Thanks to the Nurarihyon bloodline, Ren Kuroda, despite not having awakened his powers many times, possessed an abnormally high starting point.
As a second-generation yokai hybrid, even without extensive training, his demonic power already surpassed that of most demons from the very beginning.
At present, however, Ren's demonic power was roughly on par with Aotabō's, hovering around B-rank.
At this level, using Fear to influence opponents who were weaker—or even roughly equal in strength—posed no real problem.
But trying to affect Tenjōin Yūto?
This level of power was clearly insufficient.
"You claim your demonic power far surpasses our young master's," Aotabō said coldly."I think it's far more likely that you possess some racial ability that lets you sense his location."
"As for this supposed demonic power of yours…""I'm sorry—but I can't sense any at all."
Seeing Ren visibly dejected after his defeat, Aotabō showed no intention of giving Yūto the benefit of the doubt.
Everyone present had seen how quickly the battle had ended.
From Aotabō's perspective, the reason for Ren's loss was simple.
Ren hadn't anticipated that his Fear would be seen through—and had been caught completely off guard.
Moreover, although the fight had been brief, Aotabō had clearly observed that Yūto had barely released any demonic power from start to finish.
Claiming that his demonic power vastly surpassed Ren's?
That sounded far more like bluffing than truth.
At best, Yūto was probably a strength-type yokai—similar to himself.
As for possessing overwhelming demonic power?
Nonsense.
Aotabō might not have been among the oldest veterans of the Nura lineage, but he had once marched in the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons under the second-generation leader.
He had seen his fair share of yokai—and personally sent nearly a thousand to their deaths.
In his judgment, while Ren's power didn't yet rival that of Nura Rihan, it was at least on par with the executives of the Nura Clan.
And those executives were monsters among monsters.
To rise above tens of thousands of yokai and earn that rank was proof enough of terrifying strength.
Aotabō could accept that Yūto might be slightly stronger than Ren.
But to claim that his power so thoroughly eclipsed Ren's that even Nurarihyon's Fear was useless?
That, Aotabō absolutely refused to believe.
"You can't sense my demonic power?" Yūto replied calmly."That's not my problem."
"It just means you're too weak."
"But since you've already come this far…""If I don't prove it to you today, you'll probably remain dissatisfied."
Those words nearly sent Aotabō into a rage—
But before he could move, a crushing pressure slammed down on him.
In the next instant, Tenjōin Yūto deactivated his Demonic Aura Concealment.
A violent surge of purple demonic power erupted from his body.
The air grew heavy—oppressive.
A towering pillar of demonic energy shot skyward as the ground trembled violently beneath their feet.
Cracks spread across the surrounding walls.
The once-quiet old school building was swallowed by a raging storm of demonic power.
In that instant, Yūto's B+ level demonic power, bordering on A-rank, was laid bare.
The pressure alone was enough to crush the weak.
Several D-rank yokai surrounding them collapsed to the ground instantly, unable to withstand the overwhelming force.
Aotabō and Ren were naturally far stronger than those minor demons.
Even so—
At this close range, feeling Yūto's demonic power directly, cold sweat broke out across their foreheads.
"Now you understand," Yūto said evenly."Nurarihyon's Fear is impressive."
"But my demonic power is enough to tear straight through it."
"Your bloodline may grant you talent," he continued, looking at Ren."But in the face of absolute power…"
"Everything else is just decoration."
Yūto allowed his demonic power to continue rising—until he sensed that even the sturdier yokai nearby were nearing their limits.
Only then did he reactivate Demonic Aura Concealment, forcibly suppressing everything.
The shaking stopped.
The storm dissipated.
The surrounding yokai panted heavily, as if they had just survived a life-or-death battle.
And the one responsible?
He stood there calmly—no different from an ordinary man, as though none of it had anything to do with him.
Every time Yūto released his demonic power now, he deliberately paired it with the Pressure skill.
It didn't just intimidate his enemies—it magnified his presence to terrifying levels.
Though he had only revealed B+ demonic power, the enhancement made it feel as though an A-rank Great Demon stood before them.
"Well?" Yūto said lightly."Does that prove I wasn't just boasting?"
"Oh—and here's something interesting."
"I'm a half-demon too. Just like your young master."
"And right now…""I'm still in my human form."
The moment those words landed—
Aotabō felt his face burn.
Ren Kuroda wasn't faring much better.
They both understood exactly what that meant.
Half-demons were fundamentally different from pure yokai.
They carried both human and demonic blood.
Which meant they possessed two states—
A human state.
And a true yokai form.
Under normal circumstances, a half-demon's yokai form completely overwhelmed their human one—just as Ren was experiencing now.
Yūto's previously displayed power had already shocked them.
But learning that this was merely his human form?
That revelation left them utterly stunned.
If his demonic power was already this terrifying now—
What would happen if he transformed?
Wouldn't that mean they wouldn't stand a chance even if given extra limbs?
In his normal state, Yūto's demonic power hovered at B+.
If he activated Half-Demon Transformation, it would undoubtedly break into A-rank territory.
And unlike demons who relied solely on racial abilities—
Yūto was an anomaly.
With Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain, combined with Demon Breathing,the newly acquired Supernatural Strength,the foundational skill Advanced Swordsmanship,his C-rank spiritual power as a human,and even his clumsy but functional Onmyōji techniques—
Yūto's actual combat strength far exceeded what his demonic power level suggested.
Just like Kuga Yamato, whose spiritual power was only C+ yet still defeated a B-rank Futakuchi-onna,Yūto could fight far beyond his rank.
And not just one level higher.
With his arsenal, defeating opponents two or even three ranks above him was entirely possible.
Before acquiring Supernatural Strength, Yūto's combat power already rivaled an A+ Great Demon.
Now?
Defeating an A+ Great Demon would be effortless.
As for an S-rank Great Demon—
The odds were still slim.
But unlike before, when he could only run—
Now, there was at least a real chance.
After witnessing Yūto's power and learning his true nature—
Neither Ren nor Aotabō doubted his words anymore.
If Yūto truly intended to be their enemy—
They would not leave this place alive.
Even in human form, the pressure he exuded was overwhelming.
In his yokai form?
It would be despair.
They had been far too optimistic, assuming his strength was merely comparable to theirs.
If Yūto had decided to end things here—
Even Nurarihyon's Mirror Flower, Water MoonOr Aotabō's unleashed rosary power—
Might not have been enough to escape.
As for Yuki-onna Hyōrei, standing quietly to the side—
The moment Yūto released his demonic power, his name was etched permanently into her list of beings she must never oppose.
Compared to Ren and Aotabō, she was far weaker in both power and presence.
When Yūto unleashed everything, she felt like a tiny sailboat on a storm-tossed sea—one wrong wave from capsizing.
If her young master hadn't been beside her, she wouldn't even have had the will to stand.
"The fight is over," Yūto said calmly."The misunderstanding has been cleared."
"So I won't keep you here as a midnight snack."
"You're free to leave whenever you wish."
"One last thing."
"I know the Nura Clan rules the Kanto region."
"I have no personal interest in becoming your enemy."
"Letting you walk away today is my stance."
"But if the Nura Clan cannot tolerate our existence—"
His eyes sharpened.
"Then understand this."
"We are not to be trifled with."
With that, Tenjōin Yūto issued the order to depart.
Truthfully, when Yūto chose to develop his forces in Kanto, he had already anticipated a future clash with the region's rulers.
He had originally intended to befriend Ren another way—
Perhaps even learn the Nura Clan's famed Oni Entanglement technique.
But plans rarely unfolded as expected.
Before goodwill could even be established—
They were already crossing blades.