Hell Teacher Nube 197

One is a super-wise youko with hundreds of years of knowledge and power. The other is an inexperienced itako who still has no grip on her abilities or training. But what strange scenario would force these two...to face each other in battle!?

#197: Clash! Tamamo vs. Izuna

52.
Izuna: Sanze Shobutsue Hannya Hara Mitsuta Kotoku Anoku Tara Sanmyaku Sanbotai Kochi Hannya Hara Mitsuta Zetai Jinshu Zedai Myoushu Zemu Joushu...
Caption: Hadzuki Izuna: A beautiful spiritually-powered girl who attends Doumori Middle School (Her abilities are halfway...)
(TN: The "halfway" here is the Japanese term "Hanninmae", which literally translates into "half-a-man" but can also be translated as "halfway" or "half-share")
Worker 1: Hey hey, are we alright with that young girl?
Worker 2: Five people have emerged hurt in the midst of the construction work and we did ask for an exorcism, but we've got no choice. A pro exorcist has a high fare.
Izuna: Ka---
SFX: Booo...
Izuna: Is that it? The Jibakurei that's here...

53.
Izuna: Kya---!
Workers: Ooh~~!!
SFX: Baki baki gara gara
Izuna: Wa---!
Worker 1: Uwa--it's coming here--
Spirit: Kekeke
Worker 2: Gya---
Worker 3: Hi---!
"Man": !
Nube: Namu, rest in peace.
SFX: Peshi
Spirit: Gya
SFX: Shuuu...

54.
Nube: What, is that Izuna? What are you doing? Was that low-grade spirit your opponent? That's great for pocket-money earnings, but it's no good doing what's beyond your ability.
SFX: Gara gara
Nube: Well, it's because you're still a part-way, immature, costly chick.
(TN: There is a funny but strange pun I did here that is tied to what Nube ends up saying here to Izuna. Nube ends up calling her in particular a "hiyokko", which is one way of saying the word "chick" as in a baby chicken. However, Nube's emphasis on "hiyou" is noted due to "hiyou" having an alternate translation of "costly" or "expensive". Thus I figured to make a pun of it by making Izuna into a "costly chick" when Nube teases her here)
Nube: Really, you're brazen to make money with that good-for-nothing spiritual power. Be much more diligent. (Ha ha ha)
Izuna: Damn it: that 0-ability teacher; I'll triumph over him someday. Ow ow...should I go to the hospital for the moment...
Sign: Doumori Elementary

55.
Voice: Hmm
Tamamo: The progress of your medical treatment is doing well. We'll be taking off the bandages tomorrow.
Caption: Youko Tamamo: Nube's rival. Works as a doctor at Doumori Hospital so he could research about human "love".
"Boy": Thank you, doctor. But can I get well having not done surgery?
Tamamo: It's because what I've been performing on you is a spiritual medical treatment. You've been healing with my powerful youki.
"Boy": ?
Tamamo: Yes. Here: it's a charm that your mother gave to me and that does the trick for anything; even medical treatment...
Charm: Doumori Inari
Tamamo: For this, it's better that you hold this than I. (to himself) Worthless...this Inari charm for I, a Youko...
(TN: Just a slight note: an "inari charm" refers to a charm/amulet sold at an Inari Shinto shrine...of course with the whole connection of foxes to Inari...yeah, Tamamo really has no need for it)

56.
Tamamo: Well, your final treatment begins.
"Boy": Right.
Izuna: That was good--I didn't break a bone.
Izuna: N, youki!?
Izuna: !!
SFX: Shu~~shu~~
Izuna: Wh...what's that...a youkai!?
Izuna: That child is doing something with a youkai. That amazing youki...it's not an ordinary youkai...

57.
Tamamo: Alright, it's over. Tomorrow you'll come to see with your eyes.
SFX: Shuu~~
"Boy": Yaay
Izuna: It's taken the disguise of a doctor? Right: it has been placing curses on him every day and that child's eyes can't see it.
Izuna: Hey.
SFX: Gasa
"Boy": Eh, who is it?
Izuna: You've been possessed by a youkai.
Boy: Eh---?
Izuna: I'm a spiritualist. The reason your eyes can't see is the curse of a youkai.
"Boy": Is...is it?

58.
Izuna: Leave this to me. I will defeat it for certain and save you.
"Boy": Ye...yes...I don't believe what you're saying that much, but if it is so I can see with my eyes, then I'll ask you to do it.
"Boy": Right; then here...it's a charm that does the trick for anything.
Izuna: Oh, thank you.
Izuna: Wait for me.
SFX: Pashi
"Boy": Right.
SFX: Sa | Sa | Sa

59.
Izuna: Wh...what is that? Isn't it like it's a genuine human...what is it's purpose...? To annihilate Doumori? To conquer Japan? At length but it may be better to ask Nube-sensei...
Nube: Yo--Tamamotchi
(TN: Yeah, Nube ends up fusing together Tamamo's name and the "Tamagotchi", which as mentioned before was a major fad in Japan about now)
Tamamo: Please don't give strange ways of calling for me.
Izuna: Wh...what...Nube and it are...acquaintances!?
Nube: Can't we go eat some meal together? Your treat.
Tamamo: Please don't sponge off me.
Izuna: Well then that Nube is scared of that youkai's strength and is flattering it~~
Izuna: ...Ultimately, only I can defeat it!
Izuna: Hey hey hey! Youkai! I'm your opponent! Prepare yourself!

60.
Tamamo: What is that brazen young girl?...
Nube: Ge...Izuna. That dummy...she's scheming something again.
Izuna: It's a match! Youkai! Go, Kudagitsune!
SFX: Byu
Tamamo: Is she stupid...she has Kudagitsune against me, the closest to the highest rank even among foxes?
(TN: Remember: Kudagitsune are considered foxes for the most part, even with their name literally translating into "tube fox")
SFX: Pachi (Snap) | Tenten tenten tententen

61.
Tamamo: ...Yeesh.
SFX: Gaji gaji (Bite bite)
Izuna: Gya~~~
Tamamo: I don't know what you were intending, but this time, for showing that ridiculous behavior...I'll kill you. I don't have the free time to keep company with child's play.
Nube: Are you alright, hold on. Really...somehow you're scheming in making money again but...he isn't an opponent that is suited for you. Know your place, dummy.
Izuna: What~~
Izuna: Shut it! In spite of being a coward that is teased and is frightened and flatters and scrapes it off!
Nube: Huh?
Izuna: Damn it, that youkai...you'll see~~~

62.
Caption: That night...
SFX: Kon kon (knock knock)
Izuna's "Letter":
Challenge Letter
Come to Doumori Park immediately! Seems so--
I'll kick you up and throw you down, feels like it--
By Izuna
(Sorry for the dirty characters)
(TN: The "kick you up and throw you down" part involves a Japanese word used here by Izuna of "kicking thigh throw". Since it really didn't sound right, I ended up making sound something a tad more intimidating for Izuna to challenge Tamamo with)
Tamamo: Nueno-sensei, I'm dealing with that young girl.
Nube: Eh!? Ho...hold on a moment, Tamamo!
Tamamo: My opponent formally challenged me. Absolute acceptance of a challenge is law of the Youko family.
Nube: Hold on! Your levels are too different!
Tamamo: It is said that the lion, the king of beasts, releases all of it's energy to kill even a rabbit. I too will fight her with all power without going easy; and then kill her.

63.
Izuna: I'm Hadzuki Izuna, an Itako thoroughbred! Let's fight fair and square!
Tamamo: Fu, fine then. I will erase you.
SFX: Su
SFX: Subo!!

64.
Izuna: Wa---hahaha, I've done it---!! Ya--y, ya--y, you stupid fox! Do you realize the intelligence of a human---
SFX: Dododo
Tamamo: Fool.
Tamamo: Youko Fire-Ring Tail Jutsu!
SFX: Goooo
Izuna: Aaah~~~
Tamamo: ...Fu...that was an instant. Adios.
Izuna: ...Hold on.

65.
Tamamo: !
Tamamo: She...has learned an art that can withstand flames?
Izuna: Too bad: a flame technique is my favorite stunt too
Izuna: Spiritual Power: Spontaneous Combustion!!
SFX: Bo

66.
Tamamo: Fu...you've done a bit...can you withstand this heat forever? Are you planning to get stabbed alongside me and die with this? What will come from doing that?
(TN: Tamamo's comment abot "getting stabbed alongside me" was the Japanese term "sashichigaeru", which is literally in Japanese for "to stab at each other")
Izuna: Shut up! I'm the tail end of spiritualists! I'm betting my life so I can rescue a boy that's been possessed by a youkai...this is pride!
Tamamo: A boy?
Izuna: Mu...
Tamamo: !
Tamamo: ...Understood, that's what it's for...(out loud) Hmph...
SFX: Bashu

67.
Nube: Izuna---! Tamamo--! Where are you!
Nube: !!
Izuna: I've won. Aha...ahaha...
Izuna: I did it--I did it--I've defeated a strong youkai--! Banza--i Banza--i
SFX: Su
Tamamo: Oh brother.
Nube: Tamamo, you've lost on purpose...?
Tamamo: Oh well...I'll leave it to imagination.

68.
Izuna: It's alright. I've done away with the evil youkai. Well, open your eyes.
SFX: Doki doki doki
"Boy": I...I can see, I can see!
Izuna: Ya--y, you've done it--!

69.
Izuna: Well then, it was a strong youkai again. Well, but then, it wasn't my match but
"Boy": Wow--
Nube: Is that alright: if its what it is, then it'll be better that I explain the truth to that misunderstanding girl.
Tamamo: It's fine, no problem.
Tamamo: That half-way girl...it was just a bit, but she had the "love" to protect weak people, same as you. How about if I appreciate that a bit?
SFX: Boso...
Nube: Eh

70.
Nube -sensei's
(Useless) SUPPLEMENTAL EXPLANATION

#34: Idzuna Users and Foxes

An "Idzuna User" is a sorceror that borrows the power of foxes. Their origin was in the Kamakura Period: around when regent Houjou Yasutoki was seizing political power, a man called Itou Tadatsuna, manor lord of Ogino, Shinano Province, trained by climbing the nearby Mt. Idzuna and began to acquire supernatura powers. The usage of Kudagitsune was also from this point. From then on, Tadatsuna taught this art to his child Moritsuna; finally it became the thing of inheritance of the Itou family and came to be known to the public far and wide. Some time ago, it became a pronoun for those who used strange arts; and even though there are tacticians that aren't limited to using sorcery, those who excelled in those techniques have been given the name of Idzuna Users.

The factor of foxes coming to use black magic like this having a deep connection with Daki Niten Shingon of Shingon Mikkyou was explained in #6 of the Supplemental Expanation in Vol. 18. of the manga. The paganism called Tachikawa-style, which sprang forth from this, was a major fad in the closing years of the Kamakura Period.

We'll explain easily about Tachikawa-style by reference. This religion was of the end of the Heian period: a priest of the Shingon religion, who was called Ninkan of Kyouto's Sanbouin, had started in instruction to the Onmyoushi Tachikawa of Musashi Province. As a heretical religion that was a Shugendou combination of Shingon Mikkyou and Onmyoudou, there was a prevaling view that said it was accomplished by the priest Monkan, who was a close associate of Emperor Godaigo.........hold on, I didn't write that here. At any rate, it was said to be a super-indecent religion. At any rate, there is one extremely famous being historically that did the black magic that was used by foxes. But then due to the religion being destroyed presently, this doesn't have relation to either Tamamo or Izuna.

(TN: A few things to clarify through this entry:
1. Like I may have mentioned before, "Idzuna" as presented here (as opposed to the name "Izuna" as in our fair Itako) is spelled with "dzu" as opposed to "zu" due to it being a modified "tsu", with the kanji "tsuna" used for it's construction.
2. Shinano Province is an old Japanese province in what is now known as Nagano Province. Mt. Idzuna/Izuna/Iizuna is within the province as part of the Iizuna range and, alongside it's connection with Shugendou, is also the site of the luge and bobsled tracks during the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan.
3. Tachikawa-ryuu (Tachikawa-style) was a branch of Shingon Mikkyou as mentioned created by Ninkan, but it's "lewdness" is something that wasn't mentioned that I think I can go into a bit here. For the most part, the infamy of Tachikawa-ryuu involved the usage not merely of magic but of one of the "oldest" forms of magic: the one tied to sex. Due to this connection, Ninkan was excommunicated and, ultimately, the style went extinct except for those that claim it continues to go on but in disguise to prevent it's true nature from being known.
4. Musashi Province was the province of Japan that makes up an area that includes all of modern Tokyo, as well as Saitama and Kanagawa prefecture, including the areas where the cities of Kawasaki and Yokohama now reside.
5. There was a "Monkan" who was tied to emperor Go-daigo of the Kamakura period, but I really couldn't find too much on him outside a Japanese wiki entry I really didnt' have time to skim. To those interested, here is the entry: http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%96%87%E8%A6%B3)

TN: You know, this chapter made me realize something that had slipped my mind up to now: Izuna and Tamamo really are much more similar in power than I figured. One is a fox which uses fire-based powers, the other is a girl who uses little foxes...and fire-based power. They have more in common than one would typically think of...which probably made them perfect adversaries for this time around. As for the chapter...well, I think Tamamo is learning a bit of humility to take a fall just to make Izuna think she was doing the right thing. Heck, Tamamo himself really had less faith in some of what the kid believed than Izuna, who had the charm of the kid all that time and saw it as sort of her charm to help her to victory. Sure if Izuna explained to Tamamo from the start why she wanted to face him, maybe it wouldn't have turned out how it did...but then we wouldn't have had a chapter. Obviously it isn't really Izuna's nature to just blurt out her true intention and rather just go into combat, even against someone powerful enough to just wipe her completely away in an instant if he was serious. (and who was learning about the true good and important things in existence likewise) I mean if you think about it, if this was Tamamo circa vol. 2 (prior to fighting Nube), he probably would have just erased Izuna from the moment she challenged him! But that's probably one of the charms of this series: it's not about the fights but the characters and their developments. Tamamo isn't the same as he was when he started, while Izuna...well, she's slightly better herself but has a lot of work that needs to be done. Though...it is weird it would take this long for Tamamo to actually meet someone outside Nube and his class. (same sort of goes for Izuna who really only knows of Nube, his class and Oshou) But then...it's not like they're meeting Yukime or anything. (but then again...that would be hell in itself, seeing how fire and ice colliding would...never mind)