[118]

Shiranui blinked, her face showing an endearing, almost childlike innocence, something rarely seen in a woman nearing forty. "B-but I don't have any other suits besides this, Asuka-chan!" she protested, her tone sounding more like a teenager defending herself. It seemed that the loss of some of her memories had reverted Shiranui's personality to a younger, more enthusiastic, and slightly clumsy version of herself.

Asuka nodded, understanding, though she couldn't help but smile as Shiranui still looked stunning in the simplest of ways. "Alright then, Shiranui-san, as long as you're comfortable," she said at last. "After all, we're fighting yokai, not doing a photo shoot."

Shiranui chuckled lightly, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Let's do this, Asuka-chan! It's been so long since I've felt a rush like this," she said, clenching her fist as if already prepared to take on anything. "Besides, with us here, Kaoru won't have to carry the burden alone, right?"

Asuka nodded, fully aware that their presence alongside Kaoru would provide him with much-needed support. She knew Kaoru often tried to take on everything by himself, but this time, the threat of Kyuubi and the yokai parade was too great for anyone to face alone.

In the midst of their conversation, the sound of brisk footsteps echoed down the hall. Matsuda, the head of the DCST, appeared with a serious expression, carrying a large rolled-up map in his hands. "Alright, are you both ready?" he asked, his voice firm, leaving no room for hesitation.

Asuka and Shiranui exchanged glances and nodded in unison. "We're ready."

Matsuda nodded in acknowledgment, then turned and walked swiftly, with Asuka and Shiranui following him toward the briefing room. Their footsteps echoed down the corridor, a reminder of the gravity of the preparations ahead.

As they entered the briefing room, Asuka was greeted by a futuristic, tense atmosphere. In the center of the room was a three-dimensional map projecting the entire Kyoto area in remarkable detail. Red points lit up to indicate possible locations for the yokai parade's emergence and Kyuubi's presence. The room was filled with an intense aura, populated by highly regarded individuals, including fighters from the DCST and several well-known Taimanin warriors.

Matsuda made his way to the large table in the center, where several Taimanin had already gathered. These were veterans whose reputations were legendary among both the supernatural and ordinary communities. Among them, Asuka recognized a few figures she'd only ever heard of in stories or operational reports.

Representing the DCST:

Fumma Kotaro: A Taimanin expert in strategy and tactics, distinguished by his mystical gaze, with one eye always closed.

Adekawa Hyakunosuke: A genius strategist known for finding the best approach to challenging situations. His face was serious, his gaze fixed on the map, unblinking.

Homare Nao: A striking figure, appearing almost androgynous with a refined, almost delicate appearance, though he was very much a man.

Nisha Gaiza: A member of the Nisha clan, part of the larger Fumma clan, deeply loyal to Kotaro as the main heir of the clan, with a warrior's honor ready to sacrifice everything.

Uehara Shikanosuke: Similar to Homare Nao, with a soft, almost feminine appearance, Shikanosuke stood out, especially due to his long hair.

Igawa Asagi: One of the most renowned Taimanin, respected for her courage and as a role model for many other DCST members.

Igawa Sakura: Asagi's extroverted and justice-driven sister, serious and focused, though her usual friendliness was masked by her intent focus.

Matsuda continued in a commanding tone, casting a glance over each person there. "As you all know, the threat of the yokai parade and Kyuubi's revival is not something we can underestimate," he said with conviction. "Tonight, our full strength will be tested."

The Taimanin in attendance nodded solemnly, each showing the seriousness of the moment on their faces. Asuka glanced around, recognizing familiar faces and assessing the assembled strength.

From the Village of Gosha:

Akiyama Tatsuro: A young man with a quiet demeanor, his face displaying deep-seated doubt. Known for his powerful spiritual energy, he rarely spoke and tended to act passively, but his latent power emerged during critical moments.

Yatsu Murasaki: A brilliant woman with long, blue hair, her expression showing irritation at being summoned so suddenly. A renowned researcher from Gosha Village, Murasaki had been in the middle of vital research on yokai entities, and this mission had left her in a less than ideal mood.

Mizuki Yukikaze: A young warrior fresh from a long mission. She was Shiranui's daughter, though Shiranui, due to memory loss, had no recollection of her. Despite her fatigue, Yukikaze's eyes shone with resolve, prepared to protect her village and homeland at any cost.

Akiyama Rinko: An experienced Taimanin who seemed slightly impatient, possibly for personal reasons that had her mood a bit sour. Known for her resilience and courage, she was not one to back down, though her expression was sharper than usual.

Momochi Toyo: A sturdy martial artist, confident and ready to contribute his unique skills. Rumored to possess a rare technique highly effective against negative energy attacks.

Gaku Shonosuke: A quiet observer with a sharp intuition for enemy movements, Shonosuke rarely spoke, but in battle, he always seemed to spot the unseen opportunities.

Matsuda looked at each of them with respect and hope. The warriors from Gosha Village may have had varied personalities and approaches, but there was no doubt they were invaluable assets in the coming confrontation with the yokai parade.

After introducing each member from Gosha, Matsuda resumed, his tone now carrying a heavier weight. "Now, let me explain where all this information is coming from, as well as the reasons behind this impending disaster," he said, capturing everyone's attention.

All eyes were on him. Matsuda took a deep breath before continuing, "This intelligence comes to us from someone who has become the center of attention in the supernatural world—Kaoru Rasputin."

As soon as his name was spoken, the room erupted in whispers, with some of the Taimanin exchanging astonished and tense glances. Kaoru Rasputin had long been a mysterious figure, known to possess immense power but rarely appearing publicly. Even among supernatural circles, Kaoru's name carried an aura of mystique and a touch of controversy.