[119]

Matsuda continued, his tone pressing down slightly as he worked to refocus the room. "As many of you know, Kaoru has taken an active role in some major recent supernatural events. Last time, he even acted alone to prevent a nuclear explosion in Gosha Village and defeated the Nomad forces that attempted to attack it."

The room buzzed with whispers. Several people appeared shocked by the sheer scale of Kaoru's solo missions. Asuka glanced around, watching each Taimanin's reaction to the news. Beside her, Shiranui gave a small smile and murmured, "Kaoru really is something extraordinary, isn't he?"

Asuka nodded, still amazed by Kaoru's accomplishments. A sense of pride filled her, though it was mixed with worry. This time, the threat was far greater and more complex, and Asuka knew Kaoru couldn't face it alone.

Matsuda continued, "The threat of a yokai parade and Kyuubi's revival cannot be managed with bravery alone. We need precision, strength, and teamwork. Kaoru has sacrificed much to give us this information. This time, we cannot let his efforts be in vain."

The Taimanin and warriors from Gosha Village nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility that now rested on their shoulders. Their expressions grew more serious; everyone understood this was their last chance to stop a disaster that could devastate Kyoto.

Matsuda allowed a brief moment for everyone to absorb the information. Then, he moved to the three-dimensional map, pointing at key strategic points around Kyoto. "From here on, we'll divide into teams according to the formation discussed earlier. Ensure each point is secured, and report any changes immediately. There is no room for error tonight."

Asuka took a deep breath, realizing she'd be fighting alongside some of Japan's finest warriors. She glanced at Shiranui, offering a confident nod, which Shiranui returned with an eager smile.

"We're not backing down, Asuka-chan," Shiranui whispered.

Asuka smiled, closing her eyes briefly to solidify her resolve. "That's right, Shiranui-san. For Kyoto… and for Kaoru."

With the briefing concluded, the warriors quickly headed to their positions, leaving the room with determined steps and resolute expressions. The night deepened, and the chill in the Kyoto air seemed sharper, as if sensing the immense danger looming closer. The pale moonlight bathed the sky, casting a haunting yet dramatic glow—a sign that a great battle was about to begin.

At the same time, an ominous and mysterious atmosphere cloaked an ancient temple hidden on a hill in Kyoto. A thin mist crept between the trees, while the shadows of small candles danced with the night wind. Usually, the temple was quiet, visited only by a few monks, but tonight, it was filled with members of the Nine Child Naga Association—a dangerous criminal group known for its expertise in dark magic and forbidden rituals. They stood in a circle around the temple's main altar, respectful and vigilant.

At the center of the altar, the figure of Kyuubi, the nine-tailed fox, shimmered under the dim candlelight. A cold and furious aura emanated from her body, amplifying her terrifying presence. Surrounding Kyuubi were various ancient relics and several spiritualists under the control of the Nine Child Naga Association. Each relic held immense power, the result of years of effort and careful collection of spiritual energy.

Yuyami, the group's leader, stood close to Kyuubi, her eyes filled with determination. She wore a long black cloak that fluttered in the night breeze, her face both confident and shadowed with unease. From the beginning, she had worked tirelessly to prepare this ritual, ensuring every spiritual element and detail was flawless to allow Kyuubi's awakening to proceed without hindrance.

One of the group's members, an elderly man in robes with ancient tattoos on his face, bowed respectfully before reporting the ritual's progress. "Not much longer now, Lady," he said in a low, reverent voice.

Yuyami gazed at him sharply, nodding slowly. "Then hold your positions. Tonight, Kyoto will become the gateway to her parade!" Her voice was cold and resolute, reflecting her confidence that tonight would mark the beginning of Kyuubi's rebirth.

The members of the Nine Child Naga Association nodded obediently and took their positions, tightening their guard around the temple. They knew that DCST and Taimanin forces might soon arrive to stop them. But for Yuyami, it didn't matter. As the ritual progressed, the spiritual energy flowing in the temple grew stronger, and with Kyuubi's presence slowly regaining its full power, she felt nothing could stop their goal.

On the altar, Kyuubi slowly opened her eyes. Her golden gaze glowed with a cold light that merged with the night, emanating a blend of ancient wisdom and deep-seated fury. She regarded Yuyami for a moment, granting her silent acknowledgment of the woman's efforts in preparing the ritual. Kyuubi's aura of power surged, reaching every corner of the temple, casting a blanket of fear over the atmosphere, making the air feel heavier and more foreboding.

Then, something extraordinary happened.

In the night sky, an onmyō formation—a traditional mystical pattern used by spiritual controllers to balance nature—began to take shape. Waves of spiritual energy rippled, forming a large circular pattern that spread across Kyoto's sky, radiating a faint but threatening glow. The pattern shimmered with flashes of red and purple, signifying the presence of malevolent energy.

At strategic points around Kyoto, the rippling energy began to open gateways, slowly forming large torii gates with a dark red color and mystical engravings that glowed faintly. People in the city, just now noticing the strange changes in the sky, looked up in confusion, unaware that tonight, Kyoto would be the battleground for a terrifying yokai parade.

A loud roar shattered the stillness of the night, echoing from one of the open torii gates, breaking the silence. Emerging from the portal was a massive yokai, its body covered in glossy black scales reflecting the moonlight. The first yokai to emerge was a towering red-skinned Oni, its yellow eyes blazing like embers, and its teeth sharp as blades. It stomped its massive foot onto the ground, causing the earth to tremble and nearby buildings to creak.

At other points in the city, additional torii gates began releasing various yokai: a winged Tengu with fiery red eyes soaring above, agile, clawed Kappa darting about, and Noppera-bō—faceless humans—wandering with eerie, lifeless steps. The yokai parade had begun, and these creatures spread across Kyoto's streets, ready to unleash destruction and terror.

In the midst of the chaos, Kyuubi laughed softly, her voice resonating within Yuyami's mind like a threatening whisper. "Tonight is the night of the parade of darkness. Each yokai unleashed will pave the way for my perfect awakening. Yuyami, guard this ritual until the end."

Yuyami bowed deeply, fully aware of her role and responsibility. "Yes, Kyuubi-sama," she replied softly but resolutely. She turned and immediately gave orders to the Nine Child Naga Association members guarding the temple. "Ensure no one disrupts this ritual! Hold your positions at every checkpoint!"

Elsewhere in Kyoto, the DCST and Taimanin warriors who had stationed themselves at key points throughout the city began to feel the oppressive shift in energy. Asuka, standing at her post alongside Shiranui, gazed up at the sky with growing apprehension. The night sky, once cloaked only by fog and a full moon, was now filled with enormous torii gates radiating an ominous glow.