Chapter 18: Yomi (I)

"Damn it, too many innocent people lost their lives in this war. Blossom, Bubbles, Buttercup... the most important people to us will never come back..."

Suddenly, Amaterasu appeared before me and said, "You've already defeated Jagu, so it's time for me to fulfill my promise. I would like to say that I've tried my best to revive all the people who died in that battle, but those three girls... My mother refuses to let them go. She said she won't release them unless the three of you go to Yomi and try to bring them back. I've already healed your wounds, so what you do next is up to you."

"Yomi? What does that mean?!" I had no idea what Amaterasu was talking about. By the time I regained my senses, her figure had already vanished.

"Wait, hold on a second!" I shouted.

When I opened my eyes, I found myself in a dark space, with a giant black torii in front of me. My transformed state had somehow been undone, and even the wounds from the battle with Jagu had fully healed.

I stood up and kicked Kagami and Shigeru, who were lying beside me, each a light kick: "You two, stop pretending to be asleep, get up!"

Kagami scratched his head, "Where are we?"

Shigeru dusted off his clothes, "We can be sure this isn't the world we were originally in."

I briefly explained to them what Amaterasu had just told me. Shigeru looked shocked: "Last time it was Takamagahara, now it's Yomi?! Did we sign up for a Japanese mythology tour or something?!"

Kagami's face turned pale, and he looked like he was about to cry, "Ugh, this place feels so scary!"

Shigeru sighed, "Of course it's scary. After all, this is the world of the dead, or to put it simply, hell."

I thought for a moment and asked Kagami and Shigeru, "Amaterasu wants us to go to Yomi and talk to her mother. What does that mean? It sounds like we're negotiating with a kidnapper for hostages."

Shigeru pondered for a moment and explained to us, "You should still remember when we were in Takamagahara, Amaterasu told us the myth of Izanagi and Izanami, right? Izanami is the mother Amaterasu mentioned, and Yomi is the world she rules. In Yomi, she is the one who controls everything."

Kagami's expression became serious, "So if we want to bring Miyako and the others back, we have to get her permission?"

I nodded in agreement, "It seems that way."

We carefully examined our surroundings and discovered that this place was full of rocks, gray earth, and withered plants, with no signs of life. The ground was a dark gray or pale color, as if the whole world was shrouded in the aura of death. The air was filled with the stench of decay and death. Thick fog enveloped the area, limiting our visibility, and it felt as if even time was stagnant here. There was no wind, only dead silence and coldness.

I looked ahead at the black torii, where a palace seemed to be at the end. I suggested to the two beside me, "Shall we go and check it out?"

The three of us then headed toward the distant palace.

"Yomi" - "Inside the Palace"

The palace, though vast, was extremely simple inside... or rather, eerie. The interior was dimly lit, with only a few faint light sources emitting a cold glow. The walls and floor were made of cold, hard stone, smooth but devoid of any signs of life. Bones were used to create sculptures everywhere on the walls, along with decaying wooden carvings. There were also many winding corridors on either side of the great hall, filled with darkness and an aura of the unknown.

We forced ourselves to suppress the urge to vomit and continued walking forward. Suddenly, we saw a massive throne in the center of the palace. Sitting on the throne was a woman with a beauty that rivaled Amaterasu's, but she was dressed in a black robe, emanating a chilling aura of death. Her eyes exuded a cold and superior air. She must be the goddess of Yomi, Izanami.

Izanami seemed to already know the reason for our visit and directly asked, "Are you three here for those three girls?"

I forced a smile, not quite reaching my eyes, and said, "Since you already know, that makes things easier. Hurry up and give them back to us!"

Shigeru sighed deeply, rubbing his forehead. "That's no way to ask someone for a favor..."

Kagami, looking sincere, immediately dropped to one knee. "Please, I beg you, return the three of them to us!"

Izanami stared at us, pondering for a moment. "Being able to defeat Jagu... for humans, you are indeed quite capable... Hmm, you're not human... I see, you're artificial beings..."

Without even asking, Izanami instantly saw through the fact that the three of us were not human. Our eyes widened in shock.

Izanami slowly spoke, "I may consider returning them to you, but first, you must fulfill my condition."

Curious, I asked, "Condition?"

Kagami, hearing this, quickly nodded. "Whatever the condition is, I'll agree to it!"

Shigeru also nodded in agreement. "Please tell us, whatever the condition is, we'll do our best to fulfill it!"

Izanami's gaze turned complicated, and a faint, almost imperceptible sadness crossed her expression. "I want you to bring Izanagi to me, but he must come here of his own free will."

With that, we were promptly escorted out of the palace by a group of blue-faced, fang-bearing Oni and ghosts.

We stood under the torii outside the palace, contemplating Izanami's condition.

I furrowed my brows. "Izanagi should be her husband, right? So now she wants us to bring her husband here, like we're negotiating a hostage exchange."

Shigeru, ever the model student among us, let his knowledge of history help us break the impasse once again. "A long time ago, Izanami died during childbirth. Izanagi came to Yomi to retrieve her, but by then, she had already eaten the food of Yomi, which disfigured her. When Izanagi saw her, he was so terrified that he fled, and their relationship was severed ever since... But it seems she still harbors some old feelings for her husband..."

Suddenly, Kagami's face turned pale, and he stammered, "Yuzuhiko... Shigeru... Shouldn't we... get out of here?!"

I glanced at him. "Why are you so nervous?"

Kagami's hand trembled as he pointed behind us. "Over there..."

Shigeru and I followed his finger, and what we saw startled us. A group of Oni and ghosts with terrifying faces and repulsive auras were rapidly closing in on us. The Oni had grotesque faces and emitted a nauseating stench, while the ghosts were like thin white mist, glowing faintly with a cold light.

Shigeru's eyes widened in terror. "Isn't it a bit early for Halloween?!"

I shouted to the two beside me, "Run!"

Without hesitation, the three of us bolted forward. Ahead, we saw a tunnel on a slope, with what seemed like a faintly glowing door at the end. We sprinted toward that door with all our might, and just as we passed through it, the roars of the Oni and ghosts behind us gradually faded, as if they were being sealed off on the other side of Yomi. We were all panting heavily, our hearts racing, as we finally steadied our breaths.

When we emerged from the tunnel, the scene before us left us in awe. We hadn't returned to the place we had expected; instead, we found ourselves in front of an ancient shrine. The shrine's structure was simple yet elegant, with a red torii and beautifully decorated halls that exuded solemnity. Above the shrine's main gate hung a plaque that read "Taga Taisha."

I caught my breath, pondering where we were. "This is Taga Taisha?"

Shigeru instantly connected the shrine to its historical significance. "This is Taga Taisha in Shiga Prefecture, dedicated to Izanagi and Izanami!"

Kagami quickly got to the point, raising a question. "So how are we supposed to find Izanagi?"

I rolled up my sleeves and looked at the two beside me. "Isn't it obvious?! We'll do what we're best at!"

The two immediately understood and prepared themselves.

"IZANAGI, WHERE ARE YOU?!" I shouted as I kicked over a tree in front of the shrine.

My voice echoed through the shrine's courtyard, the tree crashing down with a dull thud. Visitors around us were so startled by our actions that they retreated, staring at us like we were lunatics.

"IZANAGI, WHERE ARE YOU?!" Shigeru also began prying open the altar, toppling the shrine's plaque, and even dismantling the sacred plaque itself, clearly unconcerned about the damage he was causing. The visitors were terrified and confused by Shigeru's behavior, quickly distancing themselves from the chaos.

Kagami, growing increasingly anxious, rushed to the shrine's courtyard, knocking over stone lanterns and fences as he continued to shout, "IZANAGI, COME OUT!"

Suddenly, a shrine maiden appeared, angrily shouting at us, "What are you doing?! If you don't stop, I'm calling the police!" Her voice was filled with rage and anxiety as she tried to stop our destructive actions.

Despite her warning, we ignored her and continued our rampage. Soon after, the sound of sirens filled the air, and the police and Self-Defense Forces quickly arrived on the scene. Police cars and fire trucks followed, and even tanks and armored vehicles were deployed, surrounding the shrine tightly. The atmosphere became tense.

A police officer shouted through a megaphone, "Come out and surrender immediately, or we will use force!"

"They actually called the police?!" I was stunned. All we did was knock over a few trees, stone lanterns, and take down the plaque—weren't they overreacting?!

Kagami chuckled bitterly. "Wouldn't it be weird if they didn't call the police?!"

Shigeru, sweating nervously as he looked at the armed police and Self-Defense Forces, said, "But this is too much, isn't it? They even brought out tanks. They're treating us like terrorists!"

Though escaping from here wouldn't be too difficult for us, explaining our motives would only make things more complicated. I couldn't exactly tell them we were here to bring Izanagi to Yomi with us, could I? They'd think we were crazy!

Seeing us stand still, seemingly with no intention of surrendering, the lead officer shouted through the megaphone, "Commence assault!" As the police and Self-Defense Forces rushed toward us, the three of us prepared to flee the scene.

Suddenly, a blinding light enveloped us. The entire shrine was bathed in light, and in the midst of the dazzling brightness, we felt a powerful force abruptly transport us to an entirely new place. When the light faded, we found ourselves in an unfamiliar alternate space. The surroundings were completely different from the previous shrine, with ancient and majestic palaces, walls glowing faintly in the darkness, and swirling mists creating a sense of mystery and oppression.

As we looked around in bewilderment, a middle-aged man with a small mustache and dressed in a white robe suddenly appeared before us. His appearance and aura bore a striking resemblance to the mythical Izanagi.

His expression was dark, his eyes burning with anger, his hands on his hips as he glared at us. "Are you demolition experts, here to tear down my house?!"

Kagami looked puzzled. "Mister, who are you?"

The man's face turned livid as he shouted at us at a high volume, "Listen up, you brats, I am... Izanagi!"

I immediately realized, "Oh, that's great! Hurry and come with us!"

Shigeru quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, I apologize for our reckless and rude behavior earlier. We had our reasons for doing it!"

Izanagi's anger subsided slightly, but he still looked quite displeased. He eyed us and spoke in a somewhat calmer tone, "Since you didn't mean to cause harm, explain clearly what you're looking for, and I might consider helping you."

However, when we explained our intentions, he looked horrified and shook his head frantically. "Are you kidding me? I barely managed to escape from there, why would I want to go back?! There are plenty of fish in the sea; why cling to just one flower? You're young, why struggle over an old relationship? Go find a new life in the human world!"

When I heard those words from Izanagi, my mind was filled with anger and frustration. This guy was telling us to give up? To give up on the people who mean the most to us and go look for some 'new life'? What a joke! Does he really think that just because he's a god, he can toy with us?

I couldn't take it anymore. The anger boiling inside me, feeling like I was being played, I suddenly rushed forward, grabbing Izanagi by the collar, my eyes blazing with fury. I shouted, "You old man with a mustache! We risked our lives to get here, and you think this is a joke?!"

Shigeru clenched his fists, his voice louder than I expected. "You coward, afraid of your wife! Forget relying on you; if it comes down to it, the three of us will just storm Yomi ourselves! We don't need your help!"

Kagami, trying to mediate, urged us, "Yuzuhiko, Shigeru, calm down!"

But to my surprise, instead of getting angry, Izanagi squinted his eyes, as if he suddenly noticed something. His eyes widened in shock. "How did the Yasakani no Magatama I gave my daughter end up on you?!"

It turns out he noticed the magatama hanging around my neck. Kagami and Shigeru also caught on and pulled out the Kusanagi Sword and Yata Mirror from their pockets.

He muttered to himself, "Even the Kusanagi Sword and Yata Mirror... I see, you three are the ones my children mentioned who defeated Jagu..." Then a sly smile crept onto his face. "It's not impossible for me to go to Yomi with you, but first, you must answer me this: Why are you so desperate to bring them back?"

Faced with this question, I roared, "They did nothing wrong, so why should they suffer like this?! They've spent so much time as the Powerpuff Girls Z protecting the peace of Tokyo, making enormous sacrifices for everyone's safety, even at the cost of their lives!"

Kagami followed up, "We've witnessed how they fought, how they lived, always putting others before themselves. They've proven their kindness and selflessness through their actions. And now, you so-called gods want to wipe out their efforts and lives without reason? Is that your idea of justice?"

Shigeru joined in, his voice firm. "Why should they have to endure this fate? It's something we can't accept. They're not just our friends; they're our loved ones!"

After answering his question, I directly and bluntly asked in return, "Stop wasting time and tell us your condition already!"

Izanagi smirked. "I want you three to bring me the best dessert in the world!"

I could hardly believe my ears. This was a dignified creator god, and he was playing a dessert game with us at a time like this?

But no matter how much anger and frustration I felt inside, I knew that for their sake, we were willing to do anything. The expressions on Shigeru and Kagami's faces showed they were just as ready as I was to face whatever it took.

I muttered under my breath, "I can't believe our fate hinges on a dessert."

But regardless, for them, for our promise, I will give it everything I've got, even if it means satisfying this guy's appetite. Just wait, Izanagi, I will find the best dessert in the world and force you to fulfill your promise!

Izanagi seemed quite pleased with my reaction. He straightened the collar I had ruffled, then calmly said, "Since you're so determined, I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of dessert you can bring me."

With that, we were suddenly transported back to the real world. When we opened our eyes, we found the shrine completely intact, as if our earlier destruction was nothing but a dream.

Now, a new challenge lay before us: What exactly is the best dessert in the world?

At the Same Time "Yomi" "Dungeon"

In the cold, dark dungeon, the three girls, Momoko, Miyako, and Kaoru, were trapped in this hopeless space. Their faces were pale, and their eyes were filled with helplessness and exhaustion. They had lost the ability to transform into the Powerpuff Girls Z, and now they were just ordinary girls, without any strength to resist. All they could do was sit in a corner of the dungeon, powerless.

The air in the dungeon was thick with the stench of mold and decay, suffocating anyone within. The walls were covered in moss, the stone floor cold and hard, and every whisper echoed through the space like the whispers of death itself.

Momoko clutched her stomach, a wave of intense hunger washing over her. Her voice was weak and filled with unhidden longing. "I'm so hungry... I really want to eat something..."

Miyako and Kaoru were equally exhausted and starving. They leaned on each other, trying to find a bit of warmth and comfort in each other's presence. But at this moment, they had lost their usual vitality and courage, left with no choice but to helplessly await their fate.

At that moment, a faint sound of footsteps came from outside the dungeon, breaking the deathly silence. The girls looked up in surprise, only to see a black figure appearing at the cell door. As the figure came into focus, it revealed a face of stunning beauty—it was Izanami.

Izanami was dressed in a luxurious black robe, her long, jet-black hair draped over her shoulders, exuding an aura of nobility and coldness. Her eyes were deep and inscrutable, yet at this moment, they seemed unusually gentle. She approached the cell door softly, a gentle, motherly smile on her face.

"Poor children," Izanami said in a soft voice, with a warmth that only a mother could have. "You must be very hungry and tired. I've come to check on you."

The girls looked at her, their hearts filled with both surprise and a glimmer of hope. Perhaps this seemingly kind goddess would help them escape this dreadful place.

Momoko looked up, her eyes shining with a hint of hope. " Lady Izanami, can you help us? We're... we're so hungry... and thirsty..."

Izanami nodded gently, her smile growing even softer. "Of course. Just now, three boys came by. They said they were here to take you back." Her words carried a note of comfort, igniting a small flame of hope in the girls' hearts.

"Really? They were here?" Miyako asked excitedly, a spark of light flashing in her eyes. Kaoru also looked up, her heart filled with anticipation and gratitude.

As Izanami looked at their innocent and pure expressions, a barely perceptible malice flickered in her eyes. She clapped her hands lightly, and immediately, several maidservants entered the cell, carrying trays laden with food and drinks. The food looked delicious and aromatic, making the starving girls' mouths water uncontrollably.

"Go ahead, eat something. You need to regain your strength," Izanami said softly, her voice laced with tenderness, as if she genuinely cared for their well-being.

The girls felt their inner caution gradually fade, driven by hunger and exhaustion. Without hesitation, they lunged for the delicious-smelling food. They ate ravenously, as if it were the best meal they had ever had.

However, as they indulged in the delicious food, Izanami stood by, coldly watching their defenseless state. A slight, malicious smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

"Such poor children..." she thought to herself, with a cold sneer, "Do you really think anyone will come to save you?"

"They'll never be able to bring Izanagi here." She mused, her eyes flashing with contempt. "Even if they try, it will be in vain. These three foolish boys will eventually be consumed by despair, and they'll see their beloved girls remain in Yomi forever, unable to return to the human world."

Izanami understood all too well. She had set an almost impossible task, intending to drive these boys into an abyss of despair, forcing them to witness their loved ones trapped in Yomi, never to return.

"Now that they've eaten the food of Yomi, they'll never be able to leave this place." Izanami thought triumphantly as she watched the girls eating with gratitude, blissfully unaware of the trap they had fallen into.

After the girls had eaten their fill, Miyako looked up gratefully at Izanami, smiling as she said, "Thank you, Lady Izanami. You're so kind."

Izanami maintained her gentle smile, but a cold glint flashed in her eyes. "No need to thank me, children. You need to rest now; this place will be your final resting place."

As the girls heard this, they felt a slight unease, but their bodies, drained by hunger and fatigue, couldn't muster the strength to think any further about the meaning behind her words. They slowly leaned against the wall, closed their weary eyes, and drifted into a deep, heavy sleep.

Izanami turned and left the dungeon, a faint, malicious smile still playing on her lips. She knew that no matter how hard the boys tried, they wouldn't be able to pass her test.

Once the girls had eaten the food of Yomi, they would never be able to leave, and that was exactly the trap she had set.

"Just wait… their fate is already sealed," Izanami thought coldly as she walked deeper into the palace...

"Shiga" "Taga Taisha"

I thought for a moment, still unable to figure out what the best dessert in the world might be, so I asked Kagami beside me, "We're out of options, Kagami. Can you use your family's resources to arrange a helicopter to buy all the desserts from Kintokido?"

Kagami pondered for a moment, then questioned Shigeru and me, "Arranging a helicopter is no problem, but… do you really think Kintokido's desserts are the best in the world?"

Shigeru looked puzzled, "What do you mean?"

Kagami smiled, "Aren't we overcomplicating this? Could it be that the best dessert in our hearts is something we've already eaten?"

The best dessert in our hearts? Shigeru and I exchanged glances, and we instantly knew the answer. We spoke in unison, "The handmade chocolates they gave us!"

I thought about it, "Their craftsmanship wasn't perfect, but they put so much heart into it!"

Shigeru suddenly realized, "Yeah! Every bite was filled with their love!"

Kagami nodded in agreement, "We still have some left, stored in the fridge at home. Those chocolates they made with their own hands might just be the best dessert in our hearts."

I urged Kagami, "Hurry up and have them sent over!"

Kagami quickly pulled out his Samsung Galaxy. "Jubei, sorry to trouble you, but could you arrange for a helicopter to bring over the three boxes of chocolate in my fridge? I'm at Taga Taisha in Shiga, and it's urgent—I need them now!"

As we waited, our emotions were a mix of tension and anticipation. About 20 minutes later, we heard the roar of an engine. Looking up, we saw a helicopter circling overhead, then a parachuted package gently descended in front of us.

As we watched the package fall from the sky, we couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of excitement and relief. In times like this, it's hard not to admit that money really does make things happen!

"This is our answer," Kagami said confidently as he opened the package, revealing the three boxes of handmade chocolates we treasured the most. These chocolates carried the deep emotions we shared with them, representing the best dessert in our hearts.

We knew these chocolates weren't just food; they contained our memories, emotions, and promises. This was probably the answer Izanagi was seeking and our only hope of completing this task.

"Alright, we have the best dessert in the world," I said with confidence, my heart full of anticipation and resolve. "Now, let's see how Izanagi responds."

My companions, Kagami and Shigeru, and I stood before Izanagi, each holding a box of chocolates that represented the girls' heartfelt feelings. I held the heart-shaped chocolate made by Momoko; Kagami had the round chocolate from Miyako; and Shigeru was holding the star-shaped chocolate from Kaoru. Although these chocolates were not as meticulously crafted as professional confections, each one carried the deep emotions and sincere affection that the girls had for us.

When we handed the chocolates to Izanagi, he initially raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting much from these seemingly ordinary sweets. Nevertheless, he accepted them and began by tasting the heart-shaped chocolate from my box.

As he cautiously took the first bite, the initial look of disdain on his face gradually softened. Then, he picked up the round chocolate from Kagami's box, savoring it carefully, and followed by taking a bite of the star-shaped chocolate from Shigeru's box.

With each bite, we noticed Izanagi's expression growing more complex, as if each piece of chocolate was awakening different emotions deep within him.

A difficult-to-describe emotion appeared on his face. These chocolates were more than just ordinary desserts; to him, they conveyed the girls' pure and sincere feelings.

I noticed that Izanagi's gaze gradually became distant, as if he was reminiscing about something. Perhaps he was recalling the times he spent with his beloved wife, Izanami. Back then, they were young, filled with love and hope for each other. Izanami had once made many meals for him with her own hands. The flavors were not always perfect, but the heartfelt intent behind them was irreplaceable.

As these memories flooded back, Izanagi's hands began to tremble slightly, and tears welled up in the corners of his eyes. Finally, a tear slid down his cheek, falling onto one of the boxes of chocolate. At that moment, his vulnerability was laid bare, revealing the emotional turmoil within him.

Seeing this, hope ignited in the hearts of the three of us. I whispered to my companions, "He's crying... it seems he really felt something…"

Kagami clenched his fists, and Shigeru nodded. We exchanged glances, understanding that these chocolates had not only pleased Izanagi's taste buds but also rekindled his memories of a pure love long past.

Finally, Izanagi set down the chocolates and looked up, his gaze no longer cold but filled with warmth and nostalgia. He took a deep breath and then slowly said, "I am willing to go with you to Yomi to resolve this unfinished bond."

These words were the greatest victory for us. The girls' heartfelt emotions, conveyed through these handmade chocolates, had awakened Izanagi's feelings for Izanami. We were filled with gratitude and hope. All the hardships and efforts we had endured were finally paying off.

Now, we were just one step away from completing this impossible mission. Izanagi's decision not only meant we could save the girls, but also that the long-unresolved bond between him and Izanami would finally reach its conclusion.

"Thank you, Izanagi," I said sincerely, my heart brimming with gratitude.

Before we set off for Yomi, Shigeru suddenly grew serious, placing his hands on Kagami's and my shoulders. "I have something important to discuss with you two…"

Kagami and I exchanged puzzled looks. "What?"

With a grave expression, Shigeru said, "We need to be prepared for the worst-case scenario… if…" He then whispered in our ears.

"This is my decision, but I won't force you to make the same choice."

I shrugged and sighed. "I thought it was something complicated. I already decided I would do that!"

Kagami grinned, "It seems we're all on the same page~"

We exchanged a knowing look, nodded, and then followed in Izanagi's footsteps.