9:00 AM.
Hidden Management Department Headquarters.
With Hagoromo Gitsune and Nura Rihan having concluded their discussions and departed, Luo Shu finally relaxed, sinking into the sofa with his right hand propping his cheek in contemplation.
"According to the Encyclopedia's divination results, the Tsuchimikado family possesses ten leaders comparable to Hero Grade, along with a roster of Elite Rank Onmyoji approaching that level."
"Such a force is almost equivalent to one-third of the Onmyou Agency. This doesn't align with my intentions."
In terms of strength, the top-tier fighters of the Hagoromo Group and the Nura Clan—the number and power of their Hero Grade members—were relatively evenly matched.
This was precisely why Abe no Seimei was willing to sacrifice the Hagoromo Group as a decoy to draw fire. To him, even if the Hagoromo Group were completely annihilated, his losses would be minimal. His core strength had always lain with his direct lineage, the Gokadoin Family.
Yet to ensure Nue's successful manifestation in this merged world composed of multiple dimensions, Seimei naturally had to deploy the Gokadoin Family, which had remained hidden for a millennium.
With this move, the combined forces of the Gokadoin Family and the Hagoromo Group would far surpass the Nura Clan's strength.
Even accounting for the Kuromon Family in Kyoto, who guarded the seals and held a generational feud with Hagoromo Gitsune, the disparity in top-tier combat power between the two sides remained significant.
This was why Luo Shu had just signalled Kurumi Tokisaki to capture Abe no Ariyuki.
For him, the opposing faction led by the 'boss' Abe no Seimei could be slightly stronger in this ritual confrontation, but not overwhelmingly so.
Thus, Abe no Ariyuki—whose strength matched Nura Rihan's—became an obstacle.
And obstacles needed to be removed.
Coincidentally, Luo Shu also needed to discipline Hagoromo Gitsune and Nura Rihan to reinforce his deterrence.
Hence, their earlier conversation.
"Still, even with this adjustment, the Gokadoin Family remains too powerful. Losing Abe no Ariyuki won't tip the scales too drastically."
After all, Luo Shu had previously manipulated Gin and Vodka by orchestrating the kidnappings of Chika Fujiwara and Kei Shirogane.
By now, the Bujin-shū should have identified the true culprits as members of the Hagoromo Group.
Under these circumstances, the Hagoromo Group and Gokadoin Family's withdrawal to prepare for Nue's birth was practically an admission of guilt—since they'd inevitably resume collecting raw livers from noblewomen.
Presumably, the Bujin-shū would soon have the heads of the Twelve Akabane Families closely monitor the Hagoromo Group to prevent incidents.
With these factions interfering and Luo Shu deliberately maintaining balance, the power equilibrium between both sides would stabilise at his desired level.
"Making things this convoluted... promotion rituals are such a hassle."
Luo Shu massaged his temples with a sigh, then noticed a shadow pooling on the floor.
Suddenly—
"Boo!"
Watching Kurumi pop up while pulling a face, Luo Shu blinked before remarking drily:
"Kurumi... you don't actually think that's scary, do you?"
If anything, it was somewhat endearing—enough to make him want to kiss her and bite her tongue.
"...Eh? Not even a startled reaction?"
Perched on the sofa armrest beside him, Kurumi pouted in disappointment:
"And I timed my appearance perfectly, too."
Luo Shu couldn't help retorting:
"I've always known your main body was beneath the Hidden Management Department. How could I be startled when I'm aware of that? Unless you popped up in the men's toilet?"
Kurumi gasped theatrically, covering her mouth with both hands:
"My my, is Shu-kun hinting I should spy on you in the restroom?"
"Who would hint at something like that?" Luo Shu's lips twitched involuntarily.
Hearing this, Kurumi Tokisaki gave a sly smile and said in a seductive tone:
"Honestly, Shu-kun, you could at least play along."
"If you'd just said yes, I could have openly walked into the shower with you."
At these words, Luo Shu felt a shameful stirring in his heart. He glanced at the beaming Kurumi Tokisaki and forcibly redirected his attention:
"...Did you bring your true self out because Abe no Ariyuki discovered something?"
"Is now really the time to talk about another man?" Kurumi Tokisaki slowly leaned closer, resting her head on Luo Shu's shoulder.
Hearing this, Luo Shu immediately reached out towards Kurumi Tokisaki, ready to discipline this little temptress.
Yet the moment he raised his hand, the weight beside him vanished. Turning his head, he saw the twin-tailed minx now sitting primly on the sofa to his side.
"How cruel, Shu-kun. We haven't even been on a single date, yet you already want to do such shameless things."
Hearing Kurumi Tokisaki's teasing words delivered with a smile, Luo Shu's face twitched again. Still, he wasn't surprised by her evasion—after all, he'd only been testing the waters:
"Then let's take this opportunity to go on a date in Kyoto."
"Just the two of us?" Kurumi Tokisaki's eyes seemed to curve into crescents.
"Just the two of us." Luo Shu emphasised the words.
For something that would inevitably involve combat, Luo Shu naturally couldn't bring along any Familia members other than Sharon and Senhime Rin Getsu.
On one hand, the other Familia members—including Kisara and Suzuka Dairenji—hadn't undergone any combat training, with most lacking much experience in life-or-death battles.
On the other hand, Luo Shu needed to keep some personnel in Tokyo as a precaution against unexpected incidents.
After all, by expending points from the Divine Pantheon Reconstruction System, he could rapidly open spatial passages and perform instantaneous jumps.
This ability could be used not only with pre-set coordinates but also by using Familia members as anchors.
Even if Luo Shu's plans in Kyoto were thwarted, he could still spend points to quickly return to Tokyo, using his Familia as coordinates, and wait for another opportunity.
In a way, having weaker Familia members serve as teleportation beacons was far more important than sending them to the front lines.
"Since you've invited me so earnestly, I suppose I can reluctantly agree just this once."
Kurumi Tokisaki said something she found amusing, then handed Luo Shu a light brown book.
"What's this?" Luo Shu glanced at Kurumi.
"Something I found on Abe no Ariyuki. As for the man himself, he's currently detained in the Hidden Management Zone."
She added playfully:
"The kind where I knock him out at regular intervals."
Hearing this, Luo Shu focused his gaze on the light brown book in front of him.
Seeing the words "Chō-Senjiryakketsu" on the cover, he fell into deep thought.
To think something written by Hao Asakura could be found on Abe no Ariyuki...
Which raised the question.
Who was truly behind the Gokadoin Family—Nue or Hao Asakura?