kscans

Chapter 69 - 069

"...What?"

I was prepared to do just about anything, but being told to kill a god was beyond my expectations.

"When you say god, do you mean the Goddess who made the dungeons appear in this world?"

"That’s right. I have been ordered by the god who has existed in this country since ancient times to kill the Goddess."

What? A god from ancient times?

I was about to ask what he meant, but a knock on the door interrupted me.

"I imagine you have many questions, but we are short on time. Please hear the details from my subordinate."

As Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirata stood up, the door to my area opened. It wasn't the prison guard who had brought me here, but a man in a suit who entered.

"I’ll leave the rest to you."

"Understood. Shizukuishi-sama, this way, please."

I followed the man who was guiding me.

This person’s presence had been faint until the very moment he knocked. The way he walked was also a bit peculiar. He was probably a ninja. And a rather strong one at that.

We took an elevator to the rooftop. A helicopter was waiting there.

Um, are we traveling in this? It was my first time, and I was a little excited.

Once I was aboard the helicopter, the man went to the cockpit. I was told to sit next to him.

I put on the headset he handed me. It was just like the ones I’d seen in movies. I had always wondered why people wore them, but apparently, the propeller noise was so loud that you couldn't have a proper conversation inside without them.

We took off with a sensation slightly different from that of an airplane.

"My apologies for the late introduction. I am Kiyohara, an aide to the Chief Cabinet Secretary."

"I’m Shizukuishi. It’s a pleasure to meet you."

"You may have already noticed, but I am also an Iga ninja."

"I thought so."

He was probably a Jonin. The caliber of his aura was different from a Chunin.

"May I brief you on the details of the current mission?"

"Yes. Please."

"First, the ultimate objective is the subjugation of the Goddess who made the dungeons appear in this world."

I had a concern that defeating the Goddess might cause the dungeons to disappear, making it impossible for me to use the four-sword style. But in Germany, I had just resolved in my heart to one day defeat her.

Still, I had no idea how one could defeat a god. I decided to listen to the rest of his explanation for now.

"Understood. But why is it necessary to defeat the Goddess? I heard from Hirata-san that a god in this country ordered it."

"As has been passed down in myths since ancient times, gods do exist in Japan. The Goddess has created a dungeon in a part of the sacred domain where that god resides."

From the sound of his voice, I didn't think he was lying.

"So there really are gods in this country."

"Yes. However, it is not the eight million gods of folklore. Only a single deity exists. That one deity is said to have split into numerous emanations to help people, gathering faith from all over Japan. We are currently heading to the god who founded this nation."

"This direction... Kyoto? No, is it Shimane? So, something like Izumo Grand Shrine?"

"Precisely. October is called Kannazuki, the month without gods, when it is said all the gods from across the country leave to gather in Izumo. In reality, the god gathers the emanations that have exhausted their divine power, replenishes their strength, and sends them back out across Japan to protect the country once more. The god has continued this for over 2,700 years."

"So the Goddess’s dungeon appeared in the home of the god who has been working hard to protect Japan. And that’s why the god is angry."

I understood the general background. Now for the main point.

"Hirata-san said that if I accept the request to defeat the Goddess, I'll be able to explore dungeons for a while. What did he mean by that?"

"The zaibatsu are descendants of those who received power from Japan’s god and built their fortunes with it. Even now, the god holds great influence over the zaibatsu."

"I see. So to ensure I can accept the god's request, you’ll have the god tell the zaibatsu to repeal the dungeon protection law."

"Yes. That is the entirety of this <>."

It bothered me when he first said it, but a mission...

"Could my master be involved in this somehow? Like a mission for me as a ninja."

"Ah, my apologies. I omitted that part of the explanation. This matter began when the god instructed Juuzo-sensei to defeat the Goddess, and the current situation is the result of Sensei working with various parties."

So it was you after all.

"Is my master acquainted with the god?"

"Juuzo-sensei is an individual who succeeded in drawing out a greater amount of the god's power. For that reason, he serves the role of conveying the god's words to the government and the zaibatsu in modern times, and I provide him with support."

"I’m a little curious. What do you mean he drew out a 'greater amount'? Are there other people who have received the god’s power?"

"Since ancient times, the Japanese people have housed the god's power within their bodies. Every single person born in this country is a vessel, without exception. The only difference is how much of that divine power they can draw out."

All Japanese people have the power of a god? Are you serious?

"Have you not heard the stories? That couriers in the Edo period ran 150 kilometers a day, that warlords in the Sengoku period fought on battlefields wearing dozens of kilograms of armor, that Kamakura samurai used the world's largest bows at the time to hit enemies 400 meters away."

All of them were famous anecdotes that astonished people from foreign lands.

"To modern Japanese people, these feats would seem abnormal. However, consider them from the perspective of our abilities as ninja. Everything I mentioned would be easy for an Iga ninja."

"...Y-You’re right."

I had no experience fighting in armor or sniping from long distances with a bow. But if I were told to do it, I felt like I could.

"We are simply better at wielding the god’s power, in other words, divine power, than ordinary people. Anyone born in this country with the aptitude, or through relentless training, can release their divine power. That means every person has the potential to awaken their abilities as a ninja."

Are you serious? So the roots of a ninja’s power come from a god.

Master, you should have told me.

But wait... He might have said something like that.

I think I just dismissed it as a joke.

"However, only Sensei and a few Jonin know of the god's existence. Please be careful with this information, so as not to allow disruptive elements seeking to gain power without effort to reach the god. The information level is 'Forbidden'."

Information Level Forbidden. That’s the one where if you even try to mention it to anyone other than an Iga Jonin, your mouth will be sealed for life.

It activates by casting a jutsu on the target while conveying the information. The original jutsu probably comes from my master, so I doubt it can be dispelled.

I wonder if Rena knows? I can't be sure, so I can't discuss it with her.

It might have been an exciting topic, that a god really exists.

What a shame...

"I understand the general background, but why are we heading to the god to defeat the Goddess?"

"The god was greatly angered by the appearance of a dungeon in the sacred domain. However, due to a self-imposed restriction, the god will not interfere with objects that have appeared in the human world. Therefore, the god desires a champion who can receive power and defeat the evil deity."

Whoa! A power-up quest, right!? I'm going to receive god-slaying power!?

I might be able to obtain power that surpasses human limits.

I wonder if I can use it with my four-sword style? I really want to try.

Even if I'm told to fight the Goddess right after getting the power, I doubt I can. I want to negotiate for some time to get used to it. If they say no, I’ll just have to give up.

Alright, god-sama, please wait a little while. I’m on my way to get powered up!!