Dragon Raja 3; Chapter 83: Road to the Underworld (7)

Dragon Raja 3

Shock swept across the faces of the heads of the families, including Chisei. He knew Masamune’s plan earlier than others, but he had assumed it was only meant to deal a heavy blow to the Oni Clan, not to eradicate them completely. No one in the Yamata no Orochi had ever thought about wiping out the Oni Clan entirely—it seemed impossible. The Oni Clan was the shadow of the Yamata no Orochi. As long as the Yamata no Orochi existed, so would the Oni Clan. To eradicate the Oni Clan, the Yamata no Orochi itself would have to be destroyed.

“Completely wipe them out?” the head of the Miyamoto family asked. “Can we do that?”

“We can, but it will not be easy. It will take enormous resolve,” Masamune said, turning to the head of the Fūma family. “Fūma-sama, you must have heard of ‘Yomi-no-Michi,’ this term.” The head of the Fūma family pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly. “Since that man burned down our family archives, much of the old information has been lost, especially those concerning the strange and incredible. The younger generation nowadays rarely hears of Yomotsu Hirasaka, but to the Oni Clan, it is the path to salvation. The Oni Clan believes there is a road in the world that can enable Hybrids to evolve into pure-blooded dragons.”

“Pure-blooded dragons?” The other heads looked at the head of the Fūma family in shock, while the head of the Uesugi family played with the hem of her clothes. Throughout the entire conversation, she had remained unmoved, clearly expressing that she was only here to observe and that none of this concerned her.

“Those consumed by dragon blood become nothing but Death Servitors. I’ve never heard of a Hybrid evolving into a true dragon,” the head of the Sakurai family said.

“That’s why I called it a ridiculous myth,” said the head of the Fūma family. “According to mythology, Izanagi, the father of the gods, once traveled along a mysterious road to Yomi to rescue his wife, and that was the so-called Yomotsu Hirasaka. It is a narrow path without light, winding into the mountains like an intestinal tract, and the living can use it to reach the underworld. Because the path to evolution is shrouded in mystery and danger, the Oni Clan refers to the way to evolve as ‘Yomotsu Hirasaka.’ It is a forbidden path. Even if it is found, nine hundred ninety-nine out of a thousand would end up lost forever, and only one with a strong enough will could distinguish the real path from the myriad false ones. However, even the most dedicated have never found any clue, and all they know is this name from ancient documents.”

“Yet the Oni Clan has pursued Yomotsu Hirasaka for a thousand years; it is their belief,” Masamune said. “And now, they have finally found a clue.”

The head of the Fūma family’s pupils dilated. “Yomotsu Hirasaka truly exists? There has never been any precedent of a Hybrid evolving into a dragon in history!”

“I don’t know if the clue they found is genuine, but the Oni Clan is preparing to explore the Shrine of the Gods!” Masamune looked around. “In the past five years, three institutions in Japan have been researching submersibles capable of reaching the bottom of the Japan Trench! All three of these institutions are funded by the Oni Clan! They believe that Yomotsu Hirasaka begins where the ancestors buried the gods, and that its end is the ‘Dragon Gate.’ Crossing that gate will allow them to evolve into pure-blooded dragons! The key to opening that gate is the bones of the gods buried in the deep well!”

“They intend to excavate the Shrine of the Gods? That can’t be… no one can return to that place! It was sealed by Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi!” the head of the Fūma family said.

“What use is a seal? As long as the Shrine of the Gods exists, the seal will inevitably weaken and decay. That day has come,” Masamune said softly. “The decision to start a war is not ours to make. Before any of you were aware, the war was already on the brink of eruption.”

“So, Masamune-sama, what is the method you mentioned to completely erase the Oni Clan?” the head of the Sakurai family asked.

“Blow up the Shrine of the Gods, along with the bones of the gods. Cut off Yomotsu Hirasaka, destroy the Oni Clan’s hope! Then launch a full-scale purge of the Oni Clan, their associates, their gangs, their enterprises—leave none behind! End everything with this war!”

“Once war begins… blood will flow like a river,” the head of the Fūma family said.

“In this world, the blood of the righteous sometimes has to be spilled,” Masamune replied. “As the head of the family, I cannot force all of you to the battlefield based on my decision alone. I know the path ahead is difficult, and I am prepared to sacrifice my life, but I do not know how many will agree with me and how many will follow me. The future of the family should be decided by every member of it, which is why I have gathered you all here—to hear what is in your hearts.”

He clapped his hands, and the side door opened. Priests dressed in white carried two white screens into the room, setting them up behind Masamune. Below the screens, they placed a brush stand with ink-filled brushes. Masamune stood up, writing the character “war” with vigorous strokes on the left screen, and the character “endure” with a gentle, rounded style on the right screen. Though written by the same person, the “war” character appeared fierce and lethal, while the “endure” character was restrained, showing no sharpness—both had the grace of a master calligrapher.

“Those who think the family should go to war against the Oni Clan, please write the character ‘正’ (marking a decision) on the left screen. Those who think we should continue to endure, please write the same character on the right screen,” Masamune said. “As the family head, though my heart longs for war, I cannot force my will upon everyone, so I will abstain from voting. I swear by my honor as Tachibana Masamune, head of the Tachibana family, that tonight no one will face punishment regardless of their opinion—whether you support or oppose me, I will be deeply grateful.”

He pulled a white cloth strip from his chest, tying it over his eyes, then sat in the middle of the two screens. “Please, give me your judgment. Either dispel my murderous thoughts or support my will to fight!”

“Family head, such a way of deciding things is unprecedented in our family. How could the younger generation dare make a judgment on such a matter? If the family head truly decides to wage war on the Oni Clan… we have no choice but to follow you unto death,” the head of the Fūma family sighed.

“Kōtarō, you and I are already old men. Ultimately, this family belongs to the young. Why should they not decide its future? If this war really begins, I hope my blood and yours will be the first to flow. We are already too old and have lived long enough,” Masamune smiled. “If my life can end the family’s curse, I have no regrets.”

The hall fell silent, with only the sound of the wind wailing like a ghost, and cherry blossoms fell outside the window, reminding them of the impermanence of life. No one stood up, not even the heads of the families, hesitating. It was difficult to make a mark on either screen, for the ink seemed to be dipped in the blood of the young. The silence lasted for a full five minutes until, suddenly, the head of the Inuyama family rose from his seat, walked to the right screen, and drew a mark. Then he threw the brush on the stand, turned around, and left, pushing aside the attendant who came forward with an umbrella, heading straight into the wind and rain.

Some people’s expressions wavered. The attitude of the Inuyama head represented many—when peace can be maintained, people naturally wish to maintain it, and after all, the Oni Clan were their kin. They may have betrayed the family, but they still carried the blood of the Yamata no Orochi.

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