The atmosphere inside the room was relaxed, completely different from the tense, oppressive air of the Zenin clan.
Maki and Mai couldn't help but feel envious. Compared to everyone else here, the two of them felt out of place.
"Elder sister…"
Mai, timid as always, tugged gently at Maki's sleeve. She had always relied on her sister to take the lead in everything. Now, unable to blend in with the warmth around them, she wanted nothing more than to go home.
At that moment, Toji's voice rang out lazily. "You two eat as well. I bought some for you too."
Megumi and Yuta suddenly understood. When they first saw so many daifuku in the bag earlier, they thought Toji had gone soft. But in truth, the extra was for Maki and Mai.
Although reluctant, both Megumi and Yuto quietly pulled out half of the daifuku from the bag, shifting aside at the table to make space for the twins.
Yuta gave them a warm smile and waved them over.
Feeling the kindness in the room, Maki and Mai relaxed. They sat down quietly and picked up a strawberry daifuku, eating slowly in silence.
Neither of them expected the usually cold and distant Toji to actually think of them when buying snacks.
The only sound in the room was that of the four children munching away.
...
"Hey, Jogo, lend me a light."
Yuto pulled a cigarette from his pack but, after patting his pockets, realized he couldn't find a lighter. Without hesitation, he walked straight over to Jogo, intending to use the cursed spirit's volcanic head as a flame.
This was normal for Yuto. After all, he and Jogo had been old partners in the Yorozuya.
But today, Jogo was not going to give him any face.
Before, he couldn't beat Yuto, so he endured such humiliation. But now, after learning Kidō from Satoshi, things had changed.
I have already mastered Kidō. I am no longer comparable to Yuto, that hopeless student.
With a flicker, molten magma spurted from the top of Jogo's head, instantly turning Yuto's cigarette into ashes.
"Hey, Jogo, you know my cigarettes are expensive, right?" Yuto scowled, annoyed.
He was ready to rough Jogo up a little.
Toji frowned. "If you two want to fight, take it outside."
"That's a must!"
Rubbing his hands eagerly, Yuto prepared to attack Jogo, but Jogo ignored him.
In the blink of an eye, a golden rope of light shot from Jogo's hand, binding Yuto's arms tight. Then, countless golden rods of light materialized, encircling his body and locking him completely in place.
"This is…!"
Yuto's eyes widened in shock, and even Toji raised his brows slightly.
Megumi and young Yuta froze mid-bite, their daifuku forgotten. They rushed toward Jogo, shouting with excitement.
"Uncle Jogo, that was Kidō! Teach us!"
Maki and Mai were equally stunned. They had never seen anything like it before.
Even Yuto's own son looked impressed. Yuto himself could only smile bitterly.
Jogo looked smug, basking in the moment. He was Satoshi's favorite student, after all.
"Jogo, you've actually mastered Bakudō #4: Hainawa?!"
If it hadn't been for the spell's speed, Yuto would never have been caught. He knew Jogo was talented in Kidō, but he never expected him to grow this much in such a short time.
Did Satoshi secretly give Jogo special training again?
If Hainawa was considered a low-level Kidō, then the one binding him now was no ordinary spell.
From today onward, Jogo thought proudly, I am no longer at the bottom of the Yorozuya. Yuto is beneath me now.
"Let me go, Jogo!" Yuto struggled, managing to loosen the ropes a little, but they gave him no room to break free.
He could only glare helplessly.
But Jogo only sneered. "No."
After being bullied for so long, he finally had the upper hand. He wasn't about to let Yuto off easily.
"Hey, Jogo, give me some face!" Yuto gritted his teeth, still straining against the golden bindings.
But Jogo ignored him. He circled Yuto slowly, clearly savoring the moment and considering which Kidō to use next.
Finally, his eyes lit up with mischief.
He pulled Yuto's cigarette box from his pocket, flicked one out, and shoved it into Yuto's mouth.
"Hey, Yuto. You wanted to smoke but couldn't find a lighter, right? No problem."
"You asked me to light your cigarette, so I'll do it for you!"
Jogo raised his hand, beginning a chant.
"Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Inferno and pandemonium, the sea barrier surges, march on to the south!"
Yuto's expression twisted. He recognized the incantation instantly.
This isn't lighting a cigarette. This is setting me on fire!
"Hey, Jogo, you're serious?! You're using Shakkahō on me? There are kids here, damn it!"
His words of protest fell on deaf ears. The crimson orb of Kidō in Jogo's palm only grew brighter, heat filling the room.
The four children stared wide-eyed at the fireball. This was the first time they had seen someone perform a full Kidō incantation up close.
The chant completed, the blazing Shakkahō roared forth, aimed straight at Yuto's head.
Even knowing Jogo wouldn't truly hurt him, Yuto flinched and squeezed his eyes shut.
"Bang—"
The blast rang out, but it vanished instantly.
No one saw how Toji moved. One moment he was sprawled on the sofa, the next he stood between them, palm raised.
The crimson Shakkahō Jogo unleashed was crushed effortlessly in Toji's hand.
(To be continued.)
***
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