Extra - Proud As a Youkai

There is no single law or living being in this world that can hope to contain the might of the oni. In theory, at least.

When one looks at a scenery for too long or comes back to the same place frequently, they tend to miss the details about it. Everywhere ends up appearing the same, with no distinguishing features no matter where you look. For most people, these places are their personal spaces, some rooms in their home, their workplace, or a point of interest they come back to often.

For Arataki Itto, it was a jail cell.

What? Is there something wrong with jail cells? As far as he's concerned, the Police Station is like a hotel where you don't have to pay, don't have to keep quiet around tired old ladies, and there's no risk of burning the place down while roasting Lavender Melons. There's not much space to goof around, but sitting down in your cell with the boys and just hanging out together for a few days is never a boring time. What more could an oni ask for?

Oh, by the way, the Arataki Gang seemed to have gained an honorary member during the Musuko Festival.

Snoring on the floor, her bulging tummy heaving in her sleep, was this sort of flying Lavender Melon he could barely identify. Anyway, that was the little critter who'd whooped his sorry behind during the Mochi Munching contest. It puzzled him greatly - how such a small creature could eat plates of food that amounted to several times its size and not die. When he tried something like that, the whole gang had to carry him to see a physician while he clutched his stomach in pain.

That Flying Lavender Melon was built differently, and she'd earned his respect for it. It was his first time losing in an eating contest after all. Even that pink-haired lady couldn't outeat him, and the Archons know she tried! So seeing the fairy's small body toss and turn around the floor of his cold hard cell, Itto couldn't help but puff up his chest with pride. After several years of being a six-man squad - including Ushi and himself, welcoming a new member was a massive win for the team.

Of course, she had yet to officially join them, seeing as she was unconscious and unable to sign the handwritten form of allegiance to the gang. But honestly, was there a world where someone who could down infinite plates of mochi would refuse to join this squad of absolute winners? They had the very best of the best here, the cream of the crop, and with the Flying Lavender Melon in their ranks, the gang's prestige could easily rival that of the Shogunate.

Oh yeah. Itto couldn't help but laugh audibly at his own genius.

"Arataki Itto!"

The sudden noise of an iron tassel clanking against the steel bars made him bite his own tongue in surprise. A doushin was staring him down, his upper lip curled into an irritable scowl that spread out on his face's hardened features. The oni knew the face, its owner was frequently seen around the Police Station whenever the gang was 'visiting', it was no surprise to see him have to handle their mess again. And judging by the way he gripped tightly on his weapon, Itto could tell the man had had enough of their shenanigans.

"I am not interested in letting your gang of manchildren outlaws off the hook any longer. I really thought I'd seen the lowest of the low after that sumo match against the General, but the stuff you pulled at the festival, this..." He scoffed, his sour expression turning into a sarcastic smile. "This honestly takes the cake. You lot are officially the worst troublemakers in Narukami Island's history, congratulations."

The jab was welcomed with a raised brow on the inmate's end. "Hah? Liffen up, I'unno what to tell ya, man" he spoke with difficulty, trying to spare his tongue from further harm. "But the Arataki Gang tried to do fings right this time around. We got the auforization to put up our shtage, we partenered up with old man Shimura to get the mochi, we even drew the flyers ourselves and organived the bets. The only teeeeny tiny detail we forgot about was giving the Yashiro Commission their cut on our profits."

"And?"

"Aaaas well as paying Shimura for the mochi. But it was all a big misunderstanding, 'kay? Listen, do I look like a swindler to you?" The oni leaned forward while pointing at his own face, and only got a dry stare in response. "Yeah, don't answer that. What I'm saying is: a man forgets stuff from time to time, forgets to look at the festival rules, forgets to pay his business partners, and even forgets that his mochi-eating contest didn't make any sorta profit!"

"Yeah, you tell 'im, boss!"

"We were so focused on the festival we got sidetracked, it's no biggie!"

"Damn straight! We're tryna help the island's economy here!"

Akira, Genta, and Mamoru's voices clamored in the adjacent cell, slowly regaining courage by hearing their fearless boss talk the talk. However, their parade was soon rained on when the guard's tassel sent them cowering back into a corner of their cell. The doushin was about to let out another exasperated sigh, but a yawn coming from the oni's cell caught his attention first.

"Mmph... G'morning."

Paimon stretched out her arms as much as her tiny build allowed her to, rubbing her drowsy eyes with clenched fists as she began to float again. As if witnessing an incomprehensible wonder of nature, Itto's googly eyes observed the fairy flutter up and down as she shook off the remnants of her sleep.

And then, she began to look around.

"..."

And then, she panicked.

The white-haired pixie paced... flew in circles around their shared cell, from the hay bed, to the stone ceiling, to the steel bars, and back to the hay bed. A hint of fear and welling-up tears were already beginning to form in her dark starry eyes. "Aether? Hey, where's Aether..." she muttered in a plighty voice, while both Itto and the guard's eyes followed her erratic flight patterns around the confined space. Finally, she turned to the guard with puffy eyes, kicking the air with her feet.

"Paimon did nothing wrong, she shouldn't be in jail!"

To which the jaded guard shrugged. "A far as I'm concerned, you were in cahoots with these four... unemployed individuals, for lack of a better word, when we arrested them. It's the Arataki Gang we're talking about, they're seen plastering flyers on public property walls and trying to recruit new members around Hanamizaka around the clock. I've just decided not to take my chances with letting one of their little 'associates' run wild this time. Unless you can prove that you're not affiliated with them in any way, of course."

"Oi! The flying Lavender Melon is not a part of the gang yet. I understand that she's probably ecstatic about it - and frankly I can't blame her, who wouldn't. But we can't just go around skipping important steps." Itto went on, oblivious to the fact that he was being ignored. "There's the oath to take, the initiation test, and of course the great singalong when we get outta here."

The oni distinctively saw her cheeks puff up as if they were filled with hot air and primed to blow. "Paimon's only affiliation is with the Traveler, who's affiliated with way too many different organizations across the nations for Paimon to keep track of them all! In what world can you arrest people for participating in a mochi-eating contest anyway?!"

"In a world where said event is completely illegal and organized by shady characters who are known for disturbing the peace. We're in troubled times, kid. Any kind of slip-up can land you in jail, especially if you stumble upon a doushin like me, who just doesn"t care anymore. The Tenryou Commission has more important business to tend to than filter their jail cells, especially with a decree to enforce in the streets and a war on the rebels to fight in the west."

"But that's so unfair!"

Itto jammed a finger in her direction. "Kid's got a point, compadre. I don't mind spending a little time in jail every once in a while, but there's a lot of people out there who ain't big fans of steel bar hospitality. Inazuma's into some deep trouble right now, but you guys are supposed to be the ones shielding everyone from that trouble." He upheld the guard's gaze for a second before scoffing. "Everyone except me of course - 'The Pride of Oni' don't need no shielding. But you get my point."

The man leaned against the bars, his annoyed look suddenly shifting into a menacing scowl. "You two don't seem to understand who calls the shots here. Inazuma has changed, people. It's not the open field where outlanders and bandits can do as they please anymore. Now is the time for order and stability, and only the Tenryou Commission can bring it to this nation. We are the ones in power here, so I suggest you two watch your tongue before telling me how to do my job. Do I make myself clear?"

The oni and the fairy had both fallen completely silent, but when the guard expected to see a look of fear or at least respect, they held a blank expression. His speech seemed to have bounced off their skin with little impact, and worst of all, they were not even outright mocking him. Both of their gazes ran just past his shoulder, and he finally swivelled around with irritation to assess what they could be staring at that was more important than him.

When his eyes met a red crow mask's, he'd found his answer.

The General of the Tenryou Commission herself towered over him with her natural height, her arms crossed and wings unfurled, letting loose dark feathers that slowly fell to the ground. Under her mask and beneath her indigo hair were her piercing golden eyes, and for once he wished to see at least an ounce of fury within them. But she remained calm and composed, her breath rhythmical and precise, just like the arrows she could be firing into his chest at any given moment. Drawing her bow would only take an instant if she wished to do so.

"Madam Kujou Sara!" He immediately saluted, his form disrupted by the clattering of his polearm hitting the floor. "My fellow soldiers believed you to have joined the frontline in Kannazuka already."

"Doushin Maeda." she greeted back, still leaving him the liberty of messing up further rather than chastising him outright. "There has been a little change of plans - my ship will be departing on the morrow instead. Not that it should matter, I know I can leave the Police Station in the hands of capable and righteous men like yourself. Surely you will not prove me wrong?"

He failed to meet his superior's eye, suddenly finding difficulty breathing. "I- of course not, your mind can be at ease while repressing the resistance. We will be taking care of everything on Narukami Island during your absence."

"Good, good. After all, now is the time for order and stability, is it not? And surely, it is also the time for determining who can use the power granted by the Almighty Shogun for good," The faintest crackle was heard in her breath as she stepped forward. "and those who cannot be trusted."

"..."

"It is the Tenryou Commission's duty to serve as the people's shield while enforcing Her Excellency's will." With a light kick against the ground, the polearm spun and ended up in her hand. The tengu general held it in front of her subordinate, urging him by her gaze to take up his weapon. "If you cannot fulfill these two duties to the best of your abilites according to the oath you took when you first became a soldier, then separate yourself from those who fight under the Almighty Shogun's banner. Having someone like you on the battlefield would be a liability to the Shogunate's troops at best."

Seeing as the guard who was acting so arrogantly earlier was now sweating profusely, a certain oni got a bit too comfortable. "The Tenryou Commission must shield the people, huh?" he grinned. "Nice one, Kujou Tengu. Good to see you're learning from the very best-"

The glare he received was darker and more ominous than the clouds gathering over Seirai. His face losing some of its color, Arataki 'The Fearless' Itto trailed off while whistling an off-beat tune.

"Haha... Forget I said anything..."

Maeda audibly gulped. "Madam Kujou... you're not actually going to duel me, right? I know there's my honor involved and all, but-"

"Don't be ridiculous, doushin." Her grip on the staff tightened, and with a light pulse of electricity, she snapped it in two. Tassel and what remained of the shaft fell to the ground, a very thin trail of smoke emanating from the broken ends of the thick wooden pole. The doushin watched his weapon no-longer disintegrate, horrified. "A duel would inevitably result in your death, and it is not how I operate. We will properly settle this matter once I return from the battlefield. For now, you open these cells."

She did not have to repeat herself, as he immediately went to open the relevant locks, fumbling with the set of keys at his waist. They eventually all clicked and turned, the gates opening to let the five prisoners go free. Akira, Genta and Mamoru began to praise their boss for his foresight and eloquence, his wit being obviously the reason they were being released by the general. A nervous Paimon hesitantly flew out of the cell, and yelped when the tengu called out to her.

"You." Her features seemed to relax a bit as she studied the flying creature. "There's a blond outlander who's waiting at the entrance. He looked quite worried about his companion, you should go and see him."

Paimon's face lit up as she excitedly nodded, and then zoomed out. This left only Itto, his boys, and the shell of a doushin in the room. The gang leader stretched his arms behind his back before nodding towards the door with a wink. "Of all people in the Tenryou Commission, the one who understands we're actually innocent is you, Kujou Tengu. I kinda owe you one, but that doesn't mean I'll lose to you in any way!" As he pointed a challenging finger at her, an idea seemed to come over his mind. "Actually, since we're both free, let's have that rematch! C'mon, you and me, right here right now!"

His enthusiasm was not enough to faze her in the slightest, however. "Do not push your luck, Arataki Itto. I am only letting you four off the hook this time because I was able to straighten things out with your deputy. She's the one you will have to answer to for the ruckus you all caused at the festival." If you can please hurry, she's waiting outside and seems to be in a rather sour mood."

"Sour? You mean she's pissed?"

"If that word makes more sense to you, then yes."

Wordlessly, Itto shared a knowing look with his comrades. Akira, Genta and Mamoru looked at eachother in silence, then looked at their boss. The four men firmly nodded in unison, took in deep breaths... and walked right back into their respective cells.
As if they were going to take their chances with the 'Arataki's Demonic Deputy'. Maybe they were not the smartest apples of the batch, but even they knew to avoid broken bones if they could.

The oni sat down on the cold floor, his legs crossed. "Close the door, Kujou Tengu. It's safer for us to be in here than out there with an angry Shinobu on the loose."

The three gang members concurred with energetic nods. "For sure! She's just back from visiting her family, she's definitely gonna release all that pent-up anger on us when we did almost nothing wrong! Maybe it doesn't make sense to you, but jail is actually a whole lot safer than the streets right now."

But of course, rather than closing the cells for them, Kujou Sara shrugged. As if she had time for this. Thankfully, they were all gathered in one place, cleaning up would only be easier. She calmly walked towards the door, and her face briefly disappeared as she called out to someone on the other side.

"Miss Kuki? Yes, they're all yours."

Before the General had even finished talking, the door flipped open to reveal the Arataki Gang's deputy. A young woman with light green hair, a mask that covered the lower half of her face, and most importantly, a murderous look in her eyes stomped forward. Shinobu cracked her knuckles as she neared her unfortunate comrades, who all instinctively recoiled into a corner.

"I leave you boys on your own for two days while I spend the festival with my folks. Just. Two. Days." The deputy's eyes glowed with a fury that was reminiscent of the tengu general's. "Do you know how much I had to spend to compensate Shimura for his losses? And how many apology letters I had to write because of your irresponsibility? But no, you three only care about running off to have fun. You're grown men, dammit!"

She kicked open the unlocked door to Itto's cell, who in turn let out an extremely manly scream while trying to become one with the wall. "Oi, oi! I don't like the look you have in your eyes at all, Shinobu! I-I'm the boss around here remember? We're like a big family, right?"

Shinobu clutched a tuft of his white hair and drew his face closer to hers. "That's right. And like in every functional family, someone's gotta discipline the children."

"KUJOU TENGU, DO SOMETHI-"

Sara shut the door behind her just as a high-pitched scream pierced the air above the Police Station. As always, Arataki Itto never failed to waste her precious time. If only she could get rid of that nuisance of an oni and his followers permanently... no, she couldn't go that far. At least she had his Vision as well as his deputy's, it was the only thing of importance in the eyes of the Shogun. Now, it was only a matter of bringing down Sangonomiya's people as swiftly as possible, and then using her new status as a war hero to apply pressure on the more influential nobles who could be opposing the Vison Hunt Decree.

The General of Tenryou Commission looked up at the blazing sun above. She was five minutes late to her midday training session. This was the last chance she had to practice before she could crush the Resistance for good. No time to waste.

Her dark wings unfurled, and she took flight.

A little extra chapter for y'all, I hope you like it. Don't worry, we'll get back to ambitions and political intringues very soon.

Itto's great. I mean, how can you not love the One and Oni himbo? It's a shame he couldn't be a part of the main Archon Quest, but I can at least utilize him in this fic. It's not the last we'll see of the Arataki Gang either, keep your eyes peeled. As for Sara, I'm working on making her appear as more than just Takayuki's pawn and an actually cunning, feared war general. We'll get more in depth with that later down the line, though.

Not writing a fight scene for so many chapters is killing me. But I'm sure you all can guess when it's gonna go down.