At long last, the day of the Bakedanuki Koi Festival had arrived.
Throughout the Tanuki Realm, the streets overflowed with life. Vendors prepared stalls beneath hanging lanterns, decorations swayed from rooftops, and the scent of grilled meats, sweet rice cakes, fried noodles, and hot miso broth filled the air.
Tanukis of every shape and size hurried about with bright smiles, laughing as they helped one another prepare for the grand festival that only came once every three years.
Kuroyasha had risen early that morning.
As he walked through the festival streets, tanukis bowed respectfully wherever he went.
"Good morning, Master Kuroyasha!"
"Happy festival day, Hachiman!"
"Master Kuroyasha, please enjoy yourself tonight!"
Kuroyasha greeted each of them warmly. Though he was the Hachiman of Realms, he never carried himself above anyone. To the people of the Tanuki Realm, he was not only a guardian.
He was family.
As he continued walking, he noticed an elderly tanuki struggling to lift several wooden crates beside a food stall. The old tanuki wore a faded green kimono vest, and his short gray beard trembled as he tried to move the heavy boxes.
Kuroyasha smiled.
He knew this old tanuki well.
Without saying a word, he walked over and lifted the crates with ease.
The elderly tanuki looked up in surprise.
"Master Kuroyasha... you are far too kind. Helping an old tanuki like me when you already carry the duties of a Hachiman."
Kuroyasha chuckled softly.
"This has always been one of my favorite stalls at the festival. Your fried udon noodles in spicy miso broth can't be beaten, Old Man Soba. Helping you set up is the least I can do."
Old Man Soba laughed warmly.
"You used to come here every festival with Goddess Minoyama when you were just a little boy. Your eyes would light up the moment you saw my stall."
His expression softened with pride.
"And now look at you. Grown into such a fine young man."
Then Soba's eyes narrowed mischievously.
"So tell me, will you be attending the festival with Goddess Minoyama again this year?"
Kuroyasha's face turned slightly red.
"Actually... I have a date this year."
Old Man Soba's eyes widened.
"Well, well, well! Master Kuroyasha truly has grown up!"
He leaned forward with a sly grin.
"So who is the lucky lady?"
Kuroyasha smiled.
"She is Princess Kuzuno of the Fox Realm. She quite literally fell from the sky at Hachiman Headquarters one day..."
He paused, his eyes softening.
"And somehow, things just developed naturally from there. It's strange, but now... I can't really imagine life without her anymore."
Old Man Soba beamed.
"That sounds like a wonderful future wife to me."
Kuroyasha immediately turned bright red.
"F-Future wife? I never thought that far ahead. Marriage is... a huge step, Soba."
His gaze lowered slightly.
"I know I love her, but I don't know if I'm ready for something that big."
Soba looked at him quietly.
Then he walked behind his stall and pulled out a small wooden box.
When he opened it, a beautiful silver ring rested inside, crowned with a deep blue sapphire.
Kuroyasha's eyes widened.
"I know that ring..."
His voice softened.
"It belonged to your wife."
Soba looked down at the ring with loving eyes.
"When I gave this ring to her many years ago, I was just like you."
He smiled faintly.
"I wasn't afraid because I doubted my love. I knew I loved her. I was afraid because I wondered whether I could truly make her happy."
His voice trembled.
"Even when she lay beside me in her final moments, I kept asking myself if I had given her a good life."
Soba's eyes grew wet.
"Then she used the last of her strength to smile at me and say..."
His voice softened into a whisper.
"Soba... I didn't have a good life with you. I had a wonderful life. And if I could choose again... I would choose you every time."
Kuroyasha stood silently.
Soba wiped his eyes and smiled.
"I cried because I was losing her. But I also smiled because she gave me peace."
Then he gently placed the ring box into Kuroyasha's hands.
"When the time is right, you'll know what to say."
Kuroyasha stared at the ring.
"Soba... I can't take this."
"Yes, you can."
Soba smiled.
"That ring still carries love. Let it carry yours too."
He chuckled.
"It's enchanted. When the moment comes, it will change size for the one you choose."
Kuroyasha held the box carefully.
"Thank you, Soba."
Soba waved him off.
"Now go. You have a date to prepare for. I may be old, but I'm not out yet."
Kuroyasha laughed softly and bowed with deep respect.
"I'll bring Kuzuno to your stall tonight. After all, it's still my favorite."
As Kuroyasha walked away, he looked back one final time.
Old Man Soba smiled proudly at him.
And beside him, just for a moment...
Kuroyasha saw an elderly tanuki woman smiling lovingly at Soba's side.
Then she vanished.
Kuroyasha smiled softly.
"So she really is still with him..."
Back at DaiTanuki Castle, Goddess Minoyama, Goddess Tsurara, and Goddess Tamamo were completely passed out in Minoyama's room.
Empty sake bottles surrounded them like trophies from a divine battlefield.
Minoyama was the first to awaken.
She slowly sat up, rubbing her head.
"Sake strong enough to give even me a hangover..."
A grin crossed her face.
"I'm impressed~"
She snapped her fingers.
Almost instantly, two medical tanukis appeared with transport beds.
"Take Tamamo and Tsurara to the medical wing. They both have Class Two Goddess-Level Hangovers."
The medical tanukis bowed.
"Yes, Goddess Minoyama!"
They carefully loaded Tamamo and Tsurara onto the beds, placed healing leaves on their foreheads, and vanished toward the medical wing.
Minoyama then reached beneath her table and pulled out a bottle labeled:
Hangover Sake
She poured herself a dish and drank it in one gulp.
Immediately, her headache vanished.
"Perfect."
She smiled wickedly.
"I could give this to Lil Tama and Tsu-Tsu..."
Her tails swayed.
"But watching them battle their hangovers all day sounds far more entertaining~"
Later, Minoyama wandered through the castle halls until she passed Kuroyasha's room.
The door was slightly open.
Curious, she peeked inside.
Kuroyasha sat near the window, staring quietly at the sapphire ring in his hands.
Minoyama's face lit up like fireworks.
"Ohhhhhhh~"
Before she could say anything, she noticed three other heads peeking beside her.
The Biki brothers.
All three stared at the ring.
All three understood.
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For once, none of them said a word.
They quietly backed away, leaving Kuroyasha alone with his thoughts.
Minoyama watched them go and smiled fondly.
"My boys really are growing up..."
Hours passed.
By nightfall, the festival was alive.
Lanterns bathed the streets in warm gold and crimson light. Music echoed through the realm. Children played games at stalls while adults drank sake and laughed beneath the stars.
At the entrance stood Kuroyasha and the Biki brothers, each dressed in festival kimonos that mirrored their usual clothes but were softer and less formal.
Biki-Bu crossed his arms.
"You'd think Goddess Minoyama would have a better sense of time."
Kuroyasha laughed.
"She was drinking all night with your dates' guardians. I'm surprised anyone woke up."
Biki-Bi adjusted his glasses nervously.
"We should remain calm. This is our first festival with dates. There is no reason to panic."
Kuroyasha and Biki-Bu slowly turned toward him with identical sly smiles.
Biki-Bi narrowed his eyes.
"What? What are you two looking at?"
Kuroyasha and Biki-Bu spoke together.
"Oh, nothing~"
Biki-Ba, meanwhile, said nothing.
He stared quietly into the night sky.
A blue shooting star passed overhead.
For some reason, it made him think of Tsurara.
A soft blush crossed his face.
Then a familiar voice cut through the air.
"Sorry to keep you gentlemen waiting~"
The boys turned.
And froze.
The women approaching them were stunning.
Murasaki wore a silky royal-purple festival kimono decorated with gold ornaments and a violet gemstone at her waist.
Minoyama wore a shimmering crimson kimono patterned with white falling leaves, her hair tied back with a red royal ornament.
Tsurara wore an icy snow-blue kimono covered in soft falling-snow designs, with two snow-white ornaments resting elegantly in her hair.
Tamamo wore a deep royal-blue kimono decorated with gold and silver lotus patterns, her beauty calm and regal beneath the lantern light.
And then there was Kuzuno.
She wore a light-blue festival kimono with flowing wind patterns, and a delicate blue hair ornament made her fiery red hair glow even brighter.
Kuroyasha could only stare.
To him, the entire festival seemed to fade behind her.
Kuzuno noticed his expression and blushed.
"What?"
Kuroyasha smiled softly.
"You're beautiful."
Her blush deepened.
Murasaki was the first to move.
She approached Biki-Bi with a small blush on her face.
Biki-Bi bowed respectfully.
"Thank you for honoring me with your presence at the Bakedanuki Koi Festival. Shall we go?"
He held out his hand.
Murasaki took it with a warm smile.
"Thank you for inviting me, Biki-Bi. Now let's go!"
She immediately pulled him into the festival.
Biki-Bi stumbled after her.
"M-Murasaki, wait-!"
Biki-Ba walked up to Tsurara and bowed.
Tsurara looked at him quietly.
A faint blush touched her cheeks.
"You look... very dashing tonight, Biki-Ba."
Biki-Ba smiled and offered his hand.
Tsurara took it.
Together, they walked into the festival.
Minoyama and Kuzuno watched them with soft smiles.
Tamamo, however, stared in shock.
"Minoyama..."
Her eyes widened.
"Has Tsurara actually..."
Minoyama smiled proudly.
"It seems so. The heart of the Ice Goddess may finally be melting."
She looked at Biki-Ba fondly.
"And my youngest son seems to be the only one who can do it."
Finally, Kuzuno turned to Kuroyasha.
"Kuroyasha... I want you to formally meet my mother."
Tamamo stepped forward gracefully.
"Goddess Tamamo Zenko."
Kuroyasha bowed deeply.
"It is an honor to meet you in person, Goddess Tamamo."
Tamamo studied him carefully.
Then her expression softened.
"So this is Kuzuno's partner..."
She smiled warmly.
"No wonder my daughter has changed so much."
Kuroyasha blinked.
Tamamo continued.
"You are clearly a well-raised young man. Thank you for being there for Kuzuno. Thank you for treating her with kindness."
Kuroyasha bowed again.
"The honor is mine."
Kuzuno took his arm.
"Shall we go?"
Kuroyasha nodded.
Together, they entered the festival.
Tamamo watched them leave with gentle eyes.
The eyes of a mother realizing her daughter was truly happy.
Minoyama leaned beside her with an innocent smile that fooled absolutely no one.
"Tamamo~"
Tamamo narrowed her eyes.
"What are you plotting?"
"If this festival goes well, we may go from friends to sisters~"
Tamamo blinked.
"What?"
Minoyama grinned.
"I saw Kuroyasha holding a ring earlier."
Tamamo's face lit up.
"A ring?! You think he's going to ask for her hand in marriage?!"
Minoyama's smile widened.
"Only one way to find out. Are you in, Lil Tama?"
Tamamo grinned back.
"Absolutely."
And so, the two mothers began secretly stalking the young couple through the festival.
Elsewhere, Murasaki and Biki-Bi wandered between the stalls.
Murasaki's eyes suddenly lit up when she saw a game involving slicing a watermelon into as many pieces as possible before it hit the ground.
Several tanukis had tried already.
Most could only cut it in half.
Biki-Bi smiled.
"Would you like to try that game, Murasaki? I think you would be very good at it."
When he turned, Murasaki was already standing in front of the stall, sword in hand.
The stall owner tossed the watermelon into the air.
In a flash-
Murasaki struck.
The watermelon split into eight perfect slices before touching the ground.
The watching tanukis erupted into cheers.
Murasaki calmly handed the slices to nearby children.
The stall owner clapped loudly.
"That was incredible, young lady! Pick any two prizes!"
Murasaki looked through the prize display until she spotted two tanuki pendants.
One had blue eyes.
The other had purple eyes.
She picked them up and returned to Biki-Bi.
"That game was too easy. If I had my real blade, I could have made more slices..."
Then her voice softened.
"But... I got these."
She looked away, blushing.
"You can have one. If you want. Or not. I don't really care either way."
Biki-Bi smiled warmly.
He took the purple-eyed pendant.
Then he gently took the blue-eyed pendant and placed it around Murasaki's neck.
Murasaki's eyes widened.
"I said you could have one, not-"
Before she could finish, Biki-Bi placed the purple-eyed pendant around his own neck.
"Thank you, Murasaki. I'll treasure this always."
Murasaki froze.
Her face turned bright red.
Biki-Bi smiled.
"Shall we go? There is still much more to see."
He started walking.
Murasaki hesitated for only a moment before quietly wrapping her arm around his.
Biki-Bi blushed.
Murasaki looked away.
"Don't make a big deal out of it..."
"I won't."
From a hidden spot nearby, Minoyama watched with a sake dish raised proudly.
"My son is quite the smooth operator. To make the Demon Ogre Queen's daughter swoon like that..."
She wiped a fake tear from her eye.
"I feel such pride as a mother."
Tamamo sighed.
"Didn't you want to see how Kuzuno and Kuroyasha are doing?"
Minoyama calmly sipped her sake.
"My dear Lil Tama, there is a whole buffet of blooming love tonight, and you want to skip straight to the main course?"
She grinned.
"You must enjoy the appetizers first."
Tamamo shook her head.
"You haven't changed at all in three thousand years, Mino. Always playing matchmaker."
Minoyama placed a hand over her chest.
"Why, whatever do you mean? I most certainly didn't do anything like that with you and Toba~"
Tamamo's face turned red.
"That is completely different!"
"Is it?"
"Let's just go check on Tsurara."
Minoyama smiled.
"An excellent idea."
In another part of the festival, Biki-Ba and Tsurara walked together near the food stalls.
Every tanuki they passed bowed in awe of Tsurara's beauty and divine presence.
Biki-Ba, however, seemed completely relaxed beside her.
Then he spotted a cotton candy ice cream stand.
His eyes brightened.
He gently urged Tsurara to follow him and bought two one-scoop cones.
He handed one to her.
Tsurara looked at it curiously.
"What is this?"
"Ice cream."
"I know what ice cream is."
"With cotton candy flavor."
Tsurara stared at it.
"...Interesting."
She took a small taste.
Her eyes widened ever so slightly.
Inside, her emotions exploded with delight.
Cold.
Sweet.
Soft.
Wonderful.
Outside, however, she remained perfectly composed.
"This is... quite enjoyable."
Biki-Ba smiled brightly.
"I'm glad you like it."
Tsurara's heart skipped.
A faint blush crossed her face.
She placed a hand lightly over her chest.
Me? The Ethereal Snow Goddess Tsurara... feeling warmth? Happiness?
Her gaze shifted to Biki-Ba.
Love?
She lowered her eyes.
I am supposed to be the perfect image of a snow woman. Cold. Ruthless. Untouchable. One who freezes any fool who dares approach too closely.
Then she looked at his smile again.
Yet this young man breaks through my defenses as if they were never there.
Her expression softened.
He does not look at me with lust. He does not seek power, status, or favor. He treats me not as a goddess... but as someone he simply wishes to see happy.
Suddenly, music roared through the festival.
Drums thundered.
Flutes sang.
Tanukis cheered and danced.
At first, Biki-Ba smiled.
Then his expression tightened.
He placed a hand against his head.
His eyes squeezed shut.
Sweat formed along his brow.
Tsurara noticed immediately.
"Biki-Ba?"
The music grew louder.
Biki-Ba's breathing became strained.
Without hesitation, Tsurara took his hand.
In a flash of icy wind, she lifted him away from the crowd and flew toward a quiet hill overlooking the festival.
She found a bench and gently sat down.
Then she laid Biki-Ba's head on her lap.
She said nothing.
She only stroked his hair slowly.
Biki-Ba's pained expression gradually eased.
His tail stopped twitching.
His breathing steadied.
Tsurara looked down at him with a rare tenderness.
"Are you feeling better now, my Biki-Ba?"
The moment the words left her mouth, she froze.
Her face turned red.
My Biki-Ba?
Biki-Ba opened his eyes and looked up at her.
He smiled softly.
It was a look that seemed to say:
It's okay. I won't tell anyone.
Then he closed his eyes again and rested peacefully.
Tsurara regained her composure, though her blush remained.
I called him mine.
Her fingers continued stroking his hair.
How careless of me.
A small smile formed on her lips.
And yet... I do not hate it.
From a distant hidden tower, Minoyama and Tamamo watched the entire scene.
Minoyama held up a small recording crystal.
Tamamo narrowed her eyes.
"I know that look. What are you plotting?"
Minoyama gasped dramatically.
"Tamamo, I am wounded! I am certainly not recording Tsurara speaking affectionately to my son for future personal amusement~"
Tamamo stared at her.
"That is exactly what you are doing."
Minoyama smiled.
"Yes."
Tamamo sighed.
"You are shameless."
"I prefer the word thorough."
Minoyama stood.
"Now then... shall we move on to the main course?"
Tamamo followed her, then paused.
"You won't check on Biki-Bu?"
Minoyama's expression softened.
She looked into her sake dish.
In the reflection, she saw Biki-Bu standing alone, staring at the festival lights.
His eyes followed the lanterns as if they were dancing suns.
Minoyama's smile faded.
"His story is like the monkey who reached for the moon's reflection."
Tamamo quietly listened.
"Only in his case... the moon is the sun."
The reflection shifted back to Minoyama's face.
"Something that looks so close... yet remains far beyond reach."
She lowered the dish.
"I let my sons walk their own paths. I only hope Biki-Bu does not get blinded and burned."
Tamamo's eyes softened.
Oh, Kayo... despite what you have become, there is someone here who loves you without asking for anything in return.
She looked toward the distant lights.
It would not surprise me if one day... he became your Fox Link partner.
Meanwhile, Kuzuno and Kuroyasha walked through the festival together.
Kuzuno looked at everything with wide-eyed wonder.
The lights.
The stalls.
The music.
The food.
The laughter.
Everything was new to her.
Kuroyasha watched her quietly, smiling as her fiery red hair shimmered beneath the lanterns.
There was an entire festival around them.
Yet to him, Kuzuno was the only thing that truly shined.
Kuzuno noticed him staring.
"Kuroyasha?"
He blinked.
"Are you all right?"
Kuroyasha smiled warmly.
"I'm fine. I was just distracted by a wonderful sight."
Kuzuno blushed deeply.
"You're impossible..."
They continued walking until a familiar voice called out.
"Master Kuroyasha! Over here!"
Kuroyasha turned.
Old Man Soba stood behind his udon stall, waving happily.
The stall was full of customers, but two seats had been left open.
Kuzuno's eyes lit up like a child seeing treasure.
Kuroyasha laughed.
"Come on. You're going to love this."
They sat together at the stall.
Soba approached them with a bright smile.
"Master Kuroyasha! Wonderful to see you! And who is this beautiful young lady?"
Kuroyasha smiled.
"Soba, this is Princess Kuzuno of the Fox Realm. Kuzuno, this is Old Man Soba. He has been running this udon stall since before I was born. His noodles are the best in the realm."
Soba chuckled.
"I do my best."
Kuzuno bowed politely.
"It is an honor to meet you."
Soba grinned.
"A polite princess too! Master Kuroyasha, you chose well."
Kuroyasha immediately blushed.
"Soba..."
Soba laughed.
"So, what will you two have?"
"Two house special udon bowls with spicy miso broth, please."
"Coming right up!"
As Soba prepared the food, Kuzuno looked around the stall.
Old photographs covered the walls, showing tanukis of all ages visiting Soba's stall throughout the years.
Then one photograph caught her eye.
It showed a much younger Kuroyasha sitting at the stall with a huge grin on his face, holding a large bowl of ramen while Soba smiled behind him.
Written beneath the photo were the words:
To Kuroyasha, my first human customer.
Kuzuno stared at it softly.
Soba noticed.
"He was just a little boy back then. He had only been in the Tanuki Realm for four years."
His expression became thoughtful.
"It's not something many tanukis are proud of now, but back then... many of us didn't trust him."
Kuzuno turned to him.
"Because he was human?"
Soba nodded.
"Humans had not always been kind to tanukis, foxes, or many others in the human realm. So when Goddess Minoyama brought a human child here, many of us were afraid."
He smiled at Kuroyasha.
"But this boy just kept helping people anyway. No anger. No resentment. He simply acted as if kindness was second nature."
Kuroyasha looked down, embarrassed.
"Eventually, he made many of us think..."
Soba's eyes softened.
"Perhaps not all humans are bad."
He placed two steaming bowls in front of them.
The house special udon was packed with chicken, beef, and shrimp on one side, and carrots, nori, and scallions on the other.
Kuzuno stared at the bowl in awe.
Then she took her chopsticks and began eating with joy.
Kuroyasha laughed and joined her.
Soba watched them fondly.
"Kuroyasha."
Kuroyasha looked up.
"You know the lake not far from here, yes? A perfect place for quiet after such a big meal."
Soba winked when Kuzuno wasn't looking.
Kuroyasha understood immediately.
His expression grew determined.
After they finished eating, Kuzuno and Kuroyasha bowed respectfully to Soba.
"Thank you for the meal," Kuzuno said warmly.
Soba smiled.
"Come again anytime, Princess."
As they walked away, Kuroyasha glanced back one last time.
Old Man Soba stood smiling proudly.
And beside him...
His wife smiled too.
Kuroyasha's heart warmed.
Even in death, she continues to stand beside him.
Kuroyasha and Kuzuno walked until they reached the quiet lake Soba had mentioned.
The festival sounds faded behind them.
The lake was beautiful.
Its surface reflected the stars like a mirror, and the lantern lights from the distant festival shimmered across the water.
Kuzuno stood beside Kuroyasha, gazing at the sky.
A shooting star passed overhead.
A gentle wind moved between them.
Kuroyasha slowly reached into his sleeve and pulled out the ring box, keeping it hidden from view.
He looked at Kuzuno.
She noticed his gaze and blushed.
"What are you thinking about?"
Kuroyasha smiled softly.
"The first time we met."
Kuzuno blinked.
"You came crashing down from the sky. I had never seen anything like it before."
Kuzuno looked down at the lake.
"That was the day everything changed."
Her voice grew quiet.
"Kayo hurt me. I landed at Hachiman Headquarters. And then... I hurt you."
Kuroyasha stepped closer.
"Kuzuno, please don't be so hard on yourself."
She looked at him.
"You were betrayed. You were hurt. You woke up in a strange place surrounded by strangers. I can't say I would have acted any differently."
Kuzuno stared at him, speechless.
How could he always understand her so gently?
Kuroyasha continued.
"Since that day, we've been together. We've fought together. Trained together. Grown together."
His voice softened.
"And now... I can't picture my life without you in it."
Kuzuno's eyes shimmered.
"I feel the same."
She lowered her gaze.
"For so long, I thought that because I was tailless, I was unworthy of a partner. Unworthy of my bloodline. Unworthy of love."
Kuroyasha took both of her claws into his hands.
His eyes were steady.
"Don't call yourself unworthy in front of me."
Kuzuno's ears twitched.
"All I see before me is a powerful, kind, radiant fox who defied every expectation placed upon her."
Kuzuno's breath caught.
Kuroyasha took a deep breath.
"I know we still have a long journey ahead of us. There are still battles to fight. There are still things we have to face."
The wind stilled.
Kuzuno's tails swayed softly behind her.
"But when all of this is over..."
He opened the box.
The sapphire ring glowed beneath the starlight.
Kuzuno's eyes widened.
"Kuroyasha..."
The ring began to shine.
Its magic stirred, changing size to fit Kuzuno perfectly.
Kuroyasha's voice trembled slightly, but his eyes never left hers.
"Kuzuno Zenko..."
He smiled.
"Will you marry me?"
Tears immediately filled Kuzuno's eyes.
For a moment, she could not speak.
Then she smiled brighter than any lantern in the festival.
"Yes."
Her tears fell freely.
"Yes! Of course I will!"
Kuroyasha's face broke into a big, goofy grin.
He gently placed the ring on her clawed finger.
The moment it touched her, Kuzuno's mana surged.
Soft snow began falling around them, but only in the small space where they stood.
Kuroyasha stared in wonder.
Then his eyes widened.
"Kuzuno..."
She blinked.
"What?"
He pointed behind her.
Kuzuno turned.
Four tails swayed behind her.
Her fourth tail had awakened.
For a brief second, she stared in shock.
Then she immediately turned back and threw herself into Kuroyasha's arms.
"I don't care about that right now."
Kuroyasha laughed softly and held her tightly.
They kissed beneath the falling snow, surrounded by stars, silence, and the soft reflection of the lake.
Then-
A familiar voice suddenly thundered across the entire festival.
"ATTENTION, ALL CITIZENS AND GUESTS OF THE TANUKI REALM!"
Kuzuno and Kuroyasha froze.
Minoyama's voice boomed proudly.
"MY SON KUROYASHA AND THE SECOND PRINCESS OF THE FOX REALM, KUZUNO ZENKO, HAVE OFFICIALLY BECOME ENGAGED!"
There was a pause.
Then-
"RAISE YOUR SAKE DISHES AND JOIN ME, GODDESS MINOYAMA, IN SAYING BANZAI FOR THE NEWLY ENGAGED COUPLE!"
The entire realm erupted.
"BANZAI!"
"BANZAI!"
"BANZAI!"
Kuzuno stared blankly.
Then slowly looked at Kuroyasha.
"You don't seem surprised."
Kuroyasha sighed.
"My mother has been waiting for this day for years. Somehow, I knew she was watching."
Kuzuno smiled.
Then Kuroyasha kissed her again.
She leaned into him happily.
From one of Minoyama's hidden spy towers, two proud mothers cried openly.
"THAT'S MY SON!"
Minoyama raised her sake dish high.
"I KNEW HE WOULD FIND ME AN EXCELLENT BRIDE!"
Tamamo wiped her eyes as she watched Kuzuno in the distance.
"My dear Kuzuno..."
Her voice was soft and full of love.
"This is a blessed night. I wish you all the happiness in the world."
She smiled warmly.
"Kuroyasha is a fine young man. I know he will make you happy."
Minoyama suddenly shouted from the tower.
"I WANT FIVE GRANDCHILDREN, YOU TWO! AS SOON AS YOU'RE MARRIED, HOP TO IT!"
Tamamo's face turned red.
"Minoyama! Isn't it a little early to be thinking of such things?"
Minoyama looked genuinely offended.
"Too early? Tamamo, it is never too early to prepare for grandchildren."
She took a proud sip of sake.
Then her expression suddenly changed.
Her playful smile faded.
Her eyes sharpened.
"You can come out now."
Tamamo looked at her.
Minoyama's voice lowered.
"It's clear you wish to speak with me."
Two figures emerged from the shadows.
One red.
One green.
The Shikigami bowed before Goddess Minoyama.
The red Shikigami spoke first.
"One thousand pardons for entering your realm without permission, Goddess Minoyama. But-"
Minoyama cut him off coldly.
"What insults me is not that you entered my realm."
Her gaze narrowed.
"It is that you believed you were hidden."
Both Shikigami froze.
Minoyama's voice was calm, but dangerous.
"I have known for quite some time that you have been slipping in and out of my realm, watching over Kuroyasha."
Tamamo's expression sharpened.
"Shikigami of the Shinigami Realm..."
The red and green Shikigami lowered their heads.
Minoyama folded her arms.
"You went out of your way to remain hidden. So if you are revealing yourselves now, that means something has changed."
Her eyes darkened.
"Speak."
The red Shikigami hesitated.
Then he said quietly.
"We mean no harm or disrespect, Goddess Minoyama. But the situation has become urgent."
The green Shikigami continued.
"The Dark Nine-Tails, Yeounui Zenko... and Kayo Zenko, who has now ascended as the Fox Goddess of the Sun... have been training."
Tamamo's face went pale.
Minoyama's sake dish lowered.
The red Shikigami looked directly at them.
"They plan to attack Hachiman Headquarters..."
A heavy silence fell over the tower.
Then he finished.
"In one year's time."
Minoyama's eyes narrowed.
The joy of the festival still roared behind them.
But in that tower...
The night had gone cold.