Volume 1 Chapter 14 Kansai Disturbance Night I – The Night Comes
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”──What do you say, Suzuri? Shall we call it quits for today, eh?”
”Hm, isn’t it too early? I’m still good to go!”
In the familiar setting of the Kazuramichi household during training, Suzuri wiped her sweat and looked puzzled at Naoshi, who announced an earlier end than usual.
”Told ya, you forgot. Today’s a new moon.”
”Ah!”
On a moonless night, the ayakashi from the other side tend to appear more easily.
As for a full moon, they can get a bit too excited and cause trouble.
Anyway, the time from twilight until dawn is a period that exorcists need to be cautious about, and especially on new moon nights, it is the most critical.
”We gotta wrap this up nice and easy, ya hear? Don’t wanna end up exhausted, now, do we? I wanna take a nap, too.”
”Y-Yeah, you’re right.”
Living a completely reversed day-night schedule has its inconveniences, and adjustments are made daily in each household.
However, on new moon nights, in addition to regular preparations, it is expected that exorcists of second rank or higher remain on standby in an immediate response mode.
Of course, sometimes it may turn out to be unnecessary, but it is still a crucial precaution.
”Gotta stay sharp, right? Now that you’re trainin’ with me, folks’ll be watchin’ ya even closer than before.”
”Understood, I’ll make sure to prepare well.”
”If ya show any weakness, I might have to rethink the whole curriculum, ya know?”
”Is Nao-nii worried about me, or just trying to make me anxious…!?”
”If ya get flustered over this, it just shows ya still got some soft spots.”
”Ugh…”
Naoshi laughed heartily, while Suzuri let out a dissatisfied groan.
* * *
Night, in his quiet room, Naoshi was deep in meditation when a sudden chill ran down his back.
Almost immediately, his smartphone on the tatami mat rang.
His long fingers traced the screen, and he answered.
”Yeah, it’s Kazuramichi here.”
’This is the Kansai Regional Command Center. We have confirmed signs of a Great Youkai appearing on Ikoma Mountain. Based on the wave patterns, it is likely a Youkai. Could we request the Acting Head of the Kazuramichi family to mobilize?’
The young command officer’s voice was slightly shaky.
It was understandable; the appearance of a Great Youkai meant bad news for the first time in 3 years, an emergency situation.
Today, ayakashi are classified into 3 ranks: Lesser youkai, which are shapeless and often unnamed; Intermediate Youkai, which are well-known from folklore; and Great Youkai, which include named oni, dragon, and even local gods.
While small youkai can appear anywhere due to cracks in spiritual barriers, Intermediate Youkai and above usually first appear in the mountains.
Even as the era has shifted to Reiwa and development has progressed, the mountains still connect to other worlds.
It’s a troublesome situation, but knowing this allows for preparation, as in this case.
”Alright, let’s do this! With a Great Youkai on the loose, I can bring my entire team, right?”
’Yes, we are also requesting cooperation from families in Osaka and Nara. We will provide updates as they come.’
”Got it. What’s the lowdown on the situation on-site?”
’A team led by a local second-class exorcist is already on their way.’
”Make sure to tell ’em to keep their distance. Just keep an eye on their movements down the mountain.”
’Understood, I will convey that.’
”I’m in a rush, so I’ll take the spirit path. Please give me the green light.”
’Yes──ah, just a moment──’
”What’s wrong?”
’No, there are reports of multiple Intermediate Youkai appearing in Yoshino, Nara, and Otsu, Shiga…!’
”Don’t we have enough people for the job?”
Even if they are not as threatening as Great Youkai, dealing with Intermediate Youkai requires both numbers and quality.
If there are 2 locations at the same time, it’s already an emergency.
’Otsu has already sent out a counterattack from the Eizan Temple, and on the Shiga side, a top-tier Mibu-sama is on standby. In Yoshino, the first unit has been dispatched from the Matsurida family in Nara. Also, there’s a cooperation offer from the previous head of the Futaba family, who was staying in the area.’
”Itsuki’s got a 3-dimensional Youkai elder, that’s a plus. So, let’s deploy the forces to Ikoma as planned──.”
Naoshi was about to say to redirect them when an unprecedented chill ran down his back.
’──Eh!? No way, that’s a lie──’
”Commander, what went down?”
The panicked voice of the commander quickly confirmed that this was not just a bad feeling.
In the words of inquiry, an unmistakable anxiety seeped through.
’P-Please wait a moment! I’m confirming the details now──’
”Later’s good. It doesn’t matter if you’re wrong, where is it?!”
’T-There are signs of a Night Parade near the end of Midosuji…!’
”──South, what a pain in the neck again.”
The march of the ayakashi, the Night Parade.
The harm it could cause to ordinary people depends on the nature of the gathered ayakashi, but chaos in the surrounding area is guaranteed.
After all, the reported location is the main artery of Osaka, and even at midnight, it’s the worst of the worst.
However, in terms of pure threat level, it was lower compared to the previous 3 cases.
This complicates the situation a bit.
Decisions can’t be made easily, but time is of the essence.
”How ’bout Hyogo and Wakayama? The west is as quiet as a mouse, right?”
’Yes, not at the moment. But given the situation, preparations are necessary──’
”Of course, if they flee their hometown in a panic, it’d be a real mess for ’em.”
The Regional Command Bureau is a local branch of the Bureau of Onmyō, established to have strong-willed exorcists protect the community by crossing family boundaries, dividing the country into 8 regions.
Based on a vast amount of historical data, manuals are created, and according to the measurement of spirit power (reiryoku), threats are evaluated, requesting personnel with the necessary abilities from each family.
While the system to broadly utilize exorcists without relying on personal power or authority has faced criticism for being overly formal at times, it has generally managed to respond well──up until now.
However, this time, it clearly exceeds the scale that the Regional Command Bureau anticipated.
The simultaneous confirmation of multiple Intermediate Youkai in 2 locations happens maybe once a year, and if a Great Youkai appears as well, it brings back memories of the major disaster from a quarter-century ago.
It clearly goes beyond the area where a single regional command can make quick decisions, yet the situation demands a firm resolution.
──Well, it can’t be helped.
After a long exhale, Naoshi spoke in a deliberately calm voice.
”As the Acting Head of the Kazuramichi family, I wanna throw out a suggestion.”
’Y-yes, I’m listening.’
”I, Kazuramichi, a first-class exorcist, will take on the Great Youkai in Ikoma solo. In exchange, I want the Sakai forces to concentrate all their efforts on takin’ down Midosuji.”
’By yourself? Is that really okay?’
”It’s the only way.”
Naoshi said this with a hint of sarcasm to confirm the order.
Then he continued.
”Still, I know I’m the only one who can take on the Great Youkai head-on, but I still need more help to hold back the Night Parade. There’s just no one else I can rely on for this, ya hear?”
’B-but…’
”We don’t have time to waste on worryin’ or discussin’. If ya can’t make up your mind, Kazuramichi’ll just have to go it alone.”
’Understood. Please wait just a moment──’
Closing his eyes, Naoshi began to count in his mind.
Exactly 30 seconds later, he received a response.
’Approval granted. I will formally request from the district command to Kazuramichi Naoshi, first-class exorcist. Please head to Ikoma Mountain alone and eliminate the Great Youkai if it poses a threat.’
”I understand──appreciate it. Sorry for the scare, ya know?”
’No, thank you.’
With his smartphone in hand, Naoshi stood up and left the room.
In the hallway, 2 family members were already waiting like shadows.
”I’ll leave the gatherin’ of the team headin’ to Midosuji to Uncle Yoshiya. Once ya get there, just follow Shiun-san’s lead.”
”Yes.”
”And if any trouble pops up, ya know who to call──Great Uncle Yoshitora or Tatsuomi-san. I won’t have the luxury of time to deal with any issues once I get there, so ya better believe it!”
”Understood… What about Yoshitada-sama?”
”Ah, ya know Uncle Yoshiya and Great-Uncle Yoshitora can handle any issues that come up. I don’t have anything else to add, really.”
”Then it’s settled. If Ako-sama were here…”
”There’s no point in talkin’ about someone who’s not here. Just do what ya can, ya hear?”
While walking, he gave instructions to the family members following him, making sure all necessary preparations were in place.
”──Ah, right, the assigned commander. Can ya also share info with the other districts? Especially make sure to reach out to Kurosu-san in Shikoku.”
’Don’t worry, it’s already been done.’
”Sorry for the unnecessary comment. It’s great to have capable people on the team──ah, then I got one more personal request, if that’s cool with ya?”
’Yes, if it’s something I can do. What is it?’
”If this matter gets settled smoothly, let’s grab a bite together, ya hear? You’re a real looker, ya know. I can tell just by your voice, and I’d love to see ya again.”
’──I’ve met you once, Kazuramichi-san. Unfortunately, I didn’t receive any compliments at that time.’
”Oh no, that was a mistake… I better get goin’. Please give me the green light to use the spirit path.”
’Yes, may you have good fortune. I’ll look for a nice lunch place.’
”Just not somewhere too fancy, ya hear?”
With a small laugh from the assigned commander, he ended the call and stepped out of the entrance.
There, the exorcists of the Kazuramichi family were already fully prepared.
They all looked at Naoshi, eager to speak, their gazes fixed on him.
Naoshi met their stares directly, even smiling as he said.
”──Well then, that’s the order from the Acting Head of the Family. All our ninjas gotta do their best to keep the peace in Osaka City.”
Originally, he had planned to take his forces with him, but that was just a precaution for unexpected situations.
And that situation had already occurred, so he couldn’t afford to waste any resources.
”But, Young Master!”
”Going against a Great Youkai alone is…!”
”Stop callin’ me Young Master. In any case, ya can’t rely on numbers against a Great Youkai. If we did, who knows how many would bite the dust? I can’t win while protectin’ all of ya at the same time.”
His dismissive words made several of his family members grimace in frustration.
But that was simply the truth.
”And ya know what? It doesn’t matter who ya are, whether ya’re an exorcist or a regular person, whose life is more important? We were all raised to be ready to die if necessary. This is where we gotta stand our ground and fight.”
”That is…”
”You’re absolutely right, but…!”
As the family members continued to push back, Naoshi exaggeratedly shrugged his shoulders.
”Ugh──first of all, who’s the man standin’ in front of ya right now?”
”…Our master, a first-class exorcist and the head of the Kazuramichi family, Acting Head of the Family Naoshi-sama.”
”That’s right, the strongest exorcist in Kansai. The strongest one takes on the toughest and most rewarding tasks; it’s just the way it goes, ya know?”
No one misunderstood his intention when Naoshi spoke that name he truly despised, not out of humility but from the bottom of his heart.
There was no one left who could argue against his resolve.
”Time is money, ya know──let’s go. I think it’s a great chance to show the world that Kazuramichi rules in Kansai.”
”””Right──!”””
Everyone naturally bowed their heads to the master, who smiled proudly.
* * *
”Why, Father? Why must I wait! There’s a Great Youkai in Ikoma!”
”I judged that it was best based on the request from the district commander. After all, it is our agreement that we, the Shiun, protect the city of Osaka and Sakai. Failure is not allowed under any circumstances. We need to prepare──given that Kazuma-kun cannot move right now, that responsibility falls to you.”
The head of the Shiun family answered with a bitter expression to his daughter’s words.
Normally, the head would leave the front lines to his younger brother, Kazuma, and prepare from the back.
However, with Kazuma injured and unable to fight, the head had to take command himself, leaving Suzuri, who had talent but lacked experience, as a reserve force.
But just when he thought she might have calmed down a bit now that she could be by the side of the man she liked, this happened.
Yet, the head of the Shiun family was not foolish enough to mistake where the responsibility lay.
”But…!”
”Suzuri, do you see things more clearly than I or the district command? Do you think you understand better than those from the other families who follow us? Be careful.”
”B-but, with my current strength, I could even help Nao-nii──.”
”Don’t be arrogant──!!”
”!?”
He raised his voice at his stubborn daughter.
The head of the Shiun family felt ashamed of this bad habit, which he had been trying to reduce lately.
How could a man who had to raise his voice to even reason with his own daughter possibly lead a family of exorcists? This made him painfully aware of his own limitations.
”He’s not the kind of man who can only fight by relying on someone like you!? Everyone from the Kazuramichi family is gathered at Midosuji, following orders. Even those who must protect the lord are holding back!”
”That is…”
If he had just a bit more talent, or even just a bit more spirit, he could have easily handled being the head of the family while waiting for his well-raised children, who took after his wife, to grow up.
He was born as a branch of the Shiun family, and what he was good at was more about managing money than exorcism.
So originally, it was supposed to be his talented older brother who would marry into the main family.
But after his brother’s death, that role fell to him, and it was expected that he would support the eldest daughter of the main family, who was known for her talent.
However, that changed when his wife was injured and had to retire.
If either his brother or his wife had been alive, they wouldn’t have needed to rely on the eldest daughter, Suzuri; if he wished, she could have been married off at any time──though, well, she had been firmly turned down by a hopeful suitor once.
Still, even if it wasn’t the position he desired, he was now the head of the Shiun family.
He couldn’t give up.
For the sake of his 3 children, and for his brother and wife, the two he held dear.
Even if he was far from their level of talent.
”To replace your wishes with real problems──such softness and weakness is what he hates the most! Suzuri, what have you learned under him? You’re not a clueless child; you weren’t just playing around, were you!?”
”I-I’m sorry…”
”…As long as you understand. I will take command at Midosuji. You will prepare for unexpected situations. If something happens, act without waiting for my instructions.”
”Y-Yes, understood… Please be careful.”
”Yeah.”
Leaving his downcast daughter behind, the head of the family exited the room.
As the sliding door closed, a breath that had been held escaped.
”…Hah.”
”──Aren’t you a bit too old for this?” It’s easy to say that, but the truth is, the daughter is still young enough to be called a child!
However, it would be a problem if she remained that way; it was she who chose a path that could not be allowed.
And it was he who had put her in a situation where that was the only option.
Beneath a bitter expression, the head of the Shiun family suppressed all his feelings, and the family member who had been following him like a shadow finally spoke up.
”──Head of the family. Is it alright not to inform the young lady that we have already requested assistance from the Kanbe family in Hyogo for Ikoma?”
”It’s not for my daughter. It’s only natural for a house that protects Osaka to make arrangements in place of the young Kazuramichi-dono.”
Indeed, Kazuramichi Naoshi is strong.
But perhaps because of that, he tries to take on too much himself; his intentions are noble, but he is still young.
Right now, if something were to happen to him, the impact would not only affect the Kazuramichi family but would extend throughout the entire Kansai region (8 families).
”Moreover, if there are movements in Hyogo, we will cancel it; it’s just that simple. We shouldn’t raise any strange expectations.”
”But…”
”Don’t say any more. Both my wife and I have been a bit too lenient with him. He needs to stand on his own, not just rely on strength.”
”Y-Yes, understood.”
”Head of the family!”
Hearing the hurried footsteps of a family member rushing over, the head of the Shiun family felt an unusual sense of foreboding.
He asked first.
”──Is there something happening in Hyogo?”
”Y-Yes. There are signs of a Great Youkai appearing in the Rokko Mountains──it’s said to be a fox spirit.”
”That’s ridiculous…! A Great Youkai appearing in 2 places in one night…!?”
”──That’s right. Don’t tell my daughter; it would only distract her more. We have no time to deal with this.”
”Yes!”
Powerful ayakashi attract other ayakashi.
It’s understandable that other beings would show up drawn by the Great Youkai in Ikoma.
”…I don’t like this.”
But when 2 Great Youkai appear in quick succession at different times and places, it’s hard not to feel that something is off.
Because of this, the person his daughter cares for is now going to face the Great Youkai without any help.
Still, he trust that he will manage somehow.
There is no exorcist in Kansai who surpasses Kazuramichi Naoshi, even when it comes to making decisions to advance or retreat.
However──
”I don’t like this,” the head of the Shiun family repeats.
”What on earth is about to happen…?”
The answer to this unspoken thought, of course, was something no one in the room had.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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