19 - Nurarihyon No Mago Episode

Rikuo stepped into the center of the courtyard. He looked at his followers—monsters, spirits, and myths who had served his family for generations.

Suddenly, a gust of wind tore through the courtyard. The shadows elongated, swirling around Rikuo like ink dropped in water. His hair lengthened, turning a striking silver-white, and his stature grew. The boy was gone; in his place sat the Night Lord of the Nura Clan. Nurarihyon no Mago Episode 19

At the Nura Mansion, the atmosphere was uncharacteristically grim. Rikuo Nura sat on the porch, staring at the moonlight reflecting off his tea. During the day, he was just a clumsy junior high student trying to keep his friends out of trouble. But as the sun dipped below the horizon, the "fear" in the air began to shift. Rikuo stepped into the center of the courtyard

"Let them come," Rikuo’s voice was now a deep, resonant rumble. He stood up, resting his hand on the hilt of his blade, Nenekirimaru. "Tamazuki thinks that by destroying shrines, he can destroy our Hyakki Yako . He doesn't realize that a parade of a hundred demons isn't built on stone and wood. It’s built on loyalty." The shadows elongated, swirling around Rikuo like ink

Back at the mansion, the Night Parade was assembling. Yuki-Onna adjusted her kimono, her breath coming out in cold puffs of frost. Aotabo and Kurotabo stood like twin towers of muscle and shadow.

"Tonight," Rikuo declared, raising a sake cup toward the moon, "we aren't just defending a town. We’re showing Shikoku that the Nura Clan’s 'fear' is the only one that truly owns the night. Follow me!"

Across town, the enemy was moving. Tamazuki, the ambitious leader of the 88 Demons of Shikoku, stood atop a skyscraper, looking down at the city like a banquet laid out for him. Beside him, Inugami—a twitching, manic creature of pure malice—snarled.