Chapter 23

In Kyoto.

"HEY VIEWERS WHAT UP!" Trigun had just arrived in Japan.

He managed to catch a red eye flight, not to mention pulling some strings and using connections to get to Japan as soon as he could. The moment he arrived, he started to film himself. After all, he is more than aware of the council here, and he also knows that the council doesn't want to rally up other branches of the jujutsu society considering their… lack of resolve at the moment.

However, that doesn't mean they won't try and get other sorcerers to do their bidding. Thus, why Trigun started to record and make certain that his views know where he is if he happen to go 'missing'.

With his video uploaded and the views racking up, he knows it made it safely on line.

Now, to scope out the place.

Kyoto was one of the most curse infested areas he has ever been in. Despite the weak ones around, they still lingered. 'I had heard that jujutsu originated here… I can understand why at the same time, before the culling games there was a sorcerer who maintained a barrier over Japan as well, which is why virtually all sorcerers are born in Japan…' he thought to himself.

It was very rare, almost like winning the lottery rare for a sorcerer to be born outside of Japan, they are very few and far between. However, that doesn't mean they don't exist. Sorcerers from all over the world saw and were aware of the culling games. Yet, since there were so few, it was only remembered by those who saw it. Remarkably, he ran into a fellow jujutsu sorcerer and asked them about it. "What are you talking about?" he protested.

"Which makes it clear, the jujutsu used affected those who had visibly seen the culling games… that was broadcasted all over Japan, and yet…" he peered about. There was only one place that has yet to recover from such an incident.

Shibuya.

That still stands as a wasteland and yet, at the same time blocked off from mortals. The humans were told a lie of it too when no one could recall the culling games. The government claimed that terrorists attacked Shibuya. However they have placed traps and landmines all over the city and it is still taking time to 'remove them' in order to better protect the people, thus why it stand abandoned to this day.

Trigun wondered through to see for himself. The place became a dumping ground for the council here of curses. But, there was one area of interest that made his blood run cold.

It was a wide open space, in the middle of the city… where nothing stood.

There wasn't a scrap of steel, a plank of wood, or even grass attempting to regrow in the desolate dirt.

It was utterly annihilated.

He even got a chill as he lingering curse energy here remained. "So, this was Ryomen Sukuna's domain…" he whispered. "Impressive…"

But for the time being, he had to get to work, in fact, he started to do some research on the curse wombs. Going into one of the robust sides of Japan, away from Shibuya, he saw his first clue. One of the greatest sources came from their magazines, since apparently, these curses are in showbiz. There were magazines about them, apparently, these curses are a rather popular rock band.

"That's something you don't see everyday…" he muttered.

He brushed up on his Japanese before arrival, he read up on the articles and got a sense as to what he is looking for. There was one that stuck out in his mind that he wanted to take out first, the tall, silent one, the one named Tanso.

He began to read up on him.

'Tanso, second eldest brother of the Death Paintings, he's the backbone of the band. His drumming is second to none, not many have been able to keep pace with him. Former drummer for Ryomen Sukuna, he has since changed bands to be with his brothers. Tanso is the strong, silent type. Not a word will come out of him, however, despite his silence, one doesn't cross him, worst still, if you cross his brothers!'

He had a wild look to him, Trigun was already assuming his abilities just by the picture alone. "Huh, there was some information about these, Tanso if I am not mistaken has an army of familiars at his beck and call. Meaning he might be a summoner… yet due to the family history, the bloodline of the Kamo clan, as well as the curse aspect of himself it's something far more… sinister."

He read up on the other brothers, however, Tanso seems like a good one to sink his teeth into. "If I take out one of the older brothers, the younger ones will crumble, for I took a portion of foundation from their little… family." He decreed to himself.

But, how to find him?

If this guy is making familiars, that must mean he hunts, but, what DOES he hunt? Perhaps a trap could be made for him with an exotic animal of some sort.

In fact, a great idea came to his mind; he just had to find a local zoo…

#

Elsewhere…

It was a week since his departure.

The Kamo clan and all within the jujutsu council were concerned. Kenjaku left without a word or warning and gave no orders to those who remained behind. Since then, the clan has been trying to figure out how to go about their task.

"He wants us to traumatize Yua Tooru so she doesn't have children, that's easier said than done isn't it?"

"No shit, we know they are in the Gifu prefect region, however the restriction…"

"We have yet to find another way around it, not to mention, the restriction appears to have gotten worst! We sent a scout not too long ago to investigate the region. He came back but barely had any energy to call upon and use… that effect lingered for two weeks!"

"TWO WEEKS!?"

This was getting serious.

Every time they attempt to escalate their efforts, the traitors appear to do the same. "Also, what's with his unhealthy obsession with this sake? So what if Noritoshi is doing this, why does it bother Kenjaku?"

They shrugged. "Whoever his business partner is must be rattling his cage for some reason…"

"Good chaps, it's not rattling the cage, and it's merely realizing there is someone out there who I have familiars with…"

The room paused.

The voice of a gentleman came over their ears, and yet, he was British, but spoke perfect Japanese.

"Who… are you?" the Kamos asked.

He smiled warmly to them. "Baldr, that's all you need to know. I come from a clan of dragon slayers." He explained. "Actually, some have gotten ahead of me and were investigating. Have any of you come across them?"

The sorcerers paused oddly to this. "Who or what are you… I am sensing some curse energy coming from you and yet… something isn't right about this…"

Baldr chuckled. "Well, I am not a jujutsu sorcerer… at the moment, but I can change that rather easily. For the moment, consider me a friend. We have something in common, for you are after traitors of your craft… I am after those who turned them INTO traitors. You see, you gentlemen are no longer up against mere sorcerers. You are staring down dragons."

No one moved.

Instead, they all peered to one another before they burst out into fits of laughter. "DRAGONS?! Yeah! Sure!" they snickered.

The confident young man only sighed. "So this seems to be the problem…" he said with an exasperated sigh. "Very well then, I will return when I have gathered more information. In the mean time, I do suggest you not fail the one you answer too… I think his mercy only goes so far, does it not?"

The suddenly froze.

"Do you know Kenjaku?!" one dared to ask.

But he merely smiled and waved goodbye, taking his leave.

However, no one could move. "Has he gone elsewhere to do in Yua Tooru?" one asked.

"If he had, I am certain that guy would have bragged about it… if anything gentlemen, it's time we call for… THEM"

There was a nod in agreement from the sorcerers. It was time to call upon their ultimate hit squad.