I planted a sacred tree in Tokyo.

Chapter 110 Parting of Master and Disciple
Tokyo,

Bunkyo District, Huangying Girls' High School.

Dadadada~~
The sound of a helicopter flying overhead again prompted a group of young ladies to complain about how unsafe it was.

Helicopters, as a mode of transportation, are widely used by the privileged class due to their flexibility, which has also led to the emergence of a large number of "crash-resistant kings": especially after the arrival of the supernatural, the accident rate of helicopters has soared, causing these young ladies to look up whenever they hear the sound of a propeller.

"There are a lot of people picking up people today,"

After glancing at the numerous luxury cars parked at the school gate, You, Qiongmei, and the class monitor also got into a car and left.

"Yes, because Xiaoying's shrine is recruiting 'shrine maidens'."

Qiongmei replied that now that 'Tiannu Ying's' identity has been revealed, she is the maid of Inari God 'Mikujin'. Which powerful person is qualified to have her healed?
However, those power-hungry nobles who were barely clinging to life were reluctant to give up the convenience and wonder of 'supernatural healing'; after repeated pleas, Xiaoying agreed to recruit 'shrine maidens' to be taught healing magic by 'White Lord'.

As a result, undercurrents are swirling within the island nation's elite class.

The traditional shrines were not to be outdone. They declared, "You outsiders want to interfere with my positions in Shintoism? Dream on!"

Trying to intimidate others with power?

Hmph, do you think you can rival the divine power of Inari-sama?!

"In short, there is fierce competition and infighting throughout the school over the five spots for 'shrine maidens'."

As the saying goes, "being near the water tower, one gets the moon first," and as a top girls' high school, the students here naturally know the nobility of "Celestial Maiden Ei": before the arrival of "Hakuzosu" and before Inari God bestowed the sacred tree, Ei had already become the apple of the eye of the island nation and America with her "healing" divine magic.

If they can become priestesses, then so can they.
"I see. If it were you, I'm sure Xiaoying would be very happy to welcome you."

"I don't want to treat other people!"

Sora refused outright, while Nao, the class president, pushed up her glasses and shook her head slightly.

"The most basic requirement to become a shrine maiden is to believe in Inari, but I'm sorry, I'm actually an atheist."

Nao, the class president, admitted that she had no reverence for 'gods', considering that she would never even visit Yushima Tenmangu Shrine to pray before taking an exam and had even done such a thing.

"But you,"

Inside the carriage, Qiong Mei turned to look at You.

"Aren't we going to pursue the whereabouts of that 'Sea Ninja'?"

Compared to the 'shrine maiden selection' which is limited to the island nation's elite and the Inari Shrine, Umi-nin is currently the most concerning topic in the entire island nation and even the entire world!
"No,"

You waved her hand.
"Not to mention that 'Sea Ninja' is hard to find, even if I did find him, he wouldn't be of much use to me."

"I just want to read quietly."

Rolling eyes, x2
These words earned them disdain from Qiongmei and the class monitor.

But this is for the best: that 'Sea Ninja' is a valiant and powerful woman. If she were to be subdued by my brother/Yu-kun, wouldn't that just create more of an opponent for no reason?

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Yamanashi Prefecture, Hayakawa Town South,

At the foot of Qimian Mountain, there are scattered houses.

This is the countryside of an island nation. If a doujinshi (fan-made comic book) storyline appears here, it will most likely be labeled with tags like "country girl".

Of course, no one farms anymore these days. The so-called countryside has everything: public transportation, internet, and delivery services. If you had to pick one thing out of it, it would just lack skyscrapers and dense crowds.

"Xiao Dai, Xiao Xun, you two went to play in the mountains again?"

An elderly man with silver hair, walking his dog home, was greeted by his granddaughter and grandson, who were also returning home.

"Be careful. Although bears and wild boars are rare now, there are now extraordinary beings. Sigh, times have changed."

The stories of mountain spirits and valley echoes were originally used by parents to scare people when they were young, to keep their children away from the mountains; who would have thought that in this technologically advanced era, they would actually become a reality?
Thinking of the terrifying scenes on his phone where those 'extraordinary beings' could cause buildings to collapse and streets to crumble with just a few gestures, the silver-haired old man couldn't help but shake his head.

How can someone of average size have such great strength?
That's not scientific!
"Don't worry, Grandpa."

The older sister, Ishigaya Dai, patted her slightly heaving chest.

"I will protect Kaoru."

"Good good,"

The silver-haired old man smiled kindly. If he said things like, "If my granddaughter and grandson's personalities were reversed, it wouldn't work. Wouldn't they be seen as old-fashioned and alienated?"

Ah, times have changed. As long as the children are happy, that's enough.

"Let's go home for dinner. Old Jingchuan from next door gave me a rabbit today."

"Power?"

After dinner, it was already dark.

In her room on the second floor, her older sister, Isoya Dai, rested her chin on her hand, recalling what her older sister, Kainin, had said before.

"Right,"

"There are all sorts of news reports online, and it seems like things are in chaos elsewhere."

As a remote village that is hard to find even on a map, the people living here are hardly affected by the 'extraordinary': they still go to school, work, play chess and chat.

But as primary school students of the 'new era'
The influence of the extraordinary is becoming increasingly frequent on the internet, social media platforms, and in WeChat Moments.

"Okay, let's practice then!"

Thinking of this, the girl with short black hair stood up.

"Wei-Si-Yin,"

The Shadow Clone Technique only has three hand seals, and the clones created are 'illusions' made of chakra, not physical entities. They can only be used to confuse the enemy's vision.

bang,
Two 'Igotani Dai' appeared in the room.
"Hehehehe~~ Now that I can create two 'clones,' shall I have Sister Hai Ren tomorrow—?"

Just then, the girl's expression changed, because out of the corner of her eye, she saw a figure pressed against the window.

"Who?!"

Suddenly turning around, the three 'fifty-gray' figures assumed a defensive posture.

But there was nothing outside the window!

Dazzled?
No, that's not right. Since gaining 'spiritual power,' Igarashi Dai has discovered that both her eyesight and hearing have been significantly enhanced; this 'eye blurring' shouldn't be happening to her. But just now—

Knock knock knock,

Amid the knocking, the younger brother's questioning voice came from outside the door.

"What's wrong, Dai?"

"fine,"

The girl glanced at the window again and then went to draw the curtains.

"Nothing at all."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

the next day,
"Sister Dai, are you not feeling well?"

"You seemed a bit distracted all day."

"I'm fine,"

Walking on the stone steps leading to the mountainside, the girl with black curly hair rubbed her temples.

The 'shadow' from last night kept lingering in Isoya Dai's mind; although nothing unusual happened throughout the night and the day, the girl felt as if something was about to happen.

I'll ask Hai Ren later; maybe she knows what happened.

"master,"

While thinking and walking,
The two had arrived at an abandoned shrine halfway up the mountain.

Before the main hall stood a dashing figure, her long hair tied up in a bun with the hole of a shuriken, and an extra-long nodachi hanging at her waist, along with a headband and wrist guards.
"coming,"

Hai Ren turned to look at the two of them and spoke calmly.

Did you bring any other friends?

?

"No,"

"how come."

They subconsciously denied it, and then Isoya Dai and Isoya Kaoru suddenly turned their heads.

Tap tap tap,

The sound of hurried footsteps came from the steps below, and to the astonishment of the two siblings, one by one, men carrying hunting rifles came up.

Island nations generally prohibit guns, but hunting rifles are permitted in remote areas: these areas have their own 'hunters' associations' aimed at controlling the populations of wild boars and brown bears in the mountains.

The leader had silver hair and held a hunting rifle that resembled an old-fashioned rifle. His familiar posture was...

"grandfather?!"

What are you doing?

The siblings cried out in surprise, but the hunters surging up from below did not answer.

Their faces contorted in pain as they quickly surrounded the abandoned shrine, raising and lowering their shotguns, fingers on the triggers, aiming—

Sea Ninja!

"Wait, Sister Hai Ren/Master isn't..." x2
Just as the siblings instinctively opened their arms, trying to stop their grandfather and the other hunters:
Clang!
With a long sword drawn, the sea ninja appeared before them.

"Step back,"

He held his long sword horizontally, blocking the siblings.

"Sister Hai Ren, no—"

"Come out."

Ignoring the anxious girl behind him, Hai Ren's gaze fell on the center of these 'hunters'.

"A sorcerer who manipulates humans."

? ?
"Hehehe~~"

With a hoarse chuckle, the hunters parted to reveal a floating figure.

The man was dressed in a simple, wide hunting robe, wearing a tall, imposing black crown, with a jade pendant at his waist and wooden clogs on his feet; a white cloth hanging down in front of his tall hat covered his face, and the black character '叁' on the white cloth was unusually eye-catching.

"Looks like I'm lucky; I was the first to find 'Sea Ninja's' whereabouts."

"This is."

"Master, be careful! It's an extraordinary being!"

Although the two siblings are still in elementary school, the situation on the field is not difficult to understand:

The usually kind grandfather, along with the uncles and elders around him, all had their faces contorted and trembling. Their eyes seemed to hold a thousand words, yet they couldn't utter a single one.

Based on what Master Hai Ren just said, there is no doubt that the other party is a 'wicked sorcerer' who can control people!
"It is you,"

Hai Ren's gaze swept over the character 'three' on the other person's face, and he spoke calmly.

"What are you doing here, Blood Hakama?"

The mysterious man, whom the sea ninja called 'Blood Hakama,' chuckled.
"I've heard that the 'Sea Kingdom' cannot tolerate you,"

"Come help me, Hai Ren."

A mysterious figure with flowing sleeves floated in mid-air. He appeared to be dressed as an ancient Onmyoji. Facing the Sea Ninja who had once demonstrated the power to slash hundreds of meters with a single stroke, he showed no fear whatsoever.

"Serving my master is not an insult to you."

"Sister Hai Ren, don't agree to him!"

Seeing that his grandfather and familiar villagers were being controlled, the mysterious man appeared to be the 'mastermind' behind the scenes;

Hai Ren remained silent; in her anxiety, Isoya Dai suddenly rushed out and made a ruthless move:
Form a hand seal with your ten fingers and point it at the other person:
"Certainly!"

Illusion Technique: Golden Binding Technique

The next moment, Isoya Dai felt her whole body stiffen and she couldn't move!
"Hehehe~~ Human brat."

The mysterious figure with the number 'Three' written on the white cloth in front of his face laughed in a hoarse voice.

"With your pathetic Yin-Yang techniques, you can't even get into the Yin-Yang Bureau, yet you dare to show off in front of me?"

After speaking, the mysterious man's gaze swept over his sister, who was under the spell of 'Illusion: Golden Binding Technique', and his younger brother, who was trembling on the other side.

"Hai Ren, these two human brats, could they be your disciples?"

"If it weren't for the fluctuations from this brat practicing Yin-Yang techniques, I wouldn't have found this place at all~~"

what? !

So that's how it was! That figure from last night!

Unable to move, Igoya Dai realized that it was all because of her that Hai Ren's whereabouts had been exposed.

Damn it, damn it, damn it all!!!

Deeply frustrated, Igotani Dai couldn't utter a single word.

"I promise you,"

Sheathing his extra-long nodachi, Kainin calmly stepped forward.

"I pledge my allegiance to that lord."

? !
"No, Master!"

The younger brother, trembling with fear, instinctively took a step forward and grabbed Hai Ren's sleeve.

"This guy doesn't look like a good person at all—"

Snapped,
Raised palm,
It landed on the younger brother's head;

The other hand landed on the head of the sister who was standing still.

"The destiny of the Shadow Ninja Clan is to fight."

The hand seals of the Yin-Yang Technique, as well as the knowledge of the flow of spiritual energy, flowed into the minds of the siblings.

"I should go,"

As his hand left the siblings' heads, Hai Ren walked up to San—no, he should be called 'Blood Hakama'—and spoke calmly.

"Let's go, Bloodhakama-sama."

"Hehehe~~ Good, very good."

"With your help, the process of the adult's resurrection can be accelerated considerably."

The man in the wide robe and tall hat, dressed in blood-red trousers, waved his sleeve, and the two figures disappeared into the rising smoke.

"Sister Hai Ren!!!"

Amidst her desperate cries, Isoya Dai suddenly stumbled and fell to the ground.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!!"

The girl knelt on the ground, her teeth grinding together.

It's all my fault. I shouldn't have practiced Yin-Yang magic at home.

Bang!
His forehead slammed heavily against the ground, and tears streamed down his face.

It's all my fault. I promised to 'be my own king,' but I let you down again.
Bang!
His forehead slammed hard against the ground again, but the pain from the flesh was nothing compared to the regret in his heart.

"Sister Hai Ren, Master! Master!"

"Waaaaah, I haven't even called you Master yet!!"

"Can I move now?"

"—Call the police! Call the police now!"

"Was that... Hai Ren? And another supernatural being controlling us?"

Just as the girl was kneeling on the ground, blaming herself in anguish, a commotion arose around her.

The hunter villagers who had been controlled were all freed, and:

"Dai!"

The silver-haired old man dropped his hunting rifle, rushed over and hugged his granddaughter who was kowtowing repeatedly, and tenderly covered her bleeding forehead.

"It's not your fault, it's not your fault!"

"Waaaaah, sister~~"

On the other side, the younger brother, also in tears, rushed up and grabbed his sister.

"That extraordinary Blood-Clad guy took Master away."

"Damn it, damn it, damn it all!!"

Holding her back tightly by her grandfather and younger brother, the girl, her face covered in blood, clenched her teeth.

"I will take my master back! I swear—"

"Sister, let me help you!"

(End of this chapter)