Deep within a cavern, Jouryuu was seen sitting alone. She slowly placed her right hand upon her stomach. The God of Thunder remembered how Kuusetsu would use her ability to phase through her and just stare at her face. Though this never bothered Jouryuu in the slightest.
"Jouryuu-nee is big and warm, so you're comfortable!"
"The Eight Gods of Thunder are gathering."
~?????~
"Shikoku-nee, Jouryuu-nee."
As Shikoku and Jouryuu were walking, they turned towards the direction of the voice that was calling out to them. It was a tall and slender humanoid Shuuki dressed with an elaborate trench coat with a flared up collar. In place of a head, he wore a black helmet that features two different sides.
"You came to greet us?"
"As the youngest, it's the least I could do."
Just as he said this, Jaku'un was leading Shikoku and Jouryuu where the others were. When they arrived, they saw Rairen waiting for them alongside a masked individual wearing a cloak. Before she realized it, Jouryuu suddenly used her left arm and leg to block an attack that was aimed at her from above.
"I would say that i'm actually overflowing with power due to anger."
"Between the two of you, it seems like Shikoku is the one who is in low spirits."
Another new voice was heard as it's owner was slowly emerging from the shadows. Her skin was tanned as her white hair was flowing. However, what was truly shocking was the fact her appearance was that of Yamashiro Ren.
Soon a bright light began to envelop the room. As the Gods of Thunder shield their eyes, they saw the final god appear before them. She was a woman with long hair extending passed her back, lipstick on her lips, with a black tattoo in the middle of her forehead under her hairline, in addition to jagged markings underneath her slitted eyes. She adorns Japanese attire, resembling a kimono much larger than herself, to the point that it touches the ground, with a hair ornament that ties her hair in the back.
"Taikyoku-nee....."
"Kneel, Shikoku. I thought you'd be able to make preparations in my place, as I can't distance myself from mother's side, but alas.....a god has fallen. That is an unfathomable failure."
"I can't forgive myself either."
The moment she said that, a sword suddenly pierced through Shikoku's back as it pinned her to the ground. Blood escaped from her mouth and her wound as she was in agonizing pain. Meanwhile, the expression on Taikyoku's face didn't change in the slightest.
"In the short while it will take you to recover, suffer as much as possible. Then, do not concern yourself with what happened to Kuusetsu any longer. With that, your judgement has been delivered.
~A few minutes later~
After Shikoku finally managed to recover, the Eight Gods of Thunder were all sitting at a table as they were discussing what to do. This was a situation they didn't expect, but they needed a plan in order to move forward. Soon, Taikyoku began to speak up.
"Now then, we originally planned to launch an all-out attack once all eight of us pillars gathered together. However, the situation has changed. What is the plan moving forward, Shikoku?"
"As the Mato Defense Corps' ability to organize itself is higher than anticipated, we will bring forward what we planned to do after the attack, The Day of Purification. Once we begin the Day of Purification, we will launch an all-out attack."
Right now the decision was split as Taikyoku didn't have an input for this matter. While some of the gods didn't mind being prepared, the others wanted to retaliate as a God of Thunder was slain. Seeing this situation, Jaku'un came up with an idea.
"How about a compromise? We will follow Shikoku-nee's proposal while also attacking the Mato Defense Corps, but the ones attacking them will be the devotees."
"We will promote the most accomplished of the Devotees to the ranks of the Eight Gods of Thunder. I'm sure just hearing that will be enough to make them work their hardest to achieve their mission. And right now, Shikoku-nee, the most accomplished ones are them."
"They're both former chiefs of the Mato Defense Corps, Shimomura Yumeji and Medusa Gorgon."
~Meanwhile~
As Nagisa was walking back to the dojo, he was looking at his phone as he got a text from Bang. Apparently the boy had a guest that wanted to see him. The boy felt a shiver down his spine reading that message. The last time he got a message like that, he had to deal with Goo.
"Note to self, the old man's guests are NEVER normal.
As Nagisa was walking on the stairs that lead to the dojo, a familiar smell began to enter his nose. It was something that he didn't eat that often ever since he escaped his first Mato Incident. The moment Nagisa made it to the dojo and opened the door, he saw Bang eating tteokbokki. Its a popular Korean food that was made from small-sized garae-tteok called tteokmyeon or commonly tteokbokki-tteok.
"Nagisa, welcome. Your guest has been waiting for you."
When Bang said this, he pointed outside as Nagisa saw a single man standing in the training grounds of the dojo. The once large boulders were now reduced to mere pebbles. The man's back was turned to the boy as he looked at the waterfall, but Nagisa could instantly recognize this man. He recognized this back as it was always within his sight whenever he saw this man fight.
"Is that you, dad?"
"I heard all about it from Bang. How you got into another Mato Incident, joined the Mato Defense Corps, even down to what happened recently at Yokohama."
"Dad, I-"
"I always ask myself this, what should I say to you should I come to Japan? Should I scold you for not being careful? Should I be worried and be more protective of you? But after hearing from Bang about what you've been doing and how much you've grown, I could only think of one thing to say."
"I'm proud of you, Nagisa. I'm honored to have you as my son."