41 How to make a kekkaiku.

August 4th, Tojo clan hotel emperor's suite #3

Nobara POV​

My eyes opened to the plush bedding of the Tojo-owned hotel enveloped me in a cocoon of comfort.

The events of the past few days, the adrenaline-fueled battles and the emotional rollercoaster of revelations, had left me drained, both physically and mentally.

Beside me, Zack and Miu slept soundly, their breaths mingling in a soft, rhythmic symphony.

The warmth of their bodies pressed against mine, a comforting reminder that I wasn't alone in this. I glanced at the clock and noticed it was 6AM. I frowned, why the hell had I woken up so early? I closed my eyes again.

I awoke again to Zack shaking me awake. "Hey sleeping beauty, let's get breakfast and then decide on our first targets. I'm sure you'd like a shower before then. You don't wanna smell like a sack of potatoes, do you?"

I slapped his shoulder, and then stood up, "Dick." I walked past him with his handsome, stupid, hot stupid, face.

Then I started getting ready.

Hotel Dining room.

Tojo clan private business booth.​

We gathered in a private dining booth of the hotel, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and a spread of traditional Japanese breakfast filling the air.

Miu chewed on her extremely large breakfast bento, while Zack had some kind a western breakfast with eggs, sausage, french toast and an extremely expensive looking steak.

I decided on a traditional egg, spicy mayo, and sausage filled onigiri set.

"Okay, strategy meeting!" Miu shouted.

I shrug, and realize I have nothing to input. I don't know anything about the targets they do, so I'd be better off just listening.

Even it makes me feel a bit bad.

"Okay, Let's choose who we need to target first," Zack announced, pushing aside his empty plate and leaning forward, his eyes gleaming with strategic focus.

Miu swallowed a massive mouthful of rice and pickled plum, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "You're the expert here, Zack," she said, a menacing smirk on her face. "With the maximum speed of two minutes, judging by the level of evil Kenjaku represents, what are my chances of eliminating him with my domain expansion?"

"He'd overwhelm us before your Domain could even take effect," Zack shook is head.

I shrugged, a frustrated scowl appearing for a short time. "I'm not exactly an expert on special grade curses," I admitted, my scowl turning into a frown.

"But if you're saying it's a suicide mission to take on Kenjaku directly, then I'm all for targeting his lackeys first."

"Jogo?" Miu suggested, her eyes gleaming with a hint of challenge. "That hot-headed volcano freak you talked about earlier seems like he'd be fun to extinguish."

Zack shook his head, a grimace replacing his usual stoic expression. "Jogo's cursed techniques are primarily fire and heat-based. We don't have anything in our arsenal that could effectively counter that kind of power yet, and if he uses his domain expansion we're dead."

"What about Dagon?" Miu offered, "You talked about him earlier too. Water doesn't seem too dangerous right?

Zack considered my suggestion for a moment. "Dagon's Domain Expansion, Horizon of the Captivating Skandha, is incredibly dangerous," he frowned, "His attacks are indeed, primarily water-based, and his shikigami, while numerous, are relatively weak individually. We could potentially overwhelm them with our combined strength and speed."

Miu looked like she was about to Cheer but was interrupted.

"However," he continued, his brow furrowing in thought, "the real threat lies in the speed and unpredictability of his attacks. The Death Swarm technique- those piranhas move at an alarming speed. Even with our enhanced reflexes,excessive speed, and great perception, evading them entirely would be a challenge I don't think we could handle."

Miu frowned and tapped her chin thoughtfully. "So, we need a target whose attacks are primarily physical, something we can counter with our martial arts skills and cursed energy, and battle ki."

"Exactly," Zack nodded, and then smirked. "Someone like Hanami."

"Hanami?" I questioned, the name unfamiliar to me.

"The cursed spirit that embodies the fear of land based natural disasters," Zack explained. "Its attacks are primarily plant-based, utilizing vines, thorns, and other natural elements. While it's still a formidable opponent, its attacks are more predictable and easier to counter compared to Jogo or Dagon."

Miu nodded in agreement. "Alright. That sounds good."

A smile spread across my face. "Let's go find this Hanami and show it the true power of human ingenuity."

Zack put the compass on the table, it spun three times and then pointed southwards.

Zack POV​

We got up, paid, and then left for the hunt.

We exited the hotel, the bustling streets of Tokyo stretched out before us.

The compass pulsed with a faint warmth in my hand.

We quickly arrived at the public transit station and boarded a southbound train.

We grabbed a spot and waited.

3 hours later.​

"Looks like we're getting close," Miu remarked, her eyes scanning the compasses surface.

Nobara stretched, her arms reaching towards the ceiling of the train car. "About time," she muttered. "My legs are getting stiff from all this sitting around."

I chuckled, sharing her sentiment. "Don't worry, Nobara. We'll get plenty of exercise soon enough."

The train pulled into a station, its automated announcement echoing through the car. "Aoyama-Itchome Station. Doors opening on the left."

We exited the train and stepped onto the platform, the compass guiding us towards the southern exit.

The park district of Aoyama-Kitamachi stretched before us, a quiet natural area, filled with trees and plants. As well as small artificial cliff sides.

Tree-lined streets and sparse yet large traditional houses painted a picture of serenity and normalcy, a stark contrast to the darkness that lurked beneath the surface.

"I feel it. The level of cursed energy is very high." Nobara said, shoulders tense and eyes narrowing.

The compass led us deeper into the residential area, towards a small park nestled between houses and a group of trees.

A park with a swing and slide was in front of us.

As we approached the park, the air grew heavy with the scent of damp earth and decaying vegetation, a subtle shift in the atmosphere that sent shivers down my spine.

The compass throbbed with intensity, its needle pointing directly towards a cluster of overgrown trees in the center of the park. The light was green, so there was no chance he was above or below us.

But why couldn't I see it?

I looked at the compass again, and noticed the compass was pulsing rapidly and the arrow was pointing right behind me.

"DODGE!" I shouted.

We did, indeed, dodge.

Except Nobara was frozen.

Then something came from her, words left her lips as she made the motion of a courtley bow and two thumbs down on each hand. Arms expanding like a welcoming hug, feeling like a trap that won't let go.

"Domain expansion: Combat Dollhouse of War and Effervescent Effects."