S16 - The Jito's Request Report
General Summary
The party wakes up to a pleasant, snowy morning and starts doing their morning routines. Mizuki and Akira go off to find some medicinal herbs. The two return shortly and start making potions, while the party discuss what to do next. Kyo suggests that the onikiri investigate the Kimon again and that he'll even provide compensation, but Jugen is still upset over the previous battle and is adamant that his life is more important than money. The group decides to just bypass Saigomura and head to Kanihama-shi for help.
On the road, they encounter a war camp with the flying banners of the Jito's clan. The party was easily granted an audience with the Jito, who introduces himself as Lord Yamamura. They introduce themselves in turn and Lord Yamamura comments that these are truly dark times if a child like Akira is being made to fight. He mentions Lord Kisei had passed by and appraised him of recent events, prompting him to march out for Iwasaki. Unfortunately, the taint in Saigomura halted their advance, and so he requested the party to take care of it first. He bestows jade necklaces, jade fingers, and several healing medicines to the grateful party and asks if they had any updates for him. The party informs him about the Sekawa, Minami and the Kijo, the imperial regalia, and lastly, the Kimon inside Saigomura. The Jito and his retinue fall silent at the mention of the Kimon, and the Jito asks that they be provided proof of it. The party is unsure how to go about doing that and Kyo suggests that the Jito send some of his people to bear witness. His mood sours at the absurdity and, gesturing at the 2 onikiri present, reminds the party that dealing with taint was their job. Before they wore out their welcome, the party thanked Jito for his boons and promptly departed.
Returning to Saigomura, Akira scouts ahead to find a sleeping Oni beside a relatively calm Kimon. The party slowly approaches, but their noise causes the oni to stir, and the portal begins swirling into an angry maelstrom. They all try to attack the invisible torii framing the portal, while Kyo traps the oni with his barrier. The party finds that their jade necklaces staved off the taint, but then the portal itself started blasting lightning towards them. It brings out 2 Kotsuhei and then sends out a potent necrotic attack, knocking Mizuki unconscious. Akira comes to her aid while Jugen delivers a devastating barrage of punches against the oni. Combined with Kyo's Tetsaiga, they bring the oni to its knees. Finally, Jiko's Raikiri finishes off both the oni and the Kimon. The portal implodes, sending out a blast of necrotic energy and revealing a demon mask in its place. The mask clatters to the ground and Jugen picks it up, making him perceive a massively oppressive, menacing presence from within it.
Report provided by souly
