-2066- Downward spiral

"Take control?"

Tsuchimikado Harutora was stunned.

"What?"

Kagami Reiji and Miyachi Iwao also widened their eyes.

"Taking control?"

Hishamaru and Kakugyouki gasped.

"Huh?"

Even Natsume, Suzuka, and Kurahashi Kyouko looked as if they couldn't believe their ears.

But this was a fact.

Rozen truly intended to control Taira no Masakado.

This was a strategy Rozen had already planned when he decided to attack Kanda Myojin and confront Taira no Masakado.

"Since we don't know whether Taira no Masakado will intervene in the world's affairs, using his power to rule the world, then it's better to completely control him, making him obediently follow my commands and contribute to the development of jujutsu."

This was Rozen's thought process.

From the perspective of a summoner, this was a perfectly logical mindset.

For beings that are summoned, a summoner should control, dominate, and command them rather than allowing them to act recklessly.

Thus, Rozen had almost immediately decided to execute this strategy, which was why he had leisurely proceeded with the attack on Kanda Myojin, watching as the Divine Descension Ritual took place.

At this moment, Rozen was channeling his own spiritual energy into the leyline, then using the ritual to infuse the leyline's power and his own spiritual energy into Souma Takiko's body, initiating the jujutsu for controlling the divine spirit.

The incantation Rozen was chanting was the hymn of Hachiman Daibosatsu.

Hachiman Daibosatsu, also known as Hachiman-sama or Hachiman Daimyojin.

It is said that Hachiman originated from the deity Hikohohodemi-no-Mikoto, but he is generally considered to have derived from Emperor Ōjin, Himegami, and Empress Jingū. As a deity responsible for protecting the nation, eliminating calamities, ensuring prosperity, and safeguarding children, he was revered for his various divine virtues. Additionally, he was the guardian deity of the Minamoto clan and had been venerated as a god of war and archery since the Kamakura period. Originally, he was also the tutelary deity of the local noble families in Buzen and Usa.

This deity had a profound connection with Taira no Masakado.

According to legend, after Taira no Masakado captured the provincial capital of Kōzuke, he held a grand feast with his generals in the government hall. During the banquet, a miko (shrine maiden) of unknown origin suddenly barged into the hall, walked up to Taira no Masakado, and trembled. Then, she collapsed unconscious.

Shortly after, she suddenly stood up again, and in a voice filled with divine authority, proclaimed to Taira no Masakado:

"I am the divine messenger of Hachiman Daibosatsu. I now convey the will of the Great Bodhisattva: Masakado is the imperial descendant. The current emperor is unjust, and the Fujiwara clan holds power, leaving the people in despair. Thus, you are commanded to inherit my throne and rule Japan. Moreover, the Left Minister of Second Rank, Sugawara no Michizane, shall be appointed as the supreme commander of eighty thousand heavenly troops to assist you. You shall receive thirty-two auspicious signs as an offering. This is a decree!"

After speaking, the miko leaped and vanished.

Taira no Masakado and his men realized that a divine entity had manifested, so they hastily knelt in reverence. All the generals present also bowed to Taira no Masakado, unanimously declaring him the new emperor.

From that moment, Taira no Masakado proclaimed himself the New Emperor and openly rebelled against the imperial court.

In other words, the reason Taira no Masakado was able to become the New Emperor and ultimately attain divine status was entirely due to the divine decree of Hachiman Daibosatsu.

Many modern scholars believe this was merely a legend, or perhaps a staged event orchestrated by Taira no Masakado to justify his rebellion and secure support by claiming divine legitimacy.

However, within the realm of jujutsu, it was undeniable that Taira no Masakado had achieved divinity due to Hachiman Daibosatsu's decree.

And now, the ritual being conducted was Tensou Jifu Ritual, a grand ritual reserved exclusively for emperors. Taira no Masakado's claim as the New Emperor was legitimized by Hachiman Daibosatsu's decree, so Rozen leveraged this jujutsu concept, chanting Hachiman Daibosatsu's hymn and utilizing the ritual's power to attempt to control Taira no Masakado.

This was undoubtedly an absurd undertaking.

"How could a god possibly be controlled by a human?"

This was what anyone would think.

However, from a theoretical standpoint—more precisely, from the perspective of jujutsu—it was entirely feasible.

If Rozen's dominion could surpass the power of the divine spirit, then through this jujutsu, he could completely subjugate Taira no Masakado, making this absurd notion a reality.

Of course, human strength should never be able to surpass that of a god.

But Rozen could do it.

Everyone believed he could.

Because Rozen possessed the power to suppress an entire leyline and had already subdued two divine spirits as his Shikigami, maintaining dominion over them to this day.

Rozen had the ability to control divine spirits.

No one could refute this.

And so...

"Miyachi!"

For the first time, Kurahashi Genji called out to Miyachi Iwao with urgency in his voice.

"————"

Miyachi Iwao immediately responded, chanting an incantation at unprecedented speed. Flames burst forth, transforming into a raging inferno that surged toward Rozen.

Rozen did not even move.

Kinu shrouding his body stirred as if alive, forming a black veil that enveloped him entirely, blocking the all-consuming firestorm.

Rozen continued chanting his incantation, channeling his spiritual energy into the earth, then into the leyline, which surged into Souma Takiko's body, manifesting as layers of jujutsu bindings that wrapped around the divine spirit descending upon her.

"Buzz!"

The divine aura on Souma Takiko's body immediately went berserk, and she furrowed her brows in extreme pain.

"Princess!"

Kurahashi Genji shouted, attempting to rush forward, only to be blocked by two Yaksha charging at him.

"Your opponent is me, father!"

Kurahashi Kyouko called out.

"Tch!" Kurahashi Genji clicked his tongue while dodging the Yakshas' attacks and issued a command:

"Byakua! Kurobou!"

Upon hearing the order, the two lion Shikigami that had been engaged with Hishamaru immediately abandoned their battle and lunged toward Rozen.

Yet Rozen remained unmoving, continuing his incantation.

Only the cloak enveloping him reacted as if alive, extending shadowy whips from the black veil that had been shielding him from the flames, and fiercely lashed at Byakua and Kurobou.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

The shadowy whips violently struck the two Shikigami, sending them flying with agonized cries.

Even as they attempted to charge forward again, the shadowy whips moved with divine precision, relentlessly striking them down each time, forcing them back.

Kinu remained steadfast in guarding Rozen, turning the space around him into an untouchable domain.

Meanwhile, Kurahashi Genji, despite fighting Kurahashi Kyouko, attempted to use illusions and curses to disrupt Rozen—only for his jujutsu to be completely nullified by Gyokuto.

With two divine spirits protecting him, Rozen remained utterly focused on his jujutsu.

"Ugh...! Ah...!"

Finally, Souma Takiko let out a clear cry of pain.