As the two conversed, the Purification Ritual officially began.
Reluctantly, Suika Ibuki joined the group of women preparing to undergo the cleansing ceremony.
The one presiding over the ritual was the veteran onmyōji who had once invited Satsuki—Kamo Tadayuki. As the eldest and most senior, and being the one responsible for overseeing all ritual procedures, it was only natural that he would not miss such a major Shinto event.
It was worth noting, however, that his ancestor, En no Ozunu, was absent.
Though En no Ozunu was a powerful practitioner, his strengths lay in shikigami manipulation and barrier techniques—arts more suited for battle. In contrast, purification and blessing rituals like this were outside his expertise.
Moreover, there was a more practical reason for his absence. During the recent battle against the Lunar Palace, his two mighty oni gods—Shukishin Zenki and Aokishin Goki—had suffered a second devastating defeat. Zenki's Oni God Axe had been destroyed, while Goki himself was gravely injured.
As a result, En no Ozunu had been devoting all his time to restoring his two divine retainers, leaving him no energy for what he likely considered a minor affair.
Nevertheless, Kyoto's Onmyōji took this purification ceremony extremely seriously. The fifty onmyōji officiating the ritual were all high-ranking officials of at least Junior Assistant Onmyōji status, while those maintaining order and solemnity around the site included many Senior Onmyōji from various departments.
In terms of scale and prestige, this was the most elaborate Purification Ritual held in Kyoto in over a century, with an equally grand assembly of Shinto representatives.
The ritual itself was not overly complex.
First, the onmyōji entered the ritual grounds in formation and laid out large mats infused with spiritual energy. Because of the sheer number of participants, crafting this enormous mat alone had taken considerable effort.
Next, the women awaiting purification knelt upon the mats. Once all were ready, Kamo Tadayuki raised his voice and solemnly declared, "The Ceremony of Purification... begins!"
Around them, shrine maidens began chanting purification verses, while several invited monks from local temples stood by, reciting sutras in low voices. A designated attendant narrated the origins and meaning of the ancient ritual for the gathered audience.
Then came the entrance of the Water Goddess.
Behind her walked two attendants dressed as shrine priests, carrying the divine artifact Spear of Rain (U no Yari) with utmost reverence.
The goddess was well-versed in such rites. Upon reaching the area near her shrine, she stood silently in solemn composure. A priest who had long been waiting presented her with a bronze basin filled with pure water.
After ritually cleansing her hands, another attendant stepped forward with a second basin. This time, the goddess removed her red earring and placed it within the basin.
Unlike ordinary shrine officiants, the Water Goddess possessed innate divine control over water and needed no elaborate incantations or rituals.
In her uniquely soft, melodic voice, she spoke a single phrase: "Divine Power—Method of Purification."
Instantly, the water in the bronze basin transformed—from clear and colorless to a shimmering, gemlike liquid radiating a faint golden light imbued with divine energy.
The red earring within also began to glow, amplifying the purifying power even further.
Then the goddess extended one hand and accepted the Spear of Rain from her attendants, dipping its tip into the basin.
She stirred the water clockwise three times before suddenly raising the spear high.
"Divine Power—Method of Water Summoning."
Under her divine command, the water shot upward from the basin, following the spear's motion into the sky. There, it dispersed and spread over the ritual ground, forming a vast canopy of suspended droplets.
Moments later, those droplets fell as a gentle rain.
The divine water carried a warm fragrance of flowers. It was not cold but soothing, wrapping everyone in a soft radiance.
At that moment, a Senior Onmyōji began reciting the sacred blessing:
"On this auspicious day of late spring, in the season of cleansing, we banish all sickness and shadow. With flowing willow and serene heavens, may divine grace purify our bodies and hearts..."
As the sacred water fell and the chants resounded, even Suika Ibuki—skilled in spells and illusions—found it impossible to conceal her prior tricks under such overwhelming divine influence.
Yet, among the crowd, Satsuki remained calm and unconcerned as she quietly observed the unfolding ceremony.
Not to mention that Suika Ibuki's reconstruction had undergone calibration through the Root Vortex, even her fundamental Status Infusion was already far beyond the detection level of this Water Goddess's divine power.
As time passed, none of the hundreds of women displayed any signs of abnormality or demonization. This indicated that none of them were afflicted with the curse or possession of the Demon King.
The Water Goddess, holding the divine spear, swept her sharp gaze across the gathered women before nodding toward Kamo Tadayuki on the main platform, signaling that the purification was complete.
This meant that, barring unforeseen events, those women who had once been the Demon King's playthings could finally begin new lives.
...
However, while the purification ceremony was underway in the city, not everyone in Kyoto shared the same cheerful mood.
"Big brother, are we just going to let Mukotsu's death go like that?"
Inside a tavern, Renkotsu, wearing a headscarf and marked by two purple streaks on his cheeks, glared darkly around the room as he grumbled, "That ugly, short, lecherous bastard might've been disgusting, but when it came to poison-making and antidotes, he was the best. Finding a replacement like him won't be easy."
"Gaaah!" (Translation: Ugly, short, and lecherous people really are hard to find.)
"Hahaha… Ginkotsu, you're getting better at deadpan jokes," Jakotsu said, patting the cyborg's iron jaw.
Bankotsu downed a cup of sake and spoke in his usual carefree tone. "Mukotsu might not have looked like much, but he was still my comrade, a brother who fought by my side. One day, I'll personally avenge him. But—"
"But what?" Jakotsu asked curiously, surprised to see his leader actually pondering strategy for once.
"That shrine maiden is no joke," Bankotsu replied, his expression hardening. "I can't beat her alone. And this is Kyoto—the stronghold of those pompous gods and priests. If we act here, the Seven-Man Squad will be wiped out for sure."
"Gaaah!" (Translation: Boss has a point.)
"So what do we do then?" Jakotsu scratched his head. Thinking wasn't exactly his strong suit.
"For now," Bankotsu said, setting down his cup, "since we're short one man, we should start recruiting. Kyoto's crawling with strong types these days—maybe we'll find someone worth swinging a blade at."
"That's a great idea~!" Jakotsu said excitedly. "But let's make sure he's a real manly man!"
Bankotsu burst into laughter, slapping Jakotsu's shoulder. "Of course! I wouldn't let any weakling join our ranks—well, except for Suikotsu, maybe."
"Speaking of Suikotsu, where the hell did that guy run off to?" Renkotsu muttered irritably.
"Same as always," he continued. "Probably off somewhere playing doctor again."
Suddenly, Jakotsu's eyes lit up as he looked toward the tavern's entrance. He elbowed Bankotsu eagerly. "Boss, I think I just found someone perfect!"
"Oh? Really?" Bankotsu turned to look in the same direction.
Through the bustling crowd, a noble-looking young man with an air of icy detachment was walking steadily toward the city.
He wore a white kimono embroidered with hexagonal plum blossoms, his long silver hair gleaming faintly in the light. On his forehead shone a crescent moon mark, and twin red stripes adorned each of his cheeks.
It was none other than Sesshōmaru—returning from beyond the city walls.
When Bankotsu's gaze fell upon him, Sesshōmaru immediately sensed it.
He turned his head slightly, his golden eyes gleaming cold and merciless. The killing intent and aloofness beneath that brilliance made even Bankotsu—who prided himself on his strength—instinctively feel half-crushed under that aura.
Yet, rather than fear, curiosity flared in Bankotsu's heart. He stood up at once, blocking Sesshōmaru's path.
"Hey, kid. You've got some good eyes on you. Interested in hearing about the Seven-Man Squad?"
"..."
At those words, Sesshōmaru's brows twitched slightly. Normally, he wouldn't even spare such weak humans a glance.
However, there was a faint trace of the shrine maiden Satsuki's scent on them—that alone made him pause.
"Oh~ Not talking? What a cold one," Jakotsu said teasingly as he stepped out of the tavern, brazenly sizing Sesshōmaru up from head to toe. "That outfit... what are you, some nobleman's pampered heir? You look like money. I don't mind rich types, haha!"
Renkotsu, his face dark and his tone sharp, followed them outside. After a brief assessment, he nodded grudgingly. "He does seem like a decent target... though convincing someone like him to join us won't be easy."
"Well, that's rare," Bankotsu laughed. "You actually agree with me for once, Renkotsu."
"Only because you never use your brain," Renkotsu thought grimly.
At that moment, Sesshōmaru finally spoke, his voice low and detached. "Have you seen that shrine maiden?"
"Shrine maiden? What shrine maiden?" Bankotsu asked blankly.
But Renkotsu reacted quickly, his sharp mind piecing things together at once. "You mean the woman in the black kimono... with the long black hair?"
"So you have seen her," Sesshōmaru said coolly. "Since she spared your lives, I'll return the favor—consider this mercy on her behalf. Leave."
His words were laced with chilling indifference and unmistakable arrogance. The towering brute Kyōkotsu bristled instantly, enraged by Sesshōmaru's tone.
"You little brat, what did you just say?!"
Relying on his massive build, Kyōkotsu clenched his fists and charged straight at Sesshōmaru.
"Hmph."
Sesshōmaru let out a cold snort. To him, the giant's attack was laughably crude. His strength was unrefined—brute force without control or technique, telegraphed from the very start. A hollow display of muscle and nothing more.
With a slight sidestep, Sesshōmaru easily evaded the incoming punch. Then, moving forward, he drove his own fist sharply upward into the giant's jaw.
Crack!
The sickening sound of bone snapping made even the onlookers flinch. Kyōkotsu's massive body was sent flying, crashing into a tree nearby. His size did nothing to save him from the human body's natural weaknesses.
With a single blow, the fearsome giant was knocked unconscious.
The entire tavern went silent. Even the remaining members of the Seven-Man Squad hadn't anticipated this. By the time they realized what had happened, their comrade had already been flattened.
"Damn you! You actually attacked him?!"
"Gaaah!" (Translation: Damn brat! I'll tear you apart!)
Renkotsu and Ginkotsu roared in anger, ready to charge.
But Bankotsu suddenly stepped in front of them, raising one hand to halt their advance. "Stand down, Renkotsu, Ginkotsu."
Bankotsu's authority within the Seven-Man Squad was absolute. Though Ginkotsu's fury still burned, he reluctantly obeyed. Renkotsu, however, glared in protest.
"Why are you stopping us, Bankotsu?!"
Bankotsu's tone was grave, though his eyes glimmered with excitement. "From that one strike alone, it's clear—this guy isn't someone you two can handle."
"But big brother," Jakotsu said, puzzled, "you don't have Banryū anymore. It won't be easy even for you to deal with him, right?"
"Haha! Don't underestimate me, Jakotsu," Bankotsu said with a grin.
And indeed, he wasn't wrong. Though Bankotsu looked like an ordinary man, his sheer physical power rivaled that of monsters. The youngest of the Seven-Man Squad, he had unified a group of hardened killers through might alone. Even some of the most renowned warlords of the Sengoku era were, in their eyes, mere weaklings.
"Let me introduce myself," Bankotsu said with an easy grin. "We're a mercenary band from the Eastern Provinces known as the Seven-Man Squad. I'm the leader—Bankotsu."
Sesshōmaru stood motionless, expression cold and unreadable. He had no interest in the origins of these insects before him. Weaklings did not warrant his attention.
But the man's next words almost made him laugh inwardly.
"Judging from your moves just now, you're pretty strong yourself," Bankotsu continued casually. "As it happens, one of our comrades just died. How about joining us? There'll be plenty of chances to cut people down—and we get paid for it, too. Doesn't that sound like the most wonderful thing in the world?"
"Is that all you have to say?"
Sesshōmaru's tone remained emotionless, but the disdain lacing his words deepened.
Catching the chill in his voice, Bankotsu's smile faded slightly. "It seems we won't see eye to eye then. What a shame~"
Despite his words, there wasn't the slightest trace of regret on his face.
"Looks like there's only one path left between us. And honestly, I don't mind—fighting someone like you sounds fun."
"Hmph. You think you're capable of that?"
As the tension between them reached its peak, the wind around them grew sharp with killing intent.
Then, suddenly, a familiar voice called out from behind Sesshōmaru.
"Tsk, isn't this Sesshōmaru? Only a few days apart and you've already stooped this low—getting tangled up with a bunch of mercenaries?"
From the crowd emerged a women clad in a luxurious purple kimono, her tone dripping with arrogance and mischief.
That smug voice, that flamboyant outfit—who else could it be but Ruri?
Fortunately for Sesshōmaru, he was the definition of a stoic man. Faced with such taunting, unlike Satsuki, he didn't waste time on witty retorts.
—He preferred to act.
In a flash, Sesshōmaru vanished, his movement several times faster than before. This time, he didn't hold back.
Trailing a streak of afterimages, he lunged straight toward Ruri, thrusting his hand directly at her chest.
"Tsk~ Still the same as ever. Calm on the surface, all fury underneath."
Ruri wasn't the least bit surprised. She raised a folding fan before her, a faint ring of light blooming from its surface, effortlessly deflecting Sesshōmaru's piercing strike.
"Stop it already," she said lightly. "We're in the middle of the street. It'd be embarrassing to let others see you losing your temper. If you've got something to say, we'll settle it later."
Turning her head slightly, Ruri's gaze fell upon the Seven-Man Squad, her eyes glinting with quiet danger.
"And you lot," she said coolly, "what business do you have with him?"