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Following his contract with Hakuten, Kaito arrived at the Underworld.
Opening his eyes, he was greeted by a vast field of snapdragons emitting eerie cries.
"…"
Kaito stared at the snapdragons swaying back and forth, their wide mouths letting out grating howls, a look of disdain on his face.
"Ah, Uchiha-kun, you're here," Hakuten said, waving his free hand while holding a watering can in the other.
Izuna stood beside him.
Kaito adjusted his expression, turning to greet them with a smile. "Hakuten-kun, Senior."
"Is there something you need help with, Uchiha-kun?" Hakuten asked, setting down the watering can and walking to the corridor to sit on the floor.
Kaito joined him, sitting by his side. "o you know about the Blue Spider Lily?"
"Blue Spider Lily?" Hakuten's face twisted in disgust. "I see. I know where you can find it."
"Is it at Mr. Bai Ze's place in the Peach Blossom Land of Heaven?" Izuna asked, immediately understanding from Hakuten's reaction.
"Exactly!" Hakuten stood, deliberately picking up the spiked club placed nearby.
"In that case, I'll accompany you, Uchiha-kun."
"Thank you," Kaito said, ignoring Hakuten's mischievous expression and following with a smile.
On the way, Kaito walked side by side with Izuna behind Hakuten and asked, "Senior, are you getting used to things here?"
"It's not bad. In fact, it's been a long time since I felt this relaxed," Izuna said with a smile. "The differences between worlds are quite significant. Even the Underworld here is more peaceful than the living world of the ninja realm."
"I believe our world will get better too," Kaito said.
Izuna nodded. "Indeed. This Underworld has been operating for years, and I've learned a lot from this exchange. When I return, I should be better equipped to handle my duties."
…
The trio arrived at the Peach Blossom Land, greeted by a lush grove of peach trees heavy with fruit.
"Lord Hakuten?" A slightly chubby man carrying a basket of peaches emerged from the grove, enthusiastically waving at Hakuten.
"Lord Hakuten, welcome to the Peach Blossom Land!"
"Ah, Momotaro, is it?" Hakuten stepped forward. "Is that guy Bai Ze around?"
"Lord Bai Ze? You're looking for Lord Bai Ze? Follow me!" Momotaro eagerly led the way.
"As expected of the Peach Blossom Land—so refreshing," Kaito said, admiring the scenic beauty around them.
Hakuten explained, "This place lies at the border between Neon and the Land of Flowers, a hub for trade and exchange. The architecture here is in the style of the Land of Flowers."
"Exactly!" Momotaro turned back. "Lord Bai Ze is one of the most ancient divine beasts from the Land of Flowers!"
They passed through a mountain path and spotted a small, unremarkable house in the distance. A wooden sign by the door read "Jade Rabbit Herbal Bliss Full Moon."
Several snow-white rabbits were playing outside.
"Lord Bai Ze!" Momotaro shouted. "Lord Hakuten is here!!"
Bang!
The door burst open, and a man in white rolled out in a heap.
"How pathetic!!" A young girl, covering her face, darted out of the house and fled in a flash.
"Same as always," Momotaro said helplessly, rushing to help the fallen Bai Ze to his feet.
"You okay, Lord Bai Ze?"
"Tch!" Hakuten slammed his spiked club onto the ground, clearly annoyed.
"Get up, you white pig!"
Bai Ze sprang up and charged at Hakuten, pointing and shouting, "Ha! You black-faced brat, what are you doing here?!"
His eyes were framed by red demonic markings, his face surprisingly similar to Hakuten's.
Hakuten hefted the club onto his shoulder, retorting, "I'm just playing guide. If I had a choice, I'd avoid seeing you too, Mr. Bai Ze!"
"Hmph!" Bai Ze adjusted the white headband on his head, pointedly ignoring Hakuten as if to prove he wanted to see him even less.
He nodded politely to Kaito and Izuna. "Hello."
"Greetings. I am Uchiha Kaito, a Onmyōji," Kaito said, bowing slightly. "I've come to the Peach Blossom Land seeking your help with a medicinal matter, Mr. Bai Ze."
Izuna also bowed.
"You've come to the right person. There's no herb in heaven or earth that I, Bai Ze, don't know," Bai Ze said, still ignoring Hakuten as he turned toward the house. "Come, let's talk inside."
Inside, after everyone sat down, Bai Ze brought two cups of hot tea for Kaito and Izuna.
He continued to ignore Hakuten, even throwing in a snide remark. "This is my special tea, but it's only for polite guests!"
"Get to the point!" Hakuten said, slamming his massive club onto the table and giving Bai Ze a disdainful glance.
Before Bai Ze could snap, Kaito interjected, "Mr. Bai Ze, I'm here to ask if you have any Blue Spider Lilies."
"Blue Spider Lilies?" Bai Ze chuckled. "You came to the right place. I'm the only one who has them now. I cultivated them because they're so rare."
Relieved, Kaito explained the situation with Muzan.
Bai Ze listened with interest. "I see. So it's that new world recently brought under hell's jurisdiction?"
"Exactly!" Hakuten said. "The demons in that world have been around for a millennium, severely disrupting hell's operations. So hurry up and hand over the Blue Spider Lily, you!"
"No rush!" Bai Ze propped his elbow on the table, resting his chin in his hand, his eyes glinting with wisdom.
"I'm quite intrigued. That doctor who first turned a human into a demon—is he still in hell?"
"He's served his sentence and been reincarnated," Hakuten replied coldly.
"What a pity," Bai Ze said regretfully. "I was interested in his formula."
"What, you want to become a demon too?" Hakuten gripped his club. "If so, I could crack your head open, and maybe you'd be reborn in hell as a true demon god!"
"Hey, I'm a divine beast! I wouldn't do anything so heinous!" Bai Ze glared at him before turning to Kaito.
"Besides, those so-called man-eating demons aren't true demons, are they? At their core, they're just humans who've lost their humanity and undergone physical mutations."
"Quit yapping and hand over the flower!" Hakuten slapped the table.
Unfazed, Bai Ze continued speaking to Kaito. "I know the Blue Spider Lily's purpose. Are you sure you want to bring it to the living world? If that original demon gets it, he'll mutate further, completely overcoming his weakness to sunlight."