Sanzu Kawa came from a not-so-famous jujutsu sorcerer family.
His parents were obsessed with researching Cursed Objects and often traveled together as a family to study them.
Until one day, Sanzu Kawa's parents obtained a Special Grade Cursed Object, the sesshoseki, in a foreign country.
At first, they were ecstatic, but they ultimately underestimated the weight carried by the words Special Grade.
Their research activated Tamamo-no-Mae, who lay dormant within the sesshoseki.
In the end, the Sanzu Kawa family perished in the disaster caused by the sesshoseki.
Only Sanzu Kawa himself survived, due to Tamamo-no-Mae's ulterior motives.
"We are no match for a Special Grade," Sanzu Kawa said calmly toward the sudden female voice.
A gust of wind swept through, lifting Sanzu Kawa's white hair and revealing his crimson left eye.
Embedded in that eye was a sesshoseki.
Sanzu Kawa had deliberately kept the hair on the left side long to conceal this abnormal eye.
'An interesting person has arrived.'
Tamamo-no-Mae's voice was filled with delight, as if she had spotted something amusing.
"Who is it?"
'The little girl from the Isayama family. I sense a strong resentment within her.'
"So we can use her, can't we?"
Around Sanzu Kawa, dozens of butterflies with faintly glowing blue wings fluttered toward Isayama Mei.
This was Sanzu Kawa's technique, Spirit Butterfly Manipulation.
He could control butterflies and also cultivate blue Shikigami butterflies using cursed energy.
Butterflies under direct control could only perform simple reconnaissance, while Shikigami butterflies cultivated with cursed energy could absorb cursed energy for attacks, illusions, and parasitism.
On the other side, Mei, as a jujutsu sorcerer, had also received a mission to exorcise Cursed Spirits.
Her naginata danced ceaselessly in her hands as one Grade 3 Cursed Spirit after another was cleanly cut down.
Her movements were sharp and precise. Though not on the level of Yomi, it was clear she had trained diligently.
"What do you think?" Sanzu Kawa asked softly.
He had already approached Mei without a sound and was watching her from nearby.
'The emotions within her cursed energy feel nostalgic. Unwillingness, resentment, and a thirst for power.'
Tamamo-no-Mae had seen countless people like this in her long existence.
"I see," Sanzu Kawa replied.
He recalled the information he had gathered about the white-haired girl before him.
"She looks like she will make a good pawn."
In a dark alley, Mei cut down another Cursed Spirit, when she suddenly sensed something behind her.
She swung her blade backward.
Missed?
There was no resistance at all. Mei immediately retreated and assumed a defensive stance.
In front of her, a faint blue figure slowly dispersed.
Hundreds of blue butterflies filled the air around her.
"You coward hiding in the shadows, show yourself now," Mei shouted.
"If I come out, what will you do?" A frivolous voice echoed from all directions.
"Naturally, I will eliminate filth like you," Mei replied coldly, scanning her surroundings.
"Interesting."
This time, the voice came from a single direction and carried a hint of contempt.
Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh.
Dozens of butterflies transformed into needle-like projectiles and shot toward Mei.
She swung her naginata, blocking several, then leapt back to escape the attack range.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Under Mei's vigilant gaze, a white-haired young man appeared before her.
White hair. Butterflies and needles as weapons. Is he the curse user who attacked Tsuchimiya-sama three years ago?
A sense of dread rose in Mei's heart.
This was not an opponent she could defeat.
Find a chance to retreat.
"Were the recent surge of Cursed Spirit incidents caused by you?" Mei shouted.
"Control is not quite the right word," Sanzu Kawa replied casually. "I just leaked a bit of cursed energy. They swarmed over like sharks smelling blood."
Compared to Mei's tension, his demeanor was almost relaxed.
That very carelessness was what Mei was counting on.
"No more talk. Die, curse user."
Mei charged forward and swung her naginata.
"You really never learn."
Sanzu Kawa did not move. The naginata passed straight through his body, yet no blood spilled.
His form glowed faint blue and dispersed into countless butterflies.
To Sanzu Kawa's surprise, Mei neither stopped nor pursued.
Instead, she continued moving and fled into the distance.
"Interesting. It seems you really will become a useful pawn."
Hundreds of blue butterflies once more transformed into flying needles.
Sensing danger behind her, Mei spun around instantly, whirling her naginata like a windmill with both hands.
Clang. Clang. Clang.
Thud. Thud.
She blocked most of the needles, but several still pierced her body.
This is bad.
She felt cursed energy surge behind her.
Gritting her teeth, Mei abandoned defense against the remaining needles and thrust her naginata backward.
Thump.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
The blade pierced Sanzu Kawa's body, while several needles struck Mei's back.
I hit him?
The sensation told her she had indeed landed a blow.
Without hesitation, Mei tried to press the attack.
But Sanzu Kawa, as if unaffected, walked forward with the naginata still lodged in his body.
Whoosh. Whoosh.
He drove two needles into Mei's hands, then two more fell from above, pinning her feet to the ground.
"Ah, you…"
Countless butterflies settled onto Mei's body, wrapping her slowly into a cocoon.
Beneath Sanzu Kawa's white hair, the sesshoseki in his eye emitted a blood-red glow.
"That is… the sesshoseki?" Mei stared at his left eye in shock.
"Eh, your inner world is truly rich," Sanzu Kawa said with interest.
It was far more complex than he had expected.
"Jealousy, anger, hatred, disgust, ambition, and plunder."
As he peeled back everything within her, Sanzu Kawa reached out and pulled the naginata from his body.
"Why? How do you know?" Mei asked in terror.
"Is that strange?" Sanzu Kawa plunged the naginata into her chest.
"This stone is like a flower that attracts butterflies. It draws in those with evil in their hearts."
Bathed in the light of the sesshoseki, Mei lost consciousness.
Watching her collapse, Sanzu Kawa took another sesshoseki from his pocket.
'Are you certain you want to use a sesshoseki on this little girl?' Tamamo-no-Mae's voice echoed in his mind.
"Her identity and ambition make it worth the gamble. If used properly, we might destroy both the Isayama family and the Tsuchimiya family in one move, don't you think?"
'Indeed.'
"You will need to work hard and dig out every last bit of negative emotion she suppresses."
'Do not worry. That is what I excel at.'
(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.)