Chapter 2844 - 2845: The Three Squirrel Gods

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Takemikazuchi glanced at his three children, the squirrels of the Heavenly Realm who had matured over countless years into strong and mostly independent gods. Though their time here far outweighed the years spent in Genesis with Kireina, their loyalty to her remained unwavering.

"Oh, although Susanoo-sama can be reckless, I'm not sure his actions are right," Kaguya said softly. "The Chaos Spawn doesn't seem evil at all. She has only defended herself from our attacks while begging to be left alone. Father, Mother, I don't know if this is just."

Kaguya, the firstborn princess, possessed nine squirrel tails of white and red that blazed with divine flames. Her long red-and-white hair framed fluffy squirrel ears atop her head. She wore a flowing white-and-red kimono that made her resemble a beautiful Kemono goddess. Her radiant divinity evoked blooming flames, carrying renewal, fertility, and the gentle warmth of hearths in her gold-and-red eyes. She carried a katana and fan, both insisted upon by her father for any eventuality. Many said she had inherited her mother's gentle, motherly nature and incredible kindness, along with her father's fiery bravery.

"I agree with Kaguya, Father," Kuraen added. "This isn't right. Though we can't easily forgive the Chaos Spawn who once ravaged our territory, Kireina is different—a much younger entity. We could perhaps befriend her instead of fighting. Why resort to violence immediately? Such actions seem barbaric, more suited to mortals than gods who possess great wisdom."

Kuraen, the second-born Warrior of Dawn, bore a single tail of sunrise fire. He protected travelers and smiths, his steps resounding like thunder across branches. Tall, slender, and muscular, youthful flames radiated from his body despite reaching a thousand years—an age considered young adulthood among Kami. His short red-and-black hair framed fiery green-and-red eyes and a handsome face. He wore red-and-white samurai armor like his father and carried a gifted katana. He upheld justice and righteousness, blending his mother's gentleness with his father's sense of honor.

"Susanoo-sama is formidable, but I believe he sees something in Kireina—perhaps more than the monster we assume her to be," Yamiyo said quietly.

Yamiyo, the third-born Warrior of Dusk, bore a single tail of twilight embers. He guarded hunters and warriors, his gaze smoldering with hidden strength. His build mirrored his brother's—tall and slender—but favored agility over raw power. He had mastered dark ninjutsu learned from humans, combining it with divine abilities to become a feared figure among young Kami for his ruthless, deadly style. Though often silent, his siblings knew his kinder side emerged only for them. His preferred weapons were magically forged kunai and twin wakizashi.

Takemikazuchi was deeply shaken by his children's words. He had expected agreement, yet they argued that a Chaos Spawn deserved forgiveness.

"W-What nonsense is this?!" he demanded. "A Chaos Spawn cannot be forgiven! They are entities from beyond this Heavenly Realm or planet—aliens that destroy and consume everything! What has gotten into you? How can you speak this way?"

His wife, Kayanohime, sided with the children.

"But dear, are they wrong?" she asked gently. "I watched from the heavens at the start. The child called Kireina begged to be left alone. She said she didn't want to fight. Yet Amaterasu-sama's descendant attacked anyway, trying to kill her while she fled."

Takemikazuchi clicked his tongue and shrugged.

"Hmph! That's obvious. She feared our power and tried to escape once she realized resistance was futile. It doesn't mean her original intentions were pure."

Kaguya countered.

"But Father, have you read her Heart? There's no malice toward us. Though her Heart is incredibly complex, filled with countless emotions and a dark past, there's also a path of light she's forging with blood and sweat. Can't you see it?"

Yamiyo and Kuraen nodded in agreement.

"Yeah!"

Kaguya was right.

"Reading her Heart won't reveal the full truth!" Takemikazuchi insisted. "Many techniques exist to conceal it. Our power is limited, rooted in Heaven Path Cultivation Methods. Those who follow the Earth or Heart Methods see far deeper! If only practitioners of the Heart Method weren't hostile mortals seeking to overthrow the gods…"

"They are a tribe born from oppression and despair," Kayanohime said. "It's not something we, as gods blessed from birth, can easily grasp with our tools and divinities. Even so, I want to believe Kireina deserves forgiveness. Look at our children—all agreeing for the first time, my dear husband. You're kind and righteous. Doesn't it feel wrong for us Kami to gang up on a defenseless child who only sought friendship? We discriminate against her for her appearance and species alone. How often have we suffered the same for our beloved children? How many times have they called us parents of Yokai, me a mother of demons? Yet our precious children have never been what others claimed. Have they ever disappointed us? Have they ever acted wrongly?"

"N-No, I mean…!" Takemikazuchi faltered, struck by her words. She wasn't wrong. Kireina faced discrimination for crimes she hadn't committed, attacked solely for her kind. It mirrored the suffering his children endured—judged by appearance, not actions or character. "Well, even if you're right… what can we do? This is a Divine Decree from Amaterasu-sama, your aunt! Do you wish to defy her, my children? I'll discipline you myself before you commit such folly! Don't forget—it was her aid that let you survive birth, sealed in squirrel forms. Without her, you would have perished in blinding divine fire…"

"But Father!" Kaguya pressed. "Since Amaterasu-sama learned how little remains in this world, she's grown distant and colder toward the surface folk. Will you follow someone who contradicts your beliefs—and ours? Is she still the benevolent, kind empress we once loved, if she attacks anything opposing her views?"

"K-Kaguya, hush!" Takemikazuchi hissed, noticing Amaterasu's gaze shift from Susanoo and Kireina's battle toward their argument. "She'll hear you!"

"Then let her listen!" Kaguya declared. "Aunt, I don't agree with this! It's wrong!"

"W-What?!" Takemikazuchi gasped. "Kaguya! Be quiet!" He swiftly covered her mouth, but she struggled, pushing him away.

"What's happening there, Takemikazuchi?" Amaterasu's powerful voice boomed. "Why do your children bicker so loudly? Can they not remain silent during this dire event?"

"My deepest apologies, great empress," Takemikazuchi said, bowing low. "They are still childish. I will discipline them later."

"Hmmm…"

Amaterasu's gaze made Kaguya tremble with fear as she fell silent. The overwhelming gap in power felt like heaven against earth. That stare alone instilled mortal dread even in gods of her caliber.

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