After specifying a rendezvous time, So'unga's form dissolved into black mist... evaporating under the sunlight.
Watching this, Maya narrowed her eyes and said gravely:
"So there really is an organisation behind this?"
Although the enemy's identity remained unclear, their decision to capture the siblings alive suggested a hidden agenda.
'In that case, the solution was simple—undermine that agenda at its foundation...'
Thinking of this, Maya Natsume glanced sideways at Shin Natsume's disfigured face. Confirming he was looking up, she shot him a meaningful look with her eyes.
'Should we abandon our gains and retreat immediately?'
Though she was captured, Maya still had one card up her sleeve.
That was the Emergency Escape Device developed by the SDS.
If they used that, both she and Shin could escape safely, at most forfeiting some of the yokai materials collected from the abyss.
'Should we use it?'
Maya met Shin's gaze, silently asking with her eyes.
Yet Shin averted his eyes, looking instead towards Luo Shu.
'What does that mean?'
Maya felt utterly bewildered.
Just then, Shin suddenly spoke:
"Is the person confirmed gone?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu turned and nodded: "Gone."
This exchange between them made Maya feel her brain couldn't keep up.
Weren't they enemies? Why were they talking? And about such strange things?
At that moment, Luo Shu gave Shin a surprised look:
"How did you find out?"
"I didn't." Shin covered his right eye calmly. "I only saw the moment you removed your mask."
"Dragon Eye?" Luo Shu suddenly understood, raising his left hand towards the mask. "This future-predicting ability seems rather troublesome for schemes."
As he spoke, the mask came off.
Seeing the face beneath, Shin immediately showed an expression of comprehension.
But Maya, seeing the face at close range, was dumbstruck:
"How is it you?!!"
Luo Shu glanced at her and casually released Maya's hand, saying calmly:
"Why couldn't it be me?"
"How could it be you!" Maya instinctively covered her bottom, stepping back several paces with an angry expression.
"You bastard, you were taking liberties with me just now!"
Hearing this, Luo Shu raised his right hand and sighed regretfully: "My hand's dirty now. Who knows how much handwashing it'll take to clean it properly?"
"You!" Maya Natsume immediately flew into a rage.
"Maya." At that moment, Shin Natsume's calm tone jogged her memory.
She had apparently just asked Luo Shu to sting Shin's face with poisonous bees.
The furious expression on Maya's face instantly transformed into one of despair as she looked at Luo Shu and wailed:
"How could you be fake?!"
"Now you've really done me in!"
Having said this, Maya turned to look at Shin, whose face was so swollen with venomous welts that even his parents wouldn't recognise him, and hastily forced a smile:
"Um... brother!"
"Please spare me!"
Watching as Shin - whose expression was completely unreadable beneath the swelling - silently picked up his sword and approached, Maya's voice became tearful:
"I was wrong! Don't hit my face! I'll go home and kneel on the Go board!!"
When Shin reached her, he gave Maya a cold glance before turning to Luo Shu:
"Do you have medicine?"
"I do." Luo Shu looked at him.
"Then let's talk while applying it." Shin sat cross-legged on the ground. "There's grilled fish over there, too - we can eat while we talk."
At this point, Shin glanced at Luo Shu and sighed helplessly:
"I want to hear everything. And we should discuss profit shares afterwards."
"As my bargaining chip..." Shin covered his right eye. "I'll tell you about the future this eye has seen."
Hearing this, Luo Shu couldn't help but chuckle:
"Well then, it seems I'll have to pay through the nose."
...
Under the dusky sky.
In a lifeless forest devoid of birdsong or insect chirps.
A common-looking samurai with a shaved head appeared at the forest's edge, gazing at the tallest tree.
His eyes fell upon the figure sitting cross-legged beneath it.
The figure's face was split - one half bore handsome human features, while the other was dark brown, dry and hardened like tree bark.
Currently, the human side had its eyes closed, while the tree-like half's eye was open.
"You're late, So'unga." The moss-covered tree face spoke first.
The shaved-head samurai approached and said calmly:
"I was arranging some matters for Naraku. The situation is progressing well."
"Oh? Has Naraku captured those visitors from another world?"
The Tree of Ages seemed not entirely unaware of So'unga's plans, immediately guessing Naraku's assigned target.
So'unga nodded slightly: "Two have been caught already."
"Two? That should suffice." The Tree of Ages laughed hoarsely. "But aren't you worried Naraku might notice something amiss?"
"With only two human skins for disguise, Naraku - who inherited Onigumo's memories - will likely realise we plan to abandon him."
Hearing this, So'unga smiled faintly:
"Indeed, that cunning half-yokai will certainly notice something."
"But what good will noticing do?" So'unga said coldly. "If I truly needed him to deal with the Great Yokai at Kikyo Shrine, he might find an opportunity amidst the chaos. But do we need him?"
The Tree of Ages chuckled at So'unga's words:
"When did you tell Naraku to attack Kikyo's shrine?"
"Sunrise the day after tomorrow," So'unga replied with a knowing smile.
"And the real time?" The Tree of Ages inquired.
"Tonight at midnight." So'unga's face revealed an amused smile.
"Hahaha!" The Tree of Ages chuckled lowly. "You're something else, So'unga."
"What about the Purification Power in Kikyo Shrine? We can't approach that deity statue."
"Shrine maiden matters should naturally be handled by shrine maidens, no?"
As So'unga spoke, a small cloaked figure appeared before the Tree of Ages.
"It's you." The Tree of Ages seemed to recognise them and couldn't help but smile. "So you'll be breaking Kikyo's spells? How interesting."
"Any more questions, Tree of Ages?" So'unga asked.
Hearing this, the Tree of Ages smiled and slowly rose to its feet.
"In that case, let's settle this once and for all!"