At the same time.
In the director's office of the Onmyou Agency, Kurahashi Genji was holding the phone on his desk, listening to the report coming from the other end. After a moment of silence, he replied expressionlessly.
"I understand."
With that, Kurahashi Genji hung up the phone.
It was only at this moment that the second person in the room spoke.
"Kinu and Gyokuto have escaped, haven't they?"
Sitting on the sofa, legs crossed, Yashamaru spoke in a nonchalant tone.
Before this, the director's office had only Kurahashi Genji present.
In other words, Yashamaru had just suddenly appeared here, with no warning. His tone towards Kurahashi Genji seemed very familiar, as if they had known each other for a long time.
In fact, both Kurahashi Genji and Yashamaru had known each other for a long time.
More accurately, it should be said that Kurahashi Genji had known Dairenji Shidou for a long time.
After all, Kurahashi Genji and Dairenji Shidou were contemporaries. They had entered the Onmyou Agency together long before they became the "Twelve Divine Generals." Dairenji Shidou later joined the Imperial Household's Spirit Control Department, while Kurahashi Genji remained in the Onmyou Agency.
So, the connection between the two of them had started surprisingly early, destined to create a stir in the world of jujutsu.
However, faced with Yashamaru's familiar behavior, Kurahashi Genji looked at him sharply.
"Don't you need to protect the Soma family's princess?"
Kurahashi Genji asked in a deep voice.
To this, Yashamaru waved his hand, seemingly indifferent.
"With Kumomaru around, there shouldn't be any problems." Yashamaru said nonchalantly, "However, the princess seems to have suffered a greater blow than expected, and her emotions are very unstable. At a time like this, if she were to come into contact with the aura of Kinu and Gyokuto, she might actually get possessed."
Well, the princess had exceptional aptitude in this regard from the beginning.
Yashamaru said this with a smile.
It was clearly not a trivial matter, but Yashamaru seemed nonchalant, which made Kurahashi Genji stare at him for a moment before he sighed, a rare sound from him.
"Indeed, Kinu and Gyokuto have escaped, and they have broken through all the barriers and jujutsu on their way to the fourth underground floor. They've probably already rescued Tsuchimikado Akikan."
Kurahashi Genji reported this way.
"I thought so. Even the highest level of seals and barriers would be a fool's dream to bind a god. That's what I believe."
Yashamaru was not surprised at all, but rather seemed happy and began to laugh.
In fact, both Kurahashi Genji and Yashamaru did not believe that human jujutsu could easily seal a god.
If a god was only of this level of existence, it was not worth them going all out to pursue.
However,
"Tsuchimikado Akikan is still a human after all. Even if he obtains the gods, he surely won't be able to fully unleash their powers. The same report came from the Miyachi side," said Kurahashi Genji expressionlessly.
In other words, they believed they could seal him because they thought Rozen couldn't fully unleash the powers of the gods?
Unfortunately, even if not fully unleashed, just a part of their power was enough to break through the highest-level restraints.
"If it were some insignificant deities, it might be a different story, but Kinu and Gyokuto each represent the sun and the moon, linked to the 'Three Noble Children.' Their strength is formidable," said Yashamaru, with a joyful yet mocking tone.
The 'Three Noble Children' referred to the three highest-ranking deities in Japanese mythology.
The ruler of Takamagahara, the progenitor revered as the ancestor of today's Japanese Emperor, also the sun goddess of Shinto—the Amaterasu-Omikami.
Born from the same root as Amaterasu-Omikami, simultaneously born, the personification of the moon, the god governing the dark night—Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto.
Honored as the sea god, with unpredictable temper, sometimes ferocious and sometimes valiant, having once slain the eight-headed serpent and obtained the destructive sword from its tail—the Susanoo-no-Mikoto.
These three deities were siblings, their status and fame in Japanese mythology unmatched by others.
And Kinu was precisely the messenger of Amaterasu-Omikami, the ruler of all gods, while Gyokuto was considered to have an extraordinary affinity with Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto, the personification of the moon. It could be said they were the spokespersons for these two highest gods—such lofty status and immense power were self-evident.
In the realm of eight million gods, Kinu and Gyokuto were among the top deities. This time, their true forms had descended. Even if Rozen couldn't fully unleash their power, it was beyond human capability.
"It's obvious that deities of this level, even if they descend successfully, let alone obeying humans, causing natural disasters in the world is not surprising at all," Yashamaru's eyes were filled with intense curiosity.
"So, I'm curious, how did Tsuchimikado Akikan manage to gain the favor of those two deities?"
Yashamaru's tone was filled with obsession and intoxication, seemingly willing to go to any lengths to understand this question.
Seeing this, Kurahashi Genji spoke coldly.
"We need to figure out a way to stop Tsuchimikado Akikan from staying in contact with Kinu and Gyokuto. He's probably already escaped from the prison by now and is likely preparing to flee."
Upon hearing this, Yashamaru immediately offered.
"Do you need me to intervene?"
Yashamaru volunteered.
"No, we can't let our guard down with the Soma family's princess. We mustn't risk being attacked during this confusion."
Kurahashi Genji decisively declined and said so.
"At the moment, among the 'Twelve Divine Generals' present in the hall, we have a total of five. Let the 'Divine Fan' be in charge of guarding Tsuchimikado Natsume and Dairenji Suzuka. The remaining four independent exorcist will mobilize again. We must take down Tsuchimikado Akikan once more."
After deciding this, Genji Kurahashi did not show any inclination to listen to Yashamaru's opinion and proceeded to make calls to give instructions.
"That's a shame."
Yashamaru shrugged and then dematerialized, disappearing from the spot.
On the other side,
When Rozen rushed out from underground and entered the Onmyou Agency's hall, he was met with a large group of Mystical Investigation Division agents ready to intercept.
"Order!"
"Order!"
"Order!"
One by one, the Mystical Investigation agents looked at Rozen emerging from underground. Although they were surprised and astonished by Rozen's appearance with the black coat adorned with scattered fire powder and his young face, they didn't hesitate and directly activated the talisman in their hands, casting their jujutsu.
Instantly, various types of spiritual energies representing metal, wood, water, fire, and earth surged. Countless metal, wood, water, fire, and earth talismans began to take effect, enveloping Rozen in a barrage of diverse jujutsu.
In an instant, blades and swords flew, vines danced wildly, torrents roared, flames surged. Countless rocks and stone walls either descended from above or rose from the ground, all in an attempt to impede Rozen's momentum.
Furthermore, several Mystical Investigation agents cast illusions upon Rozen, while others erected barriers, plunging Rozen into an ocean of jujutsu.
However, facing this overwhelming onslaught of countless jujutsu,
"Bang!"
Rozen's coat suddenly surged, and with a swift motion, all the jujutsu were deflected, rebounding back towards the Mystical Investigation agents.
"What!?"
"Ah!"
"Wait!"
The Mystical Investigation agents widened their eyes in disbelief. Shortly after, they were engulfed by a multitude of jujutsu, letting out cries of despair.
In the end, Rozen emerged unscathed.