The next day, Misaki and Naomi did not show up at school due to feeling unwell.
At around 1 pm, both Misaki and Naomi were texted by Michika
-Can I talk to your mother? Maybe there will be some way to break this curse forever?
This year is unlike any since 1972.
Surely this is our chance, possibly our only chance.
Misaki wrote her back
-I don't give a shit about this class anymore, do what you want, but from me and my family, get away.
Naomi, in turn, wrote back like this.
-Please Michika...
It's really painful for me, give me a break for a while.
Michika then started calling them but they did not answer.
Issei also tried to text Naomi, however Naomi ignored all messages from her friends.
Michika then decided to visit Sakutarou Anju, who was in possession of the chronicles of the Muneyoshi clan.
Once there, Sakutarou greeted her and opened the safe.
Sakutarou: Let's see what we have here...
Hmmm...
These chronicles were last transcribed sometime in 1901, so be careful.
Although, actually, they belong to you.
So you can do what you want with them.
Michika: I know, thank you.
Michika picked up a thick, old book.
Despite being 124 years old, it was still in relatively good condition, so Michika decided not to destroy them by exposing them to weather and moisture.
Michika: It doesn't bother you, Sakutarou-sama that I will read them here?
Sakutarou: No, I don't see any obstacles.
Just don't sit too long.
Michika took to reading.
1547
An agreement was made between the Minamiyashiki, Hironiwa and Anju clans to destroy the Muneyoshi clan.
A series of battles ensued, which were initially won by the Muneyoshi clan, however, over time, the clan began to lose.
The clan was decimated, with the last few members hiding near Yomiyama Mountain.
Clan head Yorinobu Muneyoshi contemplated undertaking a collective suicide, the atmosphere was grave, defeat seemed inevitable and the clan's forces were destroyed.
Once, one hooded figure entered the hideout.
Yorinobu drew his katana and pointed it at the newcomer.
Yorinobu: You will not get my life without a fight!
Newcomer: Take it easy... Put down your weapon Yorinobu-sama...
I have no intention of doing you harm, on the contrary I will help you.
Not everything is lost yet.
Yorinobu did not put down his sword, he still kept it pointed at the newcomer, his wife-Shuuno noticed that the newcomer had lighter skin than anyone, he was certainly not Japanese.
Shuuno: You are a Gaijin aren't you?
Newcomer: That's right, I am.
However, I have already mastered your language. Therefore, I am able to communicate with you.
This was also noted by Katsuari Muneyoshi - Yorinobu's brother, and heir to this clan.
Katsuari: What do you want from us?
We are already just waiting to die, however, we will not allow ourselves to be taken alive, we will kill as many Hironiwa or the Minamiyashiki soldiers as possible.
Newcomer: What if I say that I can help you change that?
Yorinobu finally lowered his sword, and angrily shouted to the foreigner.
Yorinobu: What do you think? How do you think I can defeat the Hironiwa and Minamiyashiki clans at the same time?
Besides, even if I won a victory with the remnants of my forces, those cursed Anju might intervene.
Newcomer: I am talking about something else here.
I will make you gain powerful allies who will change the balance of victory.
Yorinobu laughed, however it was laughter mixed with despair.
Newcomer: Oh? Don't you believe me?
I don't blame you...
But, if you change your mind, your son will be a great diplomat and warrior, who knows, maybe even your descendant will become a the Shogun.
Yorinobu became extremely angry
Yorinobu: Listen, not only is my clan on the verge of collapse, but in addition, even in its heyday it could not compare with clans such as Imagawa, Takeda, Hojo or Uesugi, I dare say even all that also the rest of the clans in the area, namely Hironiwa, Minamiyashiki or Anju combined could not compare with one of these clans.
So if you are a mere jester sent to me by no one knows who, I would rather kill you.
Newcomer: But no, what I preach is the truth.
Trust me Yorinobu Muneyoshi, I don't think you have anything to lose right?
But no, what I preach is the truth.
Trust me Yorinobu Muneyoshi, I don't think you have anything to lose right?
And in addition, I will give you a gift, you see.
If I felt like it I could kill your entire clan before you could draw your sword.
Yorinobu pulled out a pistol and handed it to Yorinobu along with a pouch of gunpowder
Yorinobu took it, and examined it carefully.
Yorinobu: What is it?
Newcomer: The Portuguese don't trade it with you? It is a gunpowder weapon, and this model is one of the technological innovations.
Much handier than the arquebus.
Yorinobu: Do you have more of these?
I wouldn't beat either the Hironiwa or Minamiyashiki clans anyway.
Newcomer: I want to give power to your offspring, your wife is bearing the child isn't she?
Yorinobu: What does that have to do with anything?
Yorinobu had no choice, so he decided to trust the stranger.
Newcomer: Do you want the power?
Yorinobu: I want it.
Newcomer: I don't think I heard right?
Yorinobu: I WANT IT!
Newcomer: That's better, are you going to do anything to obtain it?
Yorinobu: Yes.
Newcomer: Everything?
Yorinobu: Yes.
Newcomer: Even if it means that you will kill your brother?
Katsuari: Don't listen to him venerable brother!, this person is probably sent by the…..
Katsuari didn't have time to finish what he was saying when his brother cut him short.
Yorinobu regretted the act, so he looked angrily at the newcomer.
Yorinobu: What now?
If you forced me to kill my own brother for nothing then you will suffer cruel torment.
Newcomer: Let your wife drink a few cups of his blood.
Shuuno did what the newcomer wanted, after which the newcomer smiled.
Newcomer: Know that from now on, any child born first in the main line of your clan will die, however, every other member of your clan will gain a gift.
A gift that will enable him to make alliances with anyone, your descendant will renew the golden days of your clan.
And now it's time for the last part of the ritual.
Newcomer: Katsuari-sama, would you make a statement on this issue?
Yorinobu: What do you mean my child will die?
Not only did I lose my brother, but I lost a descendant?
Newcomer: This is one of the conditions for receiving this power.
The other is to recognize your brother as alive, but don't worry.
He will disappear with the birth and death of your firstborn offspring.
He is still here, you just have to recognize it.
And also remember that the curse of your clan's firstborn will end with the main line of your clan.
Regardless of the conditions, it lasts for 13 generations.
The person born in the 13th generation will be the last of your clan's main line.
Yorinobu: I hope you are not deceiving.
It also continued, for 7 months Yorinobu and his wife, as well as a handful of subordinates, maintained that Katsuari was still alive.
Finally, when the first child was born and died after delivery, memories related to Katsuari during those 7 months were forgotten.
In 1555, Shuuno became pregnant again, and this time she suffered headaches, and feeling unwell, it was certain that she would die.
An enraged Yorinobu held the European in a makeshift dungeon.
Shuuno died as soon as she gave birth to her child, Katsushige Muneyoshi.
Katsushige was born with unnatural green eyes, which were something of a seal of this clan, as well as the curse it carried.
The European escaped, killing two of his subordinates.
He later reportedly jumped down Yomiyama Mountain, at least that's what Yorinobu heard from one of his subordinates.
Katsushige spent his youth in hiding, however, when he turned 14, he discovered that his orders were not spoken by anyone.
When Yorinobu asked one of his servants to commit suicide, the servant refused, however when he did Katsushige carried out the order without a shadow of a doubt or fear.
Being certain about his ability 14-year old Katsushige arranged an alliance between Yonezu and Muneyoshi clan sealed by the marriage with Kinumi Yonezu.
The Muneyoshi clan regained former territories and also took some away from the Minamiyashiki, Hironiwa and also Anju clans.
However, Katsushige's policy toward these clans was not revenge, but reconciliation.
The Muneyoshi clan became the hegemon in the area, and the rest of the clans were shadowed by this clan for a long time.
However, they also realized the inevitable curse of primogeniture, and that women also inherited the skill, however, they could not pass it on, as the first person with the skill was a man.
In order to prevent the clan from collapsing again, young clan members were married off at a very young age, and more offspring were sought.
Because of this, over the next 300 years the Muneyoshi clan was quite numerous.
The Muneyoshi clan also chose not to expand, and after gaining hegemony in the local region, it subordinated itself to the Shoguns of the Tokugawa clan.
The clan tried to hide with its skill, so great expansion was not wanted.
Chronicles detailing the clan's history from the Edo period and before 1901 have not yielded any major information for Michika.
In 1901, only the concern that the children of Tokichi Muneyoshi, a descendant of Katsushige in the 12th generation, would be the last of the clan's main line was recorded.
Michika gave the chronicles to Sakutraou, however, she was curious about the fate of her clan from 1901 to 1977.
Michika: Sakutarou-sama, may I know about the fate of my clan after 1901?
Sakutarou looked at her, he was already tired, Michika had been reading the chronicles for 6 hours.
It was already late, but he decided to go along with her.
Sakutraou: All right.
So, during World War I and World War II, many members of the Muneyoshi clan died, who often held high positions in the army, Tokichi himself even became a general, however, he survived, both the war with Russia and the later wars.
What's different is that his sons and older daughter - they died in war or from disease, as did many members of the clan's lateral lines.
In 1949, the last clan leader from the main line became Kaguya Muneyoshi, who married her very distant cousin – Umenosuke Muneyoshi.
My father told me, when your grandfather was born in 1953 how Kaguya was scared… And she was relieved when Shion was alive after being born.
Michika: I see…
So, thank you for this Sakutarou-sama….
I really appreciate this…
Sakutarou: I think you should know about your clan's history, so I feel pleased to help you with it, however I have another question for you.
Sakutarou looked into Michika's eyes seriously.
Sakutarou: There is also something you need to know….
When you will learn about this, I promise you that you will stop working for Chitose..
But I'm not sure If I can tell you that now….
Michika seemed curious
Michika: Huh?
I don't love Chitose, I just… It's more like I have to work for her, I'm not volunteering.
I hope you understand that Sakutarou-sama…
Sakutarou: Yes, I understand that… But…
Chitose's crime empire must be finished…
I know that she started selling drugs in Japan now, and that fact enrages me… but…
To be honest...
I can't do much about that…
I have to turn a blind eye on this….
Even though I'm strongly against selling this kind of trash in Japan.
I could accept the fact that Chitose just sold that kind of stuff away, firstly to Russia, then to China. But now?
Michika: I know what you might feel…
But… Chitose's influence is still strong right?
Sakutarou: Unfortunately yes…
Michika: So, I think I will visit you one day again…
So, goodbye Sakutarou-sama…
Sakutarou: Likewise.