On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

After exchanging a mental message with Haru, in which she assured me that they were handling the situation that had come up, and they would update me if the situation changed or they needed assistance, Koga-san led us through the village towards what I presumed was his old family home. Michiru-san seemed quite eager, but Kozue-chan’s steps were dragging, and Honoka seemed a little worried, so I decided to step in and offer some insight.

“I get on with my mom better than my father. Always have done.”  She seemed shocked by my sudden interjection, but her attention was on me, so I continued. “Of course, he’s my father, I love and respect him, but… he’s a stern disciplinarian, at least with me. Like most fathers, he doted on my sis, spoiled her, usually. The biases of parents…”

“It’s only natural.” Koga-san agreed with a laugh. “Daughters are both far more adorable, and also far more worrying. Speaking of…” he glowered at me, and if it was the me of half a year ago, I’d definitely have been intimidated by the huge brute, his suit bursting at the seams from his muscular frame. “…men are wolves, and they like nothing more than young, tender prey. I’ve my eye on you. Keep away from Michiru and Kozue, you hear me, Akio-dono?”

Michiru-san flushed, face red, and Kozue-chan rolled her eyes as if disgusted by that suggestion. I heard quiet, gentle laughter from Miyu, who was still walking, supported by the blonde ninja girl we’d picked up.

“I don’t think you have to worry.” I remarked dryly. “And Kozue-chan is way too young for that sort of thing. Give her a few years to grow up first. But… that aside, don’t interrupt, Koga-san, I’m talking to your daughter about parents. Don’t prove my point.”

At that, he fell silent, and as we walked, I began again. “Oh, yeah. My father… it’s a lot better between us nowadays, so don’t think that there’s no hope of getting along. Though I admit my worries seem a little more ordinary compared to yours. Ninjas…”

“I’m not a ninja…” Kozue-chan snapped, before moderating her tone. “I… apologise. But… the skills, the talents, a lot of them are stupid, but some of them are proper, excellent combat techniques. Why can’t we have those, without…” she glanced at Himawari, who was following along rather confused, though she was looking around at everything, tears in her eyes, as if seeing these sights for the first time. I guess regaining her sight is a huge shock and relief to her. Understandable…

“…without all the idiocy? I hate that father and Michiru took all the stupid parts and made them worse, more embarrassing! And besides… we’re bodyguards, not killers. I don’t want to die or kill. I will if I have to, but… I’m not a slave!” She glanced at Honoka, who nodded.

“Indeed, you are my bodyguard, Kozue, but I like to think we are also friends.”

“That is a tough one, Honoka-ojou.” Koga-san shook his head. “There really shouldn’t be friendship between bodyguards and their masters and mistresses. It leads to hesitation in times of danger. That’s one thing about ninjas. They never hesitate.”

I’m picking up an undercurrent here, and coupled with what Haru imparted, I’m a little concerned. Best be on our guard…

“I think love and friendship make for a better relationship.” I disagreed. “Though I also don’t like the dynamic.” We reached the quite large house set into the mountainside, with a small, dusty garden that had seen better days, and a faded door, that if one wasn’t paying attention to, wouldn’t notice was extremely reinforced, as were the walls. It could probably survive a tank round. This village does take security seriously…

“Motoko and Natsumi are both far happier now than ever. I’d like it if you could take them as role models. They guard each other now.”

“I will certainly do so!” Michiru-san shot her hand up eagerly. “Motoko-sama and Natsumi-sama are my great inspiration.”

“I too…” Miyu laughed. “…though I also see Hinata-chan as such a target to aim for. I never thought I would look up to one of the Three-Hundred, must less a kouhai at Hanafubuki, but… I was petty and foolish. Regardless, your words have been noted, Akio-kun, and I am quite relieved.”

“Oh?” I raised an eyebrow, and she merely giggled softly, mouth shut, eyes sparkling. Since she declined to answer, I didn’t push it, and turned my attention back to Kozue-chan. “So anyway, yeah, maybe this will help repair your relationship with your father and grandfather, Kozue-chan. Feel free to express your dissatisfaction honestly but also do listen in turn to their words. In the middle ground lies understanding.”

“I… see.” After a while, Kozue-chan nodded. “I will take your words to heart. Thank… thank you.” She stumbled over that, which was quite adorable. “I still think there should be no such thing as ninjas. The arts themselves, many of them have no sin, but… you saw how she was treated.” She nodded at Himawari, who flinched under her scrutiny, oddly timid.

“There are bullies everywhere.” Koga-san shrugged. “More so here, I’ll admit. The world of the ninja is fiercely pragmatic and competitive. Not unlike bodyguarding. The Fujiwara Security Service pays handsomely and offers incredible prospects, but only for the elite. You two are insulated from that, as direct bodyguards of Shige-dono’s granddaughters, but when they graduate and get married… or will that even happen?” he eyed me, changing what he was about to say, and I shook my head, dismissing the question.

“They marry when they want, who they want, and as for guards, there’s no need to change if both parties are happy. Besides, under our care, your daughters will blossom into warriors the equal of any.” I shrugged. “Of course, if Michiru-san or Kozue-chan ever find their own loves and want to stand down, that’s fine. I’m more than capable of protecting Honoka and Miyu.”

“Bold words.” Koga-san laughed. “Anyway, not to interrupt you, but… it’s time.” He went to the door, but instead of knocking, he fiddled with some bricks, revealing a hidden switch. Pressing it, a sound that probably was inaudible to human ears, too high-pitched, though I could pick it up just fine, sounded, and after a few moments, the door opened, metal mechanisms grinding.

“Welcome to the home of my old man. It’s not mine, not anymore. I’m not welcome here in the village.” He laughed bitterly as he led us in. “Oh, keep your shoes on. Not wise to walk around in slippers in a ninja’s house. If one of the jou-chan’s get poisoned, Shige-dono would have my head.”

I nodded, extending my new enhanced senses that had evolved from Qi Perception, and indeed, while it was hard to detect poisons, I did find traps tipped with biological, living agents, such as toxic bacteria. Wait, are they cultivating deadly bacteria? That’s… quite advanced for ninjas, isn’t it?

Leading us through the hallway, though stepping quite carefully still, Koga-san knocked at the wooden door at the end of the corridor. “We’re here, old man, and I’ve brought Michiru and Kozue to see you again, as well as some exalted guests. But I expect you know that already, you old peeper!”

“Is that any way to speak to your father?” An old yet still robust voice boomed, and the door opened, seemingly without anyone touching it, though my eyes picked up very thin wires, like human hair, connecting the door to a mechanism by where the man was sitting, just before a large kotatsu table, which was radiating heat. A large bowl of oranges was sitting atop it, and there were bottles of sake, as well as sweet, low alcohol amazake for the younger members of the party, and the room itself…

Yeah, this is what I expect a ninja’s room to look like. There was a rather expensive radio set, as well as a tv and computer, but apart from that, the room was decorated with scrolls and old-fashioned weapons, though there were also several very modern assault rifles, seemingly of foreign make, which gave me pause, as the gun control laws in Japan were very strict.

Seeing me observing, the old man, Koga-san’s father, smiled, and though he was surely in his sixties, maybe even his seventies, he had a face devoid of wrinkles, and his hair was still mostly black, cropped quite short, and the arm sticking out of his short-sleeved black yukata, as he sipped on sake from a porcelain, likely antique, bowl, was still muscular and firm.

“Oh, the guns? Darts and needles still have their place, but modern times call for modern solutions.” He then glowered at his son, who stared back boldly. Kozue-chan was equally hesitant, and actually took a step towards me, to get out of his line of sight. Michiru-san, however, smiled broadly, and on seeing her, the old man softened his gaze. “Takeshi, get the… guests… settled. Michiru, Kozue, it has been too long.”

“It has, honoured grandfather!” Michiru-san agreed, running over and bowing, receiving a head pat in return, which surprised me. Seeing my reaction, she flushed and quickly made excuses. “No man can touch me, of course! But… honoured grandfather is an exception, as is father, but…” She cut off his suddenly brightening expression. “…only when we spar or train. I do not like how he gets.”

“That’s cutting me to the quick, I’m bleeding!” Koga-san grimaced. “You’re my adorable eldest daughter, Michiru, of course I want some skinship!”

“Leaving my idiotic son aside, the guns are Chinese and American models. We have… connections. There and elsewhere. The village may be small, but… the Kōga have not faded from history. Nor relevance.” He then glanced at Himawari, who was making herself small. His expression became a smile, though his brown eyes had a shadow within them I didn’t exactly like. “Himawari, little sunflower, it seems your suffering has been rewarded.”

“I… honoured Jōnin Koga… I…” she struggled to find words. “…am not worthy of your respectful praise…”

“Enough. Not in front of family, and… such important guests. Sit, sit!” He gestured to the kotatsu, and soon we were all under it, though I’d certainly inspected it with both my Eyes and my expanded senses first, as well as the fruit and alcohol. This… isn’t the prickles of Foresight, I’m just… feeling a bit paranoid?

“We should not stand on ceremony. I know why you are here, my useless son, but… why are you here, Oshiro Moonstone Akio?” he addressed me, gesturing for us to eat and drink. Michiru-san was demonstrating her fruit peeling talents for Miyu but didn’t forget to also offer me some of the juicy fruit, which I ate, enjoying the rich, sweet flavour. Damn, those are good oranges.

“It’s simple. I’m looking out for Miyu and Honoka, and I guess your granddaughters too, in a way, so I’m here as a chaperone, and moral support. I know what family troubles are like.”

“I see. Interesting.” The old man grimaced. “I named my son Takeshi, as I wanted him to be a warrior. I am Koga Kenshin, you see. You might wonder, is our Koga the same as the Kōga of this village and our ninja clans?” He took another sip of sake, giving us time to ponder that. “No, it is somewhat different, but… we were one of the founding families. So you can imagine what a disgrace it was when my idiot son Takeshi ran away when he was young and married a woman from the outside. Though he did give me two strong granddaughters, though…” he sighed, regret plain in his voice. “…one has learned his worthless perversions of our ways, and the other despises what it is to be a ninja. A shame. But blood is blood, and family is family.”

“I don’t exactly get it.” I glanced at Himawari, who hadn’t touched the food, and was frozen, as if a statue. “I get that Ninjutsu and Taijutsu are traditional arts, much like Kyūdō and even the Tsumura Arts, but is it so wrong to adapt them?”

Koga-san winced, and his father let out a low chuckle. “Adaption is survival. Ninjas are masters of combining and integrating new techniques, such as guns, modern surveillance, chemical and biological weapons… we are many things, but… bodyguards…” he sneered. “…is the exact antithesis of what we stand for. Leave that to the samurai, or I suppose I should say the military or the police now. We are gatherers of intelligence, assassins, saboteurs, our skills do not lend themselves to open displays and protecting others. To use it for such is to dull our sharp blades, to blunt our needles. I though you understood that, foolish boy.”

Michiru-san seemed sad when her grandfather badmouthed Koga-san, but she clearly had affection for him still, so I pursed my lips, not liking where this was going, but Koga-san merely clasped his hands together and began to speak. Huh, that’s odd… both of their fingers were moving a little strangely, and in a somewhat repetitive pattern. Michiru-san had noticed too, her eyes following their fingers and arms, and even Kozue-chan was paying attention.

Ninja sign language, huh? Fascinating. My Intellect Statistic might not have been much help at picking up social cues and boosting my emotional intelligence, but it did excel at pattern recognition and computational feats, so I thought I would be able to analyse and understand it quickly, though it seemed that they weren’t using the signs to represent common kanji or letters in Japanese, so that made it significantly harder to crack, but given enough time, I’d come to a conclusion on it.

“I understood I hated this old-fashioned village. Though like Kozue says, the skills themselves have no sin, just… they aren’t suited for the modern world. I didn’t want a future like that for my children, though I didn’t have any then, of course, until I met my wife outside…” his gaze softened, though Michiru-san’s expression was sour at his reminiscing, until Miyu whispered to her to behave. “…look at this one here.” he nodded at Himawari. “…or indeed the two sisters we met, Kokuren and Byakuren…”

“Two of our finest, and more than happy to serve at your side…” his father murmured at me. “…you would not regret it, and with your… inclinations… they would serve you well and faithfully. Not as bodyguards though, their talents would be wasted.”

“If my Michiru or Kozue were to lay down their bodies for such worthless goals…” Koga-san was angry now, though his fingers never stopped twitching, and I could see several patterns repeating over and over, one from him, the other from his father, and something was off, as Michiru-san was biting at her lip, and I could feel the subtle tremors of her legs spreading through the kotatsu.

Hey, Haru… are you sure everything is okay? I sent my thoughts over, and she replied quickly.

We’re handling it, why? Problems on your end?

Just a bad feeling. Not Foresight, but… just be very careful, okay? Not that I think they can harm you, but… there are a lot of trainees of various sorts here who might be vulnerable.

Don’t worry. We’re keeping an eye on things.

I was reassured by that and listened as Koga-san continued. “…that’s no life for a woman. Yes, I understand why… men expect women to be weaker, more foolish, and want to impress them, lust after them. Female spies and assassins are often far more useful than men. Raw strength is rather unimportant in Ninjutsu, though obviously Taijutsu requires suitably trained muscles. But it’s more for feats of ingenuity, like climbing between vertical walls, hanging from ropes for a long time and so on. Assassination techniques, rather than defensive ones. But the best way to gather information or to kill a man… is when they are most vulnerable. Sleeping, shitting, and during sex. Pardon, jou-chans. You don’t need to hear that. Shige-dono will be angry I’ve polluted your ears.”

“It is fine. I have learned much these last months.” Miyu smiled, and Honoka nodded slowly as well, though with more hesitation. “It is impossible to be around Akio-kun and the others and not hear talk and gossip.” Her face twitched, as if embarrassed. “It can be rather ribald, but… one day, I too…” she trailed off, now scarlet, even her bone white makeup unable to hide her rosy flush.

“So Shige-dono agrees. Though he’s frustrated at the necessity. But perhaps things have changed. Anyway…” Koga-san glowered at his father, before sighing. “You want to know why I disregard the old ways, change them? Obviously, it is to make them more suitable for guarding. I’ve killed my share, and will again, and I didn’t want that for my daughters, but now… the world has changed. Chosen, Yōkai, Cultivators and doubtless more. That luxury doesn’t exist anymore. But… I want them to do more than just steal, kill and sabotage. Do you know what the most dangerous time for a client is?” he asked me, and I shrugged.

“When someone’s trying to assassinate them, I guess?”

“That’s right. Fujiwara Security Services doesn’t just do bodyguards, they also investigate potential dangers before they happen. That’s where me and my kind, the specialists, come in. We take out threats and neutralise them before our charges can be put in danger. It’s very… ninja-like work, honestly.”

Kozue-chan frowned at that, but it seemed she was actually listening to her father, and almost seemed surprised, so perhaps it was the first time they’d really talked about it in depth. I wonder why now, of all times…

“But again, while I trained Michiru and Kozue, though she takes after her mother more…” Koga-san continued. “…I wanted them to have a different role. And the chance came. As to… the best way to protect a client, it is to be so flashy and threatening that nobody even attempts to attack them. I’m good at that. And it’s why most of Shige-dono’s guys are big, strong men, though obviously we have women for guarding VIPs too, ex-kendo and martial arts champions, those scouted from the police and JSDF and so on… but… despite me being built solidly…”

No kidding, you give Grulgor’s mortalform a run for his money…

“…my wife is average size, but… our daughters ended up rather small.”

“I’m still growing, honoured father!” Michiru-san insisted. “I will grow tall, and have a full, womanly figure soon enough!”

Yeah, good luck with that. At your age, you’re unlikely to have much of a growth spurt. I suppose Kozue-chan still has a chance…

Wisely ignoring that, Koga-san continued, fingers on his free hand twitching as he drained his sake bowl, smacking his lips. “Now, let me change the subject a moment. If we cannot dissuade an attacker, and we surely can’t cover every contingency, then my intimidating presence is no longer effective. What then is the best way to guard?” I was about to answer, but at his look, I fell silent, knowing this was for his daughters, and after a moment, Kozue-chan, looking rather pale and sick, spoke.

“To be underestimated, dismissed.”

“Exactly. Anyone confident enough to attack me is either strong themselves, or a madman, which does happen, but the crazy are often easily dealt with.” He shook his head, refilling his bowl, and taking a slice of orange from his daughter, popping it in his mouth. “Good, compliments the sake. So fruity… anyway, yes… I play the fool, seem comical, and my moves are indeed flashy and oftentimes appear idiotic, but…” He flicked his wrist, and a needle, the metal treated so as not to reflect light, pierced the wall through the trigger guard of one of the rifles. “…then they strike. To disable, or if necessary, to kill. And they require rather more Ninjutsu than Taijutsu. Perfect for smaller girls.”

“I… thought you just liked playing the fool.” Kozue-chan managed, seeming horrified. “That you were an idiot, who delighted in looking shameless!”

“Honestly, I do have a bit of a boastful, attention-seeking streak.” Koga-san admitted. “So you’re not entirely wrong. And I work with a lot of operatives from the… shadier… part of society, not like the sharp guys and girls in suits who work for Junichiro-kun.” he shrugged, shoulders bulging, his suit’s cloth straining. “Most of them have their idiosyncrasies, but they’re good in a fight, and quite a few have been guarding the Pilgrimage. Though most of the time they’ve only had to keep away a few inquisitive reporters, and bag some foreign spies.”

“Does… does mother know this?” Kozue-chan asked, and there was silence, before her father laughed, a rather brittle sound.

“Oh, yes. Of course she does. It frustrates her for other reasons, as do… a few other matters. But she still prefers you to be trained in traditional martial arts. I get it. She doesn’t want you to end up as ninjas. Michiru only sees the good, you the bad, Kozue, but… in truth, there is much of both, but for women…”

“How… fascinating.” His father clapped his hands, the sound echoing out. “I can hardly say I approve. Your mother was a Kunoichi, Takeshi, and your aunts too. In fact, Kokuren and Byakuren are your distant cousins. All serve the village, to withhold your own is selfish. But I allowed it. And now…”

Hang on a minute. I glanced at Koga-san, who raised an eyebrow knowingly, and he nodded, setting down his sake.

“Is this wise, old man?” Koga-san was making rapid, complicated hand signs. “What will you gain? You can’t hope to take out Akio-dono.”

Indeed, I picked up with my Energetic Perception a number of fast-approaching people. Soon, they had bustled into the room, seven of them, five men and two women, judging by their bodylines, and they all wore tight-fitting black garments and masks, their eyes hard. They had blades in their hands, and they were dulled to prevent light glinting off them, and also… poisoned. I see.

The seven fanned out around the room, eyes on us, yet made no move to attack. Michiru-san had such a look of betrayal in her eyes, I could see it even though her face was covered by her scarf, and Kozue-chan was stunned. Miyu merely nodded to Honoka, who was tapping her Adamant insignia restlessly, doubtless ready to act, before smiling at me and sipping at her amazake, seemingly unconcerned.

I wish I had her confidence. Okay, sure, here, no problem, but… what’s going on? Are they acting elsewhere. Haru…

As I was transmitting my warnings to her, Koga Kenshin slid out a small speaker, and pressing a button, it rang out with voices. “But she can not-not harm Akio. What is your plan?” Shaeula’s sounded, and then… isn’t that Furuihonō… and he’s saying…

“It is simple. Hopefully there will never be a need, a strong Japan requires a strong protecter, and he has done well so far. But…”

As we listened in shock, Haru’s voice came back to me. Yes, there is… some trouble. We discovered a plot. The ninjas want to be the hidden blade at our throats, in case we go against the vested interests of certain parties. We were extracting information about their sponsors, when a group of them surrounded us. We can easily handle them, but if the other Pilgrims get caught up in the mess…

Yes, seems like you got found out. Recording devices.

Huh? I can’t believe that Jōnin Furuihonō was able to hide that from me, even with his conscious mind suppressed…

“He did not.” Koga-san’s father seemingly read my mind, before snorting. “We ninja study body language and psychology too. The Lotus Sisters will indeed make refined, delightful lovers and allies. From the moment a ninja can walk or speak, training begins. Now… we knew of Suzuki Haru and her ability to read minds and connect you. But we were not aware of how her strength has grown. But we are always overprepared. In that way, my foolish son is still one of us.”

If only I could crack the hand signs they are weaving. Michiru-san looks like she’s going to pass out…

“Furuihonō did not know. I had them planted there. Just in case. And now, it is as they say, the game is up. Your women are quite barbaric. I dare say they would have murdered the Lotus sisters, and perhaps still might. Or perhaps they are rather… pragmatic, one might say. I do approve.”

“You damn stupid old man…” Koga-san grated, grinding his teeth. “…is this… what you and the other elders want?”

“It is… the way it has to be. Kōga ninjas must endure, now more than ever, in this changing world. The old ways shall work anew, and… too many dangers lurk. The silent killers in the shadows, the eyes in the darkness, the ears in the bed, all must be used.” He then turned to Himawari.

“Obey me, little sunflower. As a Genin, do your duty and secure him!”

“But I…” Himawari, who had remained silent and withdrawn, protested, only for Koga Kenshin to snap out what must have been some sort of codewords, based on colours. “Aka, Aka, Kiiro, Kuro!”

“No, I… can’t…” she murmured, only for him to repeat the words in a harsher tone.

“Aka, Aka, Kiiro, Kuro!”

With a wail, she leapt up from the table at me. Miyu’s inquisitive glance was met by a shaking of my head, and so Himawari was allowed to lunge at me. She grabbed me, pressing one of her hands to my throat, nails at my artery, while the ninjas along the outside raised their weapons threateningly. I then laughed, as if the situation was amusing.

“Sorry, but if you are hoping to cut my throat with the blades in your nails, or even use the poison within, you’re very much out of luck. And don’t even think of going for your tooth…” Himawari seemed confused by that. “…I got rid of that when I healed you. Dental work isn’t so hard. The only issue was neutralising the poison so you didn’t accidentally swallow it. Besides…” I nodded to the Jōnin who was watching with an impassive face. “…you did all that research, gathered all that information, even to knowing what Haru can do, and you don’t think this is doomed to utter failure? That’s not very ninja-like, is it? Michiru-san…” I asked, ignoring the trembling hands of Himawari at my throat. “…you speak their sign language, don’t you?”

She paused, unwilling to speak, and I turned my attention to Kozue-chan, who puffed out her cheeks. “I hardly paid much attention, but I did learn when I still respected father. The colour codes are a verbal form of Goshikimai, five-coloured rice. And the finger signals are similar. I think… red, red, yellow, black is… secure target, take no precipitous action… prepare to die for the good of the village… as for what they were talking about earlier…” she gnawed on her lip. “…I think father was saying that grandfather is a fool, that there is no need to go so far…” She eyed her father bitterly. “…you knew about this?”

“No, of course not.” Koga-san sighed. “Though I should have guessed. Stubborn old farts that they all are. This is exactly what they’d pull. Always another layer…” he picked up an orange, his thumb gouging through the waxy skin and into flesh, reddish juice spurting like sticky blood. “…and another goal. The world has moved on, but the way of the ninja, the Kōga ways, can’t die, so they say.”

“Grandfather…” Michiru-san had tears in her eyes now. “Do not do this! Please! It will end with… with you…”

He actually smiled, despite the tense situation. I was getting word from Haru that another dozen ninjas, led by three elders, had surrounded them, and the woman amongst the elders was telling them to surrender. But they’ve not approached any of the other Pilgrims, as far as I can see. Byakuren and Kokuren look simply dreadful, but they’ve drawn their blades against us. Though their hands tremble, and I can hear what I believe are their true thoughts. It’s quite sad, and makes me very, very angry. All they wanted was a chance at a more normal life with someone to care for them. I hate those who see women as tools…

Don’t worry, just disarm them and we’ll sort this mess out later. It’s a relief, but… also a little concerning, that they’ve gone after us… it makes no sense, unless…

I rapidly communicated my thoughts to Haru, who agreed in principle, as Koga Kenshin spoke. “I know how this ends. It is as you say, we ninja know a great deal. But in the end, if we, who hold the knife, are afraid of getting cut ourselves, what use the blade? A tool needs an owner.” He glanced down at Tsurugi, who was somehow still snoozing through all this. “But a tool cared for with love can become something more, like the Tsukumogami, yes?”

“Grandfather!” Michiru-san sobbed, and I grimaced.

“This is tedious.” Himawari fell and I caught her, passing her to Miyu, who nodded, understanding, resting her on the kotatsu as though she had just fainted at a dinner party. “Honoka…”

“Yes?” she asked.

“Do you have your weapons?”

She nodded, and in a flash of purple sparks she drew out a short-bladed sword, and also a prototype pistol with aetheric bullets. “I have them. It is one of the rules of Adamant, now we have the gifts you gave us.” She gave me a rather charming smile then, full of youthful curiosity and exuberance, and I realised how different she was to the more stoic Miyu, her older cousin. “Always carry weapons and emergency medical supplies such as the Reds and Blues. We learned a hard lesson at Hanafubuki. If not for Motoko-sama and Natsumi-sama, we would have perished.”

“No, but you held the line well, you and the other Adamant girls. If you didn’t, then they would have been too late…” I began, only for Koga Kenshin to snort, amused.

“Ignoring us to monologue? How… confident… you are. But we already know your weaknesses.”

“No, you don’t. Or rather… you are pretending you do.” I swept the area with aether, neutralising the gas that was seeping through the vents, but… it’s not even poison, and wouldn’t do much other than make ordinary people sick, and cause symptoms that feel painful, but do little harm. With Chirurgery and a proper network, it’ll barely make Kozue-chan and Honoka nauseous.

“You have no idea…” he chuckled. “Now, no need for codes… take him down! I have no wish to hurt my family, nor the daughters of Fujiwara Shige-dono, lest the village be reduced to ashes. But… the sponsors are wary, and now our hidden knife is exposed, we whet the blade with blood, or it rusts away and is lost.”

“Sure, who’s…” My hands and feet flashed, and the charging ninjas were knocked out one by one, and out of curiosity, I let one blade strike me. It barely reddened my skin anyway, though the poison was fascinating. I’ll let Ether Healing take it in, I’d like a resistance… looks like a mixture of pufferfish neurotoxin, Komodo dragon anticoagulant, and even a mixture of jellyfish, snake and scorpion poisons, as well as plant poisons. As it was absorbed through my skin, aether responding, the seven ninjas collapsed around me, unconscious. “…monologing now? But keep it up. Your… sponsors…”

“Obviously, we ninja will choose death rather than betray those who have entrusted their services to our care. If we do not… then we cease to exist.” he grimaced. “Though you can pick through our minds, that is nothing substantial, it will not cause the great and the good to move…”

He strolled over to the wall, showing me his back carelessly, and pulled down a ninjatō, a sword with a singe edge and straight blade, rather than a katana. “Do you know, this is called Shinku-no-chūsei-kokoro, or Crimson Loyalty. Many leaders of our village and noteworthy Jōnin have wielded this blade over the centuries. I had rather hoped my foolish son would inherit it and wield it for the good of all.” He drew the blade across his palm, blood spilling and dripping to the floor, while Michiru-san moaned, paralysed, and Koga-san watched on sadly.

“Alas, it seems his way of the ninja is not my way. Too flashy, not enough hidden behind the pomp and puffery. Now then… yes, we analysed you and your allies through all available channels. And some of those channels are what you expect. But it would be a churlish hero who blames a blade for the crimes of those that wield it, no?” He nodded meaningfully, and I understood how some of the leaks were obtained.

Damn, Hinata is going to be pissed. And not just her.

Don’t worry, that’s not the only method. They have undercover staff in the Ministry too. Their background checks were perfect, and their minds innocent, but I didn’t understand that self-hypnosis and other extreme training methods could fool me. Now I know, I’ll do better in the future…

It’s fine, Haru. We expected this… so, how are things over there?

All done. We’re interrogating them now. But apparently these leaders have very formidable mental defences. Even when I shut their minds down, all I get is that their loyalty is a ‘sea of red blood’, whatever that means. I can probably dig deeper, but… I fear that might actually damage their minds, as I’d be digging rather than skimming. What do you think?

I think that Koga Kenshin and Koga Takeshi are indeed father and son after all… just keep them captive for now, no need to ruin them. After all, that’s not what they wanted.

Oh. I see. That’s… diabolical? And… relies entirely on you being the way you are. I suppose that’s as reliable as the tides, Akio. Her amused response to my suggestion stung a little.

Am I that predictable?

Oh my, yes you most certainly are. We’ll handle it. I’ve checked and all the other villagers, or ninjas, I suppose I should say, are acting normally, nothing suspicious here. Arisu-san is waiting patiently to transport everyone away, as the majority have finished their offerings here and in the Boundary…

Just to be safe, though I don’t think that’s their play, double check everyone on the way out for infiltrators, but yeah… secure the elders and wait for me with Shaeula, if you don’t mind? We can get Arisu-san to pick us up later. I have business here after this anyway, apparently…

I’m sure she’ll absolutely love that. But she’ll understand. All right, we’ll do it that way then…

“Yes. Exactly.” I glanced over at the unconscious Himawari. “But some blades could do with being reforged to something more productive and kinder. Swords to ploughshares, as my grandfather Jack might say… and some hands should never be able to wield blades to such selfish ends. Though I commend your loyalty. Michiru-san, Kozue-chan…”

“Yes?” Kozue-chan managed, and Michiru-san gave a tremulous nod.

“What would be the Goshikimai code for ‘where are the records?’” At my question, Koga Kenshin’s gaze flickered momentarily, and I held in a triumphant smile.

Kozue-san seemed a little unsure, but Michiru-san sighed, close to tears again, her eyes red. “Ao, Murasaki, Kuro. Blue, purple, black.”

“There you have it.” I grinned at Koga Kenshin. “Your granddaughter is a Kōga ninja, but she’s a blade of a different sort. One honed to protect.” I glanced at Koga Takeshi, her father, who still wasn’t moving. He’s worked it out too. But then, who knows his father better than him? “So tell her where the records are. Not just those either. I daresay not all of your traditions are oral. There must be hard copies?”

He snorted, still holding his blade out towards me, though I could clear the kotatsu in an instant and disarm him if I wanted to, and he knew it. “We are ninjas. We never reveal our secrets. As for the arts of the village… only those who reach Jōnin are permitted to see the scrolls.”

Thought so.

“Kozue-chan, go check the computer.”

“It will surely be password protected.” Still, she glanced at Honoka, who covered her, pistol pointing at the old man with a respectable lack of fear, and then did as I bid, carefully moving past her grandfather, shooting him a wary, annoyed glance, before biting her lip and going to the computer, which was on.

“There is a password. Was that not obvious?” she pouted, and it was rather cute, which nearly made me laugh inappropriately, which would just have made her furious.

Sorry, I know this is a bad situation for you and your family, but… it’s all Ninjutsu, misdirection. Everything has been from the start. The peel of the fruit is poisoned, needles are hidden within, then even the cutlery and bowl the fruit was sitting in are part of the scheme. And… the target isn’t the guest they invited to their meal…

“Just give her the password. Haru can get it from you easily enough.” I warned, and he actually laughed cheerfully.

“Maybe so. But we cannot give away the information on our sponsors willingly. Instead…” he reversed his blade, pointing it at his chest. “…if I die, the computer will never be…”

“Try Blue Yellow Red Black Purple…” I suggested, and he paused, blinking, and I used that moment to leap, and the sword was in my hand, though as I grabbed it, Tsurugi immediately woke up, transforming into her Tsukumogami form, tears in her eyes, blue and white hair whipping around as she grabbed the sword from me.

“No, bad father! You promised! No cheating on me!” And with that, her mouth gaped open, and she chomped down, the priceless ninja relic shattering into shards which she easily swallowed. Then she ate the hilt, before licking her fingers, staring at me accusingly. “I am the only sword you need!”

“I know!” I agreed, patting her head consolingly. “I was only disarming the…”

My words were cut off by the gales of laughter from Koga-san. “Oh Akio-dono, that was… priceless. And the key to the secret archives. Which is what you wanted. But your sword, she ate… ate…”

“That blade was wielded by Ōtomo no Saigo, one of our most treasured ancestors, as he served Prince Shōtoku…” Koga Kenshin slumped down. “…now it is destroyed.”

“No, now it’s nourishment for Tsurugi. Besides… you won’t need it, will you?” I asked, as the computer screen cleared up, and Kozue-chan exclaimed in surprise.

“How… how did you get the password?” he asked me, his tone conversational and curious. “You should have needed to use Suzuki Haru, and with all my training over the long decades, it would ruin my mind, surely, prying it free. That was the end goal…”

At his words, Koga Takeshi nodded, and Michiru-san was furious.

“Why? Honoured grandfather, I do not understand? Why do all this? Akio-sama is… he is…” She turned purple, strong emotions dyeing her skin. “Miyu-sama needs him! He may be a lustful brute, constantly considering doing all kinds of terrible things to me, Miyu-sama, Honoka-sama and even foolish Kozue…”

“I am most certainly not…” I retorted mildly, still soothing the prideful and satisfied Tsurugi.

“…but he is honourable, and acts for the good of not merely Japan, but the world.” Michiru-san ignored my comment. “We should have offered our services to him!”

“He would not accept them, granddaughter. See with clear eyes.” The old man replied. “I am waiting for an answer…”

“The password? Oh, firstly, my stats are absurd, at least for here on Earth…” Tan and Rose would likely laugh at me, Lin too. I didn’t communicate with Rose right now, as she was tweaking the runes that allowed Lin to access my mind through her, attempting to reduce the mental strain and allow further linkages. “…so I can pick up on micro-expressions and even the change in your eyes. When I asked about the codes… I definitely picked up some traces, and your eyes flickered towards the computer. Far too fast for ordinary humans to see, but… not for me. You know, I work… worked, I suppose…” I chuckled self-deprecatingly. “…in IT. Freelance, nothing special, but I agree with my peers. Hacking is awfully hard, so instead of that, hack the human! Always the weakest link. You’re not the only one who can pick up on these things. And I know someone who is very lucky, so by feeding her the information and having her guess, what should be still a one in a thousand chance suddenly becomes a coin flip.”

“There are records here…” Kozue-chan wasn’t overly familiar with computers, since she attended Hanafubuki, which didn’t want the noble daughters using the internet, but she knew enough. “Emails, attachments, lists of various payments…”

“The sponsors, hmm? How… convenient.” I grinned. “And now you and your friends tried to attack me and mine with lethal poison, but only at their orders, am I right? How… culpable they are.”

And beyond the cutlery and bowl… even the doorhandles are full of toxic needles. This really was a trap within a trap, serving multiple purposes. “Now we can act against them with just cause. I suspect…”

“Let me.” Koga-san went over and joined his granddaughter. “Let’s see… Nippon Oil Corp… of course.” he nodded, a knowing frown crossing his features. “Oh, how interesting. Looks like their boss enjoyed the company of a Kunoichi too, unknowingly. Does his wife and son know he likes to pick up women in bars and screw them? And he likes to boast during pillow talk too, a terrible error… tax evasion, colluding with sanctioned international regimes, illegal drilling… and of course, plotting to deal with an upstart new energy company, run by one Akio-dono. Hinata-ojou had to file the patents and intellectual property, so it’s not impossible to find out, if they bribe… oh, a list of the government officials and civil servants who take illicit payments, their bank details, photos… my old man and the ancient fossils always were thorough. And oh my, looks like we have our leaker from the Blue House in South Korea, or at least his front man. Hinata-ojou will love this.”

Just as I thought. If they didn’t know about Haru, then their plans might have been viable, but understanding at least most of what she could do… yeah, it’s a multi-layered scheme.

“You… could have approached Akio-sama with this…” Michiru-san whispered, but it was Miyu who took her hand, calming her down, patting her back.

“Hush now, Miyu. Yes, they could have, but… this way, the crimes are far more severe. And also…” She glanced down at Himawari, lips pursed. “Kokuren and Byakuren. They are the village treasures now, are they not, Koga-sama?”

“No need for such politeness, Fujiwara-sama.” he snorted. “Now I am simply Kenshin. Defeated and a failed assassin, at the behest of our paymasters. They will deny it, of course, but… we were indeed very thorough. At gathering all those who oppose you and have links to Japan. Yes, the Lotus Sisters can become the greatest of Jōnin. But our village always has five elders. Now all of us are criminals, traitors… but… we are the hands, the ninjas we wield are but tools, and when a man stabs another with a knife, the blade itself is blameless.”

“I see.” Miyu understood everything. “It was indeed a trap, but not for us. Very clever.”

“We are ninjas first and foremost, but Japan has always been our home and reason for existing.” He was proud now, unyielding. “Ever since Ōtomo no Saigo, the first true leader of this village, and the first to be called ninja, though our legacy precedes that. Under the orders of the Imperial Family, we rooted out spies, traitors and the corrupt. Though when they recanted their Divinity, and the Americans occupied us… we lost many, though the Americans suffered too. Many accidents, even those that followed them home, were our doing. If they treated the defeated populace with respect, or at least not with savagery and disdain, we left them well alone, but, like those who destroyed so much that was precious of Takatsukasa house, our shadows made them pay a just price.”

“Yes, and…” Miyu stood, patting the unconscious Himawari on the head before walking over, sandals clicking on the floor, before poking me in the stomach, which made Tsurugi giggle, and she started poking me too, in a better mood now she’d slept, and the offending… and priceless… sword was gone forever. “…this could all have been different if you were. The ninjas of Kōga are built as an antithesis to how you do things.”

 She touched her Adamant emblem and nodded at her cousin. “Adamant is an organisation built so that together we are strong and can protect each other and that which we hold dear. Yes, it is an army and many of us may surely die before all this is done…” She widened her eyes in wonder, standing straighter then, though under the massive twenty-kilogram weight of her robes alone, that wasn’t easy. “…to think I, Fujiwara Miyu, the bitter coward, can say such so boldly now. I have changed. And hush, you!” She took her poking finger and placed it against my lips. “I know you do not wish any of us to be injured or die. But… face the inevitable facts of life. Goddess Taṇhā has told us of what lies ahead, and it shall not be peaceful.”

“Oh…” she chuckled elegantly then. “…all I do is dance, and while I can Dance for the Dusk, you prefer the Dance for the Dawn, yes? How… predestined all this feels, though from talking to the Diviner, Tsukiko-san, it is certainly not, but merely us shaping our thoughts and desires to the circumstances. The timing is quite terrible, but the Dance itself… no, that comes after.”

She turned back to Koga Kenshin. “The ways of the ninja here are built on a foundation of rigorous self-discipline and training. Akio-kun respects that. But then… the end product is tools to be used and if necessary, cast aside when broken or no longer useful. You may see it as an honour, but to him… it is an horrific abomination, all that he fears will happen to those he loves, to us in Adamant, to those at Pilgrimage, and more… and there is no way, with your deep intelligence gathering, and… insiders…”

“Yes, Miyu-ojou…” Koga-san tapped the screen, while Kozue-chan was searching around for other hidden documents, quickly finding a sealed drawer in the wall. It was locked, but she pulled a pin from her hair, and quickly began probing, and soon it clicked open.

“…we’ve the infiltrators here, as well as those who are careless with secrets, despite knowing better. Hinata-ojou will be ruthless plugging the leaks, though it will pain her. Still, there’s always room to make amends, yeah?” He smiled at his younger daughter. “Do you think you could speak to your mother for me? Moeka can be terrible when she’s throwing a temper tantrum. She never did grow up…”

“As if you can talk, father!” Kozue-chan spat back, but the frank exchange was different to her usual sullenness with him, so I supposed there was some progress. “But…” she quietened down a little. “…I understand you a little better now. And…” She glanced over at her smiling grandfather. “…I see that being a ninja means something.” As Honoka nodded proudly over her friend and bodyguard’s growth, she then ruined it. “Even if it is so stupid! There had to be a better way than this?”

“There was not, I am afraid, Kozue.” Miyu shook her head. “Not and have Akio-kun accept them. The system is too twisted, too sacrificial. But… if the leaders could be punished, and the system somehow reformed…”

“That’s why you sent Byakuren and Kokuren to me and let Haru read their minds.” I nodded. “So I’d sympathise with them. They weren’t really looking to…” I trailed off, as everyone was exchanging a rueful glance.

“He can read me to find out a password, yet he cannot read women.” the old man rolled his eyes. “Son, I feel our intelligence was off by just a little…”

“Oh no, Akio-dono is just closing his eyes to what he doesn’t want to see.” Koga-san snorted, scanning through the documents his daughter had fond. “Oh yes, hard copies of a lot of blackmail and other evidence of criminality, as well as clear instructions to… deal… with you, if you disrupt the natural order of Japan, or rather, the profits of the big businesses. Not everyone wanted to join the nobility, there are plenty who weren’t even considered, due to… not being the right sort. Anyway… you know exactly what the two women wanted, Akio-dono. Exactly what they said.”

“They are ninjas. A normal romance is impossible for them. But as abnormal love goes, you satisfy them both. I hope you will take good care of them. Of Himawari too, and… of all our earnest Chūnin and Genin, the children and trainees too. They simply followed orders, at the cost of their own lives and happiness, for the greater good. They were unaware of the truth of things.” The old man bowed to me then, and I scratched one cheek awkwardly. It’s a mess, but…

We’ll take care of them. Haru promised. This all sounds extremely plausible, but there is no way we are letting potentially hostile women near you until we are certain they are safe. Besides, I think we can make something more useful of them than mere seductresses and assassins.

Great. We need to find the archives, but… Tsurugi ate the key. I’m sure I can unlock it, but…

Leave it to me. I shall be right there to check his mind anyway.

“Yeah, I’m not big on punishing the innocent. And I’ve spared those that have done far worse than try and get rid of me. If you’d have made your play by taking hostages though, things might have been different.” I warned, and he laughed bitterly.

“We also hoped it did not come to that. We have heard of your threats to take revenge on anyone, even the President of the United States, if they went after your loved ones. Though we did prime the Lotus Sisters to make such insinuations, if it was needed to move you to action. Now… all that remains is our punishment and trial, for with our fall, all the sponsors who have been plotting against Japan’s best interests will be implicated and brought down. I must add, though…” His smile was suddenly rather wicked. “…that our sponsors who were blameless will not be found easily. We ninja keep our secrets close.”

“You do indeed.” Haru drifted in, passing through the walls. “So, where’s this archive? Below? She ducked into the floor. “Yes, there is a mechanism here, looks like a long, thin piece of metal has to be inserted and turned a certain amount in five separate places in a specific order or the whole thing blows up. Whoa, let me snap a picture…” We could hear shutter sounds as Haru whipped out her phone. “…old-fashioned black powder from the fourteenth century, paired with modern high-explosives and detonators, and even poison gas canisters and acids. Nasty stuff… but to me… whoops…” Haru phased through it all, grabbed a handful of scrolls and tablets, notebooks and more, and placed then in storage. It dodn’t take her long to empty the small room out, before appearing again with a smile. “All done.”

It was then Shaeula arrived, grinning. “Akio, matters are well-well in hand. Do you need my winds and waters here? I can still do more!”

“Just to be safe, certainly.” Haru spoke for me, before retrieving an old set of wooden tablets. “Mokkan? Whoa, are these from the seventh or eighth century? These are so archaic. I can hardly read the language it’s so old, and the ink and scratched letters have faded a lot…”

“Yes, they are precious relics. Of course, it would be foolish to leave them as the only method of recording our teachings and arts, the Ninjutsu and Taijutsu we have honed over many centuries. They have been copied many times over the centuries, updated to new methods of recording and writing. I was the elder in charge of the archives, hence why this is my home. The records have been digitised, but not on that computer. It is foolish keeping all one’s treasures together to be stolen.” He walked over to the wall, casual as if he hadn’t just admitted to conspiring with many criminals, even if it was to trap them. He then pressed some bricks, and a compartment slid open. In addition, there were thick notebooks.

“They are in Goshikimai, of course, at least some key parts, and the rest is in Jindai Moji, or our ninja letters. The same is true of the digital copy. So translating it will be… challenging. Perhaps my errant son can assist you with this.”

“No way, that’s boring as hell. And I’m busy doing odd jobs for Shige-dono.” He then glanced at his daughters. “Michiru, Kozue…”

Both of them seemed totally displeased by the offer, so I made a suggestion. “Why don’t you teach some of us the method of cracking it? With our stats it won’t take long…”

“Marvellous. Just as I hoped.” Koga Kenshin smirked. “Our new elder is selected. I daresay you can quickly learn the needed arts to qualify as Jōnin. Byakuren and Kokuren will be two of the remaining elders. I… did hope you would accept, Takeshi…”

“No way. Not unless…” he then paused. “Wait, if you’re an elder, Akio-dono, then the ninja system will change. Let me… think about it.”

“Progress, I suppose.” his father sighed. “Expecting too much from you, disloyal and unfilial son, is a nuisance.”

“This seems most-most thrilling. I am curious…” Shaeula smiled eagerly. “…and I am pleased that I do not-not have to kill those females. I think they will be useful. And Eri will not-not get blood on her hands.”

“True.” Haru agreed, shaking her head, while Tsurugi, who didn’t really follow what was going on, found the oranges and the amazake on the kotatsu and was helping herself. “Eri-chan can sure be scary when it comes to threats to those she cares about. I thought she was going to… never mind. We’ll still need to be sure and have them truly lower their guard to your wind and waters, and my Telepathy, but… it’s better this way.”

I nodded. “Yes, it’s been a bit of a scheme within a scheme kind of thing, and before we act on the gathered intelligence we need to verify it, and also…”

Haru nodded at my thoughts. “Yes. Clean out the Ministry first, as well as those in the other departments and also the police. If there are any issues with the army, Motoko-chan’s grandfather can surely handle it.”

“So then… what will happen to grandfather?” Michiru-san asked, clearly still anxious, and he shrugged.

“Whatever the laws decide. We elders are all old, so conspiring to murder for money will likely see us imprisoned until the end of our natural lives, once the veil of secrecy that protected us until now is lifted.”

As Michiru-san groaned, Haru glanced at me, before smiling harshly. “I was perhaps rather unfair to Furuihonō. It seems that indeed you are sacrificing yourselves as you do your subordinates. Though whether a cushy end in Japanese prison is as cruel a fate as the women you use up…”

Are you okay?

I’m… not happy, but… I can bear it. I don’t want to judge you harshly, it isn’t your fault, but men… no, I suppose that’s unfair. Let me just say those who have never suffered what I have won’t understand just how dehumanising and painful it is to have your heart and body sullied. Yes, these Kunoichi have been trained for it, it might not be rape, but… it’s still a spiritual rape of the heart. But I can see from your thoughts you’ll not let them take the easy way out.

Her smile suddenly turned cold, and I sent my warmest sympathies I could through my thoughts. She’s right though. I’ll be honest, while they carried through on their attacks on me and Shaeula, Haru too, to fulfil their ninja pride, they knew they had no chance of harming us. If they really wanted to hurt us, they could have killed targets like the twins, or the Takakura sisters… so I don’t actually hold a grudge about that. But their treatment of the ninjas, of Himawari and doubtless many others that we’ll find within the records here… that’s bullshit and I won’t forgive that. Only atonement pays for sorrow…

“Don’t worry, Michiru-san…” I reassured her. “A cushy prison life isn’t for them. After all… we can’t reform the Kōga otherwise.” I glared at him, pissed off all over again. “Let me tell you, I’d never let those I love shame themselves so, even for the greater good. Because what good is there in sacrifice? If that’s the world we’re in, I’ll remake it! The Kunoichi will no longer be seductresses and prostitutes.”

“Eri will be delighted to hear-hear it.” Shaeula smirked knowingly. “I would do much-much to save your life, but… we shall never be in such a position, and I do not-not want to have to atone with my very life, for I could not-not bear the touch of another male. Now then… what is the plan?”

“Simple.” I insisted. “Just like the Cultivators the Ministry took off our hands after Kyoto, once we’ve dug out their so-called sponsors and their schemes, the work can begin in earnest. But we’ll do it our way.”

“So be it.” Koga Kenshin let out a dry chuckle. “After all, we are the defeated, our Jōnin no match for you who represent the new paradigm. It might have been different, were we able to utilise the true Ninjutsu and Taijutsu, but… time was not on our side. Even now, our efforts, guided by the Lotus sisters, have only unlocked the basics of the basics.”

“I see. We’ll have to systematise that too.” I mused. “Anyway, Koga-san… or rather, Takeshi-san, if you don’t mind, otherwise it’s confusing?” He shrugged, unbothered, so I continued. “Can you handle the cleanup here, with Haru’s and Shaeula’s help?”

“I can, certainly, Akio-dono. Arresting my own old man feels wrong though. To think it came to this…”

“Take Honoka and Kozue with you too, Koga-san…” Miyu spoke up, reaching out and patting Michiru-san’s head warmly. “…but first, you promised me a secluded cave?” At her words, Michiru-san’s mood did pick up, like an eager puppy, and it was almost as if she was wagging a tail behind her. No, she is shaking her ass. Weird…

“Far be it from me to argue, Miyu-ojou, but… if I’m busy dealing with my foolish old man and the elders, I won’t be there to guarantee your privacy…”

“I can do it. For you, cousin.” Honoka volunteered. “All I have to do is make sure nobody is watching, and I am confident I can manage that.” She brandished her sword and pistol.

“Very well. Though if I may…” Miyu nodded to Haru. “…if you could keep checking the area, I trust nobody will be able to fully hide their thoughts from you. I am sorry to impose, Haru-san, but… matters must go perfectly.”

Haru glanced at her for a moment, a small smile on her face. “I see. Yes, it is a rare opportunity, and if you make a mistake, you won’t get another chance for a while. I’m rather exhausted and stressed, trying to read these foolish ninjas is fraught with all sorts of pitfalls and traps, but yes, they can mask their thoughts, distract with false ones, but nobody can silence their mind totally, I’m confident of that. Besides… if we do find any peepers, they will certainly regret it.”

At the hard glint of Haru’s eyes, I nodded. I totally agree. If we catch any, we’ll certainly make them pay for it. Though that does make me wonder. I have read the myths, so… well, at least Michiru-san has cheered up, and if it’s what I’m thinking, it makes sense why Miyu would want me as a witness, considering the insignia she wears, and her status as my Vassal. If so, then Michiru-san’s day could go from Hell to Heaven, all in the blink of an eye…

As the remaining materials such as the computer were stored by Haru, and Koga Kenshin allowed Shaeula to bind him with the winds and lead him away, I followed Takeshi-san, and soon we had gone further into the mountains, so where a small cave, largely hidden by the surrounding jagged rocks. lurked, and Miyu nodded.

“Perfect. Thank you, Koga-san. Honoka-chan, Kozue, if you two could guard here, though with the arrest of the Jōnin, I suspect that any ninjas will be too busy to go seeking us. Unless they are out for revenge, of course, but I trust Koga-san, Shaeula and Haru-san shall dissuade them handily, to say nothing of Eri-san and… Yukiko-san.” She stumbled over calling her by that name, rather than her Imperial one.

“Yeah, looks like they’ll wait with us and handle the cleanup, and then when we’re done here we’ll move the Pilgrimage onto Shikoku and finish up back on Honshu tonight, moving through several shrines in Kobe and Okayama. The end is finally in sight…”

Miyu nodded, agreeing. “Very well then.” She extended her arm to me and I took it again. “Walking over this rough terrain still hurts my feet. A little Ether Healing, if you would?”

I nodded, trickling it in, and with Miyu holding my arm, and Michiru-san trailing along eagerly like a frisky puppy, we set out to conclude our eventful trip to this village of scheming ninjas, preferably without another major incident…