The torrent of light surged forward, its duration uncertain.
Its radiance engulfed the entire surrounding space in white, erasing all visibility.
Gozu and Mezu seemed to be shouting something, but no one could make out their words.
Natsume, Suzuka, and Kurahashi Kyouko all cried out in surprise, yet they could do nothing else.
Rozen stood as if before a surging wave of light, his black outer robe billowing. His hands formed a seal, his body exuding astonishing jutsuryoku, and his gaze remained locked ahead, unwavering for even a second.
With his Wise Eye and Mind's Eye, Rozen was likely the only one present who had not lost sight.
Thus, he could clearly perceive what was happening within the torrent of light.
There, within the radiance, the entity known as Ashiya Douman was being burned away by the power of the Taiitsu Shinjin Mantra, his spiritual energy growing weaker, his jutsuryoku gradually fading.
Clearly, Rozen's mantra had successfully posed a threat to Ashiya Douman, purging him in the process.
However, just as his spiritual energy dropped to a critical point, it suddenly surged upward.
No—rather than growing stronger, it was as if some restraint had been lifted, unleashing his original power.
Within the torrent of light, Ashiya Douman's agonized howls gradually transformed into triumphant shouts.
"I never expected that, in this era, this old man would once again need to reclaim his true form…!"
As he spoke, the surging torrent of light abruptly stalled.
From within, an incomparably dreadful miasma—like black smoke—began seeping out, utterly swallowing the light.
"Master!"
"Lord Douman!"
Gozu and Mezu cried out in joy.
"That… that's…!?"
Natsume, Suzuka, and Kurahashi Kyouko's expressions all changed dramatically.
"As expected…"
A glint of insight flashed through Rozen's eyes. He immediately ceased his jujutsu, allowing the torrent of light to vanish completely.
Finally, the scene before them was revealed.
On a land scorched black, emitting the scent of char and smoke, the zombie-like old man had disappeared.
In his place was a mass of black mist.
A mass of darkness that seemed alive, exuding an aura of terror and dread.
It was neither spiritual energy nor miasma—it was divine energy.
More precisely, it was a twisted form of divine energy.
From within the divine energy, Ashiya Douman's voice echoed.
".…!"
On Rozen's body, Kinu and Gyokuto trembled once again.
Rozen smiled.
"So this is your true form as an Aramitama, is it?"
Rozen spoke nonchalantly.
Yes—
The grotesque divine energy before them was Ashiya Douman's true form as an Aramitama. Or rather, this was his true self.
Previously, Ashiya Douman had only existed as a spiritual energy form, attaching himself to another body, maintaining himself at Phase 3.
Now, he had abandoned his physical vessel, revealing his true self.
Thus, the black mist before them was the real Ashiya Douman—an entity that had now reached Phase 5—the Malevolent Divine Spirit, an Aramitama.
Rozen could see it clearly. By discarding his vessel and returning to Phase 5, Ashiya Douman's power was now worlds apart from before.
Previously, Ashiya Douman's strength had been on par with Miyachi Iwao, making him the strongest of his era, but still merely tactical-level.
Now, his power had surged terrifyingly, not only restoring his peak state but even surpassing it—breaking past the tactical level, reaching strategic level, and still climbing.
"Kehahaha!"
Ashiya Douman's laughter rang out from within the black mist.
"I once believed that only by maintaining my human form could I fully experience the true essence of jujutsu and its pleasures… I never imagined that one day, I would have to take this form to battle an Onmyoji."
His laughter had already lost some of its rationality, replaced by a supreme sense of dominion.
"At this rate, if I don't find a new vessel soon, I may dissipate into the world itself and become one with it."
His words carried a clear implication—he intended to end this battle quickly.
"Apologies. I had hoped to properly exchange jujutsu techniques with you, but now, I must conclude this swiftly."
There was indeed regret in Ashiya Douman's tone.
However—
"That should be my line," Rozen replied indifferently. "Originally, I also wished to properly test my jujutsu against yours, but it's about time we ended this."
Facing the Aramitama, this malevolent divine spirit, Rozen's expression did not change in the slightest—no fear, no reverence.
After all—
"You have gods as well, don't you?" Ashiya Douman chuckled darkly. "Isn't it about time you let me see for myself?"
To this, Rozen responded with only one sentence.
"As you wish."
Saying this, Rozen grasped his outer robe and ripped it off.
"You should also show him, Kinu."
Rozen's voice echoed through the air.
In the next instant, he hurled his outer robe skyward.
"Boom!"
A majestic divine energy erupted from the soaring robe.
Flames ignited upon it, transforming into a rising fireball.
And within that fireball—
A god descended.
Inside the Kanda Myojin Shrine, all Onmyoji turned pale, suddenly whipping their heads in one direction.
Particularly, Amami Daizen, Ohtomo Jin, Kogure Zenjirou, Yuge Mari, and Yamashiro Hayato, all elite Onmyoji, widened their eyes, their bodies trembling.
Not only them—
Even the great Youkai who had been leisurely watching the battle—Nurarihyon, Ootakemaru, Shuten Douji, Tamamo-no-Mae, and Great Tengu—all changed expressions, abruptly lifting their heads to look toward the same direction.
There—
A radiant sun was rising.
The brilliance of the sun burst forth.
A majestic divine energy erupted.
All Youkai either vanished in its radiance or fled in terror.
And in that moment, within the rising sun—
A three-legged crow, Kinu, spread its wings slowly and emerged, overlooking the battlefield.
In its gaze, coldness and transcendence shimmered.