Chapter 48: Cat Shrine: Awakening a New Power!

Wait just a minute, you rascals! Maybe you don't take off your shoes inside back in the West, but over here, everyone wears fluffy covers. Here, I'll give you a pair, so don't forget to use them, now!

Well you know what they say... When in the East, do as the Easterners do. Thanks, I'll make sure to use these.

Some Western-looking fellas just came running through here... They friends of yours? I've got a thing or two to tell you guys. Could you gather up all your friends?

So you're all here now, huh? Good. Now, let us begin. Oh, ye from the West...

What are we beginning, exactly...?

Welcome to Izana! Allow me to extend the warmest of greetings, oh Heroes of the West!

Whoa! What's going on?!

It's not just their outfits... I feel like they're from a different world all together!

That's hot, that's hot! You think they can ever go back? Or maybe there's nothing for them to return to...

The lifestyle of a Western adventurer must be so manly and hard-boiled! That. Is. So. Cool!

That cute little lady over there looks like quite the chipper hero, too. I'm thoroughly impressed.

Huh? A cute little lady... You mean Feinne? Oh wow, you got a compliment, Feinne!

Huh?!

Well, anywho, I have a little favor to ask of such a majestic party of heroes like yourselves. I want you to go and take out the motley bunch of monsters that have taken over the Cat Shrine lately.

Monsters at the Cat Shrine?

Correct. I tried asking Lord Genshin about it... But he just snapped that we ought to deal with such trifling matters ourselves. That's when I heard that some heroes from the West had arrived in our time of need. This must be the work of the Goddess of Time! The Goddess did not abandon us, I realized! I was brought to tears, I was so relieved. And now you're here, I thought it'd be awful nice if you could help us out, heroes from the West!

Also, the Cat Deity is a very appreciative and gracious deity, so I'm sure this would put you in its good books. I've heard that it has an incredible power to awaken certain special powers in people. And if you like cats, you'll get double helpings! You'll gain some of the Cat Deity's power if you deal with the monsters in the shrine, I just know you will!

Awaken certain special powers in people? That sounds interesting. Well, since you asked so nicely, we can't really say no, can we? But please, can you stop with the whole "hero" thing? We're just an ordinary bunch of adventurers.

You'll do it?! That's just what I would expect from such a prestigious group of heroes! Thank you! And you're so humble to boot! But no doubt about it, you're heroes, through and through.

Alright then, we're off to this Cat Shrine to go take care of some meddling monsters.

Be careful out there. Don't let your guard down.

Okay everyone. Let's get going!

Um...

Hm?

Um... Would you, by any chance, maybe be willing to help us out with something too?

Oh, sure, we don't mind. What sort of thing did you have in mind?

My brother Kiyosuke here said he dropped his wallet near the Cat Shrine. I always tell him he's not supposed to play there, but...

B-But Take said he saw Jiro at the Shrine...

Then he'll be there tomorrow too! Wait, isn't Jiro that stray cat... The tabby? Have you been feeding that mangy thing again?

So you dropped your wallet at the Shrine? Is that all? Don't worry about it. We'll bring it back for you.

Wow, really?!

That's right, don't fret. It's no problem.

Thank you! Please be careful! Oh, my name's Mika. This here is Kiyosuke.

Thank you, thank you! The Cat Shrine's just East of town.

Mika and Kiyosuke, huh? I'm Aldo. Alright then, it's time for us to be off, so be good and wait here, okay?

We will! Thank you again! Take care.

An intrepid group of heroes from the West... This is shaping up to be very interesting, What?! It can't be!

Tsukiha?! And Tsubame too?! So the two of them came back here...

I should probably make a report about Tsukiha... I'll need to find Genshin first. But Tsubame... Why did you come back?! Don't you know that there are serious consequences for returning to this land?!

We finally all managed to meet up again...

Oh, Aldo. I just remembered, that old man near the port said he had something he wanted to tell us.

Okay then! We're off to see the old man!

Huh? You sure are looking intently at those weapons, Amy. Something wrong?

I was just thinking I might buy an Eastern souvenir. Father would love it.

Hey there, little lady. This your first time in the East? I've got a special wooden katana for you. How about it? Here in the East, they're all the rage with young'uns your age!

Oh, really? Is there a special way of using a wooden katana in the East or something?

Hmph... Is utility all that you see? My my, you have much to learn, Missy.

The wooden katana is a classic! It feels great to wield! Such a subtle sheen! Made to highlight a complex wood grain that changes with the angle! So, little lady, what'll it be? How about you get your hands on a wooden katana and graduate to a new world of weaponry?

Aldo... Let's get out of here.

What? But I thought you wanted one, Amy? You might regret it later! (I want one! A wooden katana!)

The only thing I regret is coming to this place!

*splish splash*

Hey, Cyrus!

Well, if it isn't Aldo. This Eastern water does my webbed toes good. This must be what people mean when they say the water's just right. Come on in, Aldo!

Uh, no, I think I'll pass... Everyone's waiting. Let's go, Cyrus.

Aldo... Might I ask you one favor?

No problem. What is it, Cyrus?

I appear to be stuck.

......

Hey there you are, Aldo! Guess who just learned how to make Eastern-style rice balls!

Preparing rice balls can be very simple. They're perfect carry-along lunches, ideal for this special someone in Feinne's mind. Rice balls can forge strong bonds between people, you know. They're perfect for a young lady like yourself to make.

I made these rice balls for the person I treasure the most!

That's the spirit, Feinne. I dunno who you have in mind, but I'm sure they'll be very happy with them.

Jeez, Aldo! It's you, you big dummy!

Wha, ?! Did I say something to make you mad?

G-Guildna?!

Hmph. So you found me. You saw right through my ploy, Aldo. I was certain you wouldn't notice.

What in the world were you doing? Why were you in a barrel?

Oh, you don't know? Why, I was meditating alone in a quiet place.

It looks like there are still many more suitable barrels here.

...

Nope! I'm not doing it, I'm not getting in!

Afraid of the dark, are we? Still such a child, Aldo.

What are you up to, Helena?

There were some interesting things attached to the castle's roof, so I came to borrow one.

Hey wait a sec, you can't just do whatever you want! The guards are going to flip out if they see you. Put it back quick.

But I was having so much fun... Oh, fine.

There appears to exist a group of so-called ninja here who employ a highly advanced technology. I am particularly interested in their Shinobi Step method of walking. They output a sound of the opposite frequency exactly in time with their footsteps, resulting in total noise cancellation.

Whoa. They can walk without making any noise? But where could you use that? I can't think of anything.

If I had access to the Shinobi Step, I could approach Amy without her noticing. Amy would surely let out a great yell expressing her joy if I did that!

I don't think that Amy's yelling has anything to do with joy, though...

I shall put in a request to KMS immediately to begin development of a Shinobi Step Mode. As soon as it is complete, I shall begin the testing stage with Amy!

...I tried to stop her. Remember that. Please...

Aldo, over there!

Huh? What's that? A tabby cat is being attacked? Could that be that Jiro cat that Kiyosuke mentioned?

Stop right there, you fiends! I shan't allow you to bully one of my subjects in my shrine! I, the Cat Deity Otoha, shall penalize you for your sins, so shape up!

Otoha!

(Otoha? She came out of nowhere, who the heck is she?)

Did she say Cat Deity? She just looks like an ordinary girl, doesn't she?

Looks like we've got another odd character on our hands.

Yay! A new buddy!

All right, we'll help her out. Hey, you lot! If you're gonna pick a fight, pick it with us! This might be dangerous, Jiro, so work with us a little, okay? Let's go!

Whatever! Let's go help quick. Hey, you lot! If you're gonna pick a fight, pick it with us! This might be dangerous, Jiro, so work with us a little, okay? Let's go!

Are you all right, Jiro? ...Yeah, you seem fine. Thank goodness.

I've put you in a terrifying situation while I was gone. I'm so sorry. Please impart your forgiveness upon me, Jiro.

What's that you got there, buddy? Let me see.

Well, if it isn't a wallet! This must be the one that Kiyosuke dropped.

So you found the wallet and protected it, huh, little guy? What a good kitty, Jiro!

Mreow!

Aldo, we can take that wallet back to Kiyosuke later...

Yeah, you're right. First we gotta do something about the monsters lurking in this shrine.

Yeah, you're right. First we gotta do something about the monsters lurking in this shrine.

You say monsters are lurking here? So, they took advantage of my absence. Those dirty little...

Umm, and who would you be?

I am Otoha. I'm the reincarnation of the Cat Deity.

But more importantly... I overheard you talking before. You intend to cleanse the Cat Shrine of these fiends, yes? Let us work together. Cleanse the Cat Shrine with me!

All right, let's do this together then.

Yes... Let us venture deep into the grounds!

There! My, Uh, the Cat Deity's super sense of smell is tingling. Those fiends are around here, without a doubt! They were alerted by our movement... Get ready. Here they come!

Awoooo! Grach grach! Graaahraa!

I-It's him! How did he end up in a place like this?!

Stop with the shouting, Hound. What's going on?

Are you... Ogre Baron?!

Well, well, well! I thought I smelled something funny, and here you are indeed!

How did he get here? Didn't he return to his own era along with the Ogres Spike?

And why would I return all alone to a past where my ogre brethren have been decimated? I must say, I think I'm starting to like this era.

It was hard enough to cross the ocean with the sheer force of my dear Hound's doggy paddling alone... But to think that I would be hounded all the way to this land on top of it. Even I, the seventh generation head of the noble Hauzagawst line, am utterly flabbergasted.

Hmph. You think we came all the way to the East because we were chasing you?

You fiend! What are you doing in my shrine? Did you think to perpetrate vile acts in my absence? Depending on your answer, I may have to punish you!

My desire to explore a new land brought me to this place, where I quickly became fascinated with this shrine and the Cat Deity. I promptly decided that I would awaken a new power within myself using the Cat Deity's power. Of course, one does have to behave and ask politely.

Well anyway, if one wants to go any further than that, that's when things start to get annoying. All of a sudden there are terms and conditions, more steps to follow... So, I've been loitering here trying to negotiate the exchange of as much power as I possibly can.

I've had enough of your narcissistic ranting! I shan't permit this arrogance and irreverence!

That one keeps making all sorts of noise... Who is she, exactly?

I was born and raised in this shrine. I am the reincarnation of the Cat Deity! I shan't allow you to run rampant through my shrine! I shall drive you from this place right now!

Just try it! I think you're the ones who will be driven out! The me you once knew was a totally different creature to what I am now, understand? Come at me. I'll take you on, Cat Deity or not! Humans! Feel the wrath of the Baron Awakened!

You lose, Baron! There's no way we would give up after all this.

Tch... You got me... I'm done for today. Come, Hound!

Grrawoo! Groh groah!

Now than, I shall bid you adieu. I eagerly await the next time we meet on the battlefield. The coming of that day shall mark the final day of your lives on this earth! Now, I do beg your pardon... Heh heh! Until next we meet! Farewell!

Baron...

Oh, why hello! I didn't see you there, young'uns.

Whoa! Something popped up! A cat g-g-ghost?!

Ghost? How rude! I am an emissary of the Cat Deity. This wandering cat goes by the name of Togarashi Nyanjiro.

An emissary of the Cat Deity... Nyanjiro?

Indeed. I must give you my thanks for driving back that dingbat monster. I was at my wit's end, being pressed with unreasonable demands day-in and day-out. Oh, meow I remember! You helped an innocent stray cat within the shrine grounds, did you not?

Huh? Yeah... Jiro, wasn't it? That was actually something Kiyosuke and Mika asked us to do...

No, you needn't finish that. I already know! You have a kind heart indeed. Now, then I shall grant unto you the Cat Deity's blessing.

Are you talking about the Cat Deity's power that's said to awaken new abilities in people?

Oh, you've heard about it! Then this'll be quick. It is a Grasta, a blessing from the deity. It should cause your powers to grow stronger, and bloom like a beautiful flower.

Oh boy! Thanks, Mr. Nyanjiro! I'll treasure it for ever and ever!

As for you, Otoha... The Cat Deity told you not to overdo it...

I'm not overdoing anything! I am the embodiment of all that is Cat! The true reincarnation of the Cat Deity! One day, when I achieve my true power, when I awaken... I shall awaken as the Cat Deity, and then... I'll make sure that there isn't a single sad or lonely cat left in the world! I'll show you! W-With my power, surely I will!

......

Now then. I hope to meet you all under a blue sky somewhere again. Oh, and if you ever need anything from me, drop by a red temple and give me a shout. Hey, there's one right there. Isn't that nice? Now, I must take my leave.

Okay, let's head back to Izana to return Kiyosuke's wallet.