Japanese to Chinese translation by Hinako. Chinese to English translation by me.

I really wonder how many MoB fans are actually interested in the plot itself (can't expect NaoTaka angst 24/7 ^_^ ). Anyway Vol 12 is the conclusion to the Wadatsumi no Youkihi arc which, in a nutshell, is a three-way battle between the Mouri (+ Shimozura brothers from Vol 9), Oda and the Uesugi.

I won't be translating every single chapter but I'll try to include as much detail as possible in the summaries with partial translations.

Also, if I get any names/places wrong please do correct me...

One last thing, a [ch] indicates that I'm using pinyin (think of it as Chinese romaji), because there are a couple names here that are Chinese historical characters/places and I'm having difficulty translating them into Japanese. ^_^;

BTW, you can refer to this little site I put together. I'll try to make it a bit less cluttered as I go along but I think it'll be better than having 20 footnotes...

Right. I've summarized the first 2/3 and translated the last 1/3 of this chapter.

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The chapter starts with Ayako and Narumi cave-trekking in Akiyoshidai. Basically they're in this huge underground cave network, called Akiyoshi-do, looking for Rairen and his henchmen to retrieve a magical jewel. Ayako is really fit, or at least much more so than Narumi, who is a bit of a pampered little lady and thus is struggling with this whole trekking business. After all they've been underground for almost 20 hours.

Apparently, Rairen and company are in Taisho cave [except that I can't find any information about a 'Taisho' cave in the Akiyoshi-do cave system so either I've got the name wrong or my Google skills suck]. Narumi is all over Ayako's survival and outdoor skills, adding that they were fortunate the sect above ground hadn't noticed them so far which arouses Ayako's curiosity. Ayako asks how does she know and Narumi says that 'Youkihi' said so. I think Ayako is a little suspicious with Narumi's answer and wants to know who this Youkihi really is. It seems that Youkihi even knows everything about Kagetora and the Uesugi.

Narumi then switches with this other soul in her body and Ayako assumes that Youkihi wants to speak with her, but it turns out to be Tomo. Tomo is the infamous daughter of Kumagai Nobunao and the wife of Kikkawa Motoharu [still remember the guy who tried to convince Naoe to join him, and also tried Kagetora's patience]. Anyway, she says that she no longer belongs to Kikkawa but now serves Youkihi the Sea Goddess. Her job is to retrieve the manju and kanju, two magical jewels that can control the temper of the seas, by causing high tides and ebbing tides respectively.

Ayako then asks if this 'Youkihi' is really Yang Guifei [ch] who was a famous imperial consort who lived during the Tang Dynasty and the emperor Xuan Zong [ch] doted on her constantly. According to the historical reports, she died on the slopes of Ma Wei [ch] but legend has it that Youkihi had actually fled to Japan, passing the Tsugu peninsula. She then died in Japan but because she missed her homeland, her soul then transformed into a large scarlet bird and flew back to China. Tomo explains that the changing of her soul into a bird was actually her transformation into the Sea Goddess. Ayako is amazed. Kagetora and the others had actually seen a red phoenix at Peace Memorial Park, but that was Tomo, trying to trace Narumi's body. It seems that Tomo derives her powers from absorbing the energy of young women aka female vitality. And Youkihi can do something similar.

Then Ayako asks if she feels a bit guilty betraying her own husband's clan and Tomo insists that she isn't deliberately doing so. In fact she's very grateful to Motoharu for accepting despite her sins. When she was still alive she was notorious for being extremely unpleasant-looking and was a very timid person with no confidence. Her younger sister, Isari, was however a beauty. And out of jealousy that her sister was about to be taken as a wife by Motoharu, Tomo burned Isari's face one night, laughing hysterically that Isari was now going to experience her own pain of being ugly. When Motoharu learned of the incident, he ordered Nobunao (their father) to send Isari away to a remote mountain out of public eye and to keep mum about the situation. Then he married Tomo, and taught her many things and helped her to find her own confidence. Of course, Tomo still feels really bad about torching her sister's face so she thinks that she can only redeem herself by serving under Youkihi.

The scene cuts to Rairen, who is actually anticipating an attack by the Uesugi. By the way, he doesn't actually know that Hagi city has been wrecked. The master plan is that they will receive Terumoto and company on the Yamato the next morning. Then they will set out with the manju, have a meeting with Terumoto in Kure [吴] to make battle preparations. He also discusses with his aides about Rairyu's recent fighting enthusiasm... Apparently Rairyu is now very eager to get back at Kagetora after they lost to him in Kyoto (I think... it's the final fight in the OVAs). But Rairen thinks it wasn't a fair fight since the Uesugi had the help of the tengu [which I think is a silly refute, the brothers also got 'extra help' from the onryou of the Araki clan, no?]. Anyway, the manju is stored in an Amida nyorai plate inside a cabinet, that is placed in the center of a circle of altars [are you still following this...?].

So by now Ayako and Tomo have reached the Taishou cave and have to think of a way for two women to take on an entire clan of 50+ (physical and non-physical) soldiers/disciples. Ayako makes very good use of the 'cho baku muchi' (err... 'discipline binding whip') which doesn't exorcise but helps to immobilize her opponents. Tomo also has a weapon of her own which is a spiritual bow and arrow that appears after chanting the 6-Words dharani.

The manju is on the second level of the cave, but because there's a whole group of souhei blocking their path Ayako then takes out the 'Stone Flute of the Heavenly Winds' [I don't know if all this is sounding very over-the-top...^_^;] which is made of spiritual rock and has Sanskrit words painted on it. Basically she sort of blows+chants into the instrument and the wind that is emitted will not only have the strength of a gale but the additional power of the incantation that she 'blew' into the flute [really kind of reminds me of those Hong Kong wuxia films I've seen - and probably would look very cool if animated].

And so, they finally make it to the manju but then Rairen suddenly appears from behind a large boulder.

* * * * *

"What perfect timing, Uesugi!"

"!"

A voice from behind, Ayako turned around.

A man wearing a Western suit appeared from behind the boulder, together with a line of souhei. Ayako surveyed her opponent.

"Shimozura Rairen..."

"So you are the thief, hmph, even though I haven't the slightest idea what you people are conspiring, your efforts will be futile nonetheless."

"What did you say!"

"I suppose you are Kakizaki. Your lord, Uesugi Kagetora, has just surrendered himself to Mouri Terumoto-kou at Hagi."

"!"

Ayako was stunned but shouted back in a gruff voice.

"Surrender... how did that happen! Is Kagetora alright!"

"I heard that Kagetora-dono has abandoned the Uesugi and returned to the Hojo clan. He understood that Kenshin is an evil person, who is a menace to the world, and in order to overthrow Kenshin's authority has become our comrade."

"!"

Ayako was extremely shocked.

"What... did you say..."

"So what now? Kakizaki. If you're Kagetora-dono's subordinate, you have no reason to oppose us. We are comrades."

"Don't lie!"

Ayako did not believe it.

"Kagetora would not give up the Uesugi so easily! Did you people do something to Kagetora! ...Don't tell me you've taken Naoe hostage? Is that right?! Using Naoe as a hostage you've threatened Kagetora right! You wretches!"

"Whatever the reason, it doesn't matter. We absolutely require the 'manju' as a means of crushing the Oda. We are on the same side. In order to defeat the Oda we should combine our strength."

Tomo-hime watched Ayako and Rairen alternately in apprehension. Rairen looked at Tomo-hime.

"Is that you? Tomo-hime. I was wondering what you were up to slipping out of Akiyoshi-do, I never expected you would actually involve yourself in this foolish act. As Kikkawa-kou's wife, why would you commit this act of betrayal against the Mouri? Kikkawa-kou would be sorry to hear about this."

"Be quiet! You've had your motives all along! I definitely won't let you people exploit the 'manju' as a instrument for war! I am the emissary of the Goddess Youkihi! If you dare oppose me, you will suffer retribution!"

"Oh? The emissary of the Goddess of Mercy? Then we are the authoritarians from the Pure Land of the West - emissaries of Amida nyorai. If the Goddess of Mercy is a kenzoku to Amida nyorai, then we are of the same rank."

The pupils beneath Rairen's glasses twinkled.

"You are the one who will suffer retribution. You miscreant Shinjo court lady."

"...!"

Tomo-hime could not find any words for a refute.

"The game ends here. I must insist that you head back to Akiyoshi-do."

"You intend to hold us captive there?"

"It would be troublesome if I allowed you to repeat another one of your incomprehensibly foolish plans."

Rairen signaled with his jaw, and his aides approached to arrest the two of them. Ayako immediately sheltered her by pulling Tomo-hime behind her, and whispered.

"I'll hold them off. You get the 'manju'."

"Kakizaki-dono."

Ayako concentrated all the energy within her body in one breath.

"Even if Kagetora has surrendered, I will not give in, Shimozura Rairen!"

"What! Are you crazy, Kakizaki!"

"If this is it, all of you will follow me to hell!"

Finishing her words, Ayako took out the stone flute and blew into it with the strength of one full mouthful of air.

Phiii................

"Argghhh!"

From Ayako's body the characters 'Bai' of the Heavenly Winds came soaring out in all directions, blowing up a storm. Restricted by the extreme crushing pressure of the winds, Rairen could only protect his own body. As they began to withdraw, Ayako continued to strike with her 'Nen Nami'.

"Nnn.. oh!"

One after another, several of them were blown away. Rairen immediately executed a counterattack.

"Nnnh!"

Ayako created a Goshinha to protect Tomo-hime, with a madness akin to the mechanism of a gun, she retaliated with incantations. Behind her, Tomo-hime was desperately trying to focus her spirit.

"Toyato Ukoniya Mokoniya Choboniya Tanboni Anzyari Honzyariya..."

Tomo-hime chanted, it was the endless dharani of the Buddhist teaching of penance. To eliminate the hidden poisoning, to break down the evil thoughts that hindered the elimination of the hidden poisoning, which constitutes the third verse of the 6-words dharani.

Within this short space of time, Ayako with her stone flute and spells continued to fight back, causing Rairen and the others to keep a distance from them. But the enemy numbers were still too large, it appeared that Ayako could not hold them much longer.

"Tomo-hime, hurry up!"

"...Toshito Tokoniya Mokoniya Choboni Tanboni Oboki Mokoshi Funzyari..."

Tomo-hime centralized her spirit intensely, desperately chanting the shingon.

"Attack! Use our combined chants and attack!"

"Arghhhh!"

To repel the combined assault of the souhei, Ayako employed all of her strength to extend the Goshinha. There was a boisterous crackling sound in the cave, with white plasma flying all over, producing fierce sparks.

"Nnnnh!"

Ayako clenched her teeth. Tomo-hime was behind her, wholeheartedly chanting the mantra in an orderly fashion. From then onwards, there was a noticeable change in the area. The cabinet containing the image of Amida gradually began to emit a glimmer of light. Some kind of power was starting to swell from within.

"What!"

Rairen was aware of the transformation, but it was too late...!

"Kibishisu Nantori Hogyari Oruni Hokyuuri Mokyuuri Chobiri Soko!"

At the instant she finished chanting the verses of the 6-words dharani, Tomo-hime suddenly opened her eyes widely.
The flames that would give rise to a golden arrow kindled in her right hand. It was the female power of vitality. Tomo-hime drew her spiritual bow, pulling the bowstring with her full strength. She aimed at the cabinet and fired the spiritual arrow!

The golden spiritual arrow was directly sucked into the cabinet. And then, seconds later!

Ba-dum...!

There was an outburst of a booming sound, the door of the cabinet opened. Everyone that was present looked at it. Within the cabinet, the Amida image released golden rays of light.

"How can that be...!"

The wooden image of Amida could not bear the power contained within it, and fractured with a clapping sound.

"Ohh!"

The overwhelmingly dazzling radiance caused everyone at the scene to shade their eyes. There was a sun in that cabinet. That was a jewel that released an intense light.

Tomo-hime brought her palms together in a manner of worship and beseeched.

"Shiomitsutama, fill up with the ocean's floodwaters..."

Rumble rumble...

A strange howl could be heard from beneath, it was moving towards the area. A deep booming, shaking the earth, the sound of some large body that approached. What exactly was this sound?

"T-This is...!"

Then, the interior of the cave started to shake fiercely. Starting from the ground over which they were standing. Accompanied by an unusual clanging. The tremors increased in intensity. Fine sand particles began to stream down from the tops of the pillars.

What object was charging this way...!

Numerous mournful wails were transmitted from the lower levels. Intense groans could be heard as it drew closer, it sounded like a large sea of debris.

"Water...!"

"Run quick, run quickly!"

The sound of the shattering great waves could be heard from the bottom-most stories. A great mass of sea water was bubbling up from the earth, destroying the laccolith, an alarming flow of water flooded the domain.

Waaa....!

The atmosphere inside the caverns was dominated by chaos. With the deluge of racing currents pouring in, the space in the lower levels had been completely filled with water in the blink of an eye, then the water levels started to rise.

"Tomo-hime!"

"Take the 'manju'! Kakizaki-dono!"

The souhei were forcefully swept away in the eddies as a result of the rising waters that continued to climb upwards. The situation in the cave had fallen into panic.

"Calm down! Don't topple the 'manju'!"

Rairen shouted. Ayako and Tomo-hime took advantage of the confusion and crept towards the cabinet. Rairen clicked his tongue and attacked them with an incantation.

"I definitely won't let you succeed!"

There was a large thunderous explosion and the altar collapsed. Tomo-hime rushed out from the safety of Ayako's side and with audacity and resolution lunged forward, catching the 'manju' that tumbled out of the completely fragmented cabinet.

"I've got it!"

"The waters are approaching, Tomo-hime!"

The floodwaters that bubbled up from below had already risen to their knees. The souhei fought among themselves to escape. In a flash, the waters had reached chest level.

"We have to go!"

Unlike the people escaping the cave, Ayako and Tomo-hime migrated to the source of the water influx. They took a deep breath before diving into the water. Rairen did not reveal that he had actually noticed their escape.

"Damn it, are you trying to escape! Tomo-hime!"

Tomo-hime, holding the 'manju' she had effectively acquired, and Ayako submerged into the water, moving towards a different crevice. Using the 'Stone Flute of the Heavenly Winds' as a tube to supply oxygen they swam towards the exit. Although the water was fairly cold, they endured and waded through hastily.
Not long after, the insides of the cavern had been completely flooded save for the highest level.

They finally saw the water surface. Because the water temperature was too low, Tomo-hime's four limbs had grown numb and could not move, she gestured to Ayako for help. Ayako took notice, grabbed her hand and with her final strength pulled her upwards and together swam to the water surface.

"Ha...!"

Their faces broke out on the surface of the water. The pushing force of the torrents had stopped as well.

"Are you alright?"

"...fine..."

The two of them headed towards shallow waters, reaching dry land. This seemed to be the topmost level. There was a small path on the other side which appeared to be lead to the exit.

"We did it, Tomo-hime!"

Tomo-hime, holding the 'manju' firmly in her hands, nodded. The radiance had subsided, resuming its original appearance of a crystal tinged with the seven colors of the rainbow.
The two of them walked out. The sun had completely set in the west, the surrounding area was pitch black.

"What will you do next?"

"I'm going to Hagi. I have to save Kagetora and the rest."

"You want to go to Hagi? I wish to recover the 'kanju'. I need your powers."

She believed that the 'kanju' was still in Shikanosuke's hands.

How am I going to manage this...

Ayako was in a dilemma. The conditions of her mutual promise with Amako was to kill Tomo-hime once she had retrieved the 'manju' from her. However, if she got rid of Tomo-hime as accordingly, it would violate their seiyaku.

Which side should she prioritize?

She honestly found it difficult to decide. Ayako believed that she had to find out Kagetora's instructions before she could act on this matter.

"In short, I must save Kagetora. As soon as possible."

"Then I will go with you, Kakizaki-dono. I know the location of Hagi. I should be able to offer some help."

Then at that very moment.

Before the two of them, a beast of prey floated out of the ground.

"What!"

It was a golden tiger. No, this was not a true tiger. This was a reijuu. A divine tiger.

Tomo-hime, shocked, grabbed hold of Ayako's arm tightly. Ayako was cautious for an instant, then immediately discerned that this tiger did not harbor any malice.

"Kage...tora...?"

Ayako seemed to realize that this was a tiger that had been contracted by Kagetora. The golden tiger opened its mouth and roared, spewing out a white smoke from its mouth. The smoke slowly morphed into a form, taking on the material shape of a person. An appearance similar to the image from a projector, it was Takaya's form.
This was a message that Takaya had requested the tiger to convey.

"Kagetora...!"

Proceed to Miya-jima. Takaya said.

"Huh...?"

--The Mouri are regrouping at Itsukushima to launch an attack. The 'Yamato' will be participating in the battle.

Takaya stated this clearly. He continued to speak.

--If you have acquired the 'manju' then contact Amako. Conduct a meeting with Shikanosuke, and prompt him to hand over the 'kanju' to the Uesugi, persuade him to leave the Oda. Make use of the 'manju' and 'kanju' to sink the 'Yamato' and eliminate the Oda.

"!"

Ayako was extremely stunned.

"This is too unreasonable! Carrying out two assignments at one time, how do I...!"

--I will leave this to you.

Takaya vanished after he had finished speaking. It was a one-way message, Ayako had no way of retorting at the orders.

At that moment.

"! ...Kakizaki-dono!"

Tomo-hime suddenly yelled in a shrill voice.

"Underground... what is that from deep underground! There's something approaching! Something massive is heading this way at an extremely high speed!"

"What!"

Ayako knelt and used her hand to touch the surface of the ground. She drew a deep breath. A colossal feeling approached from the west. It was drawing closer.

This is... a fire dragon!

Ayako raised her head and yelled at the divine tiger.

"What is this! What are you planning to do! Kagetora!"

"I won't let you escape, Uesugi!"

A voice from behind stunned both of them. Shimozura Rairen stood at the entrance of the cave. His entire body was soaking wet, from his appearance he must have dived into the water as well to pursue Ayako and Tomo-hime. His lungs' vital capacity must be truly amazing.

"Rairen..."

"Hand over the 'manju'! Both of you have no where to run!"

Ayako was speechless, she once again issued her powers, spurring on her utterly exhausted body.

"It's useless, Kakizaki!"

Rairen mercilessly attacked with spell bombs.

"!"

The tiger moved into action. It spitted a chunk of gas from its mouth, which directly clashed with Rairen's incantation. This triggered a huge explosion between the two of them.

"Argh!!!"

Within the winds of the explosion, the tiger confronted Rairen, who had been struck down, advancing towards him. It was too late for evasion. The tiger bared its sharp fangs and clamped down on Rairen's throat!

"Waaa!!!"

The blood spouted out. Rairen's throat had been slashed open, he slumped to the ground. The tiger floated then jumped back into the ground, as if saying 'message conveyed' looking back only once before submerging into the earth.

The pressure of a violent feeling surrounded the area after the tiger left. An immense cadence and cry rose from the ground. In the depths of the ground over which she stood, large numbers of fire dragons brought lava, accompanied by thunderous noises that tore across the plains.

From the north-eastern direction. That was Hagi.

Tomo-hime could feel the tremors as well, not moving from her position as she stood there looking dumbfounded. Ayako's expression had turned stiff. What had Takaya decided to do? Compared with previous battles, the scale of this one differed by so much.

What sort of premonition was Ayako having?

"Don't die, both of you..."

Muttering in this way, Ayako eventually could not restrain herself any longer and shouted out loudly.

"You must not die! Both of you!"

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