As with Kayo, Kuzuno had spent the past three years training within the Tanuki Realm under the careful guidance of Goddess Minoyama and Goddess Tsurara.
Kuroyasha still attended to his duties as Hachiman of the Realms, but no matter how busy he became, he always returned to check on Kuzuno, Murasaki, and his family.
At that moment, Kuzuno stood in the middle of a fierce training battle against Goddess Tsurara herself while Goddess Minoyama maintained the battlefield using her Tanuki Art: Wrap Zone.
The Biki brothers watched through the magical mirror while taking a break from their duties. Madam Mochi sat comfortably nearby with a sake bottle and dish already prepared beside her.
"This will be an excellent fight," Madam Mochi said calmly as she poured herself another drink. "No matter who wins."
Biki Bi looked toward his mother curiously.
"Mother, what do you mean by that? Shouldn't every battle have a winner?"
Madam Mochi took a slow sip of sake before answering.
"Biki Bi... battles are not always about victory or strength. Sometimes battles exist to reveal growth. For mortals... and even for gods."
She gestured toward the mirror.
"Look carefully at the two preparing to face one another. What do you see?"
Biki Bi focused carefully on both Kuzuno and Tsurara.
After a few moments, he answered.
"I don't sense fear from Kuzuno anymore. Only tension. She seems calmer now... more confident in herself."
His eyes shifted toward Tsurara.
"And Goddess Tsurara looks like she's waiting. Not just to test Kuzuno's strength, but to see how much she has grown as a person. As a royal... and as someone who commands ice and snow."
Madam Mochi smiled proudly.
Her son had become not only a healer without equal, but someone capable of understanding the emotions hidden within battle itself.
Biki Bu then crossed his arms thoughtfully and spoke.
"Her weapon has changed too. It feels stronger... reinforced by Kuzuno's determination."
He continued quietly.
"When I first met Princess Kuzuno, both she and her blade carried fear, trauma, and doubt. It felt like the weapon and wielder shared the same emotions."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"But now... the blade speaks of growth. And so does its master."
Madam Mochi nodded approvingly.
"Most impressive, my son. You speak like a true weapons master. Your training reflects that well."
Biki Bu bowed respectfully.
"Thank you, Mother. That means a lot coming from you."
Meanwhile, Biki Ba stared at the mirror silently.
More specifically-
He stared at Goddess Tsurara.
A faint blush spread across his face while his tail slowly swayed side to side.
Madam Mochi noticed immediately.
A soft, knowing smile crossed her face as she took another sip of sake.
A son's first love...
She thought quietly to herself.
Biki Ba... you chose to love someone unfamiliar with warmth. Yet every time you approach her, she never freezes you away. Instead... she allows you close.
That alone says enough.
Tsurara wishes to understand warmth, though her nature prevents her from expressing it openly.
So become her warmth, my son... in the only way you can.
Madam Mochi returned her attention toward the mirror.
The battle was beginning.
Inside the Tanuki Wrap Zone, Kuzuno and Goddess Tsurara stood facing one another.
Tsurara lowered herself into a stance based on Sojutsu.
Kuzuno mirrored her with a Kenjutsu stance.
The battlefield became completely silent.
Then-
Like a faint winter breeze-
Tsurara vanished.
CRASH!
Kuzuno barely managed to block the sudden strike aimed directly at her back.
Even with a successful parry, the sheer mana, pressure, and weight behind Tsurara's spear far exceeded anything Kuzuno had ever faced before.
Kuzuno immediately attempted a counterattack-
But her blade sliced through empty air.
An afterimage.
Tsurara had already reappeared at the edge of the frozen battlefield.
"Divine Snow Art: Snow Blade Dance."
The moment the chant ended, Tsurara surged forward once again.
Elegant.
Swift.
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Precise.
Every movement flowed perfectly alongside the frozen battlefield itself.
Kuzuno was forced completely onto the defensive as Tsurara's spear strikes came from every angle imaginable.
Then-
"Divine Ice Art: Ice Spear Barrage!"
Massive ice spears erupted toward Kuzuno while Tsurara continued attacking simultaneously from all directions.
Kuzuno planted Hiyuki into the ground.
"Fox Ice Art: Ice Shield Reflection!"
A massive wall of mana-infused ice surrounded her, blocking both the ice spears and Tsurara's attacks before reflecting portions of the attacks back outward.
Tsurara slid backward across the frozen battlefield and observed Kuzuno carefully.
"Quite the defense."
A small smile appeared on her face.
"It not only blocked my attacks... it reflected them back at me. Impressive."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"However..."
"Divine Snow Art: Ice Spear Tsunami."
Countless giant ice spears surged forward alongside a massive wave of snow.
The spears hammered relentlessly against Kuzuno's shield while the snow tsunami completely buried her beneath layers of snow and ice.
Tsurara calmly observed the frozen destruction she created.
"Ice and snow truly are beautiful... regardless of the season."
She closed her eyes briefly.
"Though it appears the fox brat finally gave up and decided to remain buried."
Then-
BOOOOOOM!!!
A massive explosion of ice and snow erupted across the battlefield.
Frozen mist filled the air.
As it slowly cleared-
Tsurara smiled slightly.
Beneath that smile...
Was pride.
Kuzuno stood transformed.
Her three red tails had become winter blue, while six blue flame tails swayed behind her, all centered at the base of her spine.
Though they resembled flames-
They radiated absolute-zero cold.
Her crystal-blue eyes glowed intensely as overwhelming mana spread across the battlefield, causing even more ice to form around her.
Blue flames covered her claws as they sharpened alongside her fangs.
Her blade, Hiyuki, burned with the same freezing blue flames.
But the greatest difference-
Was Kuzuno herself.
Her expression remained calm.
Her mana was stable.
Controlled.
And overwhelmingly powerful.
A slight smile crossed her lips.
"Round two."
In an instant, Kuzuno vanished.
CRAAAAASH!!!
Hiyuki collided directly against Tsurara's spear, Nadare no Tsumeato, causing the entire Wrap Zone to tremble violently.
The battlefield erupted into monstrous exchanges of strikes that moved like roaring winter storms.
Then Kuzuno chanted:
"Fox Snow Art: Nine-Tailed Blizzard Whips!"
She slammed her tails against the battlefield.
A violent blizzard exploded outward.
With every strike of her tails, the storm intensified further.
Using the force of one tail strike, Kuzuno launched herself high into the air.
"Divine Blade Art: Snow Fox Storm!!!"
Thousands of snow foxes burst from Hiyuki and surged toward Tsurara like a living blizzard.
Tsurara's eyes widened slightly.
"Not bad at all, Kuzuno. You clearly possess far greater control over your power than you did three years ago."
Then her expression softened.
"However..."
Suddenly-
Kuzuno's transformation collapsed.
Her body lost all strength instantly.
She fell unconscious from the sky.
Tsurara calmly created a pile of soft snow beneath her.
Kuzuno landed safely within it.
"You still need to understand your limits. Mid-battle is not the time to discover when your transformation will fail."
Tsurara paused briefly before continuing.
"...Still, I will admit this, Kuzuno."
She looked down at her own hand.
It trembled slightly.
"That transformation... it is not even god-level yet, and already it possesses such terrifying power."
Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"Inari truly has an eye for talent."
Tsurara then looked upward.
"The match is over, Minoyama. Open the zone."
In a flash of light, both Kuzuno and Tsurara returned to the throne room.
Two medical tanuki were already waiting nearby.
They carefully placed Kuzuno onto a stretcher before placing enchanted healing leaves across her forehead and carrying her away.
Tsurara calmly sat beside Madam Mochi, who already held another filled sake dish toward her.
"I think you need this after watching that battle," Madam Mochi said with a knowing smile. "Kuzuno's power is both amazing... and terrifying."
Tsurara accepted the sake and took a small sip.
"I felt her cold."
Her voice lowered slightly.
"Me... the Goddess of Ice and Snow."
Her eyes returned toward the battlefield mirror.
"Kuzuno still possesses only three tails... yet her power already rivals that of a newly born goddess."
Madam Mochi nodded slowly.
"I sensed it as well."
Even she looked unsettled.
"At only three tails no less. Her combat skill was already refined through Tamamo's training, but this level of growth..."
Her expression became serious.
"It is unnatural. Even for someone destined to become a goddess."
Then Tsurara noticed movement beside her.
Biki Ba had quietly approached and respectfully bowed.
Without saying a word, he gently rested his head upon her lap and closed his eyes peacefully.
His tail stopped swaying.
Tsurara's face flushed faintly.
Yet once again-
She felt warmth from him.
Slowly, awkwardly, she began patting his head.
A peaceful smile appeared across Biki Ba's face.
When Tsurara glanced back toward Madam Mochi and the other brothers, they all wore identical sly smiles.
Tsurara immediately looked away with an even deeper blush.
I have frozen beings on godlike scales for merely glancing at me...
Yet whenever this tanuki child approaches me... all I want is for him to remain peacefully beside me.
Damn you, Minoyama... somewhere along the line you foresaw this.
And now you know one of my greatest weaknesses...
She looked back down at Biki Ba and gently stroked his hair.
Still... this child only behaves this way around family. In public, he always carries himself properly.
A rare trait.
A small, warm smile appeared on her face.
Very well, Biki Ba.
You have earned something no one else ever has...
The affection of the Snow Goddess Tsurara.
Biki Bi quietly leaned toward Madam Mochi.
"Mother... you plan to use this as leverage against the Ice Goddess, don't you?"
Madam Mochi wore an innocent smile that fooled absolutely no one.
"I would merely remind her that someone managed to win her affections after thousands of years."
She took another sip of sake.
"No better way to ensure cooperation from our dear guest."
Her grin widened mischievously.
"Besides... it seems Biki Ba may already have a date for the upcoming Bakedanuki Koi Festival~"
Biki Bu suddenly laughed.
"Then I can't wait to see who big brother Kuroyasha asks once he returns from his duties today! That'll be an even better show!"
Madam Mochi immediately stood.
"Oh? Now that sounds entertaining~"
Her grin became positively dangerous.
"Besides, Tsurara is far too distracted by affection to notice us right now."
Both brothers immediately nodded.
The three quietly left for the medical wing.
Meanwhile, Biki Ba remained peacefully resting against Tsurara while she continued drinking sake and softly stroking his hair.
Back at the medical wing, Kuzuno rested peacefully within her bed.
She had suffered no injuries.
Only complete exhaustion from overusing her power.
Slowly, her eyes opened.
She looked around the room-
Then froze.
Kuroyasha sat asleep in a chair beside her bed.
A faint blush crossed her face immediately.
I wonder how long he's been here...
I thought he was still at headquarters...
She slowly sat upright and quietly looked at him.
For a moment-
She noticed how handsome he truly was.
Her heart immediately began racing.
Kuzuno quickly turned away.
This is no time to think such thoughts!
Then suddenly-
"Well, I think you're beautiful too, Kuzuno."
Kuzuno nearly jumped before slowly turning back toward him.
Kuroyasha looked at her warmly, clearly awake now.
"How are you feeling?"
He smiled gently.
"And how did your match with Goddess Tsurara go?"
Kuzuno looked downward thoughtfully.
"Once again, I couldn't defeat her... and my transformation failed midway through the battle."
She clenched the blanket slightly.
"I still have a long way to go. If only I could-"
Kuroyasha immediately cut her off.
"Don't ignore all the progress you've made because of a single loss."
Kuzuno looked toward him silently.
"At first, you could barely control your mana," Kuroyasha continued. "Your transformation was unstable and feral. You doubted yourself constantly."
His eyes softened.
"But now? Your mana is controlled. Your transformation lasts longer and has evolved. You can even pressure a goddess into using serious mana against you instead of effortlessly suppressing you."
He smiled proudly.
"You've come incredibly far, Kuzuno."
Then his voice softened further.
"And you can go even farther. I know you can."
Kuzuno didn't cry.
But through the Fox Link-
She felt every emotion behind his words.
Pride.
Faith.
Affection.
Love.
Then Kuroyasha suddenly scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"Actually... there's something I wanted to ask you."
Kuzuno blinked curiously.
"What is it?"
Kuroyasha stood up and bowed slightly while holding a decorated card tied together with a red thread.
Kuzuno accepted it carefully.
Inside the card was an illustration of a male and female tanuki standing together with a red thread tied between their pinky fingers.
At the bottom were the words:
Will you be my tanuki for the Bakedanuki Koi Festival?
Kuzuno's face immediately turned red.
A warm smile spread across her lips.
"Would it be alright if I remained a fox instead?"
Kuroyasha laughed softly.
"I wouldn't have it any other way."
His face wore a wide, goofy grin.
Kuzuno laughed quietly before answering.
"Then I would be honored to attend the festival with you."
BANG!!!
The door suddenly exploded open.
"BANZAI! BANZAI! BANZAI!!!"
Madam Mochi stormed into the room alongside Biki Bi and Biki Bu.
"My eldest son's first Bakedanuki Koi Festival date!"
Madam Mochi immediately hugged Kuroyasha tightly.
"I'm so proud of you!"
Then she suddenly grabbed Kuzuno's hand.
"You're coming with me, Princess!"
Kuzuno blinked in confusion.
"We have far too much to prepare! Festival kimonos! Accessories! Hair ornaments!"
Before Kuzuno could protest, Madam Mochi dragged her out of the room.
Kuroyasha could only laugh helplessly.
He then looked toward his brothers.
"How long were you three listening outside the room?"
Biki Bi grinned innocently.
"Right before Princess Kuzuno woke up, big bro."
Kuroyasha sighed.
"I should've known."
Then he smirked slightly.
"So... have you two found festival dates yet?"
Biki Bi immediately blushed bright red.
"Yes... but I want it to remain a surprise."
Kuroyasha laughed.
"It's Murasaki, isn't it? You two spend almost every moment together whenever she visits from headquarters."
Biki Bi nearly combusted from embarrassment.
"Well... she's strong, beautiful, powerful... and kind."
His blush deepened.
"I want to become an even better healer someday... so I can truly stand beside her."
Kuroyasha smiled proudly and patted his younger brother's head.
"I'm sure you will, little bro."
Then he looked toward Biki Bu.
"What about you?"
Biki Bu stared quietly out the window toward the distant sunlight.
For a moment...
He looked strangely lonely.
Then he smiled sadly.
"No, not this year."
He quietly turned away.
"Maybe next year."
Without another word, he left the room.
Silence lingered briefly afterward.
Biki Bi frowned slightly.
"How can he still love that devil fox after everything she's done?"
His voice lowered.
"After what she did to Princess Kuzuno... after trying to kill you..."
Kuroyasha rested a hand upon his brother's shoulder.
"Some things in this world simply don't make sense."
His eyes softened slightly.
"Biki Bu chose Kayo. And much like foxes... tanuki love deeply once they choose someone."
He looked toward the doorway thoughtfully.
"Maybe someday... that love might even save her."
Biki Bi listened carefully.
Then Kuroyasha continued quietly.
"When I fought Kayo... beneath all the rage, hatred, and violence..."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"I didn't see a monster."
He looked toward Kuzuno's empty bed.
"I saw a lonely girl screaming for someone to notice her."
His voice softened.
"The same way I noticed Kuzuno."
Biki Bi fell silent.
Then Kuroyasha suddenly smiled again.
"But enough serious talk."
He stretched his arms slightly.
"We both have dates to prepare for."
Biki Bi immediately smiled again and nodded.
The two brothers then left the medical wing together to prepare for the Bakedanuki Koi Festival.