Kaze no Stigma:Volume1 Chapter2

Chapter Two - The sudden disaster

1

“Still not ready? How much longer do we have to wait, Hyoue?”

“Please, just a little longer,” Hyoue replied to the seemingly impatient person.

The person waiting for Hyoue closed his eyes pensively and walked away. Hyoue felt the wind blowing against him. The air was filled with the ki of the youma and passed beneath Hyoue’s palm like a wind that would swallow anyone.

It was already dawn by the time the shredded remains of the three people were discovered. This unbelievably serious situation completely shocked the entire Kannagi clan.

The Kannagi clan was undeniably astonished. Before their reflexes could respond, the three defensively-prepared people were killed, without anyone else even being alerted.

The Fuuga clan had been summoned in order to better understand the situation. Hyoue had gathered the youma ki to understand who the enemy was. “Hmm, t—this is....”

Quiet concentration. Hyoue gathered the youma ki in his palms without letting any of it flow out. It was a very cold air. Even for powerful practitioners, the ki provided sufficient reasons to fear it.

“This was caused by Fuujutsu, and was created by a practitioner who is on a completely different level from my Fuuga clan. This practitioner trapped the three victims in a wind kekkai and then killed them.”

Hyoue’s report was not in the least beneficial. Any practitioner could have easily deduced that from the sight of the incident.

“I understand that much. But, who did it?!”

“If you require a detailed report, I would like you to allow more time,” Hyoue replied indistinctly.

“Then do it quickly! You and your clan can act...”

“Everyone be quiet!”

At Juugo's angry voice, everyone present became silent. Juugo then spoke in a consoling voice.

“So it's like that? Good job, you may retire... Right—how’s the health of Ryuuya?"

Hyoue appeared surprised at that moment due to the Suzerain’s concern over his son’s health.

“Yes… If he quietly recuperates, there shouldn’t be any problems. However, he can no longer recover to the level of working for the Kannagi clan anymore. This unworthy son really is an embarrassment.”

Hyoue bowed to Juugo’s words of gratitude.

“Yes… Thank you very much. I will give instructions to my subordinates as I will now retire….”

“Then please, I await your reply, Hyoue.”

The head of the Fuuga clan bowed silently and left.

The enemy was a Fuujutsu practitioner who loathed the Kannagi clan. Naturally, everyone thought of a certain person who had—coincidentally—just returned to Japan.

“It’s Kazuma! He obtained strength for revenge and returned to Japan! My fellow clan members, let us destroy the traitor Kazuma. Find him without delay and kill him!”

The person who made such an aggressive comment was the previous Suzerain, Yorimichi. Even though he was retired, he still had the air of a Suzerain. The entire clan loathed him, though he was unaware of this.

“Chichiue, please. We don’t have enough evidence to prove that Kazuma did this.” Juugo said in an attempt to stop Yorimichi's tirade.

“You—! Who but Kazuma could have done this...?”

“Yorimichi, please hold your tongue. When you talk like that, it becomes impossible for us to discuss the issue.”

Genma coolly interrupted Yorimichi's ear-shattering ranting, with a cold look that clearly expressed scorn.

The truth is, Genma looked down on Yorimichi from the depths of his heart. To him, Yorimichi was a person who had no strength apart from scheming, yet was chosen as the Suzerain.

In Yorimichi’s thirty years as Suzerain, the strength of the Kannagi clan hit rock bottom. Yorimichi's inability to control the representative sword of the Kannagi clan and his inability to pass the sword onto someone else resulted in it being buried deep in the warehouse before Juugo’s succession to the Suzerain position.

However, Genma was not thinking about such a foolish item.

He believed that the one to succeed the position of Suzerain should be the strongest practitioner of Kannagi. Because of this, he did not hate the current Suzerain, Juugo. Genma understood that his own strength couldn't compare.

Previously, he wanted to prepare his son to be the next Suzerain. This was not really a scheme; he just wanted to train and prepare Kazuma to give him the strength to become the next Suzerain.

Yorimichi didn’t have such beliefs, as he was the type of person who only had ambition for power. Or, at least that was what Genma thought of him. No matter how Genma tried to hide his thoughts, they were clearly revealed as he further enraged Yorimichi.

Despite their close blood relationship of uncle and nephew, the hatred between the two deepened again.

“Y-You want to shield Kazuma? No... should I say that this is your scheme? Allowing Kazuma to go outside the country, having him learn jutsu to kill Juugo and Ayano, and finally letting Ren succeed the position of Suzerain?"

Yorimichi turned his accusing finger towards Genma. This kind of bad will was materializing like “sticky things connecting items together,” agitating the rest of the crowd.

“That kind of idea would only come from someone with low scruples.”

For Yorimichi to say such things was an almost insulting provocation. Genma did not try to contradict him out of the fear of making an extremely disrespectful reply if he did.

“Chichiue, that’s enough!”

Juugo cut in, interrupting the insulting diatribe. He decided to settle it by ordering Yorimichi to be taken away.

“Yorimichi, you must be tired. Please return to your room to rest.”

“Wait, Juugo! Genma cannot be trusted! If you don’t listen to me now, you will end up regretting it sooner or later!”

Yorimichi was hauled away like luggage. His harsh voice slowly decreased in volume until nothing could be heard.

“I really am sorry for the insulting diatribes of my father. Please forgive him on my behalf.”

Juugo placed both of his hands on the tatami in a slight bow. Genma replied indifferently, “I didn’t pay attention. The reason for such words is that the previous Suzerain cares deeply for the Kannagi clan.”

With an exchange of glances that instantly understood each other, they smiled at the same time. The time for chatting was over, and it was now time to discuss more serious matters.

“As the previous Suzerain said, the timing is too much of a coincidence. It is better for us to meet again and talk.”

Genma maintained his silence from the start, perhaps because he did not want to discuss his own son.

“Would Kazuma submit to our instructions willingly?”

“If he won’t submit, we will have to use force to bring him here. Even though he has gained strength, he is still Kazuma. Two or three people will be more than enough to capture him.”

“...That’s good, then. The selection of persons in charge of this assignment will be your responsibility, Genma. No matter what, it is necessary to bring back Kazuma quickly.”

“Understood.” Even though Genma had just received an order to capture his own son, Genma was tranquil compared to others.

“Ayano-sama has returned!”

The serious expression on Juugo’s face began to relax. Genma put on a highly energetic and fierce look as well.

She appeared without even waiting a second.

“Bah!” She pulled the sliding door open and caught everyone’s attention.

“I’m home, Otou-sama! Ehh...? What’s going on?”

An assertive young teenage girl appeared before the crowd, noticing the mood a moment later. Her long, black hair that almost reached her back flowed along with the movements of her head, representing the blooming of a bishoujo. At that moment, the 'dark and cold' atmosphere completely vanished. Her spiritual energy completely cleansed the room's atmosphere in one breath.

The appearance of an unclear enemy who killed family members became muted. The people who had been discussing this situation nonstop now faced a blinding light. Their feelings of discomfort and distress completely vanished.

As if facing the rays of the sun, all movements in the dark ceased to exist. The girl in the doorway, a girl who had the ability to vanquish darkness with spiritual powers not unlike the power of light, was heir of the Suzerain, owner of Enraiha and Juugo’s daughter: Kannagi Ayano.

“How’s the report, Ayano?”

Juugo tested his daughter with the same serious expression that he used when asking other people. To him, that was the best way for a father to guide his daughter.

“Excuse me.” Ayano at that moment finished bowing. “The youma that was released was completely vanquished.”

“Hmm, good job.”

Finishing her report to the Suzerain as a practitioner, Ayano innocently continued her questioning. “So, what actually happened, Otou-sama?”

“Hmm—— earlier, three people had been killed without notice. This is a serious situation!"

Although they were distant relatives, Ayano quieted after hearing how three people from the family had been killed. The “serious situation” wasn’t the fact that “three people had been killed.” Rather, it was because it was “without notice.”

This was not some callous sentiment, but it was an understanding of what was of primary importance. For a girl of only sixteen years of age, who had such a strong will and discipline, it was surprising.

“Nobody saw who it was? A Fuujutsu practitioner?”

“Of course there's a suspect.” Faced with Ayano’s questions, Juugo replied heavily, “It’s Kazuma.”

“Who’s that? That’s...”

Faced with this kind of close and revealing speech, Juugo’s "sun vein" furrowed.

“Think carefully about your older cousin’s name... the one who you fought against in the 'Succession Ceremony' for Enraiha, the representative sword of the Kannagi clan."

“'Older cousin...' Could it be the Kazuma who left the family four years ago? Could that even be called a fight?”

Juugo secretly spied on Genma’s expression to see if there were any changes from hearing Ayano's blunt words. Genma's inner feelings were not apparent, as his outer unreadable appearance didn’t change at all.

“Right, I heard he left the country... and trained elsewhere. Later, he became a Fuujutsu practitioner?”

“That’s how it is. Supposedly, he returned to Japan recently and changed his name to Yagami Kazuma. Yesterday, he met with the late Shinji during a job, where he beautifully completed it. It seems like he has trained very hard in those four years.”

“Kazuma... Looks like he hates us…” Finally remembering, Ayano looked distant.

“It could be like that,” Genma replied without any facial expression.

“But, even though it is like that, we cannot just kill him. If it was done by him, we need to use his life to pay for the crimes.”

“If...?”

Ayano turned to look at Genma, searching for a clue as to what Genma was thinking. Genma accepted Ayano’s look without any change. The one who disinherited Kazuma and the one who provided the reason for his disinheritance crossed gazes.

The first to look away was Ayano. Strength as practitioners aside, her life’s experience was immensely surpassed. In reality, even with careful searching, she still lacked the confidence in her ability to win.

Ayano stopped her meaningless gaze, and turned to look towards Juugo.

“So what do we do next? Eliminate him?"

After seeing his daughter say such words so easily, Juugo immediately replied.

“We still cannot be certain whether Kazuma was the one who did it, but no matter. We should find him and talk with him first.”

Perhaps due to the mighty power that Enraiha bears, whenever Ayano was faced with a problem, she was inclined to use power to resolve it. Juugo had always hoped that she understood her position as the next clan chief and therefore had to be more flexible in her thinking.

"There is no need for you to take action at this moment in time. Remain on standby until an order is given!”

“...I get it, fine…”

Even though she did not seem pleased, Ayano still obeyed her father’s words and quickly left the scene after bowing. The attitude she portrayed by not even looking at Juugo showed just how unhappy she was.

“……This stubborn child.”

Juugo sighed as he muttered this. But despite his tone being so bitter, he was still unable to hide the overflowing love he had for her.

2

It was easy for the information network of the Kannagi clan to find out where Kazuma was. Finding him the next morning did not really require any special methods because he used his own name to register into a hotel.

Consequently, at Genma’s command, two practitioners were sent out.

Yuuki Shingo and Oogami Takeya were the strongest practitioners of the branch families. Even though they had opposing personalities, they were great friends. This combination, outside the main family, could be said to be without equal.

From Genma’s point of view, he had thrown in the two strongest cards at hand; however, the selection of the oldest son of the Yuuki family might have been a deadly mistake. Why? That was because this man had absolutely no desire to convince Kazuma.

“Kazuma, you bastard, I will cut you into ten thousand pieces.”

“If he dies, it will be problematic. At least leave him with the ability to talk when we take him back.”

As they waited for the upcoming report, they headed directly in Kazuma’s direction. Of course, they had absolutely no desire to persuade him; however, they never expected that they would be the ones assaulted.

“Is the report ready yet?”

“It’s going to be ready soon.”

This kind of discussion couldn't satisfy them at all. They didn't know how many times they had repeatedly asked. Given that the two of them were still waiting to receive the same report, they should have known it didn't matter how much they asked…

“What the hell are they doing, that useless Fuuga clan! It’s only that one person, Kazuma; can’t they easily bring him over!?”

Shingo reprimanded angrily as, in reality, they turned the arrowhead towards the Fuuga clan.

“This is worrying; the Fuuga clan might even be connected to this situation.” Takeya forcefully said some pretty words to sway Shingo. A situation in which the Fuuga shielding him wasn't impossible, insulting them, in order to change the attention of Shingo from Takeya was certainly welcomed.

Thinking shortly, Shingo gritted his teeth angrily and said:

“Damn, they only have slightly sharper senses, what is there to be complacent about.”

“Don’t say it like that; they're just a bunch of sad people with non-discussable/nil fighting power. Even failing to do something simple, aren't they very pathetic?”

“That’s right, hahaahahahahahaaaaa…”

Just as Takeya had wished, Shingo had completely forgotten about the issue of the reprimand. Hearing this sudden liberated laughter, Takeya had a thought — — not unlike that which he heard 10 seconds ago, “Still not ready yet?” Similarly, he felt it to be very slow and lengthy.

“Incoming, in the area right ahead, about 500 meters, looks like he hasn’t noticed.”

Suddenly, amidst the conversation between the two, a voice appeared. It was a jutsu used by the Fuuga clan called “Method of Summoning/Calling Spirits”, used for sending their voice. This allowed the wind to carry the voice even over large distances.

“He’s coming! I won’t leave him any limbs, arms or legs, burn it all! Let’s attack!”

This was not voiced for anyone to hear, only Shingo’s mumblings to himself. It could be seen from his hatred-filled eyes that his passion certainly could be really problematic.

Shingo rattled on, explaining how he would execute Kazuma. Shingo hoped Kazuma would at least put up some resistance before he was half-dead, then they could slowly torture him to the brink of death. Shingo would make sure Kazuma would suffer the most pain and suffering possible.

Takeya pulled a small distance away from Shingo after seeing how he was. In his heart he was thinking, “So this guy is this dangerous.” And so, the distance between their hearts grew larger.

Just when a rift between their friendship was about to form, Kazuma appeared.

Facing the defenseless, seemingly casual Kazuma ---- To them that is how it seemed ---- Takeya greeted in an arrogant manner.

“Long time no see, Kazuma!”

“…Oh, it is the successor of the Oogami family?”

A moment of pause; it was needed for Kazuma to recollect his memories. But, Takeya took it as a display of shock as if Kazuma just realized he was being ambushed. This uprising arrogant mentality gradually weakened Takeya’s concentration.

“Do you know why we are here?”

Takeya questioned using a tone filled with superiority. At the same moment, Takeya calmed Shingo, whose eyes were blood-shot and whose heart was filled with the desire to release his flames.

“No idea.”

Kazuma’s reply could not be any more honest, but at the same time it was not entirely without a sense of taunting mixed in either. He used a joking action to exaggeratedly shrug his shoulders, and then shook his head. As expected, he managed to piss Takeya off enough for his veins to show. Takeya, however, succeeded in controlling his anger, and after recovering his cool, began to explain.

“Yesterday night, three practitioners of the Kannagi clan were killed."

“Uhmm... and?"

Kazuma asked demandingly, acting with supreme authority.

“The person who killed them was a fuujutsu practitioner."

“……………………..”

“……………………..”

Their surroundings were covered in silence. A warm wind blew in through the dusk on the “Tree-Shadow” Road , the red leaves began to dance lightly, shined upon by a crimson sun while the red leaves were dyed an even darker shade of red. This was the beauty that appears before the darkness that controls the world.

“……………..”

The first to open his mouth was Kazuma. Compared to silence, it seemed like he detested the stillness even more than being stared at by two men.

“So what's the matter?”

“The Suzerain has things to ask you, follow us!”

“It wasn’t me! Are you finished?”

Immediately after saying this and as he was thinking about leaving, Kazuma suddenly bounced horizontally, an instant after the space where Kazuma had existed, without touching anything, became engulfed in a fireball.

Kazuma looked towards Shingo; consequently Shingo, using a tone like a natural-born deep-voiced singer, shouted.

“Hmhmhm, what’s the matter, you finally admit it? Then, there is no other way besides using force to subdue you!”

At the same time as the shout, surrounding Shingo there were “tongues of crimson” which began to burn and dance. Even though the flames that appeared at the same time as the yell were attached to Shingo’s body, his clothes were not burnt. Shingo was exhibiting an unexpected level of precision.

As the flames continued to move on his body, Shingo was so happy that his lips were slanted, and proclaimed,

“If you refuse to talk about it, then you are very suspicious. I’ll burn off your arms and legs! Lessening the weight will make you easier to transport! I won’t kill you now, but could you continue to live in such a humiliating condition? After the Suzerain finishes his questioning, I’ll be merciful, and kill you within one week! You can use that time to fully regret your life. I want you to know that after killing Shinji, I absolutely cannot allow you to continue living untroubled!”

Assuming that the future would be as Shingo claimed, Kazuma nevertheless was still faced with the crazed, laughing Shingo, looking as if he was watching some kind of rare animal. He then asked very seriously,

“So the Kannagi clan still feeds this kind of thing?”

“—No, Ahh….hu….”

Takeya really had no reply. Considering himself to be normal, Takeya did not want to be associated with the thing next to him as though they were of the same kind.

“Shingo always adored Shinji, now he hates you for killing him, he is quite within reason.”

“That’s why I said it wasn’t me.”

“Then please go and clarify everything with the Suzerain.”

“I am no longer part of the Kannagi clan; if the Suzerain has business with me, tell him to come and look for me himself. Please pass it along to him like that.”

“It seems … The negotiations have broken down then.”

In order to make good on his words, Takeya raised his “ki”. He then directed the surrounding fire spirits to dance with his self-conscious.

The surrounding temperature was raised high enough to be felt on the skin. Even though the fire spirits had yet to materialize, the surrounding area had clearly changed in physics.

Seemingly frightened in the face of such elevated fighting spirit, scores of red leaves continued to flutter down, the bright red leaves instantly changed into ash and floated away before touching Takeya’s body.

Remaining subdued, Kazuma stood with his hands in his leather jacket, watching the two of them. It seemed like he had no desire to confront the Kannagi clan; of course, it was hard to tell from that kind of pose.

“This is your last opportunity; yield humbly to us, Kazuma.”

Faced with Takeya's final ultimatum, Kazuma raised his middle finger and said.

“Take a good look at yourselves before coming.”

“Die!!!”

“You idiot!”

At that instant, starting their jutsu, the two believed that victory would be definite. Two of the clan's strongest practitioners were attacking at the same time. No matter what kind of strategy Kazuma had, facing those two massive powers would be hopeless.

But——

Boom!

The fireball in Takeya’s hand suddenly exploded. Above the sound, he was incredulous that the fireball had such a big categorical runaway explosion.

The fireball that left Takeya’s control was like a wild animal with it's tooth pulled. Even with the protection of the fire spirit, it was still impossible to shield the crash of the explosion’s force. Instantly, the force of the explosion struck his entire body and Takeya was simply knocked out.

(W, What? What just happened…? Shit, Shingo, leave….)

Even though he left this kind of “I leave the rest to you” saying, Shingo similarly lost consciousness, with black and blue continuously pulsing on his face.

As Kazuma returned his hands back to the pockets of his leather jacket, he lowered his head to the two people before him. After flashing a condescending grin, he walked right by the two unconscious persons' sides.

Although he seemed like he wanted to leave immediately, Kazuma stopped. Then, as if feeling something, he looked towards the trees where there was no one.

“If you want to pick a fight with me, I won’t be merciful.”

At the same time of this warning, one of the trees split. Without any noise from the chopped tree following the break, the guarding practitioner slowly slid down.

Already forgetting to hide himself, the fujutsu user stood while dumbly staring at Kazuma. As Kazuma turned to leave, the guarding practitioner was fearful. “The one we lured was him? The prey we were hunting is this frightening thing——?*

3

“Seriously, Father worries too much. I alone am enough. I don’t know how many times I have repeated this. When will he acknowledge me? Am I this untrustworthy?”

“The suzerain acknowledges the young mistress' abilities, but as a father he simply worries about his daughter.”

Confronted with the disgruntled Ayano, the man in his forties cajoled.

At this time, Ayano was ordered to a certain temple in the city of Yokohama Yamate in order to strengthen the weakening seal inside. Coincidentally, this place was very close to where Kazuma extorted every cent from his employer----To put it simply, this was where he had exorcised only a few days ago; however, Ayano knew nothing about it.

Upon arriving at the location and discovering that the seal had deteriorated to a point beyond the previously assumed limits, Ayano immediately discarded the idea of resealing it, and instead decided to eliminate the seal. Then, without any testing, she immediately ripped off the seal.

A popular saying of hers was, “This method is faster.”

People without significant confidence in their own abilities would not say something like that; however, the two men that accompanied her knew that she had the necessary ability to go along with such self-confidence.

Certainly, Juugo also knew that she had this kind of ability, but such worries of a father were within reason. Even if she described Juugo as stupid or foolish, most of time he sent two or more people to protect her.

“'Don’t mix work with your private life,’ is frequently lectured to me no matter what. ‘Don’t follow your own desires to do things,' isn’t that right Uncle Masato?”

Still discharging her annoyances, Ayano faced that man, the younger brother of the head of the Yuuki family, Masato.

“Because he is the suzerain, he cannot mull over such minor issues.”

In this manner, a smile and laughter appeared on Masato’s thin face. As a member of one of the branch families, he certainly was not thinking about the consequence, but it seemed like Ayano hadn’t really noticed or cared.

This man, Oogami Masato, although possessing strength greater than his older brother, disliked scheming for the position of family head and so went off to Tibet to train like an eccentric person.

When he returned to Japan, he was given the “Protect Ayano” mission. Juugo had a high regard of him, and from the first time Ayano went on a mission, he was continually responsible for this job of protection.

Certainly, Ayano also had good feelings about this easy-going relative. Due to everyone else’s princess like treatment of her, Masato’s causal kind of attitude was quite refreshing for her and felt very good.

Concenquently, “Uncle Masato, ojo-sama," this kind of terminology used between the two was like a real family without any separation.

“Maybe if it is to allow the younger practitioner here to learn, this kind of reasoning is still possible. Isn’t that so, Takeshi… Takeshi?”

“Ahh, Yes!?”

The young practitioner was using admiring eyes to stare at Ayano. Oogami Takeshi’s uncle had to holler many times before he finally paid attention.

“Did you not hear… Stop staring stupidly at Ojo-sama, be prepared. It is not known when the seal will be released.” “Yes, I understand! Just as Uncle has said! To be allowed to watch Ayano-sama's striking fighting method is really a great honor!”

In order to not screw-up in front of Ayano, Takeshi uselessly shouted in a loud voice. He stared at Ayano, as she appeared, with admiration and reverence. For Takeshi’s generation of practitioners, Ayano had the status of a goddess. Hoping to watch her striking manner from close by while guarding her was something anyone would accept.

“Yes——It’s——like——this?” “Yes, it’s like that!”

The exhilaration of being able to talk to Ayano was something that could be seen through Takeshi’s entire body language. Of course, Ayano did not like being viewed like that. It felt like being separated from “normal” and changed into something she didn't want.

No matter what, no matter how often it was explained that it was useless, it was Takeshi’s only simple means of showing deference to a much stronger and more beautiful existence.

“Ah, forget it. … It’s about time.”

Ayano, sensing the expanding ki of the youma, relaxed and turned herself towards the main hall. Her mini-skirt started to flutter and dance.

Now, why would Ayano be wearing her high school uniform?

This was not only to allow her to normally attend high school.

Because, if you thought about it, the best suited outfit for a high school student was their uniform. So Juugo focused upon this point and added, within the range of his abilities, the best class of defensive spells to it.

The material, in order to allow better transpiration, was the best type of silk, that is, during the process of fabrication air was mixed in. Furthermore, everything was made from expensive materials.

As a result, by inputting great amounts of money and time, a high school uniform was made; it would not be wrong to call it a work of art. Its cost was comparable. It could be said that the cost was enough to buy a car, no, not really; it could rightly be said that it was enough to buy a luxury house.

Of course, Ayano paid attention to wear this outfit, not because of its capabilities, but because it was a gift given to her by her father, so she frequently wore this outfit in combat.

Wearing this uniform which could be said to be the world’s most expensive combat outfit, Ayano watched as the seal was about to be broken. She took a deep breath and then began moving and warming-up her own inner strength.

Pah!

A clear sound of clapping started to vibrate within the room. When the two closed palms were opened, a flaming line appeared between the two. Ayano then grasped it with her right hand, making a horizontal outwards swinging motion.

The burning line, around a meter long, at that instant materialized into a crimson sword.

There was no blunt side to the bright crimson sword, it had two edges. The blade of the sword was surrounded by a golden flame, releasing vivid beautiful light. Just like that, it was as beautiful as one could imagine.

That sword was the Kannagi Clan’s supreme treasure, Enraiha. It was awarded to the Kannagi Clan’s founder by the King of the Flame Spirits, and it was passed down, defeating devils/evil, as a treasured sword. !

Ayano lifted Enraiha upwards, then added her left hand to grasp the sword and made a downward stroke. Along the path of the stroke, golden pieces of the flame started spreading. Then, instantly and beautifully, she stopped the sword before her eyes. Whether it was done ten-thousand times or a hundred thousand times, it was a beautiful motion that could always be forgiven.

The vase of the shrine had already approached its limits and, with a “pong” sound, burst open. Even faster than the falling pieces, a white light shot towards Ayano.

Ayano, from the front, made a downward stroke with Enraiha, attacking that thing head-on. After contact, the white substance gave off a sound like sprinkling water on a burning hot pot, vaporizing.

“Ugh, it’s sticky”

Ayano mumbled after seeing that thing that dispersed in all directions, connected by thin threads. Then she redirected her vision to the inside of the main hall, seeing a few points of something like lights. That thing slowly moved forward and revealed its own appearance.

“Wah…”

Ayano, inadvertently surprised, let out a gasp; the thing that had appeared was ——

Having multiple eyes, beyond eight feet, the entire body covered with dirty yet rigid fur, it was a segmented animal producing sounds like “kulah, kulah” as its legs moved. Upon seeing its full appearance anyone would feel shivers not due to cold. It really was a horrific spider freak.

“Earth Spider huh... Need help?”

“Not necessary”

Ayano immediately replied. Even though it produced a very disgusting feeling, it was not the time for complaints. It seemed like she was more afraid of disappointing her otou-san; fighting against spiders or cockroaches was nothing in comparison.

(Come here…)

Summoning fire spirits does not require chants and such. As if following Ayano’s thinking, fire spirits assembled themselves, flying into Enraiha. Along the sword's blade, the light of the flame became even brighter.

Within the range reached by her awareness, Ayano continuously summoned spirits. Juugo didn't know how many times he had instructed her, "Don’t be like other practitioners, the spirits are not commanded, you can’t be too arrogant."

“They and we have the same level of existence.”

This saying was frequently repeated by Juugo; spirits are the means to safeguard the existence of the world’s order. Because the Kannagi Clan had a contract with the spirit king, the spirits were only helpers.

Of course, Ayano also understood that her own strength was borrowed. The power was gifted only to seal or vanquish the inconsistencies in the world’s order, and only for a short period of time.

That is why she was not ordering them, because doing such matters was not necessary. If the correct way of thinking was known, the fire spirits would certainly answer.

To have respect for the world, not in order to obtain huge power or to be arrogant. Ayano, no matter what, always called out to them like this: “Please, lend me your strength….”

“V… Very formidable….”

Takeshi watched dumbfounded as the enormous number of spirits gathered on Ayano’s body, the amount of spirits he could manage was only one small portion of this in comparison. For him, it was the first time seeing the main family’s power, the difference of which is like the difference between sky and the ground.

“Ah, formidable, right!?”

Masato said smiling, just like him to show off his own condition.

“Even though we said it recently, no matter how hard we work, we won’t be able to reach such levels.”

His uncle’s reply already forgotten, Takeshi once again looked at Ayano.

Ayano, holding the Enraiha, continued to confront the earth spider.

(What should I do… looks like I can’t get close…)

Even though enough spirits were already summoned to destroy the earth spider, given the long distance, she really didn’t have the confidence. Even though Enraiha was an ancient sword for summoning, in order to use the sword, it was necessary to employ it to its fullest potential.

In other words; get close, and from a close distance puncture or split the earth spider, then from inside, burn its body completely.

(Of course, if that was done, more adhesive matter would certainly fly out from the cut’s aperture… after the explosion, fragments would all fly from the body… and if it was female, after opening its skin, hundreds of spiders might come out… No———!)

Just thinking about it made her hair stand on end; inside, Ayano started complaining bitterly. If Takeshi could have read Ayano’s inner thoughts then, maybe the thoughts of reverence could have been corrected.

The earth spider seemed to seize the currently mulling Ayano’s opening; “palapala” using its long legs it changed its body and started moving forward.

“You want to escape!?”

Suddenly, towards the chasing Ayano, white silk spat out from the tail, but at the same time Ayano pulled up Enraiha to face it.

From Enraiha emerged a golden flame that burned the spider’s web, but because of the blockage by the silk, Ayano still could not get close to the earth spider.

Then Ayano could only stop and focus her mind. She took a deep breath, tuning her ki, and calmed down.

(This kind of thing can’t do any real kind of obstruction; just kill it in a couple seconds.)

Bringing up Enraiha, she performed a downward swing with her full strength. Golden Flame, the highest level of fire of purification, not only completely burned the earth spider’s web, but closed in directly on the earth spider itself.

Kaboom!!

With the sounds of the explosion, the earth spider was surrounded by flames.

“Got…Gotcha…?”

But as Ayano dubiously mumbled while looking into the flames, what appeared to her vision was only a white cocoon-like object. What really surprised Ayano was the “pishpiish” sound of it splitting open.

Pang!

Just like a thin layer of glass shattering, the middle of the cocoon split open and the earth spider reappeared, completely unharmed.

The webbing probably contained some special component that could block spiritual energies; the spider used that covering to hide its body and avoided the purifying powers of the flames.

“It’s, it’s quite formidable, hu…”

Ayano said using a sing-song voice. At first glance she seemed very calm, but careful study would discover that her “sun-vein” had already risen.

Even though this was not a full strength strike, it was completely deflected and Ayano’s confidence was certainly hurting a lot.

“Only a little bug, don’t be so haughty ——!!”

Resonating with Ayano’s anger, an even greater amount of fire spirits gathered and, even though there was no materialization, in the vicinity, there was already gathered an equal amount of spirits as to a volcano opening.

“Then… regretting it now?”

Accompanying her anger, Ayano was already entering into a selfless state. Her composure had completely been commanded by anger, and then transformed into strength.

She continuously summoned stronger and even stronger spirits. This time it wasn't directly released towards one area but, given her immovable strength of mind, was at the same time released towards one direction.

This time Ayano held Enraiha in a direction perpendicular to her body, seriously chasing it, took a deep breath and released it with a sharp “kiai.”

“Haa!!”

At that instant, the flame flew into the earth spider’s body. Its abdomen expanded and exploded, changing it into a miniature torch.

Within this seemingly small torch gathered the entire area’s fire spirits. The explosion of the fireball became even bigger; this time the earth spider was certainly transformed into ashes.

Afterwards, nothing was left; the pieces of the spider’s body and the youma spirit around had been completed purified. Now the temple where the youma was vanquished was full of the tranquil air that only temples have.

If an attack from the outside can be defended, simply attack from the inside. Even though describing it is easy, actually doing it is close to impossible.

This was like the world’s own close relationship with the spirits. That’s right, like the life force/life activity of living beings.

The body of living beings that have water cannot be uninfluenced by water spirits and those living beings that have heat, within their body reside fire spirits.

For example, the youma, even though they materialize, can’t escape this rule.

However, in ordinary circumstances, controlling the spirits residing within the body is impossible.

These kinds of spirits, infinitely close to a living beings’ survival instinct, involve enormous willpower. The origin of life can be said to not allow control to anyone.

Even a genius can’t control it easily according to one’s likings. But, in this world, no matter what, there are people who spend their entire day saying “logical boundaries” are for foolish and sad humans.

“Heh. It was this kind of thing.”

Ayano released a pleasing smile and turned around in order to go back.

“Then, let’s go!...”

During this dialogue that she couldn’t continue, Ayano stupidly stared at the two’s body language. Probably the bigger body was Masato, and on his left was Takeshi. Everything seemed to be just fine.

But——

(How come there’s no head…?)

These two guys; the taller one with both hands still in his pockets, and the other one who seemed not to be able to control his exhilaration, holding a fist in front of his chest, stood naturally.

When you look at them and there are no heads, it doesn’t seem like an odd situation.

So Ayano looked toward the ground, where there were two round objects entering her eyes. Ayano stumbled, almost about to fall, closed in, knelt and lifted one onto her knees. Even though it was quite heavy, as Ayano smelt the odor of the guy that she really liked, she smiled. Ayano hugged the head of the one who, from a very young age, fought together with her and taught her the ways of survival/existence. Quietly, she mumbled.

“Uncle… head… fell down… uh…’

On Ayano's face appeared a sad smile as she tried to put Masato’s head back on. Thinking that by doing this he would return to life, she stubbornly forced the head back on.

As if mocking Ayano for this kind of useless action, a hidden unseen sword blade lightly carved Masato’s body. In one second, the big body was separated into hundreds or even thousands of slices of meat.

Because his heart had stopped pumping a while ago, fresh blood did not fly out from the sharp cuts.

Although there was no sound of blood flowing, nor the sounds of flesh breaking, it still strangely gave a person a feeling of reality.

Under the blowing of the wind, Masato’s body was taken apart without a sound. Almost like going through a paper shredder, the pieces of meat, like flower petals, danced in the sky.

In that instant, like a picture, Ayano watched as if frozen.

Drop.

Accompanying the water droplet-like sound, something fell on her face, and Ayano unconsciously tried to remove it.

It was a bright red piece of meat, which still had some remaining warmth. When she understood what was on her fingers, Ayano’s consciousness seemed to be passing through a filter, only recovering a small amount.

“No.”

It was once a part that belonged to Masato’s body, but those miserable remains no longer could be described even as a corpse.

“I don’t want this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

At that moment, Ayano screamed as far as could be heard.

“Kukuku—————“

That sound that even vibrated through the air, that sniggering sound, wasn’t directly sent to the brain. If you had to describe it, accompanying this “snigger” were strong feelings. This kind of derision towards one's opponent’s “awareness” seemed to provoke Ayano. It was just that annoying.

Faced with the situation of the appearance of the enemy, due to frequent training of the body and spirit, Ayano instantly entered fighting mode.

Then she buried deep within her the feeling of anguish, substituting it with the feelings of animation and anticipation.

Targeting her anger towards her opponent, she challenged

“Come out!”

Already, she surpassed the limits of anger that could be expressed on a humans' face, but Ayano seemed determined that she could. Ayano looked upwards.

There existed that thing. In the front of a branch on a huge tree stood a human shadow completely without fear of danger with its right hand in the pocket of its clothing.

Because it was a place of little light, she was not able to clearly see her opponents face, but it didn’t really matter anymore. The outflowing of evil ki already told her “This is an enemy.”

Ayano silently swung Enraiha upwards.

There was no need to know who, nor the need to accumulate strength. All that was requited was to calmly mix in the killing intention and kill it in one strike. This kind of sharpened killing intention transformed the flaming sword blade, running upwards.

Moving lightly, clearly without regard to weight, that thing avoided the flaming sword blade. Then it flew onto the roof (with a leap?). Afterwards that thing looked down towards Ayano, slowly moving its body, seeming to say "chase away".

This was clearly a trap and Ayano bravely accepted this kind of provocation.

(Even if it is a trap, it doesn't matter, I will absolutely annihilate you.)

Deep within herself she was submitting to such a type of anger; Ayano had already begun a rampage for revenge.

4

In the sky, the ki of a youma suddenly appeared.

“Hmm…”

Kazuma suddenly looked toward the sky. In order for its power not to be sensed, it had been gathered bit by bit in the sky. Suddenly a wind blade flashed out and, without time to defend, even flying backwards to escape it took Kazuma’s full effort.

The wind blade passed right by the still rolling Kazuma, and then while slightly correcting its angle, with one stroke it sliced in two the Fuuga practitioner, Shingo, and Takeya, all three of them.

“Wait, Wait a second!!”

Kazuma yelled without thinking as the situation changed into something unthought of.

(I, I was actually ambushed!?)

Actually, it was first time this had ever happened to him, facing an ambush situation. Furthermore, it was an ambush with wind spirits? No matter who had summoned them, gathering this degree of wind spirits would be impossible for Kazuma not to feel it. No matter how great of a fuujutsu-shi, the use of fuu-jutsu could not deceive Kazuma. This was simply not a question of the difference in distance of abilities, but the rules are simply thus.

But what now occurred was just that impossible situation. Kazuma immediately broke off his thoughts, focusing towards the thing in the sky.

“What’s… that thing...?”

A really small thing, maybe smaller than 20 mm, was floating in the sky about 20-30 meters above. Near it, five things rose and flew out.

“Someone’s hand…? Doesn’t seem so... red leaves…?

No matter how he looked, it didn’t seem like it was flying in the sky. It wasn't controlling the wind. With a questioning look, suddenly Kazuma discovered what that thing really was.

It was a human hand. A strange human hand was flying in the sky. Even recognizing it didn’t solve anything, it still couldn’t change the fact that 3 people had been killed.

(Anyways, first let’s defeat it!)

Using a voice that could only be heard by himself, he mumbled. The thing that looked like a hand flew into the upper sky —— then disappeared.

“Wait! What are you actually thinking!?”

Kazuma protested to the wind spirit, this was clearly against the agreement. But the spirit made only an uncertain sound, and it couldn’t tell Kazuma the actual place of the disappeared hand.

“What is going on…”

The miserable condition in front of his eyes —— the sliced in two Fuuga practitioner and the separated corpses of Shingo and Takeya —— with it like this, it seemed just as if it was done by Kazuma.

The spirit disobeyed the contract? —— impossible.

To Kazuma, if he were to hear this kind of situation from someone else, he would be quite skeptical of the mental state of that person. This was why what just happened was a very irregular situation.

The spirits do have cognizant qualities. [Initial Principle] —— it was when the world was first created, don’t know by whom, but immutable laws were also created towards this existential world—— and they obeyed them, allowing this world to remain in this kind of shape and reality. Just like bees have to live in a beehive, just like one part of himself recognizes him, one part, even if it had intelligence, it would still be impossible for it to think. Of course, it’s impossible for it to have the type of free will to break a covenant.

If the spirits had the free will to move about, then the laws of science would be broken. The world would be destroyed within 3 days.

All of the wind spirits should obey Kazuma's command; the spirit's contract with "that person" must contain this kind of rule. But it happened... “An exception”

Kazuma thought of the worst-case scenario, and weakly sighed saying.

(There’s someone like me? No way…)

It makes one lose his enthusiasm, just by thinking about it. Perhaps this could be considered lucky -----Of course, Kazuma did not want to think this way at all, he now had no spare time to indulge in thought.

That was because he sensed a huge amount of fire spirits coming towards him.

(This time even Ifrit has come? Crap, when did Japan become a world of youma!?)

Even before he finished talking, a situation appeared that Kazuma could not have predicted.

What appeared was a shoujo(young girl). She had red flames and eyes where hatred-filled fire resided, holding in her right hand was accumulated power ——

“Kazuma —— !!”

The strength of the fire spirits that gathered in her right hand had already crystallized. Ayano seemed to have made up her mind in that instant.

Chop!!

Entering the rapidly retreating Kazuma’s eyes was Ayano, swinging the red sword that was, for the Kannagi clan, more important than anything else. It was also the thing that had made his life very chaotic.

Faced with the godly sword that, no matter what, he would like to escape from; Kazuma saw this and yelled.

“Enraiha!? Are you Ayano!?”

The only answer was a sword flash from Enraiha. As he was faced with Ayano, who was filled with killing intent and not listening to anything, he tried really hard to explain.

“Hey, hey, wait a moment, this is a misunderstanding! They weren’t killed by me… hey; you should listen to what other people are saying!”

As flaming white fireballs continuously approached, Kazuma kept dodging and speaking, but Ayano seemed like she couldn't hear at all.

Because the esteemed Masato had been killed, Ayano was already too angry and had already forgotten herself. She really had no time to listen to people talking. Furthermore, given what her otou-san had told her, this guy was quite suspicious.

Dang!!

“Hey!!!”

Believing that he had already evaded the fireball, it suddenly exploded, blocking Kazuma’s retreat. Noticing, Ayano used the time that the explosion sealed off the way, to appear in front of his eyes swinging the Enraiha.

“Uncle’s revenge!!”

“!!”

With that, she began the motion for a two part strike with the intent of splitting Kazuma like bamboo, but he escaped by shifting his body sideways then using his palms to pressure the sword handle near the top. Faced with Ayano’s fiery anger, her face covered with blood, he yelled.

“Otou-san —— Genma died?”

However, before he finished saying such, he figured that it was a mistake; even though Ayano and Genma’s relationship wasn’t so bad from what could be seen from the outside, certainly if Genma were to die Ayano would not get revenge for him.

A person appeared in his head, a man, “uncle”, from the Oogami family that Ayano had been very close to.

The name probably was —— like!!

“—— bam”

Suddenly Ayano butted her head upwards and heavily hit Kazuma’s chin. Because of his pondering, his reflexes were slower; even though it was quickly evaded, the hit still caused his head to be dizzy and painful.

Even though he was dizzy, he still calmly asked.

“Oogami Masato died?

Ayano's face became even more somber; furthermore, she forcefully focused more strength into the Enraiha in her hand; such that, from a distance, it could be clearly seen.

(Seems like the opposite effect occurred…)

He shrugged his shoulders, faced with this person filled with such emotion; he had no more questions to ask. Faced with this confused, angry little girl, anything he did would be useless.

But, she couldn’t be killed. If he was to hurt her, this fool’s father, Juugo, would probably completely recognize him as an enemy. This had to be avoided.

This was not because he feared Juugo, who was the Kannagi clan’s historically strongest practitioner. But because as “Kannagi Kazuma”, Juugo could be said to be his only ally. In order not to create sorrow for him, there was only one method.

“Ah—— Ayano-chan? I’m —— leaving then, the issue with cleaning up the corpses will be left to you. Then see-ya.”

Prettily avoiding the completely tenacious approaching flames, Kazuma decided to escape.

“——Wait, Wait a second!”

Kazuma, with his back towards Ayano who wanted to stop him, leaped up, surrounded by wind, and flew upwards about 10 meters, then suddenly disappeared.

“What—— where at?”

Right above her, as she kept looking around, Kazuma floated along.

Employing the air to change the reflection rate of light, Kazuma became see-through, just as if he wore a transparent robe. If one looked closely, one could see the parts where waves were created by high heat, but Ayano, who was being controlled by anger and had forgotten herself, did not.

Kazuma took no pleasure in watching the troubled Ayano, but was thinking about what to do later on.

From the looks of things now, the one who killed Shingo and Takeya has made me his scapegoat. If even the murder of Oogami Masato is blamed on me ----- if they think that I am the one who killed Oogami Masato as well----

(Will this become an all-out war with the Kannagi? Hmmmm, interesting, but the feeling that I am being toyed with by someone else sucks....)

So then, what should I do now...?

Hehe, hmmhmmhmm.

Kazuma burst out laughing. The Kannagi clan and the mysterious fuujutsu-shi, two of the strongest things already assaulting his life; of course, Kazuma could not ignore this.

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