Female Swordsman Training Dojo

Harunobu patted her head reassuringly and said to the shrine maiden, "Since we can't tell the difference, let's just wait. Anyway, it works fine for now. The main reason I came here is to ask you to take a look at the condition of my two family members."

Hirako silently opened her mind, and the unrestrained Susanoo appeared behind her carrying a gourd. The lifelike Asahi Shin gave her a flirtatious wink and licked his rosy lips.

“No problem, just a normal demigod, and people have already started worshipping you, probably those people you saved in Osaka. But this kind of fleeting faith doesn’t have any impact, you don’t need to worry at all… But it’s faster than I expected, Susanoo.”

"What does it mean?"

The shrine maiden quickly completed the examination and gave a reassuring answer, though her last sentence was somewhat puzzling. Fortunately, the shrine maiden didn't have a penchant for riddles, at least not for Harunobu, so she readily answered Harunobu's question: "People have different talents, and different talents represent the directions they are suited for; and your man can be said to be a born Susanoo-no-Mikoto. As long as he persists in practicing martial arts and honing his mind, he will eventually become a true Susanoo-no-Mikoto."

"But it's strange, when I first met her, it wasn't so clear yet, and there was still the possibility that it would develop into something like Takemikazuchi."

Hirako smiled gently: "That's probably because of the teacher's college's teaching by example. After all, just knowing lightning isn't enough to keep up with the teacher's college."

The shrine maiden nodded and looked at the kitten: "Hmm, what do you want to see about your cat? It's not sick or injured."

"To be specific, it's about this." Harunobu took out the last bottle of [Purified Sakura Dragon Blood]. The SR-level enhancement item was so appealing that just having it on the table made one want to drink the cherry-colored liquid.

"This is really..." The priestess's eyes widened. "Such high-quality dragon blood, and it's even divine dragon blood. You're not just going to let that kitten drink this stuff, are you?"

"Uh……"

Not only does the kitten drink it this way, but Harunobu himself drinks it this way too.

The shrine maiden looked at him like he was the rich man's foolish son and took the bottle of Sakura Dragon Blood without any politeness: "Give this to me. I happen to have a lot of good things for alchemy here, but I'm missing a key ingredient."

“No problem, but the cost of making the medicine…” Harunobu originally wanted to casually take out the gift, but seeing the shrine maiden’s suddenly narrowed eyes and the displeasure above her head, he changed his mind in time.

"Oh, and I'd also like you to take a look at these things."

Harunobu laid out a whole table of newly drawn box weapons, demon medicine, and other items, making the shrine maiden's lips twitch slightly. She couldn't help but ask directly, "Harunobu, where did you find all this stuff?"

Harunobu spread his hands: "Did the wind blow it in?"

The shrine maiden rolled her eyes, her delicate and refined face still radiating an otherworldly beauty: "This, this, and this, and finally this, I'll take them. They should be worth studying. You can take the rest back yourself."

The shrine maiden knew what Harunobu meant by bringing these things out. Although she was a little reluctant to accept them, she couldn't resist her curiosity, and besides, there was nothing she could do even if she didn't accept them.

Harunobu stopped Izanami, who was trying to sneak over to the shrine maiden to tell her the story of "My Crimson World Demon Lord," and began the most important matter: "Is there any movement from Amaterasu?"

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Author's Note: Update progress increased by 2. It's been a while since I asked for votes, please vote!

Chapter 459: Amaterasu's Call

When it came to serious matters, everyone became serious, including Izanami. The priestess also temporarily put down the various treasures in her hands, and frowned slightly: "Speaking of which, it's actually quite strange that Amaterasu hasn't made any moves."

"No movement?" This was somewhat unexpected for Harunobu. He had actually asked Kyoko the same question before and received the same answer. However, at that time, Harunobu thought that Kyoko was not strong enough to detect anything.

Now it seems, could it be that Amaterasu really did nothing at all? Is she the legendary otaku version?

Chapter 491

"Yes, apart from the Emperor using his power to suppress the government, there has been no other movement." The shrine maiden was also puzzled. "I even went to the Ise Grand Shrine to take a look, but apart from it being cleaned up and a few idiots dying there, there was nothing unusual about it."

"Not only that, I also used the power of my Zanpakuto to take a stroll around the Imperial Palace; I discovered that Amaterasu hasn't even had a physical body yet and is still maintaining her spiritual state—this must be good news for you, Harunobu, right?"

"There's no need to explicitly say it, is there?" Harunobu certainly understood what the shrine maiden meant; he and Misuru-hime were engaged. It was just funny, really, that he still didn't know what Misuru-hime looked like after all this time... though he had heard a little bit about her from Shiranui Ran.

"Hmph." The priestess sniffed lightly and continued, "Anyway, that's the situation now. But Amaterasu is much more troublesome than her mother, so she certainly won't be inactive. I think she's probably eyeing you."

Qingxin was speechless: "Do you really think I'm some kind of succubus, that just because I'm female you'll fall for me?"

The priestess snorted and said with dissatisfaction, "I think you're the one who really thinks you're a succubus. You're only after your body? Couldn't you be after your fighting ability and want to take you as your dog?"

"Hey……"

Izanami chuckled softly. It was the first time she had ever seen Asuka so emotionally affected... Well, not exactly the first time, as she was quite emotional during battles too. But to see her become so lively for just one person, especially a man, was truly a first.

Especially since it happened right in front of her—no, it should be said that he did it on purpose precisely because it happened in front of her?

Izanami kept a keen eye on the priestess, but the show didn't last long when a ringing telephone interrupted Harunobu's interaction with the priestess.

The paper figures rummaged through a pile of boxes and found the witch's phone, carrying it all the way over. However, everyone stared at the phone, none of them reaching out to take it.

The shrine maiden's phone isn't something just anyone can call; to be precise, only Harunobu and his group can get through, and they're all here right now. So who could be calling?

Intuition has already revealed the answer to them.

The priestess picked up the phone and calmly said, "Hello, who is this?"

"It's been a long time, Asuka." Even her light laughter sounded authoritative and mature. "And Izanami, I never thought you would go looking for a man... no, I should say that a man actually likes you."

Without a doubt, the person on the other end of the microphone was Amaterasu, whom Harunobu and the others had just been discussing.

The shrine maiden exchanged glances with Izanami and Harunobu, about to reply, when Amaterasu on the other end of the microphone preemptively spoke up: "Harunobu, you're pretty tired of those old women, aren't you? Want to try something with me? I'll handle Misuru~"

The shrine maiden's hand clenched the microphone visibly, and cracks even appeared on the microphone: "Amaterasu, is this the kind of boring thing you're here to talk about?"

Faced with this angry retort, Amaterasu chuckled and said, "This has nothing to do with you, Asuka. This is a family matter."

Although Izanami loved to go against the priestesses, she took the initiative this time: "My dear daughter, I am so pleased with your filial piety. Why don't you come and serve your new father now and let your mother see your skills?"

Amaterasu was speechless after being completely outmaneuvered.

Because Izanami genuinely didn't mind letting Harunobu and Amaterasu have sex, but Amaterasu had no intention of actually sleeping with Harunobu. Moreover, the main reason she said that was to provoke Izanami. Unexpectedly, Izanami changed her previously possessive personality and was even willing to share her private possessions.

Taira no Harunobu... is indeed not to be underestimated.

Unable to gain the upper hand verbally, Amaterasu stopped wasting time and coldly said, "Izanami, Asuka, and Hiraharunobu, if you want to deal with Izanagi, come to the Imperial Palace now. We can talk."

"Why didn't you come here? If you're worried about birds causing trouble, you can go to the Blue Sky Pavilion." Izanami pressed on relentlessly, but Amaterasu didn't respond and hung up the phone.

She has no physical body now, and it's dangerous for her to leave the Imperial Palace. Why would she go to the priestess's lair to see the priestess and Izanami? Especially Izanami, who is going to see the Mother of the Underworld in her spirit form. She might as well tie her own hands and feet and go to Taira no Harunobu's bed. Maybe she'll die less painfully that way.

However, this also presents a problem for Harunobu and his group. The Imperial Palace itself is heavily fortified, protected by multiple layers of barriers and other magical spells; and just as the Ame-no-Tsurugi Shrine is to the shrine maiden, the Imperial Palace also provides Amaterasu with considerable protection, making it entirely her domain.

However, after careful consideration, Harunobu still felt that it was definitely worth a try.

First of all, he and Izanami don't need to worry. At worst, they can just escape through Yomi – anything that Rin-yūdō can do, Yomi no Mi can't do.

Although the priestess has not yet recovered to her full strength, her Zanpakuto's Shikai has given her the ability to observe and act remotely, requiring only a stable coordinate.

Of course, it would be better for the others to stay at the Aozora Pavilion, and Hirako and the others had no objection to this; they just wanted to become stronger even more.

Speaking of which…

Harunobu looked at the boxed weapons scattered all over the floor in the shrine maiden's hut: "Can you give me a few?"

The shrine maiden raised her eyebrows in satisfaction, took out a long wooden box that she had prepared for Harunobu from under the table, and teased, "You really want a few?"

"If you don't mind..." Harunobu said hesitantly. Of course, he wanted to get one for each of his wives, but these things weren't cheap. Don't be fooled by how many Zanpakuto the priestesses made; they were using up their savings of hundreds of years. For an average person, it would take a hundred years of not eating or drinking to make even one. And that's for ordinary Zanpakuto; those with powerful potential are things that most people can only dream of.

Getting a few of these things for free is fine, but getting dozens for free is a bit overstepping the line.

The shrine maiden's eyes narrowed, and she remained silent, staring intently at Harunobu. Finally, Harunobu couldn't withstand the death stare and reached out to take the wooden box: "Alright, then I won't be polite."

The shrine maiden nodded. She actually wanted to say something and understood why Harunobu hesitated. But this only made her a little angry—you accepted Izanami's offering to the underworld without hesitation, so why won't you accept these few things from me?

You're making such a clear distinction now, but you didn't say that when you asked me for help before!

—Izanami hid behind Hirako and laughed until her stomach hurt.

Chapter 460: First Encounter with Princess Misuru

Afterwards, Harunobu escorted Taira no Sachiko and the others back to the Aozora-kan, distributing the counterfeit Zanpakuto he had acquired for free to his wives. It's worth noting that these counterfeit Zanpakuto even had the names of Harunobu's wives engraved on them, and their abilities perfectly matched their personalities, demonstrating the shrine maiden's thoughtfulness.

"To be honest, Master, you'd better hurry up and take down the priestess, otherwise I'm really not at ease holding this sword."

Looking at Hanazawa Nana spouting nonsense with a straight face, Harunobu pretended to hit her: "Go away, you lazy dog, what do you take me for, a human-shaped yen!"

Hanazawa Nana crouched down, covering her head in defense, but her mouth kept moving: "If Tenten no Mikoto had to choose between paying in yen or paying with your teacher's money, which do you think she would choose?"

Qingxin gave the lazy dog's increasingly large buttocks a hard slap: "Don't worry about such things! Go practice your sword! Look at all that fat on you!"

"Mingming Shifan said yesterday that it was very comfortable to use—" Hanazawa Nana deliberately stuck out her butt, but Harunobu was really too busy right now, so he just patted it twice more in annoyance.

"You think you know everything, but it's not the right time yet."

Harunobu could easily see that the shrine maiden had feelings for him, but at the moment, she treated him less like a man and more like a woman.

Chapter 492

It feels more like he sees her as a business partner, an important friend. If A were to suddenly confess at this point, it would backfire. It's better to keep things ambiguous and let feelings develop gradually... Wow, am I really such a jerk now?

Harunobu paused for a second to repent for his skillful use of emotional manipulation, then left the Aozora-kan with Izanami. A complex ribbon fell from the sky, tightly binding Harunobu and transforming into an elegant haori.

Izanami was a little annoyed: "Hey, hey, hey, shouldn't you be clinging to me like that? Why are you clinging to my man?"

The shrine maiden ignored her: "Let's just go like this and see if Amaterasu can figure it out."

Harunobu tightened his new clothes and took Izanami's hand: "Let's go."

Izanami immediately beamed with joy and snuggled into Harunobu's arms, but before she could even savor the wonderful touch of Harunobu's body, a feeling as cold as iron spread through her first.

A new garment now lies between Izanami and Harunobu's bodies.

Izanami was truly unhappy now: "Asuka, you—"

Harunobu helplessly put his arm around Izanami and walked forward: "Alright, alright, you can do whatever you want when we get back..."

After some time, Harunobu and his two companions arrived smoothly at the Imperial Palace in the center of Tokyo. Their journey was incredibly smooth; no one questioned them, and Harunobu simply walked right in.

However, this left Harunobu somewhat at a loss, mainly because: "Where should we go next?"

Harunobu stared blankly at the massive imperial palace, uttering a profound question. The shrine maiden was secretly pleased, sending a provocative glance at Izanami, preparing to put to use the information she had gathered during her previous reconnaissance.

but……

"Harunobu! Over here!"

A golden fox wearing a white mask jumped down from the roof and waved to Qingxin, "Her Highness the Princess sent me to greet you, please come with me!"

"Princess Mitsuru?" Harunobu and his group were somewhat surprised. "We were invited by Amaterasu, or perhaps..."

Shiranui Ran immediately noticed Harunobu's confusion and smiled, "Don't worry, Her Highness is still the same as before; besides, it is also Lord Amaterasu's order to meet with Her Highness first."

"OK then."

Since they were already at the Imperial Palace, it didn't matter where they went. Besides, Harunobu was indeed quite curious about his fiancée and wondered what she looked like. She had appeared during the Tianlan Trial, but Harunobu hadn't had any contact with her then, as his attention was focused on Minamoto Yukisakura and his wives.

Led by Shiranui Ran, Harunobu and his group leaped across walls and rooftops, skipping over the complicated roads and winding corridors, and arrived in a small hall in the inner courtyard of the Imperial Palace.

The tranquil courtyard is filled with a variety of flowers and plants, all in full bloom, vying for attention with their vibrant colors. A bamboo deer is hidden among the flowers and plants, its presence only announced by the babbling of the water and the rhythmic tapping, bringing a touch of life to the serene courtyard.

Swish swish...

The sound of Shiranui Ran pulling open the paper sliding door made Harunobu turn his gaze from the courtyard to the wide-open doorway. Inside the hall, which was simple and didn't resemble a palace, a girl with a face as delicate as a doll, yet possessing an exceptionally strong presence, sat behind a low table.

A gentle breeze enters the eyes, stirring the curtains of the heart.

Princess Misuru slowly bowed: "It's a pleasure to meet you, esteemed sirs. I am Misuru, and I hope you will take good care of me."

Izanami whistled for Harunobu: "What a beautiful girl, she's as pretty as a kitten."

In terms of exquisite appearance alone, that's certainly true. But that doesn't mean the kitten and Princess Misuru are the same; quite the opposite. The kitten is more like a mischievous, lively, and energetic fairy, with an adorable and affectionate cat-like side.

But Misuru-hime possessed a doll-like refinement and nobility; the temperament and demeanor of a lady from a prominent family were displayed to the fullest. Simply sitting there, she was like a flower on a high mountain, inspiring awe and reverence. Moreover, unlike Amu Hosho, she didn't inspire awe or distance; instead, she drew people to her.

Simply put, the cat and Misuruhime are the difference between a fairy and an elf.

"You flatter me, Lady Izanami." Misuru-hime slowly straightened up, and in the process, her beautiful waistline was fully revealed to Harunobu's eyes, but only for a fleeting moment.

Shiranui Ran served tea and pastries: "Please take a seat."

Harunobu sat down opposite Misuru-hime. Since he was a guest and not at home, he sat upright. However, this meant that his tall frame completely covered the petite Misuru-hime. Harunobu could even see the glistening skin beneath Misuru-hime's kimono by simply lowering his head slightly.

Hmm, it seems I'll have to leave the child with Sachiko from now on...

Harunobu pondered for a moment, then picked up his teacup and took a sip: "Your Highness Mitsuki, what are your orders?"

Misuru smiled slightly: "You're too kind, Lord Harunobu; I simply want to meet my future husband. Ran has been speaking well of you every day."

Harunobu glanced at Shiranui Ran, who was kneeling respectfully in the shadows, silent like a proper ninja.

Harunobu shook his head in boredom, ending the charade that had just begun: "I'll just be blunt, Princess Misuru. I'm in a hurry right now, and I might even have to fight Amaterasu, so let's not beat around the bush—what exactly do you want?"

Mitsuru-hime stroked her teacup, looked down at Harunobu, and smiled: "Just as Ran said, his domineering nature is unpleasant—alright, let's be frank."

"Hira Harunobu, I want to ask you to elope with me."

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