Chapter 66 - Azuma Banquet 1

Within a pristine and beautiful mansion where it had a beautiful garden containing a wide variety of roses and flowers. There were four individuals who could be seen and all were women. 

"I see. So Himari will also participate huh?"

Said by a young teenage girl where she has short dark hair, with two locks of hair tied up in braids. She was wearing a sailor-style schoolgirl uniform and wore a headband. Despite this appearance, she was the head of the Azuma family and Himari's grandmother, Tobera Azuma.

"Yes, Mother."(Fubuki)

Fubuki responded to her mother while a spectacled young woman with a buxom figure, having long blue hair and a white strap wrapped around one of her hair strands. Maia Azuma, her eldest daughter fixed her glasses and then said.

"She seems to have gotten an ego boost from defeating Yachiho in the interunit matches."(Maia)

Another young woman who stands taller than Himari in terms of height, with blue hair with a light bang in the front, tied in the back into four spikes, and a white eyepatch covering her right eye.

She is dressed in the usual Anti-demon uniform, but she has the jacket opened revealing a black leather bra strapped in the front. This was Homare Azuma, Himari's sister-in-law, who said with a smirk.

"Does she not get how she only won because Yachiho has a soft spot for her?"(Homare)

Then Tobera grinned as she seemingly use her power that makes a small sampling to grow and blossom into a flower instantly.

"Will Himari…be pruned before she can show her growth?...or will she flourish?"(Tobera)

Tobera then stood back up and shouted with excitement.

"Either way, we must be in perfect condition against the Eight Thunder gods and commander election. This way, the weak Azumas will be rooted out. It'll be a time to celebrate."(Tobera)

"I'll give Himari a good beating. Make her cry just like old days."(Homare)

"You don't have the right to decide who will do it, Homare."(Maia)

Maia said while Homare looked at her then in a blink of an eye, Maia found herself wearing a frilly dress and a cutesy strawberry shape back.

"Hahahahah, don't try to act cool when you're wearing these kinds of clothes!"(Homare)

Homare laughed while Maia quietly fixed her glasses Homare smiled and said.

"How about I….lop your head next?" (Homare)

Maia narrowed her and said.

"You can't since you can no longer move."(Maia)

At that moment, Homare's eyes widened, and felt something crushing her body while Maia was coldly staring at her as Homare became angry.

"...Maia."(Homare)

As they were bickering Fubuki and Tobera were watching the two.

"They hunted so many Shuuki today, and yet still have the energy to spare."(Fubuki)

"Heh. They've got guts."(Tobera)

Fubuki then saw her mother hold out her hand towards the flower that she had grown and use her power causing it to begin to wither away.

"The Azumas have no need for the weak-willed."

=========

For the next five days, Yuuki slowly recovered and helped Himari improve herself, teaching everything that he could in a short span of time. He could use his training room but it would make her feel like she has time and would lose her drive.

Unlike Yuuki who would grow regardless as he never lost his drive. He also visited his sister often but didn't mention what happened since she might do something reckless like fight the commander.

Yuuki had been preparing to take her to meet their parents again but he was too busy and thankfully his sister wasn't in a rush. At the current time where a small walk away from the Tamagawa kanudo….lies the Azuma estate. At the front gate, Yuuki, Kyouka, Tenka, Yachiho, and Himari could be seen standing.

"Doesn't this bring back memories, Himari?"(Yachiho)

"Spare me. I don't have any good memories of here."

Yachiho looked at her sister and decided to comfort her by stretching out her hand and said.

"You can hold my hand if you're nervous."(Yachiho)

"I'd just be made fun of if I did."(Himari)

She declined immediately yet Yachiho felt someone grab her hand then saw Tobera who was holding her hand.

"I'm glad to see you have come to the Azuma banquet!"

"Tobera-sama!"(Yachiho)

"When did you...!"(Himari)

They were all surprised by her sudden appearance then Tobera went to embrace Yachiho and said.

"You are a real cutie, Yachiho. You are the treasure of the Azumas~"(Tobera)

"Tobera-sama... Look, Himari came too. Over there"(Yachiho)

She pointed at Himari, making Tobera turn around and look at Himari with a smile while Himari had a determined expression.

"Not feeling like quitting the corps, are you?"(Tobera)

"Disappointed?"(Himari)

"I won't have any qualms if you show your growth... "

Her tone was calm, only shifting the next moment looking at Himari with a cold gaze and said.

"But if you do not, I will take measures to prevent you from bringing shame to the Azuma name."(Tobera)

Himari shook in fear and still had her doubts only when she recalled her training that fueled her conviction to prove to them that she was strong while Tobera seemed satisfied seeing her resolve then turned around and looked at Kyouka and Tenka.

"You two are quite  protective, coming to observe it."(Tobera)

"It's because I heard it was a harsh rite."(Tenka)

"She is my important underling."(Kyouka)

"We won't be doing anything underhanded. It's going to be a fair contest."(Tobera)

"Then I have nothing to worry about."(Kyouka)

Kyouka puts her hand on Himari's shoulder then declares.

"Because Himari is strong."

"Chief…"(Himari)

"...Hmm."(Tobera)

Seeing this made her think about seeing the potential of Kyouka in the future and thought.

'Is it worthwhile for the Azumas to build a connection to her, or is it not...? This will put Kyouka Uzen's capacity to the test.'(Tobera)

Tenka then shows a box of food that had a text that says flower. 

"I've brought you a little something."(Tenka)

"Oooh, these are my favorites!"(Tobera)

She takes the box and begins eating the sweet.

"um.. who is she...?"(Yuuki)

He pretended to know to have a proper introduction with each other.

"She's Himari and Yachiho's grandmother."(Tenka)

"You can call me Tobera-chan, boy!"(Tobera)

She then notices something from Yuuki and stops eating then she looked at Yuuki carefully making everyone confused

"uhm... Tobera-sama, what are you doing?"(Tobera)

"You boy."(Tobera)

"Yes?"(Yuuki)

"How old are you? Why are you brimming with an insane amount of vitality and how come you seem to be connected with Himari, Tenka and Kyouka?"(Tobera)

Everyone was confused from the odd question while Himari, Kyouka and Tenka look at each other realizing it has to do with being in a relationship while Yuuki certainly didn't expect Tobera to sense his soul and thought that the time has come since sooner or later he had to tell them.

"I'm 18 and as for the other question? I'll leave it for later."(Yuuki)

He glanced at Kyouka, Himari and Tenka as if saying that he would tell them later, making them nod while Yachiho felt out of place and somewhat jealous.

"Hmm, you're certainly not 18, at most you're the same age or older than my daughter based on your soul. I can also see four more souls inside you."(Tobera)

"Oh, that might be my summoning Byakko, Suzaku, Genbu and Seiryuu."(Yuuki)

"Oooh, you're the man with an ability that I heard about? You said, Himari has hidden talent?"(Tobera)

Yuuki smirked and placed his hand on Himari's shoulders who looked at him eager to show them that he was not useless and prove that she is worth being with Yuuki.

'This kid…if he's worth investing then perhaps accepting him as part of our Azuma would bring strong offspring.'(Tobera)

Indeed, even if she may act childish was still older than anyone around the same age as Riu. Tobera could see his life force was immense, nearly infinite yet it was constantly fluctuating and changing that she was confident that the result of such union would be monstrous. After a while, they head inside and walk towards the event going to be held.

"I was thinking Fubuki would be the winner of this Banquet, but with Yachiho taking part? This will be interesting."(Tobera)

"I am here to learn."(Yachiho)

"Sure, let's leave it at that. Anyway, We have eight participants here."(Tobera)

"What's the ratio?"(Tenka)

*Four from the main Family, and four from the branch family."(Tobera)

Yuuki spotted a branch family from Punk looking young woman with an eye patch to a chubby looking woman and woman who looked like a man and finally a woman who had her eyes closed with sleek black hair. From what he recalled their names were Homare Azuma, Takemi Azuma, Sorako Azuma and finally Yumina Azuma.

"Looks like this will get lively."(Tobera)

"Are they all from the Anti-Demon corps?"(Yuuki)

He turned to ask Kyouka since even knowing wanted to make sure considering things might be different and before she could answer, Tobera appeared in front of Yuuki and answered his question.

"The Azumas are present in many fields. They're from the police's special forces. They specifically work with ability-related crimes."

"Is that so?"(Yuuki)

He nodded in satisfaction then Tobera moved towards the sliding door and started the event.

"Well, then... Let's get the ball rolling. The Azuma banquet that determines the next head of Azuma begins now! All eight of you will go to another space and fight. If you can no longer go on or if you give up, you're out! The last one standing will become the next head!"

"... Is that all?"

Yumina asked Tobera who quickly responded with.

"It goes without saying, but the places you'll start at are random."

The wooden sliding door opened to reveal a miasmic dark mist where Yuuki was fascinated seeing the portal.

"Go in, one by one."(Tobera)

"Didn't expect to see that."(Yuuki)

"It's a gate to another space, made using an ability."(Himari)

"The people of the Azuma family are pretty familiar with it."(Yachiho)

"A battle royale... "

A voice came and placed their hand into Himari's shoulder where she turned to find Homare.

"Guess I'll beat up some weaklings and ride on that wave. Right, Himari?"(Homare)

Himari was surprised and became troubled.

"Remember? I made you bawl plenty of times in this courtyard. And you really returned to this trauma filled place? Good job. Are you a masochist?"(Homare)

Everyone laughed at her much to Yuuki's annoyance and wanted to demolish them but he will have his chance later and believe that Himari can handle herself.

'That stupid Homare! After I give her a good punch and rewind time, I'll save himari and…'(Yachiho)

Yachiho became annoyed and stepped forward to help her sister.

"You seem similar, but you're actually not like Yachiho at all."(Himari)

She said surprising Homare who was annoyed by it.

"AAH!?"(Homare)

She then pushes Homare's arms off of her shoulder, surprising everyone from the retaliation while Yuuki smirks.

"You're a rotten woman through and through. I won't pull my punches. I will definitely... Crush you!"(Himari)

"Bitch...!"(Homare)

Homare was infuriated hearing her declaration then heard someone howling in laughter that annoyed her even more and turned to find Yuuki.

"Hahahaha."(Yuuki)

"You! What are you laughing at!!"(Homare)

"Sorry, it's just that you act like you're strong."(Yuuki)

"Yes I'm strong!"(Homare)

She declared while Yuuki suddenly smirked where everyone felt the sudden air gotten colder.

"Strong? I don't see it."(Yuuki)

"What do you mean!?"(Homare)

"You keep beating the weak even though you said you're strong, but I don't see it. Unlike you, Himari struggle and continues to grow and will reach heights higher than you if you keep this facade."(Yuuki)

"What!?"(Homare)

"The truly strong are always kind. You're blind and unable to see your flaws. In order to be strong, you must think of yourself as weak and overcome your struggle."(Yuuki)

He stepped forward and looked intently at her, who had strong ability but lacked the same spirit as Himari. Talent can go you so far without hard work and ability to face struggle. Himari has something that she doesn't and that is resilient.

"You haven't even fought someone strong and won yet claim to be strong? What I see is a pathetic egocentric fool who only fought the weak."(Yuuki)

"Grr."(Homare)

Couldn't accept his words and reacted violently while Yuuki remained stoic then gave a menacing smile.

"Watch out!"(Himari)

She knew Yuuki would be alright and simply acted in reflex as Homare appeared in front of him and Fubuki was about to stop them when he instantly moved and redirected her attack, surprising her.

[ Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist ]

"Hmm, you're not bad compared to Himari. I like that."(Yuuki)

Homare growled yet slightly taken aback by the compliment and blush as she shook her head and stepped back.

"Grrr! Don't compare me to that disgrace."(Homare)

Tobera stepped forward to end the conflict and said.

"I like to say something."

Everyone turned to look at her then said looking at Yuuki.

"This boy."(Tobera)

"Yuuki Wakura."(Yuuki)

"Yuuki Wakura, will join the banquet."(Tobera)