8 Perspectives

Time flew by and it has already been a few weeks since Sun Wukong took it upon him to train Yuudai. He learned a few more spells like one to communicate in languages that he didn't learn himself or another one to store things in a separate dimension. To cite Sun, these auxiliary skills are just as important as the ones like Touki. They make one's life simple that one can concentrate on more important things.

His lessons regarding seals already started, but it went far slower than his training in Senjutsu or Youjutsu. He had to memorize a multitude of different patterns and how they worked in tandem with others. It was a tiring task that required a lot knowledge and just trying would take a lot more time. This was the first time in his new life, that he actually had a difficult task in front of him and he would live up to it. He already knew the benefits of seals. If an enemy couldn't be defeated, most individuals would at least try to seal him away. Considering how strong he already was and that he will only get stronger from now on, it made sense to learn as much as possible about different techniques that could work against him. Opponents could always plot and try to lure him into a trap. Imagine their surprise if he would just free himself from the inside. Few people would have further planned against that.

His Touki came along nicely as well since he could now freely use it even while fighting. Repetition often is the best way to actually learn something to perfection. Since he was able to attain the state of being one with the weapon, he was able to coat his spear in his Touki even while fighting. It was in the end just an extension of his own body.

Currently he was standing in mid air while Karasu and Yu-Long threw weak attacks at him. While the attacks weren't threatening, the exercise had another purpose since he was wearing an eye fold. Sun forbid him to use his sensing ability with the help of Ki and reduced the senses he would be able to use in different variations.

Sometimes he would only have his eyesight, his hearing, sense of smell, touch, or taste. The exercise would slightly differ depending on the sense or combination of senses he had at his disposal. It was very difficult to detect an energy attack thrown at you only with the help of you sense of taste. The end goal was to sharpen every single one of his senses as well as combinations of them, that he would never get into any disadvantage if he got robbed of a few of them. Aside from that, Sun mentioned that he might encounter enemies without any lifeforce, and his normal sensing would be nothing but a big death trap then.

He only had his smell of touch and hearing right now, since he was wearing a blind fold and Sun sealed the rest of his senses. They already did this for two additional days without much success.

He calmed himself as attacks rained down on him mercilessly, just strong enough that he would feel them impacting his body. It was even more frustrating than stronger attacks. He could take on stronger ones without problem, but weaker ones were even more difficult to sense. Additionally, he was standing in the air and he couldn't react as fast as when he had his feet planted onto the ground.

His breathing slowed and the sound of it blended into the background. He concentrated his hearing on the slightest changes that seemed out of place indicating the current location of Kasaru and Yu-Long. He heard the wind whistling and impacting obstacles all around him. He already memorized the location of every tree or object and knew where both of them were moving. Shooting an attack made a special noise he just waited to hear while feeling the slightest changes of the wind impacting his skin.

Just before one more attack could impact, he turned to the side, with the attack only slightly scratching him and flying on into the background.

Karasu and Yu-Long stared wide-eyed at him. They weren't sure if this exercise would even work and took Sun's idea with a grain of salt. But now he already made progress after only two days.

Before he could celebrate his first real success, attack rained down with an even higher frequency.

"Keep concentrated!" Sun shouted from the veranda.

The old monkey currently enjoyed smoking his pipe while talking with Yasaka and Tamiko that were drinking tea.

"So, you both want to tell me that Yuudai is passively purifying the natural energy around us? That he is filtering out the malice?" Yasaka asked gobsmacked.

Sun and Tamiko nodded in return.

"Yes, he didn't even seem to do it intentionally and just shrugged it off after we told him about it. But the ramifications if it got out. Aside from a few individuals, he wouldn't be seen as another Yokai anymore." Tamiko groaned.

"Indeed, it is a blessing for all of us. If we could use Senjutsu unrestrained without worrying about turning mad or at least reducing the chance to a minimum. But for Yuudai, I think we should keep it a secret for now." Yasaka suggested after thinking about what would follow.

After countless wars in the past and an many overpopulated regions, nature by itself couldn't keep up to remove the malicious energy from their surroundings. If their fellow Yokai knew that one individual was strong enough to do what their planet could hardly keep up with, he wouldn't be able to forge normal relationships among them anymore. But then again, it would get out at some point. Would they just slow down the inevitable?

While the two women were lost in their thoughts, Sun blew out some smoke before he started: "He was never meant to be just average. What are a few more irregularities in the big picture. You told me about the God's that want to meet him and that even that big dragon shows interest in him. While hiding it for now is fine, it wouldn't matter. We should make sure that we don't behave differently. And while he won't make many friends among common Yokai, there are always exceptions and strong non-Yokai that wouldn't care about that."

"I guess you are right." Yasaka answered and Tamiko nodded along.

"What about his training?" Yasaka questioned, curious how he is doing under the tutelage of the Monkey King.

"I have never met someone like him, and I only know of two existences I would put into the same category. To be honest I think he will go far higher than even them, but he is nothing but a child at the moment. All that he needs for now is time and that is something he has more than enough. Time and guidance. You really didn't hold back in that regard Tamiko." Sun said. Internally he was contemplating what he should do in the future. He would work as Indra's vanguard for a bit longer, but what afterwards? While he respected Indra, he knew that Yuudai was meant for far bigger things and if he could help him carry that burden, it was worth a thought.

"Of course, I did not. I only wanted the best for him. Average teachers wont even be able to get him much further than he would come on his own." She stated, confident in her decision.

Sun Wukong and Yasaka laughed at that. They could imagine the hardships of people that were hailed as experts despairing when trying to teach him.

-o-

East/Kanto Yokai Faction

"Magari, I want you to contact our spies in Kyoto." Nurarihyon ordered. He had the appearance of an old man with a big misshapen head.

"What is so important?" She questioned.

Magari was currently in her human form. Her most distinctive feature separating her from other Nekomatas were her seven tails. As Nekomatas got more proficient in the use of their Ki and they grew in power, they would gain additional tails, showing that she was undoubtedly one of their strongest members.

"Something is going on there and I want to know what it is. Even Sun took a break from his position as Indra's vanguard. I need to know if Yasaka is up to something." Nurarihyon stated.

"You are paranoid old man. Not everyone is using other people to their leisure. Yasaka never went on the offensive against you. Rather it was you making trouble for her." Magari retorted.

He shamelessly ignored her words as they were currently relaxing in a stranger's home. The woman served tea to her unknown occupants dutifully.

"Ah whatever, I will only tell them to keep their eyes open for anything out off the norm." She said with finality, leaving the room.

"Bring me something to eat, would you." She heard Nurarihyon order the owner of this house as she was leaving.

-o-

Mt. Olympus

The incessant clanking of metal against metal rang out. All around the room laid scraps of different metals. They all had different colours and attributes, but they had one thing in common. They were not found in the lower world.

All of them were priceless treasures when they found their way into most people's hands. Here however they were treated like pebbles found on the roadside.

It was hotter than even in most volcanoes as a giant of a man swung his hammer onto the anvil.

With each hit the metal in between took further shape until it was more and more looking like a piece of equipment.

After many hours of working he held a pair of bracers. They had a dark metallic colour but seemed even more valuable than the purest of gold.

He inspected his handywork with a critical look. After a while he just sighed and threw them over his shoulder, as they landed in a basket with dozens of similar looking bracers.

"That won't do. Again.." His deep voice rumpled as he picked another piece of minerals and started the process anew.

-o-

A beautiful woman was sitting in a comfortable room overlooking the land below her. Her lower body was that of a snake, which did nothing to diminish her beauty. It just increased the mysterious air around her.

"Sister, what are you thinking about?" A similar good-looking man with the lower body of a snake was addressing her currently pondering expression.

"I was thinking what I could offer." She mused.

"Is it about the dream you had?" He asked.

"Mhm." She hummed in agreement.

They sat like this for a few days more, neither speaking and just enjoying each other's company.

Suddenly the woman moved.

"I have decided. It has been a long time since I last crafted something. I will make another set of stones." She decided, her mind made up and power in her voice. While her statement sounded simple, it would turn a big part of the supernatural world upside down if word about It got out.

Her brother didn't disagree. He knew that he couldn't stop her when she made up her mind. And to be honest he was curious as well, about what the future held for them.

-o-

An old man with an eyepatch and a raven on his shoulder was before a seemingly never-ending network of branches. His one hand held a majestic looking spear as the other one held the reins that were strapped to an eight-legged horse.

One branch of the enormous tree moved toward him and came to a stop just before touching him. From the side of the big branch a younger branch grew for around thirty centimetres until it separated and fell into the hastily outstretched hand of the old man.

"Even you will offer a part of you? It seems troubling times are ahead." He mumbled as carefully stored away the branch, took the reins into his hands again and trotted back to where he came from.

"Maybe I should take my son with me. He needs a challenge and just keeps making trouble."

-o-

A seemingly handsome young boy with green and black hair was staring into a certain direction with complete focus. His eyes were flickering as his sharp gaze bore through the distance. Animals that flew by shivered slightly as they instinctively turned around and flew into another direction.

"I was bored for a long time. I look forward to coming storm."

-o-

"But sister, you can't!" A tall, black haired man cried out.

"And why wouldn't I Susanoo? It is doing nothing but collecting dust up here!" A beautiful blond woman retorted.

"Amaterasu are you sure?" Another younger looking male asked.

"Of course, I am, I made up my mind!" Amaterasu decided.

"It is one of the only things we have left of our parents!" Susanoo tried to argue.

"And what? You have been trying to lift it for a seemingly endless time. You are not worthy, and it won't accept you. Wouldn't you rather see it in the hands of someone that would be accepted?" She questioned with a stern gaze.

"Still, you don't even know him. How can you entrust something so important to another person just because of a dream? If your guess is right, it was that old dragon. Since when can he influence what we are doing?" Susanoo still doubted her decision.

"I told you I made up my mind. I'm sure it is the right decision. Just wait a bit longer and we will see it for ourselves." She stated.

"I am really looking forward to meeting him." The younger man said.

"We all are, Tsukuyomi, but 10 years won't make a difference. Maybe it is even for the better." Amaterasu sighed.

-o-

In an endless expanse of different colours, no sound was heard. The space looked like a big void, devoid of life. It was a region that only allowed the absolute strongest of beings to survive. Humans would describe the view as if looking through a kaleidoscope.

Suddenly a big shadow glid through the vast expanse without making a sound himself. Upon closer inspection it was a massive red dragon with a long horn in his snout. His body was easily 100 metres long, eclipsing most known dragons by far.

"Soon it will be time for us to meet." Its deep voice rumbled as it further glided into seemingly endless space.

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