The group walked up a shrine pathway as Yuka said, "We already told you that Cursed Spirits aren't born outside of Tokyo. There's a big reason for that."
Suzuki nodded, saying, "Ayanokoji Kiyotaka made sure that the Inhuman Makyo would be presented as the most vile and disgusting place on earth. Due to this, it draws in a lot of Cursed Energy from all over the world. Honestly, it's so vile it draws away Cursed Energy from other things. Because of this, it's statistically impossible for Cursed Spirits to be born outside of the barrier."
Maru nodded, saying, "I understand the logic, but then why are you..."
Tsurugi sighed and said, "Even if it's statistically impossible, that doesn't guarantee anything. It's best to keep up the seals regardless."
Suzuki nodded, saying, "It wouldn't be impossible for small impossibilities to pile up over centuries until something bad happens. It isn't for us but for the future."
Tsurugi then said, "There are often purges in the Inhuman Makyo. They're broadcast to anyone willing to watch to reinforce the effects of the barrier. I mean, if people stop being scared of it, it might leave an opening for Cursed Spirits to be born outside, even if it should be almost impossible."
Maru looked confused, asking, "Purge?"
Yuka nodded, saying, "The Cursed Spirits in there can become really strong, so we go in and cull them every now and then to make sure none of them get too strong."
Suzuki nodded, saying, "I hear Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was the type not to take chances even if they seemed impossible. I think he also made a rule in the barrier so that anyone with Cursed-Spirit Manipulation can't even enter the barrier. I heard he was able to make it so precise in the detection of the Cursed Technique that even if the user of the Technique is just a fetus, they'll be prevented from entering."
Maru looked confused, asking, "Why go so far?"
Suzuki sighed and said, "That Cursed Technique is problematic. It's been used by very dangerous people in the past, so he decided to do this to ensure similar events wouldn't occur again. That place... would be ideal for Cursed-Spirit Manipulation."
They finished up as Yuka said, "Well, that's that!"
Maru looked to them and asked, "Couldn't Ayanokoji Kiyotaka organise this somewhere that's easier to access?"
Yuka replied, saying, "They can't help it.. This is a key location for the barrier."
Tsurugi nodded, saying, "High or low spot makes for good locations, even holy ones."
Maru sweat-dropped, saying, "Just thinking about it makes me tired."
Suzuki smiled and said, "It's about restricting yourself in one area to improve something somewhere else. A kind of give and take. The barriers are harder to reach, but that makes them stronger."
Maru's eyes widened as he said, "I get it now!"
Yuka then said, "We're usually pretty short-staffed as Sorcerers."
Tsurugi agreed, saying, "But with the help of Lumelians..."
Maru then thought of Muru and said, "That could make it work. We can help the Earth, too."
The trio smiled as Maru said, "I'll tell everyone when I get back. I'm sure our warriors will be ecstatic!!"
Tsurugi smiled, saying, "Can't wait to see their reaction."
Yuka smiled, saying, "Well then..."
They all went their separate ways, saying, "... See you tomorrow."
It was at that moment that the Lumelians, who had entered the Inhuman Makyo to investigate claims of Earthlings killing Kalyans and saw them killing Cursed Spirits, came into conflict with a Purge Squadran. The Lumelians believed that Cursed Spirits were the same as Kalyans, and due to the hatred of one human, Cross was shot in the chest. Dabura Karaba arrived shortly after, and conflict arose.
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"A request to prohibit any further extermination efforts and secure the safety of Cursed Spirits? There's no way we can do that."
Miyaguni said this as she looked to the projection of the barrier, saying, "The regular purges are a kind of ritual for strengthening the barrier. If we stop doing it, eventually a strong enough Cursed Spirit might manage to slip through the barrier. Thankfully, we've filled our quota for this month, and the barrier will remain strong even if we stop Purges for a while, but... if we did that, then we'd have to make up for the skipped months. Considering how strong the Curses would grow after a whole year, that would probably be asking too much of the Sorcerers we send into the barrier. It might get so bad that the barrier is permanently weakened."
The Prime Minister sweated and asked, "The one that idiot Yakumaru shot, dispatch officer Cross. How is he doing?"
An old woman stepped forward and said, "He's doing alright. Cross-San will likely feel better after a week or so of rest."
Miyaguni smiled and said, "Thank you, Shina-San. You came back even though you were retired. We'll make sure to compensate you."
Hiyori held up her hand, saying, "It's alright. It's fine. Don't worry about it. In the beginning, the thought of devoting myself to healing people terrified me. It still does. After all, there are still times when I can't save people, but... seeing the smiles of the people who managed to survive makes me feel that it was worth it. Maybe retiring just isn't possible for me because of that."
The Prime Minister held his hands and asked, "I know that idiot shot one of them, but even after we healed him and guaranteed his survival, they're still pushing for us to stop exorcising Cursed Spirits?"
Miyaguni nodded syaing, "That's right. It seems that they're not willing to budge on it."
Then another message came through.
We have confirmed the continued mass killings of Cursed Spirits. Therefore, to ensure their protection, we shall hereby establish a new government and a new nation of Lumel within Tokyo. Should this be refused, we request judgment through a duel, as is the way of the Deskunte.
Everyone in the room flew into a panic as the Prime Minister said, "We can't just give them Tokyo. The Cursed Spirits would break through eventually."
Ino then asked, "Can we form another barrier around the first one to try to contain any Cursed Spirits that leak out of the barrier? Like a border."
Hiyori started saying, "I was there when Ayanokoji-Kun made it so I could make a barrier as strong as the first one, but..."
Miyaguni finished for her, saying, "They'd likely just make similar demands for that barrier as well."
The Prime Minister then said, "Then let's call upon Ayanokoji Kiyotaka! Miyaguni. You're the only one able to contact Choso. Do it now!"
Miyaguni sighed and said, "Asking him to duel would be the easiest solution to all of this, but... I can't agree to it. The situation isn't desperate enough to call upon him yet."
The Prime Minister then shouted, "How is this situation not desperate enough?!"
Miyaguni sighed and said, "Let's send someone else in. If they lose and the barrier weakens to a severe degree to the point that Negotiations are pointless, then I'll concede and call for him. Unless that happens, then I'd like to avoid it."
Miyaguni sighed and said, "It's all up to her now."
Log Entry: January 2087
Dabura Karaba, representative of the Lumelian tribe of Sumeria, issued a challenge to a duel for the purpose of safeguarding Cursed Spirits and demanding the relinquishment of Tokyo. Japan, acting as Earth's representative, chose Okkotsu Yuka to fight on its behalf, and she accepted.
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Suzuki stared at Miyaguni and shouted, "What the fuck do you mean Yuka is going to fight Dabura-San?! Are you trying to get her killed?!"
Miyaguni sighed and said, "We don't have a choice."
"Yes, we do have a choice. We can call on Ayanokoji Kiyotaka!"
Suzuki shouted this as Miyaguni shook her head and said, "He should only be called upon if there is no alternative. He's that kind of last resort."
Suzuki then shouted, "So you're fine with sending Yuka off to her death?!"
Miyaguni shouted, "Of course I'm not!"
Miyaguni gritted her teeth, thinking, 'This is the worst.'
She looked at Suzuki and said, "Yuka survived her cancer because of Shina‑San... she deserved to live a normal life. She should have been allowed to live her life to its fullest, but... this is how it has to be."
Suzuki looked livid, shouting, "Fuck the whole [This is how it has to be] bullshit! Call on Ayanokoji Kiyotaka!"
[Suzuki and Tsurugi sat by a bed as Yuka slowly opened her eyes and saw them.
"Hey. Did you two sit there waiting for me to wake up?"
Tsurugi hugged Yuka and said, "I'm glad you're alright."
Yuka sighed and jokingly said, "You're acting so clingy. It's gross, haha."
She smiled and said, "You don't have to worry about me anymore, you know. I'll be fine."
Suzuki smiled and said, "Well then, I think I've used up all the worry I can have in my lifetime on you. Right now, I just feel happy. Good job on holding out. You're amazing."
Yuka smiled, holding her chin and nodding as she said, "Yeah, I'm pretty amazing, huh?"
The three looked to each other and began laughing.]
Suzuki showed a pained expression, thinking, 'Why is it always you? First, your father leaves right after you're born, and then you develop brain cancer, and now this? This is bullshit.'
Suzuki glared and shouted, "This is the kind of situation he's here for. Didn't he vow to protect innocent people?!"
Miyaguni shook her head and said, "He made a binding vow with Satoru Gojo to protect innocent people from Curses. He's not bound. He isn't a weapon or tool. He's human just like you or me."
Suzuki started saying, "But he's strong, so he has a responsibility..."
Miyaguni glared, thinking, 'How do you think I feel? When you talk about things like that, I feel like shouting fuck the whole [He's strong, so he has a responsibility] bullshit."
[A younger Miyaguni looked up to see two men, as one of them patted her on the head before crossing his arms and turning to the other.
The other then asked, "This is the one you were talking about, Todo?"
Todo nodded, saying, "Yes. I give the Aoi Todo 100% garuntee that she'll reach Grade 1."
The other man nodded, saying, "Alright. Let's see how far she can make it."
Miyaguni looked up to him and asked, "I'll do what I need to do. I just want to..."
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka stood there as he poked her on the forehead and said, "There's no need to think of yourself as a tool or weapon just so you can achieve your goal. Right now, you're young. Don't throw away your youth so easily. Enjoy it because I'll make sure no one can take it from you."]
Miyaguni sighed, thinking, 'You were forced to sacrifice your childhood. Then you had to sacrifice more protecting others just so that you could be free and now...'
The pain showed in her face as she thought, 'I want to call it bullshit that people are still depending on you, but... that's not what I should say to Suzuki right now.'
Miyaguni calmed down and looked at Suzuki seriously, saying, "Don't overstep, Suzuki. This isn't your call."
Suzuki gritted his teeth and said, "Fine. I'll find him myself!"
Miyaguni sighed, saying, "That'll be impossible."
"Watch me."
Suzuki said this as he left.
Suzuki thought to Yuka, thinking, 'You damn idiot. Why'd you agree to this? Why? Damn it!'
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Dabura stood there as Ui Ui stood across from him, and Dabura asked, "Are you the chosen warrior?"
Ui Ui smiled, saying, "Not at all. I'm but a weary old man. I merely wished to greet you in the name of our sorcerers before this duel. My name is Ui Ui, head of the new shadow style. I salute you, O Mighty King of the Far World."
Dabura looked confused, asking, "Salute me?"
As Ui Ui spoke his next words, three craters could be seen in the heart of what was once Shinjuku.
"About seventy years ago, an extraordinary wave of power shook this country to its very core. And an unprecedented era of peace followed afterwards. What is strength? What is true power? Nowadays, everyone has forgotten such things."
Three children stood in front of Ui Ui as he then said, "These children are oblivious to the extreme brutality living beings are capable of. You however. I do not doubt you can unveil the true dread of this Curse, bursting forth from deep within our entrails."
Dabura then said, "I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you. I cannot unveil anything to anyone who can't stand tall before me. Against a rookie, it'd be over before I even got started."
Ui Ui responded, saying, "Oh, don't worry about that. I'm sure you'll be satisfied. And your loneliness... shall be satiated."
Yuka walked over, saying, "Hey, Dabura-San. I guess this is how things turned out."
Dabura looked to her and said, "It could have been avoided had you simply agreed to our conditions."
"That's not possible. Sorry, but it really isn't."
Yuka said this with a sad expression as she made a hand sign and chanted, "With this treasure I summon..."
Wolves appeared and began howling as the other Shikigami of the Ten Shadows appeared, and she continued her chant, saying, "Eight-handled sword divergent sila divine general Mahoraga!"
Mahoraga appeared behind her as she slipped into the shadows, thinking, 'I have to stay in here to keep out of Mahoraga's range, but... I'm really just avoiding the inevitable, aren't I? It'll adapt to my shadows and probably rip me right out of them to finish the taming ritual. Then I'll die.'
And so the duel was set. Dabura Karaba Vs the Divine General Mahoraga.
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Choso stood on top of a building looking over the duel between Dabura and Mahoraga, thinking, 'If things go wrong with that battle. If that girl loses, then Chiharu will call upon Kiyo. I'll get him there so he can clean up their mess. But right now, I just hope that that girl can handle it on her own. Kiyotaka shouldn't be brought to this place. Not yet.'
Then he heard footsteps, thinking, 'A human? In the Inhuman Makyo? I see. So they've found me.'
He stared out at the battle that was raging and said, "It was only a matter of time before they'd call on Kiyo, huh? But I haven't heard from Chiharu that you want to depend on Kiyotaka."
"Chiharu? As in Miyaguni Chiharu? You know, her?"
Choso nodded, saying, "Of course, I know her. Why wouldn't I know one of Kiyo's students?"
Suzuki stood behind him and said, "You're Choso, right?"
Choso looked behind him and said, "You came here without express permission from the higher-ups."
"Yeah. Tell me where Ayanokoji Kiyotaka is. This is his battle."
Suzuki said this as Choso asked, "How did you find me?"
"The government is still using computers for those files. I hacked it."
Suzuki said this as Choso nodded, saying, "I understand. I can't allow you to call upon Kiyo, though. I'm sure Chiharu won't be happy about you being here."
Suzuki sighed and said, "Right now, Yuka is in grave danger. Please. Call him out so he can fight."
Choso looked to him seriously and said, "These kinds of things aren't your decisions to make. The agreement with the higher-ups was that he'd be a last resort."
Suzuki glared and said, "Right now, that doesn't matter. What matters is that Yuka is out there fighting a battle that should have been his job."
Choso glared at him and said, "Don't get cocky, you brat. Kiyotaka isn't a tool you can use for your benefit. He's my younger brother and a human. I have the authority from the higher-ups to protect Kiyotaka's location at any means necessary. I don't care who you are. If you badmouth him, I won't hesitate to kill you."
Suzuki looked to him seriously and said, "Bring it on. I'll beat the answer out of you."
Choso got into a stance and said, "Then let's see what you can do."
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To Be Continued
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Rating Out Of 10 For This Chapter?
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