Capítulo 82: Chapter 82: The Missing Sacred Cherry Blossom Tree
Yae Miko and Sasayuri also gradually arrived here.
Time passed slowly, and in the distance, a warship appeared on the sea, followed by a second and a third...
The victorious fleet sailed toward Narukami Island, which was now in sight.
When the fleet landed, the people lined the streets to welcome them, their cheers echoing through the air. It had been a long time since Narukami Island had been this lively.
The disaster had been averted, and the people were living in peace and contentment. Nothing was more reassuring than that.
That night, the sky was clear, and the long-awaited fireworks display was about to begin.
On Amakane Island, Yu Xie had invited everyone to watch the fireworks together, but he had come here early on his own.
Suddenly, he remembered that hundreds of years from now, a girl who loved fireworks and whose personality was as fiery and passionate as the fireworks themselves would come here, sit on the grass, and quietly watch the fireworks bloom in the sky.
"So early, huh?" A deep voice interrupted Yu Xie's thoughts.
Yu Xie turned to see Sasayuri already sitting on the other side. He had been so absorbed in his thoughts that he hadn't noticed his arrival.
"You're the one who's earlier than me."
"The disaster is over, there's nothing much to do, so I thought I'd come early and enjoy the scenery," Sasayuri said as he walked over and sat down on the grass, gazing at the distant night.
Under the hazy moonlight, the view in the distance looked like a soft, blurry painting.
"Yeah, it's finally over," Yu Xie said as he sat down beside him.
Now, everything had returned to normal.
No one had died in the war, Chiyo had not lost herself to the evil spirits, and Kitsune Saiguu hadn't sacrificed herself to protect Narukami Island.
The only thing still weighing on Yu Xie's mind was Sasayuri. He wasn't sure if his presence had caused some deviation in the events. The mysterious Orobashi, who should have appeared by now, still hadn't shown up.
"I heard," Sasayuri said slowly, "you saved Makoto during the war, saved Chiyo, and even saved Kitsune Saiguu when she was about to sacrifice herself."
Yu Xie laughed awkwardly. "It's nothing really. During the war, you did a lot for Inazuma too. Without you, Inazuma would have been unable to withstand the onslaught of the disaster."
"...Are we just mutually praising each other now?" Sasayuri chuckled.
"How do you know about 'mutual praise'?" Yu Xie asked, surprised.
"You told me about it before."
"Did I?" Yu Xie thought back for a moment and realized that yes, he had said that to Sasayuri before.
"Anyway, thank you," Sasayuri said, resting a hand on Yu Xie's shoulder. "If it weren't for you, I can't imagine what everyone would be like now."
"I just did what I could," Yu Xie replied.
"Want a drink?" Sasayuri suddenly changed the subject, and with a flash of light in his hand, two bottles of fine wine appeared.
Yu Xie hesitated for a moment before accepting one of the bottles and opening it. The rich aroma of the wine wafted through the air.
"Got any snacks to go with it?"
"I knew you'd say that," Sasayuri smiled slightly, and another flash of light appeared, revealing a bento box. "Here's the snack, all ready."
Under the night sky, the two of them sat on the grass, drinking wine in the soft moonlight.
They continued like that until the others arrived at Amakane Island.
It was just like that spring when they had all gathered under the cherry trees to admire the blossoms. Now, everyone sat on the grass, looking up at the brilliant fireworks. The dazzling lights illuminated everyone's faces.
The colorful fireworks bloomed in the sky, fleeting as shooting stars, leaving the brightest images in the hearts of those who saw them.
Yu Xie thought to himself that his life was still long, and there was so much more to do.
There was no need to rush into the future. The present time had not yet passed.
Even as a mortal, he still had an entire second half of his life yet to unfold, and for a mortal, that second half would be long enough.
Time passed quickly, and the days turned into years. Yu Xie's dark hair now carried a few strands of silver that would not fade, though his outward appearance remained the same.
Another spring came, and the cherry blossoms bloomed once again.
Yu Xie stood by the window, gazing at the cherry blossoms blooming on Mt. Yougou, while the system's prompt appeared in his mind.
[Name: Yu Xie]
[Age: 124 years]
[Remaining Life: 99 days]
The spring breeze blew in through the window. Although it was already spring, the wind still carried a chill, and Yu Xie couldn't help but tighten his clothes.
It felt like only yesterday when he had first arrived in Inazuma. Yet now, he was already an old man.
Looking back on his life, he felt content.
He had changed the things he wanted to change, done what he could to live without regrets.
But even now, he still hadn't told anyone that his time was running out.
Perhaps it was because he didn't have the courage. He couldn't bear, nor did he want, to see the sorrow in their eyes because of him.
Fortunately, he had disguised it well. Even Makoto hadn't noticed that his time was so short.
Everyone still thought that Yu Xie had a long life ahead of him, especially since he still looked so young, and his body contained the aura of a Archon, didn't it?
The wind blew in again, causing the window frame to creak slightly.
Yu Xie pulled his thoughts back, closed the window, and left the headquarters of the Okuzumeshuu.
The street outside was paved with grayish-blue stone slabs, with a few puddles left from the spring rain.
As passersby saw Yu Xie, they respectfully greeted him, and he naturally responded with a smile.
Yu Xie, the Grand Commander of the Okuzumeshuu, had become a household name in Inazuma City.
He was the captain of the Raiden Shogun's personal guard, granted permission to carry a sword when meeting the Shogun, the only leader recognized by the Akashi Clan, a role model in the eyes of the elders, and a hero in the hearts of children. This was the Grand Commander of the Okuzumeshuu.
Moreover, there were more than ten versions of stories circulating among the people about his brave actions during the calamity.
Some of these versions were so exaggerated that even Yu Xie himself thought they were a bit far-fetched.
Passing through the streets of Inazuma City, Yu Xie continued on his way until he reached the foot of Mt. Yougou.
Pink cherry blossom petals fluttered down in the wind, and Yu Xie reached out to catch one.
He couldn't help but reminisce about the first time he had climbed Mt. Yougou.
Back then, the cherry blossoms had covered the mountain in full bloom, a breathtaking sight, just like today's scenery.
So many years had passed, yet Mt. Yougou had hardly changed, remaining as it was back then.
After a while, Yu Xie finally reached the summit, passing through numerous torii gates, and the view of the Grand Shrine came into sight.
A shrine maiden saw Yu Xie and hurried over to greet him.
"Grand Commander, is there something you need at the shrine?"
"Oh, nothing important. I just came to look for your shrine's head priestess," Yu Xie replied with a smile.
"I'll report it immediately." The shrine maiden gave a slight bow before turning to leave.
Yu Xie walked into the shrine and made his way to the back.
As he looked at the scene inside the shrine, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.
After thinking for a while, he suddenly remembered.
It was the missing cherry blossom tree—the Sacred Cherry Blossom Tree.
End of chapter
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