Hi!

Here is the next summary of Mokushiroku arc!  :) I really like this Shinto themed plot even if it's quite challenging to explain since I'm not so familiar with Japanese folklore Kojiki and Nihonshoki. But thanks to Kuwabara-sensei, we all learn a lot! 

 

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MoB vol. 31 (Youhen Mokushiroku / The Revelation of Universe - Futsu)

Katsuragi Ichizou has arrived to Matsumoto. Naoe asked him to rescue Miya and take her to save place. However, Ougi family's house is surrounded by media and it seems that something serious has happened. Ichizou asks from onlookers what's going on and someone says Ougi family's mother has come home, but she can't find her daughter. No one saw her come out, so this is very odd. How she can disappear in such a way? 

Meanwhile Miya wakes up in the train that is about to arrive to Koufu station. They're far from Tokyo and Miya wonders where they're heading for. Take take a taxi. Miya asks where they're going and Yuzuru says that to his friend's home. They arrive to an estate that looks like a very high class and expensive Japanese inn. Everything is like from the historical drama since there are many servants that bow deeply to Yuzuru and call him 'My Lord'. Yuzuru's way to speak also changes as if he's different person. Miya feels uncomfortable, but Yuzuru convinces that everything is fine. Miya is treated like a lady and she gets her own room and caretakers. Worried Miya demands Yuzuru to tell what's going on, who these people are, where Yuzuru has been these 3 years and where Takaya is.

Y: "You're right. Maybe it's better if I explain everything. Those people, they're my friends and together we fight against the bad people."

M: "Against who?"

Y: "Against those who are hurting Takaya."

M: "People who are hurting... my brother?"

Y: "Yeah."

M: "Who? Who would hurt him?"

Yuzuru looking deeply into Miya's eyes tells that he only wants to protect Takaya. And he's ready for using even Devil's powers to do that. Miya gets very afraid hearing how souls remain in the Earth and continue living after death.

Yuzuru goes to his own room and meets Kousaka there. They talk about APCD while Yuzuru is watching the beautiful sunset view of Mt. Fuji from the window. Sometimes Yuzuru speaks and acts like Shingen, but most of time the body is controlled by Yuzuru or Miroku. Kousaka feels proud of that Yuzuru became more powerful after getting Shingen's soul into his body. Now he has Shingen's memory, knowledge and powers. Yuzuru asks if Kousaka got known where Takaya is, but he didn't yet. "...I can't wait forever", Yuzuru says and his diabolical looking face gives goosebumps to Kousaka. Yuzuru continues saying: "He's a latch that keeps me 'locked'. Without removing the latch I can't be enlighten. I wanna have Ougi Takaya already. I wanna eat that soul that has matured for 400 years! If I can't get him soon, I'll eat everyone here!"

K: "...By all means, My Lord."

Y: "My name is Miroku! The one who will be enlightened and who leads the others to the Paradise!"

K: (´_`;;)

400 years ago this belligerent Bodhisattva was reincarnated, but he didn't wake up. At the time his name was Uesugi Kiheiji Kagekatsu. Maybe because he was born close to Uesugi Kenshin, he lived his life without awakening. However, he revived to the present world. Once again... after 1200 years.

Y: "Before the next 'meal' we shall destroy the Ikkoushuu. Those people believing in the supremacy of Amida's Pure Land shall kneel down in front of me. Those miserable and foolish people who don't know that the only way to find peace in their souls is come to me. Shall we teach them what's the true way." 

K: "As you wish."

In Japan, there are many Buddhist sects. Ikkoushuu was a militant monk group of Pure Land sect that believes Amida Buddha to be a savior and anyone can get in his Pure Land Paradise by chanting his name. On the other hand, Miroku (Maitreya Bodhisattva) is a long-waited savior in Shingon sect. There can't be two different saviors, so Miroku wants to crush his rival. At least in Japanese Buddhism, there various types of Buddhist deities. For example, Amida belongs to nyorai (如来) group and Miroku is part of bosatsu (菩薩), Bodhisattva group. Nyorais have enlightened, but Bodhisattvas are still looking for their own. Bodhisattvas have mission before they can become enlightened too and Miroku's mission is to save everyone from suffering.

Okay, back to the summary! Takaya and Naoe visit Motomiya family's house. Eiko says that she didn't know Kaoru to be Hiruko nor he was drifted away. But she remembers one night 14 years ago when Tooru and Kaoru suddenly came to Motomiya's family shrine in the middle of night. They both were soaked and Tooru begged Motomiya family to take care of Kaoru. Kaoru stayed with Motomiya family for around half a year and met Satoko while staying with them. There was something weird about Kaoru, for example he was talking alone and it seemed that he had mental problems. One day Kaoru escaped to a sacred place called Ooyunohara. Tooru tried to stop him, but couldn't. After that no one saw Kaoru anymore. At last Eiko gives them an address where they can find 'Saniwa'.

Takaya, Naoe, Rei and Yuuta travel to a small hot spring village in the mountains. Unfortunately Saniwa wasn't home at moment, but her son offers them a room to stay since Saniwa's family owns a hot spring hotel. Their hot spring is famous for it's purifying powers and Saniwa's son recommends Takaya to try it. And so, Takaya and Naoe take a bath together. The water is spiritually very strong and makes Takaya to feel dizzy. He wants to get his powers back so that he can fight again. Here Naoe finds an ideal moment for having some intimacy with Takaya. 

 

p.48

Preventing him to say anything anymore, Naoe pressed his own lips onto Takaya's. Takaya breaks the kiss and pushes Naoe's chest aside.

T: "I'm not on such a mood..."

Without caring Takaya's words, Naoe moves his lips to younger man's neck. Trying to escape Takaya says: "Isn't this... detoxification treatment..?"

Naoe doesn't say anything, but leads his hand to Takaya's inner tight and pushes in a finger.

T: "Naoe...!"

Naoe spreads out Takaya's hole with the finger inside of him. As the water gets in the body, Takaya moans. Naoe moves his finger eagerly in and out, letting the water come in Takaya's body. When the tingling water starts to feel painful, Tayaka grabs Naoe's hair tightly. As if trying to make Takaya moan more, Naoe keeps touching that sensitive spot inside of him.

T: "D-don't... Naoe...! Nao... Aaah!"

In a trance Takaya grabs Naoe's wrist and brings his face close to the older man's.

T: "What's on your mind...? Naoe..."

Naoe wraps arms around Takaya's neck and kisses him deeply. Without having any idea what Naoe is thinking, Takaya gets a bit mad and tries to get some distance, but then Naoe grabs Takaya's and his own manhood and starts to rub them together.

T: "...Mnn...!"

Reflexively Takaya tries to get up, but Naoe doesn't let him go.

T: "Don't... Naoe! I'm not fully conscious now!"

Naoe won't stop at this point. He simultaneously rubs their organs together. Necessarily Takaya's throbbing manhood responds to the caress and Takaya's back slides down. Takaya feels he's about to drown and cries out.

T: "Naoe... Stop, I....!"

By accident Takaya gets water into his mouth. The water feels as if it's burning his internal organs and it makes Takaya cough loudly. The water permeates into Takaya's body making him feel as if his bones are melting. Like trying to make the poison come out Naoe's hand grasps Takaya's testicles hard, making the younger man shake his head strongly. 

T: "Aah... Aah... Aah!"

Reacting with the water, the sperm that spilled out, becomes steam. 

 

After the bath Naoe carries Takaya to their bedroom where Rei is already sleeping. As watching Takaya's sleeping face, Naoe prays to stay strong. Takaya needs him now more than ever, so Naoe has to be strong in order to protect and support him. He also thinks about the sword of Futsu... the sword that brings death people alive... Naoe's phone ring and he leaves the room so that he won't wake up Takaya and Rei. Then a person wearing traditional clothes sneaks into the room from window. This intruder tries to find something, but he gets shocked seeing Naoe standing on the door and showing Rei and Tooru's amulets on his hand. "Are you looking for this?", Naoe asks. Takaya gets up and grabs intruder's arm. This mysterious person has three arms... He is Hiruko! They start to fight. Rei takes a form of Yata crow. Takaya asks why Hiruko came back now, not 50 years ago. Hiruko smiles devilishly and says "I was in a foreign land. But as the prediction says, I came back with the gods that were drifted away. Don't get me wrong. My revenge is Hirukos' revenge. It's not only my personal revenge for that what happened 50 years ago. The gods are returning now. Why are you staying on Jimmu's side?" Takaya stiffs: "On Jimmu's.. side?" H: "That bird (Rei)... That's Jimmu's bird. And the God inside of you isn't suitable ally for Jimmu but for Nishikitobe." This God that Hiruko is talking about, is Kihachi. Hiruko asks Takaya to join them so that they can together create a new country where to live. The gods that were drifted away will replace the gods living on the land. The fight continues and one of the Hiruko's friend catches Rei planning to kill her (because she's Nachi guardian). Then Takaya shouts that they can't kill Rei, because she's Kaoru's child. Hiruko and his friends stiff and escape.

They finally meet Saniwa, an old lady named Isomura Teru. Saniwas are like Shinto priestesses who have spiritual skills and also ability to communicate with the gods. They discuss about Hirukos and the amulets. It seems that Hirukos are planning to revenge to the gods that drifted them away. In the folklore, Hiruko was a child of Izanami and Izanagi, but his parents drifted him away (=sacrificed). Next, Teru takes a look of amulets. One of them is from the Grand Shrine of Motomiya and another one from the Grand Shrine of Nachi. It seems that one amulet is still missing, because there is a famous word 'Kumano sanzan' (熊野三山), that refers to the three most sacred shrines in Kumano: the Grand Shrine of Nachi, the Grand Shrine of Motomiya and the Grand Shrine of Hayatama. If Tooru and Satoko had amulets, then the third one with the crest of Hayatama shrine must belong to Kaoru. But it's quite possible that Kaoru doesn't know that Satoko was his sister or that Rei is his daughter, so he doesn't know about the existence of third amulet either. Even if they don't have Hayatama shrine's amulet, Teru can see a writing that says 'Three moons will tell the location', when she puts Nachi and Motomiya amulets together. They all wonder what does it mean. They also wonder if three armed Hiruko and Kaoru are related to each other since Hiruko is looking for Tooru's amulet. They heard voices outside. There is a huge group of villagers wanting to kill Takaya. Rei attacks to them (in a form of Yata crow) and the villagers lost their consciousness. They recognizes that Rei is possessed by a God. Then the God talks by using Rei's mouth asking what the God from foreign country does in Kumano. This 'god from foreign country' seems to refer to Bishamonten (it's originally from India) inside of Takaya. The God wants Takaya to leave Kumano immediately. However, Teru explains that Takaya and the others are here for protecting people in Kumano, they're not bad people. They ask what's the sword of Futsu and why Hiruko wants it. The God says it's hidden and only the chosen one who shoots the arrow to the mark can get it. The sword of Futsu is the sword of resuscitation, and Taira Koremori brought it to Kumano before drowning himself into the Nachi Bay. Naoe asks if the sword of Futsu can really save people from the death. Is it just legend or did it really happen? And is Kaoru wanting that for saving himself from the death (As a Nachi guardian Kaoru will die to Hiruko curse too even if he's Hiruko. Kaoru is now around 25 years old so his end is close). The God says that the power of the sword is true, but only chosen ones can use it. After that the God disappears.

Everyone returns to Teru's home to rest. Teru tells that the God was the main deity of the Grand Shrine of Kumano, Susanoo (the God of storms). They get information about three armed Hiruko: his name is Kanemitsu Shingo. Next morning, Takaya, Naoe, Kubuki and Teru go to visit Ooyunohara where Kaoru disappeared. It's a place where the Grand Shrine of Motomiya originally was. Ooyunohara has extremely sorrowful and powerful energy, making visitors to cry. They can feel that something horrible happened here in the past. There is an altar and on the top of that there are two rocks that are actually graves. In the past corpses were drifted into the river that flew to Ooyunohara. Those dead souls were worshiped here. 100 years ago here was flood that drifted people and Motomiya shrine (and it's gods) away. Lots of people lost their lives. That's why Ooyunohara became 'a graveyard' and those two graves are for the victims of that flood: one for the gods and the another for humans. Survivors decided the rebuild the Motomiya shrine to the different place so that it won't be destroyed by flood anymore. And so Ooyunohara became abandoned. It's absolutely forbidden to touch those graves. Takaya asks if Kaoru touched them. Teru weeping tears says that Kaoru made an oath with a God he should have never done.

At Jingo-ji temple in Kyoto, Hayato is sitting alone in front of the statue of Yakushi nyorai. It's late evening. Nakagawa comes there and they start to talk about Takaya. Hayato isn't happy to hear that Naoe is with Takaya in Kumano. Nakagawa asks if it's because Tachibana is a former retainer of Uesugi. Hayato holds his rifle closer and says that it's not because of that, but he hates how Tachibana thinks that only he has the right to protect Takaya. Nakagawa understands that Hayato has feelings for Takaya and how he wants to protect him. Nakagawa convinces Hayato that they don't need to worry about Takaya's safety, because Tachibana will definitely take good care of him. Then they hear that some girl wants to meet Hyoudou Hayato. Together with Nakagawa he hurries to the gate. There is a girl whose brother was possessed by a kanshousha. Earlier Hayato caught this kanshousha (because he was enemy) and imprisoned him to Jingo-ji temple. Of course this girl doesn't understand that her brother's soul isn't in that body anymore since now it belongs to this kanshousha, a samurai named Koheita. Reporters and journalists surround her and Hayato asking them to tell some details of the Red Whales. Hayato gets pissed off and explains that APCD isn't disease, but being possessed by a vengeful spirit, onryou. He also explains that the Red Whales isn't a religious cult or a terrorist organization. They have nothing to do with this scandal and that Shiba Eiji is lying. Without any warning Koheita attacks and injuries Hayato. Everyone gets in a panic. Hayato and Nakagawa close the gate again. But they can't rest at all, because suddenly the spiritual atmosphere in the temple has changed. Monks from Mt Hiei are attacking spiritually and try to exorcise all onryous from Jingo-ji temple! Meanwhile at Enryoku-ji temple in Mt. Hiei, Akechi Mitsuhide is watching how the monks are chanting the mantra. But then enormous lightning strikes the temple.

At the very same moment, dressed in a white kimono, Shiba Eiji (Nobunaga) finishes his mantra at Atsuta shrine in Nagoya. He was the one who send the lightning to strike Mt. Hiei. When he steps out of the hall of worship, he sees Mori Ranmaru and other high ranking retainers waiting for him. R: "My Lord, we saw a fierce lightning rising up to the sky. That was truly magnificent!" His lightning touched the Enryoku-ji temple and cancelled their spelling. Nobunaga's retainers ask why he saved the Red Whales in Jingo-ji temple. Nobunaga laughs and says that before long they will get known. Shiba will have a business meeting tomorrow so he and Ranmaru get on the limousine and head for the Shintoukai Broadcast company that is under Nobunaga's control now. Ranmaru tells his report how things are going. The next scene is quite interesting so I translated it!

 

p.141

N: "By the way, Ran. Has that man returned yet?"

R: "No, not yet."

N: "That useless moron. What the fuck he's doing. I gave him lots of time to finish this task."

R: "That's true, but actually..."  

Ranmaru whispers secret details into Nobunaga's ear so that the driver can't hear. Nobunaga sharpens his eyes.

N: "Really?"

R: "What a nuisance. We couldn't expect that he would manage to escape to Shikoku. Shall we send someone to get rid of them before they interrupt us more?"

Nobunaga couldn't help but smile.

N: "Send assassins and drive them away from Kumano. But don't kill."

R: "I can't kill them, huh?"

N: "Of course not. That man has still lots of responsibilities to do." 

Saying so Nobunaga reaches out Ranmaru's face and grabs his chin. Younger man gasps in surprise.

N: "Don't let that man to come on my way anymore. I don't care if he has two or three arms. Send the Tatara for this mission and tell them to get the rest Imperial regalia to me in few weeks."

R: "Ye-yes!"

N: "Without them the sword of Kusanagi is just worthless rubbish."

As saying so Nobunaga kisses Ranmaru roughly. At first Ranmaru is amazed, but eventually he clutches Nobunaga's kimono collar with his trembling hands. As if enjoying the feeling of soft fruit Nobunaga is sucking Ranmaru's lips to his heart's content. He licks his lips and says with a cold smile on his face. 

N: "I'm going to smash down the Shadow Shikoku."

Nobunaga's voice is so bloodlusted that it almost wakes up Ranmaru who is drunken from the intensive kissing with his lord.

N: "We have to protect Jingo-ji temple. But it's time to be serious. And before long the Real Pure Land will also collapse." 

Nobunaga says so and tears off Ranmaru's shirt all at once. The buttons fly and hit the window glass. Usually Nobunaga doesn't show this side of himself in public, but now he bends young man's slender body on the seat and comes on the top of him.

N: "We have to teach him one thing: Humans can't exist if they escape from the life. How can he think that anyone can live without a body? Life itself is the source of everything."

R: "My... Lord..."

N: "I'm hungry for you."

Nobunaga bends Ranmaru's legs so that young man's feet touch the ceiling. He binds Ranmaru's arms with his shirt so that the younger man can't move freely. Without any hesitation Nobunaga thrusts two digits into Ranmaru's body and enjoys how he responds with moans.

R: "Mm... My Lord... Please... Stop!"

N: "That's right. The physical body wakes up passion inside of us and the passion is the source of all power. How can anyone feel passion without a body? Wow, you're so heated already. Yes, feel me, Ran. With all your heart, feel my overflowing life through that body you're having now!"

R: "S-Stop!"

Nobunaga takes Ranmaru's one testicle into his mouth and bites it vigorously. Being afraid of getting his balls bitten off Ranmaru stiffs and his face becomes pale.

R: "Nnn... My Looord!!" (@A@;;;;)

There is a scream in the car. Nobunaga's mouth is covered by fresh blood. He looks like a predator that is having meal. Ranmaru is unconscious. Nobunaga brings his fingers onto his lips and licks blood as if it is very delicious. Smile appears on Nobunaga's face. His eyes are so cold and mad, expressing that no one can stop him.

 

Ohoh! Any OdaMori shippers here? :) By the way, in novels Nobunaga calls Ranmaru "Oran". In the past it was common to add letter 'o' in front of female names. For example, in MoB OVA you can hear Shintarou calling Haruie "Otsuta" instead of calling her "Tsuta". According to some historical sites Nobunaga used this way to call Ranmaru in real life too. Even if it was used for females in their case it was Nobunaga's way to show affection for his young lover (at least they had extremely close servant-lord relationship, but it's highly possible that Ranmaru served Nobunaga in sexual way too since it was very common at the time). 

In Shikoku everyone is astonished what happened in Kyoto. It seems that something stroke Mt. Hiei making their spell to fail. Reijirou is asked come to see someone who wants to meet him. In the room he sees Satta and a woman who is keeping Satta as a hostage. Woman introduces herself to be Kadowaki Ayako, Kakizaki Haruie. Reijirou says that he had heard about her from Nakagawa. Ayako asks about APCD and Kagetora. Reijirou tells the truth that they haven't done anything wrong and that Takaya is their friend. Ayako gets mad and says that's not true.  R: "When Ougi was suffering the most, what were you guys doing?! If you're his friend, why didn't you help him?! Do you even know anything about him? How much have you seen his true self?" Ayako drops her gun and starts to cry. She explains that she felt so terrible being caught by Oda and kept imprison so long. She couldn't help Kagetora even if she wanted to do so. Utarou comes to the room with tea. As Reijirou introduces him to Ayako and says that Utarou helps Takaya at Mt. Tsurugi. Utarou says that if Ayako wants to know more about how Takaya is doing recently, she should ask from Nakagawa or Tachibana. Ayako asks desperately if Naoe has also joined the Red Whales and why he left Uesugi. Satta, Utarou and Narasaki all turn to look at Reijirou and ask "Kada-san? What does she mean?" ó__ò Only few people know the true identity of Naoe... Reijirou decides to tell the truth who Tachibana Yoshiaki really is and why he's here. Ayako starts cry again, but this time because she's happy and relieved. That's our Naoe. He would do anything for Kagetora, even leave Uesugi in order to be together with him. No matter what, he would always choose Kagetora. Then Utarou makes Ayako to wear a spiritual bracelet so that she won't be able to use exorcism. Doumori comes and asks Reijirou to have a talk. It seems that someone is trying to break their spiritual barriers. Suddenly Kiyomasa arrives. He has come all the way from Kumamoto to help Reijirou. He says that Hayato was on the tv and that he told everything to the media. Reijirou is dumbfounded. He couldn't expect Hayato to revival everything. Then they hear the sound of siren and go to see what's happening outside. Police cars are driving to the front yard of their fort. They're shocked to be found by modern people.

Meanwhile in Kyoto, police officers and paramedics have come inside of the Jingo-ji temple area. Hayato is taken to the police station for interrogation, but Nakagawa escapes to Shikoku. Even if Hayato tells to truth about APCD, himself and the Red Whales, no one believes him. Suddenly they see from the window that it has started to rain. It's golden rain. Everyone get astonished. Hayato remembers what happened in Miyajima and gets worry. He escapes from the police station and runs to the Jingo-ji temple. Before this the golden rain has fallen only the above of shrines, but this time the rain is covering the whole city of Kyoto. After he reaches the temple he doesn't find anyone there. Everyone has disappeared. In the sky he sees Orochi (a multi-headed serpent). He tries to shoot it, but it's too strong. After all he's saved by a monk and the rain stops. The monk says that their land has started to stain. But there is a way to get everyone back: Isonokami shrine in Nara. Hayato decides to go there. 

Takaya and Naoe are solving another clue about 'three moons'. Number 3 is very sacred in Kumano: 3 limbed Hirukos, 3 main shrines.. When Taira Koremori came to Kumano, it's quite high possible that Nachi guardians helped him to hide the sword of Futsu. Then Rei also joined to their conversation saying that the gods (of Hayatama, Nachi and Motomiya shrines) said that the Moon is in the shrine. What is found in every shrine and what looks like a moon when light hits it? Yes, it's a mirror! In the other words, it's possible that those three mirror are actually 'magic mirrors' that may tell the location of the sword of Futsu. Takaya, Naoe and Yuuta steal scared mirrors from Hayatama and Nachi shrine. At Motomiya shrine they encounter 4 members of the Tatara assassins. They tell to be ordered by Lord Nobunaga, and asks Takaya and the others to give the mirror to them. Also, if they don't leave Kumano, they will kill them. As they start to have fight, Yuuta stabs Takaya by a knife. He has been on Hirukos' side all this time! He just tried to get known where the sword of Futsu is! As Naoe exorcises 2 assassins, the others and Yuuta escape.

Ushio wakes up at the cave. He was possessed by a hyouirei, but finally got himself back. He has no idea where he is, but finds a torii gate. There is an around 13 years old boy wearing Shinto priests clothes. The boy says that it's better to not pass the torii gate, because that shrine is a sacred place for Nishikitobe. He explains that Nishikitobe are indigenous people of Kumano and they were destroyed by Emperor Jimmu. The hyouirei that was possessing Ushio was a soul that belonged to Nishikitobe. Ushio asks why the boy isn't at school, but the boy answers that he has lived in this shrine for all his life, so he doesn't go to school like normal children. Next, the boy tells that Nishikitobe were a folk that used mineral resources of Kumano and learnt to control minerals by using spiritual skills. The onryous of Nishikitobe can create their own host body for example from mud, stones or oil (in other words, that oil creature that followed and killed Tooru was an onryou of Nishikitobe). Ushio asks if the boy is a descendant of Nishikitobe, but the boy says he's just a Kaoru-sama's servant who takes care of this shrine. Ushio demands to see Kaoru because he promised Tooru to kill Kaoru. The boy gets sad after hearing Tooru has died, and he also tells Kaoru is Tooru's younger brother and also three eyed Hiruko. Together with Nishikitobe Kaoru is creating new world to Kumano. The boy tells his name to be Tsukasa. He also asks Ushio to join them because they will be winners soon, since the one who controls Kumano, controls the whole Yami Sengoku. Then Kanemitsu Shingo, the three armed Hiruko, comes there and is frustrated to fail getting the two missing amulets. They have also an another way to get known the location of the sword of Futsu. Shingo has a box and inside of that, there is a skull of Taira Koremori. They're planning to resurrect him and ask directly where the sword of Futsu is. 

Takaya and the others illuminate the mirrors by a flashlight, and then the hidden writing comes visible. It says 'Draw the bow of Gotobiki and shoot the flying dragon'. Teru says that Gotobiki is a holy rock in Kamikura shrine. Takakuraji is the main deity of that shrine and in the same place he also granted the sword of Futsu to Emperor Jimmu. Flying dragon might be Hiryuu shrine ('Hiryuu' means flying dragon) that is next to Nachi Falls. They wonder if the sword of Futsu is hidden in the waterfall. 

Kousaka arrives to Jingo-ji temple to see what happened there earlier. There he meets also Kikkawa Motoharu and Akechi Mitsuhide who barely survived from the lightning attack to Enryoku-ji temple. Mitsuhide and Motoharu are still having Anti-Oda Alliance, but Takeda clan withdrew suddenly. Mitsuhide isn't happy about this. Motoharu says that he saw a dream where he was asked to come to look for Taira Koremori's head in Kumano. The person who gets the head will also receive the whole underworld army of Taira clan, and become the most powerful onryou in Yami Sengoku. Kousaka starts to laugh and says that he also saw same dream. It seems that someone wants to gather onryous to Kumano. 

*Kiyomasa and Ayako are heading for Nara to help Hayato*

Takaya is looking at the blue autumn sky. He feels sad that the next time when there will be clear blue sky in Shikoku is after 50 years. And his soul doesn't exist anymore, not in human world or in the other world either. Naoe has finished preparing the car, so he comes to pick up Takaya and Rei. After seeing Naoe, Takaya hurries to him and buries his head onto older man's chest. Naoe is surprised. 

p.255

N: "Takaya-san..."

The expression on Takaya's face looks painful. When Naoe is about to hug Takaya, the younger man steps back making Naoe surprised again.

T: "I'll lure Kaoru out."

N: "What do you mean?"

T: "I'll use the sword of Futsu as a trap. I'm going to determine what did Kaoru do in Ooyunohara."

N: "Takaya-san."

T: "It's possible that we may need to finish off Kaoru."

Naoe places his hand on Takaya's shoulder and looked deeply into his eyes.

T: "Naoe..."

*Naoe looks at Takaya with very concerned eyes*

T: "Don't look at me in such a way, I'm not preparing for dying."

N: "I can't trust your 'I'm fine'."

T: "I'm just worried if Oda is somehow related to this Hiruko case. Those Tatara guys said same things as Hiruko."

N: "About Nishikitobe?"

T: "Yeah, I'm quite sure that-"

*Takaya coughs hard and he gets fresh blood on his hand he used covering his mouth*

*Takaya and Naoe are shocked*

T: "I'm not going to die yet. What do you think was my reason for living these 400 years? I can't be satisfied before I'm sure about one thing: how long you will love me. I'm going to live till that day you stop wanting me."

N: "Takaya-san..."

After hearing those words Naoe feels that if Takaya is really preparing himself for 'that moment'. Having bad feeling about Oda, Naoe takes a look of amulets he's carrying. The seal has changed! The seal had small pictures of 28 Yata crows. But 17 of them has disappeared! Takaya asks Rei what's happening to the amulet. Rei is completely shocked and says that the birds are representing the amount of the gods in Japan. Takaya and Naoe remember Tooru's last words 'When the all birds have died, Kumano will burn'. Then they understand, it's the golden rain that makes the gods to disappear! They don't much time left!  

At Shintoukai Broadcast company, there's a man looking out from the window. He's holding an amulet of Hayatama shrine on his hand. The birds are disappearing... Tsukasa steps into room together with Kanemitsu Shingo. Shingo apologizes for being not able to get the two other amulets, but he's asks permission for using Koremori's head. The man standing in front of the window says it's fine. Tsukasa says that please leave this to us, we'll get you the sword of Futsu after resurrecting Koremori. And at the last, Tsukasa says: "Please, have Hirukos' revenge and destroy Kumano... Kaoru-sama."

To be continued.

*****

 

Oh dear.

Yes, Shiba Eiji/Nobunaga is Kaoru! D: This is quite shocking twist, because now the whole story of MoB gets completely new aspect. Shiba/Kaoru's third eye is on his back of the head. Earlier Shiba/Kaoru had long hair and he used have a ponytail with a cap so the eye stayed out of sight... I guess he cut his hair shorter, because he didn't need to hide the eye anymore since now most of people around him are his retainers.   

Any opinions about Nobunaga? How do you feel after this twist? :)