Chapter 167: Red Demon Horns, Activate

Curious about Okabe Motonobu, Uesugi Toru once again mentally recited Asahina Taichou's words.

Then he felt a bit puzzled.

Were invisible demons causing trouble?

That shouldn't be.

Logically speaking, demons and monsters invisible to the naked eye were mostly small ghosts of around half-star to one star.

And such weak ghosts could not possibly approach someone like Okabe Motonobu, a fierce general with robust qi and blood who had slain countless enemies on the battlefield, let alone possess him.

Yet according to Asahina Taichou, this ghost could not be strong either.

Because if a sufficiently powerful ghost approached, or even possessed Okabe Motonobu, how could it be content merely to make him sleep poorly?

This logic was fundamentally contradictory.

So Uesugi Toru frowned and asked, "Lord Asahina, could you explain in more detail..."

Seeing his serious expression, Asahina Taichou held his breath for a moment, feeling somewhat nervous,

"Could Adult Motonobu have encountered some terrifying demon?"

"It's not that serious."

Uesugi Toru shook his head, then told Asahina Taichou the reason for his question.

"I see."

The youth clasped his hands and stood there thinking seriously for a while.

Imagawa Yoshimoto beside him was not in a hurry either.

She crouched down, brought over the two-shaku Adult that the small face had been holding seriously, and smilingly began to take her around to view the garden scenery of the Imagawa Residence.

"Mr. Toru, sorry..."

Asahina Taichou scratched the back of his head embarrassedly, lowered his head, and sincerely apologized again,

"Actually I'm not very clear about the circumstances and details either; it's just that Adult Motonobu mentioned it casually before, so I privately worried about her a bit."

"—I'm afraid you'll have to go examine him in person when the time comes."

Uesugi Toru: "..."

He rolled his eyes helplessly in his heart.

—This kid Taichou was really too reckless.

Asking three questions and knowing nothing, yet daring to come beg someone.

If the person standing before him were not himself, but another onmyoji of this era, they would probably think Asahina Taichou was playing them and walk away with a flick of their sleeve.

Uesugi Toru sighed: "I understand. If I have time, I'll go find him to solve the problem, and then I'll trouble Lord Asahina to show the way."

The youth was overjoyed,

"Mr. Toru, thank you very much!"

He thanked repeatedly, then said Uesugi Toru could call him "Taichou" directly in the future, without being so formal as "Asahina."

After a brief back-and-forth, Uesugi Toru and Asahina Taichou finally ended their dispute over titles with the compromise "Lord Taichou."

"Then, Lord Taichou."

Uesugi Toru waved his hand at him: "See you next time."

Asahina Taichou nodded silently, pointed to Imagawa Yoshimoto not far away with her back to them, then left quickly.

His footsteps were loud as he left, so Imagawa Yoshimoto, who was holding the two-shaku Adult and crouching with her to watch passing ants, turned her gaze back.

She did not get up to go over, but instead waved at Uesugi Toru.

Uesugi Toru walked over and heard her ask: "Did you settle things with Taichou?"

"Mm."

He stood behind, gazing at the harmonious pair, somewhat surprised.

Originally Uesugi Toru had been hiding the two-shaku Adult and didn't want Imagawa Yoshimoto to see her.

He had thought that as soon as the two met, there would be some headache-inducing situation of clashing swords and mutual dislike.

But unexpectedly, the two were actually surprisingly harmonious and amicable.

Imagawa Yoshimoto spread her palm toward her side: "Tetsu-kun, get me a tree branch."

She felt that the icy small hand holding those two words "Tetsu-kun" trembled imperceptibly for an instant, and a smile appeared in her heart.

Imagawa Yoshimoto glanced at the girl crouching beside her with the corner of her eye, and after seeing her remain silent, withdrew her gaze.

Uesugi Toru said nothing more, casually took a tree branch.

He used Gang Qi to round the end of the branch, then sharpened the tip slightly, and only then held the sharpened part to hand the branch to Imagawa Yoshimoto.

The girl took the branch, gazed at it for a moment, then placed it directly in front of the ant army.

The leading ant paused slightly, as if understanding the situation.

"Tetsu-kun, what did you think about this morning's matter?"

Uesugi Toru's gaze narrowed, knowing the main event had arrived.

Imagawa Yoshimoto's words were undoubtedly asking for his opinion on those Elders.

She also wanted to know his decision.

But she did not take such a circuitous, cautious probing approach; instead, while alone, she asked him directly herself.

This already explained her attitude well enough.

However, although this decision was important, for Uesugi Toru it had not the slightest difficulty.

Because this was fundamentally a choice requiring no thought.

Uesugi Toru said from behind the girl's side: "Toru merely wants to use this opportunity to observe the Breathing Technique, satisfying his curiosity without getting too involved with those few."

After a pause, he continued: "If Lord Imagawa has anything inconvenient, or wants some unexpected events to occur... Toru can handle it on your behalf."

Upon hearing this answer, Imagawa Yoshimoto's beautiful eyes curved, irrepressible joy welling up from the depths of her gaze.

The girl spent two seconds suppressing these emotions, then raised her voice: "Unexpected? No need for the unexpected!"

She emphasized: "I have only ever wanted 'certainty', and dislike the unexpected which represents insufficient preparation."

In truth, Imagawa Yoshimoto did not want Uesugi Toru to go do anything.

Having Uesugi Toru stay in the Imagawa Residence doing these things would be rather too wasteful.

She only wanted his attitude.

That was enough.

— The lead ant, after touching the immovable branch twice with its antennae, chose to detour and continue forward.

And behind this choice lay the path Imagawa Yoshimoto had specially cleared for them earlier, a smooth road leading to the nest.

Imagawa Yoshimoto's unexpected answer left Uesugi Toru somewhat confused; he pinched his nose bridge.

He had originally thought Imagawa Yoshimoto indeed unwilling to swallow this grievance, that today's anger meant today's action.

Result: she actually said she didn't need his help.

This instead left Uesugi Toru somewhat unable to understand.

"Right, lately Motonobu seems not in good spirits; what Taichou just told you is probably also this matter..."

Imagawa Yoshimoto stood up, patting dust and two or three fallen leaves off her clothing: "Also just as well, Tetsu-kun, you take this chance to get acquainted with her."

"Regarding the suppression of the Mikawa Region Uprising, I intend to have Motonobu lead troops as Main General.

You will first serve as Deputy General assisting her on the side, incidentally learning what war actually is.

Any Great Demon that may exist there will be entrusted to you."

She released the hand holding the Two Shaku Adult, letting her silently return to Uesugi Toru's side, then led the two into a secluded path encircled by deep trees.

Uesugi Toru's gaze swept over the specially constructed branches on both sides of the path, and some lifelike small stone carvings; he thought the Imagawa Residence's landscaping was indeed well done.

"Also." Imagawa Yoshimoto pondered a moment: "Regarding the Pure Land True Sect matter I will also tell Motonobu; you two figure out a way to join hands and resolve it."

"If you encounter difficulties beyond expectations, send a letter to me directly, and I will also come to support at the fastest speed."

Uesugi Toru narrowed his eyes.

— The meaning of Imagawa Yoshimoto's words: she didn't want to meddle further in the Mikawa Uprising, handing full authority over this matter to him and Okabe Motonobu?

No.

This won't do.

Leaving aside that if he left Imagawa Yoshimoto's side for so distant a place, should something happen to her he would definitely be unable to rush back in time, unable even to help.

Moreover this "62 days" bizarre task deadline is really suspicious.

This Mikawa Uprising is certainly different from the past, yet Imagawa Yoshimoto does not think so.

He must make Imagawa Yoshimoto take this matter seriously.

Of course, most important is that if Imagawa Yoshimoto doesn't go, he cannot thereby create some "iconic scenes" to rapidly expand and raise her fame and renown.

This is equivalent to losing a whole major fame-boosting event!

Therefore Uesugi Toru quickened his pace to reach her side, and said seriously: "Lord Imagawa, this uprising may not be as simple as it appears on the surface."

Imagawa Yoshimoto's steps paused slightly.

She heard Uesugi Toru say word by word:

"— My intuition says so."

Intuition, huh.

Intuition, ah...

Imagawa Yoshimoto mused.

If Tetsu-kun were replaced by Taichou or Motonobu, she would definitely ignore it without a second word — those two guys talk intuition intuition all day, yet in the end gain nothing.

But Tetsu-kun is an Onmyoji who wields the mysterious Yin-Yang Technique.

Seeing Imagawa Yoshimoto seemingly somewhat persuaded, Uesugi Toru directly took out the Divination Sticks tube from his Storage Backpack and shook it twice before her eyes.

The girl, confused: "This is..."

"Divination Sticks tube. Lord Imagawa, just treat it as a relatively accurate divination prop."

Uesugi Toru said with some exaggeration: "At least, it has saved my life several times before."

Imagawa Yoshimoto took the tube, examined it,

"Then how is this used?"

"Close your eyes, think clearly in your heart what you want to ask, and it will give a fortune or misfortune prediction."

Uesugi Toru explained carefully: "I believe if Lord Imagawa cannot decide at once, it may perhaps give no small assistance to one choice."

Imagawa Yoshimoto stared at the exquisite tube in her hand, for a time not replying.

She had actually never believed in such superstitious mumbo-jumbo, even having been sent to a temple to grow up from childhood.

Because this always gave her the feeling that her own destiny was controlled by something in the dark.

Imagawa Yoshimoto disliked this feeling.

But this was something Tetsu-kun took out.

Since he can wield Thunder Control, the "fortune and misfortune" this stick tube concerns certainly likewise will not be false.

She asked: "The so-called fortune and misfortune, will it determine the future..."

Imagawa Yoshimoto spoke halfway then suddenly stopped.

She instead immediately closed her eyes, gently shook the Divination Sticks tube twice, letting a slender bamboo slip fall from the hole.

Uesugi Toru caught the bamboo slip for her, then placed it on Imagawa Yoshimoto's palm.

She opened her eyes.

Then a square, bright red slip bearing the character【Misfortune】slammed into his vision, causing Imagawa Yoshimoto to narrow her beautiful eyes and squeeze out a cold snort from between her teeth.

"Tetsu-kun, interpret it."

Uesugi Toru took the Omikuji, and a prompt popped up immediately.

【Omikuji·Bad Luck】

【——Just as you thought, things go against one's wishes.】

Uesugi Toru clicked his tongue inwardly.

It was his first time seeing such a sharp Omikuji prompt.

Uesugi Toru repeated it word for word.

Imagawa Yoshimoto's face instantly darkened: "If I tear this slip now, will things change?"

"No."

Hearing this, Imagawa Yoshimoto snatched the Omikuji, snapped it in two with both hands, and casually tossed it into the grass by the roadside.

Uesugi Toru opened his mouth: "Lord Imagawa, I think we really should take this more seriously……"

"This time, it really is different from before."

"I know, I already know."

Imagawa Yoshimoto sighed heavily.

She raised her hand and rubbed her temples: "So, I'm angry and helpless at my own shallow and stupid self just now."

Her face had just turned black as charcoal, not because she disliked the Omikuji's interpretation.

But after hearing the interpretation, she suddenly realized many small details her previous self had overlooked.

The girl slapped her cheeks and clicked her tongue at herself displeasedly,

"It's just some documents and designated policies for tax revenue……this kind of thing can be done anytime, right."

After muttering to herself for a while, Imagawa Yoshimoto quickly composed herself and spoke lightly,

"Hanzō."

Two seconds later, a beam of shadow coalesced before her eyes into Hanzō's form.

Uesugi Toru, who felt not a flicker of Spirit Power or flow of Qi, narrowed his pupils, wondering if this was also part of a Ninja Secret Art.

"Subordinate is here."

"Tell me everything about the situation in the Mikawa Region, down to the smallest detail."

"Yes."

……

About half an hour later.

Imagawa Yoshimoto summarized,

"Apart from the fact that a riot has indeed occurred in the Mikawa Region and there are rumors of a Great Demon Incident, there's nothing wrong."

Uesugi Toru fell silent for a moment.

Just as he was about to advise her again, he heard her declare,

"——That nothing is wrong is precisely the biggest wrongness."

After letting Hanzō go about his own business, Imagawa Yoshimoto continued along the small path with one person and one Shikigami.

She muttered to herself: "Because those great clans have no reason to come 'throw away their lives' again to weaken their own power once."

Slap.

She clapped her hands, and after slowly exhaling, said: "Tetsu-kun, thank you."

Hearing Imagawa Yoshimoto say this, Uesugi Toru understood she had made her decision.

Even in front of her subordinates, she could conduct self-examination, humbly accept advice, and then choose the path she had already decided to abandon before.

Truly a wise lord.

Uesugi Toru sighed inwardly.

By now the small path was nearly at its end, and the three arrived at the back gate of the Imagawa Residence.

If one held their breath and focused to listen quietly, they could faintly hear the footsteps of people moving back and forth in the distance outside the gate and the neighing of horses.

Imagawa Yoshimoto shook her head, temporarily casting aside the extremely complex official business and her bad mood.

She stared at the Kaga Kiyomitsu held by Adult Wu Zi and said: "Tetsu-kun, you probably don't have a suitable Tachi yet, right."

Uesugi Toru was stunned by this out-of-the-blue topic, and after a while, upon confirming there was indeed not a single Tachi in his backpack, he nodded,

"Mm……that's true."

"That's perfect."

Imagawa Yoshimoto tapped her chin with her fingertip and waved it before his eyes: "I know the best blacksmith in Sunpu Castle, and anyway there's nothing urgent afterward, so let's go buy a blade together first."

"And that blacksmith shop happens to be on the way to Motonobu's home, so I'll just have someone take you to her place then."

"Kill two birds with one stone."

The Head of Family of the Imagawa Clan rested her ten fingers on her chest and smiled,

"You agree, right, Tetsu-kun."

"Ah……yes."

Uesugi Toru, realizing he probably had no other response options, nodded and gave the answer the girl wanted to hear.

Anyway, a free Tachi shouldn't be refused, and the blade Imagawa Yoshimoto gave surely wouldn't be bad.

Getting a good weapon for free—what more could one want!

"Then let's go~"

……

Before leaving the Imagawa Residence, Imagawa Yoshimoto had Adult change into plain white suikan.

After all, her original little white dress really didn't match the surrounding art style at all, standing out too much.

And probably because of the Affinity Halo, even after changing clothes, Uesugi Toru, waiting for her in some dark corner, could hear those servants' undisguised affection for her.

Oh, as for why he was standing in a dark corner...

That was naturally because—

"Oni Demon Horns."

Uesugi Toru fixed his gaze on that pair of deep-black curved horns in the Storage Backpack.

To avoid being seen, Uesugi Toru did not take them out to examine them, but instead directly used them on the Yokai Avatar · White Hannya in the backpack.

The prompt popped up immediately.

【You used Oni Demon Horns on your Yokai Avatar · White Hannya.】

【The two are fusing...】

Uesugi Toru fixed his gaze on the White Hannya Mask floating on another panel.

There, that pair of Oni horns suddenly appeared, and then the Hannya mask let out a silent howl, opened its mouth, and swallowed them whole without chewing.

Not long after, the prompt popped up again.

【Your Yokai Avatar · White Hannya's quality improved slightly.】

【Please continue collecting "Oni Horns" to improve your Yokai Avatar · White Hannya's quality.】

Naturally, the Hannya Avatar's quality did not leap from "Epic" to "Epic+" or even "Super Epic."

That was reasonable.

If a mere pair of Rare-quality Oni Demon Horns could push an already Epic-quality Hannya Avatar up a tier, that would be abnormal.

But a difference did appear.

Uesugi Toru squinted and observed, finding that the pair of horns at the upper end of the Hannya mask had become slightly deeper in color.

The specific effect was still unclear; perhaps he would only know when he transformed into Hannya again.

But there was definitely not enough time now.

Because Adult was standing outside waving at him.

Closing the panel, Uesugi Toru walked toward Adult, whose hair had been retied and who looked like a sword-bearing page boy.

Imagawa Yoshimoto, wearing a sedge hat to cover her face, waited for them at the doorway, while the guards originally at the doorway had been temporarily dispersed.

From under the sedge hat came a slightly surprised voice: "Huh? How do I feel like Tetsu-kun's face changed a bit, becoming not as eye-catching as before?"

Uesugi Toru, who had lowered his charm by several points using the four-tailed fox's face-pinching effect, replied,

"Just a minor effect of Yin-Yang Technique. Lord Imagawa, you put on the sedge hat because you want to walk there without being gawked at, right?"

"Mm... Tetsu-kun really understands me."

Imagawa Yoshimoto smiled, walked side by side with Uesugi Toru, and plainly merged into the bustling traffic of Sunpu Castle.

After entering Shichiken-cho, Imagawa Yoshimoto took him to tour many places inside and out.

This allowed Uesugi Toru, who had only caught a glimpse of Sunpu Castle from the carriage before, to complete many impressions of this Warring States Period city.

And this impression was surprisingly good.

The road planning was clear and reasonable, the shops on both sides were clean, and most passersby wore smiles and hopes for the future; even farmers and fishermen from other places were the same.

This was very different from the dark Warring States Period in traditional concepts—just look at the cities in the little stories Shiraishi mentioned.

Uesugi Toru thought this probably had much to do with Imagawa Yoshimoto's merit.

Also, after leaving the Imagawa Residence, Uesugi Toru could clearly feel that Imagawa Yoshimoto completely did not bring up the matter of the Elders, as if none of this had ever happened.

Clearly not long ago, Imagawa Yoshimoto was like a powder keg, exploding at the slightest touch.

He naturally noticed this oddity.

But Uesugi Toru did not spell it out.

Imagawa Yoshimoto not speaking naturally had her own intentions.

And now it was still unknown how things would progress, nor was he in a hurry to get everything clear at this moment.

Uesugi Toru's gaze passed through the crowd and landed on the food shop by the street from which a strong scent came.

He twitched his nose tip, then looked back at Adult, who held a sword expressionlessly but whose mouth was almost drooling, and couldn't help but laugh in his heart.

After finally going out for a stroll, he should still bring Adult to eat some local specialty delicacies of this era.

Incidentally, he could also bring back some delicious food for Shiraishi.

If delicious food was dangled before his eyes, presumably he would be more motivated when studying secret manuals later.

Uesugi Toru used Gang Qi to gather sound into a line and asked, "Lord Imagawa, what delicious food does Sunpu Castle have?"

"Delicious food... of course there is." Imagawa Yoshimoto hurriedly punched his waist and abdomen with her fist, "And don't call me like that outside, you'll be discovered."

"There's Yin-Yang Technique, it won't happen."

Imagawa Yoshimoto tilted her sedge hat, probably wondering how Yin-Yang Technique had so many practical little functions.

She followed closely beside Uesugi Toru, preventing herself from being scattered by the crowd.

—Compared to Tetsu-kun himself, he probably wanted to buy things to eat for this little Shikigami called Adult and that Shiraishi still at the Imagawa Residence more.

Since that was the case, he had to pick some snacks children liked.

Imagawa Yoshimoto said, "Things like konpeitō, sugar-water shaved ice, and those small pastries brought from the Southern Barbarians are all quite delicious."

Uesugi Toru, not knowing much about food, didn't say much, just listening as she continued,

"It's just that those few shops are a bit far from here; later I'll go buy them and bring them to you, Tetsu-kun."

"That would..."

Uesugi Toru was about to raise his hand to decline, but saw that sedge hat whoosh over to his side—without thinking, Imagawa Yoshimoto inside was surely staring at him.

"Thank you, Lord Imagawa."

"Then I'll accept this gratitude as a 'get-out-of-jail-free card' for you to use when you make mistakes in the future, Tetsu-kun."

A girl's light laughter came from under the bamboo hat.

Uesugi Toru was speechless.

He couldn't help but feel that his lord had a slightly dark attribute.

"Ah, I remember that sheepskin cake shop seemed quite delicious."

Imagawa Yoshimoto suddenly said, then grabbed Uesugi Toru's wrist and squeezed out of the crowd.

Adult, who was holding the curious baby, followed behind them with thumping steps, naturally harvesting a large number of gazes from passersby.

"Boss, four sheepskin cakes."

After Imagawa Yoshimoto paid, a soft, mochi-like dumpling wrapped in oil paper was stuffed into Uesugi Toru's hand by her.

"Try it."

No, you call this thing a cake?

Uesugi Toru took a bite with a try-it mindset and chewed for a while.

Mm... it seemed unexpectedly delicious.

He turned his head again and found Adult was already wow-wow-wowing and almost finished it.

Uesugi Toru took another bite, slowly nodded toward Imagawa Yoshimoto, and received the girl's vague and smug hum.

The three walked for a while longer.

According to Imagawa Yoshimoto, they were already very close to that blacksmith shop.

"How is it, is Sunpu Castle fairly prosperous?"

After finishing the mochi, Imagawa Yoshimoto, who had carefully licked her fingertips clean, said actively: "Everyone is getting by fairly well; there are far fewer beggars and such than next door in Takeda and Hojo territory."

This was indeed worth being proud of.

Uesugi Toru first praised it, then casually added,

"But there still seem to be quite a few beggars living very poorly in some alleys."

"That's unavoidable."

Imagawa Yoshimoto's tone suddenly turned cold, and she said with great displeasure and contempt,

"Even though I've opened up farming or labor jobs to almost everyone in the city, there are still people who would rather lie on the ground and rot than work."

"People like this, born in a commoner's home, are beggars about to starve to death; even if they're lucky enough to be born in a noble's home, they're just wastrels who will squander the family fortune."

She did not conceal the disdain in her tone at all.

"Alright, we're here."

Imagawa Yoshimoto stopped walking and lifted her bamboo hat slightly.

Uesugi Toru followed her gaze and, among a crowd of flashy banners, saw a blacksmith shop whose storefront was unexpectedly clean, even somewhat bare.

If you didn't walk closer, you wouldn't even discover it was a blacksmith shop.

One could say it was completely driving away potential customers.

Compared with the bustle around it, the blacksmith shop's business could likewise be described as deserted.

Even the eyes of the apprentice boy responsible for reception inside the shop were only half-open, somewhat dazed, looking like he was about to fall asleep.

Imagawa Yoshimoto seemed to know what Uesugi Toru was thinking, so she spread her hands and explained: "Because it's too expensive, so few people come."

"The vast majority of people have no use for such fine swords and weapons, so there's absolutely no need to come here and waste money."

Uesugi Toru deeply agreed.

Because when he was in Arakawa Ghost Village before, he hadn't patronized blacksmith shops much due to being short of money.

The average quality of these weapons before his eyes was indeed much better than the gray-white trash in other blacksmith shops he had seen before.

His gaze swept over one green, at least excellent quality, sword after another.

Finally, it fell right in the middle of the entire weapon wall displayed outward by the blacksmith shop.

Uesugi Toru's breath stagnated slightly.

Because, that uchigatana specially placed on a wide wooden rack was emitting a deep purple glow in his eyes!

End of Chapter