The atmosphere inside the wooden house gradually grew tense.
The four Tsuchigumo Clan ninja wore ashen expressions. They could even hear one another breathing.
After a long while.
En no Gyōja struggled to raise his head. His clouded old eyes glared at Bairang as he sought an explanation.
Bairang's father, the previous guardian of the forbidden technique, had been loyal, upright, and dependable.
His death had dealt a heavy blow to the Tsuchigumo Clan and marked the beginning of its decline.
"Heh." Bairang gave a soft laugh and remained silent. His expression was calm, without the slightest panic.
Seeing his reaction, En no Gyōja and Hotaru looked toward the Great Elder.
Ingetsu, wearing a black hood, also looked at the Great Elder, signaling for him to continue.
The Great Elder glared at Bairang, pounding his chest as he said:
"When your father was attacked by rogue ninja, I was among the first clansmen to arrive at the scene.
"When he died.
"His final words.
"Were to tell us to beware of Bairang!
"From then on.
"I did everything I could to investigate and gather evidence of your crimes. You never expected that there had been surviving witnesses in houses near the place where you committed the murder. They fled quickly, so you failed to silence them.
"I did not expose you immediately because I had no proof!
"This time, when I went out with the merchant caravan.
"I found that family."
As he spoke, the Great Elder took a black scroll from his robes and continued:
"This contains their testimony describing that battle over the forbidden technique. As for the witnesses, I have already settled them somewhere safe. They can come confront you at any time."
The Great Elder opened the scroll and placed it beside En no Gyōja. Hotaru