researched via canon; judged safer.
They entered a mid-path tofu restaurant. Base in a eatery?—but Fuko's stomach growled first; she clutched it, embarrassed.
"Noon soon—eat before crowds. Fine, Fuko?"
"Y-Yes... Don't use my gut as clock!"
"Mine's hungry too—no growl."
"Mean, Yūgen!"
Teasing? Anyway, inside. Kimono-clad staff to tatami seats. Osiris Sight: magic user in back, no flight.
Fuko's terminal rang; she answered quietly. Yūgen scanned menu, deciding.
Call ended; Fuko's face screamed trouble.
"Fuko, issue? Order set?"
"Yes... but problem arose."
"Order first—talk later."
"Right."
Called staff: Yūgen yudōfu, Fuko yuba nabe. Different—simple: Gōzō frequented; "Tofu and yuba here are top-notch." Kyoto stays meant daily lunches. Uesugi health focus bred yuba overload—even Yūgen tired. Couldn't admit before Fuko; dodged.
"Overheard—Airi and Shiori? What?"
"Sharp ears. They're already in Kyoto."
"...Third High principal allowed?"
Curriculum demanded Friday classes; miraculous leave despite Ichishiki (Master Clan Assistant) and Kanō (Hundred Families) status.
"True. Shiori's student council treasurer—compe prep busy."
"Airi, Shōki, Shinkurō no roles?"
"Airi president, Ichijō discipline. Yoshikiri declined all."
Ichijō defense vs New Soviet inevitable; head Gōki likely forced leadership experience. Shōki skipping chief role fit his temperament.
"No guts, Shōki. I double as Miyuki's brake—cadre fear me. Underclassmen fine, but classmates too—still baffles."
"...You suffer too, Yūgen."
First High: Miyuki's meeting justified Airi; Shiori assist natural. Shinkurō scouting with Shōki as brake: Hard work.
Yuba nabe slow—skimming film with skewers. No plans post; leisurely chat, meal done. Staff approached.
"Customers. Owner requests audience—acceptable?"
Unexpected—no talk planned. Kagurazaka name from Nine Schools War; couldn't ignore. Fuko nodded; Yūgen to staff.
"Yes. Bill here—no change."
Lunch plus "broker fee" via ¥10,000 on receipt. Kurama windfall eased wallet.
Room: Japanese-Western fusion. Lacquered table, intricately carved wooden chairs—pricey.
Waiting: middle-aged man. Door shut; deep bow. No hostility—fearful awe.
Aura: curse master. Tea hat, samue—odd for guests, but uninvited us; no reprimand.
Seated center; Fuko beside.
"Shocked inheritor of Kyoto-based Kagurazaka visits."
Traditionalist opened. Kagurazaka left to shield royalty from foreigners—return signaled "punishment" to ancient casters.
"No action planned—leave as guests if ignored."
"To you, perhaps. But courtesy to benefactors or vanish like foam. We struggle with the ignorant."
"Harboring continental sorcerers?"
"Exactly."
Gōzō patronized for Kyoto Traditionalists' reconciliation potential. Prepping Yūgen as heir? Formidable grandfather.
To Fuko:
"Initially vengeance—vague. Against Ninth Lab using me, not betraying homeland."
Ninth Lab under "Nine" houses; government-ordered. Magic advancement birthed Traditionalists.
Blame: past government/cabinet. Ignored issue—public power trumped magic; enabled strict licenses/laws.
Government laxity pitted Traditionalists vs "Nine" houses. Easy: mages fight, no political meddling.
To mages—modern/ancient—nuisance. Yuanlaoyuan too: If truly concerned, own inaction.
"Can't follow Nara's ways. Knowing internal sabotage, why harbor continentals... Japanese loyalty to Japan; theirs to homeland."
Loyalty emotional, not ideological—lingers despite exile.
"Understood no further Ninth Lab conflict. But not Kyoto Traditionalists' consensus. Arashiyama, Kurama continental-influenced—correct?"
"...Yes. When did you—"
"Lodging near Arashiyama; set 'Sanctuary' arrays—gleaned Zhou Gongjin contact. Kurama visit sensed continental aura."
Elder stunned. Ex-Ten Master Clans known, but breezing bases: "impossible" even combined local ancient power.
'Sanctuary': Abe no Seimei's legendary protective array.
"Revive Seimei's 'Sanctuary'?"
"Progressing. 7 years: Michizane's 1200th anniversary. New Tenmangu in Arashiyama; quadrants—Arashiyama, Hiei, Inariyama, Ishimizu Hachimangu—as origins."
Arashiyama/Atago owned by Kagurazaka; bases illegal trespass—evictable. Ignored advisories: "administrative execution" for shrine—detain, demolish.
"Offer Kyoto Traditionalists choice. Continentals: deportation at best. Natives stay. Orthodox—Hiei, Kurama—agree return if desired. Remain: fitting treatment."
Leverage Traditionalist network for Kyoto surveillance—"Nine" houses might chafe, but no standing after inaction.
Kushima accepted Zhou Gongjin's Parasite Doll defector post-Nine Schools; escape fueled chaos—prime blame. Could've gracefully abdicated; continues research via Saeki.
Hell either way. Zhou Gongjin trace request to 'Kuzuryū' revealed bombshell.
Cut Zhou-Seventh Grass media ties; early June: Zhou-Nagura meet, then Kushima visit for defector. Osiris Sight retro-scanned conversations—digitized.
Mere talk: no Seventh Grass suspicion. Nagura: Hongichi's confidant. Causality held; confirm with Nagura... currently dead.
"Take us under Kagurazaka?"
"Multiple choices. Homesick? Connect to allied houses, repatriate. Quick reply preferred."
"...Understood. I'll inform comrades. Answer by year-end. In exchange—service?"
No Arashiyama leniency—muddying amnesty. Kurama "contamination": Hiei/Kurama action pretext; no demands.
"Arashiyama/Kurama: may purge continental influence harshly. Stay out."
"Knew contamination... Understood. Else?"
"Continental guide—fugitive Zhou Gongjin from Yokohama Chinatown—traced southeast from Arashiyama. Uji River to Nara possible?"
Canon: Uji "barrier" manager (weaker than Kagurazaka main). Zhou hadn't crossed.
Hinted; elder startled.
"That phrasing—you noticed Uji barrier."
"Uji barrier... upstream dam; purifies partial flow spiritually?"
"Impressive companion. Mostly correct."
Water ancient magic, spiritual rites—Forty-Nine Institute forte; elder admired.
Barrier: alarm only. Monitored Zhou personally.
Dangerous Zhou; no sympathy for Kushima's Parasite greed. Ancient vs modern stance; distorted power chase.
Zhou in Uji confirmed; not crossed. North/east risky; Osaka/Nara requires Uji pass.
Hideout evading Ten Clans: National Defense Ground Forces Uji Second Supply Base—prime candidate.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"