I planted a sacred tree in Tokyo.

Chapter 87 Kagura Dance

"Ok?"

By the time Typhoon Haiming swept across Yokosuka Base, the place was already deserted.

"To flee without a fight, what a cowardly act!"

Having been catalyzed to its extreme by Yu's 'typhoon escape', the typhoon, with wind speeds reaching Category 18, roared toward Yokosuka Port.

Yokosuka Port does not face Tokyo Bay; instead, it has a concave shape. It is precisely this natural deep-water harbor topography that has made it a naval base for both the United States and island nations. Under normal circumstances, it is virtually impossible for any storms to affect it.

However, this only applies to 'normal circumstances'.

As Typhoon 18 swept through the sea, waves surged one after another, advancing like city walls and mountains.

On the open sea, ships can use anti-roll fins and zigzag routes to avoid storms, but on the docks, they have no choice but to brave the waves! These naval ports were originally designed with strong resistance to wind and waves, but alas…

"Prepared with fish scales!"

As 'Kyujira' pointed his bone sword at the sea, the waves, under his command, surged into the harbor in layers, like fish scales.

boom------

Giant waves, reaching heights of thirty meters, crashed into the naval port, instantly submerging small warships; even large and medium-sized warships were enveloped in a cloud of white spray as the waves pounded against them.

Most importantly, these waves are not a single wave, but a continuous series!

When a typhoon is approaching, ships docked at the pier are required to leave the pier, and many ships choose to anchor in the anchorage near the pier.

Because the damage caused by typhoons to ships moored at the docks is even more terrifying: huge waves repeatedly crash against warships that cannot maneuver or dodge; anchors break one after another; large numbers of warships collide, squeeze, and are even pushed by the huge waves to crash heavily onto the dock.

Before the first giant wave had subsided, the second one followed in quick succession. Under the repeated impacts, even America's pride, its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, could only struggle desperately.

The aircraft on the deck had already fallen into the sea like dumplings being dropped into boiling water. Although they looked relatively intact on the outside, their interiors were already a mess from the shaking. With repeated seawater erosion, even if they were not destroyed on the spot, they would need major repairs afterward.

No, it's more likely to be scrapped directly.

The 300-meter-long steel behemoth swayed helplessly from side to side in the naval port.

Satellites and spies from countless countries are closely monitoring everything in Yokosuka, and you can imagine how shocking it is!

"The American Seventh Fleet has been defeated!"

"In the Yokosuka region, the lieutenant general is leading troops on a 'tactical transfer' and is moving towards the Yokota military base."

At the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, a high-ranking official from an archipelago nation listened to the report, his face showing a mixture of pleasure, worry, fear, and fervor.

Damn American beast!
Now you know the power of the 'divine wind' of my island nation!

While there is some self-deception involved, 'storms' have indeed helped the island nation a lot on several occasions: due to a lack of understanding of the dangers of this sea area, nomadic tribes, the northern bears, and the American fleet have all suffered heavy defeats under typhoons, allowing the island nation to reap considerable benefits.

but:

"Lord Kaiming is approaching Yokosuka,"

"If—I mean, if that gentleman destroyed Yokosuka and then continued north—"

The person who spoke did not continue, but everyone else understood what he meant.

Typhoon Haemeng continued northward, heading towards Yokohama, Kawasaki, and Ota Ward, where Tokyo International Airport is located.

Further north lies the 23 wards of Tokyo! And these are the three core areas: Minato Ward, Chuo Ward, and Chiyoda, which are located by the sea.

Yokosuka, a place filled with hotels, bars, and various entertainment facilities catering to American soldiers; it even has a miniature Statue of Liberty, known as "Little New York," and is the island nation's most pro-American place. So what if it's destroyed?

However, Yokohama, which is adjacent to Yokosuka, is the third largest city in the island nation, after Tokyo and Osaka.

If that area were to be hit by a Category 18 typhoon, the damage would be unimaginable!

Moreover, even Tokyo is not safe.

"Gentlemen, natural disasters are merciless; shouldn't we also consider..."

Has the tactical approach been changed?
Upon hearing this, the high-ranking officials present fell silent.

Not everyone was prepared to flee. A few officials with a sense of honor, or those who wanted to fight for their posthumous fame, were planning how to deliver a passionate speech if they stayed behind.

Fortunately, they will soon no longer have to worry about this, because:

"Director, Mrs. Nagisa is calling."

"Get in!"

Director Zhu Ya answered the phone and spoke in a gentle tone, seemingly without any sense of crisis about the approaching typhoon.

"Hello, Mrs. Nagisa."

Yes, thank you for your trouble.

"What? Ah, okay, we'll be right there!"

?

After hanging up the phone, Director Zhuya was instantly refreshed, and her previous anxiety, confusion, and despair vanished.

While others were still wondering and speculating, he had already spoken first.

"Mrs. Nagisa is calling,"

"His Highness the Divine Child is preparing a 'Kagura Dance' and has invited us to attend."

? !
"Great."

"Go together, go together!"

"It is our honor to be able to attend the ceremony."

The high-ranking officials present all breathed a sigh of relief, and many were beaming with joy, as if the typhoon ravaging the island nation had never existed.

Although 'Hai Ming' dominated America from the moment he appeared, displaying an invincible and domineering presence, he was ultimately just a teacher of demons and gods.

If it is that Inari god, surely he could suppress Him?
Kagura Dance

It is a form of song and dance art performed by island nations during festivals and folk customs to worship and honor gods.

Tracing its origins, it comes from the famous legend of Amaterasu's autism.

Amaterasu, angered by her troublesome younger brother Susanoo, retreated to the Amanto Rock to seclude herself. From then on, the island nation lost its sunlight, the earth fell into darkness, demons roamed freely, and disasters followed. After deliberation, the gods ordered Amaterasu-no-Mikoto to dance outside Amanto Rock, holding a bell.

The gods cheered and rejoiced, which puzzled the reclusive Amaterasu: "Even I, the chief god, am reclusive, so what are you all so happy about?!"
The woman outside the door, Tian Dian, replied: "A supremely noble deity has come here, and we are all overjoyed."

Amaterasu was even more puzzled. Could there be a god in the world more noble than herself?

So she quietly pushed open the door to Amato Rock, and what came into view was a goddess who was radiant with divine light and incomparably noble: the gods had created a mirror called 'Yata no Kagami' and hung it outside Amato Rock. The goddess that Amaterasu saw was herself!
While Amaterasu was wallowing in self-pity, the 'Amaterasu' who was lying in ambush nearby pulled Amaterasu out, and the other gods rushed forward and used 'Shimenawa' to block Amaterasu Rock.

This story can be considered the origin of Shintoism in Japan! The Yata no Kagami (Eight-Span Mirror) later became a symbol of the Japanese imperial family.

The Kagura bell and shimenawa, which can be seen everywhere in shrines, all originate from this myth.

Now that the extraordinary has returned, Suzuka Mountain's "patriarch" Kairai is wreaking havoc in Tokyo Bay. Who still dares to believe that this is just a legend?

Due to the impact of the typhoon, the entire city of Tokyo was shrouded in dark clouds, with strong winds and heavy rain raging ahead. The streets were deserted of pedestrians and vehicles, save for a long line of black bulletproof cars carrying high-ranking Japanese officials, heading towards the 'Inari Shrine' in Sugamo-cho, Toshima Ward.

"Is this alright, Yu-kun?"

After putting down the phone, Mrs. Nagisa turned her head and looked at a pitch-black crow on the desk.

"If that 'deity' doesn't respond, wouldn't Xiaoying be..."

Have I become a sinner?

"Don't worry, madam."

The crow spoke in human language, and it was You's voice.

"Lady Miketsu is a benevolent god, incomparably noble and compassionate. How could she possibly stand idly by and watch humanity perish in its time of crisis?"

Of course, even a benevolent god wouldn't come to save humanity after being 'offended' by them: come on, even gods have tempers.

"Therefore, it is only through a sincere 'plea' from a human that Lady Miketsu will 'reluctantly' take action."

"I see,"

Mrs. Nagisa nodded. As a Japanese person, she couldn't possibly be unaware of the story of Amaterasu.

If a deity, especially a 'female' deity, gets angry, she won't come out unless you appease her!

It sounds capricious, but it's certainly better than those goddesses who plunge the whole world into war just to see who is more beautiful, right?

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.

"Xiaoying, are you alright?"

At the mountaintop, in the same small shrine, Nagisa Ichiyo is helping her older sister, Tennō Eiryo, dress in her finest attire.

The white 'Chihaya' with rice stalk patterns is wide and elegant; the red 'Hihakama' is gathered at the waist and falls like a long skirt.

A golden crown adorns her head, gleaming brilliantly; on either side of the crown are verdant branches, upon which cherry blossoms bloom, swaying and exuding a delicate fragrance, seemingly oblivious to the concept of decay.

"Mom's suggestion."

If Inari doesn't respond, wouldn't Xiaoying become the target of criticism?
Jingle bell~~
Tennyo Eiryo smiled slightly as she picked up the 'Kagura Bell', which had long ribbons and consisted of three layers of bells.

"Don't worry, Little Leaf."

"Even if Mother hadn't brought it up, I would have asked Lady Miketsu for help."

This is, after all, their hometown. When natural disaster strikes, all that Tenjo Eirō, as a shrine's 'divine child,' can do and should do is pray to the gods.

"Furthermore, I also believe in Lady Miketsu; she is not the kind of god who would sit idly by and watch ordinary people suffer misfortune."

After saying that, the girl pushed open the door.

A torrential downpour began here, and the strong wind made the surrounding tree branches rustle.

A long line of people knelt on the approach to the shrine.

All the high-ranking officials of the island nation are here!

The Prime Minister, the Chief Cabinet Secretary, 18 other cabinet ministers, Director Takeya, and other high-ranking officials of the next rank. Outside the torii gate stood the island nation's extraordinary beings, who also stood respectfully with their heads bowed on the steps leading up the mountain: because crossing the torii gate meant entering the territory of the gods, they did not enter the shrine.

Since we are asking the gods for help, they can't just send a few small karami; if we anger the gods in doing so, then we'll really be left with nothing but tears.

If Inari were not an object of worship for the Japanese imperial family, the emperor would personally attend the ceremony to kowtow and pay homage.

Jingle bell~~
Holding a 'Kagura bell', Ei, dressed in full regalia, walked to the front of the main hall and began to dance the Kagura dance in the shrine.

Holding a bell in one hand and a colorful ribbon in the other, the girl moved with light steps and elegant posture, every movement filled with the unique 'emptiness, spirit, and tranquility' of the island nation. Her red-buttoned wooden clogs lightly touched the puddles, splashing out ripples; soon, the rain soaked Ying's formal attire.

However, Ying was also an 'extraordinary' being, so this little bit of trouble was nothing to her.

However, the old men kneeling on the stone path were all trembling and swaying precariously, gritting their teeth and persevering.

strong winds, torrential rain,

The young girl danced gracefully;

No one dared to make a sound, except for the Kagura Bell, which has three tiers and is also known as the 'Shichigosan-ryu', which emitted a clear and crisp sound.

Time passed second by second, and just as several elderly cabinet ministers were about to collapse, a sigh came from the main hall in front.

brush,

The next second, the gale and torrential rain vanished.

A huge, invisible, transparent barrier enveloped the entire shrine.

?

In this situation

This gave a boost to the spirits of the island nation's high-ranking officials who were kneeling on the approach to the pilgrimage route.

The Inari God has appeared!

Sure enough, the next moment, the main hall doors opened automatically, and a fox mask flew out from inside!

Before everyone's eyes, the mask defied the wind and rain, flying straight south, its destination clearly—

Yokosuka!
it is good!
If they weren't in a shrine dedicated to Inari, these high-ranking officials from the island nation would have jumped up and clapped in celebration.

Now that Inari has intervened, the crisis is over.

As for the Inari God being no match for him, that's absolutely impossible!

At least at this moment, no one would say that, and even thinking that would be blasphemous.

The mask that pierced the sky did not head directly towards Yokosuka, but instead fell from the sky after flying for a short while, landing above a cluster of buildings with lakes, rivers, forests, and hills.

Ueno Zoo!
Its official name is Tokyo Metropolitan Zoo.

"Meeting is fate, let me see which cutie is the most pleasing to the eye."

The mask descended towards the fox exhibit, finally settling on a white fox huddled under the artificial hill.

It's decided, it's you!
It's time to awaken, Inari God's 'messenger'.

(End of this chapter)