Onmyōji * Showdown

Hashirama that the atmosphere had eased, Hashirama broke the silence. "Now that the matter is settled, Mokushō, can you tell us what you taught Izuna and Tobirama?"

Mokushō nodded and demonstrated the set of techniques he had just taught him again. Binding, One Line, Pentagram Array, Writing, from the basic Spirit Power guidance to the Runes arrangement of the Great Fireball, he went through it all from beginning to end.

After reading Hashirama, Hashirama crossed his arms and fell into deep thought.

Ban stood beside him, his tone carrying a battlefield-honed intuition. "It seems the shifts in offense and defense in your world are quite rapid."

Mokushō shrugged. "It's just normal offense and defense."

"No." Hashirama shook his head, his expression much more serious than before. "Most Genin can't react in time. Ninja Tools at least make a whooshing sound, but a single shot is too fast. If you're ambushed like that, you're dead."

He paused, then looked at Mokushō: "Isn't there any protective measure?"

Mokushō thought for a moment and said, "As long as Onmyōji has cultivated, they can still react. At the very least, they have Shikigami. For us, the Natural Energy fluctuations are still quite obvious."

"Moreover, the power of the first line is not actually very great for people, since it is controlled through Mental Power."

"I've been using it for years and I'm used to it. The power of a beginner's attack is very small, and it can generally only be used to deal with intangible beings like Yōkai and Shikigami."

Tobirama, arms crossed, interjected, "Onmyōji attacks are usually aimed at Yōkai, not humans?"

"Of course it's about dealing with Yōkai. Are you suggesting we attack people?"

Tobirama: "..."

Mokushō was utterly confused, "What exactly is wrong with you guys regarding Onmyōji...?"

Izuna was both amused and exasperated by his words: "What you've made sounds too much like the power used by Ninjas. It's hard not to wonder if it can be used against people."

"There are similar jobs, but they usually involve dealing with Yōkai and Demons."

Tobirama pressed on, "I've wanted to ask this for a long time, what exactly does Onmyōji do?"

Mokushō raised his hand and counted on his fingers one by one. "Funeral Rites and Blessings, Astrology and Divination, Exorcism, and answering people's questions."

Hashirama stood to the side, listening to these points, his eyes revealing undisguised envy. "Damn, I'm so envious."

Mokushō shrugged. "Of course, as human beings, there will always be times when we fight with others. If a war breaks out, we'll probably be the ones launching ranged attacks like Fireball Technique from the rear."

Hashirama sighed, "Alas... is it impossible to avoid war no matter where you are..."

Madara looked at Mokushō: "Ranged attacks? You Onmyōji are all ranged attackers?"

"That's generally how it is." Mokushō nodded.

Madara tilted his head, his gaze sweeping over Izuna crouching to the side. "But Izuna's close-combat skills are very strong."

"It's the same principle as being Archery. Not just anyone can draw Archery. Exorcising demons and protecting the righteous naturally requires a certain level of physical fitness."

Madara thought for a moment, then asked again, "Is exorcising demons dangerous?"

Mokushō thought for a moment, "Let's put it this way, the difficulty of fighting a Brown Bear with a knife is the same as our difficulty level."

Madara stroked his chin, thought seriously for a moment, and then said, "Isn't that just a matter of one slash?"

Mokushō: "..."

Izuna couldn't help but grunt.

Mokushō: "Please, recognize your own Strength."

Tobirama stood to the side, arms crossed, and calmly added, "But even Ordinary People with a knife can easily deal with animals."

Izuna is giving Tobirama a strange look. Are you serious?

Mokushō gave Dead-Fish Eyes. "I understand. You guys with off-the-charts combat abilities can't possibly understand the thoughts of Ordinary People. Let me give you another example."

Mokushō pointed at Hashirama and said to Tobirama, "Go, Tobirama, defeat your brother Hashirama."

Tobirama glanced at him expressionlessly. "Don't joke around, there's no way you can win."

"That's how it is." Mokushō spread his hands.

Tobirama frowned. "Your example isn't quite right. If you can't even defeat them, how are you going to exorcise demons and protect the righteous path?"

"I can't beat the Onmyōji, but I can Shikigami." Mokushō patted his chest, his tone filled with undisguised pride.

Tobirama narrowed his eyes. "Boasting about yourself is important, isn't it?"

Mokushō: "..."

Izuna couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time.

"Using our ignorance of another world to boast about their own importance?"

Mokushō laughed, "How come I never knew you were so sharp-tongued?"

Tobirama narrowed his eyes, seizing on the loophole in Mokushō's words. "You and I are very familiar?"

Mokushō put his hands on his hips, adjusted his fox mask, and said in a tone full of self-righteousness, "I watched you grow up!"

Tobirama couldn't help but glance at Madara.

Madara's Shikigami watched me grow up?

Ban showed a look of disgust.

Tobirama withdrew his gaze and continued, "What was my relationship with Madara like in your world?"

"They're as close as brothers!" Mokushō said with absolute certainty.

Spot: "Ugh."

Mokushō: "What do you mean?"

Tobirama, without changing his expression, continued, "Go on. Could it be that I have a very good relationship with my Big Brother and the Uchiha brothers?"

"Yes," Mokushō nodded.

Tobirama: "What's the relationship like between the Uchiha and Senju over there?"

"It's terrible." Mokushō's tone was unwavering.

Tobirama frowned. "How did they manage to be as close as brothers?"

"Oh, I don't really know."

Tobirama stared at him, his eyes Dead-Fish Eyes: "Here we go again, saying absolutely nothing about the crucial points."

"Hey, you can't blame me for this." Mokushō spread his hands. "I really don't know. I've already told you what happened, don't ask me anything. I only know that you two are very close, I have no other memory."

Tobirama: "She's quite prone to amnesia."

"I can hear the sarcasm in your tone!" Mokushō pointed at him.

Tobirama: "Heh."

Hashirama stroked his chin. "Like brothers... Madara! Could it be that we really achieved that in that world?"

Ban revealed Dead-Fish Eyes: "What have you done? Rebelling against your father at such a young age, how are we even able to survive in the other world?"

"No matter what, my dad is quite open-minded."

Tobirama looked troubled. Yes, he was so open-minded that he punched his Big Brother at his younger brother's funeral.

Ban also recalled his iron-willed old father.

Hmm... if he hadn't opened his eyes and said goodbye back then, my father would probably have House Arrest me to my quarters for a month before letting me out.

Thinking about it that way, it's actually quite enlightened.

Seeing Madara's thoughtful expression, Tobirama asked incredulously, "Are you guys serious?!"

After that, they each tried out the spells.

But he just couldn't get the hang of it. He couldn't even use the most basic first line, let alone the more complex Writing that followed.

Mokushō stood aside, watching them try it one by one, and finally couldn't help but speak up, "A line is also called Barrier. Make your hand into the shape of a spear, and then imagine drawing a line between the Yōkai and yourself."

He raised his hand, put two fingers together, and pointed forward.

A bright and clear white line extended from his fingertips, stretching across the night, as if splitting the entire forest in two.

That's it.

Ban stood under the eaves, staring at the white light for a while, then raised his hand and, imitating Mokushō, put his two fingers together.

"The front line!"

Nothing happened.

He frowned and tried again.

A faint white light emanated from the fingertip, but it dissipated before it could take shape.

Hashirama tried it himself, and the result was about the same. He scratched his head and smiled a little sheepishly, "It's harder than I imagined."

Tobirama succeeded quickly, managing to conjure a blurry line at his fingertips, but it was as thin as spider silk and broke into several pieces before he could do anything.

"You're talking about distinguishing between yokai and Yōkai, but Yōkai don't exist in our world." Tobirama, turning to look at Mokushō. "Won't this affect our understanding and execution?"

Mokushō thought for a moment and said, "Then imagine a line that divides you from others, and visualize it vividly."

Upon hearing this, Madara turned to look at Tobirama, raised his hand, put two fingers together, and coldly stared at Tobirama.

"The front line!"

There's still nothing there.

Tobirama looked back at him expressionlessly.

Ban clicked his tongue and withdrew his hand.

Izuna squatted down beside him, watching this scene, and silently sighed in his heart, "Madara really hates Tobirama."

Tobirama, without changing his expression, turned to Mokushō: "Your description is too ambiguous."

Mokushō was somewhat confused. "Really... but that's how we're taught there..."

Could it be that I'm really not suited to teaching?

Mokushō was having an existential crisis, Izuna, who had been watching for a while, spoke up, "Do you want me to teach you?"

Hashirama immediately turned around, his eyes sparkling. "Then I'll leave it to you, Izuna!"

Izuna walked to the porch, raised his hand, put two fingers together, and pointed towards the old pine tree in the courtyard. He didn't rush to make a move, but first turned his head to look at the three of them.

"It's about concentrating your Mental Power at your fingertips and then releasing it." He gestured with his fingers. "The key is to guide the Natural Energy, making it align in a line on the ground. Then, infuse that line with the thought, 'I must defend,' and that's it."

After he finished speaking, he flicked his finger forward.

"The front line!"

A beam of white light shot out from his fingertips, cleanly drawing a horizontal line on the open ground in front of the old pine tree. The line was bright and steady, with a faint glow around its edges.

Tobirama stared at the line for two seconds, then raised his hand.

He closed his eyes and slowly gathered his Mental Power at his fingertips. Natural Energy floated in his perception, like tiny specks of light, and he tried to guide them in the same direction.

After a moment, he suddenly waved his hand.

"The front line!"

A very faint line was drawn, thin and light, like ink diluted with water.

Then, an equally faint Barrier emerged from the line, as thin as a cicada's wing, but undeniably present.

Hashirama said "Oh," and immediately raised his hand. "I'll give it a try too!"

Ban didn't say anything, but he raised his hand.

The three of them each gave it a try.

A moment later, three white lines appeared on the open ground, but they were all very unstable.

Izuna's line was still steadily lit, but the lines they had drawn had begun to flicker.

The obvious strain caused all three of them to frown.

A thin layer of sweat appeared on Hashirama's forehead. He wiped it with his sleeve and exhaled, "Goodness, this is more tiring than a whole day of Taijutsu training."

Ban lowered his hand, staring at the line that had shortened, his brows furrowing slightly.

Tobirama flexed his fingers. "If it's this difficult to maintain for such a short time, it's practically impossible to use for defense in actual combat."

Mokushō stood to the side, his tone behind the fox mask carrying the knowing wisdom of someone who had been there. "Beginners are all like this; you guys are already considered fast."

Tobirama looked at Mokushō: "If someone isn't a beginner, what would it be like using this?"

Mokushō stroked his chin, his fox mask tilting slightly, and his tone became slightly intrigued. "You want to see me fight Izuna?"

"No?"

"That's definitely not allowed." Mokushō waved his hand, his tone matter-of-fact. "What kind of Shikigami attacks its master?"

"Never mind then."

"But if you really want to see, that's fine too." Mokushō the subject, hands on his hips. "After all, I am the Inari God, and the Shrine does have a few Yōkai suppressed. Let's release one for a bit of fun."

Tobirama raised an eyebrow. "I didn't expect you to be somewhat useful."

Mokushō laughed, "I've noticed you're getting more and more fond of teasing me."

Tobirama looked away.

Mokushō turned around and gestured with his chin towards the west wall of the Main Hall: "Then help me take down that door over there."

Hashirama looked in the direction he was looking and his gaze fell on the door panel painted with Ukiyo-e.

The floral and bird patterns appeared blurry in the dim light, the paint was somewhat dark, and the lacquer on the edges was slightly peeling off, indicating that it was an old object that had been around for quite some time.

"This?"

"Hey, wait a minute." Mokushō suddenly raised his hand again, tilting his head and staring at the door. "What's sealed here again... Changgui)? Wheel? Hiss..."

Tobirama crossed his arms and said expressionlessly, "You're really unreliable, you know that?"

"You kid, stop complaining!" Mu Zheng turned around suddenly and pointed at Tobirama, "I say you are a hot-blooded complainer, but you are really a complainer!"

Izuna, standing to the side, couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Tobirama raised an eyebrow but didn't reply, though his expression clearly said, "Am I wrong?"

Mokushō glared at him, deciding not to bother with him. He turned to look at the door, hands on his hips, his tone one of reckless abandon. "Hey! I can't be bothered with you! That one it is! Who cares if he's a little demon or not? With Izuna here, what am I afraid of! Let's just fight!"

Hashirama amused and exasperated. He went over and removed the door panel from the door frame.

The door panel was lighter than he had imagined, and its back was covered with a dense layer of Runes, most of which were obscured by dust.

He carried the door panel outside, found an open space to put it down, and dusted off his hands and clothes.

Mokushō followed him out, stood in front of the door, and used his fingers as spears to draw several crooked Runes in the air.

The Runes floated to the top of the door panel and slowly rotated with his movements, their golden light flickering in the night.

While he was drawing the talisman, Hashirama stepped back to Tobirama's side and lowered his voice. "Tobirama, why are you targeting Mokushō like this? I feel like you don't like him."

Tobirama did not answer immediately, his gaze fixed on Mokushō figure.

"That's true to some extent," he said. "It's probably because he's different from Izuna. Izuna really forgot, but this guy keeps it all a secret."

Didn't he say he didn't remember?

Do you believe that?

Hashirama stroked his chin, thinking seriously for a moment, "Hmm, let's believe him for now. After all, you saw it yourself, he doesn't seem to be able to lie."

Tobirama glanced at him. "But he can choose to tell only part of the truth."

Hashirama said frankly, "That's enough. So far, he hasn't done anything bad to us or Izuna, has he?"

Tobirama frowned, his tone somewhat urgent, "Big Brother, it will be too late if he does something. You saw the spells he used. If he really wants to be our enemy, we will have a very difficult time fighting him."

Hashirama raised his hand and patted Tobirama the shoulder. "Sigh, I believe him."

Tobirama was knocked to the side by the slap, but he steadied himself expressionlessly and glanced at his Big Brother.

Hashirama smiled openly, his eyes shining brightly in the moonlight, as if he truly wasn't worried at all.

Tobirama sighed.

"Sigh... never mind."

Mokushō had finished drawing the last Runes. The golden lines gathered into a circle above the door panel, slowly rotating and emitting a low hum.

The sealing Runes on the back of the door panel began to light up, and a dark red light seeped out from under the dust, as if something had pushed it open from the inside.

Mokushō took two steps back, stared at the door, and said softly, "They're here!"