Chapter 41: Let the Sakura leaves guide you

Back then, after Kiyoto and Yato's meet-up with Toshi, the two went towards Akafuyu's lodge in order to brief them of what they found out. It seems like Akafuyu and Mylene were eagerly waiting for the two.

"How does it go, you two?"

Mylene asked.

"Well not really good, not bad as well. I feel like we're just in a stalemate after that."

Yato sighed as he pulled up a chair and rests himself on it.

"...? So what really happened?"

Yato explained everything that they had discussed with Toshi back then. He first revealed that Toshi was a secret member of the individuals that have been bypassing the Torii gates.

"A Kannushi that has been helped by Kirisame back then? He certainly has a reach where you least expect it."

Akafuyu remarked.

"Exactly my thoughts, Lord Akafuyu. But then, what are everyone's thoughts about the ritual?"

Akafuyu immediately replied.

"No, we cannot let Kirisame enter the Temple."

"Hm?"

"Miss Akafuyu, looks like you have come to that decision already right before we told you about our discussion with Toshi-san"

Akafuyu nodded in response.

"I do, as for why…the Head Priestess, Miko, has reached out to me using her authority. She warned me that Kirisame shouldn't reach the Sanctum, and…"

She looks at Kiyoto, as if she's about to tell him something serious.

"...Kiyoto, Miko wants you to be the one to reach the sacred Sanctum first."

Kiyoto and Yato were both taken aback with Akafuyu's statement. Kiyoto would then point to himself.

"Did she specifically tell you that?"

"Well, she said to help someone with the cracked mask to reach the Sanctum…and Kiyoto, you're the only one who fits the description."

"Not to mention, it might also be connected to the dream that you had."

Mylene added.

"Yeah, if only we could have talked a bit more then I would have asked for more details regarding that dream of hers. It looks as if the Fox Mask is losing its authority bit by bit…I want to help her with whatever I could–"

Akafuyu looks down.

"-how do I put this…it's like, seeing myself becoming like that if Kiyoto had not confronted me with the truth."

Yato assumes a thinking pose, thinking deeply about something.

"Heralds losing their authority…huh. Whatever happened with all those years that caused this kind of change I wonder…"

The whole room went quiet for a while. Akafuyu then clasps her hands to break this silence.

"Alright, let's discuss your thoughts for another time. For now, we're gonna have to face a more pressing matter. Assuming that there will be a decision tomorrow, we should be ready to execute a plan."

"I second that, but what if everyone just agreed with the ritual?" inquired Yato.

"...we…"

Akafuyu clenches her fist whilst squinting her eyes.

"...we need them to listen to reason. Their ruler is heavily against this and has already stated her disapproval on the matter."

"But they don't listen right?"

"The Head Priestess was just a child in their eyes. And what's more, with the dampening of the mask's power, they must be seeing her as unworthy of its authority. So what she says to them, matters little anymore."

Yato surmised. After being in this land for quite a long time, he carefully observed the people and with his mask, he must have known some hearsay regarding what the others thought about the current Head Priestess.

"So basically, she's just a puppet to them as of the moment. If they won't listen to their current Head, what makes it possible for them to listen to us?"

Yato added in his statement. To summarize, the situation just gets more complicated for them.

"I see…so the people of this land…do not acknowledge their Herald anymore. It might be one of the factors affecting the Fox Mask's weakening authority…"

Kiyoto looked at Akafuyu and asked her.

"Miss Akafuyu, how much do you trust the Tenth Herald?"

Akafuyu ponders for a while. She then made her reply.

"I know that I should not let my emotions decide about this kind of practical things, but I am somewhat obliged to trust her, since as I said, I can see myself in her back then. There is no greater joy for us, the Rulers, to bring joy to our people…but she declined what seems to be the hope for them, signifying that it will bring about destruction. That means she's serious about it. I will trust my instincts and help her."

"We're risking the name of our territorial city here, Lord Akafuyu- but I think you already know."

Yato commented.

Akafuyu nodded.

"I'm well aware of that. But we can't ignore a cry for help. We have three agenda here: aside from helping a fellow Herald, it might also be the key to finding out the truth about the dampening authority of the Fox Mask as well as Kirisame's current crisis. Also…" She takes a glance at Kiyoto. "Miko must be the person Kiyoto is searching for in this land."

"Yeah, since she literally mentioned what he looks like."

Mylene added a sarcastic comment despite the situation.

"I'll also assemble my crew, looking at tomorrow, it might be us against the whole of Hokuto."

"Not all."

A voice suddenly came from outside. A knock then came in, though quietly.

"W-Wha?"

Everyone reacted the same.

"Ah that's right, you need to be on guard in situations like this, I understand. Please excuse my rudeness, you already know of me, I am Ginjiro, one of the Kannushi."

"Whoa there! Are you spying on us or something? Eavesdropping is rude and creepy!"

Yato sticks to this kind of persona to know what the Kannushi is up to.

"Hm, I saw the two of you returning quite late despite being a guest which makes me quite suspicious of you. And since we were informed that there will be an announcement for the ritual tomorrow, I might as well investigate all the parties that's about to be involved. Anyway, can you open the door? It's getting cold here."

Everyone inside the lodge looks at each other. Akafuyu gave a nod as to signify that she is agreeing to let him inside.

Yato sighed and made a side comment before opening the door.

"What is with this place's Kannushis, they all have bizarre personalities."

As the door opens, Ginjiro can be seen still wearing his robes. As far as they can see, he is currently alone.

"I'll be letting myself in then." With that, Ginjiro walks inside.

Yato made another side comment, with a hint of sarcasm.

"You did good by masking your presence, do they also teach that in the Temple?"

"I was a thief back then."

Ginjiro replied shortly.

"What? Really, what's up with the history of Kannushis in this land!?"

"Mhm, as I said I was a thief, but I was able to redeem myself after meeting Miss-...the Head Priestess. She is a symbol of vibrancy and blessing in this land, but the people do not view her as that anymore."

Akafuyu further inquired.

"Why is that? Did something happen?"

"If you don't know yet, it has been a decade since the last dance of Kagura. That's because the High Priests and Shrine maidens are not allowing to share the Fox Mask's blessings anymore, since after all, its authority is already limited as it is."

Ginjiro seated himself leisurely like he is already part of the team, he then continued.

"But the Head Priestess disagreed. She still wants to impart her blessings, and be true to the will of the First wielder, Miyaki Nagi, despite the weakening of the Mask."

"And that's where the dissension begins."

Yato surmised.

"Hooh?"

Ginjiro was surprised that Yato knew that there was a division of opinion happening inside their circle.

"You're pretty observant envoy, I'll give you that. Yes, we are now divided in beliefs. Those who trust and acknowledge the will of the Head Priestess, and those who see her as a mere Maiden who is unworthy of the Mask."

Kiyoto's turn to ask, but he already knows the answer. He just wants to confirm.

"Which are you?"

"Isn't it obvious? I will always abide by the will of my Lord."

Ginjiro said those statements with a firm resolve. He then faces all of them.

"To be honest, your arrival made me more alert. It's because I thought your group is one of the schemers trying to push the idea of the ritual. But thank goodness, looks like the Spirit of the Great Sakura Tree sends you to be my Lord's protectors."

"Yamataka Jindai…"

Kiyoto mumbles.

"Hm? Yes, Yamataka Jindai Zakura, our Great Tree. Why does it seem like you're curious about it?"

Akafuyu takes a glance at Kiyoto before turning towards Ginjiro.

"Kannushi Ginjiro-"

Akafuyu then told Ginjiro about what transpired between her and Miko.

"What? You mean, instead of that Kirisame, we will let this masked stranger inside the Sacred Sanctum?"

"Kannushi Ginjiro, I know it sounds strange to you but I'm telling the truth."

"In the first place-"

Ginjiro pointed at Kiyoto with his staff.

"-who is he? Why is he wearing a damaged mask? More importantly…what's he got to do with our Head Priestess?"

Kiyoto answers all his inquiries.

"Ginjiro-san, my name is Kiyoto. Unfortunately, I still don't know the whole story about my mask as I cannot seem to recall my past. We're actually here…after I had a certain dream–"

Kiyoto then explained to Ginjiro the dream that he had before going here.

"..Hrm…that's just too coincidental to happen. I don't know if I should believe what you said."

Ginjiro is having a hard time to decide.

Akafuyu intervenes.

"Kannushi Ginjiro, in the name of the land of Fervor, I assure you that I am not lying. You can ask Miko if you'd like."

Ginjiro pondered for quite a long while, he will constantly sit up and stand as if he's getting stressed over something.

"...not good, even as Kannushi, the Head Priestess 's chambers are off-limits, I can't ask her. Letting you in isn't that different from welcoming Kirisame."

Looks like the attempt to persuade Ginjiro about the truth failed. But then Kiyoto remembered something…like, who even is the woman that told her to go in here. Strangely enough as well, he remembers how she looks.

"Ginjiro-san, in my dream…the one who told me to go here was a woman wearing what seemed like the Fox Mask."

"Huh?"

Ginjiro reacted, though anyone can say that since it's too generalized. So he's still not buying it.

Kiyoto then continued.

"Long peach hair that is tied to the ends, she's as tall as you are…and she said to me-"

Kiyoto and Ginjiro says the words in unison:

"Let the Sakura leaves guide you."

Kiyoto was surprised that Ginjiro knew what he would say next. By that time they said it, Ginjiro stood up from his seat and was currently heading towards the exit. Before leaving, he turns around and faces Kiyoto.

"Lad, be sure to keep our land and our dearest Herald safe. I'll leave that task up to you once the time comes."

He then finally left.

With that final statement of his, it can be assumed that he is willing to join hands with them.

"Good going Kiyoto."

Yato patted his back.

"Huh?"

Akafuyu and Mylene seem to be smiling beside him.

"Well then, let's all get a good rest. We won't know what tomorrow will bring us."

Akafuyu instructed everyone. Their final discussion was brought to a close with them having a new ally on-board.

And now, we return to the present day, which is the arrival of Kirisame Magnolia.