Kapitel 238: Shirakawa-go (6)

Yasushi and Nandini moved quietly, staying a short distance behind Kuroti and the two individuals he had been speaking with earlier that day. Nandini used a magic spell to erase any signs of their presence, ensuring they remained undetected as they followed the group deeper into the forest. The trail led them toward an old, dilapidated shack hidden within the thick undergrowth.

The two strangers wore masks concealing their identities. Yasushi and Nandini had donned similar coverings for their faces, prepared to confront them and sabotage their scheme. The goal was to create enough disruption to hinder their plans for the next day. If they managed to bring the plot to a halt tonight, it would be a satisfying bonus.

"The preparations are complete," one of the masked individuals said in a low tone, addressing Kuroti. "Everything is in place, and we verified it earlier today. Stick to the plan without deviation. If all goes as expected, Yasushi will be eliminated, and you'll get control of the restaurant to settle your debts. Understand?"

Kuroti hesitated, his posture tense as he nodded. "Y-yeah, I understand," he replied, his voice uncertain while his fingers fidgeted at his sides.

"Did you manage to learn the spell we gave you?" one of them asked, his tone carrying an air of expectation.

Kuroti hesitated for a moment before replying, "No… I don't have enough mana stored to use it. B-but I made some adjustments. I came up with a weaker version, but I think it's enough to make tomorrow work." His words faltered slightly, though his clenched fist betrayed a desperate attempt to sound confident.

The other man gave a short nod. "That'll have to do, then. As long as it gets the job done, we can move forward. Just remember not to underestimate him. That guy killed one of Hades' subordinates. The thing called itself 'Peter' that day, but even for someone low on the chain, he was strong."

"Surely that's just an exaggeration…" the second individual interjected, glancing at Kuroti, who quickly nodded in agreement.

The first man shook his head. "No, I was there. I saw it happen with my own eyes. He created what people now call the 'miracle' and killed Peter. Even if it was luck or chance, the fact remains—he did it. If you don't want to fail, stay cautious."

Kuroti swallowed hard, a knot tightening in his stomach. Doubt crept into his mind as he began to question whether he could truly face Yasushi, let alone kill him. Before any further thoughts or words could surface, the shack came into view, its decrepit frame barely visible in the dim light. As they took another step toward it, a sudden flare of energy crackled beneath their feet.

A magic circle erupted into action.

The force of the explosion was immediate and brutal, sending Kuroti and one of the men hurtling backward. The other man caught the full force of the blast, his leg torn from his body in an instant. Blood sprayed across the dirt, and his cries of agony filled the air as he clutched at the raw, jagged stump where his limb had been. His body trembled uncontrollably, and his screams broke into dry heaving before a fresh wave of pain tore another guttural cry from him.

Before his voice could rise again, another explosion detonated.

This time, it struck the second man, shredding his own leg and leaving him crumpled on the ground. His body writhed as he howled in pain, his cries mingling with the first man's in a grotesque symphony of suffering. Blood pooled rapidly beneath them, the acrid scent filling the area.

Kuroti stood frozen, untouched but trembling. His face betrayed the raw terror clawing at his mind, his breathing quick and erratic as his eyes darted from one mangled body to the other.

From their hidden vantage point, Yasushi turned toward Nandini, his face etched with disbelief. "Did you do this? When?" he whispered, his voice barely audible as he struggled to comprehend the carnage unfolding before them.

"It was during our last break," Nandini said. "After eating, I came here, figuring they might use this spot for meetings. Rest assured, these two are nothing more than 'Rogue Mages.' They aren't tied to any organization and work purely for profit. They must be working together. That being the case, no one will care if they die or vanish." Her tone lacked any hint of emotion as she stepped away from their cover.

Kuroti caught sight of her as Yasushi moved alongside her, both still wearing masks. Their identities remained hidden from him.

"What the hell!? Who are you?!" he shouted, his voice trembling as he scrambled backward. His hand rose, magic sparking at his fingertips as he prepared a spell.

Nandini ignored him entirely. She walked toward the injured mages, her steps unhurried but certain. Without hesitation, she pulled a knife from her side and brought it down on each of them, ending their lives in seconds. The metallic smell of blood filled the space as their movements ceased entirely.

Once the deed was done, she summoned flames with her magic, igniting their clothing. The fire consumed the bodies, leaving behind only ashes.

She stepped forward, her tone distorted by magic as she spoke. "Revenge, is it? How utterly predictable. Hear me well, vermin..." Her form seemed to vanish and reappear behind Kuroti in an instant. Her hand clamped tightly around his neck, hoisting him off the ground with no effort. "If you dare to try anything tomorrow... I'll ensure no one remembers you. Not even your father."

Yasushi stood at a distance, observing the scene. He couldn't help but feel a flicker of surprise, though it quickly passed. Nandini's actions were brutal, but not unexpected. Working for Shiva, she likely carried out jobs like this before. There was something about her presence that made him certain she was no stranger to killing.

Kuroti froze. The sheer terror of the moment overtook him, his breath catching. A warm stain spread down his leg as he lost control, unable to respond, let alone plead for his life. His body finally gave in, and he collapsed into unconsciousness.

"Pathetic," Nandini muttered, letting go and dropping him to the ground with a thud. Her eyes drifted to the scorched remains of the rogue mages nearby. Without another glance at Kuroti, she turned and walked back to Yasushi.

"Efficient work. Were you an assassin?" Yasushi asked, his eyes fixed on her.

"Yes. I was born and trained as one. Eventually, I was assigned as one of Lord Shiva's many secretaries," Nandini replied, her tone calm yet purposeful. "But enough of that. This matter is done. Shall we leave now?" She met his eyes, holding his attention for a moment longer before stepping forward.

Yasushi paused, considering her response, then asked, "What about Kuroti? Are we just going to leave him there?"

"He'll survive. And don't concern yourself too much — I've already ensured he understands the consequences. I warned him. If he tries anything again tomorrow, I'll handle it in a way he won't like. Let's just say I won't hesitate to take necessary actions," Nandini explained, her words carrying a cold finality as she began to walk away.

Yasushi stayed quiet, though his mind raced with more questions. For now, he decided not to push further. He hurried to catch up with her, his pace quickening as he fell into step beside her. With a small sigh, he chuckled. "I didn't really do anything back there. Guess I was just here for moral support, huh?"

"Maybe," Nandini replied without looking at him, her tone neutral but firm.

Their footsteps echoed as they made their way back toward the quiet of the night.

+-+

Morning sunlight filtered into the bakery as Yasushi and his friends busied themselves with inspections. They went through the shelves and supplies, ensuring nothing had been tampered with overnight. Though Kuroti had been a concern, they doubted he would resort to anything drastic, but caution felt necessary.

Nandini and Yasushi had agreed not to speak about the events of the previous night. The two of them carried that knowledge alone, maintaining the appearance of normalcy. There were no slips in their behavior, no signs to give away what had happened.

Yasushi, though accustomed to violence from his past life, still found himself reflecting on it. He'd witnessed many harsh things before reincarnation, but the ease with which Nandini dealt with the rogue mages had stayed with him. Yet, his body didn't freeze, his thoughts didn't spiral. Maybe all that hardship had dulled those instincts, or perhaps he was simply too used to brutality to feel rattled.

"I'm honestly surprised Kuroti didn't try anything while we were asleep," Xinyi said, her voice light as she walked through the bakery. Her eyes darted from the counters to the racks, searching for anything out of place. She took a sip of the juice Yinhaie had made, her tone carrying an edge of disbelief.

"Kuroti may have lost touch with himself, but this place means something to him," Jingliu said, lowering herself onto the bench next to Yasushi. "He grew up here, helping Nino. It's his father's legacy. Even in his state, maybe that part of him still understands."

"Maybe," Yasushi replied, his attention flicking to Nandini. Her expression remained unchanged, her silence offering no indication of her thoughts. "But we can't relax just yet. The day's not over. There's still the reopening, and a long shift ahead of us."

"True enough," Jingliu admitted. Catherine leaned against the counter, her arms folded. "So, what now? Just sit here and wait until something happens?"

"Well—" Yasushi began, but his words stopped short. A thunderous sound rang out, sharp and unmistakable. The ground seemed to tremble faintly under their feet, and soon after, a red glow lit up the horizon.

Panic gripped the street outside. They rushed out of the bakery, joining the swelling crowd of neighbors spilling from their homes. The source became immediately clear — the small forest where Kuroti had last been seen was ablaze, flames rising high and spreading rapidly, their light swallowing the dark outlines of the trees.

Before anyone could gather their thoughts, Yasushi spun around and pointed at Yinhaie. "Call the fire department! Now!" His voice carried over the noise around them. Turning to the others, he barked his next order. "The rest of you, get to the forest's edges! Dig up the ground and stop the fire from spreading any further!"

Without waiting for a response, Yasushi bolted, his steps hammering against the ground as he sprinted towards the flames. His mind raced as fast as his legs. He didn't need to guess who had started this. He already knew. Kuroti's recklessness had crossed a line, and Yasushi wasn't about to let him make another mistake he'd regret forever.

He heard movement beside him and glanced briefly, spotting Nandini and Jingliu keeping pace with him. There wasn't time to argue or tell them to turn back, so he pressed forward, the three cutting through the undergrowth together.

They reached the center of the burning forest, the air around them hot and suffocating. The clearing revealed a disturbing sight: Kuroti, struggling in the grip of a man whose fury was etched into every fiber of his being.

"You had one job, you useless piece of trash!" the man growled, his hand tightening around Kuroti's collar, his frustration spilling out like venom. "And you couldn't even manage that!"

Kuroti's body jerked in the man's grasp, his protests muffled by the sheer force holding him in place. The man's voice dropped lower, but his words carried unmistakable menace. "I ought to kill you for this—"

Yasushi reached the man's position without hesitation, closing the gap in an instant. The man barely registered the movement before Yasushi's fist slammed into his back, the force hurling him into the flames. The impact left the man groaning, and his grip on Kuroti faltered. Kuroti crumpled to the ground, coughing and dazed.

Without a pause, Yasushi grabbed Kuroti and hauled him up, dragging him toward Nandini and Jingliu, who immediately began checking for injuries.

"I thought this was Kuroti's doing," Yasushi muttered, glancing between the barely-conscious figure in his arms and the spot where the other man had disappeared into the burning brush. "But if he's here, maybe I was wrong. What the hell is going on?"

Before he could finish his thought, a strange noise reached his ears. Yasushi turned sharply, his instincts kicking in as he pushed the others out of harm's way. He dove aside just in time, a massive fireball tearing past them. It slammed into the forest behind, trees exploding into fragments, the force rattling the ground beneath them.

From the smoke and wreckage, the man emerged once more. His body bore the marks of Yasushi's attack, the burns across his skin a testament to his time in the flames. Yet, despite his injuries, he stepped forward, his movements deliberate.

"You piece of shit... I was just going to kill that dumbass, but it looks like you want to die too," the man spat, his words dripping with venom. "I, Gorso, don't give a damn if you're under the protection of the Japanese gods. I'll kill you and take whatever comes next, no regrets!" His face contorted with rage, and his voice carried the kind of bravado that felt both overconfident and dangerous.

'Did he just refer to himself in the third person?' Yasushi thought, almost distracted by the absurdity of the statement. His eyes darted toward Nandini, who seemed equally annoyed, her expression hardening.

"Do you know him?" Yasushi asked, his voice low enough to keep things from escalating further — for the moment.

Nandini gave a short nod. "A rogue mage, notorious enough to earn the nickname 'The Cockroach.' He's infamous for always crawling his way out of situations that should've ended him. Last I heard of him, he barely survived being struck by a bolt from Zeus himself after trying to lay a hand on Hera."

Gorso laughed, a harsh sound that seemed almost triumphant. His hand began to glow as flames spiraled upward, forming another fireball that hovered above his palm. "That's right! I am Gorso! The greatest there is, the cockroach who defies all odds! I'll do whatever the hell I want, and no one can stop me — not gods, not mortals, not even you!"

With a manic grin, he launched the blazing sphere directly at Yasushi, its heat rippling outward as it soared through the air.

Upon seeing the fireball hurtling toward him, Yasushi decided to try something he had given up on long ago. Back when he first woke up in this strange world, he'd assumed it was one of those places where people wield extraordinary powers.

He had tried imitating the flashy techniques he'd read about in manga or seen in anime, but nothing had worked. His attempts had left him red-faced with embarrassment, and he had vowed never to try anything so ridiculous again.

But things were different now. He had come to understand that this world wasn't as ordinary as it seemed. Memories of his crash-course training with Amaterasu came flooding back, where he'd attempted a move purely out of desperation, and to his astonishment, it had worked.

Even Amaterasu, who had seen nearly everything, had looked surprised at the time.

He exhaled and raised his arms. The movement felt odd at first, as though he were guiding an invisible force around him. His arms began to trace a pattern in the air, fluid and deliberate.

What started as an awkward attempt grew into something almost natural, as though his body remembered a skill his mind had forgotten. A faint blue glow began to envelop his arms, brightening with every movement.

As the fireball drew closer, Yasushi stepped forward and reached out toward it. The aura around his arms flared, and instead of striking him, the blazing sphere curved off its original path. It veered sharply to the side, flying past him and Nandini before detonating harmlessly behind them.

The explosion sent a wave of heat against his back, but Yasushi stood firm, his arms still outstretched. Without thinking, he struck a stance that might have been better suited for the cover of an old martial arts movie.

Realizing what he had done, his face flushed. He lowered his arms quickly, glancing toward Nandini, half-expecting her to laugh at him.

"What the—!? What the hell is that?! I've never seen anything like that before!" Gorso's voice rose, his disbelief plain as he stumbled back, eyes wide at the sight of his attack being deflected so easily.

"Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist…!" Yasushi replied, his tone carrying an edge of triumph. "I didn't think it'd actually work, but hey, I'll take it!"

The name rolled off his tongue with a strange familiarity, one that brought him back to late nights from his previous life. It was a martial art he remembered vividly from watching the anime One Punch Man, something he had thought was impossibly cool back then. He had only seen it once, right after finishing the first season. Life had gotten progressively worse afterward, and moments of enjoyment like that had become rare. Yet, this technique had stuck in his mind, buried under layers of time, until now.

The concept of the style was deceptively simple but incredibly intricate in execution. It demanded the user to grasp and recreate within their body the natural flow of powerful, shifting forces, then channel it into every strike. Mimicking the surging power of flowing water, it allowed even a single punch to carry a destructive force far beyond its size.

When used by a master, this technique was devastating, especially against humanoid opponents or those who didn't rely solely on brute strength.

As long as the opponent remained within a range where martial arts techniques could be applied effectively, this fighting style could overwhelm even the strongest adversaries.

It wasn't something Yasushi had ever thought he'd try—let alone succeed at—but now, seeing the stunned look on Gorso's face, he realized how much he had underestimated himself.

When activated, a faint blue aura became visible around the user's arms and legs, mimicking the movement of flowing water.

The technique was described as "leading enemies around by controlling the fight like a calm stream, only to finish them with a blow capable of crushing rocks like a raging river." This comparison hinted at similarities to Tai Chi, reflecting its focus on redirection and balanced combat.

Some even called it "the ultimate combination of offense and defense." Practitioners could deflect attacks with precision, turning the force of an enemy's strike back against them. By using this method, they could not only defend but also counter with devastating results. In some instances, the style allowed opponents to harm themselves as their own attacks were redirected toward their bodies.

In Yasushi's case, his manipulation of internal ki, combined with his distinct physical attributes, added a unique element to the technique. He could repel even magical assaults, redirecting energy-based attacks in much the same way as physical ones.

"This is complete bullshit! Absolute bullshit!" Gorso bellowed, his frustration erupting as his hands ignited. Fireballs started forming around him, one after another. "If I can't kill you, I'll just burn this entire town to the ground!"

Fear coursed through Yasushi as his eyes darted between the numerous attacks Gorso summoned around him. Each glowing orb of destruction felt like a countdown, and Yasushi could feel his chest tighten. He wasn't ready for this — not yet. But readiness wasn't an option; the situation demanded action.

Just as he braced himself for the worst, a voice, unmistakable and laced with amusement, boomed from the surroundings.

"Hahaha! I always thought you were intriguing back then, but to think you'd disrupt the future like this! You truly are a monster!"

The sound echoed with a confidence that froze the moment. Before Yasushi could comprehend, the barrage Gorso had conjured shattered like fragile glass, fragments scattering harmlessly. Gorso himself was yanked from his stance and hurled to the ground with a force that left him sprawling.

The figure responsible stood in undeniable presence — it was none other than…

"Lord Shiva!" Nandini exclaimed, her tone a mixture of awe and disbelief as she recognized her god and superior, appearing without warning.

"What — why is the Lord of the Universe… here?!" Gorso's voice cracked, his words cut short as his face was driven into the ground a second time with finality. His body went limp, unconscious from the blow.

Yasushi stared, his mind still racing, though the immediate threat had disappeared. With a snap of Shiva's fingers, the blazing fires surrounding the forest evaporated as if they had never been. Yasushi's knees gave out, and he collapsed onto the ground, trembling uncontrollably. His breaths came shallow and uneven as the tension drained from his body.

Yasushi stared at his trembling hands, disbelief plain in his expression. His fingers twitched uncontrollably, his breaths uneven. "What the hell… What's happening to me?" he muttered, the words almost breaking apart as they left his lips.

Shiva, gripping Gorso like a discarded rag, approached him with purposeful strides. "You burned through at least seventy-five percent of your stored ki in a single burst. Whatever technique you just pulled off demanded that much energy," he said, his tone carrying a mix of approval and curiosity. A grin spread across his face. "You'll need to work on it, refine it, but I won't lie — that's top-tier martial arts you've just created."

Nandini, catching her breath as she closed the distance, looked from Shiva to Yasushi, her voice faltering. "D-didn't you say… you'd show up near the end of our time here?" she managed to ask, her expression unsure.

Shiva met her eyes and let out a short laugh. "That was the plan," he admitted, the corners of his mouth twitching upward. "Until this brat went and rewrote the future I saw. He's got something special, doesn't he? Not many people can pull something like this off. In all the years I've been watching over humans, only a handful have done it. And now, he's joined that group."

"Change the future? Who are the others?" Yasushi's voice came out uneven, his hands still trembling as he stared at Shiva.

"Hitler, Martin Luther King Jr., and Rosa Parks, just to name a few. Those names ring a bell, right?" Shiva replied, his expression showing something between amusement and pride. Yasushi gave a slight nod, his confusion mingling with unease.

"Anyway," Shiva continued, holding up Gorso like some unwanted trophy, "I'll take my leave. I managed to catch this little roach while watching your show. I'll be back for the reopening and again at the end of the month."

Without waiting for any response, Shiva gave a casual wave. In an instant, he and Gorso disappeared from sight, leaving the group silent and frozen in disbelief.

Yasushi broke the quiet first, struggling to his feet. "Let's just… head back for now." His knees buckled almost immediately, sending him crashing forward onto his hands and knees. "Damn it… I didn't think the backlash would hit this hard…"

Jingliu stepped in, pulling him upright without a word, her expression balancing between frustration and a strange sort of admiration.

"You burned through almost all your new ki while creating a completely unique martial art, blending ki with your physical techniques," Nandini said as she slung the unconscious Kuroti over her shoulder like a bag of discarded supplies. "Honestly, it's a miracle you didn't blow yourself into pieces."

"What do we tell the rest?" Jingliu asked, her tone even but carrying the question heavily. "I doubt they'll just accept the fires vanishing like that."

"Don't worry about that," Nandini answered, her steps purposeful as she took the lead. "I felt it. Lord Shiva snuffed out the flames inside the forest. There are still fires near the edges, so the fire department won't be without work. It'll still stir up panic, but it won't seem completely impossible. Let's stick with the 'freak wildfire' explanation and hope it's enough to keep things from escalating. For now, let's regroup and figure out what to do with this guy." She motioned towards the unconscious man slung over her shoulder and kept walking ahead.

Jingliu stayed behind, lending Yasushi support as they trudged along. He let out a weak chuckle, glancing at her with a sheepish expression. "Guess I was a little too reckless this time, huh?"

She exhaled through her nose, her face unreadable. "I can't really criticize you. You stopped his attack and saved us, but we need to have a real talk about how you use your ki from now on. This… wasn't exactly sustainable."

"Yeah, you're right," Yasushi admitted, the words coming out between deep breaths. "I'll have to be a lot more careful with it going forward…" He sighed as if the weight of his actions was catching up to him at last.