Returned from Another World, Earth Turned Out to Be Quite the Fantasy Too. Also, Losing Heroines, Stop Looking This Way.

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Chapter 16: “The Power of Nurarihyon?”

Stepping past the collapsed Kumazaki, who was now gasping silently on the ground, Natsuki stood in front of the boy—Madoka Abe.

“What’s your deal, kid?”

“Shouldn’t I be asking you that? Barging into the yokai village like this. Today, we’ve got it reserved just for us.”

“…I’m Madoka Abe. The name ‘Abe’ should ring a bell, right?”

“…”

“You get it, don’t you?”

“……Oh, yeah, sure. Abe-kun! Weren’t you the kid who played baseball with a broom during cleaning time in elementary school and got yelled at by the girls? Wow, it’s been ages! How’ve you been?”

“Who the hell are you talking about?!”

“Huh? Wait, seriously, who are you again?”

Madoka, clearly annoyed, ran his hands through his hair in frustration and glared at Natsuki.

“I’m from the Abe Clan in Kyoto. Madoka Abe, the third son of the main family.”

“…Wait, does that make you, like, super important or something?”

Natsuki glanced over his shoulder at Senju and Yusuke. Both of them nodded vigorously in agreement.

“Well, well, my apologies! I had no idea you were a descendant of such a prestigious family, truly! Nacchan here just jumped to conclusions. So, Abe-sama, what brings you to the yokai village?”

“You’re such a strange kid. But fine, I’ll explain. I’m here to capture yokai and turn them into shikigami. The Kyoto yokai are causing all sorts of trouble right now, so I need strong shikigami. If you’re even slightly involved in this field, you’d know how much of a headache the Kyoto yokai are. Even if I turn yokai into shikigami and wear them out, I still can’t get close to their leader.”

“…Are you seriously saying you’d use the kappa as disposable shikigami? If that’s what you’re planning, then I don’t care if you’re a descendant of a legendary family—I’ll kill you.”

While Natsuki had been putting on a playful, fanboy-like act moments ago, Madoka’s words were something he couldn’t tolerate.

Hostility surged from Natsuki as he raised his magical energy, creating a fierce wind that made Madoka’s hair and clothes flutter violently.

“Whoa, whoa, calm down, Nacchan. How about you let this old man have a word with our friend from Kyoto here?”

“…And who are you supposed to be?”

“Oh, right. Sorry for the late intro. I’m Nurarihyon, the guy in charge of the yokai around these parts.”

Nurarihyon patted Natsuki on the back and stepped between him and Madoka.

“So you’re Nurarihyon, huh? You’re not quite like the legends, but this works out perfectly.”

“Don’t tell me—you’re planning to make Grandpa Nurarihyon your shikigami!”

Natsuki stepped in protectively, but Madoka calmly shook his head.

“Look, let’s be serious for a second. How exactly am I supposed to fight using a yokai that barges into other people’s houses, acts like it owns the place, and eats their food?”

“…Uh, maybe send him into the enemy yokai’s house to eat all their food and cause a famine or something?”

“Are you seriously saying that?”

Natsuki faltered, unable to respond.

As much as he hated to admit it, he couldn’t imagine how Nurarihyon would be useful in a fight.

“Hah, you don’t get it either! He’s the commander of all yokai, after all! Grandpa, show him your true power!”

“If Nacchan’s the one asking, then fine—this old man will get serious.”

In an instant, Nurarihyon’s yokai energy surged to an overwhelming level.
The sheer power surpassed even that of Minazuki’s land god Mizuchi, whom Natsuki had fought before. While Mizuchi’s power stemmed from divinity and Nurarihyon’s from yokai energy, in terms of raw strength, Nurarihyon’s was superior.

Then, Nurarihyon’s appearance began to change.
The approachable old man in casual attire transformed into a tall, elegant young man with flowing, lustrous black hair.

“Whew. It’s been a while since I’ve taken this form, nuranura.”

“—So cool! You look amazing, Gra—no, Big Bro!”

“Stop it, you’re embarrassing me. Well, this is it.”

“And then? What next?”

Natsuki was thrilled, his excitement barely contained.

He couldn’t wait to see what kind of powers Nurarihyon, the so-called commander of all yokai, would display.

Even Senju and Yusuke were holding their breath in anticipation, and Madoka silently watched with interest.

“What next? What next!?”

“…”

“What happens now!? What next!?”

Whether he was building suspense or just hesitant, Nurarihyon remained silent.

“Hey, Grandpa! Don’t keep us waiting!”