As one of the Four Great Shrines, Yasaka Shrine possessed extraordinary influence and authority.
From a religious standpoint, the shrine maidens and monks here were considered children of the gods, bearing divine blood that made them inherently closer to divinity than ordinary humans.
Geographically, Yasaka Shrine stood at the very front lines of humanity's struggle against demons and monsters. It was the most critical stronghold for human survival—a bastion that could never be allowed to fall.
In terms of political and social relations, members of Yasaka Shrine seldom clashed with other shrines or nations. This neutrality ensured that the shrine had virtually no enemies within human society.
Based on these three factors alone, Yasaka Shrine already stood on equal footing with the other Great Shrines.
Furthermore, Yasaka Shrine's combat strength was said to be the greatest among them all.
However—
"Judging by the scale and structure of this building, it's hard to believe Yasaka Shrine holds the highest position among the Four Great Shrines."
Ruri looked up at the three towering torii gates standing atop a solitary peak. Behind them rose the vast complex that, rather than resembling a divine temple, looked more like a heavily fortified citadel prepared for war.
The architectural layout resembled that of the Demon-Hunting Village, yet in terms of technological sophistication and spiritual power, Yasaka Shrine was leagues beyond.
If the Demon-Hunting Village still belonged to the era of cold weapons, then Yasaka Shrine had already entered the age of high-energy armaments.
After scanning the wards and barriers, and analyzing the Akasha Records, Ruri couldn't help but remark, "I used to think the shrine maidens of this world were only at the level of reading from military textbooks, but this place makes me want to take that back."
Walking beside her, Satsuki replied calmly, "Everyone desires a better quality of life—but first, they must survive."
"Mhm—especially in a world as chaotic as this one."
Ruri had, to some extent, begun to understand human emotions, and therefore could also grasp the idea that societies adapt differently under different circumstances.
Sesshōmaru followed close behind Satsuki. Even for a daiyōkai as powerful as him, venturing so deep into the domain of a long-standing human faction put him on guard.
"There's no need to be so tense, Sesshōmaru."
Satsuki glanced sideways at him. Though his face remained stoic, the great tail wrapped around his kimono was noticeably bristling.
"The spiritual energy here is indeed strong, but as long as you're not carrying miasma or corruption, Yasaka Shrine doesn't reject the cooperation of yokai."
Of course, the same couldn't be said for demons.
Even if a black shrine maiden borrowed the power of a yokai, that was considered acceptable. But if she relied on demonic energy, that was deemed an unforgivable betrayal by Yasaka Shrine.
The reason for this was… self-evident.
When the three passed through the torii and crossed the layered barriers, they finally arrived at the shrine's main gate.
There, a young shrine maiden stood waiting.
Her spiritual aura was not strong, and the signature green jewel that marked higher-ranking priestesses was absent from her forehead.
In her hand, she held a kagura bell. Anyone who sought to enter had to stand before her and listen to its chime three times.
If no abnormalities appeared, the visitor would be permitted entry. If any spiritual irregularity was detected, however, the individual would be sent to the disposal facility—where they would soon become next year's fertilizer.
When Satsuki and her group reached the gate, her presence alone ensured that they passed the inspection without issue.
Yet, Ruri still asked curiously, "When I came here before, I met two shrine maidens from Yasaka Shrine. They seemed… different from you?"
The maiden smiled politely. "Perhaps, my lady, you met members of the Inner Court."
"The Inner Court?" Ruri echoed.
The shrine maiden did not elaborate further. Instead, she bowed respectfully. "My ladies, you are permitted to pay your respects to the members of the Inner Court. I still have many duties to attend to, so please excuse me."
"Alright, thank you," Ruri replied, her eyes filled with curiosity as she turned to Satsuki.
Once the three entered the inner grounds, Ruri couldn't hold back her questions any longer and asked softly as they walked.
In response, Satsuki transmitted a sequence of historical data directly into the system through her mind.
It turned out that, due to the curse that afflicted the clan, Yasaka Shrine had originally been a family-based structure.
Within this family, aside from the Saigū—the chief priestess who served as head of Yasaka Shrine—there were no distinctions of rank or status among the other members.
Unlike elsewhere, the formal members of the Sakura lineage could only be born through divine unions. This meant that each successive generation's bloodline became ever closer to that of the gods.
As a result, the newer generations of Yasaka Shrine tended to possess far greater potential than those who came before.
By the present day, the official members of the Sakura family—judged purely by their spiritual power and combat capability—could rival the Grand Shrine Maidens or even the sacred Saigū of other Great Shrines.
However, in warfare—especially one that stretched across ages—quality was vital, but quantity was even more so.
In this world, even the gods were not invincible. Though most descendants of Yasaka Shrine carried the blood of Susanoo and other martial deities, powerful yokai and demon kings of this world could wield strength no less than that of true gods.
In the beginning, Yasaka Shrine was never open to outsiders. Ordinary people, and even priestesses or monks from other lands, did not even know where the shrine stood. Because of its unique heritage, Yasaka Shrine also refused to accept any external disciples.
Thus, Yasaka Shrine stood like an invisible giant in the western lands—silently guarding this region's fragile balance.
But divine blood alone could not sustain them forever in their endless struggle against other hostile powers.
Moreover, with each generation's life measured in mere years, forging alliances with other shrines became inevitable.
Accidents in battle were frequent—and coupled with their short-lived curse, Yasaka Shrine found it increasingly difficult to sustain itself. The number of living family members dwindled with each passing generation.
For these historical reasons, Yasaka Shrine eventually changed its strategy, gradually revealing its existence to the world. It began forming cooperative traditions with other shrines and temples.
Those who aspired to serve in combat-related divine roles—such as exorcist shrine maidens or warrior monks—would come here for training and assessment.
Thus, Yasaka Shrine gradually evolved into two divisions: the Inner Court, composed of the direct descendants of the Sakura family, and the Outer Court, formed of ordinary humans and priests from other lands drawn by its renown.
The two shrine maidens named Sakura, whom Satsuki had encountered earlier, were both members of Yasaka Shrine's Inner Court.
The purpose of this visit was to meet the head of Yasaka Shrine—the Saigū.
Although Yasaka Shrine's regulations were not as rigid as those of Katori Shrine, that leniency only applied to visitors of the Outer Court.
As for the mysterious Inner Court, ordinary people—or even shrine maidens lacking spiritual power—had no right to seek an audience.
The reason was simple: the members of the Sakura clan had no time to waste on those without value.
However, for those qualified to enter, Yasaka Shrine's efficiency was astonishing.
Barely five minutes after their arrival, a shrine maiden approached. Upon noticing Satsuki's attire, she asked, "Are you the shrine maiden Satsuki, her shikigami Ruri, and Lord Sesshōmaru, here to visit the head of the shrine?"
After Satsuki confirmed, the maiden gave Sesshōmaru a careful glance before turning back to Satsuki. "Then, please follow me."
At that moment, Sesshōmaru spoke up. "Aren't you going to seal my weapons? I am a yokai, after all."
"That won't be necessary…"
"Oh? Does an ordinary shrine maiden of Yasaka Shrine have such confidence?"
The maiden replied with wry humor, "I might not be a match for you, my lord, but quite a few of the Inner Court priestesses would be delighted if a yokai dared to cause trouble here. After all, opportunities to exorcise demons are rare for them."
Sesshōmaru snorted lightly. "A fearless bunch, then."
"If they feared death," she said with a faint smile, "they wouldn't have chosen to serve at Yasaka Shrine."
With that, she led them through the shrine corridors until they arrived at a small side hall.
Inside, seated upon a tatami mat, was a young shrine maiden with light pink hair and a forecrest crown upon her head.
Yes—she was truly a child. Even kneeling, her height barely reached Satsuki's waist. The hem of her long shrine maiden's robes trailed across the floor.
Unlike their guide, this pink-haired high priestess bore a green jewel upon her forehead—marking her as a direct descendant of the Sakura lineage. Her body radiated divine grace so dense it was almost tangible.
Judging from her expression, however, she clearly had little interest in entertaining guests.
It was understandable. Every member of the Sakura family was born carrying the burden of their clan's mission—their greatest goal being to one day slay Shuten Dōji. Matters such as diplomacy or receiving visitors rarely appealed to them. Yet, as the Saigū and head of Yasaka Shrine, she had no choice but to fulfill her role.
Typically, the position of Saigū was held by the newest generation of the Sakura clan. Their divine blessing was the most potent, and within eight months of birth, their spiritual power would grow exponentially even without special training—thus maximizing efficiency.
Being children of gods, their intellect developed remarkably early. They were born with knowledge and an innate ability to discern truth from lies, making them ideal for such duties.
"Lady Saigū, these are the visitors who have come to see you—Shrine Maiden Satsuki, her shikigami Ruri, and a yokai named Sesshōmaru," the guide reported, bowing toward the expressionless young priestess seated on the tatami.
"Thank you, Reiko. You may leave," said the young Saigū softly.
"Yes, my lady."
Once the shrine maiden withdrew, the head of Yasaka Shrine turned her gaze upon Satsuki's group.
As she studied them, Satsuki and her companions also observed the young Saigū.
—She was indeed a child.
Through the Tenseigan, Satsuki could easily discern that this Saigū, by human reckoning, had been born barely six months ago.
Her eyes were as black and deep as the night sky, her delicate face not yet matured—but already promising great beauty in the years she would never reach. From her small frame emanated an overwhelming concentration of spiritual power. As for her divine domain—the Divine Field—while the Saigū of Katori Shrine, Kagura Mugenrō, required divine empowerment to manifest a semi-solidified godly realm, the Saigū before them had already internalized her Divine Field as part of her very being. She herself was already approaching godhood.
After entering the room, Satsuki sat upon the cushion prepared for her, while Ruri and Sesshōmaru stood respectfully behind.
"Miko, shikigami, and inu-yokai." The young Saigū's gaze swept over the three visitors. Her eyes lingered briefly on Satsuki before she spoke in a calm, emotionless tone. "I am the fifty-fourth Saigū of Yasaka Shrine, Sakura Blizzard. Please state your purpose here—in one sentence."
Clearly, this Saigū's demeanor differed from that of Katori Shrine's—she was far more direct and pragmatic.
At Satsuki's subtle signal, Ruri stepped forward and said, "Lady Satsuki seeks the shrine's assistance in slaying Shuten Dōji."
The instant Ruri uttered those words, the young Saigū's black eyes flared with divine radiance. Her body erupted with spiritual power so intense it felt like standing beneath the blazing sun. The energy radiated outward in waves, filling the entire room. A vast divine pressure—nearly tangible—expanded from her body, forming a solidified Divine Domain that enveloped the chamber.
The sudden surge caused Sesshōmaru to instinctively grip the hilt of his sword, ready to draw it—only to find that no matter how hard he pulled, the blade refused to move. It was as if an overwhelming force restrained his arm, preventing him from unsheathing it.
"Calm yourself, Sesshōmaru." Satsuki's golden eyes, shaped like six-petaled flowers, rotated slowly as she spoke in a tranquil voice. "Lady Sakura Blizzard bears no hostility."
Despite her calm words, Satsuki was, in truth, rather pleased by the Saigū's reaction.
The Divine Domain she had cast was not meant as an attack, but as a means of isolation—to block any possible intrusion or eavesdropping from the outside world.
After all, Shuten Dōji was a yokai capable of assuming human form, and Yasaka Shrine had once suffered a tragic infiltration by one of his avatars. Since then, every time matters concerning him were discussed, they would always seal the area within a Divine Domain to ensure absolute secrecy.
It was, in essence, a countermeasure born from generations of unending warfare.
Among humans, shrine maidens were revered. But to yokai and demons, they were despised—hated even more when they were trained exorcists or black priestesses. Especially those of Yasaka Shrine.
This alone proved how deeply the Sakura clan still remembered their ancient blood feud.
"Slay Shuten Dōji?" The Saigū's long pink hair drifted behind her as she spoke, her tone steady. "What kind of aid do you require?"
Satsuki replied, "All we need is for you to tell us Shuten Dōji's exact location."
"Only his location?"
The young Saigū fell silent for a brief moment. Then, divine light surged once more in her eyes as she stared straight into Satsuki's golden gaze.
But the longer she looked, the deeper her shock became.
Before her, the black-haired, golden-eyed shrine maiden seemed as though she were part of the void itself—her presence entirely beyond perception. Even the Saigū's Heavenly Eye, a divine clairvoyance inherited from the lineage of the Three Noble Children and Susanoo, revealed nothing about her.
That could only mean one of two things: either the woman before her was a divine child of a rank far higher than her own as the descendant of Susanoo—
Or she was not a mortal at all.
She was a god.