115 – 115. Release.
Obtaining a spiritual transcendence beyond human brings about many realizations.
When grand things are laid out, such as the cycle of life, the forces that make up the world, essence, Yo-kai crawling in the shadows, and humanity on the surface.
Countless other flora and fauna forming ecosystems, intertwining and living together.
If we focus on what is immediately needed, the methods to enter Makina’s domain and ways to make myself stronger were prime examples.
As I grew stronger, I gained enlightenment.
Enlightenment led to understanding, culminating in calculations of how much I had to lose.
With each realization, I made assumptions about many factors and repeatedly understood that with each assumption, I had to lose a lot.
Yes, I couldn’t obtain everything.
Using my clever head, I decided to prioritize protecting my own world first.
I started nurturing my own strength, pushing aside the friend I had thought to use and deepening my distrust of others unnecessarily.
I ultimately believed in myself more than anyone else, deciding to personally end the war that started because of ‘me’. I had decided on that long ago.
Of course, it would have been helpful if they were with me.
However, it wasn’t necessary to sacrifice my precious things for just one breath.
I couldn’t kill Kenichi to break through a single defense, nor did I need to take Hotaru with me to boost my energy just once.
Little Eris would be fine with just a glance, as would Sawako.
…Except for one exception.
“Shiki!”
She was that woman.
The one who made me realize I couldn’t discard everything, the woman who still runs to me now.
Gradually, deep affection grew within me.
Seeing Sawamura Sento, who had reached a half-transcendent state, I softly whispered with a tender smile.
“Development, Black and White Reversal.”
In response to the massive ritual that rose across the sky, my power resonated.
A gray mixed with black and white.
Everything is in disarray, my soul, my abilities, my origin. Above all, it is the power that suits me.
I have opened the concealed world.
“Ash.”
The world soon turned ash-gray.
***
Alchemy is the way to manipulate the world. Sorcery and magic are methods of studying it.
Regardless of East or West, there are countless ways to destroy and dominate something.
Since the influence on the material reality is visible, most efforts were focused on that, and the consciousness-soul system relatively lagged behind in development.
However, aware of the power and limitations of the soul, Ichimaru Shiki knew how to transcend dimensions directly.
Knowing how significant human consciousness and soul are in shaping the world, how much power they can wield, he wanted to borrow everyone’s strength.
Within the realm he unfolded, Ichimaru Shiki sensed everything in the world at that moment.
In the ash-gray world, a helicopter hovering in midair with time frozen.
The scenes of the divine palace being broadcast on household TVs and the people watching.
Videos rapidly spreading on the internet, netizens debating in the comments whether it’s CGI or not.
Amidst flames continuously rising in the capital and the sound of roaring, the consciousness of numerous people within Japan’s territory focused here.
The alchemy spread throughout Japan gathered everyone’s souls and consciousness to convey it to him.
Although it was only pulled to an extent that would not affect daily life, the power conveyed to him, despite being taken lightly, was as vast as the sea.
With the help of his abilities, Ichimaru Shiki absorbed that power within himself and soon gathered all consciousness and magical power for a certain purpose.
“White.”
In the midst of time standing still, a new realm unfolded once again.
However, this isolation was not done to the caster and those around him.
The white world enveloped the Tokyo area, isolating all citizens within.
As a result, only relevant individuals remained in reality.
Those who possessed magical or supernatural abilities qualified to stand before the realm of gods.
Some were yokai, others half-blooded sorcerers, and some had become monsters transcending humanity.
With this, all conditions were met.
While exterminating all civilians in Tokyo, simultaneously, all yokai nationwide were slaughtered.
“Ah, as expected of a trash game. There’s no choice but to save them all and leave.”
The only man moving in the time-frozen world shrugged his shoulders.
In the meantime, Makina watched Sawamura Sento, who was moving slowly within the paused realm.
The man with keen eyes murmured softly.
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“Sorry, Sento. It seems we won’t be going together this time either.”
Ichimaru Shiki gazed at the horns on her head, offering a tender smile.
Simultaneously, he released the realm.
With all preparations finally done, all that remained was to execute the plan.
In a world gradually regaining its colors, Ichimaru Shiki whispered.
“Moon’s Embrace – Tsukuyomi, Curtain’s Alchemy.”
He enveloped the entire capital of Tokyo in an illusion.
***
“Shiki!!!”
Ichimaru Shiki is right in front of me.
Finally, we meet.
We can be together.
As Sawamura Sento took that one step forward, he realized that many things around him had changed.
Even if his gaze was only on the man in front of him, her extraordinary senses told the tale.
For some reason, the pillar of fire that had caught everyone’s attention vanished in an instant, the sky above was clearer than ever before, and illusions danced and moved in the view of the palace where everyone either died or fled.
“You know, the divine stage soldier said to me… I…”
“It seems that His Majesty is in great discomfort. Summon the divine power once again…”
“The god has spoken! It’s me…”
Each illusion, regardless of the actual time, laughed and chattered on its own, and such occurrences were not limited to just this palace.
“Hey, there’s a sale at the market…”
“Hey, are you listening? What he’s saying is too irritating. If his face were a bit more…?”
“Hey, Shinichi! Let’s have a drink after work today!”
“Oh, it’s fine now. I heard there was a brief fire at the palace. It happens sometimes.”
Simultaneous events were unfolding in the areas outside the palace that Sento sensed.
Sento’s eyes widened as he shivered.
She was the same woman who encapsulated the man in front of her as before, but the feeling was completely different.
“Hey, long time no see, Sento.”
Looking at the man who greeted her nonchalantly, Sento realized anew.
Damn Ichimaru Shiki.
The man who always muttered ominously had an unnecessarily strong sense of responsibility for his sinister appearance.
“…This fool.”
Millions of people in Tokyo disappeared in an instant, replaced by illusions that filled the void.
There was no need for many people to die or for chaos to ensue.
The man who restored everything taken from others put a single sword on his shoulder, smiling.
“If possible, would you not call me wise?”
After a brief moment of leisure, Ichimaru Shiki, too, saw the Emperor rushing towards him as time unfolded.
With jet-black armor, immense power, and even the dark clouds under his feet, everything was formidable, but at least to him, it was just a momentary game.
The man with discerning eyes, who realized everyone was nearby, smirked and raised his sword.
“Well, I also think I’m a fool.”
“You scoundrel!!!”
Byakko, Ichimaru Shiki, swung his sword at the approaching demon.
– Chamgyeok (斬擊), the sword technique.
Power enhancement through silently recited technique.
The blade, powered by its inherent spiritual and magical powers, cleaved the monster before him in two.
The Emperor, split in half, momentarily puzzled, staggered and swayed.
“…Huh?”
Shiki, once again drawing his sword through the air, shattered the Emperor’s form into pieces.
An unexpectedly anticlimactic ending.
However, as if to prove his demonic nature, he scattered into black ashes.
And at some point, it turned into a white radiance.
As if celebrating the absence of yokai throughout Japan, radiance emerged in every corner of the divine palace.
For the shaman, it would be a blessing of magic, and for the inspector, it would be an enlightenment.
In that light, Sawamura Sento stood still and realized something.
Facing a man who was staring at him intently, he could no longer move forward.
It was an awakening.
In that moment, he understood his fate, what he would gain, what he would lose.
As the woman stood still, this time the man took a step forward.
The man, with a half-yokai woman in front of him, smiled and leaned their foreheads against each other.
Ichimaru Shiki muttered softly.
“Sento, you know what I cherish, right?”
At the touch of their skins, that sensation, Sento’s eyes widened for a moment and then narrowed.
And the man whispered. This was the final ritual performed on earth.
“Shutendoji, release the possession.”
And it was done.