Please to Kitsune-sama!

Chapter 204 : Kitsune-sama, Learning the Troubles of the World

The Ten Great Clans.

These were the ten clans considered to hold the greatest power in Japan. They hadn’t named themselves that—rather, it was a label others had begun to use. Yet, before long, the clans themselves began to acknowledge it as fact.

The first clan ever founded in Japan was Fuji, led by Hakuouin Mitsuru, now seventy years old and still active as a master of the job “General.”

Splitting off from Fuji was Heaven, commanded by Kobayashi Shinji, who bore the job “Buster Blader.” Heaven and Fuji had an infamously poor relationship.

Breakers was born from those who wanted no part of the conflict between the two, its master Hino Moyuru wielding the job “Burning Lancer.”

Flash, led by Hoshizaki Juri, a master of the job “Aura Master,” was a clan devoted to meritocracy. Its strict internal ranking system was said to serve as a ladder for ambitious young people determined to prove their strength.

Genesis, in turn, was led by Takenaka Youichi, an “Archmage.” Considered a rival to Flash, it was far more moderate in temperament, functioning on a council-based system.

Takemoto Samurai Corps was one of the older clans. As the name suggested, it drew together members with Samurai-type jobs, though in practice it welcomed anyone with a Japanese-style class. Despite its seemingly niche appeal, it had risen high enough to be counted among the Ten. Its master was Takemoto Hideaki, bearing the job “Shogun,” a 68-year-old man with the air of a sword saint.

Sunline, led by Tsukiyama Michiru, master of the job “Saintess,” was the largest gathering of healers in Japan. Its support abilities attracted countless other job holders, swelling its numbers enormously.

Opposing them was Dragon Eye, the largest close-combat clan. They had reached their status by straightforward means—such as beginner support programs. Their master, Sendou Masanori, wielder of the job “Blast Blader,” was famous for having a sharp tongue but a gentle heart.

Mage Federation grew large by gathering magic-oriented jobs, standing opposite Dragon Eye in focus. Its master, Rokushima Asako, an “Element Master,” was more fascinated with the study of magic itself than with combat, so while the clan was large, its rankings were only middling.

And finally, Echigo Trading Company—a clan that had prospered through businesses tied to awakeners. But now it was collapsing under the weight of an internal succession struggle.

“…And that’s roughly what the Ten Great Clans look like.”

“So many different kinds of groups. Still, I’ve never had dealings with them before… why are they bothering with me now?”

In the Fox Phone headquarters, Akai, standing before a whiteboard covered in notes, smiled wryly at Inari’s blunt question. It was fair enough—but there were reasons why the Ten Great Clans had suddenly begun to move.

“Well, up until now Fox Phone acted as a wall between you and them, and also…”

“Hmm?”

“Our strategy worked. Publicly, your image is that of a ‘cute little fox girl.’”

“Cute little fox girl.”

“Takemoto Samurai Corps had shown some interest, but their stance was more along the lines of ‘it wouldn’t be right to use our influence to snatch away a child already affiliated elsewhere.’”

“Child.”

“Besides, many assumed Fox Phone was just bolstering your strength with powerful items. Most dismissed you as a product of our marketing strategy.”

Indeed, for clans of that size, there were countless priorities higher than chasing after one supposedly promising rookie. Fresh talent came knocking on their doors all the time, and if someone was already tied elsewhere, it was considered unseemly to strong-arm them away. As for small- and mid-sized clans who might covet her, Fox Phone had enough clout to shut them out without effort.

“But then the situation changed. I’m talking about that urban-legend incident.”

In particular, the Toshima Incident. When the Awakener Association’s Japan HQ recruited top talents from across the clans, the failure of the first wave had dealt them a major blow. Inari, sent in as part of the second wave, naturally drew attention from the Ten Great Clans. Later, her involvement in joint operations with top-ranked awakeners was also noted.

That alone was enough to prompt a reevaluation. The Ten Great Clans began re-examining her background, and came to realize—this was no ordinary girl.

“If you call it the limit of image manipulation, that’s one way of putting it. But more accurately, they’ve now realized you’re not just ‘cute’—you’re cute and strong.”

“I see. And these requests to meet me—what do you think of them, Akai?”

“I’d say they want to size you up for themselves, and only then decide how to deal with you.”

“…So that’s how it is.”

To Inari, it was just another reminder of how messy and convoluted human society could be. But perhaps it couldn’t be helped, not in a world where everyone scrambled for higher ground.

“Humans sure have a hard time, always scheming this way and that.”

“Well, the higher your position, the more headaches you end up with—that much is true.”

Nibbling on a rice cracker set out with the tea, Inari gazed at the whiteboard with a sympathetic look.