Volume 6 Chapter 16 The March 25th Metropolitan Incident ⑧
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Kusurugawa Haruno let out a ragged breath and slumped onto the hard ground. Her Exorcist¹ robes were saturated with the blood of Ayakashi², and the hands gripping her cherished naginata trembled, drained of all strength. A mixed battalion of armed humans and Ayakashi had launched a sudden, violent strike on Omiya Station. Because the station sat near the Northern Base, they had managed to secure the Joetsu and Hokuriku Shinkansen lines, along with the local railway tracks, but they had been forced to sacrifice the surrounding train yards and maintenance facilities in the process. Repairs would certainly take more than a day or two.
”Anyone with strength left, assist the wounded! If you’re proficient in illusions or fire-style techniques, help with the concealment. We’ve decided to fabricate a fire to cover our tracks,” the first-grade Exorcist leading the unit barked. He had sustained injuries during a fierce struggle with a foreign ability-user who appeared to be the enemy commander, yet he continued to move about with only the briefest of medical treatment.
”Please, utilize these. They are Fox-fire Talismans³,” Haruno said, handing them over.
”Thank you, Second-grade Kusurugawa.”
”Don’t mention it,” Haruno replied.
Haruno’s expertise lay in martial arts and talismans—the traditional path of an Exorcist. Her Fox-fire, a phantom flame that could burn or not at her whim, would prove invaluable for the deceptive operations. While the cover-up began, Haruno focused on treating the casualties with her healing talismans.
”…”
One could hardly call the fruits of this battle a victory. At its core, an Exorcist’s duty was to combat Ayakashi. When pitted against humans who sought urban sabotage from the very beginning, they were not always in their element. Of course, there were those like Haruno’s cousin, or the young man who had been radiating an overwhelming presence to the northeast during the battle, who could simply overpower such threats with raw Spirit Energy⁴—but they were the outliers. Haruno closed the eyelids of the final casualty nearby, an Exorcist who had already breathed his last, and wiped the blood from his marred face. The man, likely in his thirties, had apparently been caught in an explosion; horrific burns ravaged the left side of his upper body. To an Exorcist, death was a constant companion. Protecting the nation was their mandate. Yet, Haruno wondered if a sacrifice like this could truly be considered a fulfillment of their true purpose. As these thoughts swirled, her phone vibrated.
”…Yes?”
’Haruno, are you unharmed?’ The voice from the Touma family asked bluntly, speaking with a slight haste that was uncharacteristic of him. Haruno felt her ragged heart settle at that simple fact, realizing she was perhaps a bit too easily comforted as she let out a breath.
”Thanks, I’m okay. What about you, Yuki-nii?”
’Yeah, I’m fine. But today seems to have been a disaster everywhere. I know you’ve had a difficult time… don’t let it weigh on your soul too much,’ Yukinojo said.
”Right,” Haruno answered.
’So, how is Nao-san doing?’
Haruno couldn’t help but burst into a small laugh at the question that followed his clumsy attempt at consolation.
”Come on, Yuki-nii. You can’t just follow up like that immediately after being sweet,” Haruno teased.
’Hm? Is that so?’
Haruno sighed, her shoulders finally losing their tension at his clearly oblivious response. “I haven’t received any info here, but he’s likely fine. I’ve never felt Spirit Energy like that from anyone but you, Yuki-nii.”
’—I see, yes. I suppose you’re right,’ Yukinojo replied.
”More importantly, what’s the situation elsewhere? You must be getting the reports, right?”
’The four cardinal directions are generally secure. We allocated sufficient forces there. The real issues arose in cases like yours, where you were forced to engage with terrorists,’ Yukinojo explained.
”So it really did happen in other places too,” Haruno said.
’Did you hear about the blaze in Tachikawa? That was probably their primary objective. A combatant equivalent to a first-grade and two Intermediate Youkai⁶—both nearly Great Youkai⁵ class—were advancing toward the city center along the Chuo Line.’
”…Were they halted?” Haruno asked.
’The interception at Kichijoji was a failure, but they finally stopped them at Koenji. However, two first-grades were lost in the process.’
”I see… do you know who they were?”
’Mr. Arataka and the head of the Tsuchimikado family.’
Haruno’s breath hitched. One of those names was far from a stranger to her. Arataka Takao, a peculiar Exorcist who also held the rank of a Ready Reserve Self-Defense Official, had been a close associate of Yukinojo—a boisterous, open-hearted man whose personality matched his massive, imposing frame.
”I’m sorry… I, well…” Haruno’s voice trailed off as she realized that her earlier concern for Kazuramichi Naoshi hadn’t been solely out of friendship.
’It’s fine. Didn’t I tell you not to let it weigh on you? I, of course, and that man as well, have always lived with that resolve.’ Yukinojo’s voice was gentle. The events that had transpired in Kanto tonight were a blood-soaked battlefield unlike anything the majority of Exorcists born in the last several decades had ever witnessed. No one knew what would happen to whom—anything was possible. And yet her cousin, a mere two years her senior, behaved as though it were all perfectly natural.
”Yuki-nii…”
While he was a pillar of support, it was also terrifying. It felt as though he were gazing at something that forced him to maintain such a composure.
”Do you think… this is the end of it?” Haruno asked.
’For tonight, yes. Whoever orchestrated this, I doubt this represents the entirety of their plan—but I’d like to believe they couldn’t possibly repeat an operation of this magnitude anytime soon,’ Yukinojo said with a dry, mirthless chuckle.
”Yeah, you’re right. I’m sure that’s it.” Haruno exhaled a long breath of relief at his words.
’We’ve talked long enough. You still have duties to attend to. Get some proper rest once things are tidied up. Good work today.’
”Yeah, you too, Yuki-nii—”
’Good work,’ Yukinojo said.
”Ah,” Haruno whispered.
In response to his cousin’s farewell, Yukinojo ended the call. He turned his gaze back toward the land. He stood there for a time, watching the lights of the town (aka the city) as if to sear into his memory the sight of the world they had managed to protect, despite the heavy price they had paid.
”…”
His whispered words were instantly scattered by the sea breeze. At his feet, drifting in Tokyo Bay, was a colossal ice statue of a titan, towering dozens of meters into the air.
* * *
”Things look fine over here ssu. Glad we made it in time. Ako-chan, what’s the word on your end?” Naoshi asked.
At the Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel, specifically within the pressure-adjusting tank, Naoshi called out to Ako. He had just finished confirming that the Ushi-Oni⁸ was dead and had completed a full sweep of the facility to assess the damage and hunt for any remaining hostiles.
”We’re finished for the moment. We’re in the process of handing over the subsequent cleanup to the Bureau of Onmyō⁷,” Ako replied.
”Gotcha ssu. Good work,” Naoshi said.
The surges of ink, which had likely absorbed the toxic blood of a Great Youkai, had been frozen and swept aside. Including the massive carcass still impaled on the pillar, the handling of these poisoned remains would require significant care.
”A grudge that persists even after death,” Suzuri remarked with a somber look.
”Well, it’s basically just toxic waste now ssu,” Naoshi said, shrugging his shoulders.
”Indeed, the aftermath of a Great Youkai’s defeat is almost always a logistical nightmare,” Ako added. Chronicles of Ayakashi transformed from vengeful spirits, cursing deities, or oni were plentiful.
”Even if the opponent has no famous legend, Suzuri-san, please remain on your guard,” Ako warned.
”I will. So, Nao-nii…”
Naoshi gave a wry smile at Suzuri, who was peeking in his direction. She was clearly ruminating on the connection to her own Ayakashi, yet she also seemed to be fishing for a bit of praise. Both she and Ako had certainly exceeded expectations during this operation. Naoshi didn’t intend to be stingy with his gratitude.
”Yeah, I was wondering how to handle this ssu. You really saved our hides. You too, Ako-chan,” Naoshi said.
”No, I’m just pleased to have been of service,” Ako said modestly.
”Hmph. I suppose you could call it the ‘power of domestic help’,” Suzuri proclaimed with a hint of pride.
”That was definitely just regular combat duty ssu,” Naoshi shot back, correcting her misuse of the phrase.
”If you keep this up ssu, I might seriously start considering you for a first-grade recommendation.”
”—Does that mean our wedding ceremony is next?” Suzuri asked.
”Let’s not skip like two whole steps ssu. You really go full idiot the moment you get an opening, don’t you?” Naoshi replied.
”Wh-Idiot…!”
”Well, that’s what makes you cute ssu,” Naoshi teased.
”That’s the second time you’ve used that transparent deflection, Nao-nii,” Suzuri grumbled.
”You sure have a sharp memory for the weirdest things ssu. And Ako-chan, what are you up to now?” Naoshi asked.
Naoshi spoke to his foster sister, who was currently busy patting down his entire body, even stretching up on her tiptoes to reach. Ako tilted her head, answering in a tone as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
”I’m verifying that you haven’t been afflicted by the Ushi-Oni’s curse, just as a precaution.”
”Didn’t we already do that when I said I was going to check the perimeter ssu?” Naoshi asked.
”We were in a rush then because of the blood containment,” Ako replied.
”You’re such a worrywart ssu… Suzuri-chan, a double check isn’t necessary,” Naoshi warned the girl as she began to inspect his chest area.
”Truly, such carefree children,” Naoshi sighed.
”Hey, everything else has been settled today, hasn’t it?” Suzuri asked.
”The most critical part hasn’t been settled yet ssu—why did the Ayakashi target us with such pinpoint precision?” Naoshi asked.
Suzuri let out a small gasp at Naoshi’s query. Ako merely gave a slight nod, having clearly been contemplating the same issue.
”I understand why the hubs of the barrier were targeted; they are locations where Spirit Energy converges. This facility has spiritual defenses as well, so I can see why they would be drawn here, but…” Ako pondered.
”Well, it’s a certainty that someone provided that Great Youkai with insider information ssu,” Naoshi stated.
”Wasn’t it a foreign group? They were using firearms and explosives,” Suzuri suggested.
”They’re definitely in the mix ssu. And it makes sense that those people would target this place (・・),” Naoshi replied.
”The issue is how they formed a cooperative pact with the Ayakashi. I find it hard to believe they could make contact while slipping past the eyes of the local Exorcists or the Bureau of Onmyō,” Ako said.
As the saying goes, ‘It takes a thief to catch a thief.’ Those most intimately acquainted with Ayakashi, other than Ayakashi themselves, would be the Exorcists.
”If they can collaborate with foreign powers that easily ssu, the country is in deep trouble. I doubt the higher-ups would turn a blind eye to that.”
”So, the one who attempted to sabotage the Kanto barrier is likely someone within Japan…” Suzuri whispered.
Naoshi gave another wry smile at the expectant look in Suzuri’s eyes. “Just so you know ssu, I haven’t a clue. What do you expect from a lowly Exorcist? If anything, your father would be much better suited for that kind of deduction.”
He had his suspicions—the Tengu of Shinjuku, for example, whose motives remained a mystery. But there weren’t enough pieces on the board yet to make a definitive judgment.
”I’ll reach out to him from my end, but Suzuri-san, please contact him directly as well,” Ako requested.
”Understood… so, this time it really is ‘domestic help,’ right?” Suzuri asked.
”Fine, let’s go with that ssu,” Naoshi said.
If the pieces only fell into place once it was already too late, it would be meaningless. If Suzuri could truly be of assistance, he wouldn’t complain. “Then I’m counting on you, Suzuri-chan ssu.”
”Yeah,” Suzuri replied.
—Twenty-one Exorcists had fallen in the line of duty, including three first-grades. Countless were injured, some in critical condition, and structural damage was extensive. Leaving behind a wake of mysteries and unanswered questions for both the oblivious public and the combatants themselves, the March 25th Metropolitan Incident reached a tentative end.
—
Summary:
The March 25th incident concludes with heavy losses, including three first-grade exorcists. Haruno and Yukinojo reflect on the tragedy, while Naoshi’s team secures the flood defense facility. Suspicion grows that a domestic traitor collaborated with foreign terrorists and Great Youkai to sabotage the Kanto barrier. The battle ends, but the conspiracy remains unsolved.
—
Character Insight:
Haruno’s exhaustion highlights the physical and emotional toll of the job, while Yukinojo’s stoic presence hides a deep-seated resolve. Naoshi’s sharp intuition suggests he is far more than the ‘lowly exorcist’ he claims to be, acting as the intellectual anchor for the team.
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Behind the Scene:
The ‘Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel’ is a real-world engineering marvel in Saitama. Its massive pillars often lead to it being featured in pop culture as a ‘hidden dungeon’ or temple-like setting.
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T/L:
Notes:
• Kusurugawa Haruno – Female. A sharp-tongued individual with a strong presence. She has a slender build and often wears elegant attire. She is an acquaintance of Naoshi and has a teasing relationship with him.
• 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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