As Kurahashi Genji spoke, the somewhat chaotic scene slightly calmed down.
Kogure Zenjirou and Kagami Reiji both turned around to look at Kurahashi Genji.
Not just them—everyone else also focused their gazes on Kurahashi Genji.
After all, Kurahashi Genji was the leader of the Twelve Divine Generals, the head of the Onmyo Agency, the head of the prestigious Kurahashi family—renowned throughout the jujutsu world. He was not only the leader of everyone present but also the leader of the entire jutsuryoku world. No one could ignore his words.
Especially now, after a year and a half, under Kurahashi Genji's influence, the power and status of the Onmyo Agency had expanded significantly, elevating the standing of Onmyoji—who had long been criticized by the world. As a result, Kurahashi Genji's words carried increasing authority and influence.
So when he spoke, ignoring him was virtually impossible.
Especially here, where Miyachi Iwao already followed Kurahashi Genji's lead, Yamashiro Hayato was his direct disciple, and the others were essentially his subordinates. Even Kagami Reiji had no choice but to listen to him.
Of course, the reason Kagami Reiji had to obey was different from the others.
Looking at Kurahashi Genji's expressionless face, Kagami Reiji resisted the urge to click his tongue and subconsciously touched his forehead.
There, an "X"-shaped mark was etched.
This mark had been on Kagami Reiji's forehead ever since he joined the Onmyo Agency.
But to Kagami Reiji, this mark was anything but a good thing.
Others might assume it was just a tattoo, but those in the know were aware—the one who engraved this mark on Kagami Reiji's forehead was none other than Kurahashi Genji.
Because of this mark, Kagami Reiji had been forced into submission in many ways.
(If only that mark could have been undone a year and a half ago...)
Recalling the battle from a year and a half ago, Kagami Reiji's face twisted with anger and humiliation.
But Kurahashi Genji remained indifferent, his expression blank as he spoke.
"Tsuchimikado Akikan—one of the Magic Crimes Investigation Department's most-wanted criminals, classified as Special Grade, has been missing for an entire year and a half. Now that he has finally resurfaced, we absolutely cannot let him escape."
Everyone present understood exactly what Kurahashi Genji's words meant.
"In other words, we must arrest him, correct?" Amami Daizen tapped his paper fan against his palm and sighed helplessly. "That's the job of the Magic Crimes Investigation Department, but I can't guarantee success, you know?"
As soon as he said this, Yamashiro Hayato immediately objected.
"With me here, along with Kogure-senpai, and if necessary, you yourself could personally take action, Chief Amami. Even without Ohtomo-senpai, with three Twelve Divine Generals mobilized, are you saying we still can't capture Tsuchimikado Akikan?"
Yamashiro Hayato stated this with confidence.
"I'm ready to move at any time."
Kogure Zenjirou immediately signaled his willingness as well.
"Wait a minute!"
Noticing that he was being sidelined, Kagami Reiji scowled and stepped forward, trying to speak up.
But the one who cut him off wasn't anyone else—it was Yuge Mari.
"I also think the risk is too high." Yuge Mari's expression had been shifting continuously since the conversation started, until she finally sighed and said, "A year and a half ago, when I, Independent Officer Kagami, and at the time, Independent Officer Kogure, attempted to subjugate Tsuchimikado Akikan, we suffered a crushing defeat. Even Chief Miyachi lost. I don't believe that merely three Twelve Divine Generals would be able to arrest him."
Yuge Mari's words made everyone recall the incident from a year and a half ago.
Many found it hard to believe that a mere student could defeat three Independent Exorcists from the Exorcism Bureau, even defeating the one hailed as the strongest Onmyoji of this era—Fire Demon—before vanishing without a trace.
But that was reality.
Because of that battle, Kagami Reiji had been obsessed with Rozen, relentlessly investigating his whereabouts for the past year and a half. When the Magic Crimes Investigation Department requested additional personnel, Kagami Reiji had even volunteered to transfer from the Exorcism Bureau to the Magic Crimes Investigation Department.
However, since Kogure Zenjirou had also undergone a drastic change due to Rozen's actions and had likewise requested a transfer, Amami Daizen ultimately decided that Kogure would be the one to move.
Even so, Kagami Reiji had never given up, continuously tracking Rozen's movements, to the point of near obsession.
Now, Rozen had returned, and if even Miyoshi Tougo was this wary, then it was clear—he was definitely not going to be easier to deal with than before.
Even though, over the past year and a half, Kogure Zenjirou had undergone a brutal training regimen that significantly strengthened him, Yuge Mari had been spurred into relentless self-improvement, Kagami Reiji had been granted permission to use a previously forbidden shikigami, and even Miyachi Iwao refused to heal his old wounds, bearing them like a constant reminder while training to avenge himself—the task of capturing Rozen was still no guarantee.
After all, Amami Daizen was already old, his strength waning rather than increasing. Yamashiro Hayato was still just a rookie. Ohtomo Jin was currently absent. Kogure Zenjirou, though much stronger now, was once Rozen's defeated opponent. With this lineup, how could they possibly capture Rozen?
In response...
"I don't see it that way."
Yamashiro Hayato spoke up.
"The Magic Crimes Investigation Department and the Exorcism Bureau operate in completely different fields. You exorcists specialize in eliminating Spiritual Disasters, while we specialize in countering human jujutsu users. Even if our raw power is inferior, we know exactly how to arrest dangerous jujutsu criminals. In this domain, allow me to be blunt—even if all of you were combined, you'd still be inferior to Chief Amami and me. Kogure-senpai already has a year of experience in anti-personnel combat. And let's not forget Ohtomo-senpai—once the backbone of the entire underground Magic Crimes Investigation Department, his expertise in fighting human opponents is unparalleled. If it's us, capturing Tsuchimikado Akikan isn't impossible."
Yamashiro Hayato spoke with an air of complete confidence, almost arrogance.
"This..."
Yuge Mari was left speechless.
Although Yamashiro Hayato's words were undeniably conceited, they were also undeniably true.
A year and a half ago, the ones sent to capture Rozen were all exorcists, not magic crime investigators. They specialized in eliminating Spiritual Disasters, not fighting human opponents. In terms of anti-personnel combat, they truly weren't as skilled as the Magic Crimes Investigation Department.
So, if the department's top-ranked investigators were the ones being mobilized, perhaps Rozen really could be captured.
Yamashiro Hayato seemed to view the previous failure as a misstep by the Onmyo Agency, believing they had chosen the wrong personnel.
"This time, the Magic Crimes Investigation Department will personally handle it. With three National First-Class Investigators moving together, we will capture Tsuchimikado Akikan with ease."
Yamashiro Hayato declared confidently.
"You bastard..."
Kagami Reiji, feeling as though he had just been openly provoked, started moving toward Yamashiro Hayato.
"That's enough."
Kurahashi Genji interrupted at the perfect moment, his tone indifferent.
"This operation is too important to fail. The Magic Crimes Investigation Department will take full charge of Tsuchimikado Akikan's capture."
"Wait! I'm going too!" Kagami Reiji immediately protested.
"Also," Kurahashi Genji ignored him entirely and continued, "considering that the target has a high-ranking Spiritual Disaster serving as a guardian shikigami, the Exorcism Bureau must deploy as well. In addition, Miyoshi will accompany them. Decide among yourselves who else will be dispatched."
With those final words, Kurahashi Genji rose and left the meeting room.
The remaining individuals fell into silence, each lost in their own thoughts, as they began making their decisions.