The morning after the Nine School Competition ended, Yugen was set to return with First High's team. But several limousines lined up outside their hotel. Alongside Yugen were Tatsuya, Miyuki, Leo, Mikihiko, Erika, Mizuki, Shizuku, and Honoka.
The VIP treatment stunned them. A middle-aged man in a butler's uniform approached.
"Mitsuya Yugen-sama and friends, I'm Hayama Tadanari, sent by the head to guide you."
"You resemble a Yotsuba butler…"
"Hayama Tadatsume, my father. The likeness is no surprise."
Kagurazaka's head butler, Tadanari, son of Yotsuba's chief butler, led them to the limousines. Yugen's included Tadanari, Tatsuya, and Miyuki.
"Shiba Tatsuya-sama, Miyuki-sama. My father and Yotsuba's late head, Eisaku-sama, spoke of you. Surprised, I presume?"
"…Yes. Hayama-san rarely speaks of himself."
"I nearly gasped."
Miyuki and Tatsuya admitted their shock at the resemblance. Yugen agreed. Tadanari explained he joined Kagurazaka via his father, now serving as their chief butler.
"Only the head, I, and her trusted few know your full circumstances. To avoid confusion with 'Shiba,' may I use your first names?"
"Of course."
Leaving Fuji, the limousine headed south to Kagurazaka's main estate in Hakone.
The Kagurazaka, masters of Onmyodo, trace back to the Kamo or possibly Abe clans. The Tsukasa family, tied to spring's incident, was a Kamo branch, hinting at connections. Originally based northwest of old Kyoto, they moved to Hakone in the Meiji era when the capital and imperial residence shifted to Tokyo, dismantling their old base to guard magical secrets.
Hakone was chosen over Kyoto due to the Kamizumi clan's Gunma base and its branches across Kanto. With a Tokyo villa, proximity to spiritual Mt. Fuji suited them. Ties to the Hojo clan and adopting the Fuma ninja post-Hojo fall sealed the decision.
Hakone's national park status partly camouflaged Kagurazaka's presence. Though Izu Peninsula falls under Tokai, the Nanakusa and Juumonji clans' oversight reflects Kagurazaka's influence.
Staying in Kyoto would honor tradition but fail their core duty: guarding the imperial family. Unhesitating relocation reflected their resolve. Their flexibility—choosing means to ends—sets them apart as "heretics" among ancient magic clans, a label they embrace, rooted in Onmyoji's historical outsider status.
They delegate Ise, Izumo, and Dazaifu shrines to branch families, securing western Japan. Yet, Kyoto's vacuum birthed rival ancient magic clans and the "traditionalists," complicating matters.
"At the estate, staff will guide the others. Yugen-sama, follow me. The head wishes to speak directly."
"Understood."
An hour from the hotel, they reached Kagurazaka's estate, blending Heian-era palace and Sengoku warrior aesthetics, veiled by faint magical barriers. Inside, the climate was perfect.
Leaving luggage and friends to staff, Tadanari led Yugen to a grand hall. There, in modern attire yet exuding authority, stood Kagurazaka Chihime, the current head.
Yugen knelt, bowing.
"Long time, Chihime-san."
"Call me 'Chi-chan' or 'Mother' already! Right, Hayama-san?"
"Milady, please. He's still a Mitsuya."
Chihime pouted; Tadanari chided her with a wry smile. She fanned herself, sighing.
"I know… Ugh, so dreary."
"Something wrong?"
"Listen, Yuu-kun!"
Chihime vented like a peer. She'd met Retsu, dressed formally, discussing Yotsuba and the Ten Master Clans. Shockingly, Gousan and Chihime devised the clan system—not Retsu.
"Wasn't it His Excellency's idea?"
"He's the founder. The military's weaponizing modern mages risks future distortions. Not rebellion, but preventing military rot required a rival force. My and Gousan's families would cause friction, so we leveraged Mitsuya's ties."
Excess power, useful in war, harms peace—like legendary warriors or feared aces exiled or executed. Even with combat instruction concepts, such "geniuses" are hard to teach.
The Ten Master Clans were created as authoritative but non-political entities. Misinterpreting this purpose troubled Chihime.
"Yotsuba's weapon-like nature needed a leash, but thanks to you, they're on a better path. Aoba's still a pain, but I'd rather no one messes with our four strategic-class mages."
Yotsuba's sidelining of Tatsuya, foreign interests, and Kudou and Nanakusa's approaches—plus Aoba as a "mastermind"—confirmed Chihime's equal standing with Gousan.
"The clans are too rigid. That old man ignores his grandson despite Gousan's urging, and Nanakusa's brat can't let go of Maya-chan. Should I summon and thrash them? What's your take, Yuu-kun?"
"Age aside, I can't deny feeling similarly."
Nanakusa Kouichi's obsession with Yotsuba, tied to a failed engagement with Maya, was puzzling without context. His wife's constant travel likely stemmed from his inability to move on. Yugen couldn't deny love-based marriages like Mitsuya's were rare.
"Now, to business. Mitsuya Yugen-kun, as Kagurazaka Chihime, I nominate you as next head and acting head of Kagurazaka. Will you accept?"
"One question?"
"Ask away."
"I get it, but acting head? You're clearly thriving."
Joining the Ten Master Clans as a Mitsuya risked trouble, especially with Genji's succession path. Moving to Kagurazaka was fine, but acting head puzzled him. Sensing his doubt, Chihime smiled.
"You outshine even Kagurazaka. Your solo 'Amaterasu' activation—first since our founder—and Shin'in-ryu mastery, per Gousan, silence any dissent."
His Nine School feats ensured no objections to his succession. Chihime continued.
"This fall, winter, and next year, unrest looms, per 'Kuzuryu' and 'Hoshimi' reports. You'll wield their authority as acting head."
"So, post-summer, I act as Kagurazaka, not Mitsuya?"
"Correct. Effective upon acceptance."
Astronomical divination, refined by Kagurazaka, predicts years ahead, limited to few. The Ise, their chief branch, handle it—meaning Himeri's from 'Hoshimi.'
"Paperwork's handled by Kagurazaka and Kamizumi. I'll explain to First High's principal. You'll rival Juumonji-kun."
"…Understood. I've no objections. I'll do my utmost."
Chihime chuckled, "If you're 'untalented,' all mages are mediocre." Yugen mused his reincarnation cheat boosted him to clan heir level—maybe.
"I'm 84, you know. Most would retire."
"Thought you'd go lifelong like Kudou."
"I've served since your age. I want to pass it on and relax."
"I get that."
Accepting made him Kagurazaka, not Mitsuya. Legalities were pre-arranged. Minor paperwork remained, but FLT and military ties, under aliases, needed only explanations.
(Killing intent!?)
Sensing projectiles, Yugen raised his left hand, catching shuriken between fingers, hurling them back. They were deflected by a familiar barrier. Tadanari watched, impressed; Chihime hid a smile behind her fan.
"Shuriken indoors, Sensei Yakumo?"
"Haha, impressive, Yugen-kun!"
Yakumo, scratching his head, appeared in casual temple garb. His ninja flair was unsurprising, but his test irked Yugen.
Chihime intervened.
"Yakumo-san, enough pranks. As 'Kuzuryu' head, you're under Yugen-kun now. No extremes."
"Harsh! I'm Yakumo Kuze, 'Kuzuryu' leader, but just a monk at Eizan's temple. Call me that, next head—or Yugen-kun?"
Unlike the original, Yakumo led 'Kuzuryu.' A "Kashin Koji" reincarnation, he was a vital ally, not enemy. His worldly monk persona defied rigid judgment.
"The latter. You hid well with Tatsuya here."
"Can't lose face as his master."
Yakumo, handling Kagurazaka's intelligence, likely shared Yugen's info. He swore secrecy from Kazama and Tatsuya, who got vague ancient magic teachings.
Chihime offered an ancient-looking book, pristine despite its age, likely preserved by magic. Yugen tucked away thoughts of replication.
He skimmed it, set it down, drew 'Odin' from its holster, and aimed at a courtyard boulder wrapped in layered barriers. The rock vanished cleanly. Tadanari and Yakumo stared, impressed; Chihime looked pleased.
"Splendid. You pierced multiple barriers and mastered 'Tsukuyomi.'"
"I sensed the power boost. Is that all for succession?"
"One more test. Tonight, you're forbidden to refuse anything."
Puzzled, Yugen tilted his head. Not life-threatening, just a power gauge, Chihime clarified, but details eluded him.
Yakumo left abruptly; Tadanari led Yugen to the head's room, laced with lost barrier magics from WWII's fallen master.
Alone, Yugen used 'Tenjin's Eye' to analyze the estate's water-sourced barriers. Leveraging reincarnation perks, he reinforced and restored them against strategic-class threats—an insurance policy. He'd document the method for Chihime via Tadanari.
Changing from his uniform, Yugen chose a black T-shirt and dark gray pants—modern, per Chihime's taste. Tadanari returned, shaken, sensing the magic.
"Yugen-sama, that magic…?"
"Rewove the barriers. I'm Kagurazaka now. I'll note the method for Mother Chihime."
Chihime, grandmotherly in age, became his adoptive mother. Her 'Yuu-kun' echoed Mayumi's, unconcerned with formality. The Ise branch's marriage arrangement—likely Himeri—was noted. Her affection made refusal rude. Chihime sent Tadanari after sensing the barriers.
"Please, raise your head, Young Master. Your talent is extraordinary."
"Just decent. Where's Tatsuya's group?"
"Relaxing in the guest room. I'll guide you."
I'll get permission next time… Yugen followed Tadanari to the guest room, navigating the unfamiliar estate.
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