-553- [ Kakugyouki ]

The sudden presence and the heavy voice didn't surprise Saotome Suzu.

"You're here," Suzu said with a tone as if she had known who the visitor was all along, even expecting him to arrive here. She turned and looked to the other side of the riverbank.

There, a man was slowly approaching.

He had a large and muscular physique, wearing a suit. His short golden hair brought to mind a crown. His facial features were sharp and sculpted, giving him the air of a yakuza boss and an indescribable sense of pressure.

On the left side of this man, the suit sleeve was conspicuously empty, swaying in the wind, revealing the absence of an arm.

However, the missing arm did not make the man seem easy to deal with.

From the man, a solidified miasma was slowly emanating. This miasma had accumulated over the years through the presence and internal stagnation, making the miasma stable and not easily distorted by spiritual energy. This was the aura that a true, genuine Orge, which had gained intelligence and had an appearance indistinguishable from humans, would emit.

The man was such a Orge.

//// just remembered that someone mentioned about calling Oni, 'Orge'. I searched through the wiki and it seems that Oni in Tokyo Ravens are generally called Orge. Even Ato Touji is possessed by an 'Orge' which was yeah, Oni. So I'll just use the term Orge.////

Having gained spiritual intelligence long ago, and with an appearance hardly distinguishable from a human, he had existed throughout the ages, wandering around. He was famously known as the One-Armed Orge.

"You're late," Suzu reprimanded the ogre king before her, lacking any emotion in her tone.

Even though the ogre king had immense strength, had interactions with Ashiya Douman, and even had a peer relationship with him, Saotome Suzu showed no signs of leniency. This was because of her own personality, and also because she was not unfamiliar with the ogre king before her.

As for the reason,

"Is it still the same as before? Even when ordered to do something, you drag your feet. Are you worthy of the infamous title of Ogre King?" Saotome Suzu said, devoid of expression, revealing the identity of the person before her.

"Kakugyouki."

Yes.

The man before her was none other than one of the shikigami, along with Saotome Suzu, who were the two main protectors of Yakou — "Kakugyouki."

"Would you prefer I call you Ibaraki Douji?"

Suzu Saotome remarked.

"Ibaraki Douji."

If someone familiar with Japanese mythology were here, they would surely react to this name.

Because this was the legendary demon known as the "Orge of Rashomon," a formidable subordinate of the famous Japanese monster, Shuten-douji. Ibaraki Douji was active during the Heian period and was known to terrorize the Oeyama region. Serving as the most powerful general under Shuten-douji, who ruled all the demons of Oeyama and was feared by the world.

He and Ashiya Douman hailed from the same era, both having survived for over a thousand years.

He had a fierce battle with Watanabe no Tsuna, the number one of the Raiko's Four Heavenly Kings, and had one of his arms severed by Tsuna's famous sword "Higekiri." Thus, he became known as the one-armed orge.

In this present era, this thousand-year-old one-armed orge was a true Ogre King. In terms of hierarchy and power among the ogres, Kakugyouki was undoubtedly superior.

Even Yakou didn't dare claim he could definitely surpass him. The reason Kakugyouki chose to become Yakou's shikigami was largely because Yakou and Kakugyouki shared similar principles, eventually resulting in this situation.

If one could be considered the epitome of "technique," mastering various jujutsu and understanding the weaknesses and disadvantages of various jujutsu to achieve their goals, then Hishamaru was that epitome.

On the other hand, Kakugyouki was the epitome of "strength," able to exert immense power accumulated over thousands of years, capable of crushing everything through sheer brute force.

These were Yakou's protectors, representing the epitome of "strength" and "technique."

Now, these two shikigami, who left their names in history, stood at the deserted riverside. One had no expression, the other chuckled.

"Suit yourself. After all, you've always been like this since forever, doing things your own way. Even if I object, you won't change what you want to do, right?"

Kakugyouki spoke to his former colleague in this manner.

But isn't that the truth?

"Daring to command me so naturally, even daring to casually order around Douman, who is nominally your master; there's no one else in the world like you."

Said this, Kakugyouki was somewhat helpless.

From this, it can be seen that Saotome Suzu has always enjoyed bossing people around like this for a long time, making the renowned Ogre King accustomed to it.

"It's probably because Yakou spoils you too much?" Kakugyouki shrugged.

But Saotome Suzu obviously didn't take that in.

"Anyway, you're just an idler now, wandering around for decades. Having you do a little task is just helping you move a bit."

Suzu said these words lightly.

"Sure, sure."

Kakugyouki could only helplessly endure it.

This attitude only appeared when facing Saotome Suzu.

Evidently, it wasn't just Yakou who spoiled Suzu Saotome, Kakugyouki was the same.

So,

"As you said, I brought it here."

Kakugyouki said.

In the next moment, a shadow descended from the high sky, flapping its wings and perching on Kakugyouki's shoulder.

Jet-black feathers.

Three-legged.

Covered in fire powder.

In its golden eyes, three magatama beads rotated smoothly.

It was Raven's Wing.

Watching this nonchalantly perched Yatagarasu on Kakugyouki's shoulder, Saotome Suzu squinted her eyes.

"Really useless, can't even possess a little kid. Has it been sealed for too long, so it malfunctioned?"

Saotome Suzu evaluated Raven's Wing without mincing words.

Raven's Wing immediately turned its head, looking at Saotome Suzu as if not appreciating her, arranging its feathers, appearing so leisurely and carefree.

In this situation, it was Kakugyouki who spoke up for Raven's Wing.

"Don't blame it. The main issue is that little kid is too unpredictable. To possess that level of jujutsu mastery at such a young age, even Hokuto willingly obeys his commands. If he's not Yakou's reincarnation, then the Tsuchimikado family is truly favored by the heavens, for another person of that caliber to appear."

Kakugyouki sighed and said these words.

To this, Saotome Suzu made no retort.

"He's indeed formidable, comparable to Yakou. If he truly is Yakou's reincarnation, then so be it. If not, it's really unreasonable." Saotome Suzu sighed and said, "The problem now is how to get Raven's Wing to possess him and confirm his identity."

After all, regardless, Saotome Suzu had to find Yakou's reincarnation and awaken him.

For this, Saotome Suzu was willing to use any means necessary.

"So devoted."

Watching Saotome Suzu like this, Kakugyouki gave this assessment again.

Then,

"There's actually no need to be so troublesome. There's a simpler way if you want to let Tsuchimikado Akikan use Raven's Wing."

Kakugyouki suddenly said.

"What?"

Saotome Suzu was slightly taken aback.

Perhaps finding Saotome Suzu displaying such an expression strange, Kakugyouki chuckled.

"Alright, I'll help you once again."

Kakugyouki said so.

"Leave this matter to me."

Kakugyouki raised a hand, squeezed it lightly into a fist, and then smiled suddenly.

"I'll go meet him personally."