Deep into the night at the Tsuchimiya Family residence.
Several days of peace had caused the Tsuchimiya Family to relax their guard slightly.
However, beneath calm waters, hidden currents often lurked.
Inside a quiet and empty restroom, inconspicuous cocoons in several corners began to twitch.
They broke apart, transforming into butterflies.
Unnoticed by anyone, several dark blue butterflies quietly flew out of the restroom.
They traveled deep into the Tsuchimiya Family grounds, hovering near several buildings in the rear courtyard.
After dozens of minutes, two butterflies landed beside an unremarkable warehouse.
Through the window, two figures could be faintly seen still on duty inside.
"Finally found it, the Tsuchimiya Family's second sesshoseki."
A pleased expression appeared on Sanzu Kawa's face.
It was not only the Isayama Family that wished to recreate the glory of their ancestors and forge a second Shishiou.
The Tsuchimiya Family also hoped to obtain a second Inugami Byakuei.
Unfortunately, neither family succeeded.
Afterward, the Tsuchimiya Family sealed the second sesshoseki they obtained inside the Kiko.
The two butterflies folded their wings and crawled through the ventilation duct using their three pairs of legs.
The remaining butterflies flew toward the nearest barrier in the area.
They gently landed on the barrier, and the pale blue cursed energy released from their legs slowly eroded it.
The cursed energy contained in a single butterfly was extremely limited, so even after these specially cultivated butterflies exhausted all their power, they only managed to open a hole slightly over half a meter wide in the Tsuchimiya Family barrier.
But that was enough.
Sanzu Kawa's build was not large, and he easily slipped through the opening and entered the Tsuchimiya Family grounds.
Inside the Kiko, the two butterflies had already silently approached the guards.
Their wings fluttered lightly as pale blue scales drifted into the air.
By the time Sanzu Kawa arrived, both guards were already in deep sleep.
"Finally got it. That little cat is still quite useful, isn't she?"
Sanzu Kawa looked at the sesshoseki in his hand with satisfaction.
'Should we continue inward and take the sesshoseki from Tsuchimiya Utata as well?'
Tamamo no Mae did not deny his words. Isayama Mei had indeed proven her value.
"No need."
Sanzu Kawa's response surprised her.
"The old man of the Tsuchimiya Family is not asleep yet, and the closer we get to the main residence, the harder infiltration becomes. Rather than wasting time sneaking around, it is better to attack directly."
His face was filled with confidence.
'Are you not afraid someone will come to support him?'
Tamamo no Mae was somewhat surprised. In the past, Sanzu Kawa had always preferred acting from the shadows.
She had not expected him to choose a frontal assault this time.
"The Isayama Family is already tied down, and that troublesome Special Grade returned to Tokyo Jujutsu High a few hours ago. There is nothing to worry about."
After speaking, Sanzu Kawa headed toward the main residence where Utata was staying.
"As long as we kill the old man of the Tsuchimiya Family and retrieve the sesshoseki from the little cat, we will have eight sesshoseki. We already know where the last one is, don't we?"
"Our wish is almost within reach."
A trace of nostalgia passed through Sanzu Kawa's eyes.
He thought of his parents, who had died in an accident.
It was because Tamamo no Mae promised that once all nine sesshoseki were gathered, she would help resurrect his parents, that he had spent years traveling everywhere to search for them.
He had even used the sesshoseki's ability to attract Cursed Spirits, similar to Sukuna's fingers, to repeatedly trigger disasters.
Time rewound slightly.
Isayama Family territory.
Unlike the Tsuchimiya Family, which maintained a certain level of vigilance, the Isayama Family, having never suffered an attack, was far more relaxed.
Moreover, Mei had lived there for over a decade and was thoroughly familiar with the layout.
She easily avoided the drowsy servants and arrived at Naraku's room.
"It is Mei. Do you need something so late?"
Naraku had been worrying about the progress of Yomi's date with Izuna Noriyuki.
When he saw Mei, he immediately put on a serious expression.
As the Head of the Isayama Family for more than ten years, he had seen many people driven by ambition for power.
Mei's small schemes had never escaped his eyes.
Thus, when facing her, he maintained the demeanor of a strict elder.
"There is indeed something very important, Uncle Naraku."
Mei lowered her head, her voice trembling slightly.
"What is it?"
Naraku frowned. She felt different from usual tonight.
"Uncle Naraku, have you truly decided to pass the position of Head of the Isayama Family to Isayama Yomi? To that bastard who does not have even a single drop of Isayama Family blood."
Mei lifted her head, her gaze cold as it locked onto him.
"Shut up."
Hearing her dare to insult Yomi in front of him, anger surged through Naraku.
"Yomi's achievements are clear to every member of the Isayama Family. Only her succession can preserve the family's standing. Put away your petty thoughts, Isayama Mei."
Naraku scolded sharply.
"Is that so. Yes."
Mei's lips curved into a cruel smile as a frenzied killing intent burst from her body.
On her chest, the cocoon sealing the sesshoseki was burned away by its cursed energy, awakening the sesshoseki within her body.
As the cocoon burned, the surrounding air distorted for an instant.
In the next moment, Mei lunged straight at Naraku.
Naraku's heart clenched.
"Come. Urgh."
He raised his staff to block, but the distance was too short. Mei was already in front of him.
One hand seized the staff, while the other clamped onto his mouth.
With brutal force, she dislocated his jaw.
Naraku immediately tried to gather cursed energy to force her back, but Mei moved first, thrusting her hand into his abdomen.
The cursed energy he had just gathered instantly dissipated.
Mei slammed him down onto the floor.
A wad of cloth was stuffed into his mouth.
"The night is still long. Let us enjoy it slowly, Uncle Naraku."
Her expression was utterly deranged.
Naraku struggled, but his limbs were quickly broken.
'This cursed energy. It feels so familiar.'
Even severely injured, he refused to give up.
In his youth, to gain the family's recognition, he had survived countless battles on the brink of death. He would not surrender his will to live so easily.
'It is the sesshoseki.'
Naraku finally realized why the cursed energy from Mei felt familiar.
It was the same as the sesshoseki held by his friend Utata.
At the same time, elsewhere, Medea suddenly raised her head.
She was in the middle of crafting a cursed tool for Utata, one meant to suppress the erosion of the sesshoseki on his body.
Through the perception of her familiar, she sensed that something strange had just occurred at the Isayama Family main residence.
(To be continued.)
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