Gozaru! The Guide to Yokai
After Mirin stumbles upon "The Complete Guide to Yokai" from her childhood at a flea market with (Captain) and the others, she and Shion reminisce over the book's many depictions of the strange spirits from the far east. On the way home, they run into a merchant claiming to have been attacked by a tengu. Mirin and Shion then decide to venture deeper into the woods to retrieve the merchant's stolen goods.
Mirin: Gozaru!
Having stumbled upon a certain flea market, Mirin lets out a gleeful cry when she spots a familiar-looking publication.
Lyria: You seem super happy! Did something good happen?
Mirin: Ta-da! I found this "The Complete Guide to Yokai" at one of the shops!
Lyria: Isn't that the book from the far east with records of all those yokai?
Mirin: Yep!
Mirin: Wow, to think I'd find this so far away from home... I have countless memories flipping through these pages with Shion...
Mirin: What an amazing coincidence!
Vyrn: Hey, didn't you have trouble going to the bathroom by yourself at night after reading it?
Shion: That's correct. To this very day, I can clearly recall Mirin's thin, pale lips trembling in fear.
Mirin: You weren't supposed to say that, Shion! I was still really little then!
Mirin: I'll have you know that I'm very much an adult now! I mean, look at me! I'd never get scared over something like this...
As if to prove something, Mirin opens the guide and leafs through it, her face growing darker with every passing second.
Mirin: Aha... ha... This isn't scary at all! Nope, not in the slightest!
Vyrn: Ya sure 'bout that?
Lyria: If it isn't too scary, I'd also like to give it a quick read!
Shion: None of its contents are worthy of fear. It is, after all, meant for children.
Shion: As a matter of fact, I find the yokai's exaggerated depictions rather entertaining.
Convinced, Lyria takes the book and flips through it before quickly slamming its covers shut.
Lyria: Sh-she's right! There's nothing scary in here!
Vyrn: Ya barely even looked at it!
Shion: Hmmm... In that case, what do you think about this yokai over here?
Shion: It has no interest in harming people and is curious in nature. Take a look.
Shion extends the book out for the others to see, and on the open page is a uniquely drawn yokai with the funniest of expressions.
Lyria: This yokai is called a "tofu-kozo." Its only job is to go about town delivering tofu and sake to the local residents.
Vyrn: Huh? That's all it does? It's just helpin' out!
Shion: This one is also quite interesting. It's often referred to as an "azukitogi."
Lyria: Wha? Does it just spend all its time washing beans by the river?
Vyrn: You sure that's right? That sounds more like an ol' geezer with nothing better to do, not a yokai!
As Lyria curiously gives the yokai in the guide a second look, one particular question suddenly comes to mind.
Lyria: Um... So about these yokai... Is there somewhere you can actually find them?
Mirin: Hm, let's see...
Mirin: A lot of the more dangerous yokai are said to exist even outside of fiction.
Mirin: However, monsters are sometimes mistakenly labeled yokai as a result of various folktales or legends passed down from one generation to the next.
Mirin: There are also yokai that were clearly made up by writers and artists for amusement.
Mirin: It's hard to tell exactly which yokai are real and which ones are make-believe.
Mirin: I think it'd be fun to meet one of the harmless yokai though.
Lyria: Yeah, I totally agree! I feel like I'd really get along with a tofu-kozo!
Vyrn: H-hey, guys... Take a look at this!
Vyrn points at one of the yokai in the guide. Drawn on one of its pages is a kappa.
Lyria: Why is Kyuta in a book about yokai?
Mirin: Whoa... Not only have I already met a yokai, but turns out I'm pretty close to one too!
(Captain) and the others are shocked to discover that, at least in the far east, Kyuta is regarded as a yokai.
On the way back from the flea market, the crew passes through a forest when, out of the blue, the sound of clapping thunder reverberates in the distance.
Shion: How unusual. There isn't a cloud in the sky. It shouldn't be possible for lightning to form under such conditions.
Mirin: I think it's dry lightning! I remember hearing about it from my father!
Mirin: Folks back in the olden days probably blamed yokai for these kinda weird phenomena.
???: Heeelp!
Shion: Roaring thunder followed by an echoing voice. Is this the screech of a bird or the cry of a yokai? The oddities continue.
???: Is anybody there? Help me! Please!
Mirin: Gozaru?
Mirin: Wait, I think I hear someone's voice! He's calling out for help! Everybody, let's get moving!
The group weaves through the trees to the voice's source. There, they find an old merchant with an injured leg, unable to move.
Mirin: Are you okay?
Lyria: Let me treat his wounds first...
Merchant: Phew... I feel much better now. Thank you.
Sensing fear in his voice, Mirin stares at the merchant for a few moments.
Mirin: I don't mean to pry, but did something happen?
Merchant: Y-yes, actually... As I was carrying my goods to the next village, I came across a good-for-nothing thief.
Merchant: I'm ashamed to admit it, but I abandoned my wares and ran for my life. In my haste, I ended up tripping over and—well, you know the rest of the story.
Mirin: Where exactly did you cross paths with this thief?
The merchant, sensing Mirin's readiness to dash off at the drop of a hat, tugs at her kimono as if to stop her.
Merchant: I appreciate the concern, miss, but it's best you stay here! I wouldn't want to put you in harm's way...
Mirin: We're skyfarers—it's our job to help people. Besides, we found you for a reason. There's no way we can just leave you be!
Merchant: I'm warning you. This isn't some run-of-the-mill thief you're dealing with. I was attacked by a tengu—a monster capable of summoning gales of wind and shooting bolts of lightning!
Mirin & Shion: A tengu?
Mirin and Shion give each other a quick glance before flipping through the yokai guide once more.
Mirin: Possessing a red face and a long nose, this flying beast boasts large wings that grow out of its back.
Mirin: A demon that leads people down the path of evil, it uses its divine powers to manipulate wind, lightning, and even people's minds.
Mirin reads the entry on tengu out loud before quietly closing the book.
Vyrn: This one doesn't sound nice like the tofu-kozo or azukitogi...
Shion: It is, in fact, a perfect example of how dangerous yokai can be. I have no doubt in my mind that it would cause significant trouble were we to leave it as is.
Mirin: ...
Shion: Mirin?
Mirin: Hey, mister. Do you know where we could find the tengu?
Merchant: Did you not hear me? You're dealing with a monster! Are you really going to go?
Mirin: Yep! I'm a samurai. It's what I do.
Seeing the look of determination within Mirin's eyes, the merchant finally concedes, and he shares with the party the tengu's whereabouts in more detail.
Mirin: Thank you, mister! Don't you worry! We'll make sure to get all your stuff back!
Shion: Allow me to join you, Mirin.
Mirin: Okay! Thanks, Shion!
Mirin: Hey, (Captain)! Do you think the rest of you could take our injured friend to a doctor?
Vyrn: Sure, but will you two really be okay by yourselves?
Mirin: Uh-huh! It'll be a piece of cake! Leave the tengu to us!
Her spirits high, Mirin declares her next plan of action before heading deeper into the forest with Shion.
Gozaru? The Tale of a Tengu
As the two girls trek through the forest, Mirin admits that she was scared to hear that their target was a tengu. When Shion voices her surprise at the sudden display of weakness, Mirin explains that the reason for her courage is her conviction as a samurai, saying that her blade is meant to conquer evil and defend the weak. Finally, the two head off into the heart of the forest.
In search of their tengu target, Mirin and Shion head deeper into the forest as quickly as their legs can take them.
Mirin: You all right, Shion?
Shion: Hm? Why do you ask?
Mirin halts in her tracks and scratches the side of her head with an apologetic look.
Mirin: Well, to be completely honest, when I heard that the thief was a tengu, I kinda got scared... Embarrassing, isn't it?
Mirin: So I was just wondering how you felt.
Shion: There's no need to be ashamed. I, too, felt the same way when I learned of the thief's true identity.
Shion: A yokai with a red face and divine powers... Merely thinking about it sends chills down my spine.
Mirin: Phew... It's nice knowing that it wasn't just me!
Shion: I never thought I'd hear you admit it yourself, however. I'm honestly quite surprised.
Shion: Earlier on, you didn't appear even the slightest bit fearful. In fact, I would go so far as to say you wanted to face the tengu.
Mirin: I probably only looked like that 'cause of my conviction.
Shion: Your conviction? And what might that be?
Placing a hand on her waist, Mirin lightly touches her sword and smiles.
Mirin: A little while back, I had the opportunity to cross blades with the son of the smith who forged this for me...
Mirin: It was then that he asked me, "What does it mean to be a samurai?"
Shion: Hm... A profound question, indeed.
Mirin: I thought and thought about it, and eventually, I found the answer I was looking for.
Mirin: The samurai I envision is someone who acts with courtesy and gratitude—who swings her sword with conviction.
Mirin: But most of all, this sword that I wield is something that I must use to defeat evil, and to protect the innocent and those dear to me.
Shion: Swinging your sword... with conviction?
Mirin: Yeah. From that day onward, I promised myself that I'd always live by my beliefs.
Mirin: Sure, I was scared when I first heard we'd be facing off against a tengu, but it was only for a second! I got over my fear 'cause of my conviction!
Shion: Hm...
Mirin: Ah, that's just how it is for me! I'm sure you have your own reasons...
Shion: No, actually. I share your sentiments, Mirin.
Shion: It is our duty as samurai to serve as the blade of the weak. Should someone be in need of assistance, we are to provide it.
Mirin: Yaaay! I'm glad we both feel the same way, Shion!
Shion: Mirin... I can't... breathe...
Mirin: Oops! Sorry about that! I was just so happy I couldn't help myself!
Shion: Ah, it's okay. It's not that I mind... You were just squeezing a bit too hard, is all...
Mirin: Ehehe...
After the two share a brief laugh together, they turn their attention to the forest around them and ready themselves for the encounter to come.
Mirin: All righty then...
Mirin: Now that I've let out all that pent-up fear and found out how we both feel, there's only one thing left to do.
Mirin: Off we go to defeat the tengu!
Shion: Right behind you!
Her vigor renewed, Mirin sets off once more with her friend following closely in her steps.
Meanwhile, Shion comes to the conclusion that, in a way, admitting one's weaknesses is a kind of strength in and of itself.
Gozaru? The Tale of a Tengu: Scene 2
Mirin and Shion locate the merchant's wagon and, as they follow its tracks, are met with the sound of clapping thunder and howling wind. Suddenly, a voice rings out above them, demanding that they drop their weapons and leave at once. The two samurai refuse and ready themselves for a fight. Feigning mercy, the self-proclaimed tengu pardons the girls, but unperturbed, they decide to wait it out.
The two samurai make their way into the heart of the forest. To their surprise, they're met not with the sight of a tengu, but a pair of tracks they can only assume belong to the merchant's wagon.
Mirin: These tracks are pretty deep. The tengu couldn't have gone very far with a load this heavy.
Shion: Right. We need to stop it before it harms anyone.
Wary of a potential attack by the tengu, Mirin and Shion are both on high alert as they follow the tracks that lay before them.
Suddenly, as if to serve as a warning to the two girls, another round of clapping thunder reverberates throughout the forest.
Mirin: Aaaah!
Mirin: More dry lightning?
Shion: Indeed. I would hazard a guess that the sound is being generated by some divine power rather than any sort of natural cause.
No sooner do those words leave Shion's lips than the trees around them start violently shaking due to a sudden gust of wind.
Mirin: If that's the case, then this wind must also be...
Shion: Hmph... Fear not. With our conviction, it's impossible to lose.
Mirin: Yep! Besides, I don't feel scared at all when you're with me, Shion!
Suddenly, just as Shion and Mirin begin searching the vicinity for any traces of the tengu, they hear a hoarse voice cackle at them jeeringly.
Tengu's Voice: Gahahaha! So you've followed the tracks all the way here! Are you two friends of the merchant from earlier?
Mirin: We're just helping him out! You gotta return all the stuff you stole!
Tengu's Voice: How brave of you. But I'd like to make one thing clear—it would be a mistake to think of me as a petty thief.
Tengu's Voice: For I am a mighty yokai capable of shocking even wailing children into silence! I am—
Mirin: A tengu! Right?
Tengu's Voice: Oh, my... So you already know what I am and still chose to follow me here? Are you courageous or simply fools? I hope you don't regret your decision!
Hearing the enraged tengu's angry cries, Mirin and Shion begin unsheathing their swords.
Mirin: ...
Tengu's Voice: Very well then... I see that you're both armed with the most spectacular weaponry.
Tengu's Voice: How about this? Hand over your swords, and I will spare your lives. It's your choice to make.
Mirin & Shion: ...!
Mirin: A samurai lives and dies by the sword. Hand them over? I've never heard such an outrageous demand in my life!
Shion: Show yourself, you insolent yokai. Your existence will soon be nothing more than a layer of rust on my blade.
Mirin: Come on out! It's time we fight...
Mirin & Shion: Fair and square!
Mirin: ...
Mirin: Huh?
Shion: What to do...
Mirin: You can come out now! We have to battle!
Mirin: ...
Mirin: Wha? No way...
Mirin: Hey, Shion... We should be fighting by this point, right?
Shion: Under normal circumstances, yes. I'm as confused as you are.
Not a single response can be heard from the tengu, and an awkward silence soon fills the air. Perplexed, neither Mirin nor Shion could have possibly predicted such an outcome.
Without a clear path forward, the two samurai are clueless as to what to do next. They attempt to piece together a plan but are soon interrupted.
Tengu's Voice: Gahahaha! What a wonderful show of resolve! I think I've taken a liking to you both.
Tengu's Voice: I'm going to offer the two of you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! I need not your swords or your lives. However, you must leave this place at once.
Mirin: Gozaru?
Mirin: What's going on, Shion? Why's the tengu suddenly being all nice?
Shion: Don't be fooled, Mirin. Remember what it said in the yokai guide?
Shion: Tengu are capable of manipulating people's minds!
Mirin: Oh, yeah! Whoops, I totally forgot about that! I almost fell for its tricks!
With Shion by her side, Mirin quickly snaps back to her senses.
Gozaru? The Tale of a Tengu: Scene 3
Mirin successfully apprehends her target—a man who, under the guise of being a tengu, used poorly executed ninjutsu to steal money and goods from local travelers. Originally from the Ninja Village, he is then turned over to Sato, a fellow ninja. Meanwhile, Shion admires her friend, having caught a glimpse of what it means to be a true samurai.
Mirin and Shion, now fully prepared for combat, decide to wait the tengu out.
However, what they don't know is that hidden away in the trees above isn't a tengu but rather a lone man peering down at them.
Phony Tengu: What the heck is their problem? I'm supposed to be tengu—a yokai feared by all! Why is it that they want to fight? This doesn't make any sense at all!
Mirin's Voice: Hey, tengu! Come out, come out, wherever you are!
Phony Tengu: Sigh... This is quite the pickle. What am I even supposed to do?
The girls' taunts growing ever brazen, the self-proclaimed tengu begins to worry.
With no ability to fight on his own, the thief makes his next move in a last-ditch attempt to get himself out of this predicament.
Phony Tengu: Gahahaha! Your bravery is truly laudable! The two of you are born warriors!
Phony Tengu: In any case, I've recently suffered an injury to my nose. Yes, that's it. So if you'd be so kind as to cut me some slack, I'd greatly appreciate the gesture.
Mirin: Hmmm... Does that mean you surrender?
Shion: Impossible. Remember the book. Think back on its contents.
Shion: This must be another one of its traps. I'm certain of it.
Mirin: R-right! It almost tricked me again. Thanks, Shion!
Phony Tengu: Mgrh... I'm giving them so many outs, and they're not taking any of them! I guess I'm left with no other choice.
Escape being his only remaining option, the man quietly leaps from one tree to the next, trying his hardest to avoid detection as he does so. However...
Mirin: There it is!
Mirin: Revolving Phoenix... Crosscut!
Phony Tengu: U-urgh!
Mirin unleashes a powerful slash, just barely missing the man's head. The extremely close call causes him to lose his balance and fall straight to the ground.
Phony Tengu: Ow...
Mirin: The tengu has finally shown itself! Come and fi—
Mirin: Wait, what? You're not a tengu...
Shion: The yokai has revealed its true identity. How disappointing.
Phony Tengu: Ahahaha! Surprise?
Mirin: Now isn't the time for jokes!
Mirin: That doesn't change the fact that you were posing as a tengu to steal from the weak!
Phony Tengu: All right then. I know what to do. You're itching to fight, right? I'll face you, fair and square.
Mirin: Sounds good to me. If I win, you have to return all the stolen goods, got it?
Mirin shoots Shion a glance, and her friend sheathes her sword before stepping back to make some room for the ensuing battle.
Shion: I'll sit this one out. After all, what's a fight without a referee?
Mirin: Got it!
Mirin readies herself then carefully studies the man standing before her. In his left hand is a small dagger. His right hand, meanwhile, is tucked away in a pocket.
Phony Tengu: ...
Shion: Prepare yourselves... Now, let the fight begin!
Mirin: Hraaagh!
Mirin immediately lunges at her opponent. The man then jumps a few steps back, takes a smoke bomb out of his pocket, and throws it in the direction of Mirin's feet.
Mirin: Cough, cough...
Phony Tengu: Sorry, miss! I never stood a chance against you in a fair fight! Gotta do what I can to win!
Mirin: Coward!
With the area now completely covered in smoke, the thief tries to hastily take his leave.
Right as he's about to make his escape, however, Mirin clears the air in an instant with a flurry of slashes.
Phony Tengu: You've gotta be kidding me...
Mirin: Either you turn yourself in or you deal with me! Your pick!
Phony Tengu: Okay, okay! You win! I surrender!
After a quick glance at Mirin's shining blade, the man throws down all his weapons before the samurai.
Mirin: Gozaru? You had this many? Where'd you even fit all these?
Shion: Are you perhaps a ninja of sorts?
Phony Tengu: You could call me that, I guess.
Mirin: Wait, so the claps of thunder and shaking trees from earlier were all your doing? Is that some kinda ninjutsu?
Phony Tengu: Oh, right... About that...
The thief explains how he used a poorly executed spell to produce sounds resembling that of thunder.
Thoroughly embarrassed, he then goes on to admit that the wind was similarly created with a shoddily cast spell and a little bit of physical effort.
Mirin: A poorly executed spell, huh? Is that why you can only kinda be called a ninja?
Phony Tengu: Yeah... Pathetic, isn't it?
Mirin: If you truly consider it pathetic, why didn't you dedicate your time and effort to becoming a proper ninja?
Unable to bear the weight of Mirin's harsh gaze, the man shamefully turns his head away from hers.
Phony Tengu: A proud and respectable samurai like you would never understand how I feel...
Mirin: So is that what you're gonna do? Live your life, one excuse after the next?
Phony Tengu: You'll find the wares I took from the merchant, as well as all the other goods I've stolen so far, in that cave over there.
Phony Tengu: I'm sorry...
Mirin: Hold on!
Mirin: Do you think everything's fine and dandy just 'cause you returned the stuff you stole?
Phony Tengu: ...
Mirin: Besides, it's not us you should be apologizing to!
Mirin: The people you threatened, scared, and stole from—they're the ones you should be saying sorry to! Are we clear?
Phony Tengu: Yes, you're absolutely right.
Shion: Hm...
Shion appears to be deep in thought as she watches Mirin continue to admonish the thief. Suddenly—
A shadow swoops through the area, and in the blink of an eye, the man is bound in rope and on the ground.
Mirin: Gozaru?
Sato: Hey, Miri-bae! You startled me!
Shion: O-oh...
Sato: And Shio-boo, your jaw's hanging!
Sato, a jonin of the Ninja Village.Her first encounter with the crew was during a joint operation that changed the fate of her village forever.
Continue 1Mirin: Why are you here, Satty?
Sato: Oh, nothing in particular. I'm just here to arrest this sorry excuse of a ninja.
According to Sato, the man had a record of causing many problems with his poor knowledge of ninjutsu.
Sato: I'm just fulfilling my duty as a ninja by apprehending any stragglers. It's part of the ninja code.
Sato: But wow... I can't believe the two of you got to him before I did. 'Preciate it though. Peace out.
Sato makes a victory sign with her fingers before grabbing the man and whisking him off to her hometown.
Shion: It never even crossed my mind that the tengu might actually be a ninja.
Mirin: Is it just me, or did he seem kinda glad to be captured by Satty?
Mirin: Maybe he wanted someone to stop him before he took things too far.
Shion: Making a mess and then forcing others to clean it up. You couldn't be more selfish if you tried.
Mirin: Yep. And who knows? Maybe he'll reflect on his actions and learn from this experience!
Shion: You are far more optimistic than I, Mirin.
Mirin: Wait, Satty dragged him off before he got the chance to apologize to the merchant...
Mirin: Oh, well. I guess I'll just have to return the stolen goods for him and apologize in his stead.
With that, Mirin dashes off toward the cave to recover the merchant's wares.
Shion: A true samurai, huh?
It is through this strange occurrence that Shion catches a glimpse of what it means to be a real samurai.
With a renewed determination not to fall behind, she sets her eyes on Mirin's back and marches forward.
