Frankly speaking, Kyouko couldn't fully understand everything that Kurahashi Genji was saying.
"Why is it necessary to do this to promote the inheritance and advancement of the Onmyodou?"
"Wasn't it good the way it was before?"
"Is the progress of jujutsu really that important?"
"For the sake of the family's mission, is it truly acceptable to do whatever it takes, without any regard for consequences?"
These were the questions lingering in Kyouko's heart.
Although she was born into the Kurahashi family, Kyouko had never been under much pressure.
Her grandmother had always treated her kindly.
Her father had never forced her to do anything.
Even the people around her never placed any expectations on her just because she was born into the most prestigious family in the jujutsu world. They never demanded that she excel or achieve outstanding results. They simply nurtured her silently, doing their best to support her growth.
Perhaps it was precisely because of this that Kyouko had developed her current personality. She carried no burdens, allowing her to decisively act on what she believed was right—even if it was just for the sake of a boy who had left a deep impression on her in childhood. She could approach Rozen without considering external influences, simply because no one had ever forced her to do anything. This upbringing had given her the freedom to act as she wished.
So, Kyouko simply couldn't understand—was all of this truly so important?
As this thought crossed her mind, she couldn't help but speak up.
"Then why didn't you tell me?" Kyouko asked Genji, a hint of sadness in her voice. "Am I not a part of the Kurahashi family too?"
However, when these words left her lips, Genji simply shook his head.
"It is precisely because you are part of the Kurahashi family that I cannot tell you," he said.
"Why?"
Kyouko was taken aback.
At this, Genji finally looked directly at her.
"Because this mission must end with me," he said with a somewhat forlorn smile. "After today, the world will inevitably change."
"And as a sinner, I must accept all the punishment."
"As for you, you must ensure that the innocent Kurahashi family survives in this world."
"That is your mission."
"Kurahashi Kyouko."
Genji's words struck Kyouko deeply.
At that moment, she finally understood his intentions.
Genji planned to take all the blame upon himself to absolve the Kurahashi family.
Otherwise, with all the terrible things he had done in secret, once exposed, the consequences for both the Kurahashi family and the entire jujutsu world would be devastating.
After all, Genji wasn't just anyone—he was seen as the representative of the jujutsu world, the face of the Onmyoji. If the world learned that he had sacrificed countless lives to perform divine descent just to advance jujutsu, there would be an immense backlash.
People would come to despise jujutsu and jujutsu practitioners alike. Onmyoji would once again be shunned by society and rejected by the nation.
If that happened, even if jujutsu made unprecedented progress, it would be meaningless.
What Genji truly wanted was for jujutsu to flourish in this world, not to be rejected by it.
For that reason, he had to take all the blame upon himself, exonerating the Kurahashi family and allowing himself to be labeled as a criminal. He would declare to the world that the Onmyoji were innocent.
Only then, once divine descent was successfully completed, could Onmyoji use the results of his actions to continue their advancement into a new era of jujutsu.
And the Kurahashi family would once again be the leaders, guiding all Onmyoji down this new path.
That was why Genji had kept everything from Kyouko.
It wasn't because he didn't acknowledge her, nor because he was trying to hide his crimes.
He simply wanted her to carry a new mission—one that would lead everyone down the path of Onmyodo that he had paved.
"Though I never expected you to join their side, to stand here before me as my enemy, this actually works out even better."
With a tone of acceptance, Genji spoke these words.
"The heir of the Kurahashi family standing against me, a criminal, will only reinforce the perception that I acted alone and that the Kurahashi family remains a defender of order in the jujutsu world. That way, the world will see that the new head of the Kurahashi family opposes my actions."
This fact would be decisive in absolving the Kurahashi family and securing Kyouko's recognition as the new leader of the jujutsu world.
Genji had already planned everything.
Of course...
"That's all in the future. For now, the most important thing is ensuring the success of the divine descent ritual."
Genji's sharp gaze locked onto Kyouko.
"So, what will you do, Kyouko?"
Upon hearing this, Kyouko's emotions surged.
What would she do?
Wasn't it obvious?
"I will stop you!"
Kyouko finally declared without hesitation.
"No matter what you're planning, I will stop you!"
This was the second thing she could do.
The only question was...
"Can you actually do it?"
Genji asked calmly.
Who was he?
The leader of the Twelve Divine Generals, a national first-class Onmyo practitioner, hailed as the greatest Onmyoji of the current era.
In terms of strength, among the Twelve Divine Generals, perhaps only Miyachi Iwao surpassed him. No one else had more than a fifty percent chance of defeating him.
While he might not be the absolute strongest among the Twelve Divine Generals, he was undoubtedly among the top three. Not invincible, but certainly one of the most formidable.
As for Kyouko, she was still just a student. Even if her talent was exceptional, at most, she could barely qualify for the lowest rank of the Twelve Divine Generals. Compared to Genji, the gap was vast.
So how could she stop him?
It was simple.
"I'm not the same as before," Kyouko said firmly. "Even if you want to pass the Kurahashi family to me and make me the new leader of the jujutsu world, that won't change one fact."
"And that is—I am already Tsuchimikado Akikan's shikigami."
As she finished speaking, an overwhelming surge of spiritual energy erupted from Kyouko's body.
"This spiritual energy..."
Genji's eyes narrowed.
At this moment, the spiritual energy rising from Kyouko's body had already surpassed his own.
This was the power she accessed through her shikigami contract, drawing jutsuryoku from Rozen.
"Come forth! Hakuou! Kokufu!"
Kyouko called out while continuously channeling Rozen's jutsuryoku.
Two modified Yaksha materialized in front of her.
Genji could sense a hint of danger from this version of Kyouko.
A look of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.
Then...
"Come."
Genji formed a hand seal, and his own spiritual energy surged.
The father and daughter clashed.
At the same time, Harutora, along with his two guardian shikigami, battled fiercely against Miyachi Iwao's powerful fire while simultaneously fighting against Kagami Reiji's and Genji's shikigami.
As for Rozen...
"It looks like you really don't fear death."
Rozen shrugged as he gazed at Kagami Reiji, who stood before him.
In response, Kagami said nothing and simply formed a hand seal.
But Rozen had already lost interest in him.
"Natsume, Suzuka, I'll leave our dear Independent Officer Kagami to you two."
At his words, Natsume and Suzuka exchanged glances.
A faint flicker of foxfire and demonic aura flashed across their bodies.