"Now this is what I call an enthusiastic welcome."
Stepping through the gates of the Nura Clan's main residence, Luo Shu couldn't help but remark at the sight of yokai lining both sides.
Although Nurarihyon had complained about the lacking new generation, that only applied to the younger yokai.
Within the Nura Clan headquarters, Common Rank yokai were as numerous as hairs on an ox, while Excellent Rank ones could be found everywhere.
Looking at these two rows of yokai, even the weakest were Excellent Rank, most were Elite Rank, and the few serving as internal group leaders - equivalent to Hero Rank Great Yokai - were no pushovers either.
In terms of sheer numbers, the Nura Clan truly lived up to being Japan's largest yokai organisation.
Even the SDS would struggle to muster such numbers within Japan.
Of course, this comparison didn't account for military forces as exceptional cases.
After all, aside from those at Hero Rank or above, most individuals without special abilities would struggle against modern firearms, let alone the SDS's magically enhanced weapons.
When it came to group warfare, the terrifying upright apes remained this planet's undisputed masters.
"Haha, Director Luo, it's been a while."
Nurarihyon approached with a beaming smile, extending his hand for a handshake.
It was then that he noticed the birdcage Kisara was carrying one step behind Luo Shu.
Spotting the crow inside, Nurarihyon discreetly shot Karasu Tengu a meaningful glance.
The clan leader now worried whether one of Karasu Tengu's controlled crows had offended Luo Shu, prompting this visit for retribution.
Receiving the signal, Karasu Tengu scanned his sons, exchanged confirming looks, then shook his head at Nurarihyon - he couldn't confirm if the crow belonged to them.
While Karasu Tengu controlled most of Tokyo's crow population, identifying every single bird's ownership was simply beyond even him and his sons combined.
This response made Nurarihyon's heart sink further, increasing his suspicion that Luo Shu might have some grievance with one of the Nura Clan's minor yokai.
Considering the potential fallout of a public confrontation, Nurarihyon immediately called out to Yukari Oikawa:
"Yukari, prepare some fine tea."
You don't hit a smiling face.
I've already prepared tea, so you can't very well interrogate me in front of my subordinates, can you?
Yukari Oikawa's eyebrows twitched as she immediately understood Nurarihyon intended a private meeting. Turning to her daughter, Tsurara Oikawa, she said:
"Tsurara, come with me."
"Yes!"
Tsurara Oikawa quickly responded while privately wondering: 'Does mother not know where the tea leaves are stored?'
Once the two had left, Nurarihyon cheerfully stepped aside and gestured to Luo Shu:
"Would Director Luo kindly step this way?"
"Of course."
Luo Shu nodded in agreement, having no intention of discussing Hagoromo Gitsune's matters publicly with Nurarihyon.
The two proceeded single-file into the Nura Clan's main residence, with Kisara following closely behind, carrying the birdcage.
Soon, the group arrived at the Nura Clan's reception room.
Upon entering, Luo Shu noticed Yukari and Tsurara Oikawa had already been waiting there for some time.
Seeing this, Luo Shu smiled at Yukari before taking his prepared seat as a guest.
Kisara glanced at Yukari before similarly following and seating herself to Luo Shu's right, placing the birdcage beside her.
Noticing this, Nurarihyon looked at Luo Shu before walking directly to the birdcage. After squinting at its contents, he exclaimed:
"This bird yokai isn't one of our Nura Clan members, is it?"
"What?" Luo Shu raised an eyebrow with an amused expression. "Old Nurarihyon, are you worried I've come to interrogate you today?"
"Nonsense." Nurarihyon rolled his eyes before clasping his hands behind his back and taking the host's seat. "You suddenly request a meeting, then show up with an unconscious bird yokai - of course, I'd suspect something."
Pausing, he frowned and added:
"Did someone impersonate our yokai to attack SDS personnel?"
This seemed the only plausible explanation for Luo Shu bringing a captured bird yokai.
After all, to certain factions, it was no secret that Tokyo's crows were considered under the control of the Nura Clan.
Luo Shu glanced at Tsurara pouring tea nearby before calmly lifting his cup:
"Wrong guess."
"This crow wasn't impersonating your people."
"However, it was indeed targeting the SDS Reserve Force personnel."
Since Mahiru Shiina could be considered his reserve Familia member, and the SDS currently fell under his indirect control, the equation of Mahiru Shiina equalling the SDS Reserve Force naturally held true.
Not that Nurarihyon needed to know these details.
Hearing this, Nurarihyon appeared shocked:
"Someone actually dared target your people?"
While the SDS had limited personnel in Japan, their political influence was formidable!
Moreover, they boasted exceptional operatives, advanced weaponry, and could even mobilise American military forces.
In Japan, the SDS personnel essentially operated with impunity.
Even if they broke the law, Japanese authorities were unable to prosecute them.
That such an organisation would have its authority challenged surprised Nurarihyon:
"Have you identified who's behind this?"
Luo Shu calmly met Nurarihyon's gaze:
"We have."
"Who?"
"The Hagoromo Group from Kyoto."
Hearing this name, both Nurarihyon and Yukari Oikawa beside him changed expressions, while the still-young Tsurara Oikawa looked somewhat confused.
"It's them," Nurarihyon remarked with a mix of nostalgia and hatred. "If it's them, then framing our Nura Clan makes perfect sense."
The Nura Clan of Tokyo and the Hagoromo Group of Kyoto shared a blood feud spanning generations.
About 400 years ago, Nurarihyon had defeated Hagoromo Gitsune, preventing the resurrection of Nue, and wrested from her the title of Hyakki Yagyō leader.
Soon after, when Nurarihyon stepped down and Rihan Nura became the second leader, he repeatedly thwarted the Hagoromo Group's schemes, causing Nue's multiple failed resurrections. Both sides suffered casualties in these conflicts.
Thus, the two factions had been locked in a bloody feud that had lasted for four centuries.
In such circumstances, not only was Hagoromo Gitsune plotting to frame the Nura Clan by ambushing the SDS Reserve Force, but even his own grandson—he had no doubt the boy would be targeted the moment an opportunity arose.
Thinking this, Nurarihyon glanced at Luo Shu and asked curiously:
"Though with just this, it wouldn't warrant a personal visit from you, would it?"
Not to boast, but for such trivial matters, Luo Shu could simply have that pink-haired girl by his side deliver the intel, and the Nura Clan would handle it immediately. After all, thwarting an enemy's schemes required no justification.
Yet here was Luo Shu, the SDS Director, paying a personal visit. This made Nurarihyon scent something ominous.
Seeing the old man react so swiftly, Luo Shu narrowed his eyes slightly before raising his hand. Beside him, Kisara promptly handed him a file box. Taking it, Luo Shu flipped through the contents, extracted a few sheets, pressed them onto the low table, and slid them toward Nurarihyon:
"See for yourself."
Hearing this, Nurarihyon looked at Luo Shu, then down at the documents on the table. The moment his eyes landed on the first line, his pupils contracted sharply.
[Yamabuki Otome Possession Plan]
"This is..."