Genji Killer (First Half)

...So, you have me surrounded.

I see. You do not fear this great tsuchigumo, no matter how it towers over you.

You do not run. You do not scream.

Instead, you fearless warriors only grip your swords even tighter. You are clearly not ordinary people.

No, we are not! We are Genji warriors! We are the vassals of Lady Minamoto-no-Raikou, entrusted by the Minister of the Left with the protection of Kyo!

Now, who are you, demon, and what are you doing here riding atop a great tsuchigumo!?

Genji. Genji, you say? So, there are Genji here as well.

Did you hear that, Kugamimi-no-Mikasa? It seems we will at last get to make our long held dream come true!

Listen well, warriors of Genji.

I am poison. I am cold steel. I am the embodiment of hatred. I am the Genji clan's end.

I am a Heroic Spirit corpse that has materialized here in Heian-kyo along with the great tsuchigumo, Hasshoujin Saiha.

...Heh. Heh.

No, that is not quite right. Even as a corpse, my wrath is as strong as ever!

I am Saikyou Taira-no-Kagekiyo.

And I have come to bring death to the whole of your clan.

Now die, Genji.

One of the Taira warriors!? If you are a remnant of the eastern rebellion, then we cannot let you leave here alive

Death comes.

...I wonder how things are at the palace right now.

I hope the emperor, Lady Shoushi, and Lord Michinaga are all right.

I was already on my way here in my carriage before night fell in the middle of the day...

Before that red moon hung in the sky, and that demonic tree towered over us...

Well, I arranged it that way. Anyway, don't worry.

It's okay. Limbo is still Ashiya Douman, even if only just, so he won't kill them anytime soon.

He may be a carnivorous beast disguised as a man, but he is still human in small ways.

He's going to want as large an audience as he can get, at least up until his wish is granted.

So just relax. Oh, and don't forget, Lord Michinaga is there, too.

He may not be a warrior or an onmyouji himself, but he truly has the devil's own luck. And above all, when he speaks, people listen.

In the West, there was once a conqueror by the name of Caesar who was said to be a great orator...

...and I suspect that Lord Michinaga is every bit his equal.

Lord Seimei...

Very well, I understand.

There will come a time when the Genji will need to invade the palace and rescue the people trapped there...

...but for now, it seems we can trust that they are safe.

I am relieved to hear you say that, Lord Seimei.

Raikou, Raikou. How can you hear him when he isn't actually saying anything?

Ah.

That's true, isn't it? How strange. We're only reading his words floating in the air, but it feels as though he's right here with us.

Once this is all over, I wonder if this method of communication will become more common?

？！

Oh my, you don't say!

That's amazing, Lord Abe-no-Seimei. I can't believe you're showing us something from a thousand years in the future.

It's almost as though you're peering across time itself, as though you were a traveler making a very, very long journey.

Tick, tock, tick, tock. I wonder what kind of clock you use?

A clock? You mean that thing that uses water to tell time?

A water clock, yes. It's a machine that uses flowing water to measure the passage of time.

Yeah, that!

That water clock's the one thing I hate guarding. It always puts me right to sleep.

Yes, I can see how you would be ill-suited to that sort of thing. You need a fair amount of knowledge to build and maintain one of those devices.

Fine by me. Other people can take care of their water clock duties, and I can take care of my guard duties! To each their own!

Oh, speakin' of the time, it's been an hour since Danzo went out on patrol, huh?

She oughta be back by no

Oh, speak of the devil!

I have returned, and I have a report to make.

The third and fourth general gods have materialized at Gojou Street, near the Kamogawa!

Very astute. Indeed, if Limbo needs three more Heroic Spirit souls to grant his wish...

...the easiest way would be to summon at least three of them simultaneously and feed their souls to the Pseudo-Tree of Emptiness all in one go.

But instead, he's only summoning two at a time, and right near the edge of my all-encompassing Bounded Field at that.

Why would he do such a thing? Even if he can't summon them right at the tree itself...

...the sensible move would be to summon three or more in separate locations and have them head for Suzaku Gate at the same time.

That way, we would have no choice but to split up our forces to stop them.

So the fact that he isn't doing that must mean

Most likely. Which would mean there are hard limits to Limbo's summoning capabilities.

And let's not forget he already used the Holy Grail to summon seven Heroic Spirits not too long ago.

So if Limbo needs three more Heroic Spirit souls to grant his wish, the easiest way for him to get them...

...would be to summon at least three simultaneously and feed their souls to the Pseudo-Tree of Emptiness all in one go.

But instead, he's only summoning two at a time, and right near the edge of my all-encompassing Bounded Field at that.

Why would he do such a thing? Even if he can't summon them right at the tree itself...

...the sensible move would be to summon three or more in separate locations and have them head for Suzaku Gate at the same time.

That way, we would have no choice but to split up our forces to stop them.

So the fact that he isn't doing that must mean

？！

He can't do it.

What else can you tell us, Lady Danzo? If this took place at the eastern edge of Gojou, then Hase and Gotou should have been there.

...Right.

There was indeed a group of Genji warriors there led by Lord Hase and Lord Gotou, along with a group of officers...

...but I'm sorry to report that the enemy wiped out more than two thirds of them.

...I see.

Then we will head out right away.

Lady Medea! We must go!

Coming! Here, Lord Tsuna, Lord Kintoki. I made rice balls for you!

All right, thanks! Make sure you guys eat up while you can, too, Fujimaru and Danzo!

Wait! There is still more I need to tell you!

One of the general gods has taken the form of a great tsuchigumo...

And the other one, who goes by the name Saikyou Taira-no-Kagekiyo, is a true Genji killer!

This is an affliction of mine.

If I see a Genji, I kill them.

So don't growl at me like that. I can't help it. You may kill everyone we fight, except the Genji.

Kill all you like; eat your fill.

...There, you see? You didn't have to wait long at all.

Although... Something about this enemy smells...and pungently at that.

You there. Are you affiliated with the Genji?

...

(That form... That voice...)

(Could they be...?)

I am Katou Danzo, Servant to the Master of Chaldea.

I am also currently a guest of sorts at Lady Minamoto-no-Raikou's residence.

It seems you consider the Genji your sworn enemies... May I ask your name?

A corpse needs no name...

...or so the other general gods claim, but not me. Even as a corpse, I remain Kagekiyo.

Kagekiyo...

Indeed. I am Kagekiyo, the blade of hatred.

My Hasshoujin name is Saikyou...my full name...is Taira-no-Kagekiyo.

Haha, sorry, Kugamimi-no-Mikasa! But given how much this puppet stinks of Genji...

...it would seem that she, too, is my quarry! Hahahahahaha!

Saikyou Taira-no-Kagekiyo...

As I thought, it seems this latest Hasshoujin is making no effort to hide their True Name, either.

I expect that's owed to Limbo's supreme confidence in his pawns, but it's a showy, sloppy tactic. Still, it does work in our favor in this case.

Now then, changing gears: How many of you already know who Taira-no-Kagekiyo is?

Not me, I'm afraid.

Was he a warrior with the Kanmu Heishi clan, perhaps?

The traitors Lord Fujiwara-no-Hidesato faced during the rebellions in east Japan were prominent Taira warriors...

...but I have never heard of this Taira-no-Kagekiyo.

I've never heard the name before, either. How about you, KintoNever mind. Why am I even asking?

Yup, no clue here either.

...Yes, Taira-no-Kagekiyo is associated with the Kanmu Heishi, but not the one you know.

They hail from over a hundred years in your future and approximately three hundred years before my own time.

They are a survivor of the Genpei War who bears a deep grudge against the Genji!

...I see. So this person is also from a time beyond tomorrow.

I suppose we shouldn't be surprised, given that Fujimaru is from a thousand years in the future.

Still...I was unaware that Heroic Spirits could come from the future as well as the past.

They were known as Palace Guard Akushichi Kagekiyo of Kazusa before changing their name to Taira-no-Kagekiyo.

Legend says that after the Genpei War, they swore revenge on the Genji clan for wiping out the Taira clan in their efforts to establish the Kamakura shogunate.

Correct, Master. They took the name "Taira-no-Kagekiyo" after swearing fealty to the Taira clan.

Legend says that after the Genpei War, they swore revenge on the Genji clan for wiping out the Taira clan in their efforts to establish the Kamakura shogunate.

？！

In fact, Taira-no-Kagekiyo is said to have led attacks on Minamoto-no-Yoritomo, the founder of the Kamakura shogunate, no fewer than thirty-seven times.

Some legends even claim they were both monstrous and unkillable, even surviving decapitation.

I am certain that is who I encountered.

As a Heroic Spirit, Taira-no-Kagekiyo is like a living weapon that operates solely to annihilate the Genji!

Unfortunately, the group of Genji warriors led by Lord Hase and Lord Gotou...

...were among the first to die at Kagekiyo's hands.

I see.

So they killed every Genji warrior present?

Indeed. The third of the force that survived was composed entirely of imperial officers.

The moment the Genji warriors drew near Kagekiyo, they dropped their swords and fell to their knees.

It was almost as if they were offering their heads voluntarily...

I suspect it was some ability Kagekiyo possessed by virtue of being a Heroic Spirit.

... ...

The Kagekiyo I saw was a true killer of Genji, in every possible sense.

They are your natural enemy...almost as if they are a poison that only affects the Genji.

It doesn't matter how strong you are. If any of you get near Kagekiyo, they will have your heads for certain!

...Then it would seem another challenging battle awaits us.

Thank you, Lady Danzo. We would certainly have walked straight into our deaths, had it not been for your warning.

What about the officers? What became of them?

Kagekiyo is also leading a pack of tsuchigumo, which the officers alone were unable to defeat.

After making a strategic retreat, they gathered more officers and set up an encampment on the Kamogawa bridge that leads to the city.

Kagekiyo and the tsuchigumo were moving at a fairly unhurried pace, so they arrived at the river later.

And now, for some reason...

...they appear to simply be holding position, glaring at the river, rather than advancing.

The hell?

I thought the general gods were supposed to head right for Suzaku Gate?

What, this Taira-no-Kagekiyo person got some fond memories of the Kamogawa or somethin'?

I'm not sure, but...

... ...

...There is one more thing, Master. Kagekiyo bears a close resemblance to Lady Ushiwakamaru.

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？！

Yes. They were identical to my sensors.

I would not be surprised if this Kagekiyo was actually a manifestation of another side of Lady Ushiwakamaru, and that she simply changed her name for reasons we do not yet know.

That being said, Ushiwakamaruthat is, Lady Minamoto-no-Yoshitsune has never demonstrated anything like Kagekiyo's talent for killing Genji.

？！

Is something wrong, Lord Fujimaru? You seem pale.

Um... I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I guess I did. So, uh, who's this Ushiwaka person?

Well...

？！

Minamoto Kurou Yoshitsune, born Ushiwakamaru. She played a key role in the Genpei War that will occur approximately two hundred years from now.

She greatly admired her older brother, Minamoto-no-Yoritomo, the leader of the Genji at the time, and fought valiantly for him in many brutal battles.

But, in the end, Yoritomo branded her a traitor, and had her executed.

...So she would certainly have a reason to bear a grudge against the Genji.

So this Ushiwakamaru is also consumed by hatred, just like Taira-no-Kagekiyo.

Hatred. Grudges.

These are terrible, horrible things. At times, they even bare their fangs here in the city...

...bringing disaster with them.

I see... So our next enemy is one that bears a fiery grudge against all Genji.

... ...

...Then we have no other choice.

If we Genji are powerless to stop this opponent, then it is time to stop worrying about appearances.

We will simply have to ask for help from the most powerful fighters residing near Kyo. Kintoki.

Y-yeah?

You are to set off for Mt. Ooe immediately...

...and secure aid from the oni.

!

Oh my. Are you sure, Raikou? I thought you despised the oni.

Now you want Kintoki to ask them for help?

I agree with Lady Raikou. Asking the oni for help is a brilliant idea.

The only ones in the city capable of combating a threat like this are the Genji. The officers just can't keep up.

Oni, on the other hand...

...are natural-born fighters!

And while there may not be many oni in this time with permanent homes, we know we will find a great many of them on Mt. Ooe.

Yes, an excellent choice, Lady Raikou.

...Thank you, Lord Seimei.

I'm still quite far away, but I'll do what I can to reinforce the Bounded Field around the Kamogawa bridge from here.

Whether this new figure is Kagekiyo or Yoshitsune, there's no telling how long they'll stay put.

Time is of the essence. Go on, Kintoki. We're all counting on you.

Got it!

... ...

(Just because we're going to ask the oni for help right now doesn't mean we couldn't also lay a trap for them.)

(They may not be eating humans any longer, but they're still oni.)

(It's only a matter of time until they harm more people. I am leader of the Genji, so it is my duty to)

Raikou. Raikou. Monjumaru.

I know what it is you're thinking, and you don't have to think like that.

You want to be a kind and loving mother, right? Then you can't treat your children's friends that way.

I just know you'll regret it if you do.

...Yes, you're right.

I cannot lose sight of what is right and just. It would be wrong to betray anyone who has aided us in a time of need.

I will never be like Lord Tamuramaro, nor do I wish to be.

I will never nurse a grudge of my own, be it against oni or tsuchigumo.

However, that being said...

Killing monsters is the only way we have to ensure peace in Kyo, and I am a warrior entrusted with its defense. But I am also a human being...

... ...

...and I have no desire to kill when it is not necessary.

Oni or not, they are still powerful fighters.

Shuten was even chosen to be a Master for the Imperial Holy Grail War.

And there could be other times in the future when we may need their help.

Nonetheless...

I cannot be sure I will be able to keep my sword in its sheath around them, and Tsuna cut off Ibaraki's just arm the other day.

That is why you are the only one we can ask to do this, Kintoki.

Go welcome the oni of Mt. Ooe to the city and convince them to fight this general god, be they Taira-no-Kagekiyo or Minamoto-no-Yoshitsune.

You got it! I'll head there as fast as my legs can carry me!

Fujimaru! Danzo! I wish I could say I can handle this all by myself...

But I know I might not be able to keep my cool around Shuten! Would you mind comin' with me!?

Awesome! Thanks!

I'll do my best!

？！

Here, I wrapped the rice balls in bamboo bark. I also cast a simple stamina recovery spell on them.

Please be careful, everyone.

Thanks, Medea! All right then...

Off to Mt. Ooe!

Heh! I've never seen the moon look so damn eerie before! It's even glowin' a weird shade of red!

Not to mention it's night all the time now, thanks to that Tree of Emptiness thing!

？！

？！

Keep your mouth shut, Fujimaru! You don't wanna bite your tongue!

Maybe we should've stuck to runnin' after all! Leapin' up high like this's a good way to avoid monsters, but

？！

Huh? What is it?

It means Master is fine with continuing to travel this way, Lord Kintoki!

Oh, yeah? All right then, let's keep this moongazing journey goin' a little longer! Don't worry, we'll take a break before we head up the mountain!

Well done, Master. Let me scan your inner ears...

...

Good, everything seems to be fine. Now that we have finished our transit...

...we have arrived at the foot of Mt. Ooe, approximately one hundred kilometers northwest of Heian-kyo.

I've already marked the oni castle's coordinates on my map, so it shouldn't take us long to make our way there.

？！

Understood.

Here you go, Master. I also brought some water in this bamboo flask, if you like.

Would you also like a special Fuuma-style hyourougan? I took the liberty of making some improvements to the recipe.

？！

I see...

Man, those rice balls look good.

Will you be eating yours now too, Lord Kintoki?

Nah, I'll pass. We're already in oni territory now.

So I'll need to stay on my toes a lot more here than I do in the city!

Well, no, that's not all of it. The truth is, it's better if I'm a little hungry for this.

I don't want to accidentally use my full strength if Shuten and me end up fightin' again.

？！

？！

Master is right, Lord Kintoki.

We are paying the oni a visit to request their aid in battle, not to battle them ourselves.

I know that. I'm not lookin' to pick a fight, either.

But we're still talkin' about oni, and Mt. Ooe's chock-full of 'em.

You can't go forgettin' that, no matter what!

That aside...

It sure is weird that I'm settin' foot on Ooe for once. Feels like everything's all backwards.

？！

That's right.

She steals things, destroys shrines, and generally gets up to all sorts of mischief.

The first thing she steals is always winethe good stuff offered up to the palace.

Sometimes she'll kidnap a pretty lady and make her a cupbearer. Sometimes she kidnaps a guy and makes him do it instead.

Shuten sees something she likes, she takes it.

Then she'll talk about how she loves moongazin', but she also loves gazin' into a pretty lady's teary eyes.

At least she's never brought anyone back to her castle, but even so...

...I always get chills whenever she kidnaps someone.

... ...

...

Nah, I'm awake. Hehe, no way I'm noddin' off here!

I was just thinkin' about...stuff.

I think...she and I probably...

... ...

...Never mind. Forget I said anythin'. So, you all done restin' up?

Then come on! The sooner we get to the oni castle, the better!

C'mon, Fujimaru! Let's go, Danzo!

？！

That is Rashomon, at the southern edge of Heian-kyo's Suzaku Avenue!

Or at least, it is very similar... Though it also seems to have had some, um, unique design flourishes added to it!

Hah. Well ain't that a thing.

Can't believe Shuten had a fake Rashomon built up here. Maybe she figured the castle alone wasn't enough?

Anyway, looks like the rumors I've heard about oni bein' surprisingly good carpenters were spot-on.

Wouldn't you say, Ibaraki!?

...What are you doing here, human?

Hey there!

Not here to pick a fight today. You must've noticed what happened to the sky by now, right?

And you can't like that creepy bloodred moon crap any more than we do.

...

We wanna fix the moon and sky, and while we're at it, save Kyo.

That's gotta sound good to you guys too, right?

And if that's not enough, there's also plenty of wine, gold, and rice for you, too!

...Then again, maybe oni ain't even got any interest in rewards.

Anyway, that's the deal, Ibaraki. How about it?

Will you help us?

...Huh?

What did you just say you want us to do, Heavenly King?

Help us. Please.

？！

... ...

...You mean you're not here to hunt us?

I thought you'd given up on playing with Shuten during the Imperial Holy Grail War...

...and that you'd just decided to turn it into an oni hunt.

Uh...

Is...that what this looks like? No, that ain't why we're here at all.

Then where's Raikou?

She's not here.

Tsuna?

He's not here, either. It's just us.

So how about it, Ibaraki? Would you go get Shuten so we can talk

I see, I see.

So, you need our help, huh?

Well, well, well... Is that so?

In that case, I'd be more than happy...

TO REFUSE!

Hahahahahaha, foolish humans! You should have known better than to show your faces in oni territory!

And you came here to ask us for HELP!? You'd be lucky to leave alive. And today you're not lucky!

Heavenly King or not, it's still just you! There's no Tsuna or Raikou to bail you out now!

Well, I guess you also have a puppet and a brat with you, but that's basically nothing! I'm amazed you thought you could come to my New Rashomon like that!

Hoshikuma-Douji!

Large hostile detected! It looks similar to the one we encountered at Omiya Road!

I told you, we didn't come here to fight!

Let's go, Hoshikuma! Tonight, we'll be moongazing with the fresh head of a Heavenly King for a snack!

Hahahahahahahahahahaha! Now diiiiiie!

Shut up!

Aah! Hoshikuma! D-damn you, Kintoki! How dare a mere human do that!?

A-all right, I didn't want to do this, but if I wake up Kanekuma-Douji...!

Ow.

Hoshikuma-Douji has been neutralized, and Ibaraki-Douji seems not to be a threat anymore.

It, um, seems someone hit her on the head from behind and knocked her out...

Probably just looked like a light tap, didn't it? Well, don't be fooled.

If that'd been Fujimaru's head, it would've burst like an overripe pomegranate fallin' to the ground.

Well hi there.

Lovely evening, isn't it? Not every night you get to see the moon bleed.

Sorry about Ibaraki. Things have been crazy up on the mountain, and she's just a little...on edge.

I'm kind of surprised she didn't just devour the little human on the spot.

But then, maybe I shouldn't be, seeing how you're here too, Baby Blues.

Haha, who knows! You tryin' to say mountain life suits me, Shuten?

Fufufufufufu. Please don't glare at me like that. It's sooo scary.

You came to talk, right?

So let's talk.

Although...I think I'd rather talk with the brat with the black hair than you, Baby Blues.

What do you say, brat? Want to have a little chat?

Or maybe...

We could share a drink? I've also got some veeery sweet cake if you'd like.

You know...now that I look closer, I can see it in your eyes. You've seen things I can't even imagine.

Why don't I gouge them out for you?

Aww, come on. That was my best joke, you know.

Haven't we known each other long enough for you to get my sense of humor by now? You're no fun.

Oh, right. You can have this back.

I maaaybe got a little carried away and ripped it off. Accident, I sweeear.

？！

I was careless!

She removed my right arm in the instant I moved to intercept her just now!

Shuten!

Oh my, why are you looking at me like that? You're frightening me again, you know.

I just pulled a little harder than I meant to, that's all.

Besides, I'd never break such a pretty puppet.

Take a closer look. Her arm came off nice and neat, no?

...Master. Lord Kintoki. It's all right.

Shuten-Douji is telling the truth.

She did remove my right arm... but I can still reattach it like so... Khh!

...There. Good as new.

？！

？！

...Thank you, Master. I am truly in your debt.

... ...

...Good grief.

Look, I know you well enough by now to know you must've been listenin' in on our talk with Ibaraki.

So what do you say, Shuten-Douji?

Why, sure.

!

Cool.

Just like that!?

The mood was so tense just a moment ago, and now...

？！

That's exactly it.

It's okay, Fujimaru.

Don't bother tryin' to understand her. There's no point twistin' yourself into knots over it.

This is just how oni are.

Shuten.

Yeees?

Can I take that to mean you'll help us?

Mmm, yes.

Now that Paracelsus is gone, and the Imperial whatsit is over, I don't have much else going on anyway.

So why not? I don't mind.

Besides, it's been ages since we last played together. Fufufufufufu. I wonder, when was the last time we fought together like this?

...Never. This'll be the first time.

Oh, really?

Also, I'd better tell you this now: the enemy we'll be goin' up against is crazy strong.

They're called the Hasshoujin. We already went up against two of 'em, and they were unbelievably tough. Even after beatin' em, I still don't feel like we won.

Well... It's more like I still haven't been able to win against 'em. I fought 'em, sure, but it was Raikou and Tsuna that finished them off.

Oh my. Is that so? I never thought I'd hear you say anything like that.

Fufufufu. So you're saying you're not all excited to fight such strooong enemies?

Are you scared? Awww, poor baby.

Well then...

...it sounds like this boy's a whooole lot braver than you.

Isn't that right, boy?

Let's see.. You said your name was Fujimaru, right, sweetie?

You're dressed like a grown-up, and you're about the right age for humans to agree. But from where I stand...

...you're still just a baby.

A kitten. A duckling. A teeeny, tiny child.

You are, right?

I can see it aaall in your eyes, you know.

？！

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Fufu, you're adooorable. That's exactly what every little kid says.

I'm not mocking you, you know? Just the opposite. I'm complimenting you.

You should be proud. You're still practically a baby...

...but you've got nerves of steel.

...!

So, tell me something.

Why are you fighting this oooh...sooo...scaaary enemy, hmmm?

？！

？！

...Huh.

I'm not sure what that's all about, but it's so much more interesting than I expected.

This child is something else, isn't he, brat? Fufufu...

I bet that throat of yours must taste reeeal nice, given what comes out of it. And your tongue looks so nice and soft, too

No more jokes, Lady Shuten-Douji.

Aww. So mean.

You too, brat.

I can tell you were just planning to cut off my arms.

Damn straight. Be grateful you still have a head.

That's my friendno, my Boss you just threatened. There's no way in hell I'm gonna let you eat him!

We need him alive and well, or there's no point in you helpin' us at all!

Fiiine, I got it. Fufufufu, goodness, you really are desperate, aren't you!?

This enemy really must be strong if they've got you this on edge.

Oh, right. About them...

Hey, Boss? Seein' how you and Danzo were talkin' earlier...

...I'm guessin' you Chaldeans know who this Saikyou person really is. You do, don't you?

Then please: Could you tell us more about them?