"This was the Genji estate, the place we visited this morning," Musashi answered Shen Fei's question.
"This is bad, Miss Yorimitsu."
Musashi's words made Sakata Kintoki realize it at once, and Shen Fei understood as well. The reason Shuten Doji and the others had been wandering around was to set up a ritual targeting Minamoto no Yorimitsu. She was the true pillar of the Genji clan.
"Let's get over there first."
As Sakata Kintoki took the lead and ran toward the Genji estate, Shen Fei and the others immediately followed. Kintoki deeply respected Minamoto no Yorimitsu. Though he did not particularly like calling her Mother, he would never allow anyone to hurt her. Perhaps this was why, in legend, Kintoki had gone to deal with Shuten Doji.
When Sakata Kintoki had previously mentioned that Shuten Doji did not eat people, his expression had been extremely complicated. After all, she was an oni. She might not eat people now, but that did not mean she would not in the future. Perhaps that was why the Genji clan would eventually subjugate Shuten Doji.
"Looks like we're too late." By the time Shen Fei and the others reached the vicinity of the Genji estate, flames were already shooting into the sky ahead, while cries of battle and clashing weapons reached their ears.
"Shuten!" Sakata Kintoki roared. Golden lightning surged across his broad axe, and with a thunderous blast, more than a dozen oni were reduced to ashes beneath the golden thunderbolts. Shuten Doji's assault on the Genji estate had clearly enraged him greatly.
"My, my, isn't this Blondie Blue-Eyes? It's been a long time."
As Sakata Kintoki charged into the Genji estate and cut through everything in his path, Shuten Doji appeared before him, blocking his way toward the main hall.
"Didn't we