Rakshasa King - Skull Eboshi Ashiya Douman

What happened to the sky?

Where did the red moon go? What is that over there?

It's so...black...

That's not the moon! Something's gone wrong with the sun!

Aah! Not that way! Come here! They say there's a pack of giant oni down the road!

We should get out of here now, before they...

... ...

...Are you scared, miss?

O-of course not. The women of Kyo fear nothi

...!

I'm sorry! That was a lie! Of course I'm scared!

Between that weird tree, the black sun, the oni army, and that strange thing I saw flying around earlier...

...I-I'm scared the whole world might be about to end...

There, there. It's okay. You don't have to be scared.

H-how can you...

I'm fine. I know the sky looks weird now, but I'm not afraid.

We have lots of strong warriors in Kyo. There's the Genji, the officers...

And most importantly...

?

...they've got Kintoki.

Abnormalities are popping up all over the Singularity! Something must have undergone a dramatic transformation.

They are originating near the north side of Suzaku Gate, just like the strange high-output magical energy signal we observed before!

Let me make sure Sheba's still operating properly...

Yup, everything checks out, so we can be sure it's not an equipment failure!

Max out every computing resource we can devote to maintaining existence verification!

Assuming the strange magical energy signal we observed before is a Tree of Emptiness, then this has gotta mean

Indeed. Another Tree of Emptiness must have blossomed!

Senpai...!

？！

？！

Hmm...

Oho. I have never seen Amaterasu dyed such vivid black before.

Fufu. I can't say I care for it.

I don't know how I know...but I can tell that thing shouldn't exist in this world.

I thought I had chills before, but that was nothin' compared to now.

So I can't stay down on the ground forever!

Kintoki...!

Wow...brat... I'm...impressed...

Lord...Kintoki! I commend you...for resisting...this pressure...

So, you still stand.

Damn right!

If you say you're gonna kill my Boss, you better believe Equerry Sakata Kintoki ain't gonna take it lyin' down!

Hmm.

(Well, I got the standin' part handled, but now what!?)

(I could probably cut off an arm or two if I had Boss backin' me up like he did against the descendant...)

(...but what would be the point?)

(This feelin'...)

(She definitely ain't no ordinary oni. She's got the same divine aura about her as the mountains themselves.)

(No doubt about it. She's a genuine god.)

(I don't know how a Daimyoujin differs from any of the other gods, but I can definitely tell she's on a whole other level.)

(Definitely not someone a regular human can handle.)

(All right then, Kintoki, time to decide how you're gonna go out!)

(Ideally, I'd like to die in a way that'll help everyone else after I'm gone, but that's prob'ly too much to ask!)

(Especially seein' how I got no idea what I can even do against her!)

You have blue eyes.

...Hm?

How did you make them look like that?

What do you mean? I've had 'em ever since I was born.

Maybe I got 'em from my old man, but unfortunately, I got no idea.

I don't even know if I got 'em from my mom. Her bangs were so long that I rarely got a good look at her face.

...

...Heh. Funny, you almost remind me of her in a way. Her hair was white, too.

I see. So you are part mountain witch. Fufu.

Hehe. Was that really so funny?

No, I suppose not.

Hmm.

Yes, I'm satisfied. This has been fun, but I think I shall be on my way to Suzaku Gate now.

Since this has been so amusing, I think I shall only consume two or three lives, beginning with yours.

Farewell, child of the mountains.

？！

Just a moment, Taisai Ibuki-Douji.

!

Limbo...!?

？！

My dear ladythe only one of the Hasshoujin I summoned who did not become a corpse even after I implanted you with your general god's karma.

While death would normally be too good for any who would stand in your way...

...I would ask that you set aside those people's transgressions, for they are my honored guests.

...Hmm.

Guests? Is that what they are?

Please. If you would be so kind.

Hmm. All right.

Ohh, thank you, thank you! Mmmmmm, you have made me very happy indeed!

Now then...

I suppose there is no need for me to introduce myself at this point.

Tell me, dear Master of Chaldea, and little wooden puppet.

Did you enjoy killing your Heroic Spirit friends one after the other, as I hoped you would?

Bas...tard...!

Mmmmmmhehehehehehehehehe.

Yes, that's it! That's the hatred I wanted to see!

？！

It seems you've been up to a great many things while you were enjoying the...entertainment I prepared for you...

But it was all pointless! Useless! Meaningless!

Behold the sky above your heads! Behold my glorious Tree of Emptiness!

I suspect you all have some idea of what is going on here, including that damn Abe-no-Seimei, wherever he's watching from...

...and you would be correct.

Heian-kyo is now a Singularity in the process of becoming a new Lostbelt.

Just look at my beautiful fully blossomed Tree of Emptiness!

Oh yes, Master of Chaldea, this is what I wished for you to see above all else!

You have thwarted my plans many times before, and I do appreciate you taking the time to join me...

...but I'm afraid that's all over.

Now, once again...

...with boundless love and loyalty in my heart...

I will create a new vessel fit for the Foreign God!

What would a monster like you know of loyalty?

If that is supposed to be a joke, it is in extremely poor taste!

Why, don't be ridiculous, my little puppet. I have absolute faith in the Foreign God.

Oh yes, I have never wavered in my devotion to them, not even once!

... ...

That said...I have had a thought. A thought that simply would not leave my mind.

I thought that if I just had a fully bloomed Pseudo-Tree of Emptiness with a Holy Grail at its core...

...I could create a new vessel for the Foreign God.

And not just any vessel, no! This vessel would be perfect in every way!

It would be a vessel able to bestow the god that inhabited it with the exact same properties and functionality as the Foreign God who manifested in Olympus!

？！

Only a vessel, but yes.

But even when it is only a vessel, there is still meaning in making it complete and perfect.

Vessels can become gods. Lies can become truth.

So then...what could be the harm?

Why shouldn't I have a Foreign God of my own.

...?

Indeed, indeed, that is the thought I arrived at!

And fortunately, the Foreign God seems to have no interest in this Singularity...

So I decided to create another Foreign God here in Japan!

One that would match my exacting tastes perfectly!

Mmmmmm, how very elegant! How very logical! Truly, it is the perfect solution!

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I...don't know... I have no idea... what it could mean, either!

Of course, since the Foreign God has already arrived in this world...

...it has been some time since the light of the heavens was lost, and all color disappeared from the earth...

But, mmmmmm, such trivialities matter little now. Hahaha. Haha. Hahahahahaha!

As long as this new Lostbelt plays host to the hellish sights and screams I adore, there is nothing more I need!

And that brings me to you, precious one.

You would be the most perfect vessel I could ask for my new Foreign God...

Divine Spirit Ibuki-Douji.

...Hm?

You are already another aspect of Shuten-Douji, the descendant of one of the three most dangerous creatures in all of Japan, and a Divided Spirit of Yamata-no-Orochi, Japan's most destructive dragon.

Now, by your grace, I would like to use my Naraka Mandala to elevate you to a Beast, a true Evil of Humanity...

...so that you may become a new Foreign God who manifests for me and me alone!

That is my heart's greatest desire.

If this pleases you, I would ask that you kindly make your way past Suzaku Gate.

I shall await you with bated breath!

I see.

Wait! I still haven't

Gaaah!

This pressure...is even stronger than before!

Dammit! I can't move a muscle again!

Stop!

Get back here! Dammiiiiiiiiit!

...

Welcome, precious one. Thank you for coming.

With your Spirit Origin harboring the incredible destructive power of Yamata-no-Orochi, you shall be the perfect Beastan Evil of Humanity.

From this moment, I live only to serve you.

With my humble assistance, you shall become a new Foreign God.

Mmmmmm, how wonderful! I daresay this is the best idea I've yet had!

Come, Ibuki-Douji, and let us lose ourselves in this eternal Lostbelt.

... ...But then...

Hmm, how to put this...?

I really had planned to make you a Beast, even as recently as a night or two ago. I truly had...

But now, well...

I've changed my mind.

You changed your mind?

I have.

Forget everything I just said!

A Lostbelt has no need for two kings. I will not repeat the mistakes of the Russian and Scandinavian ones!

All I need to do is become a new Foreign Goda new Beastmyself...

...and everything will be as it should.

And how are you going to do that?

Why, by taking your life, precious one.

Fu. Fu. Fufu.

How amusing.

Huh!?

It's fractional, but the magical energy pinning us down is weakening! This may be our chance, everyone!

The divine aura pinning us down is flickering! Kintoki, follow my lead!

Got it!

Taaake THIIIIIIS!

...All right! I can move again!

Are you all right, Caster? Here, give me your hand.

Thank you, Lord Tsuna. I'm okay.

Nursery Rhyme, if you are feeling unwell in any way, please stay behind.

...Thank you, Raikou, but no. I'm not about to disappear just yet.

I did feel like I was about to be torn to itty-bitty pieces for a while, but I'm okay now. Though I may have to revert to my original Spirit Origin.

Oh my!

Hehe, I'm just kidding. It's okay. You don't have to worry about me.

You all right, Boss? Can you still stand?

？！

... ...

The Tree of Emptiness has bloomed, and one of the Hasshoujin has arrived at Suzaku Gate.

I cannot tell if the Pseudo-Tree of Emptiness is truly complete or not, but I believe we can assume that Limbo's scheme is now in its final stages.

Does this mean...

...we've lost?

No. Not yet.

We can still move, even if we're a little stiff, and we damn sure haven't given up.

All that's left now is to keep movin' forward...

And make our ideals a reality!

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That's the spirit! Now come on! Raikou and Brother Tsuna aren't dead yet, either!

As long as we still draw breath, the Genji will keep fighting! At least, that's how I see it!

Genji, advance!

If ever there was a time for the Genji to muster all their might, this is it!

...Well, listen to you. You sound like a real leader now.

You truly do. Ahh, when did you grow up so much?

Fufu, I know what you mean. Would it have been so bad if he'd stayed a little more boyish?

Indeed, it would have been lovely if he could have stayed just a littleA-ahem!

Never mind that. It's nothing. Forget I said anything.

Fufu. Okay, I guess we should get going then. Oh, wait. Just a moment.

I still need to dig Ibaraki out of the ground. Here, Ibaraki. You've snapped out of it now, right?

...

I'm taking that as a yes. And here we are.

... ...

...I-I don't see any way I could possibly beat Ibuki-Douji.

I mean...you saw how useless trying to fight her was, right!?

That thing is way beyond humans or even oni! Wh-what can you hope to do against her!?

Heh. Nothin' to worry about.

!?

H-how can you be smiling right now, you idiot!? Didn't you feel that overwhelming divine aura of hers!?

True, I fought Ibuki-Douji with everythin' I had and lost hard. No two ways about it.

Yeah, that's right. She completely destroyed me.

And I'm gonna win the next one!

A Genji warrior never loses twice. Never.

So the next time we fight, I'm gonna win. That's all there is to it!

Of course, I ain't got a plan or anything like that at this point!

So you admit you don't even have a plan to beat her!? I-I don't... H-how can you be so... Did you hear that, Shuten!?

Fufu. That's warriors for you.

Everyone, look! Up there!

Oho. It seems we have something flying towards us. Caster?

We do. Something just detached from the Pseudo-Tree of Emptiness's branches and is heading straight for us. Whatever it is, it has huge amounts of magical energy!

There's more than one of them, too. One, two, three...

So Limbo is still trying to slow us down...? He must not have completed whatever he's planning, then.

And that means we still have a chance to defeat him!

Come, everyone! Once we destroy these flying things, we will head straight for Suzaku Gate!

？！

Huh, okay. Are they strong?

？！

Got it. Then let's get 'em, Boss!

...I see.

Your skill with a bladewell, claws, I suppose, is most impressive.

I must say, I never thought I would enjoy fighting beside an oni.

Fufu, I neeever thought the legendary Minamoto-no-Raikou would be paying little old me a compliment. I think I'm blushing.

I-I wasn't complimenting you at all! I was just objectively assessing the situation!

Well, thank you kindly.

I just said I wasn't complimenting you! Ugh!

Aw man! I was trying to burn up Tsuna and that weird seed at the same time...

...but the damn Bounded Field that lady put up protected him! No fair!

What are you saying, Ibaraki-Douji? Have you forgotten we're fighting on the same side right now?

Shuten-Douji considers Ibuki-Douji her enemy just as much as we do, so if nothing else, we share a common foe now.

Then again, maybe you oni like fighting two wars at once?

I certainly wouldn't want to face us on one side and Ibuki-Douji on the other, but maybe you would.

N-nnn...

Try not to tease her too much, Caster. Now, come on.

Yes, Lord Tsuna.

Hey! Hold up! Get back here, Tsuna!

All the Genji warriors Ibuki-Douji's divine aura neutralized are back in the fight...

...and engaging the corpse shikigami in battle!

That's great! With them taking care of those things...

...that leaves us free to head straight for Suzaku Gate!

Don't you laugh at us!

？！

Don't gotta tell me twice!

Amusing. Truly amusing.

So you wish to consume me, and ascend to the pinnacle of destruction, laughing man?

By all means, try.

Of course. That is exactly what I mean to

Oh no ya don't! Not now that Sakata Kintoki of Raikou's Four Heavenly Kings is here!

Huh. Here I thought Ibuki-Douji might've already crossed the gate. Guess not.

Hell, if anythin', it looks like you guys've had a fallin' out! Hah! Nice of you to make our jobs easier!

Just gotta take you both out and this'll all be over!

Lord Kintoki is ready to fight! Master!

？！

Understood!

All right, Limbo and Ibuki. I appreciate you givin' us chances to get away, but the thing is, givin' up ain't really in my nature.

So I'm not goin' anywhere until you two are both back in the depths of hell, where you belong.

Very well.

Human.

Child of Sekiryu and mountain witch, who lives his life as though they were human.

You amuse me.

Rejoice, for I shall join you for this game of yours. The laughing man's divine punishment can wait.

Stopped paying attention, did you!? Lady Ibuki-Doujiiiiii!

Take this! Naraka Mandala!

？！

What the hell!?

!!!

Well now.

H-huh!? That thing that just fell from the sky... Is that one of the demonic tree's branches!?

Yes, it is! It just planted itself in the ground and is swallowing Ibuki-Douji whole!

Then it would seem they did have a falling out. Limbo is indeed a wicked villain.

Didn't you say you were going to cast some sort of spell so you could serve Ibuki-Douji as her disciple?

...Mm. Mmm, that was all a lie, of course!

As I was just saying to Ibuki-Douji before you all arrived, I have decided not to make her into a Foreign God.

But worry not! A new Foreign God will soon be upon us!

Yes, that's right!

I shall become my very own Foreign God! One created by me, and one that exists solely for me!

Now, the time of birth is at hand! Wail and gnash your teeth; this is the end for all of you!

Behold!

The Pseudo-Tree of Emptiness's magical energy readings are rising even higher!

I can no longer measure it! It is at least as strong as Ibuki-Douji's, if not stronger!

Hahahahahahaha!

Behold! Behold!

None of the Lostbelt kings knew the proper way to use their Trees of Emptiness, but I do!

The Tree of Emptiness is both a device to maintain a pruned world, and a divine vessel. Thus, I need merely merge with mine, and I shall become a god in my own right!

Ahh, yes, I can feel it...

I can feel you in here, O precious Ibuki-Douji...

Now I shall drink up every last drop of your magical energyyy...ascend the stairs in a single leap...

...and from there, I-I-I...shall ascend to my ultimate foooooorrrRRRMMM!

Ahh. Please, take a good look, people of humanity.

This is my ultimate formthat which transcends human, animal, and god.

I will be both the newest and the last Beast ever to existthe pinnacle of all the Evils of Humanity!

Naraka Mandala Skull Eboshi Ashiya Douman!

...!

... ...

... ...

... ...Hm?

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Yes, that's true. Well, um, he does have the same astonishing amount of magical energy as a Divine Spirit now...

But even after merging with the demonic tree, the nature of his Spirit Origin hasn't changed at all.

He seems to be an Extra class, but he's definitely not a Beast!

Why!? Why didn't it work!?

I followed all the steps! I did everything right!

I fed the Holy Grail no fewer than eight souls!

Five Heroic Spirits including myself, two foreign Divine Spirits, and one Japanese Divine Spirit!

What's more, the final Divine Spirit was a malevolent god who possessed an aspect of a calamitous dragon!

That should have been more than enough of the finest quality sacrifices to become a Beast!

So why? Why!? Whyyy!?

Something just crossed Suzaku Gate... It's Lady Kaoruko's carriage!

Huh!?

(Huff, huff, huff!) ...H-hello, everyone...

？！

Lord Seimei...insisted...I come here... as soon as...possible...

...so that...I could bring you...this letter...!

Wha

What?

What did you say?

Seimei?

Is that what you said?

Looks like we got here just in the nick of time. Well done, bringing my letter all this way, Kaoruko.

You can go now. Thank you again for your help.

Now then. Limbo, you great, blithering fool.

I am sure that by the time you see this letter, you will already be reeling in shock.

As I know you won't be capable of accepting the truth on your own, I decided to take it upon myself to explain what a moron you've been.

You want to know why your scheme didn't work, Ashiya Douman? I'll tell you.

You? Tell me...?

What could you possibly have to tell me!? A-as you can see, I have already obtained ultimate magical energy!

My Pseudo-Tree of Emptiness has already bloomed! It will soon become a vessel for a god, just like the one in Olympus!

This will not be a repeat of the Indian Lostbelt! Besides, this is hardly my first time growing a Tree of Emp

You drooling idiot.

!

Were you always this foolish, or is it because of your Alter Ego Spirit Origin's twisted nature? Well, no matter.

Ashiya Douman. No... Limbo.

It doesn't matter how many gods you devour. You will never be a Beast.

If you still don't understand why, then allow me to simplify:

A monstrous rakshasa devoid of love for humanity can never become a Beast.

!!!

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I don't know what you guys are talkin' about, but I do know this!

His plan failed, didn't it!?

Correct. Lord Seimei is saying that, regardless of how much magical energy his divine vessel may have...

...Limbo will never be able to truly transform into a Foreign God!

Because no one without genuine love for humankind is qualified to become an Evil of Humanity!

Mmmmmm! Mm, mmm, mmmmmmmmm!

Right you are!

One devoid of love for humanity can never become a Beast! It's true, it's true! Mmmhahahahaha, how did I not realize it sooner!?

But no matter! Now, I know for certain what it is I must do!

Now that things have come to this...

I no longer care about becoming a Beast!

I used to think I needed to ascend to the strongest, most evil class of all, but no more!

Instead, I shall simply consume every last fragment of my Pseudo-Tree of Emptiness as it blooms beneath my pitch-black sun!

I will devour all of it from the inside out, not as a divine vessel, but merely for nourishment!

I shall become a Rakshasa King, the Skull Eboshi Ashiya Douman...

And then, starting with all of you...

I shall take the people of Heian-kyo, Japan, China...everyone and everything in the entire world...

...and tear them apart with my own haaands!!!