Meanwhile, Uehara had already arrived outside a shop called Radiant Scholar. It was a three-storey building that looked like your typical library. Aside from the first floor, all the windows above were darkened.
For the first floor, the windows were wide and transparent, giving complete view to the line of scholar's clothing and other necessities. There were even grouped scroll parchments protected under labeled glass casings. Even a few books could be found but they were rarer than scrolls.
Entering the store, a few eyes landed on Uehara but he paid no attention to them. Right now, he had already blocked his sense of smell and went towards the clerk at the counter. Under the gaze of the few customers in the store, he jumped on the counter-top and stared right into the eyes of the clerk.
Immediately, several frightened hisses escaped the mouths of the store patrons. It was already known in Nara City that the old man who was acting as the clerk was actually the owner of the building and a very reputable scholar.
But Uehara didn't care about any of that. With his eyes glowing red, a faint trace of killing intent was released towards the old man.
Standing upright so as to look down on him, Uehara questioned the old man.
"I heard there was a specially made scroll preserved for the royal family. I want it."
Even the scholars who were looking at the situation with amusement froze up. This boy was disrespecting Fujiwara no Michinaga, the father of Empress Dowage Akiko. Michinaga is currently one of the most powerful members of the Fujiwara clan and this random boy had the guts to jump on the counter and look down on him. Even if they had ten guts, they would never disrespect someone who can annihilate their family down to the roots.
The guards at the door were holding on to their spears while inwardly, they were very terrified. If it wasn't because this boy was well-dressed, they would've never let him in. In fact, the boy walked in with such confidence that they thought he was a noble scion of some family so they didn't even question why he was alone. Now, they were afraid that along with that boy's family, their heads would be rolling as well.
When the two guards were about to barge in and apprehend the boy, what Michinaga said next made them as well as the rest of the store patrons completely dumbfounded.
"Of course young master. Please, follow me."
[?!]
The two guards dropped their spears. The patrons were gobsmacked. The few employees tidying the shelves and cabinets dropped their cloths.
None of them could process the sight before them.
[Was this still the man who had the entire imperial court in his hand?!]
However, Michinago hadn't gone insane. Although he had left the imperial court to live the rest of his days in peace, he still knew very well about the other side of the world, the world of the supernatural. And although he was a normal human, he had very good instincts and his instincts told him that he should not offend this boy no matter what.
As he led the way upstairs, his thoughts were racing underneath his calm facade.
[For a family to produce a child with such a high calibre of strength, I must not offend them, especially for a simple scroll.]
Looking at the boy following behind him with an unnaturally calm expression, his thoughts became more reinforced.
[If I can get in connection with his family, I may be able to cement the rule of my Fujiwara clan for the next few centuries.]
His thoughts weren't random. He had met many patriarchs of shinobi and martial families during his lifetime and yet neither of them could compare to the power he felt from this boy. Compared to his pride, he would forsake it if it meant a chance at prosperity for his clan, especially his descendants.
After reaching the second floor, Uehara was greeted with the sight of tall shelves housing thousands of scrolls. Each of the shelves had a glass covering on the sides protecting the scrolls. Next to the walls were a few neatly placed books that were situated on their own shelves.
Leading Uehara across the room, he was slightly disappointed to see that Uehara didn't even give a glance to any of the scrolls. One had to know that these scrolls were original titles that could not be found anywhere in Japan.
[Maybe my little collection isn't worth noting compared to his family's.]
He then led him to a smaller room. Inside it was a single pedestal that housed a relatively large scroll parchment with a length of one-metre that was encased in a glass casing.
Before Michinago could even introduce the scroll, Uehara had already made the glass casing float over to his hand.
"Thank you for the parchment. I'm satisfied with this quality."
With that, he vanished.
"..."
Michinaga looked at the spot where Uehara was previously standing on and sighed.
"I didn't even learn his name. But I have a hunch that I will see him again."
Turning back with a smile on his face, Michinaga began to think of ways to form a long-lasting relationship with Uehara.
…
Uehara was looking at the sight in front of him with a slightly angered expression. He had told Sakura to meet him at the shop yet here she was sleeping soundly. Holding the scroll casing with one hand, he extended another finger towards Sakura and began condensing a beam of darkness.
Feeling the gathering of chakra, Sakura instantly woke up and used her feet to stick onto the ceiling with two fingers already held towards her mouth. Confusion over what's happening clouded her mind but upon seeing Uehara and the glass casing housing a scroll parchment in his hand, she immediately realised what had happened.
[Oh…]
Jumping down from the ceiling, she landed on her knees and cupped her hands.
"I'm sorry Aoki-sama! I don't know what caused me to sleep so suddenly-ouch!"
The beam had struck her forehead, leaving a dark burn mark.
"I've got what I came for. Let's go."
Sakura scratched her head as she stood up.
"Yes, Aoki-sama."
Quickly making the bed, she took her prizes from the fair and walked out with Uehara. When they got to the front-desk to hand in the key, the same young man from before was there.
Putting on a professional smile, he took the key from Sakura.
"I hope you found your stay satisfactory young miss."
"It was alright."
"As long as young miss didn't face any problems."
"Nn"
As Sakura turned around to leave, the young man called out.
"I'm assuming young miss is here for the yearly auction?"
Sakura looked at him inquisitively.
"Auction?"
The lad scratched his head in embarrassment.
"Oh? I thought the young miss knew. The yearly auction in Nara city is an event held after the birthday of the city lord's daughter."
Sakura turned her head to look at Uehara, awaiting for his thoughts on the matter. In truth, Uehara wanted to return to Aokigahara as soon as possible so that he can start making his summoning scroll. But the matter of the auction made him a bit curious.
[Spending an extra hour or two here shouldn't hurt.]
Giving a nod, Sakura turned towards the lad.
"Where is this auction?"
The young man's eyes brightened up.
"Great choice young miss! If young miss wishes, I can guide her-"
Uehara interrupted him.
"No need. Tell us where it is and we'll find the place ourselves."
The lad looked at Uehara and then looked at Sakura for confirmation on whether she approves. Sakura just nodded.
"Just tell us where it is."
The lad smiled weakly.
"Of course young miss. The auction is about three blocks to the right from the city lord's mansion, which is just straight down the main road if you turn left from the door when you exit."
Sakura places five taels of silver on the table. The room cost was four taels while one silver tael was a tip ($400+$100).
"Thank you for your service."
Walking away, the young man had conflicting thoughts in his head.
[I thought I could take the chance to swoop this ice beauty off her feet. Unfortunately, she's really too icy. But she seems to listen to that boy. Come to think of it, where did that boy come from? She certainly didn't come in with-wait. Where is the cat she came in with?]
His expression darkened.
[Is that boy possibly a yokai?! I have to let the city lord know about this quickly!!!]