"It's been over a thousand years since I was alive. I never imagined that after all this time, someone would still remember my name."
His voice sounded worn with age, tinged with an indescribable emotion.
Zhou Hong bowed his head slightly in respect. "The things you did have always been remembered, Sir Ida Iryu."
"Whether it was slaying demons and monsters in life, or continuing to suppress the Sona Ghost with your soul even after death."
"So the people in that village passed this story down all these years."
"Promises truly are a wonderful thing."
For a while, the only sounds in the shrine were the breathing and heartbeats of those present.
"Then what brings you here?" Ida Iryu's voice suddenly grew stern.
Zhou Hong understood Ida Iryu's wariness.
It was probably something like, "I can tell at a glance that you're not human. You're surrounded by all sorts of good wishes. I'll hear you out, at least."
In ancient times, foolish humans longed for great power and often helped demons and monsters like the Sona Ghost. People like that had caused Ida Iryu no shortage of trouble.
And people who carried this kind of light had usually helped him before.
"They don't believe anyone stronger than me exists, so I brought them here to see for themselves." Zhou Hong pointed to the group behind him.
Who would believe that, really?
But a bunch of idiots had indeed done plenty of foolish things back then, so Ida Iryu could understand.
Zhou Hong continued, "And while we're at it, we'll eliminate the Sona Ghost."
The sword trembled at once, its voice quavering with confusion.
"I see no swords or blades among you. How do you intend to defeat the Sona Ghost?"
"Moreover, after all these years sealed away..."
"Having continually absorbed all kinds of malice and ill will, the Sona Ghost is now far stronger than it was back then. Unless you're fully prepared, I advise you not to throw your lives away."
Hearing this, Hibiki Gousuke glanced at the laser gun in his hand and smiled a little. So this Sona Ghost could be dealt with using a blade.
Zhou Hong patiently explained, "Times have changed. The weapons we have may not measure up to your sword, but 'we' doesn't mean just one person."
"Wait, Ah Hong. Our guns can't measure up to a sword?"
Hibiki Gousuke waved the laser gun in his hand, clearly unconvinced.
Beyond seven steps, a gun was faster than a sword. Within seven steps, a gun was faster and more accurate. How could a sword possibly compete with a gun?
Zhou Hong rolled his eyes. "Times were different back then. Their swords could fly just like our missiles, and they were just as powerful."
"As for slashes, they could cut through steel with ease."
"I stand corrected."
No wonder Ah Hong had said there were people stronger than him. People in ancient times really were strong.
Hibiki Gousuke silently slid the gun back into its holster. The rest of the team stood there, dumbfounded.
Ida Iryu's voice sounded again. "I don't know what these 'missiles' you speak of are, but I have some idea of their power."
"I'd like to ask: how many times can you unleash an attack like that?"
How was one supposed to answer an ancient warrior asking how many missiles an industrialized, globally active organization could launch?
"I'm not sure exactly. We should have around a thousand, right?" Zhou Hong asked, looking to Hibiki Gousuke.
Having once worked for the Security Bureau, Hibiki Gousuke knew a little about their weapons stockpiles.
To promote peace, most of their weapons had been stockpiled and mothballed, but they were still being maintained and kept in working order.
He rubbed his chin and thought for a moment. "As far as I know, we might have over ten thousand."
Hibiki Gousuke's answer nearly sent Ida Iryu's soul flying out of his body. He stood stunned for a long time before finally coming around.
"You can now unleash a technique that takes enormous physical strength tens of thousands of times without a problem?"
Ida Iryu was starting to question everything he knew.
But Zhou Hong didn't stand around in a daze. "Now that you're awake, the Sona Ghost must be awake too, right?"
"Correct. Even though I cut the Sona Ghost into five pieces, your provocation must have made it furious."
"But I've been guarding this place all along. No matter how angry it gets, it can do nothing but bark."
Ida Iryu spoke with great confidence. Though Zhou Hong couldn't see him, there was something strangely sad about his words.
"To attack it with missiles, we need its body to emerge aboveground. We also need you to leave for a while."
Ida Iryu hesitated, then said, "In that case, would you allow me to possess one of you?"
As soon as he finished, the others exchanged glances. Then Hibiki Gousuke shouted, "All right!"
"Possess me."
Zhou Hong didn't hesitate either. He returned the sword to its sheath and tossed it to Hibiki Gousuke, who gripped it tightly.
His serious expression grew even more solemn. In the light of the searchlights,
the figure of a samurai with a topknot flickered into view, then vanished. Ida Iryu took control of the body.
A fierce gleam filled Hibiki Gousuke's slightly stiff eyes.
"Let's go."
With the sword at his waist, Ida Iryu led the way toward the outskirts of Mount Sona.
"Vice-captain, will everything be all right?" Koda Toshiyuki asked cautiously.
"It'll be fine. Koda, contact Director Yoshioka now. Tell him we've found a monster and need to evacuate the civilians. We'll also need missile support."
"Understood!"
After a long wait, Director Yoshioka's voice boomed through the communicator: "The Security Bureau and the Old Defense Force have a hundred thousand missiles stockpiled!" The evacuation began in the dead of night.
Shortly afterward, they received confirmation.
Ida Iryu walked away from the shrine near the Sona Ghost's seal. Suddenly, Mount Sona began to shake. The familiar tremors made it clear at once: an earthquake.
The Sona Ghost's dismembered body emerged from the mountain. Its enormous form was so massive that even one hand rivaled a skyscraper. Its razor-sharp fingers and bizarre coloring spoke to its strength.
That was a demon.
A member of the demon clan from Japanese mythology, said to possess immense strength.
But Ida Iryu returned to the shrine.
"Ida Iryu!" A resentful roar rang out, filled with frustration, but faded under Ida Iryu's calm expression.
"The heart and head are here." He pointed out two spots, then lowered the sword again before Zhou Hong could say anything.
"The rest is up to you."
Hibiki Gousuke regained consciousness. He took a step back and bowed his head slightly in respect.
"The missiles are in position, and the targeting is complete. Both the heart and the head are within the missiles' blast radius," Koda reported.
"Let's pull back," Hibiki Gousuke ordered.
Before you continue