Rumors (2)

The night had draped its inky veil over an ancient Japanese temple. Beneath the pale light of a moon shrouded by clouds, the deserted hallways echoed with Yuki's measured footsteps.

At last, she slid open a wooden door. The room beyond was vast, almost austere, illuminated only by the flickering glow of a lone lantern. Ancient scrolls adorned the walls, whispering of secrets long forgotten.

A deep, steady voice sliced through the silence.

"You're finally here, Miss Tsukumo. You've kept me waiting."

Yuki's lips curled into a smirk as she scanned the room, searching for the speaker.

"Ah, patience," the voice continued. "A virtue your generation seems to have misplaced. But remember this—understanding often comes to those who wait."

From the shadows at the back of the room, a figure slowly emerged—Geto.

"It's been a long time," he said, his tone almost warm.

"Sure has," Yuki replied, crossing her arms with a playful grin. "At least you don't look as pathetic as the last time I saw you."

Geto inclined his head slightly, his lips curling into a calm smile.

"That's because I've had a revelation. I've found a purpose—a truth to fulfill."

At his words, Yuki's playful expression gave way to something more serious. Her sharp eyes narrowed.

"I see," she murmured. "So, you went with the first option."

Geto's gaze grew sharper, but his voice remained measured.

"And you, Miss Tsukumo? Have you found another path?"

"Not yet," she admitted with a sigh, "but I won't give up."

Geto's brow furrowed slightly, his voice lowering in intensity.

"Meanwhile, the curses spread. Evil, alongside its 'monkeys,' continues to multiply. The world sinks further into chaos."

Yuki shrugged.

"And you? How do you plan to fix all this? Even with your strength, it's an impossible task."

A flicker of pride sparked in Geto's eyes.

"It won't be easy," he said. "But I've had time to prepare. Now, I've found the perfect weapon to complete this mission."

A soft laugh escaped Yuki.

"Well then, I'll watch from a distance. Good luck."

Geto stepped closer, his intense gaze fixed on her.

"So you won't oppose me?"

She met his eyes, her expression dead serious.

"No. If you succeed before I find a better way, maybe that will prove it was the right thing to do."

Geto's smile widened, satisfaction radiating from him.

"Always a pleasure to be understood," he said, disarming. Then, with surprising gentleness, he extended a hand toward her.

"Come now, Miss Tsukumo. Shall we have some tea to mark this reunion?"

Yuki nodded and followed him out of the room.

"For a moment, I thought you were really going to welcome me with that sour attitude," she said, a playful edge in her voice.

They stepped into a grand hall, beautifully adorned. The polished dark wooden floor reflected the glow of vibrant tapestries that decorated the walls. The air carried the delicate aroma of tea, while lanterns cast a warm, soothing light.

Two young girls, no older than fifteen, approached them. One had short-cropped black hair, while the other's locks were tied into carefully woven braids.

"Please, sit here," the first said, motioning toward a plush chair at the center of the room.

Yuki sank into the seat without a word, an amused smile tugging at her lips as she absorbed the room's opulent details.

"I have to admit, Geto," she said, glancing around, "I was expecting a dark, dingy hideout covered in dust."

A tall man with ebony skin and stern features stepped forward.

"We are not bandits, ma'am," he said, his deep, measured voice brimming with dignity.

Yuki stifled a soft laugh and gave a slight nod.

"Touché."

Geto settled into a chair opposite Yuki, arms crossed and a faint smile playing on his lips.

"I see your sense of humor is still intact," he remarked.

Yuki crossed her legs and leaned back comfortably.

"And I see you've chosen your company well," she replied, tilting her head toward the two teenage girls and the man, who stood still like statues.

Geto raised an eyebrow, clearly proud.

"Heaven supports my cause," he said simply.

Without a word, the young girls brought forward a tray holding small porcelain cups and a steaming teapot. One of them poured the tea, then quietly withdrew.

Yuki lifted her cup, inhaling the fragrant aroma.

"A lovely scent. But I doubt tea is the real reason you invited me," she said, her tone teasing.

Geto let out a soft laugh.

"All in good time. For now, I'd like to hear your stories. Your travels intrigue me."

Yuki set her cup down and laced her fingers behind her head.

"Hmm… And what if my stories bore you?"

Geto's reply was calm, almost amused.

"Then I'll assume you're lacking inspiration."

Yuki burst into genuine laughter.

"Well played, well played. Fine, I'll tell you. But don't say I didn't warn you…"

Her gaze drifted upward, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

"Please, tell us!" the two teenage girls exclaimed in unison, their eyes sparkling with excitement.

Yuki chuckled softly before leaning forward just a little.

"Alright, alright. Here's one for you… Imagine me, standing atop a snowy peak, in a place where the air is so pure it feels like it sings. Up there, a wise old man had lived alone for decades. No one knew why, so of course, I had to find out."

The girls exchanged glances, already entranced.

"And?" asked the short-haired one, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.

"Oh, the climb was something else," Yuki continued. "Every step felt like a battle. The snow betrayed me, the wind cut like a blade, but I made it to the top, frozen and exhausted. And guess what? That hermit said the strangest thing to me: 'Why did you climb, when the answer was below?'"

"The answer was… below?" the braided girl repeated, puzzled.

"Exactly." Yuki shrugged, her lips curving into a sly smile.

"And to this day, I've got no clue what he meant. Maybe it was just his way of giving me a good lesson on pride!"

The girls burst into laughter.

"I want to travel too!" declared the girl with braids, clenching her fists with determination.

"Me too!" chimed in her companion.

A glint of amusement flickered in Geto's eyes. He crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair.

"Ah, the world…" he mused. "It truly is vast and full of wonders."

But his tone darkened, taking on a somber edge.

"Yet no matter how wondrous, it remains a cruel gift. Cruel, because Tengen gave it to those who don't know how to cherish it… and because he condemned this country in the process."

The lightness vanished from Yuki's face. She nodded slowly, lost in thought.

"Yes. An absurd gesture…" she said softly, before glancing at him with a mischievous smirk.

"But at least it means your grand quest, Geto, is limited to this one country. Isn't that a stroke of luck?"

Geto's smile shifted, almost grateful.

"Perhaps. In a way, I should thank Tengen."

His face darkened, and he locked eyes with Yuki, his voice deepening to a serious, commanding tone.

"That said, the time has come. My operation will begin before the year ends."

The room seemed to freeze. Even the two teenage girls, previously captivated by Yuki's tales, fell silent, their full attention now on Geto.

"So, it's all ready?" Yuki asked, her expression shifting from playful to sharply focused.

Geto nodded slowly, deliberately.

"Yes. Everything."

A brief smile flickered across his lips—a smile tinged with a strange, almost unsettling excitement.

"I've found a curse of unimaginable power. With it, I'll achieve perfect possession. And with this weapon in my grasp, the extermination of all monkeys in Japan will no longer be a dream. It will become reality."

Yuki's eyes narrowed as she considered his words. She took a moment before responding, her voice firm and resolute.

"Hate to be the one to say it, but don't forget one crucial thing, Geto: you'll have someone standing in your way. Someone you'll have to defeat."

Geto's smile softened, his calm demeanor almost disarming.

"I know that better than anyone. That's precisely why I have to succeed. This curse will give me the advantage. In the meantime, I'll prepare a diversion."

A heavy silence followed, thick with unspoken tension.

Yuki straightened up and drained her tea in one swift motion.

"Well then, I suppose I've got nothing left to do but watch where all this takes you," she said, her tone regaining its teasing edge.

Then, as if struck by sudden inspiration, she added with a playful yet ominous glint in her eyes,

"Oh, I nearly forgot! You won't just face one obstacle—you'll face two."

TO BE CONTINUED!

Next Chapter: Rumors (Final)