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Next, Kaito and Enma began working together to reconstruct the alternate dimension.
The initial tasks were simple.
Kaito condensed Ryūmyaku crystals outside the alternate dimension and tossed them inside.
Meanwhile, Enma, leveraging his control over the space, manipulated the earth within the dimension to bury the crystals in predetermined locations.
Yes—it was as monotonous and tedious as it sounded.
"Do you think this counts as embezzling public resources for personal gain?"
Kaito suddenly voiced the whimsical thought.
"Completing the Ryūmyaku circulation system in this dimension requires a substantial amount of energy," Enma replied. "It might very well slow down the land restoration you previously promised."
"It's fine. I'm being careful."
Kaito sat cross-legged in the sealed chamber, mechanically forming hand seals toward the golden energy surging from the array before him.
"Condense!"
A flash of golden light flickered, and a massive crystal, nearly the height of an adult, took shape.
With another mechanical clap of his hands, golden chains automatically wrapped around the crystal and flung it into the dark spatial rift beside him.
"I'm taking the energy evenly," Kaito added. "When spread across the entire world, the impact is negligible."
"Hmph."
Enma's voice echoed from the spatial rift.
"If not for the preparations you made while clearing the Ryūmyaku pathways earlier, extracting such a concentrated amount from a single location would have severe consequences."
"Heh."
Kaito continued his repetitive motions.
"Consider it payment for my work in restoring the Ryūmyaku's circulation."
The golden light flashed again, and another crystal formed.
"Besides, I already informed Lord Seimei."
---
Outside the sealed chamber...
The month-long celebratory banquet had finally ended, and the Uchiha estate had returned to its usual tranquility.
Countless white paper shikigami now bustled about the compound, cheerfully cleaning up the mess left behind from the prolonged festivities.
In Kaito's bedroom, Yūrei lay sprawled across the futon, her face flushed from intoxication, mumbling incoherently in her sleep.
Shhhk—
The sliding door opened gently as a paper clone of Kaito, barefoot, stepped inside.
After quietly closing the door, it knelt on the tatami and silently watched over her.
"Stupid…"
Yūrei turned over in her sleep, her expression pouting.
"Idiot Kaito…"
Her hands slipped out from under the covers, waving vaguely in the air.
"I worked so hard to help… and you didn't even say anything…"
The paper clone smiled faintly at her drunken, childlike demeanor.
It rose, tucked her hands back under the futon, and then returned to its seated position, motionless.
Meanwhile, the real Kaito in the sealed chamber chuckled in sync.
He knew Yūrei was deliberately speaking for him to hear.
As a yokai, she couldn't get drunk so easily—unless she wanted to.
'Looks like I'll have to properly apologize later. Maybe even prepare a surprise.'
He mused to himself.
After being with Yūrei for so long, he prided himself on having improved significantly in matters of romance.
He wouldn't be at a loss in a situation like this.
'Truly, I'm a naturally gifted genius in love!'
He thought smugly, completely unaware of his own lack of self-awareness.
---
Meanwhile, in the front courtyard...
Seimei sat leisurely on the wooden veranda, his gaze fixed on the early-blooming camellias in the garden as the cool breeze brushed past him.
"Lord Seimei."
Another paper clone of Kaito stepped out, carrying a tea tray. After setting it down, it knelt across from him.
Pouring two cups of steaming green tea, it offered one respectfully.
"My apologies, Lord Seimei, for the poor hospitality. Only my true self can condense the Ryūmyaku crystals."
"Thank you."
Seimei accepted the cup, cradling it in his hands before turning back to admire the camellias.
"No need for formalities, Kaito."
His voice carried a distant, ethereal quality.
"You…" The paper clone hesitated, then suddenly asked, "Are you… leaving?"
"Yes." Seimei smiled, still gazing at the white blossoms. "To see such beautiful flowers at the end is more than enough for me."
Golden motes of light, like fireflies, began drifting from his body.
"Wait! Lord Seimei!!" The paper clone panicked. "My true self will be here soon!"
It clasped its hands together, summoning Kaito's main body.
"Why fuss over such things?"
Seimei's form grew translucent as he turned to face the newly arrived Kaito.
"We've already said all that needed to be said. Goodbyes need not be a ceremony. Perhaps we'll meet again someday."
"Indeed, it's very likely I'll encounter your reincarnation." Kaito's smile was strained. "But by then, you won't remember me."
Seimei seemed even more amused. "Wouldn't that be interesting in its own way?"
"LORD SEIMEI!!!"
A cry rang out from beyond the courtyard.
In an instant, the garden and surrounding walls were filled with yokai.
"Lord Seimei!"
His twelve divine shikigami knelt in the courtyard, their expressions grief-stricken.
"Seimei."
Tamamo-no-Mae stood beneath the camellia tree, her face unreadable.
"Honestly."
By now, the entire garden was bathed in golden light as Seimei's body faded into transparency.
His eyes swept over each familiar face.
"I had hoped to slip away while you were all still drunk." He sighed. "Yet here we are."
"You fool, Seimei!"
Shuten-dōji stood atop the gate, glaring down at him.
"What's so bad about being a yokai? Why insist on remaining human?"
Seimei only smiled at him, offering no answer.
"Tch!"
Shuten-dōji clicked his tongue in frustration, understanding the unspoken sentiment.
"I respect your choice, Seimei."
Tengu hovered midair, his black wings spread.
"You've lived a life without regret."
Seimei nodded gratefully.
More yokai called out to him, and he responded to each with a quiet smile.
Finally, his gaze returned to his twelve shikigami.
"Lord Seimei!!"
"From now on… you are all free."
With those final words—and an apologetic glance toward Tamamo-no-Mae—Seimei dissolved into the air.
"LORD SEIMEI!!!"
Several of the female shikigami burst into tears.
Kaito, watching Seimei vanish, immediately reached out to Enma through their mental link.
"Did Lord Seimei go to the underworld?" he asked.
"Truly, he was the legendary onmyoji to the end." Enma's tone was complicated. "Did he fear I'd force him into service in the underworld? He didn't even say goodbye—just reincarnated straight away."
"That does sound like something Lord Seimei would do." Kaito sighed.