Nurarihyon releases a puff of smoke and smiles as his grandson spars with his instructor. Rikuo is growing smart and strong. He's slowly becoming someone worthy of the Third Head of the Nura Clan.
"Boss. We received another letter."
He turns and sees Gato, leader of the Gyuki youkai, walking toward him with a piece of paper. He recognizes the seal on the paper, and he hates it.
He scowls, and his power starts to spike. His grandson and the others stop what they are doing as that power leaks out and chills the mansion. Even though the sun is at its peak, the air grows cold, though no ice forms. It is a supernatural chill that spreads, and its source is Nurarihyon.
"Boss. Please rein in your power. There are children just outside the mansion."
Nurarihyon takes a deep breath and pulls his power back. Slowly, the temperature returns to normal, and everyone exhales.
"Burn that letter," he snaps. "Tell those bastards to shove their offer up their ass. As long as they don't kill that fucking clan, I will not let them into my territory."
"Yes, boss."
He exhales and looks to the sky. Sometimes he wonders why he can't just march to the underworld and butcher his way through. He knows why he doesn't. His inner circle is willing to follow him into another war against the Devils, but their families are not.
If he and his inner circle start another war, their families will be dragged in, no matter what he says. Innocent blood will spill, and this time, only his faction will be involved. He knows Yasaka and her faction will not come to help—not when the Gods don't want to be involved. Yasaka is the Priestess of Amaterasu, after all.
The Japan youkai faction is a threat even to the Devil Race. They may not win outright, but they will make the Devil Race suffer — and other factions will swoop in like vultures and make things worse or even outright end the entire race.
The East youkai faction, on the other hand, is not a real threat. They have numbers, but they lack the firepower the West carries.
So, with a heavy heart, he does not pursue the culprit who poisoned his son when that little shit arrived in the underworld. At the very least, Sirzechs promised a punishment. But that punishment does not satisfy him.
The New Lucifer gives him the head of the one who poisoned his son, but not the masterminds behind it. He claims a lack of evidence. Nurarihyon knows it's bullshit — he knows New Lucifer is pressured not to kill the real culprit because they are the entirety of the Paimon Clan.
So the Paimon Clan lives on and even produces more spawn while his son dies.
If his son had died in battle, weapon in hand, he would not be as angry as he is now. But reality is not what he wants. His son died of poison, and the clan that ordered it still thrives.
"Boss."
He snaps out of his thoughts and sees Gato still beside him.
"What is it, Gato? I thought you had already left."
"There are more letters. This one is from Yasaka, boss."
"Oh? What does the lass want this time? Is she here to finally show off her new power to me? It is about time, I guess."
News of Yasaka gaining the now-famous Dying Will Flame has spread across Japan, and many watch her with interest. If that alone shifts the balance of power, the fact that she can use a new form of senjutsu — safer and easier to learn — could crack the whole foundation.
Many youkai rely on senjutsu to live. Those tied closely to their spiritual nature need natural energy to control their power. Take the real Yuki Onna, for example — not the fake versions used to prevent hunting. Those are the Yeti, but with enough propaganda and clever fake history, only truly old people know that those are not really Yuki Onna.
The true Yuki Onna have a deep spiritual connection and must know senjutsu, or they will die young as their nature consumes them and causes havoc when their power runs wild.
So a safer, easier way to use senjutsu would help many.
"Nothing like that, boss. In fact, it's the opposite. Karasu Tengu sent this letter, and he explained it to me. It is not what you thought it was. You can read it yourself."
"Oh?"
He takes the letter, breaks the seal, and reads. He blinks, then laughs — a chuckle that grows into a full-blown laugh. His laugh is so loud that Gato looks at him in confusion.
The others look at him in confusion and then at Gato, who shrugs; he knows his boss will explain and leave it at that.
After a moment, Nurarihyon wipes a tear from his eyes and says, "So the wild fox has finally been tamed, huh? Good for her. But to hear it is a human who contains the power of Ōkuchi no Makami and is blessed by Lord Tsukuyomi as the one taming her — that's something I didn't see coming."
Like many youkai born and raised in Japan, he respects whoever holds the power of one of the Three Sacred Beasts of Takamagahara. He was rescued in the Era of Darkness by the avatar of Lord Susanoo, and from that day, he's respected the Three Sacred Beasts.
Also, he's never seen some dickhead wield the power of the Sacred Beasts — which helps maintain that respect to this day.
He looks at Gato. "How are the old fools reacting?"
He knows the old fools tried to prevent Yasaka from marrying the new ruler of Romania. Like his inner circle, he thinks they're fools. Making ties to another faction builds power; that power can lift your faction's power. Preventing it is shortsighted — especially when that faction has beaten yours in terms of power and wealth.
He knows of the Millefiore Family, and he loves them. The reason? They are a Mafia Family. Oh, he knows when he sees a Mafia Family. Why, he was friends with a founder of a mafia family in the past.
And the Millefiore Family embodies the Old Mafia perfectly. They are family, and families protect each other. They do crimes, but they will not do crimes that hurt the family. They are families that do more good to the community and country than harm.
That's how the old mafia works. They might not be as beneficial to the country, but they are the pillars of the community.
His Nura Clan follows similar principles.
He doesn't know why the old fools oppose the union between Yasaka and Valerian Millefiore, but it's probably something stupid like fear of losing power.
Bah.
What use is power if you won't pass it on? Watching the next generation flourish is better than hoarding a power that will rot you alive.
"I don't know," Gato says, smirking. "But I think you already know their reaction, boss."
Nurarihyon smirks back. "Fuming and panicking. Now they have no excuse to prevent this union. Age? With Lord Tsukuyomi's blessing, Valerian will live long. Hell, he's a master of senjutsu — he's creating the new techniques. He'll have a long life on that alone, and combined with the other blessings, he'll live as long as Yasaka."
"That's right. Power? Valerian is stronger than they are. Those old fools don't even reach mid-class power while Valerian fights toe-to-toe with the Vampire Lord. Wealth? The Millefiore will out-earn them within a year, with how fast their new healing items sell. The only thing left is their history — the lack of it."
"Bah! What use is history? Their brief history is more impressive than that of those old fools' whole existence! Their clan is impressive, true, but their history lacks anything to be proud of."
Nurarihyon shakes his head, stands, and says, "Gato, prepare the others. We'll hunt for a gift for Yasaka. Buying one won't do. We must hunt and make something new. It's still a month away — that should be enough."
"Oh? Are we preparing for a parade, boss?"
The old youkai grins so wide his face seems like it might split.
"Yes! Let the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons begin! The Nura Clan shall hunt once again!"