Early the next morning.
Jinsuke, shirtless, was training in the courtyard.
Although the body granted to him by Heavenly Restriction was already strong enough, he still maintained a rigorous training regimen.
The method recorded in the ancient manuals for cultivating vital energy (qi and blood) was simple. First, one needed a body without cursed energy but of sufficient physical quality. Then, through relentless training until complete exhaustion, faint traces of blood energy would be generated within the body. Using the enhanced perception provided by Heavenly Restriction, one could guide this energy into the meridian points and nourish them. Otherwise, the blood energy would dissipate quickly.
The method was simple in theory, but in practice extremely difficult. With Heavenly Restriction, his body was too strong — exercising to the point of collapse was nearly impossible. More often than not, before reaching exhaustion, his body would already regenerate its strength thanks to its abnormal recovery rate.
That was why, even after all these years, he had only managed to fill three meridian points.
"Huff… huff…"
In the courtyard, Jinsuke was hammering out push-ups, moving so fast he was nothing but an afterimage—like a human pile driver. Any rich lady watching would've felt her knees buckle.
This was his method: burn through stamina faster than his recovery speed to force himself into exhaustion.
Abroad, he usually trained with weighted gear. But having just returned, he hadn't prepared any equipment yet.
"Grrr…"
As he trained like a madman, a small figure peeked from behind a tree near the Zenin estate's wall. Big curious eyes studied the man's monstrous workout.
The gusts stirred up by Jinsuke's movements made it hard for the little girl to keep her eyes open, so she shielded them with her hands, peeking through her fingers.
Half an hour passed before Jinsuke finally felt the faintest hint of fatigue. His body, soaked in sweat, radiated heat as traces of blood energy stirred within his muscles. With a thought, he guided them into his meridians to be nurtured.
"Phew…"
Exhaling hot breath, he rose to his feet. Already, his stamina was rapidly restoring—like a perpetual motion machine.
Those who claimed the strength of Heavenly Restriction could be matched by any sorcerer — what on earth were they thinking?
Even Toji himself hadn't fully developed the potential of Heavenly Restriction, Jinsuke was sure of it.
"You brat, what are you doing hiding behind the tree?"
Jinsuke walked toward the source of the presence he had noticed from the beginning.
Caught, Maki stepped out from behind the tree, tilting her head up. Her big eyes stared at this monster of a man.
"I was just passing by."
Plenty in the Zenin clan knew this courtyard belonged to Jinsuke. The fact that it hadn't been torn down was already a concession to the clan head. No one came here—except Maki, who was also treated poorly and often bullied by older children.
Only when she came did she realize someone was actually living here — yesterday's man without cursed energy. Supposedly her cousin.
Recognizing her, Jinsuke squatted and placed a large hand on her shoulder.
"Not bad. You're not a complete weakling."
Feeling her bone density and physical frame, he made a quick judgment. Her cursed energy was weak, but her body was stronger than the average human. Not quite Heavenly Restriction, but a watered-down version.
"This place is occupied now. Don't come back, got it?"
He lightly pinched her cheek before turning to head inside.
Maki touched the red mark on her face and stared at his back in silence before running home. She had to find out why the clan members who mocked her were afraid of him.
After bathing, Jinsuke dragged Toji along by force.
"Hurry up. Don't make me beat you."
"Quit pulling, I know the way" Toji muttered impatiently, though deep down, he was strangely tense. He hadn't planned to bother with his children, leaving them to the Zenin clan—but now, ignoring them didn't seem possible.
Jinsuke didn't care about his irritation. Instead, he used his last bit of travel money to buy fruit and milk. Kids needed proper nutrition to grow.
Following Toji through winding alleys, they climbed a staircase and stopped in front of a door.
"This the place?"
Toji nodded silently.
Knock knock knock.
The door creaked open. A spiky-haired boy glared at them with wary eyes.
"Who are you?"
"…Seriously?"
Jinsuke twitched at the corner of his mouth and glanced at Toji. How long had it been since this guy had seen his own son? The kid didn't even recognize him.
"It's me." Toji looked down at Megumi, face blank.
Megumi frowned, studying him carefully.
"Megumi, who's at the door?"
A bright voice rang out. A girl older than Megumi appeared, wearing an apron, her head poking past him.
Seeing Toji, she froze.
"Dad? You're back?"
Tsumiki was bewildered. Hadn't her stepfather run off with her mother? Why was he here now? Out of money, coming to take what was left?
"Hello, I'm your father's older brother. You can call me Uncle."
Jinsuke smiled, offering the fruit to Tsumiki as he introduced himself.
"Uncle?"
"Hello… may I ask why you're here?" Tsumiki asked politely, accepting the fruit and letting them in.
"Megumi, get your dad and uncle some water."
"…Fine."
Though suspicious, Megumi obeyed his sister, quickly pouring water while watching the two men like a hawk. He worried his unfamiliar father might do something to split them up.
"Relax. From today on, Toji will live with you. Whatever you need, ask him. No money? Ask him. No food? Make him cook. If he refuses, come find me — I'll beat him for you."
Jinsuke declared openly.
Tsumiki and Megumi blinked in confusion.
"Hey, hey, who said you could decide that on your own?" Toji snapped.
"Because I'm your older brother. Got a problem?"
"There's nothing to discuss. If anything happens to these two, you're the one getting beaten."
Then, with a casual kick, Jinsuke ordered:
"What are you staring at? Go cook already!"
"Tsk"
Toji scowled, clearly unwilling but unable to refuse. He sulked off into the kitchen, reminded of childhood days when Jinsuke's word was law.
Back then, Jinsuke always said:
"When your big brother tells you to do something, never say no."
Toji would ask: "Why not?"
And Jinsuke's answer never changed:
"Because I'm the big brother. If you say no, you'll get beaten."