I planted a sacred tree in Tokyo.

Chapter 296 Oda Nobuna's Ambition

"The black fog has dissipated!"

"Hurry! Hurry! Medical team—"

"Keep up, keep up, search and rescue team in position!"

As the black fog dissipated, a large number of helicopters and drones flew toward Nagoya's western district, which had been reduced to ruins.

As soon as the medical personnel in protective suits landed, they rushed to the crowd and began treating the wounded; many others landed in the ruins to try to find survivors.

This battle was incredibly devastating. Among the samurai, both Takeo Koga and Hanzo Hattori were killed in action, and the entire Koga ninja force was wiped out. Among the Onmyoji forces, the Keikain family lost over a dozen members, with their leader, Ryuji, wearing a sour expression. The government's Supernatural Countermeasures Division and army were even more formidable, with only a handful surviving.
Even the people of the underworld lost a 'proper corpse'.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry"

Faced with Kobato's repeated apologies, Jun Kishida, the commander of this operation, shook his head.

"It's not your fault,"

"I must say, as expected of Oda Nobunaga."

He feigned weakness, laid an ambush, and secretly plotted. If it weren't for Tenma's arrival and his discovery of his true identity, even Kishida Jun wouldn't dare say he could have dodged the attack. If he, as the leader, had fallen, he might have truly been wiped out by 'Oda Nobunaga'.

"Miss Tianma, thank you."

Thinking of this, Jun Kishida turned to thank Nozomi Tenma, who was rolling her eyes at him.

"You're welcome,"

"Thanks to you all, I couldn't have beaten Oda Nobunaga."

Pegasus hopes not to take credit. While her "Eye of God" is indeed miraculous and her improvement is steady with almost no weaknesses, there is no possibility of her "exploding power." Facing Oda Nobunaga, who is a strong figure among demon-level beings, she would be lucky to survive; the main force would still be the few from the underworld.

If you lose, the people of the underworld can go directly back to the Yellow Springs.

And the living, do they also go to the underworld to meet?

Forget it!
"Now that things are settled here, I'll go report to my superiors."

As the head of 'Oda Nobunaga' in his hand began to dissipate, Kishida Jun prepared to leave.

First, I'll return to the Underworld to report to my master, and then I'll return to reality to help Ryoko look at houses. As for the great battle between the Sea Kingdom and the Nine-Tailed Fox in the southern seas...
Just watch the video explanation when the time comes!

We have just experienced a great battle, although humanity was the ultimate victor;

However, everyone was injured and their spiritual energy was almost completely depleted. Those who needed to rest were resting, and those who needed to go home went home.

"Okay, then I'll—"

Tianma hoped he wouldn't leave, but instead glanced around.

"Medical team!"

"There are two people buried five meters below these ruins."

Her 'God's Eye' can see spiritual energy, which she uses to search for missing persons on the battlefield. It's like having a full-map perspective cheat. It was precisely because of the 'God's Eye' that she was able to see through 'Oda Nobunaga's' disguise at a glance.

"I'll help—"

Yagyu Onoda drew the long sword from his waist.

brush,

With a slash of his blade, an invisible wind emanated from it, like nimble fingers; with a swift cut and a toss, he carved a circular hole in the ruins that Pegasus had hoped to reach.

Beneath the hollow, a superhuman was revealed, buried in the sand and gravel.

"They're from the fifth section."

With a flick of his longsword, a gentle breeze seemed to lift the heavily wounded and unconscious special police officer from below.

Medical personnel in white protective suits rushed over immediately, placed the injured person on a stretcher, and carried them away for treatment.

As long as they don't die on the spot, modern technology can keep them alive. And the shrine maidens of the Inari Shrine have arrived. With their extraordinary healing abilities, most of them can be saved.

As for things that even extraordinary healing abilities are powerless to do, for example:
"Mr. Takagi, could you please tell us where your arm is located? We'd like to see if we can retrieve it."

While the Inari Shrine's healing abilities are indeed remarkable, it cannot regenerate severed limbs; if a severed arm is found, it might be salvageable, otherwise:

He could only be a handless samurai.

"No need,"

Faced with the search and rescue team's respectful inquiries,

Takagi Mitsukazu, with only one robotic arm remaining, shook his head slightly.
"That arm is nowhere to be found; it was probably blown away somewhere by the shockwave."

Some disheartened samurai walked toward a group of ninjas carrying corpses, causing the ninjas' expressions to change.

"Mr. Takagi,"

The Hattori family's 'Chunin' wanted to say something, but in the end, he only bowed deeply.

"The patriarch is dead. Please, Your Excellency, show mercy."

"please!"

The feud between Takagi Mitsuhiro and the Hattori family was no secret in the supernatural world, let alone among these Hattori family ninjas.
Now that Hanzo is dead and the Hattori family is severely weakened, they are no match for Takagi Mikazu.

"The person is gone, and hatred is just a passing cloud."

Looking at Hattori Hanzo lying on the stretcher, his head separated from his body, Takagawa Sanwa sighed.

"If your family ever has any trouble in the future, you can come to me."

? !
thud,

"Mr. Takagi is a man of unparalleled loyalty!"

The leader of the Chunin was stunned for a moment, then knelt down on one knee.

"My entire Hattori family,"

The other Hattori clan ninjas also knelt on one knee:

In island nations, not kicking someone when they're down is already considered magnanimous; if the other party is willing to lend a helping hand later, they are truly chivalrous.

"Grateful."

"Go ahead,"

Takagi Mikazu waved his robotic arm and sighed again.

Unexpectedly, the feud between the three families ended in this way?
Fortunately, neither the old man Tokugawa nor the girls from the Honke family came, otherwise the outcome would have been dire.

"The life of a samurai is like a brilliant summer flower, never fading or withering, its allure as fiery as a bewitching flame."

Death is like a serene autumn leaf falling, neither flamboyant nor chaotic, its form as fleeting as smoke.

After saying that, Takagi Mikazuya strode away from the battlefield.

“Take the other people’s remains,”

On the other side, Ryuji Kakeruin, his face dark, waved his hand, and a shikigami carried away the corpse of the clan's onmyoji. The Kakeruin clan was well prepared this time and confident that they could escape unscathed even if they encountered a tiger-level enemy. However, the big boss, Oda Nobunaga, personally launched a sneak attack, resulting in a large number of casualties in an instant.

It's not just a lack of martial ethics, it's a complete shamelessness!

"Let's go home!"

Such a huge loss on the first trip leading a team.

Although he always has a smile on his face, as Yura's older brother, Ryuji is actually a proud and arrogant person.

Even if his father, sister, and Yu-kun don't blame him, he himself won't let it go easily.

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.

Flowers bloom in the courtyard.

"We're back,"

A group of Onmyoji, whose faces were either cold and hard, sorrowful and sad, or exhausted, were stunned as soon as they entered the door.

"Haha~~"

"I've been waiting for you for ages,"

"Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?"

???

In the courtyard of the Hanakain family, there were more than a dozen Onmyoji, some sitting and some standing!

It seemed they had been chatting, drinking, and playing chess. As the returning visitors stared in disbelief, they all waved and laughed.

"Don't block the doorway, bring our 'remains' in."

"you."

Ryuji Kasakain was the first to regain his senses. These seemingly lifelike family members before him were not physical entities, but rather—

Spirit!

“Lord Ryuji,” a composed Onmyoji spirit stepped forward, bowing and explaining:
"Lord Yu used Yin-Yang magic to return our souls to our clan. After that, he left the matter to Lord Yura."

Ok?
Can you do this?

Ryuji Hanakain raised his hand and rubbed his temples.
Thinking about it carefully, Yu-kun can simulate gods with a stroke of his brush, fight against Heianbe Seimei, and even project the divine form of 'Izanami' in the end. So, retrieving the soul of the Onmyoji of the family is just a piece of cake.

"So, little sister—"

"How will You-kun 'deal' with the family members who died in this battle?"

After crossing the courtyard and entering the room, Ryuji immediately asked Yura about her.

"The master said there are three paths."

The girl, who usually seems a bit absent-minded, held up one finger.

"First, go to work in the underworld, 'Fengdu'."

“Master has already given instructions that if the souls of our family members are to go to the Yellow Springs, the Underworld will send a special ‘White Child’ to guide them.”

There's no need to wander in the desolate wilderness of the underworld, nor will there be any issues with a damaged spirit. There's not even a need for assessment; one can directly join the 'Six Departments' of the underworld and become a 'civil servant' under its command.

Since the 'financial bubble' of the last century, island nations have also been very enthusiastic about 'taking civil service exams'.

After all, it's a secure job.
Who doesn't love it?
"Secondly, as a 'shikigami' to support family members."

Most of the shikigami in Onmyoji are monsters, ghosts, and evil spirits. The souls of ancestors and relatives can also be considered shikigami: they are essentially a kind of evil spirit.

Moreover, unlike wild shikigami that are easily out of control and require 'spiritual power' to control, the spirits of one's own people are bound to cooperate seamlessly.

After saying that, Yulu raised her third finger.

"Thirdly, the corpse is refined into a 'human puppet' so that the spirit can re-possess it."

"Master has contacted a puppeteer named 'Monzaemon' and asked him to create a 'human puppet'; however, this method has some drawbacks."

This technology will definitely result in the loss of some of the five senses. At the same time, since the soul stays in the 'human puppet' for many years, the impact on personality must be considered: this technology is Scorpion's signature, a cold human puppet, which can certainly not be compared with flesh and blood.

and so--

"Which path to choose is up to the family members themselves."

"Understood,"

Long Er nodded.

"I'm responsible for collecting their wishes."

People from other factions, once they die, they are dead. How much memory they retain in the underworld, and whether they can obtain a position in the netherworld, all depend on their fate.

But the Kasakain family is different. Whether they go to work in the underworld, stay with their loved ones, or are 'resurrected' as puppets, they have many choices, all depending on their personal wishes.

If other forces heard this, they would probably burst into tears on the spot.

Everyone here is extraordinary, so why are you the only ones who are exceptional?
I just wish I could cling to someone powerful!
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.

"Phew, it's finally over."

The great battle came to an end, and everyone went home to their own families.

The 'Guardian Spirit Squad', which was almost completely destroyed, was reduced to only a few members. After undergoing a series of examinations and comforting treatments, Higashi Takami finally returned to her residence in Tokyo.

"Oh dear, this is a huge loss."

"Who says it's not?"

Upon entering the house, each person and their spirit were filled with countless emotions.

"We were originally going to deal with the grunts, but who knew we'd be ambushed and run into the final boss!"

The mighty 'Oda Nobunaga' disguised himself as a member of a small group, swaggering among the ranks with two others (?); finally, he launched a sudden attack, causing numerous casualties.
Although the Extraordinary Countermeasures Department repeatedly reassured her that it wasn't Higashi Takami and Izuki's fault, Izuki was still indignant about being tricked and the fear that followed her realization!
"Hmph, it's all that damned Oda Nobunaga's fault!"

"If I were to run into him again—"

"What would you do if you met her again?"

? !
As soon as they entered the living room, the person and the spirit froze. A young girl was leaning against the sofa in their living room.

The girl was dressed in the traditional samurai attire of an island nation, but one sleeve was torn open and hung down to her waist, turning the perfectly good clothes into a 'kasaya' shape, revealing the ominous blackness underneath; her long hair was casually tied into a ponytail, a gourd and a samurai sword hung at her waist, and she was watching TV with a remote control in her hand.

this--

"Hey, you guys look like you've seen a ghost, that's really rude!"

The girl turned her head impatiently and glanced at the two of them, but neither Higashi Takami nor Itsuki responded to her at all.

"Hyomi, that voice..."

Floating behind Higashi Takami, even the usually carefree Izuki's voice trembled.

"Yes, it's her!"

"No, it's him—"

Higashi Hsiao-mei, on the other hand, was relatively calm, because with her strength, she couldn't affect anything at all, so her calm and composed attitude was similar to that of someone who was lying down.

"Oda Nobunaga!!"

How could they possibly forget that voice?

The girl on the sofa in front of them was none other than Oda Nobunaga, whom they had just defeated!

That's a ghost.
"stop,"

Just as the human and spirit were about to turn and run away, the girl, who was leaning back on the sofa with a 'boss' posture, spoke first.

"Don't even think about notifying others; my core is inside this girl's body."

"With just one thought, bang~~"

That would blow Dong Xiaomei into a bloody firework!
"What on earth do you want to do?"

Controlling Higashi Takami's body, Izuki assumed a defensive stance.

"If you want to continue killing, this is the outskirts of Tokyo's 'Shinju Ward,' you..."

"Don't make a fuss,"

"Come here, come sit down."

He beckoned the human and spirit to sit on the sofa, and Oda Nobunaga, acting like the 'host,' started watching TV and speaking.

"I neither need to nor will I kill anyone—unless someone offends me."

"Ha, what's so special about Nagoya's West Ward?"

Circumstances dictate that Yi Yue had no choice but to sit down obediently, but that didn't mean she would admit defeat verbally.

"That was merely the command of the 'gods,' the destiny of 'Oda Nobunaga.'"

The unruly-looking girl tossed aside the remote control, looked at Higashi Takami and Izuki, her face full of seriousness:

Personally, I don't like senseless killing.

???

"What the hell is this."

Raise your hand,

Interrupting Izumi's question, the girl made a domineering announcement.

“Oda Nobunaga must build a ghost castle and kill the invaders.”

And finally, they must die at the hands of 'righteous people'!
"But none of that matters anymore, because 'Oda Nobunaga' is dead: remember, his name is 'Oda Nobuna,' don't get it wrong, otherwise—"

That's offensive!

"As for now, this is my temporary palace."

Do you have any objections?

Shake head, X2
What opinions could there be? Might makes right. Huh?!

"Wait, your spiritual energy level is incorrect."

Suddenly standing up, Izuki realized something important: this 'Oda Nobunaga's' strength had shrunk; he was now only a 'mere' Tiger-level.

"Hmph, you almost fooled me~~"

"Oda Nobunaga, just surrender obediently!"

Faced with Izuki, whose wrists were ripping ropes, the girl on the sofa stood up.

"Considering this is your first offense, I'll say it again: It's Oda Nobuna!"

Next second,
The girl suddenly drew her long sword from her waist.

(End of this chapter)