Morning dawned at Lake AshiAshino-ko (芦ノ湖)

Also known as: Hakone Lake, Ashinoko Lake, Manji Pond

Lake Ashi is a crater lake that lies along the southwest wall of the caldera of Mt. Hakone, located in Hakone Town. It is known for its beautiful views of Mt. Fuji and many hot springs.

Legend has it that during the Nara Period, when the lake was still called Manji Pond, it was home to a poisonous nine-headed dragon. In order to appease the dragon's anger, the villagers would offer maidens to it as sacrifices. Holy Priest Mangan, who had come to Mt. Hakone to practice asceticism, heard the tale and bound the evil dragon to a rock at the bottom of the lake in order to save the villagers. The dragon promised to protect the mountains and villages, and thus reformed, became a dragon god. Thereafter the villagers fed the dragon red rice instead of their daughters.’s shores in Hakone with such calmness that last night’s storm seemed but a dream.

“...I suppose it’s time we started.”

Houjou Ujimasa’s younger brother gazed out the window at Lake Ashi’s verdant green surface. Naoe stopped still on the sofa at Ujiteru’s muttered words and lifted his eyes from the Houjous’ tactical map.

“...What are your instructions for me?”

“You will act as my aide. From what you have told me, I believe you will make an excellent officer. Be my right hand; advise me as you did earlier.”

“...Of course,” Naoe smiled slightly.

“The other generals will have no choice but to prostrate themselves before the Houjou once the Great KantouKantou-chihou (関東地方)

Lit.:"East of the Gate", the easternmost of five regions located on Honshuu Island which comprises of the seven prefectures of Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Saitama, Tokyo, Chiba, and Kanagawa. This is the most highly developed and industrialized region of Japan and was the heart of feudal power during the Edo Period.

During the Edo Period, the area was also called the "Kanhasshuu" (関八州), or Eight Kantou Provinces: Musashi, Sagami, Kazusa, Shimousa, Awa, Kouzuke, Shimotsuke, and Hitachi. Triangle is complete—there will be no need for trickery then. Indeed, once we have permanently fused the enormous energy gathered in Nikkou, in the sacred precincts of the Supreme Conqueror, with Hakone via the intermediary of the sacred mountain Fuji, they will be brought to their knees by the overwhelming power we will hold.”

Naoe’s eyes fell to the map. A gigantic right triangle was drawn thereon; its sides connected NikkouNikkou-shi (日光市)

Nikkou City, located in the mountains of Tochigi Prefecture, is a popular tourist destination known for the Nikkou Toushou Shrine, where Tokugawa Ieyasu's remains are enshrined, as well as Futarasan Shrine, built in 767., , Kunou-sanMount Kunou (久能山)

Mt. Kunou is a steep mountain 216 meters high (709 feet) high located on Suruga Bay, Shizuoka Prefecture. In the Asuka Period Kunou Tadahito of the Fujiwara Clan began building a temple near present-day Kunou-zan Toushou-guu which the monk Gyouki named Kunou Temple in the later Nara Period.

In 1570 Takeda Shingen built Kunou Castle there, moving the temple to what is now Shimizu Ward. The Tokugawa Clan took control of Suruga Province after the fall of the Takeda Clan and continued to maintain the fortifications on Mt. Kunou. After Tokugawa Ieyasu's death, his son Tokugawa Hidetaka erected the first Toushou Shrine on Mt. Kunou and buried Ieyasu there. Though Ieyasu's grandson Tokugawa Iemitsu relocated Ieyasu’s grave to the Nikkou Toushou-guu, it is held that a portion of his deified spirit remains on Mt. Kunou., and Mt. TateTate-yama (館山)

There are several mountains called Mt. Tate ("tate" meaning "mansion" or "small castle") in Japan. The Mt. Tate referenced in the Houjou arc of Mirage of Blaze is located near the south-western tip of Chiba Prefecture. It was a part of Awa-no-kuni in the Sengoku Era and ruled by the Satomi Clan, who built Tateyama Castle there. Tateyama City grew out of the old castle town.. He asked, “What will become of this country then? Will you destroy the current administrative and economic systems, take it back to the Edo PeriodEdo-jidai (江戸時代)

The Edo period in Japanese history, which lasted from 1603 until 1867, was established by Tokugawa Ieyasu and was the period in which Japan was ruled by the Tokugawa Shogunate. It is seen as the beginning of modern Japan. During this period, the Shogunate perceived Christianity as a threat to the stability of Japan and actively persecuted adherents of the religion until it was almost completely eradicated. During this period Japan also isolated itself from the rest of the world, an isolation ending only with the appearance of Commodore Matthew Perry's ships in Edo Bay in 1853.?”

“...You’re quite the cynic, aren’t you?”

“I would not be able to go through with this, if I were not,” Naoe responded, folding the map. “I want this country built up through hardship and overwhelming odds by the spilled blood and sweat of countless billions—countless trillions of people—effortlessly crushed by those who lived four hundred years ago. This so-called great economic power which invaded the world not with military might but business acumen, which has become a world leader with true strength—‘power’ that we could not have imagined four hundred years ago—destroyed by the passions of those already dead. There is no greater thrill, no greater pleasure.”

“...I do not think of what we do as the destruction of the country.”

“It would amount to the same thing. What, after all, is the ‘supreme ruler over all’? The one who wields the most power? That person will soon no longer exist. At best you might become the Prime Minister, become a ‘person in time’—nothing more than a politician within the ruling party who wins the petty game of party rivalry. If that is all you’re looking for, why not try announcing your candidacy for the elections? After all, I’m pretty sure there is no law which says someone who lived four hundred years ago is ineligible.”

Ujiteru went to Naoe and seized his chin, forcing Naoe to look at him. “Leave your cynicism behind; there is something you must do.”

“Send the body of your brother to his death, you mean?” Naoe retorted lowly, disdainfully. “How convenient for me. The flesh is an endless enticement to lust: to touch, to embrace...without it, without the passions it engenders and receives so readily, we would hurt nothing and no one.”

“...”

“Besides, if his pet dog forced him into submission, he would probably kill himself rather than live with the blow to his pride. ...So you see, better that he dies before such a travesty can occur.” Ujiteru stared at Naoe, his face pale. Naoe hid his eyes behind his hand, his shoulders shaking in self-mocking laughter. “A dog cannot betray his master, can he...?”

“...”

Ujiteru lapsed into silence. He could not grasp the true nature of this man who tortured himself so. He appeared to have no reservations about betraying his master—nor about killing Takaya. And yet he could not tell what lay in Naoe’s true heart—not the scheming behind their backs, but Naoe’s true desire, the truth hidden in his heart of hearts.

(He has such talent—I can use a man like him. With his fighting prowess added to ours, we cannot lose. And yet...) Ujiteru thought— (this man is dangerous.)

Naoe stretched himself out on the sofa, lying prone with his face down. A smile like a cold blade rose to his face.

“Naoe, do not deceive yourself that I trust you.”

“...”

“I must be certain of you. Will your prove your loyalty to me?”

Naoe lifted his head, face expressionless once more, his disconsolation nowhere to be seen.

“—Yes.”

 
Ujiteru left the room with Naoe following behind. He asked the aide beside him, “I have not seen Kotarou. Where is he?”

“My lord. Kotarou-dono left this morning. He has gone ahead to Hakone ShrineHakone-jinja (箱根神社)

Hakone Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Hakone Town, Kanagawa Prefecture, at the foot of Mt. Hakone along the shores of Lake Ashi. The shrine itself lies hidden in a dense forest, but its large red "floating" shrine gates (Torii of Peace) stand prominently in the lake.

From chronicles stretching back as far as the Nara Period (710-794), Hakone has been named as a spot sacred to the mountain-worshiping religion. The original shrine was founded during the reign of Emperor Koushou (475 BC – 393 BC) on Mt. Komagatake. Holy Priest Mangan revived and relocated the shrine to Lake Ashi in 757. It was separated into three parts dedicated to the deities whom legends says appeared to him in a dream as a Buddhist acolyte, government official and woman and asked him to deliver the grace of the Buddhist and Shinto religions onto mankind.

In the year 801, before general and shogun Sakanoue no Tamuramaro set out on an expedition to quell the Northeast by imperial command, he left an arrow as offering in front of a cedar tree at Hakone Shrine as a prayer for his victory. The tree become known as the Yatate Cedar, or 'Standing Arrow Cedar,' and in later years other legendary generals such as Minamoto no Yoshiie, shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo, and Minamoto no Yoshitsune all left arrows as offerings there.

The shrine was destroyed by fire in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Siege of Odawara and rebuilt by Tokugawa Ieyasu..”

Suspicion crossed Naoe’s face. Left? With Tooyama? Tooyama—of Odawara’s Tooyama Clan? Tooyama YasumitsuTooyama Yasumitsu (遠山康光) - Apr. 29, 1579

Tooyama Yasumitsu was a vassal of the Houjou Clan, son of Tooyama Naokage and younger brother of Tooyama Tsunakage. He was master of Shinjou Castle in Sagami. His wife was Uesugi Kagetora's aunt (mother's older sister).

In 1569, Yasumitsu and his son Tooyama Yasuhide were sent by Houjou Ujiyasu to participate in peace negotiations with Uesugi Kenshin in the Echigo-Sagami Alliance, and when Ujiyasu's son Saburou was adopted by Kenshin in 1570, he went with Saburou to Echigo. When Kagetora was defeated by Uesugi Kagekatsu in the Otate no Ran, Yasumitsu committed suicide alongside him. had accompanied Kagetora to EchigoEchigo-no-kuni (越国)

An ancient province in north-central Japan which was ruled by Uesugi Kenshin during the Sengoku Period. Now a part of Niigata Prefecture., Naoe recalled.

“I will be leaving for Hakone Shrine. Prepare a car,” Ujiteru instructed.

“Yes, my lord!”

Ujiteru motioned to Naoe and led the way to Takaya’s room.

He had wiped all emotion from his heart, and yet it shook beneath the weight of the sin he was about to perform. He was a convict being led to the gallows for crimes committed over four hundred years, and this, the ultimate crime, was his punishment: killing the person he loved most in the world.

If those capable of putting on their masks of goodness wish to condemn him for what they call his mistakes, let them do so. How could those who live for mere decades possibly understand? Let them rage if they wish. Let the strong brandish their righteousness against the weak kneeling in prayer at their feet. Let the whitewashed world convict the sinners who can tell no lies.

(...Surely you, whom I kill, will be the one to judge me.)

Ujiteru walked steadily ahead. What was he thinking? Here stood the one who would enact his punishment, and in a few minutes he would see it for himself.

Naoe slowly lifted the tiny pearl in his hand to his mouth.

(Please protect him—) Naoe murmured in his heart—one final prayer, though he knew it was beyond his power; though he had already resigned himself. Was anyone listening? Was it nothing more than the final hypocrisy of a long-forsaken criminal? Who was he to plead so shamelessly for salvation, when he was standing in such a place?

Oh, please protect him.

Though I have no hope left, please protect him.

He cast the silent prayer to the Buddhas.

(Save him...)

 
Ujiteru stopped in front of the room and turned to Naoe.

“I will watch from here. This is the rite through which you will become a vassal of the Houjou. ...I trust you understand.”

“...”

Naoe stepped within. Light flowed in through the windows, illuminating Takaya in his white kimono with its gentle brightness. He sank to his knees beside the still figure. Though the ‘life-preserving spell’ alone sustained Takaya’s life, the peace on his face made him appear merely asleep. He looked so terribly pure in the morning light. So long as the power of that purity protected him, Naoe thought, he could live for years—decades—in this state.

(I want you to live...)

Takaya-san... he whispered the name, just once. And almost believed that he would open his eyes and awaken.

Killing him would be such a simple thing. Even the slightest touch of his filthy hand to that pure nimbus would be enough to disrupt the spell and allow the blaze of life to slip naturally away from this soulless body.

It would be a painless death. An easy death—perhaps the easiest of all.

He wanted to do it, wanted desperately to touch Takaya’s clean flesh with his black hand stained by sin and lust. But Takaya in his pride would probably choose death over being sullied. So in the end, it would be Naoe’s obscene desire, his blood-smeared lust, that would kill him.

One touch from a single finger—that was all it would take to end everything. What irony Heaven had bestowed upon him.

If this is destiny, you have no choice but to accept it: you who, in your noble isolation, your spotless ‘whiteness,’ reject all things unclean. Would you not rather perish than live bearing the black stains of disgrace? In death you will be eternal.

(You are my only ‘sanctuary.’)

Takaya slept.

Naoe placed his hands on Takaya’s pillow and leaned over him, looking down at his face. When he closed his eyes, he could hear Takaya’s heart. He would be the one to stop that steady pulsating beat...

Naoe’s brow creased, and his hands clenched into fists.

Are you capable of that?

(Takaya-san...)

You should never have trusted me as you did. If only you had never emerged from your lonely solitude, trusted no one. I have wiped all hesitation from my mind—yet at the last moment your smile still shakes me.

You should never have opened your fragile heart to a man like me. How you must regret that now.

“Would you be happier if I didn’t exist...?”

What did you feel as you said those words to me?—to a man so self-centered that he pretends not to recognize your caring? A man who took pleasure even in Ougi Takaya’s anguish over me, who looked coldly upon your suffering and accepted it as my ‘just recompense?’

(You should have recognized that in me...)

Naoe gazed upon the sleeping Takaya’s quiet face for a moment before finally closing his eyes, etching Takaya’s smile into his heart.

He didn’t want to be asked ‘why?’ He held no answers.

I don’t care if you never forgive me. Here and now you cannot resist me. Therefore hate me, scorn me, pity me—let your beauty turn to ugliness.

Let it be etched into your soul.

You cannot bring peace to a lunatic like me.

Because I no longer have any concept of sin.

(That is why, O Heaven—)

I beg you to protect him. He is pure, and I am a madman and a criminal. Protect him from the sins I now commit against him.

He stretched trembling fingers and slipped his hand beneath Takaya’s collar, shutting his eyes tightly and praying with all his heart as he brushed gently against Takaya’s chest.

He could feel Takaya’s body temperature dropping steeply against his fingertips as the pure spiritual energy surrounding Takaya dissipated with a whisper of sound.

Takaya was dying. Naoe moved his hand up to seize Takaya’s chin, pressing his mouth open before sealing his own lips against Takaya’s.

(Takaya-san...!)

He thrust his tongue into Takaya’s mouth, pushing the pearl across. His hand slid back down as if to chase Takaya’s declining heartbeat to the last palpitation, stopping directly over his heart.

The beat was fading.

Little by little...little by little...dying...

Until finally it stopped.

From Takaya’s soulless body, from beneath his closed eyelids—

Slid a single tiny, faintly gleaming tear—trailing down, down until it fell from his white cheek...

 
How long had it taken?

Ujiteru approached as Naoe finally tore himself away from Takaya. Staring steadily at Naoe’s face, he touched Takaya’s neck over his carotid artery before taking his left wrist to ascertain that he no longer had a pulse—that his body was ‘dead.’

Naoe sat motionless as a statue.

“... Naoe...”

“...”

Ujiteru returned his gaze to Takaya—Takaya’s corpse, now. The corners of his lips tightened with heartbreak.

Naoe remained frozen in place. He stared at Takaya without blinking.

“The male Tsutsuga Mirror must be taken to Ujiyasu-sama...”

“I will accompany you,” Tooyama said, walking behind Fuuma KotarouFuuma Kotarou (風魔小太郎)

Historically: The name Fuuma Kotarou was given to each leader of the Fuuma Clan/organization of ninjas which served the Later Houjou Clan, starting with its first leader. The clan started information-gathering and espionage activities in the time of Houjou Souun, the founder of the Later Houjou Clan. The clan name began as 風間, composed of the characters for "wind" and "space", but was changed to its present form, a homophone composed of the characters for "wind" and "evil/demonic/magical."

In its 100 years of service to the Houjou Clan, the most renowned Fuuma Kotarou was the fifth, who served Houjou Ujimasa and his son Houjou Ujinao (unknown - 1603). Stories say that he was 7'1". One of his most famous exploits was in 1580 and the Battle of Kise-gawa, during which he slipped into the enemy camp at night and caused mass chaos. Another famous ninja, Ninokuruwa Isuke, also belonged to the Fuuma Clan.

After the destruction of the Houjou Clan, Kotarou and the Fuuma Clan became thieves near Edo. Kotarou was captured and executed in 1603 from information given by Kousaka Jinai, another ninja-turned-thief who formerly served the Takeda Clan.

In Mirage of Blaze: Fuuma Kotarou leads the Fuuma ninjas in service to the Houjou Clan. He is described as a tall, slender man with broad shoulders and a muscular but supple body. He wears his hair long, tied in a long tail that reaches to his waist. on the path along the lake-shore as the horizon brightened with dawn. Kotarou had not told him their destination. To say that Tooyama was ill at ease was a laughable understatement—yet Kotarou betrayed not a hint of suspicion.

(Where is it hidden?)

The head of the Fuuma, apparently unaware that he had been duped, had undertaken to personally guide him to the male Tsutsuga Mirror. Though neither Ujimasa nor Ujiteru could easily move him to their command, Kotarou regarded Ujiyasu’s will as absolute. The ninja never took a second master, and the sons of his master were no exception. He had but one life, and he would stake it on one person.

(For all our effort, no one yet knows of Ujiyasu-sama’s location.)

In Tooyama’s opinion, Ujiyasu had already moved on to the next world.

Searching for him was an exercise in futility.

The tiny mirror hidden in Tooyama’s hand reflected the passing scenery with unassuming simplicity.

(Lord Saburou...)

The mirror showed Kagetora his current location. With Kagetora acting as intermediary, the images were transmitted onward to Odawara, where Kakizaki HaruieKakizaki Haruie (柿崎晴家) ? - 1578?

Titles: Izumi no Kami

Historically: the son of Kakizaki Kageie. He was sent to Odawara Castle in Sagami when the Kenshin and the Houjou clans struck a peace treaty in an exchange of hostages with Houjou Saburou (Uesugi Kagetora). The fate of Kakizaki Haruie was unknown when his father was accused of treason. There are theories that he either died in 1575 along with his father, or that he was murdered by Uesugi Kagekatsu's faction in 1578 during the Otate no Ran.

In Mirage of Blaze: He was one of Uesugi Kagetora's most loyal followers as well as the leader of his faction in the Otate no Ran, and was killed by Uesugi Kagekatsu's followers. He is now one of the Yasha-shuu under Kagetora's command. Haruie possesses female bodies (the only member of the Yasha-shuu to do so) in search of a lover who died two hundred years ago.

Of the Yasha-shuu, he is the one who excels most at the spiritual sensing ability called reisa. waited on standby. Hakone was the territory of the Fuuma. Exalted as the ‘Eternal Mountain and the Bottomless Ravine’ as well as the ‘Peerless Steeps,’ the mountains of Hakone were the Fuuma’s backyard. They knew everything about this land, and moreover, had covered it with traps; anyone looking to cause trouble without taking due care would find escape a difficult proposition.

(I must extract both the Tsutsuga Mirror and Kotarou.)

Once Kotarou left his own territory, they would hold the advantage. If Haruie could defeat him in an ambush, the male Tsutsuga Mirror would be theirs.

Tense and alert, Tooyama glared at Kotarou’s back. The ninja’s current body was not tempered and honed as it had been in his previous life; perhaps it would not adapt so readily to the ninja arts.

(If it came down to it...)

Tooyama touched the pistol concealed in his bosom, given to him by Ujimasa for self-protection. It had come from the mafia group led by the protégé of Ujimasa’s vessel.

(With this...)

“Tooyama-dono,” Kotarou suddenly addressed him, making Tooyama’s heart practically leap out of his chest. Had he been discovered?

“Y-yes...”

Kotarou had stopped, long hair brushing across his broad back, and was looking over his shoulder at Tooyama.

“Do you know the legend of Lake Ashi?”

“Legend...?”

“Yes. A very long time ago, a nine-headed dragon lived in this lake.” Kotarou looked beyond the cedar trees at its glittering surface. "A poisonous dragon, feral and wild, which sometimes called wind and storm to bring flood and suffering down on the village people here. In order to appease it, the villagers would offer it a yearly sacrifice. One day, Holy Priest ManganMangan-shounin (万巻上人)

Legend has it Holy Priest was an ascetic monk who lived during the Nara Period. His names means "ten thousand scrolls", signifying his vow to read a sutra every day until he had read ten thousand volumes. He is said to be the founder of Hakone Shrine as well as the one who reformed the evil nine-headed dragon of Lake Ashi., who had come to this land to practice asceticism, heard the story of the poisonous dragon. He undertook to subdue it to save the villagers.

"The Holy Priest built a stone altar and prayed to the gods and buddhas. It is said that in due time he exorcised the poisonous dragon with the borrowed heavenly might of the great God of Hakone. Thereafter the dragon repented and became the guardian deity of this lake.

This dragon god was enshrined at the Nine-Headed Dragon ShrineKuzuryuu-jinja (九頭竜神社)

The Nine-Headed Dragon Shrine is a sub-shrine to Hakone Shrine. Though there are many shrine dedicated to the Dragon God throughout Japan, the Nine-Headed Dragon Shrine at Hakone is one of the most well-known. It is actually composed of two structures, the main one on the bank of Lake Ashi and another, newly constructed, within the Hakone Shrine complex.

The shrine worships the dragon god of Lake Ashi, formerly a poisonous nine-headed dragon, which was subdued by Holy Priest Mangan and became a guardian deity., which is subordinate to Hakone Shrine. It appears the famous lake festival of Hakone Shrine was a ritual following the traditions of this legend, and that the red rice offered to the dragon god during the festival stands in for the ‘sacrifice’ of old.

You know, of course, that Holy Priest Mangan was responsible for the revival of Hakone Shrine. But he was also,“ Kotarou smiled at Tooyama, ”the founder of the Fuuma."

“Wh...what did you say?!” Tooyama exclaimed. “Holy Priest Mangan was your founder?! That great and holy man... I don’t believe it...”

“Yes. We are much despised. But that great and holy man’s blood flows our veins, Tooyama-dono.”

“...”

“Do not look down on us because we are mere ninjas.” With those words, he started walking again. Tooyama stood frozen there for a moment longer before managing to take hold of his nerves once more. He hurried to catch up.

 
The two men resumed their trek along the eastern shore towards the lake-end. The morning mist began to dissipate as they reached Hakone -enHakone-en (箱根園)

Hakone-en is a cottage/botanical garden/aquarium/shopping mall complex located on the east bank of Lake Ashi managed until 1996 by Seibu Railway Co., now by Prince Hotel. at the foot of Mt. KomagatakeKomagatake (駒ヶ岳)

Komagatake is one of the lava domes in the central dome of the Hakone Volcano, formed around 400,000 years ago.

Komagatake can be reached via the Hakone Komagatake Ropeway from the eastern bank of Lake Ashi., and Mt. FujiFuji-san (富士山)

Mount Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan, an active volcano, and one of its "Three Holy Mountains," frequently depicted in literature and art. It is popular tourist and mountain-climbing destination. appeared beyond the cerulean lake.

“It’s just ahead.”

They took the path through the forest past Hakone-en. A little ways onward, near the part of the lake called , more scattered cottages appeared.

Their destination was the Nine-Headed Dragon Shrine from Kotarou’s legend.

The shrine was not large, and had been built up bit by bit. Its small, humble vermilion peace gates stood within the lake. Dark green foliage covered the area, and the atmosphere was filled with an air of purity. There was no sound but the chirping of birds. From here, Lake Ashi looked so beautiful and serene that one would not have been surprised to see a dragon rising from it.

“Kotarou-dono. This place...is this...?”

“...”

“Is the male Tsutsuga Mirror here?”

Kotarou nodded. “I will retrieve it now. Wait here.”

Tooyama looked after Kotarou anxiously as he headed toward the shrine.

(So this is where it was hidden...?) He had guessed that it would be in Hakone, but the Nine-Headed Dragon Shrine? (A-at least now I can face Lord Saburou.)

Tooyama swept the mirror in his hand around to give it a view of the area. Now he could be forgiven. He just needed to get his hands on the Mirror itself.

Kotarou made his obeisance to the god before unlocking and opening the shrine’s latticed door. It gave way with a heavy creak. Kotarou went into the dim hall.

Tooyama waited.

“Ko-Kotarou-dono...”

Kotarou stepped out of the shrine.

“Ko-Kota...!” Tooyama gasped.

A large, vaguely dog-shaped creature had followed Kotarou out of the shrine. Seen more clearly in the sunlight, the figure resolved itself into...a lion-like beast with red curling fur—

A tsutsugatsutsuga

Also known as: crimson beast

A spirit-beast which takes the form of a long-tailed lion around five-six feet in length with golden eyes, surrounded by red fire, tsutsuga have the ability to devour the souls of people, tigers, and leopards, and spit fire. They can interact with the physical world, their razor-sharp claws and teeth making them ferocious predators, but can be affected by mind powers, such as nenpa and hypnotic suggestion.

Legend has it that Holy Priest Shoudou trapped a male and female pair of the tsutsuga into the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The female tsutsuga has the power to devour spirits as well as the souls of living people who look into the tsutsuga's eyes, entrapping them within the Tsutsuga Mirrors. The male tsutsuga eats fire and exhales fire instead of air. Their cubs inherit both abilities.!

Tooyama let out a scream before he could stop himself. He glared at Kotarou, snarling furiously, “Ko-Kotarou-dono! What...what is the meaning of this...?!”

“That is the question I wish to ask you, traitor.”

“Wh...what did you say?”

“It’s too bad, isn’t it? The Tsutsuga Mirror was almost within your reach. Did you really think I, Fuuma Kotarou, would be taken in by your lies?”

“Lies...? What are you talking about? We don’t have time for your jokes! We are under the command of Ujiyasu-sama himself...!”

“Be silent. The more you say, the more you incriminate yourself.”

Tooyama gulped back his exclamations. Kotarou crossed his arms and stared down at Tooyama from the top of the stairs.

“How much were you bribed? Whose commands are you following? Takeda’s? Oda’s?”

“Kotarou-dono, I...!”

"Tooyama-dono. If I recall correctly, you went with Kagetora-dono to Echigo. As I heard it, you abandoned your master during the battle for succession, leaving him to face his death alone while you ran.

“I would never do such a thing! Are you mocking me?” Tooyama blustered.

Kotarou only sneered. “You were born in the wrong era. To die for your lord was virtuous; to not do so brought dishonor upon your name.”

“...!”

“Yet you are loyal even now. You deserve all the praise in the world.”

Kotarou knew everything! Tooyama thought, inhaling. He gritted his teeth.

“The punishment for traitors, however, is death.”

“Why?! How did you know...?!” The words “I was trying to deceive you” never made it out of his throat.

Kotarou knelt and caressed the tsutsuga’s fur.

“It appears you do not even know what kind of lie it would take to delude me.”

“What?”

“If you had tried ‘Ujimasa-dono’s secret command,’ you could at least have deceived me for a little longer.”

Tooyama flinched back sharply as Kotarou rose to his feet and descended the stairs, the tsutsuga beside him.

“I knew you were lying before I even met with you.”

“...”

“As soon as the words ‘Ujiyasu-sama’s secret command’ left your mouth.”

“!”

The tsutsuga pawed at the ground before leaping straight for Tooyama. He screamed and pulled out his pistol, shooting wildly at the beast. The bullets passed through harmlessly. The tsutsuga slammed Tooyama to the ground, his pistol flying out of his hand and into the shrubs. Tooyama writhed as the beast’s claws violently rent his chest apart.

“Aaaaah...aaaaaaah!”

Kotarou watched the scene dispassionately.

In agony, Tooyama tore the tsutsuga off and began crawling toward the water. The tsutsuga advanced on his prey again, and the man and the spirit-beast grappled on the beach. The tsutsuga sank its fangs into Tooyama’s neck.

“Aaaaah!”

Tooyama’s horrifying screams echoed around the quiet lake-shore. Crippled with terror, he met the tsutsuga’s golden eyes—and the tsutsuga suddenly jerked its head up as if something had startled it.

«The mirror...!»

The voice echoed inside Tooyama’s head. With blind reflex he turned the mirror in his hand and held it up.

“Gyaaah....aaaaaah!” The tsutsuga shrieked as it met its own reflection’s eyes, the sound metallic and grating. A second later, it was sucked into the mirror.

“What...!” Kotarou exclaimed at this unexpected turn of events.

“Aaaah...!” In his shock and panic, Tooyama flung the mirror away and ran. An utterly composed Kotarou nimbly plucked Tooyama’s pistol from the undergrowth and fired it twice, thrice at the other man’s fleeing back.

Tooyama fell soundlessly, dead before he hit the ground.

His spirit extracted itself from its vessel. Kotarou whistled through his fingers, summoning three more tsutsuga from the forest. At his command they streaked after Tooyama’s unmoored spirit.

“Coward.” Kotarou crushed the small hand mirror underfoot in disgust.

He looked towards the lake. The bright air had dimmed without his realizing it, and mist hung over the lake once more. The birds had stopped their chirping. It was, in fact, eerily silent. There was a feeling of expectation—and fear.

In the exact center of the lake, gigantic ripples appeared on its still surface.

(—My lord...)