The yokai on the streets knew that time was running out. Every face held a reluctant gaze, but what could be done?
They were no longer of this world. Having stayed for so long, it was time for them to enter reincarnation and begin anew.
As figure after figure vanished, the people on the street, though unaware of what was happening, felt a pang of regret. But when time was up, it was up.
This was unchangeable...
Before they departed, let there be one last Hyakki Yako!
One by one, powerful yokai transformed into dark shadows, gradually shrouding the moon, like a tsuchigumo devouring the moon—magnificent and wondrous.
This grand spectacle attracted countless gazes. But the Shrine Maiden standing before the statue knew that what was this Hyakki Yako? It was merely a spontaneous act by a group of old pranksters.
"Shrine Maiden, have you been well these years?"
Hearing the familiar voice, the Shrine Maiden turned and saw that it was indeed Yura-sai.
"Yura-sai, how could I not be well? I have aburaage every day, and I have light novels to read every day. Isn't this the life I desired?"
"Ah hahaha, that's good, that's good. I originally wanted to chat with you for a while, but it seems time is running out. Please give my regards to the General. I must depart."
As Yura-sai transformed into a black shadow, filling the last void, the entire moon was obscured, as if it had truly been devoured.
"Yura-sai, I've been living happily every day. It's just that seeing you all leave now makes me feel a little lonely. Really, just a little bit. May you all have a good journey."
Yae Miko looked up at the vast black moon and sighed softly. Indeed, they were just old pranksters. She then produced a gohei and began a ritual.
With a wave of her hand and a sway of her body, Yae Miko slowly chanted:
"Announce to Hakushin, for the sake of souls..."
"Grant me this rite, and light the way home..."
The magic circle on the ground began to glow faintly, and clusters of yellow light balls slowly emerged.
Following suit, the entire Inazuma City lit up. Not only that, but distant Watatsumi Island and the Grand Narukami Shrine also illuminated. Countless light balls, like a yellow river,
rose steadily, soaring towards the sea.
"Fear the divine might, with utmost reverence."
As countless light balls were injected, the dark shadows that had covered the moon gradually receded. The so-called Hyakki Yako collapsed in that instant. The faint light of the moon reappeared, but they had already vanished.
"Truly spectacular, Lu Ze! Why aren't you saying anything? You didn't happen to miss the Tsuchigumo devouring the moon just now, did you? If you missed it, that's truly a shame."
Kiana, curious as to why Lu Ze was silent, withdrew her gaze from the sky and looked at him.
He was staring intently at the distant coast. She looked too, but there was nothing in the sea. What was he doing?
"Lu Ze?"
"Be quiet, I'm here. At sea, there's something. It seems someone has come to disrupt the peace again. Yae Miko, the resurrection of Kitsune Saiguu will have to be postponed. All visitors are guests; we must welcome them."
Raiden Shogun immediately ordered the cessation of the celebration and the evacuation of the citizens. Broken things could be bought anew, but a lost life was gone forever.
"This familiar information, it's that person again! It's giving me a headache. How long has it been, and they're back to cause trouble?"
Raiden Makoto appeared vexed. Beside her, Raiden Ei gently patted her head.
There was no need to guess. It had to be Orobashi. Bodies could deceive, but auras couldn't.
As expected, a giant white serpent broke through the water's surface, staring directly at Raiden Makoto.
"I say, Orobashi! Are you not tired? I am tired of you. How many times have you challenged me? My patience has its limits. You wouldn't want me to kill you with a single blow, would you?"
But Orobashi did not respond. The giant serpent's eyes were blood red, its body exuded the aura of a corrupted god, and purple mist occasionally escaped its mouth.
"Hmm? Something is wrong with her. I can't sense her consciousness. Be careful! This matter might not be simple."
As soon as she spoke, the giant white serpent opened its mouth wide, spewing countless purple mists. At this rate, Inazuma City would be enveloped in purple mist within a minute.
"Damn it, it stinks! Have you not brushed your teeth in thousands of years, you scoundrel! You have halitosis."
Lu Ze had initially intended to watch the show, but now he wasn't even getting that, and he had to endure the stench of bad breath.
"This is making me hesitant to use Heavenly Thunder Verdict. If I blow myself up, it would be ridiculous."
Since he couldn't use it, he'd switch to another. Thundering Pulse could still cleave you apart.
Putting down his battledore, Lu Ze aimed and fired. He raised his sniper rifle high, and a single, perfect shot struck the giant white serpent's eye.
Hit in the eye, the serpent cried out in pain, its entire head writhing back and forth. Yet, it did not stop spewing mist.
"Seriously, you're still spewing? Close your mouth! I'm going to suffocate!"
He quickly fired four more shots, completely dazing the giant white serpent. It collapsed weakly at the edge of the cliff, and its foul mouth finally closed.
"Saved."
If not for Venti and Bella simultaneously using their wind to blow away all the purple mist, Lu Ze might have suffocated.
He couldn't help it; the smell was indescribable, far more terrifying than a can of stinky fish. Did this serpent perhaps have a toilet in its mouth?
"Hmm... it's over just like that?"
Raiden Makoto hadn't even seen anything. She wanted to witness her sister bravely fighting the enemy, but now it was all over? This wasn't right.
Meanwhile, Raiden Makoto slowly approached the giant white serpent and tapped it lightly. The serpent instantly reverted to its original female form. Orobashi weakly opened her eyes, clutching her wound with her right hand.
Her current state was pathetic. Her right eye was blown out, her left shoulder was shot, her left hand had taken two shots, and the final shot had hit her right leg.
"Tell me, what exactly happened? You suddenly came to find trouble with me. It seems it wasn't your intention. Give me an explanation."
Orobashi had no choice; her life was in the other's hands. She could only explain the cause and effect, and how she had been tortured by the Doctor for a week, to the point of developing psychological trauma.
If she hadn't been unable to defeat them, she would have torn that Doctor's face apart long ago. No, not just torn apart, but ripped to shreds, so much so that even dogs wouldn't eat it!