After weighing the pros and cons, Kamo Itsuki made his decision. He would reveal his awakening of Blood Manipulation. Though it came with risks, the benefits far outweighed any danger. Hiding such a vital talent would only slow his growth.
As expected, the moment Kamo Masaki—the current head of the Kamo Clan—learned that a three-year-old child had awakened the clan's inherited Cursed Technique, he immediately announced Itsuki as the new Divine Child of the Kamo Clan. All records, manuals, scrolls, and internal knowledge relating to Blood Manipulation were made fully accessible to him without restriction.
More importantly, Kamo Masaki personally took charge of his training, setting aside the concerns one might normally have about instructing someone so young. The existence of the Gojo Clan's Six Eyes Divine Child created pressure that was impossible to ignore; Kamo Masaki could not afford to waste a single day.
Itsuki felt that pressure as well—but for an entirely different reason. His worries were not about clan prestige or political standing. With his current level of strength, even a mid-level Cursed Spirit could end his life. And beyond that, Kenjaku was somewhere out there, unseen, plotting a future catastrophe.
He needed to grow stronger. Fast.
Whether it was theoretical study, technique analysis, or practical combat drills, he absorbed everything like a sponge. His progress left even veteran sorcerers astonished.
Three years passed in the blink of an eye.
Kamo Itsuki had grown from a small, delicate child into a lively, sharp-eyed boy. His posture was firm, his presence steady, and even without trying, he carried the aura of someone destined for greatness.
Inside the Kamo Clan's dojo, sunlight filtered through the windows, scattering warm, flickering patterns across the polished floor. The interplay of shadow and light turned the training hall into a scene both serene and intense.
At the center of the arena, two figures—one tall, one small—moved swiftly, locked in a heated sparring match.
The taller figure was Kamo Masaki, the clan head. Strong, composed, and radiating authority, he carried himself with a quiet confidence. His black hair swayed slightly with his movements, his expression calm and unreadable.
Facing him was Kamo Itsuki. Though still young, he was agile, sharp, and decisive. Every motion he made carried a matured precision that belied his age. His eyes burned with unwavering resolve.
Their battle was fast-paced and fierce. Each exchange of blows stirred ripples through the air; each movement was clean, crisp, and purposeful. To an outsider, it might have looked like a duel fueled by deep-seated hatred, rather than a training session between teacher and student.
After dozens of rounds, both fighters unleashed a final burst of strength, clashing with a resounding impact. Air waves rippled outward, shaking the dojo. Then, as if synchronized, they leaped apart and settled into stances.
Kamo Masaki stood with only a light sheen of sweat on his forehead. His black training uniform remained neat and immaculate, as though the intense match had barely touched him. His eyes, however, held a quiet gleam of admiration.
Itsuki's breathing was slightly uneven, but he quickly steadied himself. Determination flared in his gaze. His posture practically said, "Again."
Masaki laughed warmly.
"You truly impress me."
His tone carried genuine approval.
"In terms of physical combat, Itsuki, you're already on par with some of the elders. Your growth is extraordinary."
A gentle wind passed through the open windows, rustling the leaves outside—almost as if nature itself was celebrating the young boy's progress.
"How has your Blood Manipulation training been?" Masaki asked, his voice more serious. For the Kamo Clan, that technique was everything.
Itsuki smiled, revealing two small canine teeth that gave him an unexpectedly cute expression.
"I've worn out all the clan's records on Blood Manipulation," he said. "I've mastered the basics. No major issues."
Masaki burst into hearty laughter.
"So you've been putting in just as much effort there as well!"
But then his expression gentled.
"Still… you're young. Overusing your vitality and blood is harmful for your growth. Push hard, but don't push beyond your limits."
During regular training, Kamo Masaki spoke with the steady authority of a clan head preparing the next heir.
"During normal training, you should focus primarily on physical combat. That foundation will determine your future growth."
Kamo Itsuki nodded obediently. "Yes, Clan Head. I'll keep that in mind."
Masaki patted his shoulder, his expression serious.
"Blood Manipulation allows you to command your own blood in battle, but it has a critical weakness—the technique consumes your blood. One careless moment can lead to dangerous loss."
His tone sharpened as he gave another reminder.
"You must be extremely cautious during training. Don't exhaust your vitality just to push Blood Manipulation. In battle as well, rely on physical combat. Use Blood Manipulation only when necessary, when the unexpected will tip the fight."
Itsuki listened closely, nodding at each point.
"The improvement of a Cursed Technique requires practice," Masaki continued.
"Most sorcerers are limited by the amount of Cursed Energy they possess, which restricts how much they can train."
He paused, then added, "But the Kamo Clan faces an additional limitation—your blood volume."
Masaki sighed softly.
"That's why I'll focus your training on physical combat and real combat experience."
Itsuki nodded again, fully understanding.
"Still," Masaki said with a small smile, "there's no need to worry. I may not use Blood Manipulation myself, but our records are detailed. Study them carefully, and you'll grasp the technique's true essence."
Since childhood, Kamo Itsuki had been sharp, hardworking, and quick to learn. He rarely required much guidance. Yet that presented another issue.
Masaki had begun to realize that soon, he would have nothing left to teach him.
Even their sparring sessions had become more demanding—pressures that made Masaki sigh as he felt the younger generation rising to surpass him.
What he didn't know was that Itsuki's Blood Manipulation differed fundamentally from the clan's traditional technique.
Itsuki's Blood Manipulation did not consume his own blood at all.
Instead, he infused the Cursed Energy he extracted from accumulated negative emotions into his innate technique. That energy transformed into blood, which he could manipulate freely.
To him, this was the true Blood Manipulation.
The clan's scrolls emphasized controlling one's own blood because blood naturally carried Cursed Energy. The true core had always been the energy—not the blood itself.
But he never revealed this to Masaki.
Since his technique differed so drastically from tradition, he believed it was better to avoid unnecessary complications.
With this approach, Itsuki developed both Blood Manipulation and physical combat simultaneously, unhindered by the limits of his own blood supply. His rapid progress shocked the entire clan.
In theory, the only thing that should have restricted his training was the total amount of Cursed Energy he possessed.
But a recent accident shattered that limit as well.
Normally, every session allowed him to convert only an amount of Cursed Energy roughly equal to the blood volume of his entire body.
But one day, so deeply immersed in training that he lost track of everything, he pushed until his Cursed Energy was nearly depleted. Only a faint trace remained before exhaustion finally overtook him and he collapsed into sleep.
The next morning, the first ray of sunlight filtered through the window and warmed his face. Kamo Itsuki blinked awake, rubbing his tired eyes. After stretching lightly, he resumed training.
This time, however, he froze mid-practice.
The amount of blood he had inadvertently consumed during the technique had reached twice the previous limit.