-567- Why would they disappear?

"Commander?"

Amami Daizen looked surprised as Kurahashi Genji spoke up suddenly.

However, Kurahashi Genji paid no attention to Amami Daizen and kept his gaze on Rozen.

"The Tsuchimikado family..."

Dairenji Suzuka hesitated, struggling to find words.

"Everyone..."

Natsume lowered her eyes, a hint of worry appearing in them.

Rozen turned slowly, meeting Kurahashi Genji's gaze as he looked back.

"The Tsuchimikado family..."

The collective disappearance of the Tsuchimikado family had occurred a month ago.

And, this had happened even before Natsume woke up after Rozen received extensive jujutsu knowledge.

Frankly, not even Rozen had anticipated such an event.

So, when Rozen learned of this from Kurahashi Miyo, he was first surprised and then fell into silence.

Natsume learned of this after she woke up, and at that time, she was deeply worried and anxious. In the end, Rozen managed to console her.

"You know Uncle Takahiro and Aunt Chizuru's abilities better than I do. If it's those two, even if a top-level national onmyoji intervened, they could escape if they couldn't win. Nothing serious should have happened, maybe it's because father read some unfavorable astrological signs for the Tsuchimikado family, so they decided to evacuate and left with the entire family. It's a possibility."

Rozen analyzed this way to reassure Natsume, dispelling much of her worries and anxiety.

However, over this month, Rozen and Natsume had not heard any news about the Tsuchimikado family. It was as if they had completely vanished from the face of the earth.

Not only Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi, Tsuchimikado Takahiro, and Tsuchimikado Chizuru, but even Harutora and Touji were nowhere to be found. They seemed to have disappeared entirely, untraceable.

Because of this, the Mystical Investigation Division had approached Rozen and Natsume, inquiring about a lot of things.

Regardless, the Tsuchimikado family is the hereditary family of Onmyoudou, and even if they have declined, their status in the world of jujutsu remains extraordinary and cannot be disregarded.

To put it in perspective, the Tsuchimikado family is like the royalty of the jujutsu world. Even if they have declined, they are still a fallen royal family, not to be treated lightly. Even the Kurahashi family must show respect to the Tsuchimikado family.

In terms of influence and power, the Tsuchimikado family holds immense sway in the jujutsu world.

In comparison, the Kurahashi family can be described as lords of the jujutsu world, not kings. Despite their current prominence, the Tsuchimikado name holds more weight in certain aspects than the Kurahashi name.

With such a prestigious family suddenly disappearing, the Onmyou Agency couldn't turn a blind eye, and neither could the Mystical Investigation Division, especially now that Raven's Wing is also missing.

The legendary Kakugyouki and Hishamaru have surfaced, showing signs of activity. Even Ashiya Douman, who is an arch-nemesis of the Tsuchimikado family, has appeared in this world. The disappearance of the Tsuchimikado family at this time is undeniably related to all these events.

In light of this, Rozen and Natsume being investigated as part of the Tsuchimikado family is entirely normal.

Unfortunately, Rozen and Natsume were oblivious to this entire affair. Not only did they not know the whereabouts of the Tsuchimikado family, but they were also unaware of their disappearance. How could they provide any answers?

Therefore, this matter remained unresolved.

Now, Kurahashi Genji had brought it up again and even asked for Rozen's opinion.

What could Rozen say about this?

"I should have informed the investigators from the Mystical Investigation Division, haven't I?" Rozen said somewhat indifferently. "I don't know why the Tsuchimikado family disappeared and where they went."

This statement was half true and half false.

The truth was, Rozen genuinely didn't know where the Tsuchimikado family was.

As for the false part, it referred to not knowing why the Tsuchimikado family disappeared.

In reality, the reason for the Tsuchimikado family's disappearance was simple.

(Certainly, Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi concealed the whereabouts of his son. After realizing he couldn't stop me, he knew the Tsuchimikado family would be targeted. Hence, he decided to hide everyone together.)

Rozen made this conjecture, enabling him to calmly reassure Natsume and alleviate her worries.

However...

(Who would target the Tsuchimikado family?)

That was the most significant question.

(Kakugyouki and Hishamaru, perhaps?)

This was the most likely scenario.

To prevent his son from being embroiled in past conflicts, Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi definitely wouldn't want Kakugyouki and Hishamaru to find him, right?

The issue was...

(Even if Kakugyouki and Hishamaru come knocking, it shouldn't lead to the family's disappearance and hiding, right?)

Belief-wise, as long as Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi keeps his son hidden, even if Kakugyouki and Hishamaru come looking, unable to find his son, there's no need to go to the extent of hiding himself and the entire Tsuchimikado branch family in the shadows.

Doing so would imply that there is a dangerous individual who would come looking.

This individual is neither Kakugyouki nor Hishamaru; there must be someone else.

(Could it be Ashiya Douman?)

No, it's unlikely.

If Ashiya Douman really wanted trouble for the Tsuchimikado family, he would have done so a long time ago, without needing to target the reincarnation of Yakou.

After all, the disputes between this Doma Hoshi and the Tsuchimikado family were enough reason for him to act against them. Since he hasn't done so, there's no possibility of him targeting the Tsuchimikado family just because of the whereabouts of the reincarnation of Yakou.

(If that's the case, then who could be the dangerous individual targeting the Tsuchimikado family?)

Rozen hadn't figured this out yet.

Furthermore, considering the agreement with Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi, Rozen chose not to reveal what he knew.

But whether Kurahashi Genji believed it was another matter.

"Now, the Mystical Investigation Division has been constantly searching for the Tsuchimikado family. As a former branch of the Tsuchimikado family, Kurahashi is also involved in this matter," Kurahashi Genji said, looking steadily at Rozen.

He continued, "So, if you know the whereabouts of your father and the others, I hope you will inform us."

When he said this, Kurahashi Genji's expression was calm, but he emitted an unquestionable atmosphere, creating substantial pressure that made the air heavy.

However...

"I've said it before, I don't know their whereabouts," Rozen calmly replied, gesturing with his hands unchanged in demeanor.

"If you don't believe me, feel free to use jujutsu on me, like Kotodama or hypnosis, to make me speak the truth. After all, the head of the Mystical Investigation Division is here."

The onmyoji of the Mystical Investigation Division were experts in the field of manipulating people using jujutsu. Amami Daizen was the strongest in this field, making him unparalleled. Making a criminal speak the truth using methods like Kotodama or hypnosis was exceedingly easy.

"That's what he said," Amami Daizen added, looking thoughtful. "What should we do?"

Kurahashi Genji fell silent.

But after a while, Kurahashi Genji immediately spoke calmly.

"This is how we treat criminals."

The implication was that this couldn't be used against Rozen.

"Very well."

Amami Daizen nodded satisfactorily, clearly sharing this perspective.

"Are we done?" Rozen asked casually. "If that's the case, we'll be leaving."

With that, Rozen walked out of the Director's office, leaving Natsume and Dairenji Suzuka to quickly follow suit.

Amami Daizen couldn't help but smile wryly.

"Just as stubborn as last time, not at all like an underage kid."

That was Amami Daizen's impression.

Kurahashi Genji remained seated, staring at Rozen's departing figure. After a while, he closed his eyes again, pondering something.