Early the next morning, Jinsuke Zenin was shirtless in the yard, training.
Even though the body granted by his Heavenly Restriction was already absurdly strong, he kept up a strict daily regimen.
According to the ancient manual he'd found overseas, cultivating Qi and Blood Power was simple—at least in theory.
First, you needed a body with no trace of Cursed Energy and enough physical strength to withstand strain. Then, you trained like a lunatic—pushed yourself to absolute exhaustion. When your body hit that point, traces of Qi and Blood Power would naturally emerge.
With the enhanced perception granted by Heavenly Restriction, you guided that faint power into your body's energy nodes to nourish them. If you didn't, the energy would vanish in minutes.
Simple method. Brutal execution.
After all, how the hell was he supposed to reach complete exhaustion when his Heavenly Restriction constantly restored his stamina faster than he could burn it?
That was why, after all these years, he'd only managed to open three energy nodes.
"Huuh—huuh—huuh—"
In the courtyard, Jinsuke moved like a machine. His push-ups were so fast his body blurred, slamming up and down like a human pile driver. The air boomed with every motion—any rich lady passing by would've gone weak in the knees.
That was his entire training method: burn through energy faster than his recovery could keep up.
When he was abroad, he used weighted gear to push himself past his limit. But he'd just returned to Japan and hadn't had time to prepare equipment yet.
"Grrrgle…"
Over by the wall separating his small yard from the Zenin estate, a small figure peeked out from behind a tree. A little girl, peering curiously at the man who looked more like a monster than human.
The shockwaves from his training made it hard for her to keep her eyes open; she had to cover her face with both hands, watching him through her fingers.
Half an hour later, Jinsuke finally felt the familiar tug of fatigue. His body was drenched in sweat, blood pumping hot as threads of heat began to coil beneath his skin.
He focused, guiding that heat into his energy nodes. The faint warmth settled inside, feeding the Qi and Blood Power.
"Phew…"
He exhaled, the breath steaming in the cool morning air. His strength was already recovering—like an unstoppable engine that never shut off.
People said the body granted by Heavenly Restriction could be reached by any strong sorcerer. He'd love to meet whoever came up with that nonsense.
They had no idea.
Even Toji hadn't fully tapped into his Heavenly Restriction yet.
"Hey, kid," Jinsuke called out suddenly, not even turning. "Why're you hiding behind the tree?"
He'd noticed her the moment she arrived.
Startled, the girl stepped out from behind the trunk—Maki Zenin. She tilted her chin up, wide eyes staring at him like he was some kind of beast.
"I was just passing by," she said quickly.
Yeah, right. Nobody "passed by" this place. Everyone in the Zenin Clan knew this yard belonged to him. The only reason it hadn't been torn down was out of respect for Naobito.
Still, Jinsuke could guess why she was here. Maki wasn't exactly popular among the clan. Being a near Cursed Energy zero meant constant bullying from the older kids.
No wonder she wandered here. The outcasts always recognized each other.
He crouched down and clamped a broad hand around her shoulder, testing her frame.
"Hmm. Not completely useless, at least."
He could feel it—her bones were tougher than a normal child's. Her Cursed Energy was faint, barely there, but her body had adapted to compensate. A diluted form of Heavenly Restriction, maybe.
"You can't come here anymore," he said, squeezing her cheek before standing. "Someone lives here now."
Maki touched her face, the skin pink where his fingers had pressed. She watched his back as he walked away, silent for a long time before running off.
She was going to find out why the clan feared that man.
After a quick shower, Jinsuke tracked down Toji and practically dragged him along.
"Move it, unless you want me to beat your ass again."
"Stop pulling, I know where we're going," Toji snapped, looking annoyed—but underneath that, there was tension.
He'd planned on leaving the kids in the Zenin Clan's care. But now… that didn't sit right.
Jinsuke ignored him completely. He spent his last bit of cash on fruit and milk. The kids were still growing—they needed real food, not instant junk.
After winding through a narrow alley, they climbed a small flight of stairs and stopped in front of an old apartment door.
"This the place?"
Toji nodded stiffly.
Jinsuke stepped up and knocked.
Clack.
The door cracked open. A boy with messy black hair glared up at them, eyes wary.
"Who are you?"
Jinsuke's mouth twitched. He turned and gave Toji a sidelong glance.
Really? His own son didn't even recognize him? That was… something.
"It's me," Toji said flatly, staring down at the boy.
Megumi frowned, scrutinizing him.
"Megumi, who's at the door?"
A bright voice floated from inside. Moments later, a girl a few years older stepped out—Tsumiki, still wearing her cooking apron.
She blinked in surprise. "Dad? You're back?"
Tsumiki froze. Her stepfather? The guy who'd run off with her mom years ago? What was he doing here? Don't tell her he'd come crawling back for money.
"Hello," Jinsuke said warmly, holding out the fruit and milk. "I'm your dad's older brother. You can call me Uncle."
"Uncle?" Tsumiki repeated, blinking.
"Yes, sir. Um... may I ask why you're here?" she said politely, stepping aside to let them in.
"Megumi, get them some water," she added.
"Oh."
Megumi obeyed but kept a sharp eye on both men. He didn't trust this "dad" of his not to cause trouble—like taking him away from his sister.
Jinsuke took a sip and smiled. "Relax, both of you. From today on, your old man's moving back in. Whatever you need, ask him. No money? He'll get it. No food? Make him cook. And if he dares say no—" Jinsuke smirked at Toji. "Come find me. I'll straighten him out."
"Eh?"
Megumi and Tsumiki just stared, completely lost.
"Oi, who said you get to decide that?!" Toji growled.
"Me," Jinsuke said coolly. "I'm your big brother. Problem?"
He stood, towering over Toji with that easygoing smile that somehow made it worse. "That's final. And if anything happens to my nephew or niece, I'll beat your ass into the pavement."
He kicked Toji lightly toward the kitchen. "Now stop spacing out and cook."
"...Tch."
Toji scowled, but he went. Something in his brother's tone made refusal… unwise.
It was just like when they were kids.
"Remember, Toji," Jinsuke had said back then, looming over him. "If your brother tells you to do something, don't say no."
"Why not?"
"Because I'm the older brother," Jinsuke had said, cracking his knuckles with a grin. "And if you refuse.."
He'd raised his fist.
"..you get hit."