Epic Of Caterpillar

Chapter 2455: Going To The Sun Clan Of Tokyo

Frank, Harumi, and Erika moved to the Monk Clan territory, walking across several streets until they reached a large, closed area, connected to a shrine oftentimes closed from the public, close to a small mountain.

The moment they entered as the walls opened once Frank called, they were greeted with a large village that looked as if they had gone back to ancient Japanese times, although it didnʼt look rural, and it was a beautiful place with very fancy-looking buildings, especially pagodas.

”Welcome back Frank, coming early today, huh?” wondered one of the guards. ”You brought Harumi and... the dog girl again.”

”Dog girl?!” Erika said angrily. ”Be more respectful of who I am!”

Erika roared angrily, showing her sharp teeth like an actual dog would do... this only made the guard giggle a bit more.

Although they recognized the Werewolf Clan as strong, it was known by many that it wasnʼt as strong as the Ancient Vampire Clan, and even weaker than the Monk Clan, a Clan specifically created for the worship of the Goddess Amaterasu-no-Mikoto and the protection of Tokyo from the Underworld.

”Yeah, I apologize.”

As Erika sighed, looking at the man as if she wanted to eat his head, Frank quickly called her, as they walked through the villa while looking around.

”Erika, you shouldnʼt really be starting fights in the territory of someone else,” sighed Harumi. ”What if they get the wrong idea? What if you offend them? Then the entire clan could easily dispose of you.”

”Hmph! As if they could even lay a finger on me,” Erika smiled cockily. ”Iʼm strong as hell!” ”I donʼt doubt your strength,” Harumi sighed. ”But itʼs clear as water that they could still beat you anyways. The Elders alone are extremely powerful Exorcists and Sorcerers, and the Grand Ancestor, the Clanʼs Head, is a direct descendant of a Goddess. The Sun Clan of Tokyo cannot be messed with. Even my mother, an Ancient Vampiress that has lived for over five hundred years has recognized their strength.”

”T-Thatʼs...” Erika wanted to say more, but she couldnʼt, her tail dropped, as if it had lost all its life and energy out of nowhere.

”Come on, it was still disrespectful they called her a dog,” said Frank. ”Sorry about that, next time Iʼll tell them to drop it. If Matsuo was with us he wouldʼve done that after all.”

”Frank...” the werewolf girl skipped a beat as he said that. ”Youʼre so weak compared to me, but you would be willing to protect me anyways? Arenʼt you cute! Come here!”

”Wait! Wait a second!” Frank cried, as Erika hugged him tightly and started licking his face like dogs do to one another, or those they like. ”...Stop licking me!”

”Hehehe! Iʼll mark you with my scent,” Erika giggled, rubbing her fluffy tail around his torso. ”Harumi, help me!” said Frank.

”Sorry, once she gets like that thereʼs nothing I can do, this is your fate for acting all charming with her, accept it,” Harumi said, looking elsewhere, ignoring him.

”Agh...”

Eventually, they made their way to Matsuoʼs house, where they found him already training. He was swinging his staff, constantly practicing close-combat techniques with it as he fought a wooden dummy.

”Haaa! Haaa! Hyaah!”

He was sweating, looking exhausted, it seemed he had been doing this for hours, trying to polish his skills as much as possible.

What had happened yesterday must have made Matsuo realize he wasnʼt working hard

enough, that he was taking things too easily.

This made his pride get hurt, and he decided to work harder and train even more, so something like this wouldnʼt happen again.

”Oof... Haah...”

He sighed in exhaustion, after finishing his exercise, as Matsuo sat down over the grass cross- legged, looking at the sky, and gripping his staff tightly.

”This wonʼt do... I need more strength.”

It seemed that something was also bothering him, something that someone had told him.

”Iʼve always been showered in praise since I was a child, Iʼve been called the most talented member of the clan, and even the future head.”

He gripped his fists tightly, hitting the ground in frustration.

”But is this truly the extent of my abilities? Do I really need to wait years after years, to finally get at the level of the Elders? This wonʼt do... for whatʼs coming... I just canʼt remain this weak!”

Frank, Harumi, and Erika were looking from afar, in silence.

It seemed inappropriate to interrupt him as he spoke to himself, it seemed to be Matsuo trying to cope with his current situation.

”Matsuo...” Harumi sighed. ”I had no idea he was so pent up about this. Heʼs definitely the strongest amongst the young disciples of the Sun Clan of Tokyo... He doesnʼt really need to think like this.”

”Hmm...” Frank nodded. ”I guess that battle really got him thinking, and I canʼt blame him for that, he had even given a piece of his soul so we could win... He almost died. Maybe the Great Ancestor or his family had a private chat with him and ended reprimanding him a lot for being reckless.”

”Eh, itʼs not like you guys could help it!” said Erika. ”That dude, Koga Subaru or something? That idiot showed up out of nowhere! How could youʼve ever have predicted that? If anything the only ones to blame are the Clan for lacking insight and sending you guys to die.”

Erika wasnʼt wrong, Frank and Harumi tried to refute her words, but couldnʼt.

For once, the wild werewolf girl was right.

”It still doesnʼt change what has happened to Matsuo, we have to help him,” said Frank. ”Be emotional support, help him train and stuff, you know? I have a power that could help him grow fast too, but I donʼt know if heʼll accept it... He would think itʼs a cheap shortcut, and not truly his strength.”

”I suppose so... Heʼs quite prideful despite how humble he acts,” Harumi nodded. ”Letʼs go.” The trio walked towards Matsuo, who was constantly blaming himself for being so weak, and

almost dying.

Most of all, he had become so affected because of what the Great Ancestor had told him a couple of hours ago, a decision she made with the rest of the Elders.

”Matsuo, based in what has happened yesterday, youʼre forbidden from doing any Mission or going to a Corrupted Domain for the rest of the month.”