Borrowing without Shame

Golden sunlight fell gently over the earth like flecks of gold leaf, bathing the snowy world in a dreamlike warmth.

The whole world lay cloaked in silver and white. The rising sun gradually broke the stillness after the snowfall, ushering in a new day.

At a border outpost of the Dog Tribe, a spirited young woman wrapped in fur sprang lightly out of a cave and rolled exuberantly in the snow.

Her excitement made her look like an innocent pup, with a naive silliness that was impossible not to find endearing.

As Tōga strolled out, his gaze swept casually over the four dogs who had stood watch through the latter half of the night. As though struck by an invisible pressure, they shivered involuntarily.

Their tails wagged so wildly they nearly left afterimages, sweeping the ankle-deep snow beside them into the air.

"Awoo, awoo."

"Go get some rest, all of you."

At Tōga's words, they ran into the cave, relieved of their burden.

One canine face that had looked utterly aggrieved just moments earlier now turned solemn as its owner recounted last night's "horrors" to the companions cooking breakfast with a series of "awoos."

Tōga watched Red Evil Ogre frolic freely in the snow, a smile on his lips, quietly looking on like an old father.

For a demon, taking human form was like being born anew, though the changes in their minds varied from one individual to another.

Most of the dogs Tōga had seen grew curious about their human bodies and did all sorts of unexpected things.

A dog like Red Evil Ogre, who rolled around to vent her feelings, was perfectly normal by comparison.

"With this first example, I'm not far from creating a foundational cultivation method for the Dog Tribe-the human transformation section."

"The Dog Tribe can't depend on me for everything in the future. Otherwise, sooner or later, I'll end up like I did in the original story, fighting until I die of exhaustion."

Tōga thought back over the conclusions he had drawn lately while listening to the whispers coming from inside the cave.

Those dim-witted pups had no idea just how extraordinary their captain's six senses were.

If Tōga wanted to listen, even the faintest sound inside the cave couldn't escape his ears.

"I'll use them as my next 'test subjects.' That'll keep them from loafing around all day. It's about time I put some pressure on them."

Having decided the dogs' fate with a single thought, Tōga saw Red Evil Ogre approach, her cheeks flushed. She moved awkwardly on two legs, alternating between hopping, running, and walking with the arm and leg on the same side swinging together.

"Lord Dogfang!" Red Evil Ogre shouted.

"It's Tōga, not Dogfang!" Tōga corrected her.

"Yes, Lord Tofu!" Red Evil Ogre looked perfectly earnest, yet got it wrong again.

"..."

Tōga decided not to dwell on the matter. Looking at Red Evil Ogre, who still hadn't fully adjusted to her human body, he cleared his throat and spoke.

"The fastest period of growth for our Dog Tribe is this crucial stage just after we transform from demons into humans. The tribe has two provisions for situations like yours. You know about them, don't you?"

"Lord Bean Sprout, I know," Red Evil Ogre replied.

Since she had yet to master normal human pronunciation, her words came out slurred.

Tōga could only piece together her meaning through guesswork. When she encountered particularly difficult words, Red Evil Ogre simply replaced them with "awoo, awoo."

For members of the Dog Tribe who took human form while on a mission away from home, there were indeed two options, provided there was no pressing emergency.

They could return directly to the tribe's homeland to receive instruction from their elders, or seek guidance from the strongest member of their team.

And the strongest member of the team had both the responsibility and the duty to teach those who came after them.

Without a moment's hesitation, Red Evil Ogre chose to seek Tōga's guidance.

The way she blinked her bright, wide eyes let Tōga experience the joy of being a teacher.

"Iron-Reaver Soul-Stealer!"

In the snow-covered forest, Tōga, a firm believer in borrowing without shame, casually helped himself to his second son Inuyasha's signature move.

The demonic power within him obeyed as readily as his own limbs, surging into the five fingers of his right hand in an instant.

Before Red Evil Ogre's wide eyes, five sharp streaks of golden light slashed through the air, so fast there was scarcely time to react.

Under that ferocious attack, the thick tree trunk ahead was as flimsy as thin paper.

With a few crisp cracks, the middle of the trunk was sliced cleanly into several sections, the cuts smooth and even, as though made by a sword.

Deprived of its support, the upper half of the tree slowly tilted under its own weight, then crashed into the snow with a thunderous boom, sending up a great wave of white.

"Iron-Reaver Soul-Stealer is one of the basic combat techniques best suited to our Dog Tribe. It's extremely practical in fights between low-level demons-fast and accurate."

Tōga turned toward Red Evil Ogre with a gentle smile. She stood beside him, beaming with excitement, her tail spinning like a propeller.

"This move relies on gathering and unleashing demonic power in an instant. Through your five fingers, together with our sharp claws, you release that power like blades to tear your enemy apart."

"I've taught you the key points. Red Evil Ogre, give it a try."

"Yes, Lord Tōga!" Red Evil Ogre answered loudly, her voice brimming with eager anticipation.

For the first time that day, Red Evil Ogre had said his name correctly. Tōga actually felt a faint stir of emotion. It was far better than "Bean Sprout," "Dogfang," and the rest.

Over the time that followed, Tōga watched Red Evil Ogre practice while planning to compile the training method for [Iron-Reaver Soul-Stealer] into a manual.

For a race to become truly powerful, passing down knowledge was essential.

When the time was right, improved versions of the many combat techniques and secret arts borrowed from his eldest and second sons would be taught to tribe members who had earned merit through service to the Dog Tribe.

But if Tōga had to handle everything himself, he would have no time left for anything else.

Since Tōga regarded Red Evil Ogre as a junior, he naturally hoped she would help shoulder some of his burdens.

Whenever she made a mistake while practicing Iron-Reaver Soul-Stealer, Tōga stepped forward to guide her hands and correct it.

From the path her demonic power followed, to the timing of its release, to the angle of her five fingers, he overlooked no detail.

Under Tōga's attentive guidance, Red Evil Ogre gradually grasped the essence of Iron-Reaver Soul-Stealer, and her movements became increasingly practiced.

Only once the young woman of the Dog Tribe had settled into her training, with every swipe of her claws sending faint ripples of demonic power through the air, did Tōga return to the outpost with peace of mind.

He stood in the center of the outpost and spoke in a low but penetrating voice. "Everyone, come here."

Hearing his summons, the four dogs on watch immediately trotted over and gathered around him, their eyes holding a trace of awe and curiosity as they awaited his next orders.

Tōga briefly organized his thoughts, then assigned tasks to the four dogs one by one.

The dogs' expressions shifted with astonishment as Tōga spoke. They let out a collective howl, ran out of the cave, and headed toward the Dog Tribe's heartland.

Watching the dogs race through the snow, Tōga chuckled softly.

"Winter Gale, I hope this surprise won't disappoint you."