“B-Bisco?! Show some respect!” “Hmm. Very well,” said Yokan. “Come, Hokusai! Run like the wind!” “W-waaait, sire! What are you doing?!” Milo couldn’t hope to compete with two rambunctious companions. It seemed that with just a little provocation from Bisco, the lord’s rebellious disposition came to the fore. “Heh. Half expected you to pussy out,” said Bisco. “You know, you’re pretty brave for a highborn!” “Brave? Is it brave where you hail from to accept a wager whose outcome is all but certain?” “Now you’ve said it, Fuzzball!!” The two dashed off at once, leaving Milo in their dust. After he’d finished coughing, he sighed and followed them. I think Bisco’s right about him. He’s flexible. He knows how to control his emotions. And because he’s calm, the people are calm, too. He’s…a very different style of ruler from Pawoo; that’s for sure. She doesn’t know how to compromise…in politics or in love. Alone with his thoughts, Milo looked up to see that Bisco and Yokan were already a significant way to the castle. He picked up the reins once more and spurred his horse on. When he had finally caught up and asked about the race, Milo found that neither of them would tell him who won. That alone was enough for Milo to deduce what the outcome must have been, but he decided to keep quiet, lest he end up on the receiving end of Bisco’s sharp claws. “Our spies have confirmed your suspicions, my liege. It seems that the first bolt to fall struck Koban Temple, where Geppei Amakusa was sealed away.” Shibafune, the old Chinchilla, had completely recovered from the Rust by now, and was seated by his master’s side, dressed in his tawny-brown ceremonial robes. “We searched the temple,” he continued, “but Amakusa’s body was gone without a trace. When combined with the facts of the monstroom attack the other day, it leads us to only one credible conclusion…” “…Geppei Amakusa has been reborn.” “Ha-ha!” Yokan chuckled. He turned his gaze away from his bowing retainers and toward the two human boys seated opposite him. “That aligns with what these two told me about the so-called Ultrafaith Arrow,” he said. “Amakusa must have used the power of this arrow to resurrect herself.” “Lord Yokan, this Amakusa person…” “She’s not a person; she’s a cat.” “Yes, yes! All right! This Amakusa cat. She must be the one controlling the Cat Gate that links our two realms! We have to stop her before everyone aboveground is turned into cats, like Bisco here.” “Indeed. Her power is a threat to both of our homes.” Yokan nodded and stood. “The attack on our town came from within the city bounds,” he said. “The Matango must have a hideout somewhere close to the castle. The next attack could come at any moment.” “Then let us make use of our spies and locate her at once!” said Shibafune. “No. It’s too risky. She has the power to turn our own mogs against us.” Yokan picked up his pair of swords and fixed them to his waist, then began striding out of the room, turning to address the two boys. “Akaboshi. Nekoyanagi. What are you waiting for? Come,” he said. This threw the old Persian, Shibafune, into a fuss, and he cried, “Y-you cannot possibly mean to conduct the search yourself, my liege! It’s far too dangerous!” “If it is truly Amakusa we are dealing with, then only the Catwisp Blade will be of any use. While we idle here concocting plans to save our own hides, the townscats remain at risk.” “B-b-but even so! At least take an escort of our own men! What possesses you to place your own life in the hands of these…these barbarians?” “It is precisely because they are not of this land that I use them, Shibafune.” When Yokan turned around, the look in his eyes struck the old Chinchilla dumb. “Our foe is wise to feline tactics, and who knows what schemes she has dreamed up in her decade-long slumber? What better way to outsmart her than by relying on those whose ways are foreign to us all?” “My liege!” “She may attempt another attack on the city before we can locate her whereabouts. If that happens, my old mog, I want you to command the samurai. Let none of our subjects come to harm.” Shibafune bowed his head deeply and acquiesced. Bisco immediately sprang from the floor and dashed after Yokan, but when Milo got up to follow him… “…Nekoyanagi!” The old Chinchilla’s voice made him jump as Shibafune’s paw grabbed his shin. “Waaah! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he cried. “Please look after my liege,” he pleaded. “He has always been too kind for his own good.” Milo looked back into the Persian’s teary eyes. “For thirty years, I have tried my best to relieve what I can of his burdens…but as I age, I find it harder and harder…” “It’s okay, Mr. Shibafune. You know, Bisco’s a famous hero in our world.” “Truly…?” “And what’s more…” Milo stepped out into the corridor. Glancing at the two figures ahead of him, he couldn’t help but feel that they looked awfully alike. “…I have some experience taming wild beasts; you’ll see!” Away from the castle on the outskirts, back in the main city of Byoma, a black-furred samurai arrived in town a little before dawn. As he strode through the streets, two strange figures crept from corner to corner behind him, attempting to remain out of sight. Eventually, the cat arrived before a rather prosperous-looking fabric shop. “Hail, tailor.” “…” “Hail. I have business with you.” Eventually, the shopkeeper wandered out, giving a big yawn. “What is it?” he asked. “We’re closed today. Can’t you see the—?” “Senbei. I have a favor to ask.” “Yokan?! What are you doing—?” “Shhh.” When Senbei saw who it was, he wanted to cry out in shock, but Yokan placed a claw to his lips and silenced him. “How quickly can you make uniforms for two of my samurai?” he asked. “Your samurai, sire?” Yokan turned and looked back over the street, but it was empty. “Akaboshi? Nekoyanagi? Where have you gone?” The two figures slunk over from the shadows, appearing behind the young lord. “The eagle flies at midnight,” spoke one. “But only when the moon is full,” responded the other. “What are you two playing at?” asked Yokan. ““We’re ninja,”” they both answered at once. Yokan sighed. “I see. I fear you may have misunderstood the job description somewhat…” “Ahh, I see your game,” said Senbei, displaying the trademark wits on which his textile empire was founded. “You wish to disguise these two humans as samurai, is that it?” “Indeed,” replied Yokan. “Their hunter’s garb does make them stand out a tad.” “I shan’t take a moment, Milord! Please come this way, my fine gentlemen.” “The cuckoo crows at dawn,” said one. “But only if I haven’t eaten it,” responded the other. “I shall wait out here,” said Yokan. “You don’t need to do anything too fancy, Senbei! The more discreet, the better!” Bisco and Milo stuck to the shadows as they slipped inside the shop; a maneuver rendered completely superfluous when Senbei loudly announced their presence to his staff. “Listen up, everyone! We’ve got customers!” Shuffling came from every direction as sliding doors were thrown open, and Senbei’s tailors emerged. “Well, if it isn’t those humans you spoke of!” “Look at their smooth skin! They’re adorable!” The cat clothiers approached and began prodding the two boys’ faces. “Milord has requested that these two be provided with inconspicuous clothing,” explained Senbei. “But at this store, we do not deal in common rags! Craft them the finest garments they ever did see! And hop to it!” ““Yessir!”” Bisco and Milo each felt a paw on their shoulder as the tailor-cats ushered them away to be fitted. “Relax your shoulders a little… That’s it.” “I’m thinking white for the bell; what do you think?” “I think you ought to decide the color of the cloth first!” “My, look at those muscles!” “Perhaps we should ask our fathers to find us human husbands.” “Oh, yes. The mogs around here are all as hardheaded as our boss.” “Less prattling on the job, pussycats!” ““Yessir!!”” … Unnoticed by all, one tailor exited through a sliding door at the back of the room. With one glance back to ensure she was not being watched, she slipped out of the building and into the streets on all fours. “Yokan is back in Byoma, sire. He is picking out costumes at a clothing store.” “I see.” In a mansion somewhere, a kimono-wearing calico listened to a voice speaking through the screen door. “The two humans are there as well. The shogun is having them measured for a set of kimono. His purpose is unclear, but he seems completely unaware of our bell scheme.” “Very good. You heard the puss, magistrate.” “Guh-huh-huh.” The cat magistrate chuckled, his pudgy face lit dimly by the glow of the lanterns. “I must say, I am surprised he came to the city in person. For all his confidence, Yokan is naught but a heavy-pawed fool.” He puffed his pipe and expelled a cloud of white smoke. His flabby chins wobbled as he talked. “There is little chance of him figuring out our plan, wouldn’t you say, Suzuya?” “Hee-hee. I agree wholeheartedly, Your Excellency.” This calico called “Suzuya” was markedly skinnier than the magistrate. Bells hung all across his body, jangling as he walked. “Cats cannot do without bells,” he said. “But little do the townscats know, my bells are infused with Amakusa’s magic and will transform them into monstrooms when they hear them!” “And I shall quell any messages of distress and ensure the news does not reach Yokan’s ears.” “Quite right.” “I must say, Suzuya, your aptitude for trickery is matched only by my own.” “Most kind of you to say, Your Excellency.” The two villains guffawed and cackled in chorus. Afterward, Suzuya took out a wooden box and presented it to the magistrate. “As promised, Your Excellency. I believe you shall find these golden treats much to your liking…” “Oh! Very good.” “And once Byoma belongs to Amakusa, I hope you will see fit to put in a good word about me to her…” “Yes, yes. Just give me the box already!” The magistrate took the offering in his pudgy paws and tore off the lid, allowing the golden glow therein to fill the room. Just then, a vicious metal dart ripped through the paper sliding door, destroying the wooden box and scattering golden coins all over the floor. “Whaaah?!” “Wh-what is the meaning of this?!” Suzuya walked over to the door and threw it open to find a single cat standing in the courtyard outside. He wore a mask that concealed his face, but the moonlight illuminated his black fur and sleek tail. “I knew you must have had a paw in this monstroom business, Suzuya,” said the figure. “Wh-what?!” “And to think the magistrate was involved as well, to ensure the castle would never hear of your villainous deeds.” “Who do you think you are?!” roared Suzuya. “You dare slander us this way?!” He pointed to the magistrate, only now lumbering out of the room to see the intruder for himself. “You are in the presence of Ginzaemon Chikayama, supreme magistrate of Byoma!” “You’ll hang for this, samurai,” said he. “That’ll teach you to stick your nose where it doesn’t belong!” “What a strange thing for this city’s custodian to say,” replied the figure, lifting his head to reveal a pair of burning crimson eyes! “Wh-wha—?!” “Th-those eyes…!” “It seems you haven’t yet forgotten the face of your lord and master, Ginzaemon!” The figure ripped off his mask, revealing his true visage to the moonlight. ““Sh-shogun!!”” It was the visage of Yokan Yatsuhashi, the eighth shogun of Byoma. Suzuya and the magistrate immediately fell to the floor in prostration, sweat dribbling down their faces. “I must thank you for sending your spy to the clothier,” said Yokan. “She led me right to you.” “I—I know nothing of any spies, my liege. Th-this must be some kind of mistake…” “Suzuya. And you, Ginzaemon. You have allied with the wicked Amakusa and betrayed our good city. The gold you were promised will not save your soul. And it will not save you from me! Surrender and await your judgment, or resist and be cut down!” “Grrrrggghhh!!” His nose pressed to the ground, Ginzaemon’s anger built up and up until he rose to his feet, ears steaming, and drew his sword. “You arrogant little child! Die like the irksome stray you are! I’ll present your head to Amakusa on a silver plate!” “I’m afraid we must resist, my liege,” said Suzuya. “Attack, my minions, attack!” The bell-seller raised a cry, and monstroom guards appeared from all angles, kicking down doors and pointing their fiery halberds at Yokan. “He’s just one cat! Get him, you lot!” “Just one, you say? I wouldn’t be so sure about that.” The monstrooms all launched their bulbous bodies at Yokan, but all of a sudden, a flash of steel sent them flying. They flew about the garden and onto the roof, cracking tiles and kicking up dust, all the while emitting a “Waoooo…” noise that made it hard to tell whether the attack had actually hurt them or not. “Wh-who’s there?!” “We won’t let you lay one claw on Yokan!” It was a human samurai, clad in a sky-blue robe, with a bell-shaped earring in each ear and with his sky-blue hair, which by now had grown quite long at the back, tied up in a ponytail. “In the name of the cats, I will punish you!” The samurai dropped down and landed before Yokan, striking a very un-ninja-like pose. “Wh-wh-wha…?!” “A human samurai?!” “I’m Milo Nekoyanagi,” the samurai declared, “secret agent!” “Listen here, Nekoyanagi,” said Yokan. “Secret agents are typically known for keeping their names a secret.” “Look at me, Yokan!” cried Milo with unbridled glee. “It’s like I’m a real samurai!” “Yes, but…” “I can’t believe Bisco didn’t say anything about it! What do you think, Yokan? Looks good on me, doesn’t it? And check out the hair!” “Uh-oh, Suzuya is getting away. I’ll leave you to clean up here, Nekoyanagi!” “What? Wait! Come back! You didn’t say anything, either!” Yokan slipped away between the hordes of monstrooms lumbering toward the sky-blue samurai. “Bab-ba-ba-bam!” “It’s a human!” “No, it’s a panda!” “It’s a human panda!” “He’s black and white! We’ll make him black and blue!” “Hey, won’t anyone say anything about how good I look? C’mon!” Then he drew his sword and faced the oncoming monstrooms. “I get it,” he said. “What you’re trying to say is, there’s more to being a samurai than just clothes. Well then, let’s practice swordwork. You’ll be my sparring partners, won’t you?” “Grrr! He’s mocking us!” “We’ll teach you!” “Come on, then,” said Milo. “I promise it won’t hurt!” The monstrooms attacked, and Milo raced to meet them like a blue bolt of thunder! Yokan glanced back over his shoulder and smiled before pursuing Suzuya and Ginzaemon down the halls of the mansion. “Pant…pant…pant…” “W-we must hurry, Your Excellency…” “I am hurrying!! This…is as fast as I… Whoa!” As he was running, Ginzaemon tripped on a tatami mat and fell head over heels, tearing through a paper wall. “Oof!” “How the mighty have fallen,” spoke the black cat, his shadow falling over the pair. “You bring disgrace to our kind’s name, Ginzaemon. Were we not once friends who each sought to be taught the arts of the Catwisp Blade? I still remember our time in the dojo together. You were always an earnest student. What possessed you to turn yourself over to wickedness?” “You…would never understand!” said the disgraced magistrate between labored breaths. “How could you know what it’s like to have nothing?! I thought, even if I lacked your upbringing, I could still beat you at the sword, but no! All my training, day after day, in vain! And when I lay beaten on the floor, cursing the heavens, you saw fit to extend your repulsive paw in sportscatship!” “…” “Y-Your Excellency…” The bell-seller cautiously approached, when all of a sudden, Ginzaemon whipped around and stole one of his bells. “Ahh!” “The mushroom is the power that will grant us cats what we seek! It is Lady Amakusa’s salvation! No longer will I have to lie oppressed beneath your mocking paw! Rrraaaaaaaaagghh!!” Then he popped the bell into his open mouth!! “Ginzaemon! What are you doing?!” “Ohhh?! Ggh… Ggghh. Rrggghhhh?!” “Oh no! Oh nooo!!” Suzuya cowered and ran away. Yokan didn’t have time to go after him. The bell sounded in Ginzaemon’s stomach, still emitting its mysterious chime. The pudgy magistrate swelled up like a balloon, and then just as he was about to burst… Gaboom! “Oooooggghh!!” Where once he stood, there was now only a three-meter-tall, gold-skinned mushroom man! His head was so large as to break through the ceiling, and in his hand he still held the magistrate’s sword. “I feel…powerful! Like I could take on anything!” he said, trembling with raw power. “Even you, Yokan!” “You’ve gone mad, Ginzaemon! That is not true strength, but fiendish magic!” “Ginzaemon…? A familiar name. Where have I heard it…?” Curse you, Geppei! “Die!!” The diabolical mushroom man lifted Ginzaemon’s sword high over his head and brought it down on Yokan! Ker-rash! The wooden pillars splintered! Yokan was flung high up into the air, and then… “Catwisp Art!” Oh no! “Carp Streamer!!” The golden monstroom swung his second sword horizontally! Yokan blocked the blow on Kintsuba, but was tossed across the floor and went clattering into a decorative suit of armor positioned in the hallway. “The power! Is! Miiiine!” I cannot hold back! The golden monstroom was a threatening foe. Not only for his size and strength, but also for the secret arts of the Catwisp Blade that he possessed. If Yokan was to stand any chance at all, he would need to go all out and slay his old sparring partner. “Diiie!” Yokan looked up at the sword rapidly approaching and closed his eyes. I am sorry, my friend. His paw went to Kintsuba, but just before he could unleash his fatal art… “Hee-yar!” Yokan’s attention was drawn upward as a single samurai came crashing through the roof like a meteor, delivering a ferocious kick to the belly of the mushroom foe. “What?!” “Bwuuuuuh?!” “Talk about getting bigheaded!” the figure yelled. “Any bigger and yours’ll be through the roof!” Crash! Crash! Crash! The monstroom flew through several paper walls, while the newly arrived half-feline samurai turned and flashed Yokan a fanged grin. “You were gonna kill him, weren’t you?” he asked. “Not very lordly of you, is it?” “Akaboshi! Do you have some kind of plan?” “Well, let’s just say I know a thing or two about mushrooms!” Bisco set off running, his claws digging into the floormats. Just as the monstroom was struggling to his feet, Bisco unleashed a trio of arrow-shaped shuriken that sank into the mutant magistrate’s body. “Ha-ha-ha. You think these toys can harm me?!” “You’re stupid strong. Must be a demonshroom variation.” “A what? Foolish human, you can never comprehend my power!” “I dunno what to tell ya, dude. I just call ’em like I see ’em.” “Burn in hell, outsider!” The monstroom raised both swords above his head. “Catwisp Art: Starfish Dance!” “Whoa!” The giant monstroom began spinning at high speed, twirling his swords like pinwheels. Anything and everything in range, including the walls, was torn to shreds by his monstrous strength. “Ha-ha-ha-ha! Nothing can withstand this technique! Tremble before my might!” “Slow down, you idiot! You’re speedin’ it up!” “That’s exactly the point, you worm! But if this still doesn’t scare you, then let me reveal my true power!” “No, you’re not gettin’ me. Listen—” “Starfish Dance: Nebula!” Ginzaemon’s speed increased, until he was nothing but a blur. Looking almost like an enormous spinning top, he advanced toward Bisco. Yokan placed his hand upon his sword, ready to jump in should the situation call for it, but he didn’t need to, for just then… “Diiieee! Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha…” Boom. “…Huh?” Boom. Boom. “Wh-what? I-I’m slowing down. Oh no. Oh no, no, no…” “What on earth…?” muttered Yokan, trying to detect the source of those bizarre sounds. Then, as Ginzaemon slowed, he saw it. “…More mushrooms? They’re growing on his body…” Small violet stalks had begun sprouting from the points where Bisco had landed his arrowhead shuriken earlier, feeding off the golden skin of the giant monstroom. Despite their small size, they seemed frighteningly effective in slowing the foe’s movements. “Why does nobody ever listen when I try to warn ’em?” shouted Bisco, annoyed. “I was tryin’ to say you’re speedin’ up the poison.” “Poisoned shuriken? You coward…” This battle had been over before it had even begun. Bisco’s opening move had sealed Ginzaemon’s fate. “You see,” said Bisco, “demonshrooms are crazy strong, but that just makes it easier for the boozeshrooms to grow. Don’t worry, you’ll live. Once you get over the wicked hangover, that is.” “You reprobate! You call yourself a samurai?!” “I ain’t no samurai. I’m a Mushroom Keeper!” Yokan had seen many heroic cats in his time, but none so brave as the man who stood before him now, completely unfazed by the grotesque monstrosity he fought. Meanwhile, Ginzaemon was desperate not to let it end so soon. His momentum depleted, he nonetheless raised his sword for one final blow. But Bisco, quick as a flash, used his feline agility to evade the swipe, grabbing the sword with his catlike tail. “I-Impossible!” “Apocalypse Style: Pipe Snake Strike!” Slam! Bisco swept the stolen sword upward, like a Pipe Snake climbing into the heavens, and struck Ginzaemon’s mushroom cap with the back of the blade (as though that would do anything to limit the move’s destructive potential). The weighty monstroom was launched into the air, through the roof, and off into the distance, silhouetted against the moon, all the while emitting the monstrooms’ signature sleepy cry. Yokan, meanwhile, let out a groan. What a bizarre style. Those are not the movements of a warrior but of a wild beast! “Another hollow victory for my blade,” said Bisco. “What do you mean, another?” asked Yokan. “You told me this was your first time using a sword.” “C’mon, man. No need to spoil the moment.” Sticking the sword into the floormats and perching atop it, Bisco let his tail hang, turning to Yokan and asking, “So? We saved your old training buddy. Who’s next?” Bisco’s gaze put the smile back on Yokan’s troubled face. “Indeed,” he said. “Next, we must save all the innocent townscats who have been turned into monstrooms by Amakusa’s magic. Suzuya must know where her magic bell is kept. We must catch him, and—” “Lord Yokan!” The lord’s thought was interrupted by Milo’s sunny voice. He stepped into the wrecked atrium, dragging a prisoner behind him. “I caught one!” he said. “I don’t know who he is, but he looked suspicious!” It was Suzuya. He kicked his arms and legs, jangling the bells all over his body. “He must have made quite the formidable opponent,” said Yokan. “Akaboshi, your partner is no less fearsome than you.” “Hmm. Maybe a little less,” Bisco insisted. “Whoa, Bisco!” yelled Milo. “Look at this mess! Back home, this would all belong in a museum!” “Hey, don’t just assume it’s my fault! So who’s this?” “Oh, him?” Milo looked back at his captive, whose endless struggles were availing him naught. Milo’s time in the medical industry had taught him a few things about handling unruly cats. “I—I was just following orders!” Suzuya protested. “It was all the magistrate’s idea; I had nothing to do with it!” “Hmph. A laughable claim. ’Twas one of your bells that turned Gizaemon into that monster, was it not?” Yokan strode over to Suzuya and crouched before him. “Amakusa’s bells all draw power from the original. We destroy that, and her magic is nullified. Suzuya, do you know where to find it?” “I—I don’t know. I really don’t know, I swear…” “Suzuya. You know the penalty for refusing the shogun, do you not?” “Aiieee! I…I can’t! She’ll kill me! Forget la terre promise, she’ll send me straight to hell! Please, you can’t make me say it, my liege, you can’t!” It was clear that Amakusa’s threats still held some sway over the bell-seller, because he was shivering so hard, all his bells were ringing. Yokan could somewhat sympathize with his plight; he wouldn’t much like to be in Suzuya’s shoes himself, being forced to pick his poison between the heretical Amakusa and the Catwisp Blade. Yokan placed his chin in his paw and thought for a moment. “The poor mog is terrified. Perhaps we should bring him back with us to the castle?” “I’ve got it, sire,” said Milo. “Leave it to me.” Yokan looked at him and nodded. With the shogun’s approval to proceed, Milo walked over behind Suzuya and placed his arms around him. “It’s okay,” he said calmly. “Everything’s going to be all right.” “E-eek?! Wh-wha…?” “Relax for me. Take deep breaths…” Milo stroked Suzuya’s coat, making sure to tickle the cat’s throat. When he did, Suzuya’s eyes narrowed, and he purred softly. “Wh-what nature of massage is this…?” he asked, entranced. Milo continued to pleasure the uncooperative cat until the muscles in his neck were completely relaxed, and then… “Sorry about this.” Shnk. “Ugh…” Milo sank his needle into Suzuya’s flesh, injecting a spore-laden liquid into his veins. It took less than three seconds, and Suzuya had no idea what had happened. He simply got to his feet and began walking. “Hmm?” said Yokan. “Where is he going?” “It’s all right, sire. We just need to follow him.” “I expect this is another of your dubious concoctions, Nekoyanagi.” “It’s not dubious; it’s just a little truthshroom serum!” Bisco screwed his face up, offering a further explanation. “This guy makes ’em so strong, you don’t even have to ask questions; the body just moves on its own. It’s disgustin’. Violatin’. You call yourself a doctor?” “It’s for the greater good!” Milo protested. “Or do you want to let these cats die?” “You’re a quack. A panda quack!” “Well, you’re a mushroom head!” “What?! Is that an insult? If it is, I’m gonna kill ya!” “Quiet, you fools! Look!” While the two quarreled, Yokan watched Suzuya approach a large sliding door and pull it open, then… “Mrowww!!” The bell-seller flew into a frenzy, scratching and clawing at the floormats of the room beyond. He continued like this for some time before the soporific effect of the truthshroom serum set in, causing Suzuya to conk out on the ground. “The hell was that?!” yelled Bisco. “That was no help at all!” “Perhaps it was,” said Yokan, nodding in comprehension. “The answer lies beneath these floormats!” The two boys watched blankly as Yokan moved over to the fallen Suzuya. “Take care of him for me, will you?” “Lord Yokan? What are you—?” But Milo didn’t even have time to finish his question. Yokan leaped into the air, somersaulted seven times like a cartwheel, and brought his heel down in the center of the matted floor! Ker-rash!! “Catwisp Art: Great Wave!” ““Waaah!”” The force of impact blew the boys’ hair out of their eyes. Every last tatami in the room was launched high into the air, like a beach full of flopping fish left behind after a tsunami. What the hell kinda move was that?! Bisco couldn’t imagine the finesse required to pull it off. If he tried it himself, he would probably just wreck the whole room. “Aha! There it is!” said Yokan, without even pausing to catch his breath, while the boys looked on in awe at what they had just seen. Beneath one of the mats was a dug-out hole, containing… “I-is this it?” “The great bell?!” The large globular bell shone gold in the dark crevice. Strange veins ran across its surface, and it beat softly, almost like a living heart. “This beating,” Yokan explained, “emits sound waves we cannot hear. It resonates with the bells we wear around our necks, and then…” “…It turns you all into monstrooms,” surmised Milo. “So we just have to destroy it, and everyone’ll turn back to normal?” asked Bisco. “Hold. If we do not destroy it fast enough, then the bell will go up in an explosion large enough to take out the entire estate. We must be careful.” Yokan walked over to the magic bell and placed his paw on the hilt of his sword. “Yokan!” cried Milo. “Let us help!” “Leave it, Milo!” “But…!” “Look at his eyes,” said Bisco. “Yokan’s serious. We should let him do this.” Bisco had witnessed firsthand the lord’s transformation into a fierce and noble warrior before, and he regarded the black cat with an esteem he had not felt in quite some time. “Hidden Catwisp Art…!” Yokan’s eyes flew open, and after he took a deep breath, his blade ignited with fiery particles that danced around him like fireworks, and a wind ruffled his coat, which gleamed black in the night. His sleek muscles tensed, ready to deliver the decisive blow… “…Hmm.” ““…Huh?”” …But the blow never came. Yokan dropped his sword and walked back over to Milo. “Has Suzuya not awakened yet?” he asked. “No matter, let us leave him and get away from here.” “Wait, wait, wait!!” cried Bisco. “What happened to your ultimate technique?!” “Hmm? I already used it.” “Wha—?” Ka-slash!! Not a second later, a large X-shaped split appeared in the bell. “Aiiieeeee!” The artifact let out a fur-raising scream as golden blood spurted from the cracks with enough force to cover Bisco from head to toe. “Wh-what the…?!” “The townscats should soon return to normal,” said Yokan. “Meanwhile, we must investigate this cave.” The bell disintegrated to golden dust, revealing a passageway that stretched deeper underground. “It will most likely lead us directly to Amakusa’s hideout,” he said. “Though if you are wounded, perhaps we should return to the castle and rest?” “Bisco and I are fine, sire!” “Very well, then let us proceed. No time like the present!” Yokan peered down the staircase, over which the gold dust flowed like sand, then he began to descend. Bisco looked puzzled for a moment, then ran after him. “Hey! Aren’t you gonna explain what the hell just happened? It looked like you slashed faster than we could see!” “Perhaps that’s precisely what I did,” replied Yokan. “No, I don’t think so,” said Bisco. “There’s no technique in the world faster than my and Milo’s eyes. You didn’t even draw your sword. But still you sliced that bell in half! How the hell’d you do it?” In recognition of Bisco’s skill, Yokan answered. “The Catwisp Blade may seem like a sword art, but in truth…it is not,” he said without turning around. “Through the catwisps, I touched the core of the great bell. Then I didn’t have to do anything at all. I simply believed.” “What…?!” “Perhaps, when all this is over, I will teach you… Or perhaps you already know.” Yokan turned and flashed a merry smile. “I always wanted friends like you,” he said, before continuing. “Hey, wait! We’re not done talkin’!” “Amakusa is waiting for us just ahead,” said Yokan. “We must hurry on.” The passage flattened out, lit on both sides by wooden torches. Bisco cursed under his breath, then he and Milo ran to catch up with Yokan.
Chapter 95
27 min read