Chasing Dreams (Discontinued)

Chapter 242: Fukashi

"I'm glad you survived your quarrel, Orochi-Sama."

Several ravens carrying a kimono flew in Itsuki's direction. After noticing their crystal blue eyes, Itsuki accepted the clothes without a second thought.

"Feel free to drop 'Sama' from my name. I'm not a fan of using honorifics, and I'm sure you feel the same when referring to a gaijin."

Itsuki tossed the kimono over his shoulders and adjusted his hakama pants. He wasn't much of a fan of the Fumiko Clan's traditional clothing. They were tightly fitted and left little room for flexible movements.

Shinobu formed a body out from a murder of crows and lightly smiled. "Perhaps I've given you the wrong impression of me Orochi-Sama. I'm not as rigid as some of the clan's elders. I do not see myself as superior to you or inferior to you in any way. I simply wish to be Ryo's tool, by extension a weapon to be used by Judas Heart to make my husband's dreams a reality."

Shinobu kneeled down and offered Itsuki her palm revealing an eye from her crows. "That's why I offered you my power when you confronted Michael. Think of my ravens as singular microchip among a complex computer network. My birds document everything they see regardless if they are destroyed or returned to me."

Itsuki brought his hand to Shinobu's cheek. He threatened her soft throat with his black claws. "So if I were to kill you here-"

"Even if you did that satisfaction would only be temporary." Shinobu narrowed her eyes. Her eyes became as thin as a snake's pupils. "My birds are evenly distributed throughout the world. As long as one of my birds exists I'll always reform."

Itsuki pulled his hand from Shinobu's neck and picked up the eyeball instead. "What is this?"

"Valueable information for you Orochi-Sama. Crush the eye and the truth will present itself to you."

Itsuki crushed the bird's eye as instructed, and a black mass encompassed his eyes. He thought Shinobu attempted to blind him for a moment, but he quickly realized that wasn't the case.

Itsuki heard Hakuji and Suzume's voices. They were only chitchatting, but that was beside the point. "How did you manage this?"

"As I mentioned before, my birds are distributed everywhere in the world. As children I made sure to plant one of my eggs in my cousin's stomach." Shinbou lowered her voice.

Itsuki unconsciously furrowed his brow at the thought. However, Shinobu read Itsuki's perplexed stare as confusion leading to further clarification.

"Are you familiar with spiritual energy? Apart from experimentation it is the only way someone can evolve their meta-ability and push it beyond its natural limits. Within the Fumiko Clan strength is prioritized above anything. Strength in the Fumiko household is valued more than wealth, political status, and even intellect."

Itsuki was already somewhat familiar with the Fumiko Clan due to growing up alongside Sayuri in the academy. "From what I recall holding a position of power as a woman in the clan is quite difficult. The Fumiko for some reason strongly hold onto their misogynist beliefs."

"Traditional." Shinobu corrected. "But yes, you're correct. Even my Aunt Sayuri didn't have much leeway when addressing the elders."

"Natural born talent goes a long way in my clan. In that regard I'm more fortunate than my Aunt. From the moment we turn three years old children in our clan are judged our worth. Those who inherit powerful meta-abilities are raised to become leaders of branch families, or units."

"People like Aunt Sayuri are usually killed at birth, thrown into one of the units as an underling, or since she was a woman selected to be a breeder."

"Sayuri ended up becoming the head of the entire clan." Itsuki interrupted. Shinobu's story didn't add up. From what he heard and witnessed, Sayuri was the best warrior the Fumiko Clan had to offer.