Volume 6 Chapter 4 Lady Perfectly？③
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The Bureau of Onmyō¹.
An organization forged during the era of the Ritsuryō system, it persisted as an administrative organ of the Cabinet Office, its name remaining etched into the nation’s core even now in the Reiwa era.
Though its fundamental nature has shifted with the times, its mandate of national protection remains steadfast.
At the headquarters of the Bureau of Onmyō in Kasumigaseki, Kazuramichi Naoshi had come to visit Touma Yukinojo.
”Man, even the great Yuki-kun looks pretty beat, ya ne,” Naoshi said.
In the small meeting room where he’d been escorted, Naoshi called out to Yukinojo, who sat with his eyes closed in meditation. Likely due to being confined there since the review meeting began, a visible layer of exhaustion clung to his features.
”Nao-san. My apologies for summoning you on such short notice,” Yukinojo replied.
”Don’t sweat it, don’t sweat it. It’s not like a guy in your shoes has any free time anyway, arahen ya ro.”
As he spoke, Naoshi handed over a can of coffee he’d picked up from a vending machine on the way in. He then sat sideways in a chair one removed from Yukinojo, propping a single elbow on the table. His casual posture was a clear message: let’s keep this talk relaxed.
”—So, how’s the other side playin’ it, do-na-i?” Naoshi asked.
”They’re squabbling. They claim total ignorance of any involvement; in fact, they’ve had the audacity to push back, suggesting our own security was simply inadequate. The relevant departments are absolutely fuming.”
”The nerve of those thieves is really somethin’, ya naaa.”
”Furthermore, it appears one of the pro-China politicians was caught in the mix, which is being treated as a severe internal issue.”
”Oh, are we finally gonna get a legal precedent for ‘Inducement of Foreign Invasion’? That’s a total hype-train finish, ya ne,” Naoshi said.
For the crime of Inducement of Foreign Invasion, the only statutory penalty is death.
During the review meeting, there had been a clear exercise of force by foreign powers targeting exorcists² and Bureau of Onmyō personnel. Applying the charge wasn’t entirely outside the realm of possibility. Yukinojo managed a wry smile at Naoshi’s flippant remark.
”Well, for those reasons, we can’t exactly make this public anytime soon. The Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office has stepped in, and it’s become a massive warawa trying to figure out how to sweep it under the rug. It was a stroke of luck that the press wasn’t on-site.”
”Hoh, well, I don’t need the nitty-gritty. If some big shot has an ‘accidental death,’ I’ll just assume that’s what went down, ya ro.”
Yukinojo nodded at Naoshi’s words—sentiments that were, in their own way, typical for an exorcist.
”Unfortunately, that is a distinct possibility,” Yukinojo said.
When it comes to high-level political maneuvering, the strongest in Kanto isn’t the one making the calls. Ultimately, it’s a fundamental truth for an exorcist that one’s own (jibun no) actions dictate whether they live or die.
”So, how about the Taoist sister?” Naoshi asked.
”Depending on how the talks go, the raid itself might be treated as if it never occurred. Securing her custody shouldn’t be an issue. At the very least, we’ll ensure things are handled without any ‘accidents’.
”Sounds like there’s another catch, ya ne?”
”The puppets were one thing, but the Jiangshi³ was the real problem,” Yukinojo replied.
”Ah, yeah, that makes sense.”
From Naoshi’s perspective, the matter could be closed by simply acknowledging them as a formidable foe worthy of respect. However, techniques that manipulate the deceased cannot be flaunted in the light of day. This was especially true given the presence of individuals from other nations, particularly those from Christian cultural spheres.
”The Brits and the Americans were there too, ya naaa.”
”Precisely. In the West, anything involving necromancy is almost guaranteed to carry the maximum penalty. If she weren’t such a young practitioner⁴, I don’t want to think about what the fallout would have been.”
If Hu Lingyin was as young as she appeared, she was in her early twenties at most. She hadn’t even been born before the Hong Kong handover. In short, she must have ‘inherited’ that Jiangshi Mouyon from a mentor or a blood relative. If that narrative holds, an excuse can be manufactured.
”What’s the Japanese precedent for that again?” Naoshi asked.
”There are no direct examples, but it would likely fall under ‘Damaging or Abandoning a Corpse.’ We would undoubtedly face international criticism for being too lenient.”
”‘Not my problem,’ ya naa. Well, I guess we’ll just swap her name out and have her lay low until the heat dies down.”
”Yes… Nao-san, regarding your request—was that truly alright? While her information served as meaningful corroboration, it still feels…”
”It’s give and take. A man’s gotta stand by his word once he lets it fly, ya naa. Well, that’s all assuming we navigate this mess safely, ya ne.”
”Understood.”
The sharp click of two soda tabs echoed through the room, followed by the aroma of coffee and a heavy silence. Yukinojo was the first to break it.
”Regarding the day of the operation—Nao-san, would you and the others be willing to remain here at headquarters with me as reserve forces?”
”Sure thing, aiyo.”
”Thank you.”
Despite the almost anticlimactic lightness of Naoshi’s reply, Yukinojo bowed his head deeply.
”What’s with the sudden stiff act, ya naaa? We’re buddies, right, Yuki-kun?”
”No, it’s just that I’m not without my own reservations concerning this arrangement,” Yukinojo replied.
”Even so, you’ve made your peace with it. It wouldn’t sit right for a guest to start bellyaching about being kept off the front lines, ya ro.”
”I’m grateful for your discretion. There are still those within the ranks who question the propriety of relying on an outsider, after all.”
”That’s just the way of the world, ya ro. Having a sense of responsibility is a good trait; far better than just dumping the load on someone else—you’ve got enough manpower as it is, ya ro?”
”I’ll be deploying the other First-Classes to the four cardinal points. Dushan-jou is bound for Ome, and the Third Seat for Isehara. Since Narita is Umeda, that front will be managed primarily by the Temple and Shrine Association.”
”And the northern defenses?” Naoshi asked.
”I’ll station a single First-Class there, but I’m intentionally keeping that flank thinner than the other three.”
”That’s a bold move, ya naaa.”
”The strategy is calculated. I don’t believe it’s a case of overconfidence.”
”Well, that’s what the reserves are for. If they all come charging north in high spirits only for Yuki-kun to step out and sweep ’em all up at once, that’d be quite the show, ya ro.”
Yukinojo nodded at Naoshi’s assessment.
”—Also, though I’m asking you to remain on standby, Nao-san, Narita is still uneasy about Kasumigaura. Consequently, I’ve requested backup from Ms. Kurosu.”
”Oh, Tama-chan’s coming up?” Naoshi asked.
”Yes. Despite everything I said about responsibility…”
Kurosu Tamane—the strongest and sole First-Class exorcist in Shikoku. She was a titan who vied for the title of Western Japan’s strongest alongside Naoshi and Kyushu’s Kurushima Tesshin. Above all, her true value as a practitioner lay in her specialized ability to dominate large numbers of adversaries simultaneously.
”Nah, she’s in a league of her own, ya ro. Not exactly a lot of people who can do what she does. I’m impressed she agreed to it, though.”
”The moment I mentioned Nao-san was here, she accepted without a second thought. She’ll be on the first flight tomorrow morning.”
”Does that have something to do with me? She’s as carefree as ever, ya naaa.”
”It does indeed. When I informed her Nao-san was serving as reserve force, she barked, ‘Nande yanen!’ right at me.”
”I can practically hear her. Sounds like she’s gonna butt heads with Suzuri-chan and the rest… well, regardless, with her here, the East is airtight, ya ne.”
”Indeed. It seems we’ve assembled the best possible defense.”
It wasn’t a perfect arrangement, but it was a tactical layout as close to optimal as one could hope for. Yet, lurking beneath the planning was a persistent premonition—that despite everything, the event would still trigger. This intuition prompted Naoshi to ask one final question.
”By the way, Yuki-kun. What’s the deal with the Tsuchimikado and Kamo families?”
The legendary lineages of Onmyōdō—descendants of the great Abe no Seimei and his mentor Kamo no Tadayuki—had transitioned into the premier houses of exorcists as the centuries passed. The two families charged with protecting Kyoto had long reigned supreme, but following the Emperor’s relocation to Tokyo, the main branches moved East, leaving the branch houses of Kyoto Tsuchimikado and Kadenokoji in the old capital. In the present day, while the latter holds two seats among the Kyoto Omyoren and the Four Sacred Guardians, the former’s name is conspicuously absent from the elite ‘Ten Excellence’ in Kanto. The hierarchy of exorcists is fluid; it is common for a house’s power to wane if the timing of succession is poor. A prime example is the 8 families of Kansai, where only four currently boast First-Class practitioners. However, in the face of such an unprecedented crisis, the silence surrounding those legendary names was deafening.
”—I must ask that you keep this in the strictest confidence,” Yukinojo said, after a brief silence.
”The Tsuchimikado main house lost the qualification to command the Twelve Heavenly Generals⁵ some time ago.”
”Huh? You’re joking, ya ro.”
Meeting Naoshi’s stunned gaze squarely, Yukinojo shook his head.
”I understand your disbelief, but it is the cold truth.”
The Twelve Heavenly Generals—the legendary Shikigami once bound to Seimei’s service—possessed a fame rivaling the Zenki and Goki of En no Ozuno. Unlike the latter, who had vanished into the mists of history, the Generals were believed to be the ultimate Shikigami even in the modern age.
”Wait, so those walking disasters are just out there ‘in the wild’ (..) now?” Naoshi asked.
”Hardly. It is simply that the current head can only successfully manifest four of them. And even then, they cannot be reliably factored into our tactical calculations. The Kamo family is in a similar state of decline.”
”Ah—so in other words, they’re useless to us right now, ya ne?”
”To be blunt, yes. I suppose the environment here simply did not agree with them.”
Exorcist talent—ability—is generally passed down as a dominant genetic trait. Short of a lineage going extinct, one of the few recorded reasons for a family’s power to atrophy is the relocation of their ancestral base. While the exact causes are a mystery and historical examples are sparse, this phenomenon heavily influences the fierce territorialism seen among exorcists.
”It’s merely a rumor, but I’ve heard the power dynamic between the two houses has already inverted between the East and West.”
”Ah, so that’s why the discussion shifted to the Omyoren⁶ during the review meeting…” Naoshi muttered.
”There may have been some political maneuvering behind the scenes.”
After a huff of annoyance, Naoshi lightly slapped his own cheeks to refocus.
”Guess I’m still too soft, ya naaa. Imagine me actually worrying about the reputation of other houses.”
”I was equally incredulous when the news first reached me. The names of those two families carry immense weight, after all,” Yukinojo said, offering a small consolation.
”The past is the past, and the present is the present, ya wa. Besides, we’ve got Yuki-kun here for now anyway.”
”Yes, and we have Nao-san holding down the West.”
”And a bit further West, we’ve got Tama-chan and Tetsu-kun as well.”
”Indeed. And by tomorrow, three of you will be gathered under this roof.”
Naoshi nodded at Yukinojo’s words, which were spoken with a quiet but unmistakable pride.
”Guess all that’s left is to sit back and watch the show, ya na.”
”Yes.”
”Well then, it’s about time I made myself scarce, ya wa.”
”Understood.”
”—Oh, and Yuki-kun, that smartphone I ‘forgot’, I’ll be back for it later, ya wa.”
With those words, Naoshi slid a smartphone from his pocket across the polished surface of the desk.
”Understood. However, might I ask one more thing?” Yukinojo asked.
”Hmm?”
”Haruno has been throwing her support behind Ms. Suzuri and her group; she’s been insisting that I report every detail back to her. I could simply disregard her, but…”
”It’s the same headache no matter where you go, ya naaa.”
”So, would you mind helping me keep our stories consistent?”
”Of course. I’m the one who brought the trouble in, so it’s only fair, ya ne.”
”I appreciate it… though I must admit, this sort of ‘men’s conspiracy’ is surprisingly enjoyable.”
Naoshi twisted his lips into a smirk, almost as if teaching Yukinojo how to wear an expression that felt foreign to the younger man’s face.
”My thoughts exactly, ya ne. It’s a real pity Tetsu-kun was the first one to check out.”
”I would loathe to cause any grief for Ms. Sato. Let us ensure we don’t end up playing with fire ourselves,” Yukinojo replied.
”Right on, ya ne. Catch ya later.”
”Yes, until we meet again.”
—
Author:
With that, Kazuramichi Naoshi departed from the Bureau of Onmyō headquarters, having successfully evaded the daughters who had been tailing him without them ever suspecting a thing.
—
Summary:
Naoshi visits Yukinojo at the Bureau of Onmyō to discuss the aftermath of a foreign-led raid and the custody of a Taoist girl. They coordinate the deployment of First-Class exorcists for an upcoming defensive operation, including the arrival of the powerful Kurosu Tamane. A shocking revelation is made regarding the Tsuchimikado and Kamo families losing their ability to control the legendary Twelve Heavenly Generals. Naoshi leaves behind a ‘forgotten’ phone as part of a clandestine agreement with Yukinojo to manage information.
—
Character Insight:
This chapter highlights the mutual respect and professional camaraderie between Naoshi and Yukinojo. Yukinojo’s willingness to engage in a ‘conspiracy’ with Naoshi shows a more human, slightly mischievous side beneath his rigid Bureau facade. Meanwhile, Naoshi’s casual demeanor masks a deep understanding of the political and supernatural shifts occurring in the exorcist world, particularly his pragmatism regarding the decline of legendary lineages.
—
Behind the Scene:
The mention of ‘Inducement of Foreign Invasion’ (Gaikannyuuchi) refers to one of the most severe crimes in the Japanese Penal Code, historically significant as it is the only crime where the death penalty is mandatory upon conviction, emphasizing the gravity of the foreign interference in the story’s world.
—
T/L:
Notes:
• Touma Yukinojo – The head of the Touma family, a prominent exorcist clan from Kanto. At just 21 years old, he is regarded as the strongest exorcist in Japan, known for his exceptional swordsmanship and mastery over fire. He is also referred to by the title ‘Ice Blade’, which scatters spirits, and is noted for possessing the ‘Divine Eye’, a unique ability that further enhances his prowess. Yukinojo is described as a handsome young man with the blood of a snow woman.
• Hu Lingyin – Female. A genius Taoist who controls Zhang. Her appearance is fierce, and she is quick to anger. She is the mastermind behind Zhang’s actions and plays a key role in the assassination plan.
• Lingyin – Female. A genius Taoist who controls Zhang. Her appearance is fierce, and she is quick to anger. She is the mastermind behind Zhang’s actions and plays a key role in the assassination plan.
• Mouyon – Male. A martial arts master and former resident of Kowloon Walled City. His appearance is that of a middle-aged man with a large build and a dull-headed nature. He is a corpse (Kyonshi) with cloudy white eyes, later pierced by a black spot. His relationship is one of rivalry with Naoshi, driven by a command to kill him. His combat style involves Tiger Claw (Fujau) and Shadowless Kick, utilizing his trained fingers and log-like thighs.
• Dushan – Dushan Cecil. She is a rare Christian relic user in Japan and a strong fighter, second only to Yukinojo in the Kanto region. An exorcist with French roots and affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. Her relationship with the British witch is adversarial, as their backgrounds and beliefs clash.
• Tamane – The strongest and only First-Class exorcist in Shikoku. Known for her ability to handle multiple opponents simultaneously. She is coming to Kanto to assist upon hearing Naoshi is involved.
• Kamo family – one of the oldest and most revered clans in Japanese history, deeply tied to Shinto rituals and the protection of Kyoto. Alongside the Tsuchimikado family, they played a significant role in the spiritual and exorcistic traditions of the capital, especially during the Meiji era when many such families relocated to Tokyo.
• Haruno – A cheerful, talented exorcist close to Yukinojo, related to Naoshi; confident, proactive, and supportive of her friends. Touma Yukinojo’s cousin. A second-class exorcist and daughter of the Kusurugawa family, one of the influential figures in Kanto.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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