[A/N: I want to make this completely clear to every reader this is Arc 1 as such please do not try to power scale anything i say. This arc is meant to introduce the world its characters and lore it will have fights against strong youkai but at the current level of where the mc is at or a bit stronger. So please wait until Arc 2 when i am actually focused on power scaling and fights in other words think of Arc 1 as season 1 of Nura Rise of the youkai clan anyways onto the chap ]
[A/N: sorry for the late update i was just lazy and my favorite author has not posted so i felt not encourage to start editing and my rolls for CIEL was bad]
As night fell and the moon rose high into the sky, it was already past nine o'clock when Rikuo finally woke from his nap.
Sitting up, he rubbed his eyes before letting out a yawn. After getting out of bed, he walked over to his wardrobe and changed into a loose black kimono-style outfit with wide sleeves and comfortable hakama-like trousers.
After what happened during his first transformation, Rikuo knew that wearing his normal clothes was a bad idea.
The extra space would give his body room to grow without immediately tearing his clothes. It was not the most modern outfit since it was a traditional outfit his late grandfather gave him, but for someone whose body could suddenly change size, practicality mattered more than appearance.
Once he finished getting dressed, Rikuo left his room and headed toward the living room. The wooden floor creaked beneath his footsteps as he walked through the house.
Reaching the living room he found Kenjiro still resting on the sofa with new bondage around his body.
"Hey Tom— Kenjiro, do you know where Kurotabo is? I can't find him."
Opening his eyes, Kenjiro stretched before jumping down from the sofa.
"He went to the storeroom."
"Alright, let's go there."
The two began walking toward the side of the house where the storeroom was located. Along the way, Rikuo looked around at the repaired yard and store room.
The damage caused by that man that night had completely disappeared. The uprooted ground and the blood that spilled on the grass that night, and even the hole in the storeroom had been repaired. Looking at it now, it almost felt like everything that happened that night had been nothing more than an illusion.
As they reached the storeroom, Rikuo opened the door and saw Kurotabo carefully examining the vases inside, his eyes filled with curiosity.
"Your grandfather was truly talented when it came to creating pottery. However, I can't say the same about his understanding of art."
"Yeah, he spent most of his time here making them. He said my grandmother was the one who taught him, and after she passed away, he continued making them as a way to remember her."
"That's sweet."
Putting the vase down, Kurotabo turned his attention toward Rikuo and Kenjiro, who was still standing at the entrance.
"It's finally nighttime. We should probably begin your lesson."
Picking up the much larger vase sitting near the shrine — far bigger than the one that had been there a few days ago — Kurotabo carried it outside as Rikuo and Kenjiro followed behind him, heading toward the yard.
Kenjiro walking pass the two laid down on the veranda while Rikuo and Kurotabo stood in the center of the yard.
"If we want to break your connection with the scroll, you must learn how to control your yoki to cast a youjutsu to break the bond. And to do that, you need to transform again to access your yoki."
Kurotabo lifted the vase and opened it.
Immediately, a terrible smell escaped.
A rotten, burning stench filled the air, causing everyone nearby to scrunch their faces and turn away.
"So drink this. I had to add some alcohol to it since, when I first found it, the bottle was already half empty."
*********Two Days Ago********
Still in the hospital Rikuo and Kurotabo were still taking about the attack that night
"That night was my first time transforming into a youkai... but I don't believe it happened simply because I was on the brink of death."
"Oh? Why do you say that?"
For the pass few hours Rikuo could not sleep and all he had was his thoughts especially thought of that night and how he transformed. The more he replayed the events in his mind, the more one detail stood out the liquid that spilled out of that vase when he went crashing into the store room.
'Whatever was inside that vase... that was probably what caused my transformation.'
'It was only after I accidentally swallowed some of it and some entered my wound that my body began changing.'
After explaining his thoughts to Kurotabo, the monk also became curious about what had been inside that vase.
"I did smell something disgusting on you that night. So you believe that whatever was inside that container helped trigger your transformation?"
"Yeah. Do you know what it might have been?"
"I have an idea, but I will have to check it out when I return to your house to fix that nekomata bondages."
***********************************
"You were right."
After returning to the house and checking the storeroom again, Kurotabo had immediately noticed the familiar scent lingering around the area.
"When I looked over the store room, I could clearly smell the same stench from the night i saved you and it was the stench of a alcohol."
"It was alcohol?"
"Yes. A very strong and unique type of alcohol at that. It is called (血怨酒), the Blood Grudge Sake."
Kurotabo's expression became more serious as he explained.
"Youkai who drink it will have their blood boil, causing them to lose themselves and go berserk, destroying everything in front of them."
"If that was the cause, then why didn't I go berserk?"
"Most likely because of the little amount of youkai blood within you. Since you only possess a small amount, the sake although made your blood boil was not enough to completely overwhelm your mind. Instead, it only forced your body to transform."
Kurotabo looked toward the large vase beside him.
'But it only causes a youkai to go berserk not awaken youkai blood in a person with little of it'
"Regardless, when I found the sake, only half of it remained. I added normal alcohol to increase the amount, meaning you should be able to transform around twenty-four times before it runs out."
"Since I had to dilute it, the purity is lower than it originally was. However, because you have already transformed once, your body should be able to handle it."
Tilting the vase, Kurotabo poured the dark red liquid into a small sake cup.
"We have twenty-three chances left. Either you master controlling your yoki enough to break the connection with the scroll in that time, or you master your transformation so that we are no longer limited by what remains in this vase."
Rikuo stared at the liquid in his hand.
The dark red surface bubbled occasionally, almost as if something inside was still alive.
"Do I really have to drink this? Can't we use some kind of ritual or spell to trigger the transformation?"
Looking up, Rikuo saw that Kurotabo had already closed the vase and moved several steps away from the smell.
"I am a warrior monk, not a priest monk. I don't know any rituals or spells that can help with this. Right now, drinking that is our best option."
"Fine."
Releasing the tension in his shoulders, Rikuo closed his eyes and tilted his head back.
Raising the sake cup, he quickly drank the liquid before he could taste it.
Unfortunately, the smell alone was enough to make tears form in his eyes.
Watching the kid consume what could only be described as an abomination, Kurotabo silently said a prayer before reaching into his sleeves and taking out a bottle of water.
Rikuo dropped to his knees, coughing as he wiped the tears from his eyes.
'I wonder if this is how Devil Fruits would taste if they existed... and I have to do this twenty-two more times?'
As Rikuo questioned his life choices, he suddenly felt a strange sensation spreading throughout his body.
The transformation had begun.
Mist began swirling around Rikuo's body as his form started to change.
His once small frame slowly grew taller, his short brown hair extending slightly as its color shifted into a mixture of black and white. His brown eyes changed into a sharp crimson, carrying a strange intensity that was unlike his normal appearance.
Unlike the first time, Rikuo was prepared.
His clothes stretched slightly as his body grew, but the loose outfit he had chosen allowed him enough room for his transformation without being torn apart.
As the mist finally faded, the change in Rikuo's appearance became clear to the two watching from the side.
'This is the second time i have seen this form yet i still don't know what kind of youkai he is'
Standing back up, Rikuo immediately noticed the difference in his body.
His height had increased, his senses felt sharper, and his vision had improved greatly. The darkness of night no longer seemed to affect him, and he could see details that would have been impossible before.
"Here, kid."
When Kurotabo threw the bottle of water toward him, Rikuo noticed something strange.
The bottle seemed to move slower than it should have.
He could clearly see its path through the air and predict where it would land.
Catching it easily, Rikuo opened the bottle and quickly drank the water, trying to wash away the terrible taste that remained.
After wiping his mouth with his sleeve, Rikuo walked toward the pond and looked down at his reflection as Kurotabo changed from his business man appearance to his true form.
The first time he transformed, he had barely been able to see himself. He only remembered small details — his changed eyes and parts of his hair.
But now, he could finally see the full appearance of his youkai form.
The sight staring back at him was strangely familiar.
'I really do look like the youkai version of Rikuo Nura all be it with less hair.'
His eyes widened slightly as another thought entered his mind.
'Wait... now that I think about it.'
Rikuo turned around and looked at Kurotabo, who was casually cleaning his ears while waiting for him.
'Even though its been over a dozen years since i watched that anime Kurotabo looks exactly like one of the youkai from it.'
The realization hit him harder than expected.
'I really am in an alternate world of Nura Rise with actually youkai instead of a normal world based on it.'
After finishing his inspection, Rikuo walked back toward the center of the yard where Kurotabo was waiting.
"You finished checking yourself out? If so, come over here so we can start."
Returning to the center of the yard Kurotabo motioned for him to sit.
"The transformation will probably last throughout the night. That gives me around ten hours to teach you everything you need to know about yoki."
Sitting down on the soft grass, Rikuo listened carefully.
"Yoki is a form of energy that flows within every youkai. It is tied to our body and allows us to use youjutsu and strengthen ourselves."
As Kurotabo explained, strange symbols began appearing around his hand.
The unfamiliar markings formed a circular pattern, connected by intricate lines that created a hollow center. As the symbol rotated, an orange flame appeared in the middle of the formation.
"But to cast youjutsu, you must first understand the phenomenon you wish to create and the symbols connected to it."
Closing his hand, Kurotabo crushed the magic circle. The flame flickered before disappearing along with the symbols.
"You do not need to worry about that yet. For now, we will focus on learning three things before moving on to youjutsu."
Raising three fingers, Kurotabo began listing the lessons planned for the night.
"First, sensing yoki. Second, understanding and controlling the flow of yoki. Finally, strengthening your body with yoki."
"Okay, sensing yoki first. What do I need to do?"
Kurotabo looked at Rikuo.
"Turn around and take your clothes off."
The small smile on Rikuo's face immediately disappeared.
His expression became blank as he slowly turned toward Kenjiro.
Even with a cat's face, Kenjiro's shocked expression was obvious.
That was all Rikuo needed to see. Something about this training sounded wrong.
Seeing both of their reactions, Kurotabo quickly realized how his words sounded.
"What I meant was take off your shirt. I need to flow my yoki through your body so you can understand what it feels like."
"Okay... you should have said that first."
Rikuo walked over and removed his shirt before sitting down in front of Kurotabo.
Kneeling behind him, Kurotabo placed his hand against Rikuo's back and began sending his yoki through his body.
A cold sensation immediately spread through Rikuo.
It started from his back, moved through his chest, then traveled down his arms and legs before finally reaching his head.
It felt like icy water flowing through his veins, causing his body to shiver.
"Is y-yoki supposed t-to feel this c-cold?"
"Yes. Normally it is after all youkai are creatures that bring bone-chilling terror to humans."
After one more cycle of sending his yoki through Rikuo's body, Kurotabo finally withdrew his hand.
Rikuo immediately began putting his shirt back on, still feeling the lingering cold sensation throughout his body.
Kurotabo looked at Rikuo thoughtfully.
'Even after scanning through his body, I can't identify his species but he feels so familar.'
"So, do you understand how yoki feels like now?"
"Y-Yeah, I do."
After finishing putting his shirt back on, Rikuo turned around to face Kurotabo.
"But I still don't know where inside my body I'm supposed to start from."
Kenjiro, who had been sitting on the side watching the lesson, stopped eating the sardine in his mouth.
After swallowing, he spoke up and answered Rikuo.
"There is no single correct place to begin. Different youkai races have different bodies and different ways their energy flows. However, as a beginner, try starting from your heart. It should be the easiest place to feel it."
"Okay, thanks, Kenjiro."
"Hmm."
Accepting the thanks Kenjiro went back to eating his sardine.
Taking a deep breath, Rikuo closed his eyes and focused inward.
'Find that cold sensation again... that bone-chilling feeling.'
Inside Rikuo's mind, an image of his youkai form appeared.
Slowly, the details of the figure began fading away until only a dark silhouette remained.
At the center of the silhouette was an empty heart.
Rikuo focused on that area, searching for the strange energy that Kurotabo had shown him.
Then he felt it.
A cold sensation resting deep within his heart.
"There."
Rikuo reached out toward that feeling, grabbing onto it before opening his eyes.
"I got it."
"Hmm... that quickly?"
Hearing Kurotabo's voice but not seeing him in front of him, Rikuo turned around.
He found Kurotoba and Kenjiro sitting together on the veranda.
Kurotabo had already gone through five cans of beer, while Kenjiro had finished his sardine and was now slowly drifting off to sleep.
"You have been sitting there for two hours now Rikuo. Did you really find it?"
"Two hours? It felt like ten minutes."
Rikuo looked surprised before nodding.
"But yeah, I really found it."
He focused again, trying to move the yoki within his body.
However, nothing happened.
"I found it, but I can't move it. When I try, it feels like I'm trying to push a car through a swamp."
"That's normal."
Kurotabo stood up from the veranda and walked back toward him.
"The main focus for tonight was only to make you aware of your own yoki. Controlling its flow will be difficult at first because your body has never done it before."
"For now, you should become more familiar with your youkai form. How about going for a walk?"
"Yeah."
"I looked around this part of the city earlier, and I did not find any traces of the youkai that attacked me before. We should be safe to go for a walk and since i sealed away the scroll its miasma won't leak."
Kurotabo stretched before suddenly jumping onto the wall with a single step.
In the next moment, he landed on the neighbor's roof.
Turning around, he looked down at Rikuo, who was still standing in the yard.
"You coming or what?"
Rikuo looked up at him.
'Do I really have enough strength to do that?'
He looked at the wall in front of him.
'Well... there is only one way to find out.'
Taking a step back, Rikuo took a deep breath and focused all of his strength into his legs, preparing himself to jump.
Exhaling leaped forward completely hopping over the wall and stood air borne for a few seconds before landing on the roof stumbling a bit
"Good now keep up"
As Kurotabo said that he jumped onto another roof as Rikuo tried to follow
'its gonna take some time to adjust to this level of strenght'
*****************************
Inside a large warehouse, rows upon rows of shelves stretched toward the ceiling.
Each shelf was carefully organized, holding countless different kinds of objects. Shoes, toys, phones, necklaces, letters, and countless other belongings filled the room.
To most people, these would simply appear to be ordinary discarded items.
However, each one carried a memory.
Each object had once belonged to someone who treasured it.
Beyond the neatly arranged shelves, extending nearly two hundred meters into the warehouse, was a massive pile of scattered trinkets.
Unlike the objects stored carefully on the shelves, some object mixed with this pile where supernatural by nature.
Each one carried a faint trace of a unique aura.
Some released a strange, malevolent energy, while others contained unfamiliar symbols and markings that hinted at something impure.
Sitting above the pile, surrounded by objects such as a black skull, a glowing necklace, an old letter, a pink-covered book, and various valuables, was a figure rummaging through the collection.
Or rather...
A youkai.
The small creature had the appearance of a monk, though its face was more beast-like than human. Jewelry covered almost every part of its body as it searched through the mountain of treasures beneath himself.
It was Ryūzaburō.
"This one... no."
The youkai tossed another object aside.
"And this one as well."
He sighed, looking disappointed.
"Have humans of this era truly stopped treasuring their belongings?"
He picked up another item this time a medal of valor and examined it carefully before placing it back.
"I want something that holds true value."
"Something that a person cannot imagine living without."
His eyes narrowed as a twisted smile formed on his face.
"After all, an object is only beautiful because someone else desires it. That is what gives it meaning to it."
Lowering his hand, the youkai extended one of his sharp nails and dragged it across his wrist.
A small stream of blood began dripping onto the pile of trinkets below.
As the blood touched the objects, dark red symbols appeared around them.
The markings spread outward, forming a complex hexagonal pattern filled with intricate lines.
The blood droplets resting on the pile began floating into the air.
A faint glow surrounded them as they slowly expanded.
The small drops grew larger until they reached the size of the youkai himself.
Then, they began taking his shape.
Within moments, dozens of identical copies of the youkai stood throughout the warehouse.
"Half of you will search the entire city for any traces of that [Osore no gu] scroll."
The youkai pointed toward the clones on his right.
Without hesitation, the copies disappeared into the shadows between the shelves, moving at incredible speeds.
"The rest of you..."
He looked toward the remaining copies.
"Find more objects that people truly treasure."
His grin widened.
"And while you're at it, sell the items on the last shelf. They no longer hold value."
The clones immediately followed his orders, spreading throughout the warehouse.
Once they were gone, the Ryūzaburō walked down the pile of trinkets and headed toward the back wall.
On the wall were rows of jars. Although every one of them was empty, each bore a label marked with a letter from A to E followed by a number.
Taking down one labeled A-13, Ryūzaburō removed the lid and took a deep sniff. A blissful smile spread across his face before he quietly sealed it once more.
"So sweet... sadly, it's about to expire."
Picking up an unlabeled jar from the shelf, Ryūzaburō returned A-13 to its place before turning to leave the warehouse.
"Time for another breath."
*****************************
[A/N: I got some more ideas for yoki but thats for later on
so am looking at how many people read my ff and it turn out that for every chapter 2k new readers appear which is alot but i feel like i deserver more lets ignore my lazy update and we can all agree my ff quality is atleast high compare to most of whats on this site anyways next chapter is coming soon since its short i hope but if it is ain't well the long chapter will make up for the delay release bye
If you see any error of incorrect grammar tell me so i can fix it ]