Dragon Raja 3; Chapter 200: Boy in the Thorns (3)

Dragon Raja 3

“It will return… home!” Fūma Kōtarō was the first to realize.

“Japan is its home,” Sakurai Nanami said, her face pale.

“Yes, it has returned. Perhaps it is already in this city. Perhaps it is among us,” Miyamoto Shio said slowly.

A cold shiver ran through everyone.

“Is it the Oni Clan that wants to awaken the ‘god’?” Ryoma Genichirou asked.

“Who else could it be? For the Oni Clan, this is their long-sought path to evolution. The only way to evolve into pure-blood dragons is by using the blood of the ‘god,’” Tachibana said quietly. “And who else in the world knows that the ‘god’ is buried deep in the abyss? Not even the Secret Party knew. Only the Oni Clan and we have that knowledge. If it wasn’t someone in this room who sank the Lenin, then it had to be the Oni Clan.”

“They’re insane! No one can control the ‘god’… once it fully awakens, it becomes an absolute ruler. Nothing can suppress it!” Ryoma Genichirou exclaimed.

“Our time is running out. The Oni Clan has awakened the ‘god,’ and it has returned home. We just don’t know whether it’s fallen into their hands yet. It may have revived but not fully awakened. Ryoma-dono is right—once it awakens, no one on earth can stop it. The only one who could would be the Black Emperor, but the Black Emperor is no longer in this world,” Tachibana said softly. “And even then, the Black Emperor… is a more brutal devil than the ‘god.’ We can’t count on a devil to help us slay a ‘god,’ can we?”

“Masamune-sama… what should we do?” Sakurai Nanami asked, still unused to calling Tachibana by a title other than “Family Head.”

“Declare war on the Oni Clan. Uproot them entirely. Dig out whoever is pulling the strings from behind the scenes! We must find the ‘god’ before it fully awakens and kill it!” Tachibana’s voice rang like a bell. “The time of the ‘gods’ is long past. They should remain entombed in the depths of hell, never to be summoned again.”

Everyone turned to Chisei. He gently stroked the Kumogiri at his waist, unsheathing it slightly before pushing it back into its scabbard. The room echoed with the crisp sound of the blade.

“Father, many people will die. Many more will suffer,” Chisei said, looking Tachibana directly in the eyes.

“Yes, innocent people will be dragged into our war… but it is the only way,” Tachibana bowed slightly. “We don’t have much time left.”

Chisei was silent for a long time. The room remained dead quiet. Incense smoke swirled around the Buddha statue, and a candle flickered, casting a bright glow. Although the family heads had already voted to declare war on the Oni Clan, the actual war order needed the signatures of all seven. It was a decision that would bring bloodshed and chaos, and even the heads of Japan’s underworld hesitated at such a grave command.

“I, as the representative of the Gen family, agree, even though I am the only one left in my family,” Chisei said softly.

“The Fūma clan will swear to follow you to the death!” Fūma Kōtarō stood up and bowed deeply to Chisei.

“The Ryoma clan will swear to follow you to the death!” Ryoma Genichirou stood up next.

“The Miyamoto clan will swear to follow you to the death!”

“The Sakurai clan will swear to follow you to the death!”

“The Tachibana clan will also swear to follow you to the death, though, like the Gen family, it’s only me now.” Tachibana stood as well.

All eyes turned to the head of the Inuyama family, the only one who had not yet spoken. Inuyama Katsu, who usually wore a friendly smile, was now expressionless, lost in thought as he sat quietly.

“Inuyama-dono!” Fūma Kōtarō said sternly.

While Uesugi Erii’s opinion didn’t carry weight—her vote belonged to Chisei, and she always agreed with him—the Inuyama family’s decision was crucial. If Inuyama did not support the war, the Inuyama family would withdraw, and it could lead to a wavering of confidence among the other clans.

Inuyama Katsu slowly stood, walked to Chisei, and bowed deeply. “The Inuyama clan will swear to follow you to the death!”

The other family heads breathed a collective sigh of relief.

“But is it wise to sever ties with the Secret Party at a time like this? While Anjou may be arrogant, no one can question his ability or determination when it comes to hunting dragons. With his support, our chances of success would be much higher,” Inuyama continued. “As for this ‘god,’ even the former priests couldn’t fully understand it. It’s different from the other Dragon Kings, lofty and mysterious. Hunting something of this magnitude may be beyond our capabilities.”

“Inuyama-dono, weren’t you once Anjou’s student? Are you afraid to point a sword at your teacher, or do you still have feelings for him?” Tachibana stared at Inuyama.

“Feelings?” Inuyama shook his head. “If anyone here has been humiliated the most by him, it’s me. But when it comes to slaying dragons, we are all walking a fine line. This is a time when we should cooperate with that man. He’s the strongest dragon slayer among the living.”

“Cooperate with Anjou? Sure, but it comes at a price—our dignity,” Tachibana said, looking around the room. “Japan has always been our homeland, our sanctuary. We’ve never had to take orders from anyone. But the arrival of Hilbert Ron Anjou changed everything. Since then, there has been no Yamata no Orochi, only Cassell College’s Japan branch. He may be the greatest dragon slayer in the world, but he’s also our conqueror. Today, we’ve finally regained our freedom. Are you all so willing to go back to being his dogs?”

The room fell silent as Masamune’s words hit home. Anjou had always commanded a great deal of respect in Japan, but not because he was admired—because he was feared. No one liked a foreigner giving them orders from on high, and allying with Anjou meant sharing centuries-old secrets, ones their families had protected for generations. However, with the looming threat of the god’s awakening, Anjou’s support would lower their risk considerably. It was a difficult choice.

“Let’s be clear: in our veins flows ancient, noble, and violent blood. This divine blood gives us strength and produces countless A-grade Hybrids, but it also brings with it many ‘demons.’ You all know this well. None of us in this room carry the ‘demon’ title, but compared to the stable European Hybrids, we are much more prone to losing control,” Tachibana continued, walking around the table. “If we offer Anjou all the secrets of the god, his reward may be a pitch-black prison. According to the Secret Party’s Abrahamic Bloodline Covenant, each of us would likely be monitored and controlled—except Chisei.”