Saitama did not stay long this time.
Upon learning from Yuen that this training method would indeed make him the strongest in his world, he dared not relax for even a moment.
Watching Saitama disappear through the gate, Yuen suddenly sensed a presence.
He looked toward the southeast, where no buildings obstructed his view.
A moment later— A petite shadow appeared, flying slowly toward him before landing familiarly on his shoulder.
Yuen reached out and gently took the little white pigeon in his hand, placing it on his palm.
He stroked its head softly with his finger.
“You little guy, have you decided to latch onto me now?” Yuen was a bit surprised.
He hadn’t expected the pigeon to seek him out again after leaving.
Seemingly understanding Yuen’s words, the white pigeon cooed twice in response.
Yuen chuckled.
“I hope you don’t expect me to feed you every day.” The moment Yuen finished speaking, the white pigeon in his palm looked up at Yuen, unblinking.
Although a pigeon couldn’t show facial expressions, Yuen could sense the astonishment in its eyes.
Could this two-legged beast be a pigeon in human skin…?
Coo, coo, coo?
(Why can you understand me?) “Because I am a god.” Yuen smiles faintly.
Of course, not every god could understand animals.
Not all deities possessed the authority to listen to all living things.
The reason he could communicate with animals without barriers was that he had witnessed a god with such authority use their power, and he had copied it perfectly.
As for why he could copy it…
From the moment of his birth, Yuen possessed a divine ability that other gods found incomprehensible: the Micheika (Eyes of God)/Migeika (Training by Watching) Eye.
Whether it was constitution, strength, skills, or even bloodlines, he could copy anything perfectly with just a single glance.
He could even integrate and improve upon them.
Because of this, Yuen had been treated as an outlier among gods during the Heian period.
After all, having one’s authority wielded by another was something that terrified other deities.
Coo, coo?
(What is a god?) “That…
you will understand in time.” Yuen carried the white pigeon back into the dimensional space.
Confused by the sudden change in environment, the white pigeon tilted its head, unsure of what had just happened.
….
In a Certain World.
A girl with long, straight black hair wearing a high school uniform released her tight grip on the door handle and let out a slow sigh of relief.
When the door suddenly appeared in her home, Yotsuya Miko initially thought it was the manifestation of some evil spirit.
But after two or three days of no activity, she impulsively decided to open it today.
Although she didn’t know where the door led, she could confirm it likely wasn’t dangerous.
After all, if there were danger, those two fox-masked shikigami would probably have appeared.
Thinking of the two remaining chances for protection, Yotsuya Miko shuddered instinctively.
She always felt that the Fox God had ill intentions toward her.
Just then, her brother’s voice came from outside her room.
“Onee-chan, time for school.” “I know.
You go ahead.” Yotsuya Miko stopped thinking about it.
After getting ready, she slung her school bag over her shoulder and walked out of her room.
Her mother was clearing the dishes in the living room.
Seeing her daughter heading straight for the entryway, she asked, “Miko, aren’t you going to eat breakfast?” “I’m not hungry.” Yotsuya Miko replied.
She changed her shoes at the entryway and took a deep breath.
“I’m leaving.” On the streets, every few steps she took, Yotsuya Miko could see hideous evil spirits radiating dark auras.
She had long since grown accustomed to this, but whenever an evil spirit came close, she still felt fear.
If the spirits discovered she could see them, they would attack viciously.
Fortunately, there were no particularly intelligent spirits today.
Yotsuya Miko reached the school smoothly without drawing any suspicion.
Evil spirits existed in the school as well, but there were far fewer of them than outside.
Moreover, with her classmates around, Yotsuya Miko’s fear was somewhat alleviated.
….
Shinjuku, Yuen Shrine.
Yuen had originally expected Yuuki Asuna to return the next day so he could give her the light orb rewarded by the Torii gate.
But for two or three days in a row, Yuuki Asuna didn’t show up.
Yuen could sense that she was in no danger, so he didn’t worry too much.
She was likely just too busy to visit recently.
Early in the morning, the white pigeon had gone out to forage alone.
Feeling slightly bored, Yuen pondered whether he should go down the mountain.
Just as the thought arose, the Torii gate transformed, as if deliberately contradicting him.
A girl walked out from the door, her face filled with nervousness.
“A shrine?” Seeing the surrounding architecture, Yotsuya Miko pursed her lips.
A sudden chill shot up her spine.
Ever since she used up one of the three promises from the Fox God not long ago, coming to a shrine didn’t bring her peace—it brought fear.
Especially since she had dreamt last night that the Fox God turned into a disgusting evil spirit and tried to eat her.
After having such a dream, she inexplicably felt that the door which had appeared out of nowhere might be able to help her.
That was why she had mustered the courage to open it and step through.
But to find herself in another shrine…
Yotsuya Miko felt like crying.
She was terrified of encountering another entity like the Fox God.
Before she could turn back to leave, a tall shadow blocked the sunlight shining on her.
Yotsuya Miko forced herself not to look up, trembling in fear.
As expected, not everyone can be as carefree as Saitama…
Yuen smiled faintly.
“Girl from another world, there is no need to be afraid.” A gentle voice reached her ears, instantly dispelling much of her fear.
Yotsuya Miko looked up instinctively.
Seeing that it wasn’t a ghostly demon but a ridiculously handsome young man, her heart settled back into her chest.
“I-I’m sorry!
I didn’t mean to intrude!” Mistaking Yuen for a shrine staff member, Yotsuya Miko hurriedly bowed to express her apology.
“It is fine.
Being able to come here through the door is a form of fate.” Yuen waved his hand dismissively.
He looked her up and down, raising an eyebrow slightly.
“But speaking of which, the aura of a false god clinging to you is quite strong.
Have you received the protection of such a being?” He could see a golden light radiating around Yotsuya Miko.
But that was merely a facade; beneath the golden light lurked the dark aura of an evil spirit.
It was clearly an evil spirit trying to become a god through faith.
Yuen had seen too many of such spirits in the Heian period.
“You are…?” Yotsuya Miko’s eyes sparkled as if she were looking at a savior.
Someone who could notice things even her “Sight” couldn’t see…
he must be more than just a staff member.
“I forgot to introduce myself.
I am the god of this shrine.” Yotsuya Miko was startled by this statement.
She lowered her gaze in panic, too afraid to look at Yuen’s face directly.
“Ah, so you are Kami-sama.” Then, as if her brain had short-circuited from nervousness, she began introducing herself uncontrollably: “M-my name is Yotsuya Miko, I’m seventeen years old, a student at Oka Girls’ High School.
My three sizes are…” Before Yotsuya Miko could continue, Yuen couldn’t help but laugh and interrupt her.
“I am not running a background check.
You don’t need to share such private details.” Snapping out of it, Yotsuya Miko’s face turned bright red.
She wished she could find a hole to crawl into.
“E-excuse my rudeness!”