Perhaps because of the alcohol, Utata gradually lowered his guard, and the two spoke more freely.
Eichi gave him the impression not of an impatient young man, but of an old friend who understood him.
"I do not have my wife's physique, so I cannot command Byakuei for long periods of time…"
Through Utata's explanation, Eichi finally understood why inheritors of Inugami Byakuei tended to have short lifespans.
The Byakuei Shikigami currently passed down through the Tsuchimiya Family had originally been a Special Grade Cursed Spirit born from the Special Grade cursed tool, sesshoseki.
The first Head of the Tsuchimiya Family, who defeated the Special Grade Cursed Spirit Byakuei, and the first Head of the Isayama Family, who defeated the Special Grade Cursed Spirit Nue, had been close friends.
Together, they researched a method to activate the cursed tools left behind by Nue and Byakuei and use them as Shikigami.
The first Head of the Isayama Family forged the remains of the Special Grade Cursed Spirit Nue into a cursed tool, allowing the user to summon a stable Grade 1 Shikigami Nue to assist in battle.
The Tsuchimiya Family chose a different path.
They embedded the cursed tool directly into the Jujutsu Sorcerer's body and commanded the Shikigami Byakuei through fusion with the cursed tool.
In this state, depending on the sorcerer's physique and strength, Byakuei's power could fluctuate between Grade 2 and Special Grade. In a life or death situation, Byakuei could be fully released to display true Special Grade power. After a certain period, the seal left behind by the first Head would automatically reseal Byakuei back into the sesshoseki.
It was said that four hundred years ago, the Tsuchimiya Family produced a genius capable of releasing Byakuei's power at the Special Grade level.
For a long time after the Six Eyes of the Gojo Family and the Ten Shadows Technique of the Zen'in Family annihilated each other, no Jujutsu Sorcerer with true Special Grade strength appeared.
Because of this, those brothers believed they were strong enough and attempted to expand the Tsuchimiya Family's influence outward.
As a result, they were beaten to death by a young man who heard the news, carried a long staff, and wielded lightning attribute Jujutsu.
From the outcome, both approaches clearly had advantages and drawbacks.
The method of the first Isayama Family Head provided a stable Grade 1 Shikigami, securing the family's lower limit.
The Tsuchimiya method, however, lowered the family's lower limit while greatly raising its upper limit.
At this point, the reason inheritors of Byakuei suffered short lifespans became clear.
They died from the erosion of the sesshoseki.
Although it was unclear what methods the first Tsuchimiya Family Head used to slow this process, to wield Byakuei's power meant enduring the erosion of the Special Grade cursed tool sesshoseki.
Before the cursed tool completely overtook the body, the next inheritance ritual would begin.
"My compatibility with Byakuei is poor, but my wife was different. She possessed a special physique and was the most suitable candidate to inherit Byakuei."
A special physique, like Itadori Yuji or Kurusu Hana?
Kurusu Hana was a Culling Game player, and the Angel within her was a Jujutsu Sorcerer from a thousand years ago.
"Originally, with my wife and me here, Kagura could have lived an ordinary life for at least thirty years. But my wife…"
"That is why I had no choice but to force Kagura to grow up quickly, to become strong enough to inherit Byakuei, and strong enough to protect herself."
Hearing this, Eichi finally understood why Utata had been so strict with Kagura.
This clumsy father was using every method he could think of to accelerate his daughter's growth as much as possible.
Sending her to the Isayama Family was likely for the same reason, so that Yomi and Kagura could support each other in the future.
Thinking of this, Eichi felt a surge of emotion.
Look at these two fathers. Both were doing everything they could to love their children and pave the road ahead for them.
Then look at the incurable trash of the Zen'in Family.
How could the gap between people be so great?
Looking at the slightly drunk Utata, Eichi stayed with this clumsy father, who bore the responsibility of a Family Head while trying to protect his daughter, and chatted with him for a long time.
Only after that did Eichi return to his room, feeling thoroughly intoxicated.
At first, he had not become drunk because he was secretly using Reverse Cursed Technique. Later, however, he stopped suppressing it and accompanied Utata in fully venting the bitterness buried in his heart.
The next day, at Eichi's invitation, Utata arrived at the residence arranged by the Isayama Family.
"Eichi, this is…"
Utata looked at the mature woman who appeared before him.
"Let me introduce her. This is Medea, also a Jujutsu Sorcerer with Special Grade strength."
Upon hearing the words Special Grade strength, Utata was startled.
However, his expression remained unchanged.
"Hello, Ms. Medea."
"Hello, Head of the Tsuchimiya Family. I will now examine your body, so please cooperate."
Medea's words made Utata feel slightly puzzled.
"Medea's healing methods are extremely powerful. Even the treasured healer of Tokyo Jujutsu High cannot compare to her. Perhaps she can resolve the… injury you have."
Seeing Kagura, Izuna Noriyuki, and the others nearby, Eichi chose to use the word injury.
Most inheritors of Byakuei had short lifespans, but the true cause was still speculation rather than confirmed fact. Eichi naturally did not say more.
"Huh? Father is injured?"
Kagura immediately stepped forward, wanting to examine Utata, but her hands stopped in midair, restrained by fear of her strict father.
"It is only a minor injury. There is no need to worry."
Utata's calm tone reassured Kagura considerably.
"Thank you, young friend Eichi."
Utata did not doubt Eichi's words. The heartfelt conversation the night before, which felt like talking with a friend, and Eichi's Special Grade status gave him no reason to distrust him.
Eichi was indeed not lying.
After all, Medea had once studied sorcery under the gods themselves.
Before being struck by Cupid's arrow and falling deeply in love with Jason, Medea had been a pure princess and a priestess of a goddess.
Medea Lily's Noble Phantasm was capable of removing negative effects from everyone on the field while providing powerful healing.
"I always feel like I'm here to relax, while Medea is the one doing all the work…"
Eichi muttered quietly.
Strictly speaking, since arriving in Miyagi, Eichi had only truly worked once.
That was when he met Naraku.
Medea, on the other hand, first acted as his secretary during the visit, then immediately established a magical workshop after securing their residence.
After Eichi and Naraku reached an agreement, she began researching Shishiou, and now she was treating Utata as well.
Such an outstanding subordinate deserved a raise.
No, Medea's salary is paid by Tokyo Jujutsu High, not by me…
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)