Tanuki Rise of the Yokai Clan

After that fight, he didn't waste his time and returned to Shikoku immediately. With how shameless Nurarihyon was, he didn't dare to stay in Tokyo. He knew that some might feel he was a coward, but he felt he was smart about making a strategic retreat.

More importantly, Tokyo was Nura Clan's turf.

If he didn't leave, he was afraid that Nurarihyon would summon his Hyakki Yakkou to end his life, so Nura Rikuo's life could be so smooth.

While he believed he wouldn't be defeated, he knew he would have serious injuries. He was also afraid of the power of the plot armor since this power was just unreasonable. If he gave an example: if he bought a bomb, missile, or even a nuclear bomb, he was afraid that those modern weapons might have an error before they killed his people.

He knew that he was being paranoid, but the plot armor and the protagonist's aura really existed. He had confirmed it, especially when his subordinates told him they had gotten lost and were stopped by something until they arrived, but when they came, the battle ended. More importantly, his previous battle explained everything about the existence of this invisible power.

What could he say?

His lips could only twitch, and he sighed.

Fortunately, his injuries weren't that deep, but he needed to rest for a month to recover. He wasn't the protagonist after all, so it was impossible for him to recover in a single night.

With that said, when he returned, he was treated like a hero.

All of his subordinates celebrated like he had defeated the Nura Clan and dominated this country.

However, he suppressed them and quickly asked for a meeting since he knew his fight with the Nura Clan would lead to an inevitable result between the two clans.

By now, they had become an enemy.

The moment they met, they would only kill each other.

As for his reward? While it was powerful, honestly, it was hard to imagine how he would be able to defeat Nura Rikuo in the future. More importantly, while he had said this several times, the heroines were all on the protagonist's side!

However, he could think about the matter of the system later since he needed to attend a meeting after his wounds were tended.

"War! We have to go to war!"

As everyone had gathered in the meeting room, attended by all the most powerful youkai within the Shikoku Youkai, many older brothers roared with a blazing fighting spirit, telling everyone that they had to have a war with the Nura Clan!

Everyone also felt the same, and all of them wanted to go to war with the Nura Clan, especially when they heard and even saw how Nurarihyon was beaten by Tamazuki.

Not only the words of his subordinates, but Tamazuki also recorded his fighting process, so everyone could tell that he wasn't lying. Everyone also knew how Nura Clan had looked down on the Shikoku Clan, and it made them furious!

A hick?

But you were beaten by a hick!

With this fight, Tamazuki's prestige became stronger, and if he became the commander now, no one would say anything, and everyone would support him.

However, this also made his older brother become desperate.

After all, how could they let a kid lead the Shikoku Clan?

While they had to admit that Tamazuki was strong, the most important factor was that Nurarihyon was too weak!

Nurarihyon's legend was only an exaggeration and even a lie, so they thought they could defeat him too. But, more importantly, they wanted to increase their prestige, and the only way to do it was to go to war!

When they won this battle, their prestige would increase, and by then, it would be them who would become the leader of the Shikoku Youkai!

Tamazuki only glanced at his older brothers, but he didn't say anything and sat quietly among the crowd with his mother by his side, thinking that they were stupid.

Yet, this was normal since after the 2nd generation of the Nura Clan ascended, the 1st generation had never shown much to the public, so his strength was forgotten.

Tamazuki also could tell that his mother was the same since she was also angry that her son was all hurt and beaten.

Yet, Inugamigyoubu Danuki didn't say anything, even ignored his older brothers, and looked at Tamazuki. "Tamazuki, what do you think?"

When this question fell, everyone fell silent as they waited for Tamazuki's answer.

Meanwhile, many of his older brothers showed dissatisfied expressions, but in front of the father, they didn't dare to say anything.

Still, some of the older ones were also smart, and they knew from now on, it would be the age of Tamazuki.

"Without a doubt, we are an enemy. The moment they have provoked us, our fate is to fight each other."

As his childish yet calm and fierce voice fell, everyone felt that their hearts were beating so fast. Everyone in this place imagined the glory which came from defeating the famous Nura Clan!

By then, it wouldn't be weird to say Shikoku Clan would be the strongest!

Danuki also nodded and seemed satisfied with Tamazuki's answer since he had to say he hardly liked Nurarihyon. Nurarihyon was too arrogant, especially when this guy tried to recruit him like other youkai.

Who was he?

Inugamigyoubu Danuki!

As the leader of all the tanuki in this country, even he had his own pride!

Who the fuck was Nurarihyon?

Yet... he had to say, he was worried since he knew how powerful Nura Clan was.

"But..."

As expected, Tamazuki didn't disappoint him.

"I can say that Nura Clan is strong, and when we fight, even if we are able to win, many of us will die."

"Ha? What are you saying, Tamazuki?! Are you a coward? How can you lead the Shikoku Youkai if you are afraid of death!"

Tamazuki only glanced at his older brother, who didn't seem to realize that he had submitted to him subconsciously. His power was evident to all, and even if his older brother didn't want to believe that he was strong, deep inside, they knew he was extremely strong and maybe as strong as their father.

More importantly, no one called him by his old name anymore since all of them had seen his resolve and determination to become the ruler of the darkness—the leader of all the youkai.

His valor figure fought against Nurarihyon without fear was clearly shown to everyone.

Still, everyone was looking at Tamazuki, waiting for his explanation.

"I am not saying that I am afraid of death, but I am telling you that we have to fight smart." Tamazuki looked at everyone calmly and asked, "If you are asked that you can win while retaining all of your people and win while sacrificing everyone, which one will you choose?"

"..."

Everyone fell into silence. The answer to his question was obvious since if they could win without sacrificing anyone, why should they die? Like humans, they all wanted to live long lives.

Yet, how?

Everyone was confused.

Even his parents were looking at him curiously.

"Tamazuki, explain." Danuki looked at his son curiously.

Was there such a method?

If so, how?

"Appear strong when you are weak, and appear weak when you are strong."

"??"

Looking at their confused expressions, he smiled and told them about his plan, which made all of them gasp before they showed the cunning smile of the tanuki.

"What do you think?"

Everyone agreed without hesitation.