Shirakawa-go (4)

Several days went by before Yasushi and the others received the equipment they'd been waiting on to finally begin work on the rundown bakery and restaurant building that belonged to Nino.

The first task they decided to tackle was cleaning up the exterior — giving the place a face-lift so it would appeal to the town's residents as they passed by. This included dealing with the wasp nest high on the upper deck of the restaurant, a troublesome spot they couldn't leave as it was.

Yasushi, geared up in a protective suit, took on the task himself. He held a flamethrower at the ready, eyes glinting with a mischievous spark under his helmet. He'd let the locals know this was happening, and a crowd had gathered, watching with curious anticipation from below.

As he walked toward the nest, a chorus of murmurs drifted up, mixed with a few excited cheers. Yasushi paused, casting a glance down at the crowd and raising his hand in a thumbs-up.

Then, without a moment's hesitation, he squeezed the trigger and unleashed a burst of flames.

The nest went up in a blazing burst, sending wasps scattering, their bodies caught in the searing flames. Every last insect in the nest faced the inferno, the fire consuming it with a crackling fury that left nothing in its path.

The sight of the flames stirred excitement among the crowd below — young boys and men especially — watching with open grins and laughs, clearly thrilled by the sight of the flamethrower in action.

After holding the flame steady for a few more moments, Yasushi turned off the device and stepped back. He scanned the area around him, spotting a few wasps writhing on the ground, their wings giving weak, final twitches. Satisfied, he pulled off his helmet, breathing out with relief. "Damn… that was hotter than I thought," he muttered, wiping the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand.

Behind him, Yinhaie's quiet laugh broke through the quiet. "Looked like you had fun, Yasushi."

He waved one last time to the crowd before heading over to her at the doorway. "Not every day you get to mess around with a flamethrower. Hot as it was, I loved every second."

Yinhaie chuckled again before leading Yasushi to the staff lounge downstairs, where she helped him wriggle out of the heavy suit. Once he was free of it, he got dressed in his regular clothes and joined her in putting the flamethrower away.

They locked it securely in a spot out of everyone's reach — a spot even Kuroti couldn't get into since they were the only ones with a key.

"How's the rest going?" he asked, throwing a glance her way as he secured the metal door with a firm turn of the key.

"Everyone's doing their part cleaning up outside. A few locals even joined in; they've missed having this place around and were tired of Kuroti's antics," she replied, pulling out a handkerchief and giving his forehead a quick dab to wipe off some sweat.

Yasushi nodded in thanks, and together, they stepped out of the shop to see how things were moving along outside. They found the girls busy with their own tasks, helped along by several town locals.

Many of the children had jumped in on their own to handle the simple jobs, eager to lend a hand. Meanwhile, the men took on the heavier lifting, handling the bulkier items and debris, turning the once-overlooked space into something more lively and cared for.

Yasushi scanned the area, on the lookout for any sign of Kuroti, but he wasn't anywhere nearby. Yasushi figured he was probably keeping to himself somewhere out of sight, maybe back at that odd shack in the woods doing his strange rituals. He knew, though, that wasting time on thoughts of Kuroti wasn't what he should be doing right now — there was a job that actually needed doing.

Moving to a wall covered in dirt and grime, he picked up a brush and started scrubbing alongside a handful of locals pitching in.

Each stroke chipped away at years of neglect, the bristles grinding down layers of dirt to reveal patches of the wall beneath. Yinhaie, meanwhile, was walking over to where Jingliu and Xinyi kept an eye on the entire scene, directing the work and occasionally helping with some of the heavier tasks.

As Yasushi scrubbed away, he kept quiet, letting the soft chatter of the others fill the space. He figured it wouldn't be long before the locals, as they often did, shared a bit of local gossip — and sure enough, before too long, he caught snippets of just that.

"Hey, did you hear about that story going around from the village nearby?" one of the young men asked another, his tone low but enough to reach Yasushi's ears.

"What kind of rumor?" someone else asked, pausing mid-scrub to turn and face him.

The young man nodded, his expression a mix of unease. "Apparently, there's been trouble around that village. People there started noticing strangers — people dressed in odd clothing — coming around. And not long after that, it seems like everything went wrong. Crops failing, folks falling sick out of nowhere, strange accidents happening all over."

"Are you serious? That sounds creepy as hell. You don't think any of that stuff's going to hit us here, do you?" another asked, frowning, their hands resting on the brush.

The first man shrugged, glancing around like he was half-expecting to see something strange nearby. "Who knows? But take a look at Kuroti. He wasn't always like this. Used to be pretty normal, right? Now he's a complete mess, dragging trouble everywhere he goes. A friend of mine said they even saw strange shadows near that old shack over by the woods." He shifted his gaze to the others, visibly unsettled.

"Wait, I heard that too," another voice chimed in, voice tinged with a nervous tone. "And it's not just that. There's been this weird person — someone nobody around here recognizes — who's been wandering into the village around midnight. Doesn't sit right. I'm just hoping it's nothing more than rumors."

Yasushi listened, his expression hardening. The shadows, the shack — they all pointed to Kuroti, but the rest of what he'd heard was news to him. He wondered if there might be a way to speak with Hakufubuki about it, though he'd have to wait for a better moment to see if she had anything useful on all this strange activity.

When he finally moved to check in with Nandini, he figured her knack for sensing things beyond the ordinary might be exactly what he needed to get a clearer picture. After that, he'd approach Yinhaie to cover anything rooted in the regular world. It was good to know he had reliable help around him, both for the strange and the real.

For the rest of that long stretch of afternoon, Yasushi, alongside the locals, scrubbed at the walls of the bakery and worked without a word from Kuroti.

+-+

Two nights later, close to midnight, Yasushi stood near the edge of a building, staying close to the wall. Nandini stood next to him, both silent, their attention focused on Kuroti, who was speaking with someone hidden from their view.

"I can't do it. There are people here hired by Shiva to interfere, and you have to help me out," Kuroti said, his words hurried. "I mean, I know one of them can use magic, but the others seem like regular folks. That Yasushi guy, though — yeah, I've heard about him. Apparently, he's got some divine backing or something. I don't think I can take him on."

A man's voice replied, calm but cold. "That man? So, Shiva brought him into this? Interesting. It changes nothing. I'll take care of him myself. Killing him won't be a problem. I need a few days to get ready, though. Until then, keep quiet and don't give anything away. Let them think they're just here to handle something mundane."

Yasushi and Nandini began stepping away cautiously, careful not to make any sound that might draw attention. Neither spoke as they moved, their thoughts running through the same course.

Once they were far enough, they exchanged a brief glance, both knowing the next step. Contacting Shiva to report this and requesting additional support was no longer an option — it was a necessity.

When they returned to the house where they were staying, Nandini walked off into another room, pulling out her phone to contact Shiva. Meanwhile, Yasushi stood in the main room, holding the ring given to him by Fujin.

He turned it over in his hand, his expression clouded with thought. He wondered if reaching out to the Japanese gods might be the right move in the situation.

"Are you troubled?" a voice asked, breaking the silence and making him flinch.

His eyes darted to the ring. "…That voice… Amaterasu?" he asked cautiously.

"Yes, it is I," the voice replied, calm but direct. "Now, tell me, Yasushi. Is something troubling you? Do you want to talk about it?"

Before he could form a reply, a bright light flared from the ring, glowing with a blend of deep red and orange. The light quickly enveloped him, forcing him to shut his eyes against the sudden brilliance. 

When he opened them again, he found himself standing in a familiar place. It was the same dimension where he had first met Amaterasu, Fujin, and Kojin. His surroundings were vivid yet serene, and the strange stillness felt both grounding and disorienting.

As he looked around, his attention was drawn to Amaterasu. She sat calmly, a delicate tea set arranged before her. Without a word, she poured two cups and gestured for him to sit.

"Speak your troubles, Yasushi. Some of the supernatural beings near the town where you currently reside have observed you and your companions in what appears to be a state of unease. It is summer break for most humans now, isn't it?" Amaterasu asked, her voice calm but firm.

Yasushi gave a small nod. "Yes," he answered simply, then drew a deep breath. He began to recount their current situation, explaining Shiva's slow responses and their growing concern about what was ahead. His words flowed steadily, outlining each worry and doubt as he spoke.

When he finished, his eyes settled on Amaterasu, watching her as she closed her eyes briefly and brought the teacup to her lips. Her calm demeanor only deepened the unease that was bubbling beneath the surface of his thoughts.

"I think… things are going to escalate," he admitted after a pause. "I can't use magic, and I've never trained with ki. I doubt I'd be able to do much if the person we're dealing with is a mage. If they attack me from a distance, there's not much I can do to stop it. I don't want to get hurt, but more than that, I don't want anyone with me to get hurt either. So, I've been running through every possibility in my head, trying to figure out what to do," he said, his frustration slipping into his voice as he let out a sharp sigh.

Yasushi mulled over the "Black Flash" technique he had used against Peter. It had been a single instance, something he couldn't replicate, though it lingered in his mind. When he'd asked Hakufubuki about it, their explanation had been cryptic: "A miracle that creates miracles which generates power."

He hadn't understood the full meaning of their words, but he knew it granted an immense boost in strength — an exponential 1000% increase — once triggered.

"Do you want to learn?" Amaterasu's question interrupted his thoughts. She gestured around the space, the surroundings calm but strange. "This place operates on a different flow of time. A day here amounts to just an hour in the world outside." Her tone carried an unusual lightness, accompanied by a slight smile.

Yasushi's mouth opened, but no words came out. He stared at her, trying to piece together a response while his mind wrestled with the offer.

"Learning magic would take too long," she continued, her expression more focused. "But using ki? That's a different story. There are two methods to awaken its use within you. The first is a natural approach — allowing your body to attune to the life force surrounding this world. The second involves a direct transfer — having someone already adept in its use pour some of their energy into you. Considering your circumstances, the choice is clear. To gain access to it now, we'll need to take the second approach." Her gaze rested on him, waiting for his answer.

"If... if it's what I need, then I'll take the chance!" Yasushi declared, his expression unwavering as he locked eyes with the Chief God.

Amaterasu chuckled softly, her steps deliberate as she approached him, eventually circling behind. "Very well, Yasushi. Let's see how you handle this. Consider it an introduction — a crash course. I'll teach you the fundamentals, but from that point onward, how you choose to use it will be entirely up to you."

Her hand came to rest firmly against his back, the contact almost startling him. "Are you prepared for what comes next?" she asked.

"Yes, ma'am. Please, do it!" he replied without hesitation, his body taut with anticipation but resolved to endure whatever would follow.

+-+

"Where the heck is Yasushi?" Xinyi asked, her frustration spilling over as her foot tapped against the floor. "It's already eleven in the morning!" she added, her voice rising.

"Nandini, when did you see him last?" Jingliu asked, her concern apparent as she glanced at the others for answers.

"H-he was sitting on the sofa after we came back from dealing with Kuroti and that person — whoever they were — talking about getting rid of us," Nandini replied, stumbling over her words. "I don't think they would just grab him out of nowhere… He's got to be somewhere in town…" She sounded unsure, her worry creeping into her tone.

Before anyone could respond further, a flash of crimson and orange erupted in the center of the room. The light was abrupt, pulling everyone's attention, and it left Catherine stunned. Yasushi stumbled forward from the light, his clothes soaked with sweat, his body swaying as if drained of all strength.

"…I need to sleep…" he muttered, his voice barely audible before collapsing onto the floor, unconscious.

"What…what just happened?" Catherine stammered, staring at Yasushi, her disbelief evident as she took a step back.

The group exchanged tired looks, knowing they would not only have to explain the unexplainable to Catherine but also wait for Yasushi to regain consciousness. Whatever had happened, it was clear he had been through something beyond their understanding.

+-+

By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, everyone returned home after spending the day working on the bakery-restaurant repairs. Progress had been steady, the structure looking closer to its former state. As they walked in, they saw Yinhaie seated next to Yasushi, who was now awake, though still recovering.

"Yo, sorry for making you all worry—" Yasushi began, raising a hand in greeting, but his words were cut short as Jingliu rushed toward him. Without hesitation, she threw her arms around him, holding him tightly.

"I'm fine, really. Sorry for making you all so anxious," he said as he returned the embrace. Jingliu pulled back slightly but stayed close, lowering her head against his chest, refusing to let go entirely.

"So, you gonna tell us what went down?" Xinyi asked, breaking the moment with her usual directness. "Oh, and just so you know, we filled Catherine in on everything. She's caught up now." She crossed her arms and leaned against the doorway, waiting for Yasushi to explain.