I have an infinite number of shikigami-Chapter 136 - 90. From all sides they surge, at the peak of a torrential downpour. _3

Chapter 136: 90. From all sides they surge, at the peak of a torrential downpour. _3

Among them, the Kagura Inari Shrine is the largest and most powerful. On the approach to the worship hall, the vibrant red torii gates are arranged one after another, solemn and noble like those of the Fushimi Inari Shrine.

The night wind moaned as it brushed against the trees, and light emerged from the worship hall.

Chief Priest Fujishima sat on the veranda, gazing at the torii in the rain, seemingly waiting for someone.

Eighteen years ago, he bore the responsibility of expanding the influence of the Inari Shrine in Kanto. He left Fushimi Inari Shrine and came to Tokyo to serve as the Palace Master of Kagura Inari Shrine. Over these eighteen years, his greatest wish was to make Kagura Inari Shrine one of the Big 5 in the Onmyo-ryo Kanto Branch, and he had been working tirelessly towards this goal.

Now, he finally saw a glimmer of hope for this goal.

Earlier today, Section 9 issued a wanted notice for Fujiwara Reya.

After gathering information from various sources, Chief Priest Fujishima roughly knew what happened in the morning.

As long as Section 9 could confirm that Fujiwara Reya was a yokai, he was confident that he could remove Asakusa Shrine from the Onmyo-ryo. Then, the temporarily vacant chairman seat that belonged to Asakusa Shrine would have no reason to remain empty.

Chief Priest Fujishima was very clear about one thing.

The local Kanto forces represented by Tokyo Grand Shrine were not welcoming to those from Kansai like them.

But so what?

The rules of the Onmyo-ryo didn’t say that a branch of a Kansai Shrine couldn’t become the chairman of the Kanto Branch.

Once Asakusa Shrine was removed, another member from the remaining council would naturally be selected to fill the position. Among the remaining candidate shrines and temples, Kagura Inari Shrine had an absolute advantage in strength and funding, and winning the election as the new chairman would merely be a formality.

The rain curtains fell like drapes as someone came along the pathway holding an umbrella.

Wearing a loud shirt and with a slightly rebellious headband wrapped around his forehead, his demeanor was lazy and frivolous.

Chief Priest Fujishima sighed lightly.

This was his son, just entering his third year of high school, with a personality that gave his father headaches.

"...Dad, I haven’t even had dinner, and you’re having me run around," Fujishima Shiro complained as he walked up the steps, sitting on the veranda with a completely impatient look, "Isn’t it just a lousy Asakusa Shrine? I’ll go tear it down for you later, okay?"

Listening to his son’s frivolous tone, Chief Priest Fujishima frowned, "Did Section 9 dig up any intel?"

"There are currently two key pieces of evidence." Fujishima Shiro shouted as he brushed the mud from his pants, "First piece of evidence: At the start of the month, Fujiwara Reya performed an exorcism at a construction site in Yoshiwara, leaving behind traces of demonic power from at least a general-level yokai. Second piece of evidence: Just this morning, many people witnessed him catch a blow from the Shadow Beauty Blade with his neck and come out unscathed."

Chief Priest Fujishima asked, "Is there any evidence for the first thing?"

"Not physical evidence, but there are witnesses." Fujishima Shiro smirked lazily, "One is an inspector from Section 9, and the other is a priest from Yoshiwara Shrine. Both were at the construction site, and it can be confirmed that Fujiwara Reya was the only one present at the time."

"Without physical evidence, it’s not very stable..." Chief Priest Fujishima gently wiped the rain on his forehead with a handkerchief, "You should personally visit Section 9 headquarters and pressure them in Kagura Inari Shrine’s name to arrest Fujiwara Reya. I’ll contact Chairman Kasahara to gauge her stance."

"Dad, look at this rain," Chief Priest Fujishima complained, "When I came back just now, the roads were flooded. The broadcast said the water even reached the Akasaka Station subway, and the lines were flooded. The Ginza Line and Marunouchi Line are suspended, and the streets are in chaos, yet you still want me to go out in this weather?"

After his son’s complaint, his father slammed his palm on the veranda, "Is that the tone you take with me?"

Then, the son mimicked his father’s action, slamming down even harder, and then grimacing as he waved his hand defiantly, "Do you have the nerve to talk to me about tone? Others are fathers too, but which father would ask their child to go out in such bad weather? Not to mention, you should reflect on yourself, not just as the Palace Master, but also as a father and a husband!"

"Brat!"

The father slapped the veranda again.

"When I tell you to go, you go, or I’ll break your legs!"

"I’m not going, period." The son slapped the veranda again, stretching out a leg with a "go ahead and break my leg" expression, infuriating his father to the point of smoking with rage.

At that moment, a gentle woman came out of the worship hall and softly persuaded the father and son. Fujishima Shiro finally opened his umbrella again, cursing as he left the shrine for Section 9 headquarters.

Chief Priest Fujishima took out his phone, preparing to contact Chairman Kasahara.

Under the curtain of rain, after walking a few steps, Fujishima Shiro turned his head and shouted, "Dad, White Mountain Shrine is also digging around for news, don’t let them get the jump on you."

"Brat."

Chief Priest Fujishima’s mouth curled into a smile.

White Mountain Shrine?

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In Chief Priest Fujishima’s view, the last chairman position of the Kanto Branch can only be his.

"Hello, sorry to disturb you so late, Chairman."

"Ah, it’s Chief Priest Fujishima, please speak."

On the other end of the line, Chairman Kasahara’s voice sounded tired, and Chief Priest Fujishima thought that she must be annoyed with the Fujiwara Reya situation, so he lowered his voice and said, "Regarding Fujiwara Reya today, things have already erupted internally in Shintoism. If we don’t act, it might cause criticism."

"Hmm, I’m considering it..."

"Chairman, if people’s spirits scatter, it’s not good for the impact."

"Understood."

"Why don’t we hold a council meeting tomorrow and let everyone discuss how to deal with it?"

"That might be for the best."

※※※※※

Tokyo, Bunkyo District.

In the White Mountain Shrine, Priest Kougi carefully examined a photo under the light.

Like Chief Priest Fujishima, he was also committed to making White Mountain Shrine the permanent chairman of the last seat. However, compared to Inari Shrine, White Mountain Shrine was much smaller in scale, lacking in both funding and strength.

But now, the opportunity for a comeback was right in front of him.

Priest Kougi held the photo for a long time, silent, with only his hands slightly trembling.

In the photo was a figure wearing white kariginu with pure white wings, and upon close inspection, the face bore a 90% resemblance to Fujiwara Reya.

No doubt about it.

Priest Kougi was 100% certain that this was the true form of Fujiwara Reya.

This photo suddenly appeared on his desk, with no idea who sent it or their intention, only leaving behind the signature "a passing concerned citizen" on the back of the photo.

With this piece of evidence, Priest Kougi believed he could topple Fujiwara Reya in one fell swoop.

Then, with such a significant achievement, he could successfully outmaneuver Kagura Inari Shrine to become the fifth permanent chairman.

Thanking the passing concerned citizen... Priest Kougi’s trembling hand dialed Chairman Kasahara’s number.

※※※※※

The rain poured, trains stopped running.

Thunder clashed fiercely, as raindrops relentlessly assaulted the world.

Under the dark and humid sky, Fujiwara Reya skimmed low, encased in a demonic shield radiating a faint yellow light, shielding him from the rain’s disturbance.

Light and shadow.

Contours converged in a fleeting instant.

An unnamed wind suddenly blew toward the house in the rainy night.

That was the signal.

With that signal, he swung his fist downward.

Everything would begin in the torrential rain and would also end in the torrential rain.

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