I planted a sacred tree in Tokyo.

Chapter 146 'Family'

Hanshin Koshien Baseball Stadium

A famous baseball stadium located in Koshien-cho, Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.

Completed and put into use in 1924, the year in which the Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch happened to be 'Jia' and 'Zi', was a very rare year, hence the name 'Jiazi Garden'.

Perhaps other countries don't know this, but the most popular sport in island nations is baseball: without a doubt!

A famous baseball player can easily earn over 100 million a year.

The reason why there seem to be not many anime with baseball as the theme is because there is no need for promotion.

Entering 'Koshien' is the ultimate dream for almost all high school students majoring in sports in island nations: the baseball club is the most well-funded and most competitive club in every school.

Football and tennis have to take a backseat; as for other sports, they're even less relevant.

The famous Koshien Stadium is located right next to Osaka City.

It is right next to this flower area.

"Alarm! Warning!"

"A supernatural disaster is approaching the city!"

"Please evacuate in an orderly manner."

The baseball game in progress was abruptly interrupted by an announcement. Both the cheering spectators and the sweating teams stopped, and amidst the rising and falling commands, they surged towards the exit.

Island nations are prone to natural disasters, and evacuation drills are deeply ingrained in their culture.

Although there is now an additional 'supernatural disaster', for ordinary people, it is no different from before.

Just treat it like a storm, earthquake, or volcano. Avoid it; if you really can't avoid it, then you can only leave it to fate.

Many people couldn't help but wonder why there were different levels for reporting 'supernatural disasters'.

Why is this so vague, not even mentioning the levels?

That's of course because——

Their exact strength is unknown.

"Captain, have the people from Tokyo's Extraordinary Science Department arrived yet?"

In an armed helicopter heading this way, a tense young special police officer had already questioned them for what seemed like the umpteenth time.

"It will come."

The captain gave the same answer as always, but everyone knew:

Come on!
A few days ago, all the people in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department were sent to the ICU by the great demon 'Ibaraki'.

Even setting aside the 'millennial feud' between Kansai and Kanto, the other side wouldn't be able to send any manpower even if they wanted to provide support.

"And what about General Kafka?"

"They are on their way from Tokyo."

After all, Tokyo is the heart of the island nation, and the newly appointed 'military commander' always has to make an appearance at the Prime Minister's official residence in Chiyoda to report for duty.

Who would have thought that during this lull, an extraordinary outburst would occur, and it would be the renowned 'Paper Dance' at that!
That wasn't some clueless monster waiting to be defeated; rather, it was an extraordinary being who knew everything about humanity, appeared and disappeared without a trace, and knew how to prepare various 'magical artifacts' to enhance itself.

In this situation, they are nothing more than 'weak dogs' level artificial superhumans; going there would only be...
They're risking their lives to buy time!

"Gentlemen, I won't waste any more words."

Inside the helicopter cabin, the captain, wearing an exoskeleton suit, looked around.

“When extraordinary disasters occur, someone has to step up; I will lead the charge! If I die, please take care of my family.”

"If anyone unfortunately perishes, I swear to Amaterasu Omikami that I will take good care of your families!"

The resounding words dispelled the tense and uneasy atmosphere in the airport.

In the past, so-called 'oaths' were just that.

But now that an extraordinary being has descended and sworn an oath in the name of the island nation's 'chief god,' it's hard to say what will happen if one breaks the oath.

According to legend, Amaterasu is the lord of Takamagahara and the source of the royal bloodline of the island nation.

"Captain, I believe in you!"

The young, extraordinary SWAT officer gritted his teeth.
"To serve the country with our lives, let us do this today!"

"Don't be too nervous, maybe we won't even need to fight."

The captain offered words of comfort that even he himself didn't believe, while inwardly he felt an increasing contempt for those higher-ups.

All they know how to do every day is calculate gains and losses. They don't even have a shred of courage or responsibility, yet they expect others to risk their lives for them?
These spineless old bastards will be dealt with one day.
However, what they are currently facing is:

The famous 'Paper Dance'
And Eileen Takahashi!

And her cat.

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.

"Is this the 'stray animal processing center'?"

Riding on the gigantic kitten 'Mitsuko', Takahashi Eileen landed on the top of a building and looked around.

"So, there are a lot of cats, right?"

The paper dance floated down, and as her true strength grew, she was able to observe the existence of souls: especially the building beneath her feet, which was filled with the souls of many cats, dogs, rats, snakes, lizards, and birds.

Osaka City alone has a population of over 270 million, and when you include the surrounding metropolitan area, the number reaches tens of millions.

There are also a large number of pets, as well as cats and dogs abandoned by their owners.

However, it's rare to see stray cats and dogs in the city because there used to be too many stray dogs that would often tear up garbage, even giving rise to urban legends like "dogs with human faces." The island nation's government has established special agencies to capture stray animals.

Upon receiving the report, we immediately took action.

If the owner does not claim it within seven days, then:

"It will be disposed of right here~~"

Euthanasia via injection.

As for whether these cats and dogs are 'peaceful' or 'unpeaceful,' that's not a question for humans to consider.

"Come on, let me see your potential~~"

Under the watchful gaze of the smiling 'Paper Dance', the little girl's eyes swept across the empty rooftop.

In her eyes, the souls of 'cats' floated over, clearly attracted by 'photons': a small portion still retained their basic form, while the others were reduced to cat heads or simply faint specks of light.

"Just like 'resurrecting' photons, we're building new bodies for them."

The little girl reached out and landed on a bewildered cat spirit.

The next moment, invisible lines began to outline a framework out of thin air, then filled in with color, then covered with fur, and finally...
"Meow?"

With a flick of his eyeballs
The calico cat rolled around on the spot a few times.

It seems they don't understand why they're feeling it again.

But the next second, it gave up thinking and started circling around the inexplicably 'friendly' little girl.

After all, it's just a cat. It can neither understand its own death nor why it suddenly 'came back to life.' It should just be a cat.

Not bad.

Witnessing all of this, 'Paper Dance' nodded secretly.
The little girl has an exceptional talent for 'yin-style creation', and the cat she creates is incredibly lifelike.

After absorbing the souls of these cats into creation, an ultimate knock-off poor man's version of 'Edo Tensei' is thus created.

Of course, the chakra is provided by a little girl, and it must be the soul of a kitten that has not been dead for long; there are many restrictions, the power is average, and it is very useless for normal ninjas.

but--

This is a 'resurrection'!
While Takahashi Eileen kept 'reviving' the cats
A dozen people rushed out of the building below, wishing they had more legs!
They are government employees and don't want to be mistaken for the 'cat killer' by the supernatural beings on the roof.

She glanced briefly at the drone in the distance, then covered the lower half of her face with her folding fan, and watched all this with a smile.

The island nation's government must be kicking itself now.

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.

"This is."

"Those cats are being 'resurrected'?!"

The important figures in Osaka and Tokyo who were closely monitoring Takahashi Eileen's whereabouts through the drone's camera instinctively stood up in alarm.

By the grace of the great goddess Miketsu, how can a mere stray cat enjoy such treatment?
It's so enviable!
"Cough cough,"

In the command center of Gojo City, the shrine priest of Yushima Tenmangu Shrine coughed.

“I think that ‘Neko-mata’s’ ability is limited: it can only revive its own kind.”

In their view, it was all thanks to 'Nekomata' Mitsuko: the dead 'Nekomata' had returned from the underworld, carrying her owner to this 'stray animal disposal center' near Koshien Stadium to gather her kind and prepare to establish a cat kingdom or something.
"Um,"

Director Zhu Ya nodded.

He hadn't forgotten that the Ghost Messenger Bai, representing the 'underworld,' still existed in this world.

Reviving a few kittens is one thing, but if it comes to reviving people, even if I, the mighty Underworld, can't defeat Tamamo-no-Mae, I certainly can't defeat you!

What kind of Tom, Dick, or Harry dares to steal souls from our 'Underworld'? "A very powerful ability, what a pity."

Witnessing all this, Director Zhu Ya sighed.

Although he is the nominal 'director' of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, it is well known that the Kanto and Kansai regions have been at odds since ancient times. His base is in Tokyo, and he is completely clueless about affairs in Osaka, let alone getting involved in them.

Oh well, this has nothing to do with him anyway.

It remains to be seen how Osaka will handle this.

Da da da da,

Just as Takahashi Eileen was constantly 'reviving' the cats, helicopters flew over one after another.

They dared not approach, but remained on guard from a distance: inside the open cabin, there were even quite a few special police officers carrying flamethrowers.

The targets are paper dances, water, and fire—two things that can be countered by fire. Of course, they were prepared to come; otherwise, would they have charged in with useless weapons? These extraordinary special police officers would be the first to object!
They are not afraid of fighting; but who would be willing to die?
"Interesting, but—"

Paper Dance gracefully retreated, seemingly unprepared to make a move.

Considering the nature of 'Paper Dance', this was somewhat expected by the government. Therefore:
"I'm so sorry, Ms. Takahashi Eileen!"

A helicopter pulled up, and through the open cabin door, the head of the Osaka Metropolitan Police Department was there in person.

"Because of my negligence, you almost met with an accident."

His voice, amplified, traveled clearly to the rooftop.

"On behalf of the Osaka government, I beg your forgiveness: Red Bean Paste Private Marseille!"

After speaking, he bowed at a perfect 90-degree angle.

"It's Uncle from headquarters~~"

Surrounded by a group of kittens, the little girl looked up at the Metropolitan Police Department Chief of Staff, who was bowing down in the helicopter.

"You didn't do anything to me, so why should I apologize?"

"Or is it that, Uncle, you actually know everything?"

? !
Hearing these words that pierce the heart,

Cold sweat trickled down the minister's face, finally gathering on the tip of his nose.

Damn it, kids these days are so hard to fool.
"Ailing, your father has come too."

Since an apology was ineffective, the Osaka headquarters manager immediately played his second card:
"Ah, Ai Ling, it's Daddy."

As the police chief stepped aside...

A middle-aged man appeared at the airport entrance.

He was wearing a poorly tailored suit, and his puffy face showed a hint of embarrassment.

After being subjected to punches, kicks, ice water, and even sedatives by the Osaka Metropolitan Police Department, the middle-aged man finally 'woke up' and awkwardly waved his hand.

"Let's go home, just like before."

"do not want!"

Faced with the middle-aged man's outstretched hand,
Standing on the rooftop, surrounded by a group of cats, the girl refused without hesitation.

"You're not my father,"

“Ailing’s father works hard, never drinks at home, and is the most reliable person in the world. You’re not!”

? !
The middle-aged man's face stiffened.
He had just calmed down when his daughter 'expelled' him from his father's household?

"I did it all for..."

For what?
The middle-aged man was speechless for a moment.
Even without extraordinary abilities, they still have mansions and trading companies: in any case, they are a hundred times better off than ordinary families!
However, he couldn't bear to give up his former glory and the status that came with his extraordinary abilities, so he pressured his daughter...
"sorry,"

All those words, in the end, amounted to just three pale characters.

What a useless person! He can't even control his own daughter!
The police chief standing next to him glared at the middle-aged man with resentment. If it weren't for this guy, none of this trouble would have happened.

He subtly made a gesture, indicating that since Plan A (persuasion to surrender) was not working, it was time to implement Plan B.

boom!
Just as the helicopter was drawing attention, a gunshot rang out.

The tranquilizer dart, which was fired with a whoosh, was aimed at the little girl's shoulder!

If we just make her faint, then—

Snapped,
The tranquilizer dart was stopped by a hand, a golden-glowing clenched fist.

click,

With fingers spread open, only fragments and anesthetic dripping down remained.

"No one can hurt my daughter!"

A man in an old suit with a serious face appeared beside Takahashi Eileen and took the bullet for her.

???

Not to mention the sniper who fired the shot, everyone who witnessed it was instantly stunned.

Because it was the one who raised their hand to block the bullet that was:
"Mr. Takahashi?"

The Osaka police chief subconsciously turned to look at the middle-aged man beside him, almost wondering if he was hallucinating.

"No, it wasn't me. That person wasn't me!"

"dad,"

On the rooftop, upon hearing Takahashi Eileen's voice, the middle-aged man in the old suit affectionately ruffled her hair.

“Stand behind me, Ai Ling.”

"Hmm~"

The little girl happily agreed, and at the same time:
"Mom will protect you too."

A middle-aged woman appeared out of nowhere behind the little girl and gently hugged her.

Immediately afterwards, a triangular ray of light appeared, enveloping them.

"Huh huh huh~~"

"Anyone who dares to bully Ai Ling, I'll beat them all to a pulp!"

Another childish voice rang out, and a little boy with his hair neatly combed and dressed in a formal suit appeared among the cats on the roof.

"The direction I'm standing in is where the strong winds blow!"

As soon as the little boy made his dramatic pronouncement, a gust of wind howled out, accompanied by invisible wind blades.

? ? ? ?
"Execute Plan C!"

"The opponent possesses extraordinary abilities such as 'hardening,' 'triangular defensive barrier,' and 'wind blade.'"

Those who knew the inside story were petrified on the spot, but the special police officers who were unaware of the details began to carry out Plan C: a full-scale assault while piloting the helicopter backward!
However, these abilities of the other party seem strangely familiar?

Just like those extraordinary individuals in Osaka.
"This is impossible?!"

In the command center of Gojo City, Director Takeya once again rushed to the command console.

It's no wonder he lost his composure, because he witnessed the Takahashi couple, along with the Hayakawa family's grandson, appear beside Takahashi Eileen as if they had vanished into thin air, and they even possessed extraordinary abilities!

"Yihua, am I hallucinating?"

"No, I saw it too."

Beside him, Iori Kazuka muttered to herself with a 'Are you kidding me?' look on her face.

"Perhaps we are all hallucinating."

"Solve!" x2
The Isogai siblings, who had just returned, were also watching from the command center.

As they formed hand seals and frowned, the older sister, Isoya Dai, spoke with great certainty.

"It's not an illusion,"

"We can break the illusion."

Seeing that these two extraordinary inheritors were so certain, a crazy guess emerged in the mind of Director Zhu Ya, whose face was twitching.

No way, it can't be real.
"I know, I know, I know!!"

The shrine priest of Yushima Tenmangu Shrine next to them started shouting hysterically.
"We were all wrong!"

"The one with extraordinary powers is not the 'Nekomata,' but the little girl!"

It's the ability to 'make your wishes come true'!

"That little girl's ability was to make anything she wished for: her parents beside her, her playmates, and even the cat at her feet."

These are all things that appeared in her 'imagination'!

Only this possibility can explain the bizarre scene on the screen.

However, regardless of the skill level, what needs to be addressed on-site is:
"Kitties, charge!"

As Takahashi Eileen pointed, the cats beneath her feet leaped out, weaving through the buildings and charging towards the special police.

They all seem to possess the ability to play 'hide-and-seek'?!
(End of this chapter)