Late at night, at the Nura Clan headquarters in Tokyo.
Within the solemn, traditional Japanese-style garden, an elderly man with a small stature but an elongated, oversized head—resembling an upright golf club—sat on the veranda edge dressed in a brown kimono, holding a teacup.
He was none other than Nurarihyon, the first Supreme Commander of the Nura Clan.
Gazing at the blooming cherry tree in the garden, Nurarihyon sipped his tea and remarked:
"How was the expedition?"
As his words fell, flurries of snow scattered with the wind.
Amidst the snowflakes, Yukari Oikawa's white-clad figure materialised:
"Utterly dreadful, Supreme Commander."
"Just call me Nurarihyon, Yukari. The current Supreme Commander is that brat Rihan."
When mentioning 'that brat', Nurarihyon's lips curled slightly, evidently quite pleased with his son.
"But putting that aside, for you to call it dreadful—what happened?"
Yukari Oikawa didn't elaborate, merely sighing:
"There are more and more powerful figures emerging."
"Oh? That matter. Can't really say whether it's good or bad."
Nurarihyon stroked his chin, understanding Yukari Oikawa's sentiment.
The Nura Clan had been in this world for nearly ten years.
In these ten years, the Nura Clan had witnessed Japan's burgeoning factions and increasingly powerful individuals.
Take the Seto Group from the Seto Inland Sea, which appeared eight years ago.
Its leader, Gōzaburō Seto, was a dragonkind even Rihan Nura found exceptionally troublesome—one of the exceedingly rare mermaids confirmed to have crossed the Dragon Gate.
Beyond the Seto Group's leader, the Pureblood Family Kuran among the Vampires also seemed to have produced remarkable talents.
Among Japan's Bujin-shū, numerous martial arts experts had emerged, with freelance masters appearing endlessly.
Moreover, the Onmyou Agency had seen generations of prodigies in recent years.
Compared to these factions, the Nura Clan resembled an ageing elder, with no Great Yokai among its younger generation capable of bearing the mantle.
If not for Rihan Nura still being in his prime and this old man remaining combat-ready, the Nura Clan might truly be left behind by this world.
Of course, even without being obsolete, merely falling behind would be bitter enough.
The times were changing.
This was something Nurarihyon had already realised.
Thus, to avoid being left behind by the era, Nurarihyon sought to keep pace with these changing times.
At this thought, Nurarihyon couldn't help but glance sideways at Yukari Oikawa:
"Speaking of which, Yukari, you've met the SDS's Director Luo, haven't you?"
"How does he compare to the next generation of our clan?"
Hearing Nurarihyon's question, Yukari Oikawa fell silent for a moment before replying:
"A Great Yokai."
Seeing this reaction, Nurarihyon spoke with slight disappointment:
"The gap is that big? Director Luo is only eighteen this year, isn't he?"
Although Nurarihyon had anticipated this outcome – after all, Luo Shu wouldn't hold the SDS Director position without sufficient strength – an eighteen-year-old reaching Great Yokai level still left him somewhat helpless.
Fortunately, after enduring similar shocks over the past decade, Nurarihyon had grown somewhat accustomed to such revelations.
Just as Nurarihyon was recovering, Yukari Oikawa spoke again:
"That Director Luo recruited a Great Yokai from the Abyss – one who follows the ancient yokai power system."
Yukari's thoughts turned to Senhime Rin Getsu, recalling the scene she'd witnessed before leaving the Abyss – the clash between Senhime and Tōga.
"When first recruited, I could still spar with that Great Yokai. But by the time we left the Abyss, the pressure she exerted was nearly comparable to Rihan Nura's."
Rihan Nura, the second head of the Nura Clan, was the most powerful yokai Yukari had ever encountered.
As a half-yokai, Rihan Nura could freely manipulate both yokai Fear and human Spiritual Power, achieving mastery in both paths while developing his unique combat style, placing him at the pinnacle of Great Yokai.
If Nurarihyon had founded the Nura Clan and established its foothold in eastern Japan, then Rihan Nura had brought it to its golden age, transforming the Nura Clan into Japan's largest Hyakki Yagyō organisation.
Yet now, this mightiest of yokai lords faced a challenger – and what made it particularly unsettling was that Yukari had personally witnessed this challenger's rapid ascent to such heights.
This realisation left Yukari with profoundly mixed feelings.
Even the substantial gains she'd made in the Abyss couldn't lift her sombre mood.
Sitting on the veranda, Nurarihyon's expression shifted before he sighed:
"The ancient yokai power system? Pity. Those methods likely wouldn't work for us who rely on Fear..."
The implication Yukari's words conveyed was clear – the SDS possessed methods to enhance a Great Yokai's power.
This revelation confirmed the deeper reasoning behind Kotoko Iwanaga's suggestion to align with the SDS.
Yet what made things awkward for Nurarihyon was that their lineage of yokai required Fear, human terror, to grow stronger.
Many conventional power-boosting methods wouldn't work effectively for them.
Naturally, this dependence on Fear had driven the Nura Clan to vigorously develop urban legends, haunted houses, and amusement parks.
Despite these ventures, the clan's strongest members made slow progress in their cultivation.
The reason was simple.
The Nura Clan had too many yokai.
With over ten thousand official members, they stood as Japan's largest Hyakki Yagyō organisation.
With such numbers, while avoiding harmful incidents, the amount of Fear the Nura Clan could collect from humans remained pitifully small.
Of course, concentrating this Fear onto a select few could easily nurture several powerful Great Yokai. However, doing so would violate the Nura Clan's principle of sheltering weaker Small Yokai and providing them with a place to belong.
Given this, the Nura Clan was truly caught between a rock and a hard place.
And without any yokai stepping up to change things, this predicament might persist for a long time.
"It's about time we welcomed a new era."
Nurarihyon shakily rose from the corridor's edge, clasping his hands behind his back:
"Could... you arrange a meeting with that young director for me?"
Before Yukari Oikawa could respond, the caw of a crow rang out.
Hearing the coded message from Karasu Tengu - the yokai in charge of the Nura Clan's intelligence network - Nurarihyon's expression turned peculiar:
"The Director of the SDS Hidden Management Department wants to meet with me?"
"What is this... great minds thinking alike?"
Nurarihyon stroked his chin, his aged face breaking into an amused smile.
...
Early morning, around six o'clock.
Luo Shu opened his eyes to the familiar sight of orange hair draped across his chest.
"..."
Memories of last night's pleasures came flooding back.
He fell silent.