Multiverse: Why does the world show a health bar? !

**Lady Saiguu.**

This was a name known to everyone in Inazuma five hundred years ago.

She was the "friend" of the Raiden Shogun, the "Guuji" of the Grand Narukami Shrine, and the "fox spirit" of the Hakuzōsu bloodline.

And what about herself?

"My name is Hana Saruri."

"I am Lady Saiguu, but Lady Saiguu is not me."

Hana Saruri understood clearly that she was a part of Lady Saiguu, but she could not fully represent her. The missing memories were enough proof of that.

In her memories, there was the name of the youkai before her. It was Goshiki, a tanuki spirit. Five hundred years later, this clan was one of the few that still thrived today.

"What do you mean by that? If you're not Lady Saiguu, then who are you? Damn fox, don't think just because you changed your name, I won't recognize you!" Goshiki refused to accept Hana Saruri's words.

That fox had always been cunning. Back then, when he was free and unrestrained, it was because of her schemes that he had no choice but to become part of Inazuma's system.

"Five hundred years ago, when darkness shrouded the sky, she charged ahead and was ultimately consumed by the filth." Hana Saruri calmly recounted the truth of the past.

Five hundred years ago, when the gods went to distant battlefields, enemies attacked all of Inazuma. The fox named Lady Saiguu used a childish condition like "you can eat fried tofu whenever you want" to have a young fox inherit the position of Guuji at the Grand Narukami Shrine. Then, she took her friend's place, guarding Tenshukaku and protecting Inazuma until her death.

Hana Saruri had that memory.

Goshiki fell into silence. After a long while, its voice continued to transmit through some means: "Then, Hana Saruri, what are you?"

"Her memories, born through the power of filth."

"Is that so? I see... that fox."

Silence fell between the two. Goshiki was Lady Saiguu's friend, and Hana Saruri was her continuation. The name "Lady Saiguu" was the bridge that connected their conversation, but that bridge had already broken.

Goshiki had long had a premonition, but it had preferred to keep itself locked in a dream, unwilling to believe. Yet, Hana Saruri's arrival shattered that dream. How could it not see what Hana Saruri was? It could no longer sense the blood of Hakuzōsu. Instead, it felt hatred and filth.

It was like the feeling it had when facing the power of the Tatarigami.

Goshiki's feelings toward Lady Saiguu were complicated. That fox had always overshadowed it. It had always lost to her.

Now, looking back, Goshiki didn't dislike those days. Even though it had been given some title, at least on Mt. Yougou, in the Grand Narukami Shrine, they could happily discuss hyakumonogatari together, freely leaping into the sky, blocking the moon to create a "moonless night," and completing the "Night Parade of a Hundred Demons" for the shrine.

And now?

Forget the "Night Parade of a Hundred Demons." In the years it had been sealed here, it had rarely even seen other youkai.

In the past, if it had known it would be sealed here, those youkai would surely have come to mock it. But in the end, none came.

"How many years have passed now... Are the youkai no longer here? Who is the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine now?" Goshiki asked.

"It's Yae Miko," Li Mo replied.

"Ah, Yae Miko? That little fox who used to love perching on people's shoulders is now capable of standing on her own?" Even though it wasn't speaking aloud, the loneliness in Goshiki's voice was palpable.

Hana Saruri stood there, simply standing there.

Her identity made it difficult for her to interrupt Goshiki's reminiscence. Hundreds of years had passed, and the once-powerful youkai clans had now fallen apart. Over the long years, too much had been buried.

"Lord Goshiki, I want to know if you took something from the Heavenly Fox statue," Li Mo stepped forward and said.

He broke Goshiki's reverie, pulling it back to reality.

Those who remain stuck in the past cannot move toward the future.

Goshiki said, "I did take something... What do you need it for?"

"To perform the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual," Hana Saruri added. "It is my responsibility."

"I see. I can give it to you... Hana Saruri, right? There's something I want to tell you. It's about her."

Goshiki transmitted the information: "Back then, before Lady Saiguu left, she told me many things. Most of it I don't remember, but there's one thing I do. It's about the oni.

Once, the Blue Oni and Red Oni split, with one group wandering the wilds and the other integrating with humans. But she said that one day, she would bring the Blue Oni back. This was her promise to Chiyo. Can you take on this task, Hana Saruri?"

Goshiki had discerned the essence of Hana Saruri's existence and understood what her purpose in life was now.

It wanted to add weight to this person's life.

"I understand. I will do it. Thank you."

"No need to thank me. If possible, please take care of Kichiboushi and the other little tanuki. They recently escaped the seal.

Oh, and due to certain reasons, I used a spell to hide that place. Hana Saruri, you should be able to break that spell.

That's all. I want to rest for a while."

The connection was severed.

Goshiki was sealed, and the large tanuki statue before them was the manifestation of that seal. Their communication had been conducted through magic.

Hana Saruri said, "Let's go to the location of the barrier first. I have an idea about the spell."

"Alright."

Li Mo followed Hana Saruri. If she hadn't come with him, he would likely have needed Goshiki's help, as it was the one who had cast the spell.

The barrier was located on the eastern coastline. Hana Saruri had memories of this place.

"Sir Li Mo, you must have many questions."

"I do," Li Mo replied firmly.

While he had many memories of the past, human memories were not like those of fish, which lasted only seven seconds. Memories of the distant past were always hazy.

He could no longer recall all the details.

"Please allow me to carefully consider my words. Once this barrier is purified, I will explain everything to you in detail."

"Understood."

Hana Saruri had already broken the spell left by Goshiki. The subsequent decryption and purification process was something Li Mo was familiar with. The Rifthounds born from filth were no match for him.

The third barrier was purified. Li Mo walked out of the cave and saw Hana Saruri standing by the coast, gazing at the sea.

"Is it done? Sir Li Mo, the fourth barrier is near the Kamisato Estate. Let's talk as we walk," Hana Saruri suggested.