My p@treon followers actually read chapter "95"...
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Night had draped its inky veil over an old Japanese temple. Beneath the pale glow of a moon blurred by clouds, the deserted corridors echoed with Yuki's calm footsteps.
At last, she slid open a door. The room was large, almost austere, lit only by the faint flicker of a wavering lantern. Ancient scrolls adorned the walls.
A deep, composed voice broke the silence:
"At last, Miss Tsukumo. You kept me waiting."
A smile curved Yuki's lips. Her eyes swept the room, searching for the source of the voice.
"Ah, patience… A virtue your generation seems to have lost. But remember this: it's often those who wait who end up understanding."
From the shadows at the back of the room, a figure slowly emerged. It was Geto.
"It's been so long…" he said, almost warmly.
"Yes, but at least you don't look as miserable as last time," she replied, arms crossed, a smirk tugging at her mouth.
Geto gave a slow nod, a calm smile playing on his lips.
"That's because I've had a revelation. Now, I've found a purpose—a truth to fulfill."
At those words, Yuki narrowed her eyes, her mocking air fading into something more attentive.
"I see… So, you chose the first option," she murmured.
Geto's gaze sharpened, but his reply was steady.
"And you, Miss Tsukumo? Have you found another path?"
"Not yet," she admitted with a sigh, "but I won't give up."
Geto's brows furrowed slightly, his voice deepening.
"Meanwhile, curses spread, and evil multiplies with its 'monkeys.' This world sinks further into chaos."
Yuki shrugged.
"And you? How do you plan to change all that, alone? Even with your strength, it's an impossible task."
A flash of pride lit Geto's eyes.
"It won't be easy, of course. But I've had time to prepare. And now, I've found the perfect weapon. The one that will complete this work."
A brief laugh escaped Yuki.
"Well then, I'll be watching from afar. Good luck."
Geto stepped forward slightly, his gaze fixed on her.
"So you won't oppose me?"
She met his eyes, her expression more serious than before.
"No. If you succeed before I find a better solution, then maybe that will prove it was the right thing to do."
A satisfied smile spread across Geto's face.
"Always a pleasure to be understood," he said.
Then, disarmingly, he held out a hand to her.
"Come, Miss Tsukumo. A cup of tea to celebrate our reunion?"
She nodded and walked through the door at his side.
"I was beginning to think you really were going to greet me so coldly," she teased with a smile.
They entered a vast, beautifully decorated hall. The polished dark wooden floor gleamed, and large colorful tapestries adorned the walls. The gentle scent of tea drifted through the air, and hanging lanterns bathed the space in a warm, soothing glow.
Two girls, no more than fifteen, approached. One had short black hair, the other wore neatly tied braids.
"Please, take a seat here," said the first, indicating a plush chair in the center of the room.
Yuki sat down in silence. An amused smile touched her lips as she took in the room's details.
"I must admit, Geto," she said, glancing around, "I was expecting a dark, filthy, dusty hideout."
At that moment, a tall man with ebony skin and stern features stepped forward.
"We are not brigands, madam," he said, his voice calm yet full of dignity.
Yuki stifled a laugh and nodded.
"Touché."
Geto sat in an armchair across from Yuki, arms folded, a faint smile on his lips.
"I see your sense of humor is still intact," he remarked.
Yuki crossed her legs and leaned back comfortably.
"And I see you've chosen your company well," she said, tilting her head slightly toward the two girls and the man standing still nearby.
Geto raised a brow, pride in his eyes.
"Heaven supports my cause," he replied simply.
Without a word, the girls brought over a tray where small porcelain cups rested beside a steaming teapot. One of them poured the tea, then stepped back.
Yuki lifted her cup, inhaling the aroma.
"Lovely scent. But I doubt you invited me here just for tea," she said with a teasing smile.
Geto let out a soft chuckle.
"All in due time. For now, I'd like to hear your stories. Your travels intrigue me."
Yuki set her cup down, resting her arms behind her head.
"Hmm… And what if my tales are boring, huh?"
Geto replied evenly:
"Then I'd conclude you lack inspiration."
That drew a genuine laugh from Yuki.
"Well played, well played. Fine, I'll tell you. But at your own risk…"
She lifted her eyes toward the ceiling, a faint smile on her lips.
"Please, tell us!" cried the two girls in unison, their eyes sparkling with excitement.
Yuki chuckled softly before leaning toward them a little.
"All right, all right. Picture this: me, on a snowy peak, in a place where the air is so pure it feels like it sings. There, an old sage had lived alone for decades. No one knew why, so of course, I wanted to find out."
The girls exchanged a glance, already captivated.
"And?" asked the short-haired one, her eyes bright with anticipation.
"Oh, it was… quite the climb. Every step was a battle. The snow was treacherous, the wind merciless, but I reached the top, frozen and exhausted. And guess what? The hermit tells me the strangest thing: 'Why did you climb, when the answer was below?'"
"The answer was… below?" repeated the braided girl, puzzled.
Yuki shrugged, smirking.
"Exactly. And the meaning of that quest is still a mystery to me today. Maybe he just wanted to give me a good lesson about ego!"
The girls burst out laughing.
"I want to travel too!" declared the braided one, clenching her fists in determination.
"Me too!" her companion added.
Amusement flickered in Geto's gaze. He crossed his arms, leaning back into his chair.
"Ah, the world…" he murmured. "It's vast and full of wonders, that's true."
Then, in a darker tone, he added:
"But as wonderful as it may be, it remains a cruel gift. Cruel, because Tengen gave it to those who don't know how to use it… and because he condemned this country."