Tokyo, Nura Clan Headquarters.
For yokai, night is their day.
This isn't just due to their habits but also stems from the pressure of human expansion encroaching on their living space.
Thus, mornings are particularly detestable for yokai.
After all, ancient yokai never developed the bad habit of staying up late.
Yet, at this moment, the Nura Clan headquarters was bustling with activity in the early morning.
"Hōkō, hurry up and sweep the path to the main gate!"
The towering sentient broom revealed a pair of innocent eyes before obediently scurrying to the entrance under the shouting, kicking up clouds of dust.
"Kappa, put your toys away! The pond's full of plastic junk—how's that presentable?"
In the pond, the bald Kappa gloomily gathered all the plastic fish in his hands and swallowed them whole.
"And Kejorō, clear out all the rats in the house, quick! Honestly, where's the Old Rat Gang when you need them?"
"And why did Lord Nura have to go on a date with Lady Wakana now of all times?!"
Watching the Yuki-onna Tsurara Oikawa barking orders and even shedding ice shards in her frustration, six-year-old Rikuo Nura turned to his grandfather in confusion.
"Grandfather, what's wrong with Tsurara-nee?"
"Ho ho ho, probably just stressed."
Nurarihyon stroked his chin, chuckling.
"After all, this old man only informed everyone this morning about an important guest's visit."
"Uh..." Rikuo immediately understood his grandfather was up to his usual mischief.
'Tsurara-nee might cry... Getting tricked like this by an elder she respects...'
Just then, a voice similar to Tsurara's but far more mature rang out:... "That child, why is she always so careless?"
Rikuo Nura turned his head and saw a much larger Tsurara Oikawa walking down the corridor.
Seeing this, Rikuo Nura quickly bowed and said, "Aunt Yukari."
"It's little Rikuo." Yukari Oikawa's face immediately lit up with a smile as she reached out to pat Rikuo's head. "Have you been good today?"
"Yes," Rikuo Nura answered in a childish voice, making Yukari Oikawa giggle.
At that moment, Tsurara Oikawa heard the voices and turned around. Seeing her mother teasing Rikuo Nura, she sighed in exasperation:
"Mother, what are you doing?"
"Hmm? Playing with the child, of course," Yukari Oikawa replied matter-of-factly.
'I know you're playing with him, but could you help me...' Tsurara Oikawa fumed, yet could do nothing about her wilful mother. She could only pinch her nose and say:
"Then keep an eye on young master Rikuo and don't let him run around."
"Oh." Yukari Oikawa responded indifferently.
Nearby, Nurarihyon stroked his chin and said with a smile:
"It's been nearly thirty years since Tsurara came here, hasn't it?"
"About that," Yukari Oikawa's reaction was flat. "Her strength has barely improved. I really don't know what this child does with her time."
Hearing this, Nurarihyon didn't know what to say either and could only sigh:
"That child was never fond of fighting to begin with."
Tsurara Oikawa's innate talent was relatively high; after all, she was a Yuki-onna born solely from the essence of a Great Yokai.
With proper training, becoming a Great Yokai wouldn't have been too difficult.
Yet now, in her fifties, Tsurara Oikawa's level was only slightly stronger than a mid-tier yokai.
In the Divine Pantheon Reconstruction System's evaluation, she'd probably only rate as Excellent - her potential far from realised.
Of course, Yukari Oikawa would never admit this was due to her failed parenting.
"The only promising one in the next generation is Rikuo, I suppose."
"Rikuo?" Nurarihyon glanced at his young grandson and shook his head. "We can only call it hopeful."
Nurarihyon's son Rihan, a half-yokai with mixed human blood, had perfectly inherited talents from both sides - a tremendous surprise for the Nura Clan leader who'd been worried about the organisation's future.
But awkwardly, third-generation Rikuo's mother, Wakana Nura, was also human, leaving only a quarter of the yokai bloodline.
With such dilution, Rikuo Nura had never shown yokai characteristics since childhood.
Though due to the Great Yokai lineage, dormant Demon Power could still be sensed from him, even Nurarihyon couldn't be sure about Rikuo's future.
The root of this was Hagoromo Gitsune, who'd once placed a fox's curse on Nurarihyon, ensuring the Nura Clan bloodline could only produce offspring through dilution with humans...
The price of that momentary carelessness was something Nurarihyon could only endure now:
"First, we'll increase training for the Small Yokai at the base level, then take things step by step."
Yukari Oikawa didn't respond, merely glancing at Tsurara before falling silent.
Much later, when the yokai had finished their tasks, Nurarihyon checked the sky and said:
"The time should be about right."
"Karasu Tengu, where are our guests now?"
As the words fell, a crow-headed yokai in a brown kimono descended from the sky, landing on the eaves:
"The crow flock reports they're just two streets away."
"Good."
Nurarihyon nodded, then descended the steps to the central courtyard, shouting:
"Assemble, everyone!"
With his words, a black wind came rolling in.
Yokai radiating black Fear energy appeared in perfect formation before the main gate, lining up solemnly in two rows like guardian deities.
Among the gathered yokai, there was the stern-faced Ushi-oni, the towering Mokugyo Daruma, a handsome young headless ghost whose head floated separately, the pair of rogue monks Aotabō and Kurotabō, and a host of bizarre minor yokai.
The yokai currently at the Nura Clan headquarters had all assembled at the main entrance. The scene resembled a yakuza organisation welcoming their boss.
Seeing this, Nurarihyon stroked his chin, looking thoroughly pleased.
At the same time, he noticed the admiration in his young grandson's eyes.
Amused, he reached out and took Rikuo Nura's hand, declaring:
"Alright, lads, show some spirit! Let's welcome our honoured guest!!"
"Yes~~!!" came the thunderous reply.
Shortly after the cheering died down, the main gates of the Nura Clan headquarters slowly swung open.
Simultaneously, the yokai lining both sides of the entrance bowed in unison:
"We welcome you!!"
At that moment, two figures entered one after another.
Leading the way, Luo Shu couldn't help but twitch an eyelid at the sight:
"Now this is what I call an enthusiastic welcome."