Chapter 43: Confrontation

The noticeable difference between the Cherry Blossoms as of today compared to the normal days can be seen in plain sight. The group takes this chance to do some sightseeing as they walk past a number of Sakura Trees along the way.

"They're…beautiful."

Kiyoto mumbles to himself.

"Not much in giving compliments are you."

Ginjiro heard him, he then looked at the Sakura Trees they were passing by.

"You haven't seen its full bloom yet, but it'll be even more beautiful once Spring comes."

Akafuyu commented.

"We have to resolve this peacefully so that the festival won't be affected."

As they're on their way, they would notice Toshi with the other Priests, heading towards the same direction. Ginjiro and Toshi looked each other in the eye, while Toshi immediately diverted his gaze towards Kiyoto and Yato. This made him let out a sigh.

"Those two...looks like we didn't see eye to eye…"

Toshi made a despondent expression, but he didn't waver. He clenched his fist and marched towards the Temple.

"And there he goes."

Yato remarked, he then squinted his eyes.

"You know, now that I observed closely…you two have quite the similar features Kannushi Ginjiro. Haha, of course it has to be a coincidence."

Ginjiro turns his gaze towards Yato.

"I'm the older brother, just to be clear."

He then faces forward once again.

"....."

"What in the-"

"That's a story for another time, let's focus on the matter at hand for now shall we."

Ginjiro immediately interrupted.

"Okay then…"

As a few moments go by, the group notices that they're passing by more and more Sakura Trees, and at the time they look forward, the Sacred Temple can now be seen in the distance.

"There, we're here."

Ginjiro and the rest of them finally reached their destination: Yamanashi's Jissoji temple, where the Great Yamataka Jindai Zakura is residing.

There are a bunch of people grouped up, surrounding the temple for sightseeing, but they're getting respectfully driven out one by one by the Temple guardians since there will be a confrontation and discussion that will soon happen.

In front of the temple awaits the Head Priest, Head Attendant and other Temple guardians. Besides them were the Kannushis, including Toshihiro with his followers.

"Listen, all of you stay here. I'll take my place beside the Head Priest, you'll only be permitted to say anything once I deemed so while the discussions are on-going."

Ginjiro then immediately takes his position on the other side of Toshihiro.

The Priests and Attendants can be seen eyeing Akafuyu and the others.

"Uwaah, they're staring at us like we're just some thugs."

Mylene reacted.

"Well, it can't be helped. In their eyes, we're just outsiders not meant to interfere with their inner conflicts."

Akafuyu stated.

Kiyoto then takes a glance at the Temple. The feeling of this place being somewhat familiar to him makes him confused. He thought to himself: 'Did I perhaps visit this place often for sightseeing when I still have my memories?'

The wind blows, sweeping the leaves along, the atmosphere in the area seems to change as the man of the moment finally arrives, being escorted by a guardian. Kirisame Magnolia, presented himself in front of everyone, without any attendant present.

"He's alone?"

Yato mumbled.

As Kirisame ceased his saunter. He gazed at everyone who was present.

"What's this? Never thought I would be welcomed with different kinds of stares. Let's see, there are the welcome ones, there's also the doubtful ones. But what struck me the most, was the loathsome ones. What did I even do?"

"Something's different with him…"

Akafuyu commented.

The Head Attendant cleared her throat and opened her arms.

"Master Kirisame. We are humbled to welcome you in our sacred land, please be advised that the Temple is under the protection of our Lord Kami. Thus making it our most sacred sanctuary."

She then lowered her hands.

"With that said. The ritual that was proposed will be held inside the temple come Spring, with no interruptions. Please do not take this in a negative way, but how sure are you to succeed in your end?"

"Hah. Me? You're telling me I would fail? Managing my whole Empire takes little effort to me, and now you ask me if I will succeed with the petty task of staying inside a Temple and guiding some mere energy? That's little to no problem."

He is as bold as he can get. Ginjiro, on the other hand, did not appreciate this, however, he did not dare interrupt for now.

The Head Priest and Attendant looked at each other. The Priest then continued the discussion.

"Then the moment we open the Temple doors to you, would you promise to fulfill that said objective? After all, having the means to do something, does not mean you will do it."

"Hooh?"

Kirisame reacted, his eyes narrowed down as they continued to speak.

"We're saying that, if this were not an act of Charity, what would be your end goal for this, Master Kirisame?"

The Head Attendant inquired.

"You mean to say, I'm doing this thing, not out of being charitable, instead, something entirely else for my benefit?"

Kirisame sounds like he does not appreciate the last remark. He was about to massage his head but he halted midway, instead, he crossed his arms.

"Pardon us, but we have to assume that."

The Head Attendant replied.

Kirisame chuckled. He then massaged his neck as if he's avoiding touching his face.

"You want my honest answer, fine. I'm doing this for another gain."

Everyone listens attentively.

Kirisame continues:

"This is for the sake of my well-being. I am thinking of channeling an insignificant bit of energy gained through the blessed leaves, into myself to cleanse an illness dwelling inside me."

"Hm. And what kind of illness was it?"

The Head Priest asks.

"I have no damn clue that's why I've gone here. But I guess- tch."

Kirisame clicked his tongue before continuing, it seems like he;s going to admit something he does not want to.

"-I guess it's because I'm still weak to the effects of wielding a Heraldic Mask."

Akafuyu and the rest of them were surprised. After all, it's not in his character to admit something he is bad about, he would at least cover it up and make it seem like a petty task to do. This made Akafuyu and Yato more suspicious of him.

"Huh…I see, then it's a mutual benefit."

The Head Priest had a thought: If Kirisame meant his words, that means he will be fulfilling the end of his bargain since he looks like he really needs to solve his current dilemma, and he knows how charitable he can be as well despite his attitude due to his past achievements.

The Head Priest and Head Attendant exchanged glances again. After a while, the two nodded at each other and turned their gaze towards Kirisame who was waiting for an answer.

"We will be opening the doors of the Temple and towards the Holy Sanctum to you."

Toshi and the others can be seen smiling, however, Ginjiro finally intervenes and speaks up.

"Please wait, what about Miko-sama? What's her say in this, shouldn't we inform her first?"

"Ah child, our beloved Miko understands well. She, of all people, would want to restore the Holiness of our land and help a fellowship at the same time. She might also be ready for the Kagura."

The Head Priest stated.

"Ginjiro, we have to hurry and guard the gates since we have important guests here."

Toshi steps in front of Ginjiro, blocking him from the Priest. Ginjiro, on the other hand, squinted his eyes and glances towards Akafuyu.

"Eh, does Ginjiro need help now…?"

Mylene commented as she also noticed Gin's gaze. Akafuyu, in response, walks forward and faces them.

"Pardon my intrusion, respected Priests. Kirisame-dono. Kannushis and guardians."

Akafuyu performs a keirei (thirty degree bow) towards those she mentioned. Her expression and aura is of a dignified ruler who has a steeled conviction.

"Apologies, but your respected Head Priestess has reached me and relayed a message."

The Priest and Attendant had their eyes widened after hearing this.

"To continue what Kannushi Ginjiro has stated, Miko-dono stated that she does not approve of the ritual and the entrance of Kirisame-dono inside the Temple."

"Hah. Never would have thought that Akafuyu might be interested in this kind of thing. And what is that? She specifically designated me as an unwelcome guest to her temple?"

Kirisame speaks with a hint of sarcasm. He then let out a sigh and held his hand up like asking for something.

"Proof. The Tenth Herald can only speak her mind through sacred sakura leaves from the Five Great Sakura Trees. You should have one if she really did speak to you."

Akafuyu does not have it as the leaf disappeared afterwards, but she did not waver.

"My words might not be proof enough, but you really should let her talk. Respected priest and attendant."

Akafuyu turns her gaze towards the Head Priest and Attendant.

The Head Attendant then made a response:

"Hmm. I appreciate you spending your precious time here in our lands, Master Akafuyu, however, this matter is already out of your jurisdiction. Please-"

"Not when one of my fellow Heralds reached out to me. It's already one of my business after I heard her disapproval of what her 'loyal subjects' deemed to do."

The Head Attendant can be seen that her brows are currently furrowed which means she is somehow irritated. Still, she remained composed and made a reply:

"Though I presume you have no evidence of it, thus, your statement proved invalid."

"I see. Then where is Miko? You still haven't said if she approves of this. But even if you say now that she agreed, you have no proof as well, no?"

The Head Attendant gritted her teeth, her eyes opened up slightly wider.

"It would be better if she speaks her mind in front of us all."

Kirisame chuckled due to Akafuyu's cleverness. Meanwhile, the Head Attendant finally speaks with a commanding voice.

"Silence! The Guardians will not tolerate your unpermitted meddling further. Please turn around and be a good guest, the guardians shall personally escort you."

"I'm being a good guest, I'm literally helping your Head Priestess's words reach you."

Akafuyu never let any words or threats get into her. From the beginning up til now, she speaks with full compassion and conviction, that no one can seem to scare her.

Mylene comments.

"Whoa…Akafuyu really is amazing huh. I can't even speak like that in front of my colleagues, what's more in front of strangers and high ranking people…"

Meanwhile, it can be seen that Yato is pondering about something. He is silently formulating a theory in his mind: 'Kirisame Magnolia doesn't seem to mind getting delayed like this, it's another character that's new to him. Also, does channeling some energy resolve his current crisis? It seems like he needed more than just an "insignificant amount"...'

Yato then looked at the confrontation in front of them and continued his thoughts.

'-but then, why does it look like Kirisame is confident enough that it will go his way, despite him not doing anything special…hm?'

He looked at everyone attentively. He then noticed something really strange…

'Huh? Now that I think of it, where are there masks…it's strange even for the guardians to not have one beside them, but with confrontations like this, they should have one right?'

Yato, out of curiosity, wore his mask and heightened his sight to its maximum output.

"....."

"I can't see their faces."

Kiyoto and the others looked at Yato who just stated something weird. But then, he's wearing his mask and they know that Yato wouldn't just make up some nonsense. And so, Kiyoto asked:

"Yato, what do you mean?"

"Kirisame Magnolia!"

Yato called out Kirisame.

As he hears his name, Kirisame turns his gaze towards Yato.

"What is it? And what's with the mask?"

Akafuyu's attention was also caught by Yato and is now looking at him, confused yet concerned about his reason.

"I've been meaning to ask. Out of all the Heralds, you're the one who appears in Public the most. But then, you have the strangest secret out of them."

Yato braces himself.

"Where is your mask…?"

"....."

Everyone looked at him in silence except for some people.

Kirisame Magnolia. His eyes changed, turning into pale dead ones. He then grinned and pointed at his face.

"It's always been here with me."