"No, Nori, there isn't a Kami like that." Ama huffed in response to my next question, basically all tension draining from her.
Which only caused me to pout, much of the wind manically blowing through my sails dashed in an instant.
"Seriously?" I huffed back equally, "Eight million kami, but not one of them focuses on the shrines themselves?"
Ama visibly rolls her eyes, "For one, that phrase isn't literal. Two, why would there be? All Kami uses the shrine system in some manner!"
I level a stare at her, "Then, shouldn't there be someone to manage said system?"
"No, no, no," she waves me off, "it's not a system like that. The shrines aren't interconnected; every kami has their own shrine, managed by them, their priests, what have you. There's no need for some big manager."
Okay, when you put it like that, I can kind of see it.
No real need to introduce some massive bureaucracy for something so simple.
Unless you're Inari, but she is a special case, isn't she?
…Ah? Idea!
Oh, wait, damn it, no. That'd just give her more work to do. Poor goddess, think that's the last thing she needs.
Right, if there's no real overarching authority regarding the shrines, then I guess I'll have to go to the next best thing!
I click my tongue, before taking a breath, putting my hands together, and looking pointedly at Ama, "In that case, do you think a bunch of kami will accept being stuffed full into objects, and then stuffed into people's souls?"
Ama opened her mouth, like she was about to answer a normal question.
But then slowly shut it as my words seeped in through her ears.
"...What?" She made a noise, more than speaking a word, but I still heard it under her breath.
"So. The Shrine's, right?" I begin explaining without prompt, "They can hold a kami's divine power, said kami can use their power through it, or automate it, all that jazz, right?"
Ama nodded slowly, face still and gaze distant, as if not understanding what was standing in front of her.
Or what she was hearing.
Fair really. In hindsight, I'm proposing basically Sacred Gear. There has to be a reason why only the big guy up way more stairs is the only one around to have done that.
"Well. What if we take whatever part makes that work, and stuff more than just a bit of power into them?" I continue, "With the right materials, holding a full-on Kami should theoretically be possible, no?"
"...Technically," Ama answered, very noncommittal.
That isn't a no, however!
So I press on, and this next part, I'll admit, will likely require a bit of workshopping even if the logic is sound, "Then, considering the fact the Five Clans, human's whose only distinguishing quality from normal people is their blessings that give them elemental affinities, can hold Sacred Beasts within their souls, said objects holding Kami should theoretically also be able to be embedded within people?"
Whew, bit of a mouthful there.
Ama slowly blinked at me once I finished. It was so slow, in fact, that I almost started getting a little scared for her. It was almost like a chameleon.
For precious few moments, she just stared at me before finally letting out a long, almost shuddering breath.
"I can see what you're going for, Nori. Really." She began, "I can see the logic, the train of thought, it's certainly an…idea." She crosses her arms, her face moving into deep thought, "Attaching a living being to someone's soul and enabling them to use their powers isn't an easy thing, but then again, if you use a modified version of the inheritance ritual from the Five Clans, then maybe…"
Her voice just kind of trails off into a low mumble, which I couldn't parse anymore.
I blinked down at her.
After a moment, I wave my hand in front of her face.
Nothing. Not even a twitch. Just focused on incoherent rambling.
I sigh, about to pick her up and rattle her to literally shake her out of it, but right as I was about to do so-
"You know this won't be one-to-one with Sacred Gears, right?" She suddenly states, causing me to pause.
All of a sudden, she's looking up, directly at me. I don't get to say anything before she elaborates further on what she means, "There's no System, so each one handed out would need to be intentional, by us. Additionally, no Balance Breakers. No evolving…whatever this is, by desire or something. The powers of each item would be specific to the kami residing within."
I raise an eyebrow at that, "Even despite that, it's still a kami, right? At base, everyone should be able to at least enhance themselves with their Holy Spirit Power. That's a big amp."
"That depends on the kami." Ama points out, "If it were me stuck in a sword? Sure, my power would easily vaporize even the strongest of devils, barring obvious exceptions." She shakes her head, "But I'm not going to be in one."
Well, duh?
"See," she continues, "let's circle back, you asked if a bunch of kami would accept being stuffed into these things. The answer? Yes, I know of quite a fair few who would gladly jump at this chance, actually. Even without being ordered."
"Ah." I hum in realization, "It's going to be a whole lot of minor and, for lack of a less rude descriptive term in this regard, weak kami, isn't it?"
Ama let's out a sad sigh, "Right. But not just that. Most of these would be kami who have been forgotten about. Left without any shrines as the years ebbed on. Or were so minor, so few even knew they existed. Those types."
Huh. I guess I never really considered that. Eight million by phrase, an uncountable amount of kami in truth. By all accounts, so many gods, minor gods, sure, real minor, but still gods nonetheless.
Not everyone would be remembered. Not everyone would have their place.
That's why they're uncountable. Who knows who's out there, really?
For a second, I consider bringing this as an angle against Oshi when I pitch what I will now call 'Shinto Sacred Gears' in my head until I think of a better name.
Surely, this has got to be a general sentiment. Everyone can agree that not being remembered, not having a place, can suck massively.
Even if the kami at court are the real snotty noble types, who look down on the 'dregs' as they'd probably call them.
Yeah, yeah…that could be an angle.
Yet. Thinking of doing that, of using these guys like that, proudly, showing them off and all that, beating my chest over it?
It leaves a rotten taste in my mouth.
Such an easy PR win, too.
I bet Oshi would flaunt it.
Hah, guess I'm really not that cut out for court. I got a little bit of a softie in me yet.
"Ah, well." I smile, "I'm fine with all that. Don't know why you're phrasing it like I wouldn't be?"
Ama's face flushes, just a tad, "It's not that! Well, okay, I didn't think you'd have a problem with the candidates, but their power? This might not be as big of a boost in strength for us as you might have first thought…" she trails off into a pause, before fixing me with a very concerned look, "Nori. Why are you smiling like that?"
Ah, my smile did grow while she was saying that, didn't it?
"Just…ideas." I answer her, very noncommittally, "More ideas."
Relating to studying a certain spear, I mean.
It's not a guarantee, but the True Longinus is the Sacred Gear after all, if not the first in general, at least the first of the set of gears with which it gives its name, with a Balance Breaker I'm pretty certain was intended by Him.
Surely, I should be able to figure out how a Balance Breaker works by taking a peek around!
Even if that Balance Breaker is named in such that it implies it's meant to kill gods specifically.
Ah. There goes my smile.
Ama nods, almost proud, "I see whatever you're thinking of, you realized it was a bad idea on your own. Good."
Damn it. Though, say, I wonder if anything of Azazel's stuff is lying around anywhere?
That thought is abruptly halted, as Ama reaches over and takes my hands with a chuckle, "Alright, alright! Enough thinking, you need to start doing!" She states, snapping my attention completely on her, "Before you even think of pitching this, you need something to show everyone. Not just words. A prototype, basically."
I nod, seeing where she was going with this.
She nods back and smiles, "I'll find a volunteer. You get something made, then we'll see if you have something doable, alright?"
"Right." I nod, far more resolute, "Let's do this!"
Ama pulls me out of the room by my hands with a smirk, as we leave Uzume tied up there on the bed.
She started muffled screaming something, but we didn't catch it.
Honestly, I think Ama forgot about her.
I didn't, but I just know if Uzume really wanted to, she could get out at any time.
She's just lazy like that.
~ A New Sun ~
Of course, in order to even start making a working prototype, I'm going to need materials to make it with.
"Can't say I expected to be up here again so soon," I murmur to myself, "or ever again, really?"
To be fair, I didn't expect the giant floating arena made up of some of the strongest material in the Shinto Pantheon to just be left floating here.
Above the Palace.
Well, it was floating above the Palace, and Ama wanted to see if I could move it somewhere more convenient.
So I pushed it further up into the sky!
She facepalmed, but it's not my fault she didn't specify.
Besides, at least up here, it's not such an eyesore covering the entire Palace in shadow.
That, and it lets me do what I need to do without being bothered.
Hopefully. I'm going to need to let off a fair bit of power to get a chunk of this stuff off.
Hell, I'm going to have to let out a fair bit of power forging it.
I draw my sword from a sheath of golden light and hold it up, blade pointed down at the shiny metal surface.
Right now, I'm standing in the formerly melted dip I had left Umashi after dropping a flaming dragon on him.
Yeah, formerly melted. I don't know when, but that stuff solidified at some point.
Still, I hope that at least in this spot, I won't have to exert myself so much getting what I need.
Now. How much will I need?
That depends entirely upon what exactly I'm going to make.
As a prototype, as a pitch, it should be basic enough to understand while still showing off what I want to go for.
With that in mind, what could be better than making a sword?
If the point is a way to power up everyone else, showcasing a sword is the most straightforward way of going about it.
Ah, but it can't just be any sword, now, can it?
It has to be one that can make a statement, something like…hmm.
My foot taps against the ground as I think, the soft metallic clang echoing out around me at a steady pace.
To impress a bunch of old gods, huh.
Tradition?
My brow arcs at that. A traditional sword.
Or, more specifically, a Totsuka-no-Tsurugi.
It sounds really grand, but really, it's just a straight longsword with a bit more flair. No curve like the katana in the blade.
By itself, the type of sword wouldn't be special if it weren't for all the well-known swords within it.
The sword Susanoo used against me is one of them. The sword in Tobio's Sacred Gear is another. Most importantly, the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, one of the Three Sacred Treasures, is one of them.
Wait a minute. Sacred Treasures? Oho, I will put a pin in that name for later.
Though this train of thought also reminds me I should get around to reforging that sword again.
So, putting a pin in that as well, my eyes focus on the metal beneath me.
Enough for a Totsuka at the very least. Probably a bit more, to account for any errors I make.
For simplicity's sake, the sword is also going to be pretty standard-looking, nothing fancy or unique to a select kami.
Not as though I know who Ama is going to get to volunteer for this little project, anyhow.
Hah, just now realizing this, but if this all works out, custom orders are going to be a nightmare.
For my clones.
…At this point, really, I'm just stalling because I know cutting anything out of this is going to be a bitch and a half.
Hnngh, alright, no more of that!
"Here," my aura booms out around me, turning a pure molten honey, "we," my foot slams against the metal, bracing my entire upper body as my sun pounds in my chest, "GO!"
I let out a shout as I drive my blade downward, with my full force, full focus, but not quite full power.
That takes a little bit to build up.
Regardless, the tip of my now gleaming golden blade impacts the metal with a thunderous clang, the entire arena jerking down slightly at the force of my blow.
The tip of my blade? It punctures only a fraction, just barely enough to catch, but nowhere near enough to start getting anything out.
I let out an annoyed growl as flames erupt around me, their source my blade, bellowing out with fire like a blowtorch on all the flammable gases in the known universe.
Not even a lick of glow from heat.
Granted, I just started, so I'm not surprised.
All the while, I steadily keep pushing down with my sword. As my power thrums higher, the sun in my chest beats bigger, and the flames around me grow hotter, I can feel the blade ever so slowly sink deeper and deeper through the metal.
I take a deep breath. Not for any breathing technique, but for patience.
At the rate this is going, I might have something out of her by the time Inari shows up.
Oh, right, I also asked Ama if she could call up Inari for me.
For one, I just wanted to see her again. It has been a while. And two, out of anyone, she's the one with the most experience using the shrine 'system.'
If there's anyone who could help me make this work right, it'd be her.
Also, if I am pitching this whole thing like a business prospect or project to the court, I figure Inari could help out with that too.
Plus, an official summons from Ama is a pretty good excuse to avoid work, no?
Sorry, not avoid, deal with other far more important matters first, or something PR speak like that.
I shook my head, before my eyes could start glazing over, and refocused back on the task at hand.
Barely half my blade had sunk into the metal.
I resisted the very manly urge to cry, as I began the incredibly strenuous process of dragging my damn sword to the side, trying to slice through more of the metal.
Even with the blade's edge, it didn't feel like it made much of a difference.
…I'm already regretting all my life choices!
~ A New Sun ~
She could see it from here.
His light.
Despite how far he pushed it away, the Weaving Hall of the Palace was positioned just right so she could see.
It looked almost like a rising sun, in fact!
Which was ironic, because well.
Wakahirume. She of the Rising Sun. That's her.
But she was never really important. She made clothes. That was her job, her purpose.
Even now, she couldn't say she hated it.
Even if Lord Uncle Susanoo threw a pony at her that one time, and destroyed the entire hall.
On accident! Of course! He probably wouldn't have done it if he knew she was in there!
Ah…probably.
Behind her, the doors to the hall closed, and she looked down at her head.
Thread upon thread, almost a whole roll of it, stretched between her hands and fingers. A rainbow of colors, dull and bright, all sitting amongst each other, all the same.
Mother had just left. She was here to ask something of her.
A project, relating to her newest brother, to counteract her eldest brother's throwing a fit.
She couldn't help but giggle at the thought.
Family drama! How fun!
Hopefully, not as fun as when Lord Uncle Susanoo gets mad, but from what she's seen of her new brother, she has no reason to suspect he's got that tempestuous an attitude.
She stood up, allowing the threads in her hand to fall.
The Weaving Hall is empty, besides herself. Nowadays, it usually is, even after they rebuilt it.
She turns away from her loom and walks away from all the looms and workstations, taking up the entire center of the hall from front to back, walking up to the window.
In his light, reflecting against the glass of the window, she catches a glimpse of herself.
Small. Smaller than even her mother. With the same long obsidian black hair and golden eyes that shine like the distant sun. Every one of her children shares those features.
Her hand comes up, resting upon her chest, and she smiles.
She is Mother's only daughter, by technicality anyway, yet they look so much alike that Lady Uzume once joked they could be sisters, twins even.
Well, besides their chests, apparently?
Mother didn't really like it when Lady Uzume mused very loudly about how her only daughter has a far bigger chest than her mother.
Personally, she doesn't see what the big deal is.
In fact, it's kind of annoying, actually. Her chest makes weaving far more difficult. She has to sit further away from the loom to actually see what she's doing, she has to hold her arms up higher when bringing a garment closer to inspect it, and so much more…
She giggled lightly. Enough of that down talk now.
She isn't sure what to expect, but she hopes all will go well!
And when her little brother is ready for her, she needs to make sure she makes a good first impression!
Ah! Maybe Lady Uzume could help with that!?