The Enryaku-ji discussion ended peacefully. Remi, viewing the force test as life-threatening, muttered on the train to the city.
"Hand shuriken out of nowhere... Thought monks were playing ninja."
"Fair point."
Tendai sect involves esoteric magic, but ancient-style evokes direct-combat monk warriors. Mental interference prominent in large esoteric religions; medieval (Muromachi to early Edo) saw religion as power, birthing ninja prototypes.
Kurama Traditionalists poke Hiei due to roots in excommunicated Hiei monks/warriors. Abbot unspoken; Gōzō briefed Yūgen briefly.
"Just illusionary ninjutsu. Guided us with repelling barrier."
"Impressive, Yūgen-kun. Even I sensed danger."
Yakumo's tests let Yūgen spot instantly. Sensed intent, played along, carrying Remi inside.
Honestly ungrateful to Yakumo's subordinates— they'd gloat.
"Next?"
"As Kagurazaka, visit Kamo Mioya Shrine, Seimei Shrine. Probe Traditionalists info. Remi-san, please."
"Yes. Must be recognized as your mistress."
"..."
Yūgen wanted Asuka family (Nine Dragons pillar) negotiation for local ties, post-incident. Remi eager.
Tatsuya joins day after tomorrow; need excuses by then—Yūgen inwardly sighed.
◇ ◇ ◇
Visited Kamo Mioya, Seimei Shrines, plus Kitano Tenmangu, Yasaka, Kiyomizu-dera, East/West Hongan-ji, Tenryū-ji. Stayed at Arashiyama Kagurazaka-affiliated ryokan.
Near recent Zhou-Namakura battle, but Zhou unlikely here—Osiris Sight no reaction.
Ryokan has VIP detached annex; rooms cost hundreds of thousands per night.
With Remi, flows risky. Adolescent urges unbeatable; wouldn't reject Chihime-approved, but merciless to honeypots.
"Your plan?"
"Nap till dinner. Things to think."
"Got it. Wake you."
"Thanks."
Remi left with yukata—hot springs likely. Traditionalist surveillance possible; deployed Phoenix of Four Spirits as counter.
Shikigami set; Yūgen lay on tatami, zabuton pillow.
(Kagurazaka name heavier than thought. Abe/Kamo blood understandable...)
Abe lines: Tsuchimikado, Kurahashi, Kōtokui. Kamo: Kadenokōji, Bizen Kamo. Seimei's blood via females to imperials; guardian houses distant kin. Seimei near talisman.
Kagurazaka: Seimei's daughter + Kamo Tadayuki grandson as first head; Kamo-dominant. Avoided decline amid warrior rise, onmyōdō disputes via imperial-temple liaison role, including Tenjin magic covertly; survived Kamakura/Muromachi chaos.
Edo: eyed Uesugi for martial duties; split from disputing Abe/Kamo lines, married daughter to Uesugi for Tenjin public face. Origin of "Guardians."
Half blood Ten Master Clans—artificial—but Uesugi/Kagurazaka real.
Nine School Competition feats; current priests: "Miracle like Seimei reborn."
Could replicate, but avoid ancient magician grudges. Izayoi (Hundred Families) already dislike.
Current head's brother follows Senate; prides in excellence. Hostility over wounded pride? Small vessel.
(World not simple for pride alone.)
Fear of disrupting interests understandable; envy proves lack of protective power.
No hostility from Yūgen—self-destructed on paranoia. Blame them? Respond accordingly.
Breathed, napped.
Waking near dinner, head not on zabuton—different. Probed: not Remi. Opened eyes: fiancée Tsukushiin Tōko in Third High uniform.
"Awake, Yūgen? How feel?"
"Not bad. Thought join earliest tomorrow evening."
Tsukushiin high schooler, like him. Questioned easy absence; she explained.
"Thought so too, but last year's events. Ichijō boy investigates weekend, but limits alone. So, Kichijōji, Airi, Shiori coming."
Chihime or Gōzō requested—both possible.
Yokohama Incident prep makes sense. But Shinkurō (likely presenter) overkill?
"Remi-san?"
"Buying drinks. I offered, but mistress vs fiancée different... Another added."
"Not by choice."
"True. You hate troubles most."
Shinkurō moved for Shōki—Third High top, peer Ten Master Clans elite. Worry: overaction as friend.
Remi talked while asleep; Tōko's glare—Yūgen honest; she nodded.
"Heavy?"
"Don't mind. Rarely meet unlike others—let me or I'll sulk."
"...Complicated."
Briefed day's actions, including Hiei (punishment abbey discretion).
"Sigh. You're strong. Fall for you again."
"That so?"
"Yes."
Remi returned; Yūgen rose, thanking Tōko. Her lonely look—backlash later. "Predictable unavoidable" genius phrase.
Discussed future.
"Tōko knows; Remi will anyway... Tatsuya captures Zhou on Yotsuba request."
"Zhou... traces last year. Why Yotsuba?"
"Simple. Mother Shiba Midnight; Tatsuya nephew of current head Maya."
Yotsuba concealment elite—even Yakumo needed Chihime disclosure for Tatsuya/Miyuki. Inherited unethical Fourth Lab.
"Jūmonji, Rokuzuku, Ichijō have excellent heirs; Yotsuba due successor."
"...Miyuki excluded. Your top fiancée."
Jūmonji: treated head, no rush; Kazuki wants cede to Katsuto next conference—heard during treatment. Katsuto proxy experience ample, academics fine, conferences attended.
Treatment more anti-Nanakusa, but Kazuki eyes Riri education, retires. Plus Toyama responsibility, underground engagement.
Engagement: Kazuki consulted Mika as Katsuto's. Recent Miya visit (Shina/Shirō martial guidance) revealed. One year apart, Mika informed/positive.
Issue: Yūgen's magic tech. Among Miya 7 siblings, strong influence: Kana, Mika, Shina. Shina to Shirō via Yaguruma main. Kana top to Tatsuya. Yūgen/Miyuki Kagurazaka tie; Miya sends Kana to Yotsuba hides tech logically—Moto judged.
Mika: Yūgen disputes worried Moto; confirmed ok, "Prioritize Mika-nee's happiness."
Training not secret—Yūgen set no gag; Moto for kids' safety. Nodded consideration, but mismatches CAD modern magic (instant burst).
Phalanx sustained via training strengthens Jūmonji relatively; near-no Overclock need extends house. Ties Miya-Jūmonji; worth cost.
Plans release training—no pain.
Back.
"Attached Hiei. Continental onmyōji capture/kill; pull Kyoto Traditionalists post-compe."
"Pull... radicals?"
"Negotiable vs Nara."
Includes abbot request: retrieve excommunicated to Kurama Traditionalists.
Kurama ninjas master "Tengu Arts" (stolen from Kiichi Hōgen by Yoshitsune; magic history canon, proposer Shin'ei-ryū disciple). Know expert—aside.
Visit Kurama-ji proper; restore Kyoto order disrupted by "Nine" house weakens Nara Traditionalists, retaliates Kushima. Sanctuary revival undeniable—can't refuse Kagurazaka—Chihime conclusion.
"Abbot understandable. Mother lobbying orthodox via letters."
Pre-visit: recalled canon Traditionalist bases, gathered Kurama ninja info. Caution other ancient, but intellectual curiosity for Kyō Hachiryū origin from Kiichi.
Traditionalists: "nuke-nin."
Roots: yamabushi (tengu tales) taught Yoshitsune, aided escape to Oshu. Kamakura hated; Muromachi chance lost to clan wipe. Fled Tanba mountains, no lord.
Ninja: Iga, Kōga, Fūma; but Yakumo's sense—bodily superior, history's unluckies.
Kagurazaka extended hand. Imperial guard needs info beyond solo; anti-ninja. Head embraced clan.
Post-WWII, Uesugi distrust allies; Kagurazaka base to Hakone—ninjas to Atago-yama as Kyoto guardians. Some dissatisfied/desiring world fled to ancestral Kurama.
World entry without nuisance? Wish they'd chosen peacefully.
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