Epilogue: Detective Hattori and the Yakuza Fox Boss

Months passed after Kazuya and his friends arrested Matsuri Kegawa, the half-spider Flame Scorpion. Dragon God Dairyū judged her in a just trial. He deemed her guilty of heinous murders and executed her. Thus, the bloodline of Flame Scorpions ended.

Matsuri Kegawa confessed that Prime Minister Tetsuhiro Watanabe and his son, Daisuke, were her accomplices in the attempted murder of Ginrei, the white nine-tailed fox and the kumichō of the Kagenashi Clan. But since Ginrei survived the attack and was a criminal in his own right, the Prime Minister and his son got away with bail.

On October 6th, 2025, Kasane Hattori celebrated her 26th birthday. A few weeks later, on October 21st, she and Ginrei held their wedding in the newly opened recreational park in the Inari Woods, Ginrei’s home. Every Kagenashi fox attended their founder’s wedding, screeching in joy for him. Ginrei’s grandmother, guardian fox Myōbu, also came from the God Realm. Kasane, on her part, invited her whole family and all her family’s friends, including the police chief, Akechi Shinemori, his son, Jin, and his daughter, Yumi. They held both the traditional Japanese and the western ceremonies. During the latter, Kasane’s younger brother, Kazuya, walked her down the aisle.

The wedding feast was the most awkward and unhinged event. The police officers, such as Chief Shinemori, his son, Jin, Kasane’s brother, Kazuya, and his girlfriend, Inuko, sat at the same table with Ginrei and his yakuza foxes. In another corner, Dragon God Dairyū, his son, Kenzō, and Inari Ōkami’s guardian, Myōbu, were having a saké drinking competition. In yet another corner, the 200-year-old golden male fox, Hikari, was snuggling Kasane’s and Kazuya’s grandmother, Rin Hattori, like a loving pup. Ginrei explained that an old human woman had raised Hikari, and so he had a special weakness for them. Since Rin Hattori was still traumatised by the betrayal of her close friend, Matsuri Kegawa, Hikari figured that she needed his fluffy support. Kazuya smiled as he watched the fox hovering over his grandmother, talking to her sweetly with his ears bent back, and trying to keep her mood lifted. Rin laughed, covering her mouth with her hand, and called Hikari her “third grandchild”.

The dance party after dinner was electric. The foxes screeched, and Kenzō, already a bit drunk, laughed in his tinkling voice at full volume. He danced around the hall, taking the spotlight wherever he went, and waved his braid like a dragon's tail. Meanwhile, Kazuya danced with his girlfriend, Inuko, who wore a classy yellow dress with her puffy white tail sticking out. However, Kazuya could hardly keep up with the thunder dog’s undying energy. At last, he dropped into a nearby armchair, panting. Inuko yelped like a concerned puppy, but Kazuya reassured her that he was just tired. So, Inuko wagged her tail and ran off to enjoy sweets with Kasane and Yumi. Kazuya put his palm on his face.

What was I thinking? He smiled. That girl will be the death of me…

He adored Inuko’s energetic spirit. He sighed and got up from the armchair. He trudged out onto the balcony to get some fresh air.

There was no moon in the sky, but the stars shimmered vividly down on the park. Cicadas buzzed, and owls hooted in the Inari Woods. Kazuya breathed in the night air. He leaned on the balcony rails and looked out at the golden and crimson foliage.

A shuffle reached his ears from behind him. The door creaked open and shut again. Bare feet tapped onto the wooden floor, approaching him. The energy was warm and not menacing, but still heavy. Kazuya recognised the manner of the gait and the aura. He turned around.

“What, afraid I’ll call reinforcements on you?” He grinned at Ginrei. He leaned on the rails with his elbows and back, and crossed his feet.

Ginrei twitched his fox ears and blinked at him, wondering when this serious-and-responsible brat had turned so cheeky.

“You’ve had a tad bit too much to drink, I see!” He smiled, walking up to Kazuya. “Kenzō and I are bad influences on you.”

He leaned on the balcony rails and looked out at the park. A mild breeze blew into his face, playing with his long white hair.

“Shouldn’t you be with Kasane?” Kazuya asked. “You’re the groom!”

“When she’s enjoying sweets with her friends, she needs neither her brother nor her man.” Ginrei chuckled and rubbed Kazuya’s head. “And I wanted to talk to you.”

“Oh?” Kazuya looked at him, curious.

Ginrei turned around, leaned on the balcony rails with his back, and pulled a small silver ring with an emerald gem out of his pocket.

“I’ve given a golden ring with a ruby to Kasane,” he said. “She loves rubies… And I imbued it with my magic. This emerald carries my magic, too. I chose this gemstone since it goes well with your hair.” He turned red. He proffered the ring to the surprised Kazuya. “You should wear it on the ring finger of your right hand.” He raised his own hand and pointed to the silver ring with an amethyst gem he wore – the symbol of his leadership among the yakuza foxes. “To every fox and other yōkai, it’ll mean you’re a part of my family.”

“What, you’re taking me for a second wife?” Kazuya teased.

“You little rascal!” Ginrei laughed and hit him softly on the head. He sighed, his cheeks flushing. “I’m just saying that when you get into trouble as a paranormal detective, that ring will protect you. After all…” He nervously shook his nine white tails. “Y-You’re my brother, aren’t you? – Despite our stances as a yakuza and a cop.”

Kazuya stared at the 1134-year-old nine-tailed fox mob boss, yelping like an expectant pup, hoping for his blessing as his sister’s new husband. He broke into laughter again. He covered his face with his hand.

If it were only some months ago, I would’ve shot this yōkai in the heart. He thought. I did shoot him! He recalled the skirmish in the Kagenashi Clan’s nightclub in July when he shot Ginrei’s weaker clone, Yukihiro Kagenashi, but failed to kill him. And yet, now… He looked at the silver ring with the emerald gem in his palm, blazing with Ginrei’s faint magic. I might be a detective and against yakuza crimes, but I can’t help appreciating this guy… for all he’s done for Kasane.

He put the ring on as Ginrei had instructed and raised his hand, showing it to him with an indulgent smile. Ginrei brightened up and squeaked, wagging all of his nine tails.

“Hey, what are you two doing out here?” Kasane emerged on the balcony, her white party dress glimmering in the faint torchlight. Kazuya noticed the golden ring with a ruby gem on her finger – Ginrei’s gift. She frowned at them and crossed her arms. “The party’s still on. Get back inside!”

“Yeah, another tune is coming on! – My favourite.” Inuko popped her head out of the door. “Let’s go, Kazu!”

Another dance?! Kazuya widened his eyes. I’m dead…

He chuckled and followed Inuko, eager to dance with her again. Ginrei also came and took Kasane’s arm. They went back inside, with Kasane leading the group.

Kazuya felt the cold ring on his finger, but it carried a warm aura. He knew he had become a part of the Kagenashi Clan, whether he liked it or not. Unlike in the past, he didn’t mind being a “yakuza prince” now. Ginrei had formed a pact with Dragon God Dairyū, after all, that their clan was forbidden from killing people if they could help it. It was true that their past crimes wouldn’t go away, but they had begun to atone by serving the public. That was enough for Kazuya. The main thing was that his sister was happy and their family was safe.

Even if he wore the emerald ring of the yakuza foxes, he remained a paranormal detective. But now, he would serve the ultimate justice, which stood above human and yōkai law. He’d mediate between them and fight corruption on both sides.