2 - The Shadow of Iga Stripped Bare

The bus had come to take Akuto to Junko’s house, but he was so distracted by his meeting with Boichiro that he didn’t even think about where he was going.

The headmaster was still refusing to tell him anything, and the student council president had only strengthened her resolve to fight against the powers that be, and had called back the three members of the student council from their vacations. But it seemed to Akuto that there was more to the encounter with Boichiro than just a mysterious visit by a powerful man.

—It felt like he knew me well, and was there to watch me.

Akuto was pretty sure he wasn’t imagining it. It felt like he was testing how Akuto would respond in different circumstances.

—It seemed like he was testing the way I thought.

No matter what Boichiro was after, it seemed to Akuto that what was about to happen was deeply linked to the way he thought.

“The bus is here.”

“The boss is spacing out. Is he tired, you think?”

Korone and Hiroshi tried to get him on the bus. The doors to the flying bus were already open, and it was waiting outside the dorm for passengers to board. The only passengers were Akuto, Hiroshi, and Korone. Of course, Junko was there too, but she was already on board. She called out to them from inside.

“Come on, get on,” she said.

Akuto was staying the night, so he carried luggage with him as he boarded. Hiroshi was carrying a bag too. Korone had her usual purse.

The three of them got on, and the bus closed its doors like it had been tired of waiting and took off into the sky. Akuto sat down and took a look out the windows, and he saw that Keena had come outside the dorm to see him off. She seemed like she wanted to say something, so Akuto felt a moment’s guilt. But then she started to wave and smile, so he waved back, relieved.

—Come to think of it, we didn’t get a chance to talk yesterday.

He’d eaten with Keena after the meeting with Boichiro, and so he’d had a chance to talk, but he was so lost in thought that they hadn’t said much of anything at all.

“Keena’s going to be alone, isn’t she?” Hiroshi said.

“Don’t say that, you’ll make me sad. We won’t be gone that long, and she’s got Peterhausen with her. He’s busy helping Fujiko with her research, but he does get along with Keena,” Akuto said as he looked at Hiroshi. Hiroshi seemed strangely excited.

“You look really happy. So why say such a gloomy thing?”

“No, it was just something that occurred to me.” Hiroshi’s gaze was fixed oddly off into the distance. But his cheeks were flushed. Akuto didn’t understand what was up with him.

—Well, if he’s happy, that’s what matters.

Suddenly conversation in the bus stopped. Silence between the four of them shouldn’t have been that awkward, but for some reason Junko seemed terribly tense. She kept looking at Akuto and then glancing away.

“What’s wrong?” Akuto asked. Junko stammered out an “It’s nothing!” before quickly shoving her hand in her bag.

“Y-You know, I was wondering if you wanted something to eat...” She was rummaging through her bag, but she didn’t seem to be finding anything.

“You’re acting hysterical,” Korone, who had been silently sitting next to her, said.

“No, no, no. I’m just fine. That’s not true. I’m calm. I’m... I’m very calm.”

“You don’t look that way to me. You okay?” Akuto asked.

Worried, he reached out a hand, and she pulled away from him with a noise that might’ve been a “hyah!” or a “pyah!”

“I wasn’t going to do anything...”

“I-I-I know that.”

“Then are you sick?”

“No. I-It’s just...”

Junko seemed to want to say something, and then she stopped. And then Korone interrupted.

“If you have trouble saying it, then why don’t I...”

“No, no, no. I-It’s just... A political thing. Very high level,” Junko said, sticking her hand over Korone’s mouth

“A high-level political thing?”

Akuto’s face became serious. He remembered what Boichiro said. It seemed to him like he was at a point where he needed to think about things. In other words, obeying the law, and thinking that the law was right, was natural to him, but he was starting to realize that maybe that was too narrow a view.

“I’d appreciate it if you told me. The time might have come for me to assume a big responsibility,” Akuto said, and Junko turned bright red. Her hand fell off of Korone’s mouth.

“You... knew?”

“Yeah, a little. I think I need to take responsibility for everything that’s happened.”

“A-Are you serious?” Junko’s mouth went wide open. But when Akuto nodded, she smiled goofily.

“N-No, I’m glad to hear that. If you noticed, there’s no need for me to say anything.”

She tried to hide her grin as she pretended to look out the window.

“Still, I need to hear it from your mouth to really understand,” Akuto said, and Junko blushed.

“D-Don’t make me say it. As long as you understand, that’s fine. My father will explain the rest.”

—I’m curious about why Hattori looks that way, but I guess it’s because we have something important to talk about.

Akuto steeled himself to find out what Junko’s words really meant.

○

The bus landed in a forest not long after that. Akuto thought it might be the Iga village, but when he looked outside, he saw that the bus had landed in an empty field about half the size of a soccer field.

“Is this the village?” Hiroshi asked.

“No, this is the landing pad. It’s about 20 minutes away.”

Junko led them all off the bus, and they saw a path continuing into the forest. They hadn’t been able to see it because the path was covered by trees. The trees didn’t seem naturally planted, so it was probably deliberately hidden.

“Is the village itself hidden too?” Akuto asked, and Junko nodded.

The bus they were on started to move towards the edge of the clearing. Suddenly the ground split open and an underground entrance revealed itself.

“That’s the parking lot,” Junko said, and the entrance vanished beneath the trees. The village seemed to really want to hide things.

“Wow,” Akuto said. Junko blushed and began to walk ahead of the group.

“Well, just understand that that’s how our family works. Our house itself is really normal.”

The three of them followed her down the narrow path. And suddenly she stopped. Hiroshi just seemed confused, but the others tensed up.

—Huh? Huh?

Hiroshi was looking around when suddenly he heard a high-pitched voice.

—What?

He suddenly felt a dull vibration shake the soles of his feat. He looked down and saw a shuriken buried in the ground.

“Uwah!”

He leapt back, even though it was far too late, but the others had of course already noticed the attack. Junko had her dagger out, and Akuto was glaring at a spot on his upper right. Even Korone had moved next to him and had stuck her hand in her purse.

“Huh? What happened?” Hiroshi asked, but instead of answering, Junko yelled out.

“Yuko! That’s going too far!”

A voice replied from somewhere in the forest.

“Ahaha! Sis, your skills are as sharp as ever, huh?”

Hiroshi tried to look towards the voice, but though he could tell she was inside the forest, he couldn’t tell where she was.

“Idiot. What if you hit me?”

“Don’t worry. I aimed for the chainmail you always wear.”

“No, that’s not what I meant. What if it hit someone after I blocked it?”

“Then that would be your problem, not mine.”

Junko was speaking normally. Evidently her sister had come to welcome her, and had suddenly attacked her with a shuriken.

“Come on, come out.”

“Fine,” the voice said reluctantly, and there was a rustling in the trees. A girl leapt out of the branches and did a flip in mid-air. She landed in front of the four of them.

The small girl gave a teasing bow.

“Hello. I’m Yuko, her little sister!”

“Oh!” Hiroshi gasped. It was Yuri Hoshino, the idol he’d met the other day.

Yuko must’ve noticed him, because she waved.

“That’s right. I’m an idol!”

Hiroshi was relieved at the cheerful tone in her voice. She didn’t seem to know he was Brave.

“You’re ridiculous, sister. Being an idol is why you get attacked by demon beasts,” Junko said so that the others could hear.

“It didn’t have anything to do with that. But because of that, I managed to get the famous Brave to save me!”

“Even if you hate demon beasts, it’s pathetic that a member of the Hattori clan was saved by another. What’s all your training been for, then?”

“Who cares? I’m not the clan leader. Dad says I don’t have to do any training as long as I’m an idol. And it’s okay because Brave was really cool, too!”

Yuko stuck out her tongue at Junko. Hiroshi grinned as he watched. It was nice to have someone say he was cool, even if it was when he was wearing a mask.

“Hey, is this your boyfriend?” Yuko suddenly stood in front of Hiroshi.

“Huh? Wait—” Hiroshi stammered, but Junko immediately denied it.

“No!”

“Huh? Why are you so angry? It must be him, then!” Yuko turned towards Akuto.

“Th-That’s not right... either.” This time she mumbled when she spoke.

“Huh? But it must be him from the way you’re talking. Sis, you’re really obvious,” she said. “But I don’t think he’s a good choice for you.” She shot Akuto a look of disgust.

“Hey, don’t be rude!” Junko yelled, but Yuko wasn’t listening.

“He’s scary! His face, but also his aura and stuff. He’s the only person who’s ever come to this village who could tell where I was hiding.” Yuko pointed at him. He didn’t know how to react.

—Come to think of it, the boss never looked away from the upper right.

Hiroshi was surprised when he remembered Akuto’s actions. Before, Akuto would’ve been confused as well, so he could feel that Akuto was truly becoming powerful.

“Why would Sis want a man like this for mar—”

Before she could finish her sentence, Junko attacked. With a speed of a ninja she circled around and put two fingers up to Yuko’s throat to silence her.

“Y-You didn’t say anything. Right?”

There was murder in Junko’s words. Yuko nodded mechanically.

“Th-That’s right. Yes. But Sis, that’s a killing technique...”

“It’s your fault for not being able to dodge it. Now let’s get to the house.” Junko motioned for them to continue.

Everyone started walking, but Yuko kept her distance from Junko and Akuto. This meant she had to walk next to Hiroshi.

“Hey, what’s that guy like?” Yuko jerked her head towards Akuto as she asked Hiroshi.

“That’s a rude thing to ask,” Hiroshi said, but Yuko just pouted and waved like she didn’t care.

“But he’s scary. He’s not normal.”

“That’s because... he’s just so incredible.”

“Incredible?”

“He’s strong. Probably the strongest.”

“Hahaha. What? Boys love saying people are the strongest, don’t they?”

“No, it’s true.”

“It’s not true. You’ve never seen Brave, have you? He’s strong. The way he just slices the air with his hands is so wonderful, and he was so cool when he saved me. He just ripped the demon beasts apart without mercy!” Yuko said, as if in a daze.

“Wasn’t it supposed to be a secret that you saw Brave up close?”

“Huh? But everybody knows he saved me.”

“No, I mean like, how he fights and stuff.”

“Huh? Who cares? I don’t know who he is either. The knights asked me a bunch of questions, but I can’t tell them what I don’t know. Hmm? How do you know about Brave?”

Yuko peered into his eyes.

—Oops...

Hiroshi panicked, but quickly thought of an excuse.

“I saw it on TV. There was a story called ‘Does Yuri Hoshino Know Brave’s Secrets?’ or something.”

“Aww... Brave and I are...” Yuko laughed.

“Huh? What? Do you know something, then?” Hiroshi asked.

Yuko just spread out her hands and ran ahead a little, and said, “That’s a secret!” with her finger on her lips.

—Sh-She’s so cute...

Hiroshi couldn’t help but fall in love. He was showing it on his face, but Yuko must’ve been used to seeing that expression from boys, because she didn’t seem confused. But then she seemed to remember something. She put her face up close to his and stood on her toes.

“Huh?” For a moment Hiroshi didn’t know what to do, but Yuko laughed innocently.

“You’re the same height as Brave, aren’t you?”

“O-Oh... I see.”

But she didn’t seem to mean anything by it, and simply pulled away and started to walk again.

“Come on, stop messing around,” Junko said and pointed to the path ahead.

“We’re almost home. Show everyone inside. I’ll call father.”

The house they saw was cleverly concealed in the forest. Because of that, they couldn’t see how big it was, but just from what they saw it was clear that it was a large Japanese-style mansion. There was no gate, but there was a garden in front of the front door, big enough for a whole class to get a group photo. The roof was covered in black tiles, and the trees around it had been carefully pruned so they would shine in the sun.

Junko went around to the back. Yuko flung open the front door and announced that they had visitors, and a middle-aged woman in a kimono came out and bowed.

“Welcome. You must be tired. Come this way,” The servant let the three of them to the parlor.

Hiroshi was a student at a very wealthy school, so having servants in a house didn’t surprise him, but the way the servants moved did. Akuto seemed to notice it too, because he turned to look at Hiroshi.

“Everybody here moves like a warrior,” he said quietly.

“Yeah, I guess so,” agreed Hiroshi.

Yuko called to one of the servants.

“Hey, is it true that the Teruyas were bugging us again?”

“Mistress, you’re in front of guests,” the servant said, but Yuko didn’t seem to care.

“It’s fine. They’re practically part of the family already. And Sis said that this guy’s met Eiko Teruya once already.” Yuko pointed at Akuto.

Akuto didn’t seem to know what to say, but both he and Hiroshi had, in fact, met Eiko Teruya. He’d heard from her that the Hattori and Teruyas didn’t get along, but it had seemed to him more like a friendly rivalry.

“So your two families really don’t get along?” Hiroshi asked, and Yuko nodded.

“It’s always been that way, but I guess it’s really bad lately. They’ve been wandering around the village, you see.”

“Are they planning something?”

“Who knows? I don’t know what they’re up to. Anyway, come here.” Yuko grabbed Hiroshi’s arm and pulled.

“Huh? What’s going on?” Hiroshi asked. He’d just been led to the parlor.

“Just leave your stuff here. Oh, and you can stay here.” She gestured toward Akuto.

Akuto frowned, but went inside the parlor anyway. Korone followed him. Meanwhile, Hiroshi let Yuko drag him around the hallway.

“Where are we going?”

“It doesn’t matter, but I guess the courtyard? I just don’t want to be near that guy.”

“That’s not a nice thing to say.”

“But...”

Yuko seemed to want to say something, but instead she opened the glass door to the courtyard, put on the shoes that had been prepared for them, and stepped out onto the grass.

“He’s marrying my sister, right?”

“Huh?” This was news to Hiroshi. He stepped out into the courtyard, surprised at what he was hearing. “No, I didn’t hear anything about that.”

“Yeah? Sis is really quiet when it comes to stuff like that, I guess.”

She sat down on a bench in the garden. Hiroshi stood in front of her.

“What do you mean, marriage?” he asked.

“Just what I said. I don’t really understand, but since he’s supposed to be the Demon King, maybe they think marrying him will calm him down?”

“They can’t think it’s that easy...”

“Hmm, maybe this is hard for people from other sects to understand, but we worship Suhara, you know? Orders from the top are absolute. So political marriage is pretty common. Maybe the Teruyas are bugging us because they’re nervous about our clan becoming more powerful.”

“Is that how it works?”

It didn’t seem like that bad a deal at all to Hiroshi. If nothing else, it would solve a lot of Akuto’s problems.

“Anyway, at first I was in favor, but I just don’t like that guy.”

“Why do you say that? He’s a great guy,” Hiroshi protested, but he didn’t expect the answer he got.

“He smells like demon beasts.”

—Huh?

Hiroshi knew better than anyone that she wasn’t lying. That’s why he didn’t know what to say.

“I-Is that something you can sense?”

“That’s right. The way he smells. I think I’m sensitive to that smell. I hate it. I’ve never really told other people, but I was almost killed by a demon beast.”

Her voice was calm when she spoke, but there must have been some kind of psychological resistance to talking, because Hiroshi could see her hands shaking.

“It happened when I was a kid, but I remember it well. It was some kind of transformed insect, and it bit me. That made me really scared of them, but that’s not all. I guess the demon beast’s mana got inside me. I guess it didn’t really hurt me or anything, but when a demon beast gets close... It just makes me feel like I’m about to go crazy.” Yuko smiled as she spoke, but Hiroshi was shocked.

—I’ve heard of this, actually. I read somewhere that since demon beast mana is normal mana that’s fallen victim to some kind of error, if it gets inside your body there’s no telling what could happen...

Then Yuko laughed and waved her hand.

“I’m fine. I’ve got that internal unit that you get when Suhara baptizes you, you know? It keeps a permanent spell on me. And it keeps the demon beast’s mana from expanding. As long as Suhara exists, I’m fine.”

“I see.” Hiroshi relaxed.

Yuko grinned at him mischievously.

“Are you worried about me, or is this just a way to get closer to me?”

“N-No, that’s not it!” He quickly shook his head, but Yuko’s mischievous smile didn’t change.

“I don’t know. It feels like all my fans have this certain image of me. Anybody who says they don’t see me that way probably just wants to see me naked. The real me is just a boring person, who’s no different than anybody else,” she said.

“No, that’s not true. You’re amazing,” Hiroshi said, and Yuko’s eyes narrowed a little.

“A lot of people say that, but only because they want something from me.”

“No, that’s not what I mean!” he said. “You were born to a really rich family, but you keep trying different things to test yourself. That’s what’s amazing.”

For the first time Yuko’s eyes went wide in surprise.

“People have told me I’m a selfish rich girl before, but this is the first time I’ve heard anyone say that. They tell me I’m a girl who can’t settle down, who went from acting to singing, to songwriting, to variety shows. They say I’m selfish.” She grinned. “But I don’t think you really understand my family. It’s the other way around. It’s not that I’m letting them spoil me, or trying not to let them spoil me, but that I have to do something for the family. I don’t know whether I’m doing a good job or not, but that’s what I’m trying to do.”

“For your family?”

“If I wasn’t part of this family, I’d be dead. Normally you can’t get special protection from Suhara. So I’m grateful to my family. Not to my parents exactly, but to my good luck. I’m kind of embarrassed, this is all stuff I’ve never told anyone.” Yuko scratched her head and blushed.

“No, I think that’s amazing.”

For some reason, Hiroshi scratched his head in embarrassment too. And then suddenly Yuko’s face turned serious.

“Hey, do you believe in God?”

“Huh?”

“I mean a real God.”

“That’s kind of a tough question, isn’t it?” Hiroshi didn’t know what to say.

“Yeah. But I think believing in Suhara means believing in the bonds behind him, in other words, the bonds of family and stuff. But family, and the people you meet, aren’t something you get because of Suhara. I think it’s the real God who determines where you’re born, or who you meet. That’s why I believe in the real God, and the reason I’m an idol is so that I can connect a lot of different people. That’s why what’s most important to me is my home, and my family. So I serve Suhara as best I can, and I do what the family tells me to.”

“I’ve never really thought of things that way. I respect that.”

Hiroshi sighed a little, and Yuko laughed and blushed.

“Flattery will get you nowhere.”

“I wasn’t expecting it to.” Hiroshi laughed too.

After she’d finish laughing, though, she looked up at him and spoke.

“But it wouldn’t bother me too much if this was an excuse to get to know me better, I think.”

—What?

For a moment, Hiroshi thought about what she meant.

—Does that mean...

For a moment he got his hopes up, and leaned forward, but then she grinned.

“Because whenever somebody tries to get close to me, the servants here try to test them.”

“Huh? The servants?” Hiroshi asked, but then he realized that he was surrounded.

He looked around and saw people in black, ninja-like clothing with their hoods up, leaving only their eyes exposed. They were ready to attack him. He wanted to ask where they’d come from, but a single glance told him. There were hidden doors in the bushes and next to the benches, and he could see the heads and feet of several ninjas poking out of them.

“Uwaah!” Hiroshi panicked, but Yuko smiled.

“This happens to anybody who tries to be my friend, or my fans, anybody who gets close to me.”

“Wh-What’s going on here?” Hiroshi almost collapsed.

“Being close to me means being a part of the family, so they all want to test if you can be my friend.”

“T-Test?”

“You both use your killing techniques on one another, and if you accept each other’s strength, you become best friends.”

“W-Wait! I don’t have any killing techniques! And these people clearly have no intention of friendship! They just want to hurt any man who gets close to you!” Hiroshi screamed.

The ninjas all shook their heads at once, and spoke in unison as they advanced on Hiroshi.

“You want to be friends with us, right?”

“That’s right. We want to be friends with you, too. Friendly enough that we can test our techniques on one another.”

“You’ve got guts, going after the mistress.”

“Hey! That last one! That was just a threat! That was just a threat!” Hiroshi said, but Yuko just chuckled and sat on the bench, resting her head on her elbow.

“You think?”

“I do!”

“I see... All the boys I bring home run away. I guess you need to be strong like Brave, huh?” Yuko sighed, disappointed.

“F-F-Fine! I won’t do anything!” Hiroshi backed away from Yuko as the ninjas approached, waving brass knuckle-clad fists and swords.

“Ahh... Well, I guess my dad’s the worst of them all, though. Things might be rough for that other boy right now,” she whispered.

“The boss, you mean?”

“Yeah. He wants to be my sister’s husband. That means he’ll really be part of the family.”

“Then is your father attacking him with a weapon?”

“He’s not attacking, he’s testing his skills, and his bravery. Something like that.”

“No, I think that’s the same thing just said a different way...” Hiroshi muttered, but he heard the sounds of blades leaving their sheaths, and decided not to say anything more.

○

Akuto and Korone were left alone in the room, but since they were guests, all they could do was sit there. The woman in the kimono who had led them there brought tea, but they’d only drank half and it had gone cold.

“Are we being tested?” Akuto asked Korone.

“Do you think so? It’s hard to say.”

—Either way, I have to be careful what I say. I have to stay focused...

Just as Akuto had made that decision, the sliding door to the room opened.

“Welcome. I hear you’re very close to Junko.”

Standing there was a small but lively-looking man.

Akuto hadn’t noticed his approach until the door had opened. Normally he would’ve heard footsteps, and he’d just proved that he could detect Yuko when she was hiding. It was clear that this was no ordinary man.

The man was wearing a kimono, and he seemed between 40 and 50 years of age. His white teeth stood out on his dark sunburned face. His hair was black and shiny, and he looked very healthy. But there wasn’t any sense of the “lightness” that such men often had. The air about him was heavy, but not unpleasant.

“I am Yozo.” The man bowed to Akuto, who had stood up to greet him, and motioned for him to sit down. “I’ve heard a lot about you.” He sat across from Akuto with a friendly smile.

“I’m embarrassed. But thank you. Junko has done a lot for me, both as someone who’s been at the school longer than I have and as the class representative.” Akuto bowed.

“By the way, I’ll just come out and ask it. Do you like Junko?” Yozo suddenly asked.

Normally this was a question that would cause a young boy to stammer or hesitate, but to Akuto, “like” included feelings other than romantic love, and he was also not the type to hesitate about his feelings.

“I like her a lot,” he answered immediately.

Yozo laughed loudly.

“Hahahaha! I like that. But you know what her position is, right? What it means for the Hattori clan that she lives with you.”

Akuto knew how much she had suffered being one of his only allies at the dorm. And he’d already been told that this was about politics.

“I’m aware that it means something, politically. It’s not just a matter of my feelings. No matter how difficult things get, I will take into account her environment and the people around her, and make the best choice for her sake.”

Akuto meant the words he said. But Yozo, who thought they were talking about Junko’s marriage, interpreted it a different way. He smiled in a way that was truly happy, but also imposing to anyone who saw it.

“I’m happy to hear that, as her father. But if you’re that certain, you won’t mind if I test you, right?”

His voice was calm but there was an intensity that spoke to his years as a warrior. But Akuto didn’t even budge.

“I was aware that I might be tested.”

“Excellent. You’re a good man.”

The next instant, Akuto saw something terrifying manifest itself.

Yozo jumped up into the air while still sitting on his knees — his legs were incredibly powerful. He managed to get a meter off the ground just with the power from his calves.

—!

Akuto was shocked, and leapt up out of reflex. And then Yozo, still kneeling even while in the air, drew his sword and slashed.

Akuto blocked with his hands, but all he did was expose them to the blade. His fingers flew off into the air, and the sword went straight into his jugular.

—I’m dead...!

Akuto felt his own death.

—Is this the end...? No, if it is, then how am I able to think?

And when that thought occurred to him, his eyes suddenly opened.

He was standing in shock in the middle of the room, with Yozo still sitting below him. He looked around and saw that Korone was sitting with no change in her expression — though nothing would be enough to get her to change expression.

“Why did you suddenly jump up?” Korone asked.

—So this isn’t real...

Akuto put his hand to his neck. It was fine.

“A wonderful reaction. I can see why they said you could be the Demon King.” Yozo slapped his hands against his knees.

He looked and saw that Yozo didn’t even have a sword. It made sense once he thought about it. No master of a household would take a sword to a meeting with an unarmed guest.

“An illusion...?” Akuto whispered.

He didn’t understand how it worked, but it seemed plain that he’d fallen prey to an illusion. The one thing he did know was that the illusion seemed very real.

—If Yozo really did have a sword, the same thing would’ve happened in reality.

Akuto was sure of it.

“It’s a little trick I’ve got. Do you like it?” Yozo asked. There was a meaning in the words that Akuto caught.

“Even if it was an illusion, those movements... If you’d wanted to, you could’ve made the same thing happen, right?” Akuto asked, and Yozo grinned.

“Correct. It’s one of my clan’s techniques. The illusion itself is enough to kill the delicate, but I figured you would be alright. It’s a bit of a mean thing to do, but it’s just who I am. I had to test you. At this age, you can’t help but wonder what would happen if you really tried, you know.”

—So he can know in advance what happens if he actually attacks someone? If it turns out they’re much stronger, there’s no need to fight. You can see the result. But if you’re equal, and it’s a fight you can’t avoid, when you actually attack, you can do it in a slightly different way to ensure that you never lose...

That was Akuto’s interpretation. He kept thinking about it.

—There’s no way he would do something like this just to be a jerk. If this is a political matter, they must be talking about putting me under his observation. He must be trying to make me understand that I can’t beat him so I won’t resist.

Akuto got down on his knees and bowed his head.

“I hope that this can be the beginning of a long fruitful relationship for both of us, sir.”

“No, raise your head. I’d heard that you were going to be the Demon King, so I got a little too excited. I’d be happy to have a good boy like you around. Very happy indeed.” Yozo laughed happily, but suddenly his eyes narrowed and he continued. “By the way, if I’d really tried to hurt you, what would’ve happened? Tell me what you really think.”

Akuto was caught off guard and his face went a little red.

“You weren’t fighting for real, so I can’t say for sure. But I think I’ve understood your style, so if you can do it one more time I can change the result.”

Akuto’s voice was so cheerful that Yozo’s eyes went wide for a second, but it was more from shock than anger. Akuto hadn’t really thought about it, but he’d just asked to be the subject of a technique that might kill him.

Yozo’s expression quickly changed to joy.

“Alright, that settles it. You’re part of the family now. I’ll prepare some sake for us. No, I guess it would be tea for you. But the food will be the best the region has to offer. Relax until it’s ready.”

—He seems to really like me. This must mean that the Hattoris are my backers now. I have to study a lot and become someone who can think about politics too.

Akuto bowed as Yozo left the room.

○

The banquet was going to be a big one, it seemed. There were rows of small trays lined up in a hall with tatami flooring, packed with meats and seafood. At a distance, it looked like a random pile of food, something that bandits would eat, but if you got closer you could see that it had been prepared carefully. The whole clan would be attending, as well as the ninjas who lived in the mansion, so there were many people in the hall. To a poor boy like Akuto, the only thing he could think to compare it to was a hot springs retreat hosted by a big company.

Akuto was sitting next to Yozo. He was right at the front of the hall. He’d never sat in a place like that before, so he didn’t know what to do.

On the opposite side of Yozo was Junko. She was nervous, or rather, she was frozen stiff. He could practically hear her joints creaking as she moved, and even when Yozo talked to her, she barely answered. Yuko was sitting next to Junko. They were the only ones at the front of the hall — Hiroshi was seated at the far back.

Akuto looked at the banquet and decided that this might be another way they were testing him. Yozo began a speech, which finished quickly, and then he turned to Akuto. Akuto’s sense that he was being tested became a certainty.

“...Akuto Sai is the newest member of our family. Let’s hear a little introduction from him.”

Akuto stood up, but the ninjas — though they weren’t wearing masks here — didn’t applaud at all. They all seemed like they wanted to attack him right then and there.

—I see. I need to win them over.

“I will now be under the protection of the Hattori family. I may cause problems for you all. But I am well aware that my circumstances are unique, and that my actions may have political effects.”

Everyone stared at him. Some had been whispering to each other, but they all stopped and waited for his next words.

“These political effects would, of course, be negative. My actions may anger some people. But power itself is neither good nor bad. It’s the same with influence. So why is it negative? Because people are deceived by the reputation that they themselves created.”

The room didn’t seem sure of how to handle Akuto’s abstract words.

“Political power is, at its core, reputation. And so I want to be on the side of the people who decide that reputation. I will now personally contribute to the Hattori family, and work to enhance their reputation. I believe that’s the best thing I can do to repay Junko.”

Murmurs spread throughout the hall. His words meant that the Demon King was surrendering to the Hattori clan. But they also were a declaration that he, himself, would be participating in political power struggles. In another place, this might have been interpreted as the Demon King displaying his intent to conquer the world, but the Hattori Clan was different. Words like these would only make Suhara worshippers trust him more.

“This is... a surprise.”

“I was terrified of having a man like him leading the clan, but...”

“It’s wonderful to hear someone talking like that. And our Mistress Junko is going to be bossing him around, huh?”

Akuto wasn’t sure how to react to that, but he kept talking.

“I want to learn about the world here, and I’ll use the Hattori clan’s power to do that. But that doesn’t mean that I’m going to use the Hattori clan for my own benefit. Some of you may not believe this. And I know that I’m from a different sect. But I can promise you one thing: that I will never betray Junko.”

Akuto looked at Junko. She twitched and straightened up when she saw he was looking at her. And a moment later she seemed to realize what he was saying. Her tense face turned to a smile, and she covered it with her hands. And then she started to cry.

—W-Was it that moving?

Akuto was just trying to show off. He didn’t expect this kind of reaction. But the tears had a huge effect on the assembled ninja army.

“Uwaaah!”

“Please be happy, you two!”

“I’ll allow it! I wasn’t going to allow it, but now I will!”

The hall was filled with the sobs and shouts of ninjas. Akuto didn’t quite understand why his words had had such an effect, but the whole thing happened so fast he didn’t have time to say a word about it.

Food and alcohol were passed around with cheers, and before long, everyone was drunk.

One ninja after another came up to him, sobbing and saying, “Please make the mistress happy!” He didn’t quite know what to say, and before long his mind was starting to go blank.

Junko had stopped crying, and she was happily eating her food. She was talking cheerfully with the ninjas who came up to her. But for some reason she couldn’t bring herself to look at Akuto.

Strangely, the ninjas had taken a liking to Hiroshi, and they were all talking about idols.

“So if Yuko wants to get more famous, what does she have to do?”

“There’s that other idol, Senri, who’s pretty popular. I think she’s her number one opponent.”

“No, Senri’s the old type of idol. The type who gets crushed when there’s some scandal about her having a boyfriend. The only idols who lose their fans when that happens are the ones who try to sell their virginity and the illusion that they’re the fan’s girlfriend. The old type. Yuko’s different. She’s a free spirit, and she’s just so talented it’s impossible to imagine yourself having her for a girlfriend.”

The ninjas nodded.

“Ooh, just what I’d expect to hear from a student at the Academy.”

“He’s very smart!”

And then Yuko, who’d been angry and upset this whole time, suddenly said she was going to sing, and had the ninjas bring her a karaoke set.

The party reached its peak when she began to sing her songs.

Akuto felt a happiness that he’d never felt in his life before. He didn’t understand why the Hattori clan was making him so happy, though.

○

It was night. Junko was alone in her room, and suddenly feeling uneasy. It’s normal to feel a little sad after a party, and to start to regret some of the things you’ve said when tipsy. The feeling was similar to that. She’d suddenly started to be suspicious of Akuto’s attitude.

—Was I imagining it? No, he was definitely oddly calm. He’s usually got a poker face, but today at least I would’ve expected him to blush when someone teased him.

And once she started to get suspicious, she couldn’t just stay in her room.

—No, is it possible he’s misunderstanding things? Gaah, I just can’t stop thinking about it! I know. I can just go ask him. I’ll do that...

Junko stood up.

But...

—But how am I supposed to ask him? If I just ask “Do you plan on marrying me?” and he says yes, just the fact that I was suspicious of him is a problem. I’d be so ashamed I’d have to commit seppuku.

Junko shook her head. And then suddenly she got an idea. But the minute she got that idea, her body felt strangely hot.

—He hasn’t converted yet. Which means... that until marriage... I-I’m not supposed to do that stuff. If I try to do the things that husbands and wives do, I’ll be able to tell if he really understand the situation.

Junko put her hand on the door to leave, but stopped.

—No, but if he does intend to marry me, then that means we’ll... N-No, maybe that’s okay! But then maybe I should wash up first...

Junko got a change of clothes out of her dresser and went to the bath.

—No... am I... looking forward to this?

She looked in a mirror as she washed herself. There was a dopey grin on her face.

“U-Uwah... I need to stay focused, or he won’t like me...” she said aloud.

—Wait, he wouldn’t hate me just because I had a grin on my face. No, but... Even if he doesn’t know what’s going on, if we d-do it, then maybe he’ll have to marry me?

Her face turned an even brighter shade of red than usual.

“I-I’ve been in the bath too long. I should wash up and get going.”

She began to scrub herself hard.

○

Meanwhile, Akuto was alone in the room he’d been given. He’d taken a bath, and changed into the shorts and a t-shirt he’d brought instead of pajamas, and slipped into bed. He was enjoying the quiet night that comes after a huge party.

—This feeling of happiness... But I just can’t enjoy it completely. It doesn’t feel like I’m worthy of it. Maybe I’m just not used to it?

Suddenly he felt the presence of someone outside his door. He sat up in his futon.

“Who’s there?” he asked, and the door slid open.

Junko was there, kneeling on the floor.

—Huh...?

She looked different than usual. She was wearing a thin white kimono, and he could see the lines of her figure as the moonlight turned it translucent. What shocked him was her expression. She was as nervous as she had been all day, but there was a slight blush to her cheeks that made her seem far more grown-up than she’d been before.

“W-What are you doing here at this hour?” Akuto asked. Junko closed the door behind her and looked down as she spoke.

“You can tell, right? Or can’t you?”

There was something in her voice that made Akuto shudder.

He said nothing as she silently approached him. Her thin kimono was already starting to fall off her body. He could see her pale breasts spilling out of it. She wasn’t wearing any underwear. As she walked, the hem of the kimono spread out to the side, revealing her pale thighs. Akuto quickly looked away before he realized if she wasn’t wearing anything down there, either.

“I-It’s awfully late. Can we talk tomorrow?”

“I-If we wait until tomorrow, someone will find us, right?”

He could hear Junko’s trembling voice very close to him. Since he’d looked away, he hadn’t realized she’d sat down next to him.

He looked towards her and gasped.

Her eyes were wet with fear. And with shaking hands, she was removing her kimono.

—Wh-What’s going on here? This isn’t like Hattori...

He wasn’t sure what was going on. There was a daintiness about her that he’d never seen before.

“Don’t force yourself to do something you don’t want to,” he said as he reached out a hand to help her put her kimono back on.

“Something I don’t want to...?” Junko gasped.

“I mean, you’re acting differently than usual.”

“Wha...?” Junko was shocked into silence.

“Is your family forcing you to do this or something?” Akuto asked.

Junko stammered.

“Wh-What are you...”

“I mean, the Junko I like wouldn’t act this way.” Junko kept opening and closing her mouth like she had no idea what to say.

“I mean, think about it. I have to change gods if I’m going to be under this clan’s observation. But I haven’t done that yet. So stuff like this is forbidden. If you’re trying to break that taboo, it must mean...”

Junko’s expression clouded.

“I-I’m sorry. That was rude of me,” Akuto said. “But I want to make sure everything is done properly...”

Junko cut him off.

“Dummy... That’s right. That’s the kind of person you are... You never heard anything about marrying me, did you?”

—Marriage?

Akuto was shocked.

“I’m sorry. I thought you knew everything when you came here. It’s my fault for not explaining.” Junko looked down.

Akuto put his hand on her shoulder.

“I’m sorry. It’s my fault for not realizing at all. You couldn’t say anything because you didn’t want to get married, right?”

“Huh? ...Wait!”

“I’m sorry. If your family ordered you to do it, you couldn’t refuse, could you? If I’d really wanted to do what was best for you, I should’ve refused from the start...”

Akuto stopped talking. He’d stopped because Junko was starting to laugh.

“Hahah... I’m such an idiot. That’s really just who you are, isn’t it?”

“Wh-What are you talking about?”

Akuto reached out his hand to raise her head up to look at him. There were tears in Junko’s eyes. He took his hand away in surprise, and she started to speak in a trembling voice.

“That’s why... that’s why I’m saying that’s the kind of guy you are... I was so excited, but I was the only one...”

She fixed the front of her kimono up, and leaned forward and started to cry.

“Forget everything that happened today...” she said.

“I-I’m sorry. But...”

Akuto couldn’t finish his words. A spear had suddenly dropped down on him from the ceiling.

Crash!

Akuto’s reflexes were enough for him to dodge it, but otherwise it would’ve struck him in the heart. The spear had clearly intended to kill.

—Uwah!

Akuto leapt back. There wasn’t just one spear. From the ceiling, from below the tatami, through the walls, one spear after another came at him.

CRASH! CRASH! CRASH! CRASH!

Akuto rolled out of the room, dodging spear after spear, and when he got to the garden and turned around, he understood what was going on.

Of course, it was clear what was happening now. Anywhere near his room where someone could hide, multiple ninjas had been lurking.

“You made the mistress cry!”

“You planned to deceive the Hattori clan from the start!”

They were shouting at him.

“You’ve got it at all wrong! And why were you peeping?” he yelled, but he still felt responsible. For now, he would have to retreat.

“Hattori, I’m sorry!”

He ran back into his room, grabbed a change of clothes, and leapt over the wall and into the forest.

“By the honor of the Iga Ninjas, don’t let him escape!”

They followed him into the forest with a huge shout.

—I ran away, but I think I need to let them catch me and apologize.

There was no way he could escape from multiple pursuers in a place he’d never been to before. He tried to come up with a way to let them catch him without anybody on either side getting hurt.

But it looked like they weren’t going to give him a chance to think. One of the faster pursuers was leaping from branch to branch after him, until he got close enough to slash at Akuto’s back.

—Tch!

Akuto turned around and tried to block with his magic. But before he could, the ninja suddenly vanished.

“Huh?”

For a moment, Akuto didn’t know what had happened, but he understood when he found the ninja a second later. A rope was tied around the ninja’s leg and he was hanging from a tree. He’d fallen into a trap.

—A trap? Here?

This was the Hattori clan’s territory. One of their ninjas wouldn’t fall for one of their own traps. That meant someone else had set it.

Akuto watched for this mysterious person to reveal themselves as he sensed traps going off all around him. He heard the ninjas scream. The fact that they were on their home ground, and that they were extremely angry, caused them to fall for traps that they never would have normally fallen for.

But eventually the remaining ninjas must’ve gotten cautious, because their presences seemed to vanish. And then a shadow appeared in front of Akuto, as if it had been waiting for that moment.

“Who’s there?” Akuto tensed up, but the voice was one he recognized.

“That’s not a very nice way to greet someone, particularly when they’re helping you escape.”

The shadow took a step out of the darkness and pointed at Akuto with a grin.

It was a girl with long hair tied into a ponytail — Eiko Teruya.

“You?” Akuto readied himself for combat.

She smiled a wicked grin.

“There’s no reason to get so tense. If it weren’t for me, you would’ve killed that ninja, right? You should be thanking me. My traps aren’t fatal.”

“Thanking you? The timing is a little too good for that. And this is a strange way of trying to get me on your side. Have you been watching me the whole time?”

“That’s right. I shouldn’t really be saying this, but the Teruyas have spies inside the Hattori clan.”

“Then you know...”

“Yup! I know all about what happened. It was hilarious how serious you took it!”

Akuto didn’t like the way Eiko laughed at all.

“So what do you want? If you don’t actually need anything, then I’ll just thank you and be on my way. Once the ninjas calm down, we can probably talk this over.”

Eiko’s smile turned even more wicked.

“There is no need to be upset. Alright, I’ll tell you what I want. Want to come to my clan instead?”

“Your clan?”

“The Teruya. We’re higher-ranked than the Hattori, so it would be good for you.”

“No.” Akuto answered immediately. But Eiko didn’t give up.

“Even if there was a misunderstanding, you’re the one who wanted to suck up to the Hattori clan. If that’s what you’re after, the Teruya clan is a better fit.”

“I wasn’t trying to suck up to anyone. I was trying to grow.”

“That’s just saying the same thing a different way, isn’t it? Why not hook up with me, instead? I’m about to make a gamble with pretty good odds.”

“What are you talking about? You sound like a street thug. I could never love someone like that.” Akuto voiced his displeasure, but Eiko’s next words shocked him.

“You know my dad’s high priest, right? Did you know he sometimes does assassinations?”

—What?

Akuto wasn’t sure if he believed what he’d just heard.

“He kills people who Suhara decides are dangerous. Even if they haven’t actually done anything, if they plot treason, they get killed.”

“That’s just another reason for me not to like the Teruya.” Akuto frowned.

But Eiko wagged her finger at him.

“Don’t jump to conclusions. The Teruya are about to change. That is, if you join us.”

No matter what she said, though, there was no reason Akuto could think of to join her.

“I said no. I get to make my own decision. I joined the Academy, and I have a life and friends I want to protect. That’s all there is to it,” Akuto said firmly.

Now Eiko finally frowned.

“So you’re going to disobey me?”

“Disobey you? You’re the one who just came out of nowhere and started making demands.”

“Damn it. You’re so stubborn! I was making you this offer because I was really starting to love you! Hmph! Do whatever you want then! Your friends and your life are about to go away!” she said heatedly.

“What did you say?” Akuto felt a shiver run through his body.

Eiko smiled cruelly.

“One of the friends you’re talkin’ about is that dumb red-headed girl, right?”

“What do you mean?” His expression twisted.

Eiko burst out laughing.

“Hahaha! I just told you about my family’s habit of assassinations, right? For some reason, our next target is that red-headed girl! Hilarious, huh? She’s the stupidest, most harmless girl in the world!”

“You bitch!” Akuto cut her off.

“Eep!” Eiko froze.

Hot air was swirling around Akuto — his body itself was emitting heat. The mana inside him was burning so bright that it lit up the air.

“W-Wait! I’m not the one who’s going to do it! If I was, I wouldn’t tell you!” She began to stammer as cold sweat poured down her body.

“Then why did you tell me?”

It was clear from Akuto’s voice that he wasn’t going to be happy with anything less than a full answer. Perhaps Eiko sensed that she was in the presence of a vastly more powerful opponent, because she answered meekly.

“Th-That’s why I’m telling you to join up with me! And I think what the clan is doing is wrong!” she cried, as if begging for her life.

“Bullshit. Move. I’m going back to the school.”

Akuto waved his hand and a hot wind blew. Eiko was forced to move aside.

But before he could take another step forward, another voice called out to him.

“W-Wait! Why did you come here, anyway?”

It was Yuko. She’d heard the commotion and come running after him.

Akuto turned around.

“I do have things to apologize for, but it will have to wait.”

“Th-That’s so selfish... You’re so mean! My sister was crying! What did you do?”

Her voice was strong, but it was clear from her expression that she was fighting back terror. Her body seemed to be responding to the aura Akuto was emitting.

“I’m sorry. I’ll tell you about it later. It seems I was wrong about this whole thing,” Akuto said, but even as she shook with fear, Yuko refused to back down.

“You don’t need to tell me anything! Just never come back here again!”

Akuto turned towards her.

“I’ll admit I was wrong. But if what I was just told was true, then I can’t forgive the god Suhara either. I’ll have to see if your family is involved before I make any decisions about getting involved with you again.”

Akuto looked at Eiko sternly.

“O-Of course it’s true!” She quickly jumped up onto a tree. “Anyway, I’m getting out of here. Have fun!”

Eiko ran off. But there was a smile on her face as she ran, as if everything was going according to plan.

Yuko was left alone, her face twisted in terror. She must’ve heard the last part of his conversation, because she was shaking her head.

“I don’t know anything about any assassinations! And it’s the Teruya who are supposed to be doing it, not us, right?”

“So you’re saying you have nothing to do with it? Or that Eiko Teruya made the whole thing up?” Akuto asked, and a different voice answered.

“It seems it may be true. I heard the conversation. It’s possible an assassination order is out for Keena.”

Akuto and Yuko turned towards the voice.

It was Korone. Hiroshi was with her.

“Possible, you said?” Akuto asked.

Korone nodded.

“I asked the god directly and received no answer. Normally that would be impossible; it must respond to my query with some kind of answer. But in regards to this query, and none other, it is maintaining its silence,” Korone said flatly.

“Then it’s true that the god ordered her killed?” Akuto was shaking with anger. Even Hiroshi was flinching, but Korone was calm.

“It’s true that assassination orders exist. But all assassination orders until now have been for terrorists on the verge of committing terrorist acts. As Fujiko’s continued existence suggests, even black mages aren’t subject to assassination orders.”

“Then why Keena?!”

“I don’t know. This is the first time in my artificial life that this has occurred. The lack of an answer suggests that for some reason, the god is unable to answer. Which means that it’s possible the god has made a mistake,” Korone explained.

“If it wasn’t a mistake, is the god just out of control? Either way, I’m not letting it happen.” Akuto waved a hand towards Korone. “Teleport me to the school. I need to save Keena.”

But Korone shook her head.

“Are you misunderstanding something?” Korone spread her hands out as if to tell him not to go, and continued, “I am your observer and a servant of the god Markt. My job is to prevent you from doing anything illegal. I can’t cooperate with you. It’s impossible.” There was no way to read anything in her expression.

“Illegal?” Akuto walked towards her.

“That’s right. Even if it’s wrong, a god’s decision is still a god’s decision. Stay here with the Hattori clan, please.”

Akuto stood a few feet away from her.

“And if I say I’m going?”

“I won’t let you. I’ll stop you with all my strength,” Korone said, and put her hand into her purse. She took out a giant railgun that was the same size she was. She lifted it up easily and spun it around, then slung the strap off her shoulder and readied it. “I am fully-equipped with combat capabilities. I’m very strong, you know?”

“I don’t want to fight, but...” Akuto said.

Korone moved faster than Akuto could ready himself. But her movements were slow and relaxed. She walked up to Akuto and gave him a hug, like you’d give to a lover.

“Alright, now I’ve caught you. You can’t move now, can you?”

Korone looked up at him. He looked into her eyes. They looked different than usual, as if there were another reason she was hugging him. “You know what I’m getting at, right?” she seemed to say.

“You can’t escape. I didn’t even need to use my weapon,” she said flatly. Her hands were wrapped around his torso, and because she was so small, his hands were open.

“Thank you,” he said. If he could move his hands in this position, he could reach her behind.

“Why are you thanking me?” she asked, though she knew the answer.

Akuto put his hand inside her skirt.

“Oh...!” she moaned.

He hesitated for a moment, but then he realized it was one of her usual jokes. He searched with his fingers for her tail and pulled it.

There was a low whine as the light disappeared from her eyes. She’d shut down. The tail is a Liradan’s switch.

He unwrapped Korone’s arms from his torso and sat her down.

“B-Boss...” Hiroshi said, a little frightened.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, it’s just... if what she said was true, it’s really bad. But what will you do after you rescue Keena?” Hiroshi asked.

Akuto didn’t answer. He didn’t know. But Yuko answered for him.

“You’ll have gone against the Teruya, and against Suhara. And if that happens, it’s really bad for the Hattori clan!”

“Th-That’s right. I’m worried about that,” Hiroshi said.

“That’s why I said we’re done with you! Stay away from our family!” Yuko yelled.

Hiroshi got in between the two of them and spoke in a timid but firm voice.

“No, I mean, there has to be a better way. The boss said he’d make everything work out. Like, maybe somebody who can’t be detected by mana could rescue her...”

“If you’re talking about Brave...” Akuto looked down at Hiroshi as he spoke. “...I can’t count on someone to help if I don’t know what he’ll do. And Brave has taken out bad guys before. I’ve seen it. He also killed the demon beasts. He’s no different than Suhara, who kills traitors before they do anything. There has to be a better way, yes. But I’m not asking Brave for help.”

Now it was Hiroshi’s turn to get emotional.

“That’s what strength is, right? If you want to protect your family and the people you care about, you need to defeat the people who threatened them. That’s what humans have done for thousands of years. You’re getting emotional too! You’re going to protect Keena and sacrifice the class rep!”

“That’s not right. I’ve finally understood what I can do, and what I should be.” Akuto moved away.

“Wait, boss! You can’t do this!” Hiroshi yelled. “Just stay here, and it’ll all work out. So...!”

Akuto ignored him. He tried to walk away.

“Where are you going, anyway? You can’t make it in time on foot! Just this once, you’re wrong! Don’t you know that you’re the one that’s making the demon beasts go crazy?”

Those words were enough to make even Akuto stop.

“That’s why Yuko is scared. The demon beasts’ mana is inside her body, and because of you it’s about to go out of control!” Hiroshi realized what he’d just blurted out a moment after he’d said it, but it was too late.

Akuto turned around with a sad expression.

“Then you protect her,” he said. “There’s something I have to do. I finally understand. I’m going.”

Akuto started to walk again.

“Why won’t you listen to me?!” Hiroshi yelled. But he didn’t follow.

Yuko had doubled over to the ground in pain. He lifted her up, and was shocked at what he saw. Black blood vessels were poking out of her neck. The mana was going out of control.

“Boss!” he yelled.

Akuto stopped.

But it wasn’t because of Hiroshi.

“You know, I really liked you. I guess this was just fate,” a low voice said out of the darkness in front of him.

It was Yozo Hattori. He was wearing battle gear, but there was a gentle smile on his face.

“No father can stand by idly when someone’s made both his daughters cry. I’m afraid you’re going to have to pay for that.”

“I apologize. But if you knew about the assassinations, I can’t have anything to do with the Hattori,” Akuto replied.

The smile disappeared from Yozo’s face.

“You’re so young. Of the two of you, Hiroshi had the better idea. You can’t have a peaceful world unless someone is willing to do the dirty work.”

“There’s a way to solve the fundamental problem... At least, that’s how it feels to me. If you call that fate, then that’s what’s driving me. I’m going.”

“Adults don’t seek fundamental solutions. Even if the god is wrong here, we can deal with that after it’s been determined for sure.”

“Would you say the same thing if your own child were being sacrificed?”

“You don’t understand, do you young one? That’s how families, how societies, survive. Even if civilization advances, no, especially after civilization advances, we need to base our society on values like blood and family, or it won’t survive.”

“If your values come from religion, it can cause war.”

“Leaving religion created far more incomplete systems of value, and caused far more deaths, than religion ever did. No, enough talk. I’ve sent the rest of the clan home. It’s just us.” Yozo grinned.

“You live in a society where you don’t care if you kill me, don’t you?” Akuto asked.

“Unfortunately, you’re right. But you’re the one who dealt with this the wrong way. You could’ve been a member of our family.”

“I’m going to do things my way. And you’re going to get out of my way.”

Akuto readied himself for combat.