At the same moment Tatsuya Shiba retreated.
Kaname Kuran, who was surrounded by black flames and seemingly at a disadvantage, suddenly looked up at Yuiyui Gokadoin.
That single glance made Yuiyui frown slightly.
Before she could react, Yoko's black flames engulfed Kaname Kuran completely.
The scorching flames instantly charred Kaname's body to a crisp, yet Yoko showed no sign of triumph—only a dissatisfied pout:
"When exactly did this guy replace himself with a clone?"
As Yoko voiced her confusion, Kaname's burnt shell began cracking apart, eventually disintegrating into chunks of black translucent gel that fell to the ground with dull thuds.
Yuiyui observed this with surprise:
"A Spiritual Power clone? Since when?"
"Even you didn't notice?"
Yoko glanced at Yuiyui before remarking oddly:
"If his technique was subtle enough to evade detection from an ancient monster like you, perhaps he's another ancient monster himself?"
Yuiyui's expression chilled at these words, shooting Yoko an irritated look.
"How rude. This maiden is forever an eighteen-year-old girl."
"Physically eighteen, you mean, you puppet master."
Yoko muttered under her breath, tossing her hair as she declared:
"Tonight wasn't bad—got some exercise in. I'll leave the cleanup to you then; I'm off to rest."
"Oh, and if more enemies show up, contact me tomorrow. I only fight once per day."
Watching Yoko depart, Yuiyui remained silent, merely flexing her fingers to weave Spiritual Power threads around the fragments Kaname had left behind.
After all, materials imbued with a Pureblood Vampire's Spiritual Power were rare treasures—potential ingredients for certain rituals.
As Yuiyui tidied the battlefield...
...
West Bridge area.
Receiving the signal, Fumonshichi surveyed the surrounding barrier and immediately announced:
"Shin, the plan's failed. We're retreating."
Hearing this, Shin Natsume—his Dragon Eye active—predicted the landing point of Tenkai Gokadoin's barrier, executed a roll to evade a sealing barrier, and joined Fumonshichi's side.
At that moment, Fumonshichi produced a handkerchief from his robe. The cloth expanded rapidly in the wind, soon large enough to conceal both men.
Before vanishing into the fabric, Fumonshichi shot a final look at Tenkai's attempted interception, then disappeared within.
Observing this, Tenkai lowered his hand seal, watching the gradually transparent handkerchief as he remarked coolly:
"An Abyss Artefact for spatial displacement? As expected of a Bujin-shū elite, to possess such an item."
With that, he scanned the bridge's pockmarked surface before snapping his fingers.
Click.
An emerald barrier abruptly contracted from the distance, returning to Tenkai's palm.
Where the bridge had stood in ruins, its original, elegant and archaic form was now restored.
"Oh dear, to let the enemy escape from my own barrier... It seems I'll be receiving another scolding from Lady Orochi."
Muttering without a trace of concern, Tenkai Gokadoin stepped onto the floating barrier in mid-air, slowly making his way towards the Inner Citadel Palace.
...
Inside the Inner Citadel Palace.
Abe no Orochi, controller of the Eightfold Serpent Technique, silently surveyed the empty hall. The eight-headed serpent hissed, sensing the lingering traces of Fear energy in the surroundings.
Finally, Abe no Orochi exhaled a heavy breath:
"Escaped using Shin Kyōka Suigetsu? What a troublesome and slippery fellow."
To be honest, Shin Kyōka Suigetsu's ability to render oneself hollow and manipulate existence was practically cheating for an assassin.
If Abe no Orochi hadn't preemptively constructed a sacred hall within the Inner Citadel Palace using barrier techniques, confining Nura Rihan here with barriers, it would have been difficult to trap him for so long.
"The Nura Clan's slippery leader is indeed not to be underestimated. To completely deal with him, we'd probably need three Gokadoin heads to act simultaneously..."
Having made her decision, Abe no Orochi glanced at the grand hall before her figure gradually merged into the eight-headed serpent behind her.
Amidst the serpent's hissing, the shrine's barrier slowly began to turn transparent before dissipating entirely.
...
Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo.
Inside a luxury apartment, a stunning woman with raven-black wavy hair and a dark beauty mark beneath her left eye sat on a sofa. Her gaze was fixed on the floor-to-ceiling windows as she waited silently for the old-fashioned white telephone on the side table to ring.
Right on cue, the telephone jingled to life.
Maya Yotsuba picked up the receiver and spoke calmly:
"You're much later than scheduled, Tatsuya."
From the other end came Tatsuya Shiba's detached voice:
"My apologies, Lady Maya. I may have been followed."
"'May'?" Maya noted the phrasing, her tone laced with surprise. "That doesn't sound like you, Tatsuya."
In response, Tatsuya Shiba replied:
"My apologies. I cannot confirm the situation at present."
Maya tapped the table lightly with her index finger, her expression turning serious.
"So you suspect you're being followed but can't verify it? You can't even determine whether you're currently under surveillance?"
"Correct."
Hearing this, Maya took a deep breath before speaking:
"Stay outside for now. I'll explain things to Miyuki."
"Understood."
The line went dead with a click. Maya pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration:
"Not only is our intelligence compromised, but now Tatsuya's being tailed too. Worst of all, we can't even identify who's behind this."
"That Cabinet deal has really landed me in hot water."
She let out a cold chuckle before picking up the receiver again, dialling a memorised number.
When the call connected, Maya stated plainly:
"The mission failed."
Silence greeted her from the other end.
Then, deliberately, Maya laughed:
"Oh, and they asked me to remind you - consider carefully the consequences of disrupting the ritual."
Heavy, fearful breathing came through the line.
Without waiting for a response, Maya hung up. She gazed calmly at the Chiyoda nightscape beyond her windows, remarking in an even tone:
"Politicians are filthy creatures in any world."
As various parties made their moves, information began spreading from Kyoto to factions across the nation.