Goddess Tsurara showed a flicker of surprise.
"I have not heard that name in many years," she said slowly. "I personally blessed Yuki Hakai for her service to the Ice Realm. She protected it countless times..."
Her expression hardened.
"...until she was branded a traitor and hunted down by the Ice Queen's armies."
Her piercing gaze locked forward.
"Why bring her up now?"
Madam Mochi did not hesitate.
"I have found Yuki Hakai's reincarnation."
A pause.
"And I want you to train her."
Tsurara's eyes narrowed with interest.
"I thought her soul was lost within the cycle of reincarnation... I am glad to see I was mistaken."
She tilted her head slightly.
"However... why did it take so long for her to return?"
A beat.
"Unless... you're leaving something out."
Madam Mochi answered plainly.
"The elder goddess Evoni'No carried her soul."
Silence.
Then-
"Evoni'No...?" Tsurara whispered.
"The elder goddess of life and creation... none of the Elder Gods have been seen in thousands of years."
Her gaze sharpened.
"How is it that you encountered her?"
Madam Mochi exhaled softly.
"The reincarnation of Yuki Hakai is... Queen Tamamo's second daughter."
A pause.
"Kuzuno of the Fox Realm."
The temperature dropped instantly.
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Frost crept across Tsurara's surroundings, forming a growing storm.
Her expression twisted with anger.
"If that is a joke, Minoyama... I am not amused."
The storm intensified.
"Foxes wield fire. Even their royals cannot command ice."
Her voice sharpened.
"So how does Tamamo's child possess Yuki Hakai's power?!"
The frost spread to the mirror itself.
Madam Mochi remained calm.
"I understand your feelings toward Tamamo, but control yourself."
Tsurara snapped back immediately.
"How amusing... coming from you."
Her eyes gleamed.
"I wonder... would your beloved sons still call you 'mother' if they knew what you once were?"
A chilling smile formed.
"The Demon Tanuki Goddess of Naraka."
Silence fell.
"Your rage was so great that even now... part of your power remains sealed."
Madam Mochi's presence changed.
Her voice became cold. Sharp. Dangerous.
Her eyes darkened-black demonic cracks came from the center of her eyes, slowly reaching her face.
"Careful, snow woman."
The air itself seemed to tremble.
"I will find you... crack your skull... and smile while I do it."
A long pause.
Tsurara exhaled slowly.
"I... spoke out of line."
Her tone steadied.
"For that, I apologize."
Another pause.
"But tell me-why me? There are other snow women capable of training her."
Madam Mochi's expression softened slightly.
"Because none of them can handle her."
She stepped forward.
"Kuzuno nearly froze the Demon Ogre Realm due to emotional instability."
Her gaze sharpened.
"You, of all beings, understand how dangerous that is."
Tsurara fell silent-thinking.
Then finally-
"...Very well."
She nodded once.
"I will train her personally."
Her tone turned firm.
"But you will not interfere with my methods."
Madam Mochi nodded.
"Understood."
Tsurara's eyes gleamed again.
"And she has a fox link... doesn't she?"
Madam Mochi blinked slightly.
"...Yes. With my eldest son, Kuroyasha."
A slow, dangerous smile spread across Tsurara's face.
"How... interesting."
A hint of amusement-and something more-sparked in her eyes.
"Your son has grown into quite the man."
Madam Mochi's tone turned instantly protective.
"Do not even think about it."
Tsurara laughed softly.
"You know how I am, Minoyama~"
She waved it off lightly.
"I doubt my advances would sway a man like him... but I may still try."
Madam Mochi's glare sharpened.
"Touch him, and I will remind you why you apologized earlier."
Tsurara only smiled wider.
Her tone shifted again-serious now.
"We must be careful. The Dark Nine-Tails is tracking movement between realms."
She folded her arms.
"My usual methods of travel are no longer viable."
Madam Mochi stepped back toward the mirror.
"This is not merely for communication."
The mirror shimmered.
"It is also a concealed portal. Undetectable."
She gestured toward it.
"Step through when ready."
Tsurara nodded-and walked forward, passing through the mirror.
Inside DaiTanuki Castle.
Madam Mochi spoke calmly.
"A room has been prepared for you across from mine."
She turned slightly.
"And dinner will be ready soon."
A faint smile appeared.
"If you know Kuroyasha... he likely already senses your presence."
Tsurara paused.
Her expression shifted-serious.
"I sense two seals."
Her eyes narrowed.
"One... is unlike anything I have ever felt."
A quiet breath.
"Beyond even a god."
Madam Mochi nodded.
"That is Evoni'No."
Tsurara's gaze darkened.
"And the second?"
Madam Mochi answered immediately.
"Placed by a being from the Shinigami Realm."
Her tone grew thoughtful.
"We do not know why... or why Kuroyasha was chosen."
Tsurara frowned.
"...Even reapers are forbidden from entering the living world without purpose."
A pause.
"Something is very wrong."
She exhaled.
"And on top of that... the Dark Nine-Tails."
Her voice hardened.
"Tamamo has allowed her family to fall into chaos."
Madam Mochi shook her head.
"No."
She spoke firmly.
"Tamamo warned me before all of this began."
Tsurara blinked.
"...What?"
"She said the goddess Inari ordered her not to interfere."
Tsurara scoffed.
"Of course she did."
Annoyance filled her voice.
"That fox always keeps secrets until it's too late."
Madam Mochi sighed softly.
"...Still, imagine it."
Her voice softened.
"A mother forced to watch her daughters suffer... unable to act."
A brief silence.
"I would never allow my sons to face something like this alone."
Tsurara rolled her eyes.
"You've grown soft, Minoyama."
Madam Mochi smiled faintly.
"Or perhaps... I've grown into a mother."
She turned to leave.
"Prepare yourself for dinner. And behave."
She paused briefly.
"I will not interfere with your training... but Tamamo is watching from afar."
Her tone sharpened slightly.
"And I would prefer not to deal with her anger."
Madam Mochi exited the room.
Tsurara stood alone.
A slow, dangerous smile spread across her face.
"Training Tamamo's daughter..."
Her eyes gleamed.
"How delightful."
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"I'll shape her power..."
A pause.
"And enjoy every moment of it."