-482- The most powerful jujutsu

Before heading to the world of Sword Art Online, Rozen hadn't mastered Onmyoudou or Mind's Eye, and his level of Summoning allowed only mid-level familiars.

Even though he had a good grasp of the eight tiers of magus and a high understanding of Puppetry, at that time, Rozen struggled even in combat against his own brother, Akabane Tenzen, let alone facing opponents like servents.

However, now Rozen not only acquired proficiency in Onmyoudou and Mind's Eye, but he also gained numerous familiars in the SAO world. He even possessed powerful Shikigami like Hokuto. His strength had significantly improved, making a comparison with his past abilities like night and day.

Leaving aside other factors, Hokuto alone was an upper-tier familiar with nearly limitless potential. If Rozen didn't worry about consumption and gave full support, he could elevate Hokuto to the top-tier familiar.

However, with such intensity in battle, Rozen's consumption would be severe. He could sustain only a few minutes in that state. Afterward, he would deplete his magical energy and collapse.

But at least Rozen had achieved his goal when he first entered the world of Sword Art Online - the ability to spar with his servents.

Even though he hadn't unleashed his full power yet and wasn't sure of his limits, he was confident that he could stand a chance against a servent.

Of course, there were two conditions.

First, the opponent shouldn't use their Noble Phantasm. Noble Phantasms were a servent's trump card, capable of easily overturning the balance of power. Even a weaker servent likely possessed a strong Noble Phantasm.

Hence, in a battle without using Noble Phantasms, Rozen, at full strength, could compete with a servent and might even defeat weaker ones.

Second, Rozen needed ample magical energy. In a full-power state, Rozen's magical energy consumption would be astonishing. Only a few minutes were available, restricting him to a short confrontation with a servent.

Under these two conditions, Rozen would have these ability to engage a servent. His strength had greatly improved compared to before he entered the world of Sword Art Online. Coupled with his sharp and intelligent mind, he might even outsmart top-tier servents, not to mention weaker ones.

In this situation, Rozen still held an ace, a trump card. Even if facing a top-tier servents with a powerful Noble Phantasm, he could contend, using these two cards.

However, these were not something he could use at will. No matter which card, they had their limits.

Rozen tightened his grip on the two magic crest marks on both his hands, hidden beneath the gloves he wore since arriving in Tokyo.

Except for Natsume, nobody knew that there were hidden trump cards on the backs of both of Rozen's hands.

Rozen didn't know if he needed to use these cards against Ohtomo Jin.

However...

"Why not settle this with a decisive battle? Don't you think so?" Rozen said, boosting his magical power and smiling at Ohtomo Jin.

One of Rozen's objectives in coming to Tokyo was to see the extent of his current strength. The stronger the opponent, the more challenging it would be for him.

Hence, Rozen, for once, displayed a side full of aggression.

One couldn't help but notice that after coming to Tokyo, both Rozen, Natsume, and Kyouko had become more aggressive.

This made Ohtomo Jin chuckle wryly.

"Well, calm down a bit, Akikan," Ohtomo Jin waved his hand and shook his head in a somewhat panicked manner. "Although I'm still a teacher, theoretically, I shouldn't lose to my students. But if I get hit by that dragon, I'd definitely die. Please spare me."

Saying this, Ohtomo Jin didn't visibly boost his magical power like Rozen. Instead, he adopted an awkward posture.

He seemed to be trying to portray himself as harmless, but the overly exaggerated attitude made it seem insincere.

"Alright, here's the deal."

Ohtomo Jin suddenly smiled as if he had a great idea.

"I'll give you some information in exchange for a ceasefire. How about that?"

Saying this, regardless of whether Rozen agreed or not, Ohtomo Jin looked around at the attackers lying on the ground.

"Do you know who they are?"

The magical power wavering from Rozen's body slightly paused.

Honestly, this was something Rozen was eager to know.

"...Judging from the performance of these guys, they seem to be here for the rumors about me being a reincarnation of Yakou, and strangely, they don't seem hostile towards me. On the contrary, they have an extraordinary fanaticism and reverence."

Rozen fell into a half-pondering silence and then sighed.

"However, they are the onmyouji of the Onmyou Agency. I really don't know why they are acting like fervent devotees."

At these words, Ohtomo Jin smiled approvingly.

"What you said is not wrong, Akikan. They are a group of fanatics," Ohtomo Jin shrugged and said, "Perhaps, as a member of the Tsuchimikado family, you may see Yakou as the cause of your family's decline, the most infamous figure in the world of jujutsu. But, there are people who feel the complete opposite."

Completely opposite.

That is, they regard Nightlight as a hero and genuinely admire him.

"These people turn a blind eye to Yakou's crimes just because they come into contact with the jujutsu he left behind. They become infatuated, immersed, and intoxicated by it, and in the end, they blindly praise him. Moreover, the more an onmyouji loves and adores jujutsu, the more they can't resist idolizing Yakou. After all, Yakou is the father of modern jujutsu. For onmyouji who devote their lives to jujutsu, it's natural to idolize him as a god and king."

Ohtomo Jin's tone remained light, yet the information he revealed was astonishing.

"And the onmyouji who most frequently come into contact with jujutsu and are likely to develop admiration for Yakou—do you really need to think about where they would be?"

Indeed, there was no need to think.

Where would you find the most onmyouji?

Except for the Onmyou Agency, no second comes to mind.

In other words...

"These onmyoji from the Onmyou Agency are fanatical believers whose minds have been captured by Yakou's lingering legacy, aren't they?" Rozen straightforwardly asked.

The answer received was naturally in the affirmative.

"In the industry, they are called Yakou's disciples, and they are well aware of those rumors. They will find various ways to approach you. That's quite normal."

At this point, Ohtomo Jin reined in his smile.

"In the end, Yakou's most powerful jujutsu left behind isn't the Imperial Style, nor the Common-Style, nor even the grand rituals held in the past. It's a type of jujutsu that can bewilder people's minds—type 'B' jujutsu."

Ohtomo Jin sighed as he spoke, revealing his genuine feelings.

"'Type B' jujutsu..."

Rozen remained silent.

In modern times, onmyodo roughly classified all jujutsu into two types.

One type produces clear effects—"Type A jujutsu."

The other type does not provide definite effects—"Type B jujutsu."

The former could only be used by professional onmyoji.

As for the latter, it referred to all jujutsu outside of Type A, such as divination. Anything affecting the perception and behavior of others was also considered a manifestation of Type B jujutsu.

Ohtomo Jin was correct.

The most powerful jujutsu left by Yakou was a Type B jujutsu that could influence history, sway people's hearts, and affect the world.

"Be more careful in the future, Akikan."

After offering this advice, Ohtomo Jin regained his lighthearted smile.

"Well then, I'll take care of these people. Having to escort criminals to the Onmyou Agency in the middle of the night is really a thankless job."

After saying that, Ohtomo Jin began to busy himself.

Rozen didn't trouble Ohtomo Jin further and watched his actions in silence.

The night silently passed.