////Still super busy so still gotta take a few days for upload to return to normal...////
Seeing Rozen's troubled expression, Suzuka's anger subsided somewhat.
Though she wasn't as deeply attached to Rozen as Natsume was, Suzuka still felt a great deal of gratitude toward him.
After all, without Rozen, Suzuka would likely have died after straying down the wrong path, never knowing her brother's true wish, and ultimately causing a tragedy.
Now, even though her dream of resurrecting her brother had been shattered, thanks to Rozen's Ritual, Suzuka had been able to see her brother one last time, bid him farewell, and learn his true wish. She had finally untangled the knot in her heart and regained control of her own life—though that life was currently in shambles.
Otherwise, Suzuka wouldn't be a jujutsu criminal wanted by the Onmyo Agency, forced to live in hiding for a year and a half. But compared to the arrogant and obsessive person she once was, she had improved immeasurably.
At the very least, the old Suzuka was utterly alone. No one had ever cared for her; she had spent all her time locked away in her research facility, absorbed in her experiments and development. Now, however, she had Natsume to bicker with daily, the Tsuchimikado family treating her as one of their own, and this irresponsible master of hers—this was enough.
So, after venting her frustration, Suzuka let it go.
Of course, her sharp tongue remained unchanged.
"I'll settle the score with you later."
After growling this out, Suzuka turned to face Yashamaru, her expression tensing.
"Nii-san."
Natsume also turned toward Harutora, her face growing serious.
She hadn't seen Harutora in a year and a half.
Now, she knew that Harutora was actually Tsuchimikado Yakou's reincarnation, the biological son of Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi, and the rightful heir of the Tsuchimikado main family.
It was difficult to believe. After all, Harutora had once been completely incapable of Spirit Sight, had lived outside the jujutsu world, and had no desire to engage with it. He had even harbored a distaste for jujutsu. It was hard to imagine that such a person could be the greatest existence in the jujutsu world since Abe no Seimei. However, knowing that all of this had been arranged by Yasuzumi to protect his son, Natsume had no choice but to accept it.
Unfortunately, ever since the Tsuchimikado family had been declared fugitives by the Onmyo Agency a year and a half ago, Rozen had disappeared, and Harutora had also vanished with his two guardian shikigami. The only news of him came in reports of terrorist attacks—each one detailing Harutora's assault on Onmyo Agency facilities.
Now, after all this time, Natsume was finally seeing her brother again—though they were not related by blood.
Harutora, for his part, maintained a bitter smile, his expression complicated.
It seemed that even after awakening as Yakou, he hadn't lost the memories of this life. He still regarded Natsume as his beloved little sister.
But in the end, Harutora suppressed his conflicting emotions toward his family and turned a cold, steady gaze toward the Yase Doji.
"I'll say it one more time." Harutora's voice was icy. "Hand over Souma Takiko."
Hearing this, Yashamaru smirked once more.
"I refuse."
His tone was resolute.
Souma Takiko was the vessel of the Souma family's thousand-year-old wish and the key to the Divine Descension Ritual. Her safety was more important than anything else.
To protect Takiko, any sacrifice was acceptable.
Even if that meant losing Yashamaru, Kumomaru, or even Kurahashi Genji himself.
Besides, Yashamaru and Kumomaru were Takiko's shikigami—her guardians. They had no reason to hand over their master.
Harutora knew this as well.
Without another word, he took out a jujutsu talisman, held it to his lips, and began chanting.
His jujutsu casting was subtle, almost imperceptible. He used only the bare minimum of jutsuryoku necessary for the spell, injecting it directly into the talisman. His chanting was neither rushed nor slow, but each syllable carried immense weight and clarity, allowing those who heard it to feel the sheer power of his jutsu.
"Order!"
With this final incantation, the talisman in Harutora's hand transformed into a thirty-centimeter-long iron spike, which he drove into the ground, sending jutsuryoku coursing into the earth.
The jutsu was absorbed by the ley lines, creating an unusual fluctuation.
Yashamaru immediately understood Harutora's intention.
This was a jujutsu trap designed to seal movement techniques like Fat Step. Though its effect would be temporary, dispelling it immediately was extremely difficult.
In other words, Yashamaru and Kumomaru had lost their ability to escape via the ley lines.
And that meant—
Harutora was finally getting serious.
"Kakugyouki! Hishamaru! Cover me!"
Harutora clapped his hands together, preparing to unleash powerful jujutsu.
"Tch, what a hassle."
"Looks like we have no choice."
Hishamaru and Kakugyouki responded in their own ways before stepping forward, shielding Harutora.
"Nii-san!"
Natsume cried out.
But Harutora ignored her, drawing out more jutsuryoku as he prepared for an all-out attack.
Yashamaru and Kumomaru tensed.
None of them noticed—
"…So that's his plan, huh?"
Rozen's eyes gleamed with realization as he looked past Yashamaru and Kumomaru.
There, a figure had silently appeared.
"First Seal—Release!"
As this voice rang out behind Yashamaru and Kumomaru, an overwhelming aura of demonic energy erupted.
"Not good!"
Yashamaru and Kumomaru's hearts clenched as they spun around.
There stood a young man.
A gleaming horn protruded from his forehead, flickering ominously. Razor-sharp fangs extended past his lips, cutting into his mouth. His body was clad in armor, helmet, and an iron mask resembling that of a Japanese warrior, all pulsating with intense nuclear-like energy.
Like Natsume and Suzuka, he was a Living Spirit.
A Ogre's Living Spirit.
"Touji!"
Natsume's eyes widened as she called out his name.
The young man was Ato Touji—the one who had left with Harutora a year and a half ago, spending the time learning to control the ogre within him under Harutora's guidance, harnessing its power.
He had returned, waiting for this moment.
The reason was clear.
Harutora's direct assault with his two guardian spirits was just a diversion.
The true objective was for Touji to strike from the shadows and seize the target.
And now, the perfect opportunity had arrived.
"Second Seal—Release!"
"Third Seal—Release!"
Touji unlocked the three seals binding his Living Spirit's power, unleashing his full demonic strength.
A monstrous roar erupted from him.
His demonic energy exploded forth, rivaling that of the Yase Doji, engulfing the battlefield in a black miasma.
"ROOAAARRR!"
Touji threw a devastating punch infused with tremendous demonic energy.
"BOOM!"
The force of his attack sent shockwaves across the battlefield, causing the very air to tremble as if shrouded in a black storm.
Yashamaru and Kumomaru were sent flying.
And Souma Takiko—
She was thrown into the air.
"Princess!"
"Princess!"
Yashamaru and Kumomaru screamed in horror.
Meanwhile, Touji had already caught Takiko in his arms.
"Yes! Got her!"
He grinned viciously.
Harutora smirked as well.