[center][h3]Shizuyama Wilderness[/h3][/center]
[center][b]A TIME TO HEAL[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@The Irish Tree] (EUL) ~[/center]

After repairing the damages to the house the best she could, [u]Eula[/u] waited for the monk to awaken outside the house they were in previously.

It was perhaps an hour before the monk stirred. "[color=fff79a]Ohhhh, what happened...?[/color]" He clutched his head. His eyes blinked a few times to regain orientation. He also tried to get up, but the pain in his head made sure that he could only barely stand. "[color=fff79a]Ohhh... the yokai... why...?[/color]" The monk recalled being attacked by his very own protectors. Of all the emotions he felt, confusion was chief among them.

But upon spotting [u]Eula[/u] before him, things made even less sense. "[color=fff79a]Oh, madam yokai?[/color]" The monk said. "[color=fff79a]I... I believe I was attacked by the Gremlin yokai, and reprimanded by the hornet one.[/color]" He recounted his memories. "[color=fff79a]But you are here... Am I misremembering things? Where are those two?[/color]"

[hr]
[center][h3]Shizuyama Wilderness[/h3][/center]
[center][b]KAZENOSUKE, DANCING BLADE[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@Crowvette], [@Nakushita] ~[/center]

[quote=Io]"[color=thistle][b]I will work to expand the chance of success. Through any means possible. The other task force members would do the same.[/b][/color]"[/quote]

[quote=Yuki Akamata][color=f7941d]“If you ever get scared, you can always run and hide behind me, I’ll protect you for the big bad scary guysssss”[/color][/quote]

Instead of being reassured, Kazenosuke's mood soured at the yokai's optimism. "[color=indianred]Do you two realize how large the Varjan army is? What can a bunch of yokai do to stop them?![/color]" He started ranting.

"[color=indianred]They have more warriors, more spellcasters, more weapons, more equipment...[/color]" Kazenosuke voice then lowered. "[color=indianred]More opportunities, more prospects, more options for a future...[/color]" He then covered his mouth to stop himself, hopefully not revealing too much to [u]Io[/u] and [u]Yuki[/u]. "[color=indianred]N-Never mind me, you two are right. The Varjans may have us beat, but with our combined power... We may have a chance.[/color]"

"[color=indianred]Now then, let's go. We should hurry to Terauchi Temple.[/color]" Kazenosuke wanted to leave behind his outburst.

[hr]
[center][h3]Fukami Port[/h3][/center]
[center][b]LOST AT SEA[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@Enkryption], [@The Irish Tree] (LIL), [@AzureKnight] (SHI) ~[/center]

When [u]Shizuka[/u] arrived and talked with [u]Alice[/u] and [u]Liliana[/u], the rainbow knight silently went to a shed and hauled out a large wooden boat that came with a suitable oar. "[color=ghostwhite]Whew, good thing I brought a big one. What was once two became five. Just like those Vin Diesel movies...[/color]" He then hauled the boat to the water where he began playing with the seashells.

Upon seeing that the taskforce had all gathered together, the rainbow knight rose to address the group. "[color=ghostwhite]Oh, you guys are done with marriage counseling? We can finally get this show on the road...[/color]" The knight sighed. "[color=ghostwhite]Okay, first off: Hello, I'm Ian North. I'm here to help the taskforce if they get in a bind. I can't help all the time, though. I'm pretty busy myself. This is a whole-ass island that needs help, after all.[/color]"

"[color=ghostwhite]But anyway, this boat's ready to take you to Hama Island. I'll row you guys there myself.[/color]" Ian declared before looking at [u]Shizuka[/u] and [u]Carroll[/u]. "[color=ghostwhite]And really?! Really?! You two just gonna coochie-coo meters away from my boat?! Man, I don't get respect anywhere...[/color]"

[hr]
[center][h3]Terauchi Temple[/h3][/center]

[center]~ [@Hammerman] ~[/center]

[quote=Lunatea Vern Farnsworth]"…You don't have to pity me. I can handle it just fine, you know. I'll find another husband just fine. And one much better than you at that,"[/quote]

Despite [u]Lunatea's[/u] cold rebuttal, Takeshi merely smiled more and even ruffled her head. "Hahaha, I'll be cheering you on, Lunatea."

Ayu finally returned and saw Takeshi and Lunatea little scene. "[color=red]Hahaha! It's good to see that Lord Takeshi is getting along really well with the yokai.[/color]" She cheered.

"Ah, Ayu! Just the woman I wanted to see!" Takeshi greeted her. "Madam Musubi told us many things. Things you ought to know as well."

[center]---[/center]

[center]~ [@Hammerman], [@Rezod92], [@Crowvette], [@Nakushita] ~[/center]

"[color=red]...So we need a port, huh?[/color]" Takeshi and [u]Lunatea[/u] explained Musubi the Nurarihyon's news from Lady Kyouko. Now, Ayu's face was scrunched up in thought. "[color=red]By now, all the major ports in Shizuyama are probably occupied. The Varjans know of their importance.[/color]" She remarked.

It was then that [u]Kerry[/u] and Relica made quite the dynamic entry from the air. After the Gremlin sulked off to her workshop, it was Takeshi himself who first greeted the Hornet. "Ah, Kerry! You're just in time. We're preparing for a... major move against the Varjans. Err, we're still planning it but it'll be good to have most, if not all, the taskforce here."

"[color=indianred]What's this I hear about plans?[/color]" Takeshi was genuinely surprised when he heard that familiar voice. "[color=indianred]I like plans. Don't leave me out of it.[/color]" [u]Io[/u] and [u]Yuki[/u] had arrived along with their charge, Kazenosuke. "[color=indianred]Gods above, they're right. You're still alive, Tak.[/color]"

"I am only alive thanks to the yokai." Takeshi and Kazenosuke approached each other, before erupting into a hug. "It's good to see you, Kaze."

As Takeshi and Kazenosuke walked off as they caught up with each other, Ayu gathered [u]Lunatea[/u], [u]Kerry[/u], [u]Io[/u] and [u]Yuki[/u]. "[color=red]Big news, everyone. Lady Kyouko has a fleet ready, but she needs a big enough port here to land it. Otherwise, the Varjan can inflict heavy losses on her fleet, even if they can't outright destroy it.[/color]" The head spy explained. "[color=red]Most, if not all, major ports in Shizuyama are already taken. That means we'll have to liberate one from the invaders.[/color]"

"[color=red]The closest major port here is Komatsu Bay. But I heard that place is as fortified as a castle, taking it head-on will be quite the challenge. Even for you, yokai, so I'm interested in your thoughts.[/color]" Ayu said. "[color=red]Although, I do have an idea... N-Never mind, it's not worth it.[/color]"

[hr]
[hr]
[hr]

[center]~~ TAKESHI'S JOURNEY ~~[/center]

[hider=Pre-Emptive Strike]
[i]The wolves are at the door...[/i]
[/hider]