Tōga, one of the strongest Great Yokai of the Warring States period and ruler of the Western Country's Dog Tribe.
At his peak, this Great Yokai measured 1,500 metres in length, his massive body resembling a moving mountain range. To many yokai, he embodied their belief that size equalled strength.
Yet in Senhime Rin Getsu's eyes, Tōga was completely different from his public image.
"Nearly all yokai follow their instincts, using Demon Power to strengthen their bodies. Even Tōga was no exception."
Standing upon her cloud-borne throne, Senhime Rin Getsu gazed down at the castle below while explaining to Luo Shu:
"But this was only true before he obtained that sword."
Luo Shu considered her words thoughtfully: "That sword... You mean So'unga?"
"Indeed."
Senhime Rin Getsu looked at the distant clouds as if reminiscing:
"The Demon Sword So'unga, which seals an ancient evil spirit, possesses the power to freely open gates to the Underworld and summon a hundred vengeful spirits with a single swing."
"Long before the Warring States period, that blade passed between countless powerful figures, controlling multitudes and inciting endless wars."
"And the one who ended this was Tōga."
"For a time, he subdued So'unga, becoming the master it served."
"However, So'unga's submission was merely an illusion. The reason it chose Tōga was simply because it saw his potential and sought to enslave him, to cultivate the strongest vessel."
Hearing Senhime Rin Getsu's words, Luo Shu recalled the cause of Tōga's death and mused thoughtfully:
"I heard that Tōga perished after a fierce battle with the Great Yokai Ryūkotsusei, sustaining grave injuries, only to be betrayed by So'unga. He exhausted himself sealing the sword before succumbing to his wounds?"
Senhime Rin Getsu glanced at Luo Shu with mild surprise:
"It seems you know some things. Though, given your nature, uncovering such information wouldn't be difficult."
Luo Shu didn't respond to her remark, merely stating calmly:
"So, has So'unga never truly acknowledged a master?"
After a brief silence, Senhime Rin Getsu nodded:
"Indeed. So'unga has never had a master. Even Tōga was deceived into believing he had tamed it."
Her tone grew sombre as she continued:
"Those who wield So'unga are constantly subjected to the malevolent whispers of its cursed spirit. Once Tōga realised this, he devoted himself to rigorous training, tempering his will."
"It was through resisting So'unga's control that Tōga hardened his resolve and began exploring the essence of Demon Power. Gradually, this struggle revealed an opportunity for him to advance further."
"And thus, Tenseiga and Tessaiga were born."
Her gaze turned distant as she regarded Luo Shu frankly:
"Using So'unga's ability to open the gates of the Underworld, Tōga seized the Meidō Stone from the depths of the Underworld. With most of its power and one of his own fangs, he forged Tenseiga, representing the heavens."
"Moreover, through frequent journeys into the Underworld and confronting life and death, Tōga delved into his own being, mastering the truth of Demon Power. With another fang, he created Tessaiga, representing the human realm."
"Thus, with Tenseiga for the heavens, So'unga for the earth, and Tessaiga for humanity, Tōga—wielder of the three blades—became the strongest Great Yokai of his era."
"Even without his Demon Form, those three swords alone placed him at the pinnacle of all yokai."
Luo Shu frowned pensively:
"Tessaiga's manipulation of Demon Power, So'unga's gate to the Underworld, and Tenseiga's ability to bridge this world and the next, connecting both..."
His eyes narrowed as realisation dawned:
"I see. So, Tōga touched the threshold of a Class?"
From Luo Shu's understanding, those at the Hero Rank begin grasping conceptual powers—the foundation of becoming gods.
The combination of multiple concepts forms a Class, a necessary step towards Demigodhood.
In Luo Shu's view, a Class is essentially a diluted version of divine authority.
Had Tōga possessed sufficient knowledge, the three blades—representing heaven, earth, and man—could have formed a Class, allowing him to ascend as a Demigod.
"A Class formed by the three blades of heaven, earth, and human?"
Having learned much from Luo Shu, Senhime Rin Getsu couldn't help but sigh:
"So, Tōga was already on the right path."
"What a pity." Luo Shu also sighed regretfully.
A promising Demigod seedling died on the back of his own blade due to a lack of essential knowledge. What a pity indeed.
Compared to Luo Shu's regretful expression, Senhime Rin Getsu appeared completely indifferent:
"Nothing to pity. Tōga's strength originated from So'unga, yet his death was also because of So'unga. One might say it's the cycle of cause and effect."
"Rather, it's you who..."
Senhime Rin Getsu glanced at Luo Shu and said indifferently:
"So'unga possesses the concept of the Underworld. It is the Sword of the Dead that represents the Netherworld. Though I don't believe it can control you, it would be wise to be cautious with such an eerie thing."
Hearing Senhime Rin Getsu's advice, Luo Shu didn't argue but instead asked:
"That shrine maiden responsible for guarding the Bone-Eating Well in Musashi Province – do you know of her?"
Senhime Rin Getsu tilted her head slightly upon hearing this, thinking carefully:
"...Is it that shrine maiden called Kikyo? The one born every hundred years or so, possessing Purification Power."
Though she had never met Kikyo, Senhime Rin Getsu had heard of her.
After all, she was the shrine maiden rumoured to be capable of facing Great Yokai in direct combat, and her Purification Spiritual Power was the natural bane of all Demon Power. Even if Senhime Rin Getsu didn't care much, she would still gather some information about her.
Luo Shu nodded and added, "The Shikon Jewel is also in her possession."
Hearing this, Senhime Rin Getsu couldn't help but scoff: "That jewel is with her, too? How cruel."
The Shikon Jewel, the Tree of Ages, the Bone-Eating Well, plus So'unga sealed within the well.
Though she didn't know how Kikyo could willingly take on so many responsibilities, Senhime Rin Getsu couldn't help but sigh.
The exploitation of yokai by yokai truly paled in comparison to humans exploiting humans!
Did those human rulers truly believe a young girl could bear the weight of all these things?
Noticing Luo Shu's familiarity when mentioning Kikyo, Senhime Rin Getsu asked with slight surprise:
"What, do you intend to shoulder some of that Purification Shrine Maiden's burdens?"
"Why not?" Luo Shu replied with a smile. "A genius born with the concept of purification – if nurtured well, she might even become a Demigod."
Hearing this, Senhime Rin Getsu said with interest:
"If you take the shrine maiden away, those human daimyo will surely make a fuss."
Luo Shu gave Senhime Rin Getsu a strange look:
"Do you really think I'd be kind enough to rescue the daimyo of this Warring States period to my world?"
Senhime Rin Getsu paused, then chuckled:
"I see. The soon-to-be-dead, then."
"How pitiful and tragic."
Luo Shu replied calmly:
"You forgot 'despicable'."
Senhime Rin Getsu rested her chin on one hand indifferently, glancing at Luo Shu:
"When do you plan to go deceive that shrine maiden?"
Luo Shu quickly formed a plan:
"In half an hour. The Underworld is still in turmoil. Once it stabilises, we'll open the Netherworld path and use the passage created by the Black Pearls there to travel directly."
"Would you like to come along?"
Hearing this, Senhime Rin Getsu scoffed:
"To act as your enforcer?"
"You really know how to use yokai, don't you?"
"But since I'm in a good mood today, I'll humour you for a while."