Koken took a sip of tea, sighing over his past experiences.
However, Yusei listened with great interest and couldn't help but urge him on, "And then what?"
"And then what?"
"The story!" Yusei said impatiently.
Koken's face darkened, "Hmph, everything I said is true. There's no 'and then'. I was no match for them, and then that person saved me."
"Tch, you just don't want to say how pathetic you looked when you were beaten, right?" Yusei looked at Koken with disdain.
Having been mercilessly exposed, Koken's old face reddened slightly, but he still cleared his throat.
"That's not important. The main point is, the way that person saved me was by summoning lightning from the sky to strike down those youkai."
"Those youkai, the lightning... made me understand that this world isn't as 'scientific' as it appears. The youkai and gods recorded in ancient texts and myths might truly exist. It's just that they rarely appear before us."
"So, what does this have to do with the current request?"
Koken shook his head with a grave expression, "Actually, I'm not entirely clear on the specifics of the request either... But that Miko once saved my life. This time, she asked me, or someone I send, to go to her to receive the specific details of the request."
"So you want to pass this errand-running job to me?" Yusei said.
"Nonsense! Do I seem like that kind of person? I long ago considered you my grandson."
'Why does that sound like an insult?'
Yusei silently complained. Then he heard Koken continue, "Because that place is where I traveled in the past. It's the very mountain I just mentioned. Whether there are still youkai there now, I'm not sure."
"So I chose you over Kaguya. You are far stronger than her. If she went with you, she'd just get in the way."
Yusei nodded in agreement, "That's true."
Kaguya glared at her grandfather and Yusei in discontent but didn't say anything.
Yusei sighed, "Alright, I'll go. But you have to give me a decent weapon, right? I still don't have a personal weapon yet."
Koken smiled faintly and said to Hayasaka, "Hayasaka, bring that sword."
Hayasaka was taken aback, "Which one?"
"The heirloom of the Shinomiya Family."
Hayasaka nodded and was about to go get it, but her steps suddenly halted. She looked at Koken with an expression of disbelief.
Kaguya also stared at her grandfather in shock, unable to believe he would make such a decision.
"What's wrong? Is the Shinomiya Family's heirloom very valuable?" Yusei asked, puzzled by their reactions.
Hayasaka took a deep breath, trying to keep her tone calm.
"It's not a matter of value. Of course, it is very valuable... but what's most significant is the history it carries."
"This sword, as the heirloom of the Shinomiya Family, is the sword of the very first Shinomiya Family's head, the one who created the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu. It has been passed down for a thousand years."
"Unless one is the head of the Shinomiya Family, no one is qualified to touch that sword. Even the head of the Shinomiya Family cannot use it without gaining the sword's acknowledgment."
"Simply put, that sword seems to have a spirit of its own."
Kaguya, beside them, also nodded and said seriously, "Although it's been passed down for over a thousand years, according to records left by the Shinomiya Family's ancestors, the sword was not forged in his era. It might be even older. He obtained it by chance and was acknowledged by it."
By now, Hayasaka, following Koken's instructions, had brought the sword.
It looked no different from an ordinary sword, even covered in some rust.
Koken took it and handed it to Yusei without the slightest hesitation.
"This sword has the power to slay youkai and demons. That is its most basic function, and the only one I can utilize."
"It's embarrassing to say, but I cannot make its true form appear." A look of regret appeared on Koken's face.
"What is its true form?" Yusei asked, not understanding.
"According to records, after acknowledging a user, this sword will transform into a brand new blade, not remain rusty like this."
Yusei nodded and directly drew the sword. Sure enough, the blade inside was also dull and covered in rust everywhere.
Yusei gently placed his finger on the blade. Instantly, he felt a cool sensation on his fingertip, and a thin cut appeared.
"It's this sharp?"
"Correct. Even though it's rusty, it is indestructible and incredibly sharp. It's just that its appearance isn't very pleasing."
"This task might involve encountering youkai, but the Shinomiya Family has always had people stationed in Hokkaido, and there have been no reports of youkai attacking people."
"So, there's no need to be overly worried. You're taking this sword just as a precaution."
"Alright, I understand. But when should I depart?"
"As soon as possible. That old friend's time is probably running out. Otherwise, she wouldn't have suddenly sought my help after decades of no contact. There must be something going on."
After Koken gave a few more instructions, Yusei took the [Nameless] sword and left.
[Nameless] was the sword's name. Because the ancestor didn't record the sword's name, later generations didn't dare to name it, so it was called [Nameless].
Nameless was tightly wrapped in bandages and carried on Yusei's back.
However, he didn't notice that beneath the bandages, inside the scabbard, the small drop of blood from the cut on his finger had been silently absorbed by the blade.
At this time, the rust on the blade had faded slightly.
In a luxury car heading away from the Shinomiya main house, Kaguya was frowning in thought. Hayasaka was driving in the front.
Suddenly, Kaguya spoke, "Did Yusei-kun say when he wants you to book his ticket?"
"Considering he's carrying a weapon, we've arranged for the Shinomiya Family's private jet. It departs tomorrow afternoon at four," Hayasaka, who was driving, replied.
Kaguya nodded, "You know about asking for leave from school, right?"
"No, what I mean is... ask for one more person's leave."
Hayasaka's hands on the steering wheel almost jerked.
"That's right. Ask for leave for me too. I think it's too dangerous for Yusei-kun to go alone."