My personal opinion on Gensokyo

……what?

Hearing the concerned question from the boy in front of her, Kagome Higurashi's eyes widened and the corners of her mouth twitched.

Hojo-san, what are you worried about?

"I heard from Higurashi's grandfather that you have gout..."

"Really... you said all that to Hojo-kun. I don't have any of those diseases... Grandpa is really..."

Kagome Higurashi sighed, trying hard to maintain her facial expression, but did not refute her grandfather's excuse.

Forget it, as long as Hojo-san doesn't feel sad, it's better not to mention the Warring States Period to Hojo-san.

However, speaking of the Warring States period... I've thought about asking Hojo-san if there's any record of the Shikon Jewel in his home...

Now, would you like to take this opportunity to ask?

Kagome hesitated.

I've heard from my gossipy friends in the past that Hojo's ancestors seemed to be a prestigious and powerful family in the Kanto area during the Warring States Period.

Eri and the others even joked that if they were to marry Hojo-kun, who had a crush on them, in the future, wouldn't that mean they would be marrying into a prestigious family?

Miss Higurashi Kagome sighed as she thought of her friends who seemed to watch too many Taiga dramas on TV.

Besides, putting aside the question of whether I'll marry Hojo-san in the future, in this day and age, even a large family from the Warring States period wouldn't necessarily live a comfortable and wealthy life. Do Eri and the others think of me as a scheming woman who's only interested in marrying a rich man?

However, if Hojo-san's ancestors were indeed a prominent family from the Warring States Period, there's a good chance they've passed down ancient texts documenting the Shikon Jewel. If we could uncover any clues, it might help Inuyasha and I in our quest to collect the Shikon Jewel...

...Speaking of which, could Hojo-san's ancestor be a famous historical figure from the Warring States Period?

Suddenly remembering the evocative name "Shangyang" that she had heard when she first arrived in the Warring States Period, Kagome Higurashi was distracted and a little absent-minded.

Are the historical figures named "Hojo" during the Warring States period... Hojo Ujiyasu and Hojo Ujimasa... part of the Hojo clan, the daimyo of the Warring States period, who occupied a vast swathe of eastern Japan? [The following appears to be unrelated and likely a fragment of a fragment.] Hojo-san's ancestors... Maple Village seems to be located in the remote countryside of Musashi Province in eastern Japan, and coincidentally, during the Warring States period, it was the territory of the Hojo clan, a daimyo of the Warring States period.

Kagome Higurashi, who didn't have very good grades in Japanese history but had a good knowledge of general history, thought so.

The more she thought about it, the more Kagome felt that there might indeed be ancient books left in Hojo's house that recorded the story of the Shikon Jewel. She made up her mind and was about to ask directly.

PS1: I just found out this afternoon that the scheduled release time I set yesterday was wrong. The scheduled release for this morning was set to be released tomorrow morning. I’ll make up for it first. There will be another chapter for today later.

Volume 6: Thoughts Across Time and Space: Chapter 402: Hojo-san's Story, the Mystery of History

"...But, Higurashi-san doesn't seem to be showing any signs of being sick."

Before Kagome could ask, Hojo, a kind-hearted student with short brown hair, sighed.

"I heard from Higurashi's grandfather and friends that he's been taking sick leave a lot lately. I'm really worried."

Speaking of art, this kind and handsome boy seemed a little shy and embarrassed, and whispered to himself.

"It seems that because I have some predestined relationship with Higurashi-san, I have always cared about him..."

"...Some kind of fate?"

The gentle and kind boy in front of him seemed to not want Kagome Higurashi, the girl he had a crush on, to hear these words, so he deliberately lowered his voice. However, the key words were still heard by Miss Kagome Higurashi, who had good hearing.

Hearing these curious words, Kagome temporarily put aside her intention to ask questions and looked at the gentle and kind boy, asking questions curiously.

"Hojo-san, what do you mean by 'you have a connection with me'?"

"...Higurashi-kun, you heard it."

Hojo-san smiled sheepishly at Kagome's curious question.

"It's not something I need to hide from Higurashi-san."

"Actually, Higurashi-san, I've already heard your name since I was three or four years old..."

Amidst Hojo's sheepish smile, Kagome listened in surprise as the gentle boy in front of her finished speaking.

"...In my family's ancient books from the Warring States Period."

My name...in ancient books handed down from the Warring States Period...

Suddenly hearing Hojo-san say such a surprising fact, Kagome was so surprised that she could hardly calm down.

Perhaps for Hojo, who didn't know Kagome could travel freely between the modern era and the Warring States period, this was just a coincidence. However, Higurashi Kagome, who had traveled to the Warring States period many times, knew that if the name "Higuru Kagome" was recorded in an ancient book from the Warring States period that reached the modern era, it might be her...

Biting her cherry lips, Kagome was a little excited, yet also a little worried about what Hojo-san would say next, and asked curiously.

"The Hojo family's ancestor was the Hojo clan, the daimyo who ruled the Sagami and Musashi areas of Kanto during the Warring States Period?"

"Uh...Have you always thought so, Higurashi-san?"

Hearing this, Hojo-san's expression showed a subtle helplessness, and he smiled bitterly.

"But... that 'famous' Hojo family is not my family's ancestor."

"Rather, I've always felt helpless when my family was mistakenly believed to be descendants of the Warring States daimyo, the Hojo clan."

After expressing his feelings, Hojo-san explained to the somewhat confused Kagome.

"My family's ancestors were local nobles who lived in Izu Province during the late Heian period. They were the ancestors of the Kanmu Taira clan, descendants of a branch of the Heian period general Taira no Momochi who remained in Izu Province."

"The Taira clan, a local powerful family in Izu Province in Kanto..."

After repeating these key words thoughtfully, Kagome Higurashi, who was not very familiar with the history of the Heian period, was a little confused.

"My family's ancestors were relatives of Taira no Kiyomori, the Prime Minister who founded the Taira regime at the end of the Heian period."

Seeing Kagome's reaction, Hojo explained for Kagome again.

"Later, our ancestor, Hojo Tokimasa, assisted Kamakura Lord Minamoto no Yoritomo and founded the Kamakura Shogunate..."

"……what!"

After Hojo-san explained to this point, Kagome Higurashi finally understood and looked at the gentle and kind Hojo-san with some surprise.

"...Hojo-san's ancestors were the ruling family of the Kamakura period, the hereditary regents of the Kamakura shogunate, the former Hojo family!"

Hearing this answer, Miss Higurashi Kagome was quite surprised.

Although she was not particularly familiar with the history of the Heian period, Kagome also knew about the Hojo clan of the Kamakura period, and the famous historical figures of the Genpei period, Hojo Tokimasa, Hojo Masako, and Hojo Yoshitoki, all of whom were from the former Hojo clan.

In contrast, the Hojo clan, a Warring States daimyo who ruled the Sagami and Musashi areas of Kanto during the Warring States period, is generally referred to as the "Go-Hojo clan". There is no blood relationship between the two families.

Moreover, these three famous historical figures of the Genpei era all have the image of conspirators in Japanese history who were good at instigating conflicts among the descendants of Minamoto no Yoritomo, the first shogun of the Kamakura shogunate, causing the direct descendants of the Minamoto family to become extinct and eventually usurping the power of the shogunate.

Compared to the gentle and kind Hojo-san in front of him, who gets very shy around girls he likes, this ancestor is really quite different...

Miss Higurashi Kagome couldn't help but think so.

"...Higurashi-kun also knows that my family's ancestors, the Kamakura Hojo clan, have no connection to the Hojo clan of the Warring States period."

Hojo-san, who couldn't tell what Kagome Higurashi was thinking, continued to explain to Kagome.

"At the end of the Kamakura period, Emperor Go-Daigo ordered the samurai to rise up and overthrow the shogunate. Nitta Yoshisada invaded Kamakura, and most of the Hojo clan, including the ancestor, were killed in battle or committed suicide. The remaining Hojo clan members rebelled again against the Northern Muromachi shogunate but failed. The Hojo clan gradually declined, and they no longer publicly used the Hojo surname (surname) and sought refuge with Emperor Go-Daigo's Southern Court."

"After that, my ancestors never made any significant contributions to history. However, at the end of the Warring States Period, one of our ancestors served under Lord Oda Nobuna and Lord Kira Shoyo. Their bravery earned them some rewards. Lord Shoyo granted our ancestors some land and allowed them to serve as samurai, officially restoring the Hojo surname."

"This tribe that restored the Hojo surname during the Warring States Period is my family's direct ancestor."

"After the Warring States Period ended, our ancestors of the Hojo clan followed the shogunate's orders and lived in the Musashi area until the present day."

After explaining the family history to Higurashi, a classmate he had a good impression of, the gentle and kind Hojo classmate continued to explain to Kagome what he called "fate".

"In my ancestral home, there is a scroll of notes that records the history of our family during the Warring States Period."

"This volume, titled 'Akimi's Chronicles,' is the personal journal of an ancestor named Hojo Akimi, who lived during the late Warring States period. It records the many dangers and adventures he encountered during his youthful travels through the Eastern Kingdom."

"The notes, in somewhat unbelievable language, describe how Hojo Akizumi, while traveling through the Eastern Kingdom, encountered a silver-haired, dog-like half-demon wearing a crimson fire rat fur coat and wielding a strange broadsword to exterminate monsters, as well as a lecherous wizard with a terrifying 'wind hole' on his left palm that could absorb everything. He also traveled through the Eastern Kingdom with these monster-exterminators..."

Hearing Hojo's story, Kagome was completely stunned and extremely surprised.

Sure enough! It's Inuyasha and Miroku-sama! The ancient book hidden in Hojo-kun's house records our story!

Unaware of Kagome's inner surprise, the gentle and handsome boy in front of her began to sound a little embarrassed.

"...Also, the notes record the story of a miko who traveled with a dog-like half-demon and a wizard."

"My ancestor loved that shrine maiden very much. During his travels to the Eastern Kingdom, he repeatedly asked her to marry him and live with him."

Speaking of this, Hojo-san seemed a little shy and embarrassed for some reason.

"Ancestor Hojo Akizumi really liked that beautiful and straightforward miko lady, and even drew her face in his notes."

"When I was young, I read the scroll of notes that this ancestor left behind for his descendants. It bears some resemblance to my ancestor. After seeing the description of the miko lady in the notes, I've never forgotten that miko lady from the Warring States Period."

"That miko, her appearance and temperament are very similar to you, Higurashi-san..."

"What's even more incredible is that the name of that miko is Kagome."

"It's almost exactly the same as Higurashi-san's name."

Really, it’s really me!

I, I met Hojo's ancestor during the Warring States Period!

Hearing Hojo-san say such a surprising thing, Kagome, whose thoughts were completely confused, was a little overwhelmed and subconsciously thanked Hojo-san.

"Eh?! Ah! Thank you, thank you..."

"Eh? Higurashi-san, why are you thanking me..."

Hojo was also a little confused by Kagome's unconscious thanks, but he didn't take it too seriously, instead expressing some regret.

"...That shrine maiden, Ms. Li from the Warring States Period, might be Higurashi-san's ancestor. Sadly, Ms. Li didn't end up marrying our ancestor, the doctor."

"Our ancestor, Hojo Akimori, always felt regretful. Even after he served as a samurai and was granted territory for his service to His Highness Nobuna and Lord Shoyo, he always missed the shrine maiden Kagome. He even asked his wife to change her name to 'Kagome', a name that sounded similar, to show his longing for the shrine maiden Kagome..."

After saying this, the brown-haired Hojo-san looked at Kagome Higurashi with an unpredictable expression, gritted her teeth, and said something suggestive.

"Back then, as a child, I thought, if I had the chance to make up for the regrets of my ancestor, Lord Qiushi, I would marry Miss Li..."

"Later, I met you, Higurashi-san..."

"Hojo-kun!"

As a result, before Hojo could make up his mind to finish his words, he was interrupted by Ms. Higurashi Kagome in front of him. Under the astonished gaze of the customers in the coffee shop, Ms. Higurashi Kagome approached the bewildered Hojo and asked in a menacing manner.

"Can you tell me?!"

"What happened to the witch, Miss Li, that your ancestor encountered?"

"...Ah, of course."

Overwhelmed by Kagome Higurashi's aura, Hojo-san hastily tells what he knows about the fate of the Warring States period shrine maiden, Kagome-san...

"The reason why that witch, Miss Li, rejected our ancestor, Master Qiushi, seems to be because she already has someone she loves. That person seems to be the silver-haired half-demon from the canine tribe who was traveling with her..."

"...But, unfortunately, it seems that the miko, Miss Li, was not able to be with the half-demon of the dog tribe in the end."

"That miko, Miss Li, was apparently taken away from the countryside in the East Country because she was admired by a certain lord in Kyoto. She eventually married that lord, who was of extremely noble status and lived in Kyoto, and gave birth to a child for that distinguished lord."

"As for that distinguished figure, whether it was the Ashikaga clan's general, the Emperor of Kyoto, or Lord Kirara Shoyo, the man who ended the chaotic Warring States period, our ancestor, Lord Hojo Akizumi, was not recorded."

　7栮山{邻司酒妻、衤三罒“……?!!”

Kagome Higurashi was so surprised that she was completely speechless.

PS1: This is a chapter with a lot of information.

PS2: Hojo's ancestor's love for Kagome from the Warring States Period and his subsequent request for his wife to be renamed Kagome in her honor is a plot point from the original novel. Due to unclear narration in the original novel, when it was passed down to the modern era, Hojo mistakenly believed his ancestor had indeed married Kagome's "ancestor," and Kagome panicked, believing she would later marry Hojo's ancestor from the Warring States Period. However, thanks to the written notes, this misunderstanding has been eliminated. Since the advent of Shang Yang, many people in this world have developed the habit of writing down their stories. (Mist)

PS3: As for who "Kuro Shoyo-kun" is, you guys can guess~ (laughs)

PS4: I am the dead master Phosaki 2er. I will not be a minotaur or Ergouzi. Readers who like Kagome and Ergouzi don’t have to worry, I am a pure love person.

Volume 6: Thoughts Across Time and Space: Chapter 403: Daily Life in the Cloud Courtyard

"...I, I will reject the marriage proposal of Hojo-san's ancestor because I like that guy Inuyasha..."

After hearing the story told by Hojo, Higurashi Kagome was so surprised that she was completely speechless.

"But, but... after returning to the Warring States Period, I didn't end up with Inuyasha. Instead, I married someone else from the Warring States Period..."

"Is this what my future will be like... I'll go back to the Warring States Period for Inuyasha, but I won't be with him... Instead, I'll give birth to a child for someone I haven't even seen in the Warring States Period..."

Biting her cherry lips tightly, the beautiful black-haired girl felt very lost.

"...According to the notes of Hojo-san's ancestor, I returned to the Warring States Period and was later taken away by a powerful figure from that period... But, but, why couldn't Inuyasha stop me from being taken away..."

"...Inuyasha doesn't care about me..."