-552- [ Hishamaru ]

In Tokyo, Shibuya.

By a secluded riverbank, a petite girl dressed in the Onmyou Academy uniform, Saotome Suzu, also known as "Hishamaru" by Kurahashi Miyo, stood there, gazing at the wide river.

Of course, Hishamaru wasn't the girl's real name.

The girl's actual name wasn't Saotome Suzu either.

—"Tsuchimikado Suzu."

This was the girl's true name.

She was a scion of the Tsuchimikado branch family, with high expectations placed on her from the moment she was born.

The reason was simple.

"Have you heard about the main family's young master Yakou?"

"It's said that he's an extraordinary genius, you know?"

"Even among the successive heads of the family, in terms of talent, there's no one who can compare."

"Even in the history of Onmyoudou, the ones who could rival young master Yakou are few."

"It's like a reincarnation of Abe no Seimei-sama."

"That's right."

"You're from the branch family. You're destined to become the young master Yakou's shikigami. To be worthy of that young master, you'll have to work hard, Suzu."

These were the voices of adults that had always been around Suzu since she was little.

In light of this, Suzu's path had already been decided since her childhood.

That was to become a shikigami worthy of that extraordinary jujutsu genius.

For this reason, Suzu, from a very young age, had been burdened with high expectations by the branch family. While others were playing, she was already studying jujutsu, continuously accumulating vast amounts of knowledge.

Under these circumstances, Suzu's talents gradually began to be developed.

In jujutsu, Suzu's talent wasn't as astonishing as Yakou's, but it was still far superior to the average person of her age.

In terms of knowledge and academia, Suzu surpassed most, earning her the praise of adults, likening her to a scholar in the field of jujutsu. She excelled in research and contemplation.

And so, Suzu became the Hishamaru by Yakou's side.

"Hishamaru and Kakugyouki are the two most powerful pieces in shogi!"

The master who enjoyed playing shogi said to Suzu with a mischievous smile, and that's how Suzu received the name Hishamaru. Just like the Orge King who was subdued by Yakou and became one of his shikigami, Kakugyouki, she was considered as one of Yakou's most powerful protectors and aides.

Later, Yakou passed away.

"I have to do this."

That day, Yakou, with a somewhat sad smile, said these words to Suzu, then left her side and held the highest-level jujutsu ritual in Onmyoudou — the "Taizan Fukun Ritual."

As a result, Tokyo became a place of frequent spiritual disasters. Yakou was also reincarnated and embarked on a journey toward a future where his jujutsu, which he had developed, would flourish.

After that, Raven's Wing, Nightlight's beloved cursed tool, was taken way by Onmyou Agency to seal it.

Kakugyouki, the one who valued freedom and spontaneity, started traveling to different places.

And Hishamaru, Saotome Suzu, stayed in Tokyo, the land of fate, watching the frequent spiritual disasters caused by Yakou.

Later, Kurahashi Miyo, who couldn't bear Saotome Suzu's situation, intervened.

"I'm the director of the Onmyou Academy now. If you're free, would you like to stay here?"

The shrine maiden who had originally just followed her master to study jujutsu not only married into the Kurahashi family, becoming the head of the Kurahashi family and a well-known stargazer in the industry, but she had also aged quite a bit. She had become the director of the Onmyou Academy, and she came to Saotome Suzu, extending her hand to her.

Saotome Suzu didn't refuse.

Originally, Saotome Suzu loved learning, or perhaps research would be more accurate.

Yakou's success in developing the "Imperial-style Onmyoujutsu" was also greatly attributed to Suzu's efforts.

So, Saotome Suzu thought like this.

"As long as I don't leave Tokyo, it's fine wherever I go."

Naturally, having made this decision, Saotome Suzu couldn't use the name Hishamaru or Tsuchimikado Suzu. Either name would bring Saotome Suzu trouble and chaos.

So, in the end, Kurahashi Miyo gave her a new name, the name she has now — "Saotome Suzu."

And that's how Saotome Suzu entered the Onmyou Academy.

There, Saotome Suzu didn't learn much that was useful.

In the world of jujutsu, it can be said that besides Yakou, there weren't many who could claim to be superior to Saotome Suzu.

However, there, Saotome Suzu made two friends.

One was a glasses-wearing young man who was often reckless and didn't pay much attention to the rules of the academy, a bold rule-breaker.

The other was a swordsman who used a divine blade and received the protection of the tengu, making him outstanding but unable to fit into the group.

The former's name was Ohtomo Jin.

The latter's name was Kogure Zenjirou.

Saotome Suzu unexpectedly befriended these two individuals, becoming one of the academy's most well-known troublemakers, eventually being called "the Three Crows of 36" by others, spending three years in the Onmyou Academy, and successfully graduating.

After graduation, Ohtomo Jin joined the Mystical Investigation Department of the Onmyou Agency, while Kogure Zenjirou became an exorcist. On the other hand, Saotome Suzu didn't enter the Onmyou Agency; instead, she joined the Imperial Palace and became a member of the Spirit Control Department.

The reason was simple; the research on spirit control in the Imperial Palace fascinated Saotome Suzu.

As a result, shortly after joining, Saotome Suzu discovered that the Spirit Control Department had become a breeding ground for the Twin Horn Syndicate, leading to the birth of frenzied Yakou devotees.

This prompted Saotome Suzu to decisively leave the Spirit Control Department, unwilling to associate with these individuals.

Encounters with Ashiya Douman happened after this.

"Never thought you'd actually survive until now; it's truly surprising," the old man suddenly appeared before Saotome Suzu and burst into hearty laughter.

It was inevitable.

"When you came to me initially, saying you wanted to know the secret to immortality, I shared my form and methods with you. I even let you take away a 'part' of me for research. But I never expected you to actually succeed. Interesting, interesting. That's why I say the world of jujutsu is never boring, hahaha."

The old man seemed overjoyed, as if he had found something extremely delightful.

"As a price for taking away a 'part' of me back then and your promise to fulfill one of my requests in the future, right?"

The old man said this on a whim.

"If so, then for now, become my shikigami until Yakou successfully awakens."

And so, Suzu Saotome became Ashiya Douman's shikigami.

Of course, Saotome Suzu always referred herself as his disciple.

"I have only one master."

The girl standing on the riverbank murmured as such.

Soon after,

"Despite looking indifferent, you indeed are loyal."

With the rise of this deep, masculine voice, a trace of menacing aura pervaded the surroundings.