Nurarihyon no Mago - Volume 2 - Chapter 2

Nurarihyon no Mago 2nd Novel: The Story of Edo’s Nura Gumi
Story 2: Record of Stay in Toono
The sounds of practice can be heard in the home of Toono.
The cut surface of a large tree is the location of their practice duels. Itaku and Rikuo, each with their own specialized weapons, were pointing their blades at one another, repeatedly engaging in duels.
Even though it is a large tree trunk that had been cut down, but its actual size is abnormal. The width of the cut surface is many times larger than a sumo wrestling ring. This place is the battlefield for the two of them.
Itaku is holding sickles in both hands, while Rikuo is holding a wooden stick. On Itaku’s back is a wooden holder specially made to hold his weapons, and there are four more sickles inside. Freely manipulating any of the six sickles, this is Itaku’s way of fighting.
Rikuo’s attack using the wooden stick was blocked by the handle of the sickle. Itaku blocked the attack and went on the offensive. He used the sickle in his left hand to deflect Rikuo’s wooden stick and swung the sickle in his right hand towards Rikuo’s shoulder. The blade of the sickle, which was polished until it shone, cut through Rikuo’s body, but it’s only an illusion. The illusion of the body cut open at the shoulder became more indistinct, and vanished into the air.
Can be seen but cannot be cut, this is the ‘Hatsu’ technique which Rikuo learnt in Toono. Rikuo had said that the technique was called “Kyoka Suigetsu”. It meant the reflection of the moon in the water—it can be seen by cannot be touched. So that’s how it is. The name does suit the characteristics of Nurarihyon’s techniques, Itaku thought.

--Only one day has passed, and he can use it so well now…
Itaku swung his weapons around, as a small smile appeared on his face.
The first time Rikuo used “Hatsu” was yesterday. Three days ago, when Rikuo was first brought to Tonoo, he didn’t even have any concept of what “Hatsu” was, let alone use it.
After that, Rikuo suddenly learnt this technique. Itaku thought that it most likely had something to do with when he got attacked yesterday. The sudden danger forced Rikuo to grow and develop his potential.
Yesterday, Rikuo was attacked by the Kyoto youkai. The youkai who attacked were Kidomaru from Kyoto and his subordinates.
The reason why Kidomaru came to Tonoo was to ask for some fighting power from Akagappa. After Hagoromo Gitsune resurrected in Kyoto, plans were made for her to stand on top of the youkai world once more. Kidomaru and the other youkai, as part of Hagoromo Gitsune’s faction, naturally have to help with gathering forces.
However, Akagappa refused Kidomaru’s request. Tonoo youkai have always remained neutral. There was no need to help Kyoto’s Hagoromo Gitsune; that was Akagappa’s opinion.
After the breakdown in negotiations, Kidomaru and the rest found Rikuo, who was working hard at his odd jobs. Hagoromo Gitsune held a grudge against Nurarihyon for 400 years, so he would definitely not forgot the face of Nurarihyon. So, Kidomaru attacked Rikuo immediately.
Rikuo was attacked, and Itaku, who was maintaining his sickles at that time, sensed it very quickly. Feeling the flow and change in youki in the village was as natural to Itaku as breathing, since he had lived there for a long time. He immediately ran to the place where the enemies youki might be. On the way there, there was only one thought on Itaku’s mind.