A Mercedes SprinterVan pulled up outside Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo's Asakusa district.
The Monstrous Overlord of Mount Otakura stepped out.
Only this custom-built, heavily modified van could accommodate his colossal frame.
Standing over two meters tall and weighing more than nine hundred kilograms.
This was his form compressed into human shape.
Kumamoto Rikizaburō.
Japan's number one sumo wrestler. The 74th Yokozuna Grand Champion.
This was his human identity.
Since the pact between the demon factions and the onmyoji had been signed,
Not only did onmyoji families integrate into commerce,
So too did many great demons.
With this status, Kumamoto Rikizaburō could move freely through Tokyo, achieving what many lesser demons could not.
"Kumamoto Rikizaburō-san! Sumimasen! What brings you to Senso-ji today?" Paparazzi already lurking near the temple surged forward.
"To pay respects to the Buddha, naturally." Kumamoto Rikizaburō suppressed the urge to crush them with a single blow, rumbling his reply.
He glanced up at the giant red lantern inscribed with the characters 'Kaminarimon' (Thunder Gate).
A cold smirk touched his lips as he strode inside.
"It was not us," Monk Kouichi stated from within the inner chamber, head bowed, palms pressed together. "And we have not discovered who was responsible."
"Baka yarō!" Kumamoto Rikizaburō stomped his foot, the impact vibrating through the floor. "Your words do not speak for Senso-ji. Bring Ōmori Shō out!"
Monk Kouichi shook his head. "The Brush Immortal Sage speaks for Senso-ji."
A large brush, taller than a man, floated into view behind him.
[Shikigami: Picture World Flower Bird Brush]
The brush hovered mid-air, its surface intricately carved with vividly rendered flowers and birds.
An oppressive aura locked onto Kumamoto Rikizaburō.
Fist-sized droplets of ink constantly dripped from its fierce wolf-hair point, vanishing as they hit the floorboards.
[Shikigami: Picture World Flower Bird Brush] emitted a voice: "I traced the aura of the Fifth Tengu Lord. It vanished in Shinjuku. During that time frame, no major onmyoji family in Tokyo mobilized significant forces. It was not done by the Tokyo onmyoji clans."
Kumamoto Rikizaburō looked at the floating brush mockingly. "Ubume... hiding inside this thing, feeding on incense smoke, giving up your freedom... was it worth it?"
[Shikigami: Picture World Flower Bird Brush] responded: "At least I still exist. But your grandfather? Your father?"
Kumamoto Rikizaburō remained silent.
As spiritual energy dwindled, the demon factions' lifespans had plummeted.
After World War II, unable to withstand the decay of age, many old demons with shallow foundations perished.
"I speak under the authority of the Great Tengu Lord," Kumamoto Rikizaburō stated flatly. "If you lie... he will seek you out."
Kumamoto Rikizaburō turned and left Senso-ji.
He boarded the modified Mercedes.
"To the Diet," he ordered. "If Senso-ji won't reveal the truth, the other onmyoji clans won't either. We go straight to the Council."
...
At Shiraishi Nagimitsu's villa.
Mother and daughter had both risen.
They showered together in the bathroom, scrubbing each other's backs.
It was a cherished ritual.
"Oka-san...?" Oda Yui stared intently at Shiraishi Nagimitsu, a small frown creasing her brow as she scrutinized her.
"What is it, Yui-chan?" Shiraishi Nagimitsu felt a flutter of shyness under the intense gaze.
She assumed the fading palm prints and bruising left by Fang Zuo might still be visible.
"Oka-san... you've changed. A lot," Oda Yui said, her confusion evident.
"Changed how?" Shiraishi Nagimitsu patted her daughter's cheek lightly. "Grown happier?"
"More than that." Oda Yui reached out a small hand, squeezing Shiraishi's chest with a touch of envy.
"Baka!" Shiraishi Nagimitsu tapped Oda Yui's head reproachfully. "What are you doing?"
"See! I'm right, Oka-san!" Oda Yui exclaimed, eyes wide with realization. "I wasn't mistaken! Your skin... it's getting better!"
"Better how?" Shiraishi Nagimitsu wiped the steam off the bathroom mirror and turned to look.
"Oka-san's skin is smoother, brighter... and your chest is fuller and firmer!" Oda Yui declared with certainty. "Yes! You're getting more beautiful, Oka-san!"
Hearing this, Shiraishi Nagimitsu noticed it too.
The bruises Fang Zuo had left on her chest that morning were already gone. So were the stinging marks on her backside.
Her usual bras seemed a bit tighter now.
More noticeably, her large breasts used to lose shape when lying down, melting like dough on a pan.
Now, even while reclining, they held a pleasingly rounded fullness.
And yes, they felt... plumper.
As for her skin being smoother and brighter –
She had noticed her foundation seemed slightly dull on her face recently, making the rest of her look dimmer. She'd blamed the makeup.
Now she understood.
The only new element in her life was that man.
Shiraishi Nagimitsu flushed crimson. It seemed she needed to... encourage him more often.
Must make time for more 'breakfasts'!
"Oka-san! Your face is so red!" Oda Yui exclaimed.
"The water's too hot," Shiraishi Nagimitsu mumbled quickly, splashing cool water onto her cheeks.
On the way to the Diet.
Shiraishi Nagimitsu felt a deep, unfamiliar contentment.
These past days, her body and heart felt... swollen... saturated... by Fang Zuo.
Now even her appearance was transformed. What woman wouldn't crave that?
Today she wore a white knit short-sleeve top. Her lower half was clad in a long, water-blue skirt and black high heels.
No stockings.
The blue hue of the skirt made her skin glow impossibly pale.
Especially her bare feet and calves, luminous between the black shoes and blue hem.
The moment she stepped out of the car and entered the Diet building, all eyes turned to her.
Even Abe Na-akari's beautiful eyes flashed with unconcealed jealousy.
How? How had her political rival, after just days apart, managed to eclipse even her radiance?
Only Shiraishi Nagimitsu knew the secret.
She offered a faint, knowing smile.
Taking her seat,
Boom. Boom. Boom.
"Sumimasen," the elderly session chair announced, banging his gavel. "Today's scheduled topics are postponed. An emergency matter requires consultation. All members not expressly retained, please depart."
Over a hundred bewildered legislators gathered their belongings and filed out.
"Remaining members, follow me," the chair stated tersely, turning towards an inner conference chamber.
Five figures remained – the most powerful faction leaders within the Diet, the leading contenders for influence.
Abe Na-akari (representing a major party) and Shiraishi Nagimitsu (leading the independent bloc) were among them.
They filed into the inner chamber.
Seated at a large round table, the chair clapped his hands once.
A lean, sharp-featured man entered. Everyone recognized the Commissioner of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.
Following him was Sakura Kyou Kirumo, clad in police uniform, high heels, and sheer black stockings hugging her shapely calves.
Though trying to maintain an upright, professional posture and staring rigidly forward, her eyes darted involuntarily towards Shiraishi Nagimitsu.
Dammit! Why does she look even more radiant?! That bastard! Doesn't answer his messages! Ignored my calls today too!
Hmph!
The chair rapped his knuckles on the table. "The emergency session concerns one matter: The Fifth Heavenly Man, Hōkibō... has died. In Tokyo."
"The Heavenly Tribe are legal subjects protected by imperial decree, signed by the Emperor himself. They deserve the protection of the law."
"As this falls within the supernatural purview, Deputy Captain Sakura Kyou Kirumo of the Tokyo Exorcism Preparedness Unit will brief us."
*BASH!*
The heavy wooden door shattered into splinters.
Kumamoto Rikizaburō stepped through the wreckage.
"Sumimasen," he rumbled, his voice incongruously polite. "My hand slipped; a bit too much strength. I attend under the delegation of the First Heavenly Man... to listen."