"Did you acquire the intelligence?"
The aged Minagoroshi Jizō rubbed the wooden fish beside him, tilting his head to ask Yosuzume, who was behind him.
Yosuzume was a black-haired, red-eyed woman whose face was concealed by a curse-inscribed headscarf wrapping her entire head.
Kneeling on one knee behind Minagoroshi Jizō, she handed him a stack of documents still warm to the touch.
Taking the documents, Minagoroshi Jizō opened his slit-like eyes to scan the records, then chuckled:
"Hagoromo Gitsune has been active around Akihabara, hmm? Purchasing intelligence on various factions in this world?"
"Naturally. That brat Kyokotsu's been secretly pooling the group's funds - undoubtedly to finance Hagoromo Gitsune's intelligence purchases."
As he flipped through the documents, Minagoroshi Jizō's smile gradually faded into mild vexation:
"Still can't determine exactly what intelligence Hagoromo Gitsune acquired?"
Yosuzume shook her head, then explained:
"The information dealer has backing from the Allied Forces, making any action impossible. Currently, we've only managed to confirm that most of Hagoromo Gitsune's intelligence originates from an information dealer called Tsubame Shim."
"Can we locate this Tsubame Shim?" Minagoroshi Jizō frowned as he inquired.
Yosuzume lowered her gaze. "We found her, but the moment we did, all my Familiar Spirits were wiped out in an instant."
"Oh?" Minagoroshi Jizō wasn't surprised. "These information dealers really do have some skill."
Simple searches were one thing, but actually targeting an information dealer would be like testing the iron fist of the five great powers. Facing such true behemoths, Minagoroshi Jizō had no desire to be crushed by that fist.
"I initially considered testing that dealer with memory manipulation, but it seems their danger level exceeds expectations."
Pausing, Minagoroshi Jizō's expression turned slightly regretful. "The ideal target would have been Kyokotsu, who's always by Hagoromo Gitsune's side. Unfortunately, that brat's too sharp—she sticks to the fox like glue, leaving no opening."
He shook his head, aware that Hagoromo Gitsune was already wary of him. Yet he wasn't overly concerned about his plans. After all, Abe no Seimei—the fox's beloved son—was his accomplice. As long as that fox demon cared for her child, she couldn't afford to oppose him fully.
"Has the Gokadoin Family arrived?"
Yosuzume reported immediately. "Kokoro Musubi-sama is already in contact with Hagoromo Gitsune-sama."
"Not her. Your master—the fourth head of the Gokadoin Family, Abe no Ariyuki."
After a brief silence, Yosuzume replied, "Master has arrived in Tokyo, but his exact whereabouts are forbidden for me to disclose."
Although displeased, Minagoroshi Jizō showed no emotion. "Then have your master share his intelligence network with me. When he suggested I replace Great Tengu's position in the Hagoromo Group, he failed to mention Great Tengu was their intelligence director."
Yosuzume's lips moved slightly, as if conversing with someone distant. Minagoroshi Jizō waited patiently.
Soon, Yosuzume spoke again. "According to Familiar Spirit reports, the Old Rat Gang under the Nura Clan was exterminated in the male prostitute district. Bujin-shū sources indicate their leader was tortured to death."
"Oh?" Minagoroshi Jizō's interest was piqued. "Has another faction targeted the Nura Clan? Intriguing! Find out who did this."
Yosuzume looked at him strangely. "District surveillance captured the perpetrator's face. The Bujin-shū has already identified the culprit."
"Ho ho ho~~" Minagoroshi Jizō chuckled delightedly. "Who is this bold fellow?"
After a pause, Yosuzume answered, "Surveillance and eyewitnesses confirm the assailant was Minagoroshi Jizō, executive of the Hagoromo Group."
"So his name is Minagoroshi Jizō?"
Minagoroshi Jizō was taken aback for a moment before his expression immediately darkened:
"Minagoroshi Jizō?"
"The yokai who slaughtered the Old Rat Gang... was me?"
Minagoroshi Jizō froze momentarily before his face drastically changed:
"Damn it, there's a third party trying to fish in troubled waters!!"
"Yosuzume! Quickly inform the Nura Clan and confirm their movements! Also notify Hagoromo Gitsune immediately - tell her directly that the Nura Clan is about to attack us and she must order the Tokyo forces to relocate at once!! This must be done quickly. Use the fastest means possible."
Upon hearing this, Yosuzume instantly vanished from the ruined temple, leaving only black feathers floating where she'd stood.
Watching Yosuzume depart, Minagoroshi Jizō wore an expression like he'd just lost his mother, cursing under his breath:
"Damn it all, this is a frame-up! A blatant frame-up!!"
"Who the hell is trying to set me up??"
...
Nura Clan Main Residence.
In the enormous Japanese-style room, the Nura Clan's executives sat in a square formation, each radiating terrifying black Fear energy.
At the head position, Nura Rihan, in his dark green maple-patterned kimono, held a smoking pipe, squinting as he said:
"The Old Rat Gang has been wiped out."
The atmosphere in the room instantly grew heavier as executives like Ushi-oni, Kubinashi, Kurotabo, Karasu Tengu, Mokugyo Daruma and Yuki-Onna Yukari all released astonishing killing intent.
"The perpetrator was the Hagoromo Group's Minagoroshi Jizō. My sources have confirmed it was definitely him."
Nura Rihan took a drag from his pipe, exhaling a white smoke ring before grinning widely:
"An old rival this time!!"
He tapped the pipe's ashes into a tray, set it down, grasped the precious sword on the table, then said to Karasu Tengu with a smile:
"Karasu Tengu, go give the Metropolitan Police Department a heads-up."
With that, Nura Rihan stood up, resting the sword on his shoulder as he laughed boisterously:
"Listen up, everyone!! It's party time!!"
As his words faded, the doors burst open as towering Fear transformed into dark clouds spreading across the night sky.
—The Hyakki Yagyō had begun!
...
In the main residence's garden.
Under the cherry blossom tree, Nurarihyon glanced at several lists in his hand, reading the neatly written names and recent activities of Hagoromo Group members before snorting:
"That black fox..."
"Using my Nura Clan to purge dissenters within her own group?"
"I'll humour her this once."
With a flick of his wrist, the documents in his hand transformed into fist-sized flames.
Watching the black-haired youth leading the yokai procession at the head of the Hyakki, he couldn't help but smile:
"Getting old... perhaps it's time to retire."
With that, Nurarihyon turned and headed toward his bedroom.
...
Sakura Apartments.
Luo Shu suddenly shuddered, feeling a strange sense of release throughout his body.
His eyes snapped open as he threw off the covers, finding no Kisara hiding beneath them.
"Not Kisara attacking me? Then... this feeling?"
After a moment's hesitation, Luo Shu immediately opened his system panel with his mind.
[Calamity Bringer (82% -> 88%)]
Seeing this, Luo Shu narrowed his eyes and curled his lips slightly:
"I see. Quite efficient, aren't you, Suzuka Dairenji?"