Chapter 29: There Is a Traitor Among Us

It was a pity that research into the severed arm had only just begun. The demonic toxicity was potent, and there was no clear direction yet.

The group was not disappointed; they were not decaying souls on the verge of entering an urn, and they could afford to wait.

"The research on the Karasu-Tengu's severed arm and the katana will be housed at the Metropolitan Police Department, under the guard of the department's elite," Commissioner Hakuba declared.

The Metropolitan Police Department possessed both the qualifications and the strength to do so. The zaibatsu conglomerates were powerful, but they were not a monolith, and as the head of this Japanese enforcement agency, he wielded immense influence. Keeping the items at the police headquarters was acceptable.

The others expressed their agreement one after another. With the powerful keeping one another in check, no single faction could swallow such a treasure alone. Even a major conglomerate would be attacked by all others if it dared to monopolize it. Placing it at the Metropolitan Police Department was the best choice.

"I intend to draw personnel from the elite of the Metropolitan Police to officially form a Supernatural Division. I hope for everyone's full support at that time," Commissioner Hakuba said with a smile.

The previous Supernatural Material Recovery Division had been merely a makeshift, experimental phase. The recent reappearance of the supernatural proved that such incidents would only become more frequent. This latest event, occurring in Bunkyo Ward, was a violent demonstration that only force could guarantee safety. Naturally, the support he requested was financial.

The zaibatsu were overflowing with wealth. Naturally, each family responded actively; this was a new ship of the era, and no one wanted to be left behind.

"As for America..."

As soon as these words were spoken, the lively atmosphere instantly turned cold. Commissioner Hakuba looked at these people with a profound gaze. He could guarantee the level of surveillance on the part of the police, but many of these conglomerates had close ties to America; he had to be on guard.

"Stick to the claim that there was only one severed arm. The katana can be discarded if necessary."

The group nodded. The scene had been chaotic, and as long as they unified their narrative, it would not be a problem. It was true that Japan was America's dog, but this was the supernatural; the stakes were high enough to unite them in a common front. Anyone who dared to betray the alliance would face the wrath of all the conglomerates!

Just then.

"Commissioner, General Lytal of America is here to visit."

***

"The severed arm and that blade will be safely delivered to a top laboratory in Yokosuka to be studied by our premier scientists. When the day of results comes, I will certainly not forget my dear allies."

General Lytal wore a triumphant smile, waving goodbye in an incredibly friendly manner to the group, whose faces were livid. Along with him, they took away precious supernatural materials.

Dammit!

Commissioner Hakuba’s face was ashen as he looked at the others and said in a low voice, "Everyone, the 'Purification Operation' should be put on the agenda as soon as possible."

Clearly, a high-level mole had infiltrated their ranks.

The group all responded in kind. Damn it, don't let us find out who did this!

***

Taito Ward.

Minazuki was naturally aware that the supernatural materials had been taken away by the Americans. This was all within his calculations.

"With how much America has infiltrated Japan, it wouldn't be a surprise if the Prime Minister were to 'shatter like a jewel' one of these days."

Minazuki was not at all surprised by this outcome. This was exactly what he had planned. How could the supernatural only manifest in a mere island nation? If that were the case, the collection of faith energy would be greatly diminished. One had to realize that out of billions of people worldwide, Japan only accounted for a little over one hundred million. To focus only on what was right in front of one's eyes would be pure idiocy.

Thanks to the Karasu-Tengu causing a ruckus in Bunkyo Ward, it had drawn a crowd of big figures to conduct a carpet search of the area, determined to find if any other supernatural elements remained. Sobu High was also closed for the day, and he was wandering around, looking for inspiration.

Ueno Park, Hanazono Inari Shrine.

This was a small shrine dedicated to Uka-no-Mitama-no-Kami, the Inari deity. The worship of the Inari deity was extremely prosperous in Japan, as it governed harvests. One could imagine how popular such a deity would be in a country as narrow as Japan.

His gaze lingered on the fox statues on both sides of the approach—the legendary messengers of the Inari deity—and Minazuki began to ponder.

A deity must make an appearance. It didn't have to be frequent, but it had to make people feel that divine power was as vast as the sea and as inescapable as a prison, while simultaneously possessing widely known characteristics.

Thus, the Inari deity entered his field of vision.

As for why it wasn't Amaterasu or Susanoo: in Japanese mythology, Susanoo was a willful and short-tempered problem child. He had begged for food from Ogetsu-hime, but because he suspected she had already eaten the food, he killed the food goddess with his sword simply based on that suspicion. There was also a legend that Tsukuyomi killed her.

Furthermore, there were various other capricious deeds that would make it difficult to manage the nascent spiritual revival if he were to appear. One couldn't exactly just arrange a pile of enemies for this God of Destruction to fight through for fun, could one? The intensity of such battles would be impossible to sustain in Japan; that was not how one harvested leeks.

As for the Goddess Amaterasu, she could only be worshipped by the Japanese Imperial family. High as her status was, bringing her out now would likely cause an instant upheaval, with various factions clamoring in protest. He was not interested in such precious items, and even if he were to weave a scene of Amaterasu’s arrival, it was not the time.

As for Tsukuyomi, that figure lacked presence and was excluded for now.

"Let the Tsuchigumo stay where it is for now; there has already been progress on the Spider-Cutter. As for the yokai that have already been born..."

Minazuki’s eyes narrowed slightly as he thought of a Japanese myth. When a powerful Demon King summoned a host of demons, rushing past with sky-filling demonic energy, its momentum was enough to make even ordinary deities fear to approach.

The Night Parade of One Hundred Demons!

Coincidentally, he had the Great Demon, and the host of demons was currently gathering throughout Japan.

The Night Parade of One Hundred Demons was inevitable!

Suddenly, he paused, his eyes catching sight of several identical beautiful girls in the distance, and two other figures further away.

The Nakano quintuplets.

***

Kudo Shinichi and Mouri Ran.

"Miku, why did you suddenly think of coming to worship at a shrine?" Ichika asked curiously.

"I was just passing by, and besides, there are exams coming up soon."

Yotsuba raised her hand: "Shouldn't you pray to Sugawara no Michizane for exams?" She knew that one!

"That’s why I said I was just passing by."

"Fine, we're just out for fun anyway. It would be a waste not to go out on a free vacation. By the way, did you send that sword you found to the police station?" Nino asked.

"I, I sent it," Miku replied, feeling a bit guilty.

Hmm—very suspicious.

The two sisters looked at Miku with skeptical eyes. No matter how one looked at it, it was suspicious. As for why there were two...

Yotsuba was excitedly climbing the steps, while Itsuki was eating a meat bun.

But in reality...

'Tell me, are you really Minamoto no Yorimitsu, that famous general from the Heian period?'

Another gentle female voice resonated in her mind.

"Yes, my name is Minamoto no Yorimitsu. I now reside in this Knee-Cutter sword in the form of a soul, having resonated with your soul, child of the future."

Receiving confirmation once again, Miku felt a bit dazed. So much for the ancient general; what was going on with this gentle voice in her head?

'I should have continued to sleep, but the demonic energy you came into contact with yesterday awakened me from my slumber. It seems the people of this era are also shrouded in the fear of demons.' The consciousness claiming to be Minamoto no Yorimitsu seemed to grow somber.

'No, I only encountered that kind of thing yesterday, too.'

Miku didn't know what to say; she only knew that since last night, she had entered a strange state. It was indescribable.

'Hmm? The children over there.'

'What is it?' Following Yorimitsu’s guidance, Miku 'inadvertently' glanced at Mouri Ran and the boy approaching. She was not familiar with Kudo Shinichi; she preferred studying Sengoku history to paying attention to detectives.

'They also carry demonic energy.'

'Those who carry demonic energy are more likely to be noticed by demons.'

***

[Tsuchigumo]

[Rank: Tier 4 (Great Demon)]

[Ability: Strength of Mountains, Physique of a Great Demon...]