Chapter 15: 15.Youkai Secret Land
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For the past three days, except for occasional rests on some islands, Gurē continuously flew with the Uchiha duo.
Kaito used this time to share with Sasuke many things he felt were necessary for him to know.
From the hostilities between the Uchiha and Senju clans during the Warring States period to the history of Konoha's establishment.
The life-and-death struggles between Uchiha Madara, the clan leader at the time, and the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.
The political strategies adopted by Konoha's higher-ups towards the Uchiha clan from the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, to the Third Hokage's succession.
The overall development of Konoha and various ninja clans.
He tried to be as objective as possible, not infusing too much personal emotion.
He hoped Sasuke could broaden his perspectives and learn to think more rationally.
As they communicated along the way, time quickly passed.
Even the longest journeys have their ends. At sunset on the third day, they finally reached their destination.
"Gurē, Gurē, Gurē… We're almost there, the entrance to Ōeyama is right ahead!" Gurē excitedly announced.
Sasuke stood up, silently observing the scene before him.
The setting sun painted the world in brilliant red, with several steep peaks rising abruptly from the tumultuous sea.
From afar, these peaks appeared to be made of black boulders, devoid of vegetation, animals, or any signs of life.
"What's visible from the outside doesn't reveal much. Ōeyama is a secret place hidden among those mountains."
Kaito's voice broke the silence. He wrapped an arm around Sasuke, chuckling, "Let's speed up, Gurē!"
"Gurē, Gurē, Gurē…" Gurē's laughter filled the air as its massive form almost turned into a streak of light, swiftly approaching the black mountains as if about to crash into them.
Only when its speed slowed did Sasuke realize there was a narrow passage hidden in front.
Before he could react, Kaito effortlessly lifted him from Gurē's back and gently landed on the ground.
Simultaneously, Gurē's massive size rapidly shrank, and it flew up to perch on Kaito's shoulder.
"Gurē, Gurē, let's go. I wonder who's guarding the entrance today."
"I have no idea," Kaito shook his head, then beckoned Sasuke to follow as he started walking forward.
Inside the narrow canyon, which was barely wide enough for two people, they navigated through twisting and turning paths. As they delved deeper, the light gradually dimmed until it was pitch black.
Kaito had to light a lamp he carried, raising it high in his hand.
"Gurē, Gurē, you actually need to light a lamp? I can see perfectly well," Gurē mocked.
"Yes, you're a nocturnal creature... Do you have to say that every time?" Kaito replied, resigned.
After winding through the crags for an hour, they finally emerged into a more open path, and a majestic castle loomed ahead.
From a distance, only the vague outline of the castle's multiple eaves could be seen, adorned with several rows of lanterns casting a warm orange glow.
As they approached, one of the lanterns suddenly detached from the eaves and wobbled down towards them.
"Lord Gurē, Lord Kaito, you're back!" A youthful voice greeted them as the lantern floated in front of them.
"Little Yūrei, it's you?" Gurē teased. "Those folks couldn't have left you to guard the gate. Who else is here?"
"What, Gurē, you say that too. I can watch over this place myself just fine," the flame inside the lantern leapt as the youthful voice expressed its annoyance,
"Fūta is here as well."
"You've returned," another voice called down from the castle, "And you've brought a human with you."
Appearing before them, Fūta looked about twelve, roughly Sasuke's age, dressed in samurai attire. Unlike humans, he had a pair of black wings on his back.
"It's you, Fūta. This is my sister's child," Kaito looked up, patting Sasuke's shoulder as he introduced, "Don't worry, Sasuke is a good kid. Since I've brought him here, he'll take on the corresponding responsibilities."
"You explain it to Shigeru yourself," Fūta fluttered his wings, then instructed, "Yūrei, lead them in."
"Yes, Lord Fūta," Yūrei wobbled, flying towards the gate, "Please, follow me, lords."
Following Yūrei through the barrier at the gate, they finally entered Ōeyama.
Ōeyama, in reality, was also a vast fortress.
The architecture within was ancient and robust, giving the impression of traversing through eons.
The size of the fortress revealed its past prosperity, now completely silent.
As night fell, the fortress lay in gloom and quiet, with only a few lanterns sparingly lit.
"Gurē, Gurē, Gurē... Let's head to Lord Shigeru first."
Gurē leapt from Kaito's shoulder, its grey feathers transforming into a fourteen or fifteen-year-old boy as they dispersed.
With a round face and big, round eyes, the youthful Gurē looked incredibly honest and adorable.
Noticing Sasuke's curious gaze, Gurē couldn't help but puff out his chest, boasting, "What's the matter, little Sasuke? Shocked by the majestic figure of Lord Gurē?"
Sasuke's face bore several black lines as he retorted, "Heh, you're now even cuter than Kakashi's Pakkun."
"What did you say, you little brat? I'll show you!"
"Hmph, let's see if you have the strength."
"I am the great yōkai Lord Gurē of Ōeyama!"
"A great yōkai, huh? You look about two years older than me."
"..."
"Alright, both of you quiet down," Kaito intervened between the childish duo, "Stop arguing, we need to see Lord Shigeru quickly."
He nudged them forward, explaining to Sasuke, "Lord Shigeru is the eldest among the yōkai of Ōeyama and the current leader of the yōkai here."
"Was that Fūta a yōkai like you, Gurē? And what kind of yōkai is Lord Shigeru?" Sasuke curiously inquired.
"Fūta is certainly not from our owl tribe," Gurē quickly denied, "You really are clueless, kid. Fūta is obviously a karasu tengu!"
Understandingly, Kaito added, "We wouldn't know that, since in human legends, tengu are depicted with long red noses. I used to think the same until I realized that's actually a mask."
"As for Lord Shigeru, you'll know once you meet him."
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