-495- I need your power

"Rumble..."

Layers upon layers of tsunami-like waves surged, and the thunderous roar of the waves echoed incessantly, shaking the ears.

The hill where the shrine was located was engulfed by the astonishing water flow, and the surrounding area was submerged, everything in sight dominated by the vast and tumultuous waves.

If such a massive water flow were allowed to spread, not just the surrounding area, even the festival being held on the riverbank would be completely swept away, wouldn't it?

How many people would be dragged into the water, just the thought was terrifying.

Fortunately, the flood did not spread.

Just as the flood appeared, submerging the hill and the shrine, a barrier materialized around the hill.

The surging and roaring water crashed against the barrier, but it couldn't break through, being contained within the barrier, confining the tsunami-like waves around the hill.

As for Dairenji Suzuka, she had mounted Asura's shoulders and taken flight with Asura, leaving the ground as soon as she completed her jutsu, hovering in mid-air.

The surging jutsuryoku swirling around gradually began to subside.

Despite using such a large number of shikigami and activating such a large-scale jutsu, Dairenji Suzuka showed no signs of fatigue, maintaining her composure.

One could only imagine how high Dairenji Suzuka's jutsuryoku was.

At the very least, it was definitely not lower than Rozen's, otherwise, she wouldn't be called the "Child Prodigy."

Dairenji Suzuka sat on Asura's shoulder, gazing down at the vast water below, murmuring.

"Did I go too far?"

It was far beyond going too far, to say the least, it was excessive.

"No matter how much of a genius, how powerful, in the end, you're just a student. Even if you're the reincarnation of Yakou, without awakening, this is the limit, right?"

Such fragmented thoughts frequently appeared in

Dairenji Suzuka's words, but her gaze remained fixated below.

In her eyes, a slight trace of worry began to show.

"I hope he hasn't died from this."

Dairenji Suzuka's expression became somewhat heavy and unpleasant.

However, this worry was unnecessary.

"Come out."

An indifferent voice rang out.

"Hokuto."

In the ocean below, a golden light burst forth.

"...!?"

Dairenji Suzuka's expression changed slightly.

"Boom!"

Almost at the same time, a light shot up from the engulfing water, creating huge splashes as it soared towards the sky.

The entity of the light was a dragon.

Who else could it be besides Hokuto?

"A dragon from the Tsuchimikado family?"

Dairenji Suzuka's eyes finally became serious, with a confident smile still on her face.

"Finally, you show yourself."

It seemed Dairenji Suzuka had known about Hokuto for a long time.

Rozen stood on top of Hokuto, grabbing one of its horns, looking in the direction of Dairenji Suzuka.

As for Natsume, she also stood on Hokuto's head, gripping Hokuto's other horn tightly, showing a somewhat frightened look.

Evidently, the recent deluge was not an attack that Natsume could easily ignore.

Even though Natsume's strength was on par with professional onmyoji, even a "Onmyou second class" onmyoji might not be able to stood against Natsume.

But Dairenji Suzuka held the title of a "first class" national-grade onmyoji, one of the famous "Twelve Divine Generals," even though she occupied the lowest position and was a researcher. Her combat experience might not be much, and her strength might be somewhat lacking compared to the other "Twelve Divine Generals," but she was still not an onmyoji that an ordinary onmyoji could defeat.

If not for this, Rozen wouldn't have directly summoned Hokuto.

To deal with opponents at the level of the "Twelve Divine Generals," Hokuto's power was necessary.

Rozen looked at Dairenji Suzuka like this.

"Quite ruthless."

Rozen smirked and said.

"Talking about pursuing, following, and obeying on the surface, but not showing any mercy in action. Truly the style of a Yakou follower."

Rozen's words carried a touch of sarcasm.

However...

"Yakou followers?" Dairenji Suzuka was first startled, then seemed to understand something, and sneered, "You don't seriously mistake me for a Yakou follower, do you?"

Dairenji Suzuka's words made Rozen slightly stunned.

"What?" Rozen asked, "Aren't you a disciple of Yakou?"

From this sentence, it can be seen that Rozen indeed considered Dairenji Suzuka as a disciple of Yakou.

This was only natural, right?

As one of the "Twelve Divine Generals," Dairenji Suzuka had no interaction with Rozen, a student of the Onmyou Academy.

They had no enmity or grievances. The only connection could be attributed to the part about being a reincarnation of Yakou.

So, Dairenji Suzuka was surely seeking Rozen due to the rumors of him being Yakou, there was no doubt about it.

Moreover, Dairenji Suzuka specialized in the study of the "Imperial Onmyoudou," which was Yakou's life's work.

According to Ohtomo Jin, the more one loved and was devoted to jujutsu, the harder it was to resist adoring Yakou. Among the onmyoji at the Onmyou Agency, who were the group most frequently in contact with jujutsu, if a Yakou follower emerged among them, it was quite normal.

In conclusion, Rozen could only think that Dairenji Suzuka was enchanted by Yakou while researching the "Imperial Onmyoudou" and eventually turned into a Yakou follower, prompting her to come trouble him.

Who would have thought...

"Don't mistake me for those disgusting zealots that make people want to puke," Dairenji Suzuka said, not concealing her disgust.

"I'm not some Yakou follower. Even my study of the 'Imperial Onmyoudou' is only for the sake of achieving my own goals. I have absolutely no interest in Yakou. To say otherwise would be a lie. But I need him, all for the sake of my own objectives."

Dairenji Suzuka retorted to Rozen's assumptions in this manner.

"Objectives?"

This time, Rozen's brows furrowed.

And as if to replace Rozen, Natsume stepped forward.

"What exactly are your objectives?"

Natsume, clinging tightly to Hokuto's horn, asked.

To this, Dairenji Suzuka glanced at Natsume, then turned her gaze to Rozen.

"Tsuchimikado Akikan."

Suzuka Dairenji retracted all expressions, as if her previous self was just a facade, and calmly spoke.

"I need your power to complete an experiment."

An experiment?

What kind of experiment?

Rozen hadn't raised this question yet, and even Natsume hadn't reacted, but Dairenji Suzuka straightforwardly spilled the beans.

"You both should know that my area of expertise is the 'Imperial Onmyoudou,' right?"

Dairenji Suzuka said.

"Then you should also know that within the 'Imperial Onmyoudou,' there is a system of jujutsu with a very special position. However, it has been designated as a forbidden jujutsu, and yet your Tsuchimikado family is very familiar with it."

Upon hearing Dairenji Suzuka's words, Rozen's countenance instantly darkened.

Not to mention Rozen, even Natsume widened her eyes.

Closely related to the Tsuchimikado family and designated as a forbidden jujutsu within the "Imperial Onmyoudou" system?

This system was clearly...

"Manipulation of souls."

Dairenji Suzuka pointed at Rozen and stated with vigor, "What I want to achieve is the study of 'Taizan Fukun Ritual,' the Tsuchimikado family's secret grand ritual passed down through generations."

This was Dairenji Suzuka's objective.