Chapter 19
Meanwhile…
'What on earth is this…'
Strange things are happening to Kenjaku. It all started after his meeting with the new council/elders. At the same time, that chill has not gone away. He still shutters at the thought of the threat, and threats are nothing new to him.
It was the way it was spoken… that confidence that he hasn't heard in a while. Not since Sukuna or…
No, that's impossible!
He laughed off the notion. "There is only Yua, that clone of her ancestor and her children… there are no other Toorus. It's impossible for them to take over a sorcerer who is already possessed… there is NO way for them to return…"
He has researched countless times on returning sorcerers to life, he had to for the culling games and ensuring he brought back enough to bring forth his plan. But, if there is another method… he must learn of it.
For the moment being, he will keep his distance.
In that time… things have become rather odd in Kenjaku's world.
That sealed it was the day he went out to eat.
One of the few places he enjoys dining at, he just sat down to a meal set when he froze.
A mouse appeared on the table… and it looked like it was shopping…
"What…" he muttered.
The mouse was average and yet, it carried a little plate, picking things off Kenjaku's plates and helping itself. It took a moment to pause, stare at him… and wave hello.
'This isn't normal…' he has seen the waiter walk by countless times, looking to his table and refilling the water as needed, but never noticed the mouse. Kenjaku kept peering at it, there was curse energy coming off the creature too.
'Is this a shikigami?' he wondered. Because the vermin was getting annoying! So with no one noticing the mouse, he smirked and flicked it off his table. The mouse flew, skipped across the ground a few times before coming to a stop.
It didn't die.
Despite the energy Kenjaku infused into the strike, it was more than enough to kill a human. But the mouse lived?
Stranger still, it brushed off the strike, and appeared to be shaking its fists as if declaring war!
"What's the worst thing it could do?" Kenjaku muttered to himself and went back to his meal.
#
The mouse made a retreat.
It returned to its summoner and gave the details of its quest. "Oh? So he has engaged?" his summoner asked.
The mouse nodded and began to rub its hands in an evil way. "Well, the conditions are met… do as you please. Just avoid getting others caught up in your fun, agreed?" He stuck out his pinkie finger. The mouse shook it eagerly. "Be careful out there,"
The mouse wondered off once more.
Hiding behind a newspaper, wearing fake makeup and all was none other than Yua's grandfather. He was blessed with the opportunity to obtain a body of his own… how it came about was rather fascinating.
Before his return to this world. He encountered the soul he was to take over, the man was rather stunned to be brought back from the dead. "Does it work on careers?"
"My friend, I am sorry to say but… I am here to take over your body… I want to say though. I am a HUGE fan of comedy"
"Really? Prove it!"
He did comedy sketch with this sorcerer for a while, so much so he could keep going, but the other guy couldn't. So much so he actually surrendered and said. "Just… take over already" in a defeated tone.
"Hey, I don't mean to take over as an insult to you. No my friend, if anything, you have a phenomenal technique that I would only be honored to have… if I may?"
The sorcerer paused oddly. "You are asking for my body and my technique?"
"Sadly yes, but. I will make you a promise. That Kenjaku guy… the one that doesn't hesitate to kill people… he's still lingering, he was brought back… however. I will promise you here and now, I will make him suffer… with comedy"
He forced a smile. "Seeing how well you work it, I have no doubt…"
"What is your name, young man?"
"Fumihiko Takaba."
"Hakuryo Tooru."
They bowed to each other. "Tooru huh? Odd name."
"Not as odd as nearly everyone in the family having a dragon like name, it was awkward when you ran out of them…"
Takaba snickered but nodded. "You promise to keep comedy alive?"
Hakuryo smirked. "Boy, I'm about to show Kenjaku a side of comedy people overlook… you cannot go wrong with cartoon violence"
As the memory wore its way out of Hakuryo, he peered up just as the chaos erupted. So far he has seen the waiter slip, drop a whole order on Kenjaku's head. Only to have Kenjaku suddenly sit up from his booth, striking his head on a suddenly lowered lamp that came out of nowhere, nor is it part of this diner. It only got worst as he tried to get out of the booth, slipping every which way from the mess on the floor before sliding into another table, knocking everything over and on to himself once more.
Then, standing in front of Kenjaku, out of sight of everyone else… was the mouse waving rather and bearing a cheeky look. It took a bow before it vanished into smoke, undoing the summons.
"It's one thing to have comedy as your technique, it's another to know ALL comedy… including that seen in cartoons…" Hakuryo said and snickered.
In a younger body, and a technique well suited for himself. Hakuryo Tooru, Yua Tooru's grandfather, has returned to this world, but now goes by the name of Hakuryo Takaba in public.