-2051- A type of divine entity?

Rozen was making his way deeper into the Kanda Myojin Shrine, with Natsume, Suzuka, and Kurahashi Kyouko following closely behind.

At the moment the anomaly appeared, Rozen was the first to notice it.

"This is..."

Rozen suddenly stopped in his tracks, raising his gaze to look ahead.

"What's wrong?"

Natsume, Suzuka, and Kyouko also halted, first stunned, then their expressions changed dramatically as if they had just realized something.

Kyouko, in particular, had her eyes flash with starlight, causing her breath to hitch as she paled in shock.

"It's coming!"

Kyouko blurted out without context.

What was coming?

Natsume and Suzuka wanted to ask.

Unfortunately, the next second, the answer revealed itself before their eyes.

"Buzz!"

The entire shrine trembled abruptly, causing spiritual energy to erupt like a volcano.

"Boom!"

Like a sudden thunderclap, the spiritual energy transformed into a swirling vortex, chaotically surging through the space.

Rozen's Wise Eye and Mind's Eye immediately detected the changes.

First, under the observation of Wise Eye, Rozen "saw" countless strands of spiritual energy converging toward their location, with the spiritual veins fully activating, flowing toward the shrine, and gathering at a specific point.

Then, through Mind's Eye, Rozen "perceived" beams of light rising from various parts of Tokyo, shaking the atmosphere and linking together into a vast network.

By combining the abilities of Wise Eye and Mind's Eye, Rozen saw Tokyo itself transform into an altar. The spiritual veins surfaced, forming a network, and the spiritual energy streamed toward Kanda Myojin Shrine, altering the spiritual phase and shifting the spiritual layer.

This was a Spiritual Disaster—a jujutsu-induced upheaval in the world's balance.

Then, just like when Souma Takiko lost control yesterday, the very fabric of the world seemed to tear open, allowing a space beyond human comprehension to descend.

It was the domain of the gods.

It was the world of the divine.

It was as if an invisible passage had connected two realms, and as this space descended, an extraordinary divine presence began to flood the air.

"Buzz! Buzz! Buzz...!"

From Rozen's body, Kinu and Gyokuto reacted simultaneously, vibrating intensely.

Clearly, the two divine entities had sensed it.

They had felt the arrival of an existence with equivalent divinity, an equivalent concept, and an equivalent presence.

Yes.

A god had descended.

At this very moment.

"It's finally starting, huh?"

Rozen gazed in that direction and murmured.

Meanwhile, Natsume and Suzuka lost all color in their faces, struggling to breathe, their bodies trembling as if they were on the verge of collapse.

Naturally, Kyouko was the same.

They were mere mortals, yet they had witnessed the descent of a god with their own eyes. It was impossible not to be overwhelmed by fear.

Fortunately, Natsume and Suzuka had experienced something similar before.

Back then, when Rozen performed his Divine Descent, Natsume and Suzuka had been present and witnessed the astonishing spectacle firsthand. As a star gazer, Kyouko had also observed the movement of the celestial stars. Thus, the three of them were not completely unprepared for such an event.

Though terrified, they managed to hold on.

But all three were acutely aware that this moment was of critical importance.

"Akikan!"

"Hey!"

"We need to..."

Natsume, Suzuka, and Kyouko hurriedly spoke, seemingly urging Rozen to reach the ritual site as soon as possible.

But Rozen interrupted them.

"Don't worry," Rozen said calmly. "The descent of Taira no Masakado is within my expectations."

Rozen had already stated that he would allow the Divine Descent Ritual to proceed, but if Taira no Masakado attempted to interfere with the world using his power, Rozen would step in.

In other words, as long as it was just a descent, Rozen had no intention of stopping it. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so leisurely on his way here.

Besides...

"Even if we want to proceed, we'll need someone else's permission first."

Rozen's cryptic words made the three girls freeze for a moment before their faces tensed.

The reason was simple.

"In a situation where the spiritual energy, the spiritual phase, and the spiritual veins are all in chaos, to still perceive this old man's presence... You truly have impressive Spirit Vision."

A cheerful voice rang out as an elderly figure slowly emerged ahead of them, leaning on a cane.

He wore blood-red tinted sunglasses, his face expressionless and rigid, yet his lips moved, emitting a sound filled with amusement.

"We meet again, Tsuchimikado Akikan."

The elderly man chuckled softly.

His laughter sent chills down Natsume, Suzuka, and Kyouko's spines.

"Who... Who are you...!?"

Natsume asked, trying to sound stern but revealing her nervousness.

"This guy's spiritual energy..."

Suzuka's expression turned grim.

"Ugh..."

Kyouko's eyelashes trembled as she felt an overwhelming sense of unease.

The old man exuded an eerie and terrifying aura that made the three girls deeply uncomfortable.

They had never seen him before.

But for Rozen, this was someone he had met once—a presence that had once posed him considerable pressure.

"So you really were here," Rozen remarked, narrowing his eyes with a slight smirk. "I saw you through the vision of my familiars, and I even 'saw' your spiritual energy. I thought I might be mistaken."

Then, he addressed the man directly.

"It's been a while, Doma Hoshi."

Indeed.

The man was none other than Abe no Seimei's greatest rival—Ashiya Doman.

"Wh-what...!?"

Natsume, Suzuka, and Kyouko's eyes widened in sheer disbelief.

"Keke..."

Ashiya Doman let out a raspy chuckle, his voice still brimming with amusement. "To think that the little brat who once showed only a glimmer of potential has now accomplished the miracle of Divine Descent, resurrected the Hundred Demons, and turned Tokyo into a demon's playground. You've truly exceeded my expectations."

"Not at all," Rozen replied indifferently. "Compared to you, I'm still just a junior."

"But this so-called junior has achieved things that even we elders could not," Doman snickered. "Even if that brat Abe were here, he'd be impressed by your accomplishments."

Doman's laughter deepened, his voice growing more and more fervent.

"To live for a thousand years truly has its rewards. Never in my long existence have I witnessed a Night Parade of a Hundred Demon with my own eyes, nor have I stood at the center of a clash between multiple gods. Magnificent. This is true jujutsu! This is true mysticism!"

In this moment, Ashiya Doman's voice was filled with an uncontrollable fanaticism.

Clearly, the current situation suited his tastes perfectly.

After all...

"You, too, are a type of divine entity," Rozen stated, his tone indifferent. "You yourself embody jujutsu. You represent mysticism."

"Keke."

Ashiya Doman's laughter grew even more delighted.