Chapter 6
Now a full year had passed since the last incident.
And now!!
Japan… was thriving again.
Buildings and massive reconstruction projects across Tokyo had been completed. The city that once trembled in fear had regained its heartbeat. Cars flowed through the streets like nothing had ever happened. Vendors shouted. Children ran around laughing. Couples strolled hand-in-hand beneath the winter sun.
It had been a year to remember...
A year of death upon death, spreading like wildfire, spreading like a plague.
A year of despair…
Yet now, the city lived again.
And in the span of that year, Renji Kurogane had risen....no, ascended.
Upgraded, recognized and feared.
He was now officially considered the strongest hunter on the entire planet, earning the title of the 9th Pillar of Humanity.
His exploits were the kind that carved history.
Single-handedly clearing multiple SSS-rank dungeon gates by himself.
Entering where nations failed.
Returning when logic said he shouldn't.
And because of that, the balance of global power had tilted.
For the first time ever, Japan held two Human Pillars in one year
Renji Kurogane… and Takeda Ryojin.
A country with two pillars!
Nations whispered.
Leaders panicked.
Japan now had become the strongest nation in the world.
Being a Pillar came with many benefits...one of them being a home provided solely by the government. A mansion befitting someone who carried the weight of a country on his back.
Renji Kurogane now lived in one of those mansions, tucked in a quiet, luxurious district of Tokyo.
On paper, Renji had everything: power, money, fame, respect.
At only 6 years since awakening, he had risen from being a mere laughing stock to the strongest hunter on Earth.
But beneath all of that…
Something was missing.
A sharp, cold uneasiness that pressed against his chest every night.
Choji Namikaze was still missing.
Still silent.
Still out there.
Somewhere… in some dimension… in some universe.
And they still couldn't pinpoint him, for months The witch of Andor had tried to locate his very presence
Her mind and magical energy gazed among thousands of infinite dimensions bypassing it's laws ..but still, there was nothing
Back at Renji's Apartment
The TV flickered softly in the background, casting blue light across the living room. Renji sat on the sofa, one arm resting on the armrest, eyes half-focused on the news.
A reporter spoke solemnly:
"Although the past year has seen Japan thrive once again, today marks the anniversary of the day millions perished. Citizens across Japan will gather at the Hunters Bureau Memorial Town Hall to pay their respects…"
Renji exhaled slowly through his nose.
Just then....
Sakura stepped into the room, her footsteps quiet but urgent.
"Januza-sama… are you going to the memorial?" she asked softly. "We should go and pay our respects. After all… it was our fault those humans died."
Renji didn't look at her at first. He kept his eyes on the TV, then slowly stood up. His tone grew heavier .....sadder.
"I know….." he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Besides… some of Lily's friends were among those who perished. Even now, I still blame myself, Sakura."
His fists clenched.
"And even after months and months of searching we still don't know where Choji is. He could be in any dimension. Any universe. And we still… can't pinpoint where he is."
This uneasiness is what kills me ! Why has Azerin gone quiet and for a year!
Sakura's expression softened. She stepped closer, placing a hand on his arm.
"It's okay, Januza-sama. He can't hide forever. We'll find him… and we will stop him."
Before Renji could respond..
A familiar voice echoed from the hallway.
"Yaaawwwnn…! Good morning, nii-san!
Renji turned...and a small smile tugged at his lips.
It was Lily, now fifteen, her frame more mature, her posture more confident. Her long hair fell messily over one shoulder as she rubbed her eyes.
Renji reached out and gently patted her head.
"Good morning."
Sakura bowed lightly.
"Ooooh! Lily-sama, you're awake!"
Lily blinked, still half-asleep. "Ehh… Sakura-san… I told you to stop calling me Lily-sama…" you are like a million years older than me!
Sakura giggled, covering her mouth. "Well, I can't help it. You are the sister of my king."
Renji snorted. Lily groaned.
"Ughh… you two are impossible."
Renji leaned forward slightly, his expression turning softer.
"Lily… are you okay today? You know… what today is, right?"
Lily inhaled deeply, then nodded.
"Yeah. I'm fine, nii-san. I've made my peace with it."
She closed her eyes and smiled faintly.
"Besides… wherever they are… I know they'd want me to be happy."
She opened her eyes....and looked at Renji.
Don't worry i'm really fine, nii-san."
Renji froze.
Not because of her words.
But because of something else!
Her eyes!!!
Her eyes were glowing.
Softly. Brightly. Like a hunter's.
Lily blinked.
"Eh? Ni-san? Why are you staring at me like that? Shitt ...Did I say something weird?"
Sakura's eyes widened.
"L-Lily… your eyes…"
Renji stepped closer, his voice sharp.
"Oi, Lily ...are you okay?"
"What? Of course I'm okay! Huh what are you talking about Did you drink again" Lily puffed her cheeks.
"No no no. Uhhh… you need to see this."
Renji grabbed her gently by the wrist and dragged her to the mirror in the living room.
Lily looked…
And screamed.
"EEEEHHHH?! My eyes..!! They're glowing yellow! Like yours, ni-san!!"
Sakura's lips curved into a smile.
"It seems you've awakened magical power within you, Lily. And glowing eyes… means she's B-rank or above. No hunter below B-rank has glowing eyes."
Renji frowned.
"But I don't feel any magical energy from her at all."
Lily gasped.
"W-Wait wait....are you saying I'm a hunter like ni-san?!"
Sakura nodded.
"Yes,I mean it makes sense you are around awakened beings like your brother and I obviously your body will react to our magical energy someday, now you have the glowing eyes But… I also don't feel any mana from you, which is strange. Even for me."
She stepped forward.
"But I can check your magical energy directly..by tapping into your magical source. Do you want me to?"
Ehhh I have a magical source ? Lily mustered
Yes! All humans do even non awakened beings have what they call ki it's your life force, she raised a finger then continued.. but if you are awakened your ki mutates with your mana to produce magical source and that's why the power level of the hunters is fixed. So now I'm going to check the level of your ability okay!!..
Lily hesitated, then looked at Renji.
Renji gave a small reassuring nod.
Lily turned back to Sakura.
"Okay… do it."
Sakura approached slowly, gently taking Lily's hand between both of hers.
"It's okay, Lily. I won't bite."
Lily let out a nervous laugh.
"I know. Go ahead."
Sakura inhaled, releasing her mana. A faint aura wrapped around her palms as she dipped her consciousness into Lily's core.
And then
She froze.
Her pupils shrank.
Her body trembled.
Inside Lily's magical essence stood...
A massive wolf.
Fur like midnight.
Eyes like twin suns.
Six enormous tails swaying behind it.
Sakura's breath hitched.
"I-Impossible…! A spirit animal…?!"
A shockwave of fear blasted through her mind, and she instinctively tore her hand away.
Renji jumped forward.
"Sakura! Are you okay?!"
"Oww… oww… my head…that hurts!" Sakura groaned, pressing a hand to her temple as she steadied herself. But she managed to smile.
Lily panicked.
"S-Sakura-san?! Are you hurt?!"
Sakura shook her head weakly.
"No… I'm fine…"
Renji stepped closer, voice firm.
"What did you see? What is Lily's power?"
Sakura stared at him for a moment… then at Lily.
And then she laughed softly, shaking her head in disbelief.
"You really are… a family of monsters."
Renji blinked.
Lily blinked.
Sakura continued:
"Januza-sama… she doesn't have mana. That's why you couldn't sense anything."
She pointed at Lily.
"She has spirit energy."
Renji's eyes widened wait isn't that ..
yes! And not just any spirit." Sakura swallowed hard.
"She has been chosen by the strongest of all spirit animals… Rajah, the Six-Tailed Fox."
Renji gasped, stumbling back half a step.
"Rajah!"
His voice cracked with disbelief.
"No… that's impossible. That's…"
Sakura nodded calmly, a knowing smile touching her lips.
"Yes. That's Arin's (your mother's)spirit animal."
Lily blinked rapidly, looking between the two of them like they were speaking an alien language.
"Ehhh?! You guys aren't making sense," she complained, waving her hands. "Huh? What is going on? What is a spirit animal? And who—or what—is Rajah?"
She jabbed her finger at both of them.
"Start explaining! Because I'm lost!"
Sakura chuckled softly, her expression gentle.
"Lily-sama… you have a power unlike any other. If you can master that power, you'll be unstoppable."
"Unstoppable?" Lily repeated, eyes widening. "I.....I have no idea what's happening!"
Renji stared at her, jaw tight. His mind raced..
memories, ancient texts, And Arin together with raja rulling the universe
"It doesn't make sense…" he muttered. "Spirit animals don't choose humans. They are weapons of the gods. And Rajah…?"
His voice lowered, almost a whisper.
"Rajah hasn't been seen in over two thousand years. How can she inhabit Lily…?"
Lily raised both hands in frustration.
"Ehhh?! Nii-san, you're not making any sense either! Ehh WAIT...are you saying I have an animal inside of me? Are you kidding meeeee?!"
Sakura covered her mouth, laughing softly.
"Not just any animal, Lily-sama. Rajah. One of the six spirit animals made entirely of spirit energy."
She lifted a finger, her tone turning reverent.
"Rajah's energy exceeds even magical energy. She was the mother of creations spirit guide. She was the the first spirit animal ever formed by the supreme diety!
Lily's pupils shook, her breath catching.
"I… I have an animal inside of me…?" Her knees trembled slightly. She clutched her chest.
I have an animal inside of mee!!!
Sakura stepped closer, placing a gentle hand on Lily's shoulder.
"If you master this power within you, Lily-sama… we can definitely win this war."
Renji slammed his foot down.
"NO!"
The air tightened and Sakura glanced back
Renji's voice thundered with authority.
"I won't have my little sister on the front lines risking her life to fight a war! We don't even know if it's truly Rajah or not!" she wasn't created by my mother she was created by the supreme diety
According to what my mother told me her and rajah were part the first creations the supreme diety created the supreme diety dividing himself into twelve fragments which includes my mother to rule separate universes ..
Rajah was the first of the spirit animal of the supreme diety a fox of that power choosing a human it's unheard off
He clenched his hands so hard his knuckles turned white.
"Why would Rajah choose her? Rajah only submits to my mother. She doesn't submit to humans."
The room fell silent.
Sakura inhaled slowly, then spoke.
"No fox has six tails, Januza-sama. Except Rajah. What I saw inside her was unmistakable."
She folded her arms.
"We don't know why she chose Lill although there is one theory...… but now Lily holds a power that rivals even the gods if she can master Rajah's spiritual energy."
She met Renji's eyes without fear.
"Please, Januza-sama… let me train her."
Before Renji could reply....
"EHHHHH?!" Lily cut in, throwing her hands up.
"Don't I get a say in this?! It's my body, you know!"
Renji froze.
His face turned pale.
"Ah…"
She had a point.
Lily huffed, puffing her cheeks.
"Let's talk about this when we get back from the ceremony, okay? We're getting late."
She walked past both of them, her footsteps soft but determined.
"I'm going to change. Don't leave without me, okay?"
As she disappeared into her room, Renji exhaled slowly..almost shakily.
He watched the door close behind her and felt a warmth in his chest.
For eleven years… Lily had endured suffering no human should endure.
Pain. Loss. Loneliness. Fear.
And now she stood tall, speaking for herself, making choices.
She was all grown up.
Renji chuckled softly, almost proudly.
"Now… Rajah," he muttered under his breath. "Why would Rajah choose her? And why… a mortal?"
Sakura stepped beside him, arms folded behind her back elegantly.
"but you know," she began, "it is said that Rajah only chooses the purest of heart to wield her power."
Renji stayed silent.
Sakura continued gently.
"She was your mother's spirit guide. She has never bonded with anyone not even a human or any god ."
Her smile returned soft, warm, almost glowing.
"But what I saw… was Rajah. That means Rajah deemed your sister worthy of her power."
She straightened her posture."januza-sama… it means your sister is the purest of all humans."