When that helpless voice reached the ears of everyone present, whether it was Kyouko, Yashamaru, Kumomaru, or the various yokai and shikigami, all of their expressions changed.
Because, aside from Rozen, no one had noticed that someone else had approached.
Although the presence of chaotic spiritual energy, rampant miasma, and countless spirits running amok had dulled their Spirit Sight and senses, none of those present were ordinary individuals. The fact that they had failed to detect someone silently closing in was enough to prove how refined the newcomer's Invisibility Technique was.
Indeed, that was the case.
When it came to mastery and control over jujutsu, there were only a handful of people in the world who could surpass this individual.
This person was the reincarnation of Tsuchimikado Yakou, the man hailed as the father of jujutsu. He had unified countless jujutsu systems and developed the legendary Imperial Onmyojutsu. Now, however, he was a terrorist wanted by the Onmyo Agency—and also someone Rozen was familiar with.
Moreover, they had grown up together.
"It's been about two years, hasn't it?"
A black-robed onmyoji appeared, speaking those words.
Rozen lifted his gaze and looked at the newcomer.
The newcomer also raised his eyes, meeting Rozen's in a stare.
In that moment, those watching couldn't help but feel that these two... were surprisingly alike.
Not in appearance, but in their attire and atmosphere.
Both wore pitch-black cloaks made of raven's feathers.
Both had fire sparks drifting around them.
Both exuded an unfathomable, indescribable aura.
An overwhelming grandeur.
A naturally confident demeanor.
A maturity that surpassed their apparent age.
At the same time, both carried an enigmatic air that could stir the depths of a person's soul.
This was Rozen.
This was Tsuchimikado Harutora.
After so many years, the two children who had once played together in the Tsuchimikado household were now standing face to face once more.
However, unlike back then, Rozen had become an existence capable of commanding even gods, while Harutora had awakened the memories of his past life and transformed from an ordinary high schooler into the father of jujutsu.
And then...
"Bzzzz!"
The pitch-black cloak draped over Harutora's shoulders suddenly trembled violently as if it had been provoked.
"Boom!"
Meanwhile, the black cloak covering Rozen erupted with a crimson glow like raging flames, radiating an overwhelming divine presence.
"...!"
Sensing the divine energy emanating from Rozen's cloak, the cloak on Harutora's body fell silent, as though in fear, or perhaps in submission.
This entire exchange happened in an instant.
Seeing this, both Rozen and Harutora were momentarily surprised. Then, one let out a chuckle, while the other gave a wry smile.
"As expected of the original," Harutora remarked. "It's only natural that a mere imitation of its legend would react like this and be suppressed."
With that, Harutora took a step forward, straightened his posture, lowered his chin, and clasped his hands together before raising his arms in a gesture of utmost reverence toward Rozen.
His demeanor was that of a shrine priest paying respects to a deity.
Naturally, this display of reverence was not directed at Rozen himself—but at Kinu and Gyokuto residing within him.
As the originator of modern onmyojutsu and the father of jujutsu, Harutora—Yakou—adhered to the principles of a true jujutsu practitioner:
Reverence toward the gods.
Respect toward the divine.
His posture alone made it clear to all present that this was no ordinary youth standing before them, but the legendary onmyoji of half a century ago.
Any onmyoji witnessing this sight would feel ashamed of themselves, realizing their own inferiority.
Not simply due to the disparity in power or knowledge, but because of a far more fundamental difference—his stance as a true practitioner of jujutsu was enough to humble all other onmyoji.
Even Yashamaru and Kumomaru now looked at Harutora with intense admiration in their eyes.
Kyouko, too, couldn't help but regard him with newfound respect, as if she were beholding a sacred figure.
Even Rozen's own shikigami were captivated by Harutora's presence, turning their gazes toward him in acknowledgment.
As for Rozen, his attention was drawn to a delicate ring adorning Harutora's raised hand.
That was...
"Moon Wheel..."
One of Yakou's two great jujutsu tool—a replica of Gyokuto.
Kinu and Gyokuto had been the models for Moon Wheel and the Raven's Wing.
This revelation stirred Kinu and Gyokuto's curiosity. They seemed to be observing Harutora's ring with intrigue, as though finding it amusing.
Rozen hadn't expected Harutora to recover it.
After all, unlike the Raven's Wing, which had merely been sealed, Moon Wheel had been completely lost. Its whereabouts were unknown, and very few even knew of its existence. Rozen himself had assumed that retrieving it was impossible.
And yet, Harutora had found it.
Upon reflection, though, it made sense.
The Raven's Wing and Moon Wheel were meant to be a pair. As long as one was found, it was only a matter of time before the other could be located—provided it hadn't been sealed away in an unknown forbidden land.
Of course, Harutora hadn't just reclaimed these two artifacts.
"I never expected to witness so many extraordinary things today," a young girl in an Onmyo Academy uniform murmured as she shimmered into existence beside Harutora, like a mirage.
It was Hishamaru—Saotome Suzu.
"...This is truly shocking," a large man with golden hair—missing one arm yet possessing an imposing presence—remarked from Harutora's other side.
It was Kakugyouki—Ibaraki-doji.
Yakou's two most trusted guardians had finally gathered.
"Who are you?"
Kakugyouki stared intently at the other Ibaraki-doji standing beside Rozen, his voice low and heavy.
He had no choice but to ask.
Because the figure standing opposite him possessed the exact same power, aura, and spiritual energy.
Even their demonic aura and spiritual signature were identical.
Aside from appearances, every aspect of this other Ibaraki-doji was the same as himself—it felt like he was staring into a mirror.
"Hmph."
Rozen's Ibaraki-doji merely snorted, his golden eyes narrowing as he stared at Kakugyouki.
He said nothing.
As if he found words unnecessary.
As if he disdained the very idea of explaining himself.
Noticing this, Kakugyouki's expression darkened. An instant later, a massive surge of demonic aura erupted from his body.
Seeing this, Rozen's Ibaraki-doji chuckled coldly and released his own overwhelming demonic aura.
The two identical demonic forces clashed.
But in mere moments, Kakugyouki's aura was overpowered.
His eyes widened as his body was forced backward by several steps, his heavy footsteps echoing loudly against the ground.
With that, everyone understood.
Although they were the same existence, Rozen's Ibaraki-doji was clearly stronger.
Against his own alternate self, Kakugyouki had fallen into a disadvantage.