Yuki once again set out on her journey to uncover the root of all curses. With her departure, Jinsuke's life returned to calm routine.
Each day, he guided Maki's training, teased Mai from time to time, and occasionally checked in on Toji's family.
But as the balance of the Jujutsu world continued to crumble, curse incidents became increasingly frequent. Every year, Jinsuke would exorcise around a dozen Grade 1 curses — and on lucky occasions, he'd even run into a quasi–Special Grade. His strength was rising steadily.
As for true Special Grades, apart from that one who used lightning techniques years ago, he hadn't encountered a second. They were simply too rare to come across.
Five years passed in the blink of an eye, until the peaceful days finally rippled with change.
"Master, I can now exorcise Grade 3 curses on my own," Maki declared firmly, spear in hand, standing before Jinsuke.
She could feel it — within a year, she'd reach the power to take down a Grade 2 curse by herself. Once that happened, she'd officially qualify to become a full disciple and learn stronger techniques.
Looking at the young woman before him — ponytail tied high, glasses framing sharp eyes — Jinsuke couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
"Time truly flew."
"Not bad," he said with a small nod. "A bit earlier than I expected."
He had estimated that she'd reach this level only around the start of the main storyline. It seemed all those years of training hadn't been in vain.
"I can exorcise Grade 3 curses too!"
Mai piped up quickly beside them, her tone eager, like a child waiting to be praised.
"That's impressive too," Jinsuke said with a faint smile, eyeing the handgun she was fiddling with.
For a sorcerer capable of using a technique, defeating a Grade 3 wasn't much. But for someone like Mai — playful, distractible, and still young — it was a remarkable step forward.
Her Construction Technique still had severe limitations; even now, she could only create one bullet per day.
"Hmph! Of course! When sis can exorcise a Grade 2 curse, I'll be able to do it too!"
Compared to her original lazy attitude, Mai had worked much harder thanks to Jinsuke's influence.
"Let's hope you both reach that point soon" Jinsuke replied lazily, lying back on a chair.
Just then, a figure suddenly appeared in the courtyard as if teleporting. His eyes flicked from Jinsuke lounging on the chair to the two young girls nearby.
Maki and Mai immediately tensed up, wary of the intruder.
"Well, well, you look pretty relaxed. These two your daughters?" The uninvited guest — Gojo — spoke casually.
"Breaking into someone's home is punishable by law, you know. Be sure to pay your fine — you can transfer it directly to my account," Jinsuke said dryly, already feeling an incoming headache.
"Let's not worry about fines right now," Gojo waved a hand, grinning. "The school's got new first-years. Since you've been so free lately, how about helping out as a homeroom teacher?"
Jujutsu High was in chaos lately; strong sorcerers were all tied up with missions. That left no one to supervise the new batch of students — which was unacceptable. At least for their first year, someone had to guide them through exorcisms, duties, and training. After that, they could be left to fend for themselves.
"You've got to be kidding. I don't teach — especially sorcerers" Jinsuke said immediately, rejecting the offer without hesitation.
He didn't mind hunting curses, but teaching? What was he supposed to teach them?
"Don't be so hasty to refuse. It's just for a year" Gojo insisted. "Even if you can't use cursed energy or techniques, your understanding of jujutsu is on par with any instructor at the school."
That much, Gojo was certain of. A man with no cursed energy who still thrived in the Jujutsu world?That could only mean unmatched strength — and deep insight.
"Even if you don't teach them techniques, you can guide them in exorcising curses. If they have questions about cursed techniques, I'll handle those personally."
Gojo's grin didn't waver.
"Not interested," Jinsuke said flatly.
He wasn't the type to yield just because a Special Grade asked nicely. If he didn't want to do something, no one could make him.
"Being a homeroom teacher comes with a bonus salary. And I'll even pay you ten million yen out of my own pocket," Gojo added quickly.
If not for spending all his time cleaning up Geto's messes, he'd have taken the job himself.
"How much extra pay does a homeroom teacher get?" Jinsuke asked, suddenly serious. It wasn't about Gojo's bribe — he was genuinely curious about the pay gap between ordinary and class-leading instructors.
"Triple the base salary," Gojo explained. "Missions pay separately, and if your students reach Grade 1 by graduation, you get a special bonus."
"I see…" Jinsuke nodded slowly. "Well, I'm not too busy anyway. Since you're asking so nicely, I'll help you out. Remember to send both the ten million and the fine to my account."
Gojo's smile twitched. "What do you mean, 'since you're asking nicely'? You're taking the money and the favor?! How could anyone be this shameless?"
"Fine. Just be on time tomorrow," Gojo said, then vanished through a compressed space of his Limitless Technique — leaving a deep crater where he'd stood.
Jinsuke decided to let it slide, considering he was now ten million richer.
"Was that the Satoru Gojo — the so-called strongest sorcerer?"
Both girls had recognized the iconic blindfold and silver hair. Anyone in the Jujutsu world would.
"Yeah," Jinsuke replied casually, glancing at his phone as a transfer notification popped up.He smiled in satisfaction.
As expected of a Special Grade — absolutely loaded. Maybe he should drag Yuki back here and make her work for the school too.Then he could finally retire for good.
"Master," Maki spoke up, adjusting her glasses, "between you and him… who's stronger?"
"What do you think?" Jinsuke asked, turning his head toward her.
"Hmm… I'm not sure."
Maki thought for a while. Logically, the title Strongest Sorcerer said it all. But as Jinsuke's student, she couldn't quite agree.
Her master wasn't a sorcerer — he was outside that category entirely. Even his "Special Grade 1" ranking was just an approximate measure of his strength. She doubted that label came close to his true power.
"And you, Mai? Who do you think's stronger?"
Mai frowned in thought for a moment, then said seriously,"I think cousin's stronger!"
"Oh?" Jinsuke raised a brow. "Why's that?"
He hadn't expected her to think it through and still choose him.Did she actually have some unique reasoning?
"Well," Mai said earnestly, "Gojo doesn't look scary at all. But you — did you forget? The first time I saw you, I was so scared I cried! So obviously, you're way scarier — which means you're stronger!"
Jinsuke: "…"
Maki: "…"