"Uncle, if you don't leave soon, I'm going to get angry!"
"Tu! He bullied Mom—let's beat him up together, okay? If he's a bad guy, even if we fight him, brother won't be mad, right?"
A childish voice rang from behind Tenjōin Masami, and Kamishiro Isshin immediately froze, recalling the last time he'd felt completely overpowered just a few days ago. His bravado evaporated in an instant. "I'll come back another day…" he stammered, and without another glance, he turned and ran.
Isshin had already learned of Yuto's younger sister, Tenjōin Ryuki, during his previous visit. At first, he hadn't thought much of the little girl. But his professional instincts—and his curiosity about Yuto's extraordinary talent—had compelled him to investigate what Ryuki was capable of.
Activating his Spiritual Vision, Isshin's eyes widened in disbelief. Unlike Yuto, Ryuki couldn't conceal her demonic power at all. It radiated from her without restraint, and through his Spiritual Vision, Isshin felt as if he were staring at a full-fledged demon.
The sheer intensity of her aura was staggering. Even seasoned Demon Hunters would have recoiled. Isshin's mind raced. "This… this is impossible for a child of her age…"
At first, he assumed she was a demon. But then, remembering the history of the Tenjōin family, a grim understanding settled in. Over a decade ago, the clan had been wiped out by an unknown, overwhelmingly powerful demon—a force they had presumably contained for generations. Masami had survived alone, the last of her line. Perhaps, Isshin realized, it wasn't entirely unexpected that her children might carry traces of that same formidable blood.
Still, what he saw through his Spiritual Vision defied comprehension. While Ryuki had a human body, her latent demonic power far surpassed anything Isshin had ever faced. If she learned to control it, he thought, she might eclipse even Yuto in strength.
And Ryuki was barely an elementary school student.
His astonishment was interrupted when the little girl, believing he was bullying her mother, swung her tiny fist and struck him.
Good heavens. Kamishiro Isshin, a high-ranking member of the Unnatural Countermeasures Team, was now sprawled on the floor, two days in the hospital already guaranteed, thanks to a punch from a child.
He shook his head in disbelief. "I miscalculated… I forgot it was the weekend, so the little girl would be home. But… this family's bloodline—both Yuto and Ryuki possess talents beyond comprehension. Even before the Tenjōin family fell, they weren't considered anything special. And now…"
Isshin's mind raced as he walked with his head lowered, marveling at the siblings' terrifying potential. If Ryuki weren't so young, he might have even considered recruiting her into the Unnatural Countermeasures Team.
"Mr. Kamishiro, this isn't what we agreed on before," Yuto's voice cut through, and Isshin started, suddenly aware of the younger man beside him. "Judging by your expression, it seems you've set your sights not just on me, but also on my sister."
Isshin quickly raised his hands in defense. "Don't misunderstand! Even if the Unnatural Countermeasures Team is understaffed, they would never send a child as young as your sister to face dangerous monsters. I came here only because I couldn't reach you otherwise, and I hoped a personal visit would show my sincerity."
Yuto's eyes narrowed. "Mr. Kamishiro, as I've said before, for the safety of my family, I'm not considering joining your team. I won't repeat myself."
Despite his dramatic growth in strength from his time in the Demon Slayer world, Yuto understood one thing clearly: plunging headfirst into the enemy's stronghold without understanding the full scope of this world would be reckless.
Isshin, undeterred, smiled. "Don't worry. The higher-ups have already approved your enrollment. Join the Unnatural Countermeasures Team, and we'll settle your family safely near the massive Tsuchimiya Shrine in Tokyo. Your family will be protected."
Yuto's skepticism didn't waver. He had learned to value caution. "I see… so all my worries about their safety are supposedly solved?"
Isshin nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly. And there's more. Having subdued your subordinates and honed your strength, your ambitions are growing again. Not only are youkai being targeted, but your demonic claws are reaching into the human world…
"Join the Unnatural Countermeasures Team. Gain recognition within a month, become the ace of Team Eight. Reward: 500 Human Reputation Points, 100 Youkai Reputation Points."
Yuto raised his hands, shrugging in his usual, nonchalant manner:
╮(￣▽￣"")╭