"Mr. Naraku, thank you for taking care of Kenmyo all these years and cultivating such an outstanding talent."
Kamo Kenichiro sat cross-legged on the ground, his head slightly bowed to express his sincerity.
Only Kenmyo, Isayama Naraku, Isayama Yomi, and Kamo Kenichiro were in the room. It was Kamo Kenichiro who was speaking now.
His voice was very calm, making people feel that he was truly sincere.
He used the egalitarian "I" instead of the lofty "this old man." Furthermore, Isayama Naraku's age was actually less than Kamo Kenichiro's during his lifetime, which was already a concession.
"On behalf of the Kamo Family, I extend my highest respect to you."
Isayama Naraku looked at Kamo Kenichiro, whom he had only met twice—at his sister Hatsui's wedding and funeral—and his mind paused slightly.
Ah, this. Listening to this old man's tone...
The more Isayama Naraku listened, the more something felt off, something strange.
Good heavens, he finally understood now.
This old geezer wanted to take away one of the Isayama Family's two remaining fresh young cabbages, pot and all.
Isayama Naraku felt a bit like he was crashing; it was too sudden.
How did his family's child suddenly acquire the status of the next heir to such a large family out of nowhere?
It was previously said that, both emotionally and logically, Kenmyo had to visit his uncle's house, as the matter of him becoming the next head of the Kamo Family seemed to have caused too much of a stir.
The entire Jujutsu World was abuzz as if a pot had boiled over. If he didn't give advance notice, it might hurt people's feelings, so Kenmyo had to go personally.
As an accompanying person, the most useful tool, the influential figure of the Kamo Family, the Great Elder—Kamo Kenichiro—would naturally still be there.
As the Great Elder, he should be able to help Kenmyo explain things clearly.
"Mr. Kamo, are you saying Kenmyo will become the next head of the Kamo Family?"
Isayama Naraku took a sip of tea. Although he concealed it well, the slight ripples on the surface of the tea in the cup showed his inner turmoil.
He had already overestimated his nephew, but it turned out he had still underestimated him.
While speaking, Isayama Naraku subtly glanced at his nephew.
Can't you be a little more low-key, you little rascal?
It seemed now that the small Isayama Family could no longer contain this "Great Buddha."
Isayama Naraku's original plan was to let his nephew and Yomi inherit the family business when they were older.
With two powerful Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerers supporting them, the Isayama Family wouldn't be destroyed, at least before Isayama Naraku completely closed his eyes.
He had originally thought that Mei possessed both Isayama Family and Kamo Family bloodlines, but later neither bloodline manifested.
With luck, it might appear in Mei's descendants later on.
At that time, with Isayama Naraku personally guiding his grandson, he would surely be able to train a Special Grade Cursed Spirit that surpassed a Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer.
Isayama Naraku's face stiffened, but if Kenmyo were to become the next head of the Kamo Family, these pre-planned arrangements would have to be discarded.
My grandson, my granddaughter.
Isayama Naraku's abacus clattered loudly, only to end up with nothing.
No choice, the child was too outstanding.
Isayama Naraku sighed inwardly.
So outstanding that it completely disrupted his plans.
To have such a shining pearl taken away, it was impossible not to feel unwilling.
But Isayama Naraku understood the principle that people strive for higher ground, and water flows to lower places.
The deaths of his younger siblings had made Isayama Naraku realize that this was fate; without strong power, one couldn't even resist one's own destiny and could only leave the stage early. Moreover, Kenmyo was not going to the Kamo Family to suffer grievances, but to be cultivated as the next head.
Therefore, there were better development opportunities that could allow Kenmyo to obtain better resources, better education, and even greater power.
As an elder, how could he hinder his progress?
Kenmyo was a very ambitious child, and reaching this point today was no accident. How could their family's prodigy not be outstanding?
Noticing his uncle's gaze, Kenmyo smiled sheepishly.
Isayama Naraku sighed.
Why was this kid causing such a ruckus every day, with each commotion bigger than the last?
Last time, he killed a Special Grade Cursed Spirit and was commended by the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association, with the news spread throughout the entire Jujutsu World.
This time, he became the next head of the Kamo Family, one of the three great families of the Jujutsu World. Next time, would Isayama Naraku hear that this kid was going to become the second Special Grade Jujutsu Sorcerer in the history of the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association?
Every day, whose heart could take it?
If Kenmyo knew Isayama Naraku's thoughts, he would definitely say, "As expected, Uncle, you understand me."
Kenmyo thought that if he hollowed out the entire Jujutsu Sorcerer Association, wouldn't he be the supervisor of all Jujutsu Sorcerer?
However, it was actually quite close already. The elders of the Kamo Family were mostly representatives of the conservative faction in the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association, contending with the radical faction led by the Zenin Family.
This meant that half of the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association's high-level officials were his people. Imagine if someone tried to use the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association to pressure Kenmyo.
At that time, Kenmyo could directly say,
"Who is accusing this official in the hall?" Would there be any problem with that?
"That's right, Mr. Naraku."
Kamo Kenichiro replied.
"You can just call me Kenichiro; there's no need to be so formal."
"I only have one question, Mr. Kamo."
Ignoring his politeness, Isayama Naraku looked at Kamo Kenichiro seriously.
"Based on your answer, I will make a judgment."
"Otherwise, as Kenmyo's guardian, to fulfill this responsibility, I will not hand him over to you."
"Uncle."
"Mr. Naraku, you can ask me any questions, and I will do my utmost to achieve them."
Kamo Kenichiro nodded, indicating understanding.
"Because you already had one decision to abandon a next head. So I find it difficult to believe whether you might make a second one."
The decision for a family's next head is extremely important and has never been overturned, unless another family destroyed that family, forcing the selection of a controlled family head.
But how could such a situation happen to the Kamo Family? It could only be due to severe internal conflicts within the management factions.
Isayama Naraku speculated that someone was unhappy with the Great Elder, who held immense power in the Kamo Family and refused to let go.
They used the pretext of "purging the ruler's entourage" for the next head to denounce the Great Elder.
The result was obvious: the reformist faction lost, and even the original Kamo Family head they supported was deposed.
"So what I want you to guarantee is very simple."
Isayama Naraku's eyes stared directly into Kamo Kenichiro's. Any falsehood would not pass him.
"Can you ensure that Kenmyo will not become a casualty in your family's struggles, just like Kamo Noritoshi, the son of your former family head?"
A past record truly makes it hard to trust.
What if Kenmyo was just a shield put forward by certain interested parties (the person in front of him) within the Kamo Family, to be the target of all arrows while they remained hidden behind the scenes?
At that time, a tall tree in the forest is easily toppled by the wind.
Isayama Naraku had, after all, experienced the Isayama Family's heyday. It was due to internal family struggles that various branches suffered irreversible damage, leading to the family's decline and a significant drop and collapse in overall family strength.
Therefore, Isayama Naraku absolutely did not want such a thing to happen to Kenmyo, but the probability of it happening in the future was not low.
So, a guarantee must be obtained!
Isayama Naraku's mention of a guarantee here refers to making a binding vow, signifying a Jujutsu agreement protected by rules.
Similar to a Binding Vow, it's an agreement that cannot be violated by either party.
Once either party violates it, they will suffer irreversible harm. Serious injury is a minor matter; in severe cases, it can endanger life or even lead to the loss of all Cursed Energy.
Sometimes, physical mutations and bad luck are random punishments for violating such Binding Vows.
Isayama Naraku's bottom line was here; he no longer wanted to lose his family.
→
Even confronting the most powerful person among the Jujutsu World's three great families, he would not yield an inch.
"Uncle."
Kenmyo silently murmured, his heart filled with complex emotions.
He sighed.
To think he's willing to do this much for me.
Afraid that I might fall for the opponent's sugar-coated bullets, I would agree without a second thought upon hearing I could become the heir to a major family.
You've truly gone to great lengths for me.
However, Kenmyo did not intend for his uncle to establish a binding vow, a powerful verbal oath, with the puppet he controlled.
Although signing a binding vow causes no damage, the constraint of the oath is mutual.
The longer it lasts, the greater the test and discomfort for the sorcerer's body. Kenmyo's uncle was already old and couldn't endure such torment.
Thinking of this, Kenmyo directly laid his cards on the table.
"Uncle, don't worry."
"Actually, most of the Kamo Family's high-ranking members are my people."
Kenmyo was not wrong in saying this. Apart from those high-ranking Kamo Family members who were on assignment outside or abroad that day, all of them had become his subordinates.
"There's something I need to clarify: the Kamo Family's upheaval was indeed due to internal strife."
"But this internal strife, which swept across the entire family, was not instigated by insiders; rather, it was directly led by me, and I suppressed all dissent."
Kenmyo's words gradually made Isayama Naraku and Isayama Yomi widen their eyes.
They wanted to ask Kamo Kenichiro for confirmation, but they saw his tacit approval.
"It's not that they begged me to be their family head; it's that the next family head can only be me!"
"I have taken over all of the Kamo Family's management, and I have defeated the younger generation."
"I am undoubtedly the strongest, so there's no need to worry about my safety."
"Within the family I rule, there will be no enemies. The Kamo Family will never have internal strife again, I guarantee it."
"Uncle, rest assured. The Kamo Family is just a temporary stepping stone for me. I always remember what you told me about revitalizing the Isayama Family."
"So don't worry about me. My original intention hasn't changed."
Kenmyo briefly mentioned it, hoping his uncle would understand.
"What? You said the entire!"
Isayama Naraku's eyes widened.
"The Kamo Family is already in your grasp."
"Yes, I am very certain."
Kamo Kenka nodded slightly and said,
"Yes, everything the Family Head said is correct."
Kamo Kenichiro, since Kenmyo proactively revealed his identity, there was no need for him to hide as much.
His address even changed to Family Head.
He directly spoke to the almost stunned Isayama Naraku and Isayama Yomi,
"Currently, the family's internal affairs are primarily Kenmyo-sama's exclusive domain."
"We, the Elders, directly obey Kenmyo-sama. This is our clan's highest secret, so please do not spread it."
"Oh, this…"
"How about this, Uncle and Yomi-nee."
"I'll take you to the Kamo Family, and you'll understand. Also, Uncle's old ailment can be examined by the Kamo Family's Third Elder."
Isayama Naraku's leg inconvenience was an injury sustained years ago while exorcising a Cursed Spirit, and residual Cursed Energy caused the blood to clot and remain stagnant for years.
The Kamo Family's Third Elder, with his Blood Manipulation, can transform his blood into acupuncture needles thinner than hair, performing acupoint punctures similar to acupuncture therapy.
He should be able to cure Uncle's leg injury. The former Third Elder, due to organ failure, could no longer perform his techniques, but he was revitalized by Kenmyo's River of Death, restoring him to his peak condition and allowing him to provide treatment again.
"If you like it, Uncle, you can even stay at the Kamo Family; no one will say anything."
"It's safer at the Kamo Family. So many Jujutsu Sorcerer protecting it."
What's more, Kamo Kenka's Tyranids darlings have also joined the Kamo Family's Warning line range and security system, part of the deluxe family package.
These insects, countless times more numerous than their Jujutsu Sorcerer, are hidden everywhere—in leaves, soil, wall crevices, and so on—making them impossible to guard against.
Humans make mistakes, Tyranids do not.
They upload everything they see to a large server, with Kenmyo and the Life-Shaping Empress as the main entities holding the highest authority.
Kenmyo's arrangement for these Tyranids darlings is simple: let these offspring contribute according to their characteristics, and let the mother unit, the Norn Queen, breed as many new types of soldiers as possible.
Kenmyo arranged a large slaughterhouse, capable of processing 2000 cattle daily, for the Norn Queen, not within the Kamo Family grounds.
This slaughterhouse is located by the sea with a complete railway transport line, allowing access to abundant fish resources. Furthermore, being by the sea, the nearest port can bring in large quantities of imported ores.
Tyranids are purely omnivorous creatures. One could say they are even more formidable than cockroaches; they can consume even hard steel, ores, coal, and oil.
Although rushed, it was simple for the Kamo Family's resources to arrange a feast for the Norn Queen.
Currently, this slaughterhouse has dismissed all employees, leaving only live animals. There are approximately 1000 cattle and 700 pigs inside. Calculating with cattle at 1200kg/head and pigs at 500kg/head.
Based on 100kg converting to one unit of high-quality Tyranids biomass, a total of 1,550,000 ÷ 100 = 15,500 units of biomass can be obtained.
According to the Life-Shaping Empress's efficiency and her insane appetite, it's estimated that by the time Kenmyo finished speaking with them, she would have nearly completed the slaughter and started feasting with her children.
15,500 points of biomass should be enough for the Life-Shaping Empress to produce five hundred Subterranean Worms, or ten Biovores.
Name: Norn Queen (Metamorphosis Stage)
Race: Tyranids - Leviathan
Evolution Stage: Tier 3
Health: 80% (Comatose).
Bio-Energy: 10000 / 100000
Hint: Bio-energy requires ingesting organic matter to increase.
Strength: 30 points
Intelligence: 50 points
Charm: -20 points
Skill 1: Insectoid Queen (Evolution Stage · Tier 3): Can produce Tyranids (Tier 3) by consuming the flesh and blood of other creatures to form high-concentration organic matter.
Skill 2: Hive Mind (Evolution Stage Tier 3): This special Insectoid Queen possesses a complete self-awareness; she herself is the embodiment of the Hive Mind.
Skill 3: Empress's Nest (Evolution Stage Tier 3): When the Insectoid Queen builds a nest, it will greatly increase the efficiency of producing offspring. (Tier 3 Evolution - Unlocked.)
The metamorphosis stage refers to that awkward period just before entering the growth stage.
During this period, the Life-Shaping Empress was already capable of significantly producing two types of combat-capable units.
Biovores, commonly known as spore bugs, are living artillery. Through violent muscle spasms, they can launch spore mines generated within their bodies from biological cannons on their backs to bombard enemy forces.
Kenmyo had tested it; its power was much greater than a mortar.
As for Subterranean Worms, also known as Termagants, these insects are actually quite intelligent. They will try to surround enemies and concentrate attacks on weak points, using their numerical advantage to gnaw at foes.
There is also a forty percent chance of obtaining the winged variant elite unit of Termagants – Gargoyles. They possess an additional acid gland. In confined spaces such as caves, ship corridors, etc.
Large swarms of Gargoyles pose a deadly threat. Imagine countless claws, fangs, bone spurs, and venom flying everywhere. And these monsters, once bred, were integrated into the Kamo Family's entire defense system.
Perhaps in the future, the Kamo Family Jujutsu Sorcerer' stereotype of self-harm and blood play will change to playing with insects.
High-level Tyranids, like Brain Bugs with Alpha-level psychic abilities, are not realistic for now, but Kenmyo still hopes to unlock the "Lictor" he most desires.
Lictors, also known as Lictors, are the most perfect and outstanding assassins and infiltrators, also possessing the ability to read enemy memories.