-2072- Want me to trust him?

Natsume and Suzuka.

Yashamaru and Kumomaru.

The two pairs—one set as Rozen's Shikigami, the other as Souma Takiko's Shikigami—entered into a full-scale battle just as Rozen focused intently on casting jujutsu to dominate Takiko.

This was different from the previous battles.

Before, aside from Hokuto unleashing divine might to destroy Shaver and also defeating Miyachi Iwao, Kagami Reiji, Byakua, and Kurobou, the only truly perilous battle was the one between Shaver and Kakugyouki.

Those two were mortal enemies. When they fought, there was absolutely no mercy—each moved with the intent to kill and annihilate the other.

Other battles, while intense, didn't reach the level of a life-or-death struggle.

But now, things were different.

Putting aside the battle between Natsume and Kumomaru, the clash between Suzuka and Yashamaru was a genuine deathmatch.

Suzuka attacked Yashamaru with complete ferocity, clearly intending to kill him on the spot. She showed no mercy at all, forcing Yashamaru to desperately evade and defend. Even then, he was repeatedly struck by Suzuka's terrifying demonic aura, his body showing more and more signs of core rupture, clearly being wounded.

"I didn't think you had this kind of power…!"

Yashamaru's expression twisted as he tried to counterattack, but he couldn't even find a moment to use jujutsu. Overwhelmed by Suzuka, he was steadily pushed back, the core ruptures increasing in frequency.

Suzuka had fully suppressed Yashamaru, gaining absolute dominance.

"Director!"

Kumomaru tried numerous times to go to Yashamaru's aid, but was instead met by Natsume's violent foxfire, swirling like a storm. Forced to dodge desperately, Kumomaru was equally suppressed by Natsume.

The Yase Doji of the Souma clan were suppressed by Rozen's Shikigami.

Even though they had successfully undergone Divine Possession and received spiritual energy feedback from their master, significantly increasing their power, they were still suppressed so completely by Natsume and Suzuka—it was truly shocking.

But as far as mastery as a master goes—could Rozen really be weaker than Souma Takiko?

With Rozen's vast jutsuryoku as support, and with Kinu and Gyokuto within being controlled with Rozen's assistance, Natsume and Suzuka had no reservations at all. They used the power of the thousand-year-old spirit—the Ogre King and the Fox Sage—without restraint.

"Yashamaru! Kumomaru!"

Seeing the worsening situation, Kurahashi Genji also tried to go and assist the two Yase Doji.

But in this, Kyouko refused to back down.

"I'm that man's Shikigami too, Father—prepare yourself!"

Kyouko manipulated her Yaksha, relentlessly forcing Kurahashi Genji to abandon any thoughts of giving support.

In terms of strength, Kyouko was naturally no match for Kurahashi Genji. But with Rozen's jutsuryoku backing her, along with the support of two shikigami, she just barely managed to tie him down.

This was largely due to her thorough understanding of Kurahashi Genji's power, and also because Genji had lost the support of his two guardian shikigami—otherwise, Kyouko would have been defeated long ago.

"How could it turn out like this…?!"

Watching as he and the two Yase Doji were all held down by Rozen's Shikigami, while Rozen himself continued chanting the divine incantation without even opening his eyes—and the pained howls of Takiko atop the altar growing louder and higher—Kurahashi Genji was almost in despair.

In contrast, Hishamaru and Kakugyouki had managed to break free and return to Harutora's side.

The trio was now completely out of the main battle. With Miyachi Iwao gravely wounded and unconscious, and Kagami Reiji frozen into an ice sculpture, they regained their freedom.

But stopping the Divine Descent ritual was still out of reach.

Because…

"Roar!"

A majestic Divine Dragon had arrived before the altar at some point, unleashing a roar toward Harutora and his companions as they tried to approach, as if warning them.

"Hokuto!" Harutora stopped in his tracks and shouted toward Hokuto: "Let me through, Hokuto!"

But Hokuto turned a deaf ear, wearing a cold, unfeeling expression.

"This guy…"

Hishamaru's brow twitched in displeasure.

"He's really gotten pretty high and mighty."

Kakugyouki also spoke helplessly, clearly unsure what to do about Hokuto now.

The three of them knew Hokuto well enough to understand—he wasn't someone cold-hearted or emotionless.

And no matter what, they had worked together in the past. Hokuto had once served Yakou and had been Harutora's Shikigami. Logically, even if he had a new master now, he should at least listen to Harutora and the others a little, show some goodwill.

But the Hokuto before them now was different from the carefree, innocent one from the past.

Back then, Hokuto was completely unrestrained—one could even say capricious—sometimes even disobeying orders from his master. He was extremely free-spirited.

Now, it was as though he had gained the awareness of being a true Guardian Divine Beast, or perhaps it was more accurate to say he had become absolutely obedient to Rozen. Even in the face of his former master and companions—if he wasn't going to move aside, then he simply wouldn't.

For Harutora, Hishamaru, and Kakugyouki, this was the first time seeing Hokuto follow someone so blindly and faithfully.

"Roar!"

Hokuto let out another roar, as if to say: "Don't get in my master's way."

Harutora gave a bitter smile.

"So Akikan really intends to dominate Taira no Masakado, and won't stop the Tensou Jifu Ritual?"

He asked the question in a grave voice.

"Roar!"

Hokuto roared and nodded. Compared to before, he was clearly much more expressive and mature, even able to convey his master's will to others.

Of course, Hokuto was also conveying his own will, his eyes staring straight at Harutora.

Harutora, having fought alongside Hokuto for many years, could understand what that gaze meant.

"You want me to trust him?"

Harutora spoke with a conflicted expression.

Hokuto nodded again. The meaning was clear: if it's Rozen's decision, then it can't be wrong.

Understanding Hokuto's meaning, Harutora and the others were incredulous.

Because Hokuto now displayed a blind faith and obedience toward Rozen, had absolute confidence in his abilities, and firmly believed Rozen's approach was flawless.

"Roar!"

Hokuto then raised a claw, gently placing down someone he had somehow captured.

"Touji!"

Seeing who it was, Harutora immediately cried out.

It was Touji, who had lost control of the Ogre within and fled with Souma Takiko.

Touji had fallen unconscious, the seal on his body almost completely undone. It seemed the ogre inside him had been restless for a long time, tormenting him significantly.

Most likely, Touji had been completely taken over by the ogre after that, obeyed Takiko without question, and was lying in ambush around the altar, ready to protect her or attack anyone approaching.

Unfortunately for him, Hokuto discovered him, struck him down in one blow, repressed the ogre, and brought him back to Harutora.

"Roar!"

Hokuto let out another roar, as if saying, "I've done all I can. If you don't appreciate it, I won't be so polite next time."

Harutora held the unconscious Touji, at a complete loss as to what to do.

Instead, Hishamaru and Kakugyouki placed their hands on Harutora's shoulders, one on each side.

"Since it's come to this, let's choose to believe in Tsuchimikado Akikan."

Kakugyouki advised him thus.

"At the very least, that guy's probably more reliable than you are."

Hishamaru added, with her usual bluntness.

Harutora sighed, looking at Takiko writhing in agony atop the altar, and then at Rozen, calmly chanting the incantation of Hachiman, not even opening his eyes. He clenched his fists.

"Please let me be shocked by you once again."

And please—let the past disaster never happen again.

Please, never again.