-2071- I'll kill you!

Grade A Jujutsu can only be countered with Grade A Jujutsu.

Likewise, Grade B Jujutsu can only be nullified by another Grade B Jujutsu.

At this moment, Natsume's words themselves became a Grade B Jujutsu, countering Yashamaru's own.

"I don't know how heavy the Souma clan's thousand-year-old wish is, nor do I know how noble your aspirations are."

Natsume's entire body surged with foxfire, her voice ringing with unprecedented fury.

"But don't build your dreams on the suffering of the people around me, you twisted lunatics!"

With those words, she formed a hand seal and chanted an incantation.

"—————————"

The incantation of the Fire Realm Incantation was invoked, awakening an inexhaustible blaze.

However, rather than directly bursting into flames, the summoned fire seemed to be absorbed, fueling the foxfire already burning on Natsume's body. The pale blue flames expanded at an alarming rate.

The foxfire surged like a blue ocean, with crashing waves and a storm of azure flames sweeping forth with immense momentum.

Yet, despite the overwhelming flame, Kumomaru simply clapped his hands together.

"—————————"

Another storm of jutsuryoku erupted, blowing away the incoming azure flames.

Clearly, in terms of sheer power, Kumomaru was far above Natsume.

"The fox spirit of the Tsuchimikado clan—Kuzunoha, is it?"

Yashamaru stood unmoving, his face still carrying that dangerously venomous smile.

"Another ancient spirit… Ordinarily, no human could possibly seal such a being within themselves. The Tsuchimikado branch family might have a chance due to their connection to both Abe no Seimei and Kuzunoha's bloodline. But you were adopted—yet you still managed to seal it. That can't be explained by the Tsuchimikado clan's special methods alone. Your own potential must be exceptional—at least on the same level as Suzuka, and purely innate talent at that. Fascinating."

At this moment, Yashamaru's demeanor embodied everything one would expect from a jujutsu fanatic.

If the situation were different, he wouldn't hesitate to abduct Natsume for experimentation.

But unfortunately…

"Even if your potential is special, when it comes to raw power, we—having received our master's divine energy—are undoubtedly stronger. You cannot stop us."

Yashamaru declared, his words infused with jutsuryoku, carrying the weight of a kotodama.

As expected of someone once called The Professor, a former member of the Twelve Divine Generals—not only did he wield Grade B Jujutsu with expertise, but he even mixed Grade A Jujutsu into his Grade B techniques. Even in such a dire situation, he maintained his composure and executed his strategy flawlessly.

If it were anyone else—even an Onmyoji of the Twelve Divine Generals' caliber—they would have unconsciously wavered under Yashamaru's influence, allowing him and Kumomaru to break through with overwhelming force.

However, Natsume and Suzuka had long since undergone a complete transformation—just like Hokuto.

Indeed, in terms of raw power, the strongest among them was undoubtedly the near-strategic-class Yase Doji.

But let's not forget—Natsume still hadn't gone all out.

"Third Seal—Release!"

At last, Natsume unlocked the final seal within her, causing the foxfire on her body to erupt like a volcanic explosion. The sheer force of it shattered Yashamaru's kotodama and spread like a raging inferno in all directions.

"…What?"

For the first time, Yashamaru's smirk faltered. He could no longer remain composed. With a swift leap, he dodged the incoming sea of foxfire.

"This power…!?"

Kumomaru, too, was visibly shaken, hastily retreating alongside Yashamaru.

The next second—a petite figure broke the sound barrier, closing in on them with a deafening sonic boom.

"Third Seal—Release!"

Suzuka roared as she shattered the final seal within herself, her entire body radiating a demonic aura akin to boiling magma.

"Ha!"

Suzuka's eyes turned blood-red, transforming into demon eyes. Her demonic aura became so dense it seemed almost tangible, cloaking her form and making her appear like a true demon. With an earth-shaking bellow, she lunged at Yashamaru, throwing a devastating punch straight at his face.

"Order!"

Yashamaru's forehead twitched violently—his instincts screamed mortal danger. The voice in his head told him this was an attack he absolutely could not take head-on.

Without hesitation, he raised a talisman and conjured a barrier spell before him.

BOOM—!

Suzuka's dainty fist shattered the barrier.

"Haahhhh…!"

She howled furiously, as if her reason had been completely consumed, unleashing a relentless barrage of attacks upon Yashamaru. Her thin limbs became the deadliest weapons in the world, launching an unrelenting storm of strikes, each one detonating the air itself with sheer force.

Yashamaru dared not take a single hit head-on. He could only dodge frantically. But Suzuka's blows weren't just overwhelmingly powerful—they were also infused with demonic energy. Each time a shockwave grazed Yashamaru's body, it tore through his jutsuryoku, rending his arms, legs, abdomen, and shoulders.

A phenomenon akin to fission began appearing on Yashamaru's body.

"Director!"

Seeing Yashamaru in such a state, Kumomaru's expression darkened. He prepared to rush to his aid—

But he was stopped.

"Your opponent is me!"

Natsume's voice rang out as she unleashed her foxfire. The blazing inferno surged through the underground chamber with terrifying might, evaporating moisture in the air, melting the ground, and scorching the walls before converging toward Kumomaru.

The sheer power of these flames rivaled even Miyachi Iwao's flame. Kumomaru had no choice but to retreat.

Both Natsume and Suzuka had released all the seals within them, fully unleashing the power of the spirits they carried. Their strength now raged wildly.

And this was undeniably an incredibly dangerous situation.

Once the Third Seal was lifted, the spirits within them would erode their minds and souls at an alarming rate, dragging them down a path of corruption.

Yet, Natsume and Suzuka chose to use this power without hesitation.

First, because without it, they stood no chance against Yase Doji.

Second, because yesterday—after reuniting with Rozen, the two of them had renewed their contracts with him.

With Rozen by their side, they were no longer at risk of falling into corruption.

In fact, thanks to Rozen's immense spiritual energy, both girls had grown even stronger.

In this state, Natsume and Suzuka had stepped beyond the realm of tactical combat and into the strategic class—surpassing Yase Doji.

Especially Suzuka—her ogre was none other than Shuten Doji, one of the Three Great Yokai. The sheer power it possessed was unimaginable.

Though it wasn't on the same level as Rozen's Shuten Doji, Suzuka's spirit was still at the pinnacle of tactical class. With Rozen's support, breaking into the strategic tier was effortless.

With her newfound strength, Suzuka had cast aside her fear of Yashamaru.

All that remained—was hatred.

Thus, Suzuka bellowed:

"I'll avenge my brother!"

"I'll kill you!"

"Dairenji shidou!"

With that cry, Suzuka launched herself toward Yashamaru once more—

Her body radiating pure, unrestrained demonic power.