"Master, do you really think I can become as strong as you someday?" Maki followed closely behind Jinsuke, her expression filled with a mix of awe and excitement.
After witnessing her master's battle against the Strongest Sorcerer of the modern era, she couldn't help but doubt herself. Could she really become someone like him? Could she one day walk on air, soar through the sky, and punch hard enough to create explosions of flame?
She had always known her master was powerful, but this… this level was beyond anything she had ever imagined.
"What are you thinking so hard for?" Jinsuke said casually. "It took your master decades to reach this level. You're still young. The path we walk requires patience — one step, one footprint at a time.
As long as you work hard enough, you'll be the one stepping on Gojo's head next."
He wasn't joking — Jinsuke genuinely believed in her potential. Maki had the willpower for it. In fact, she might even master the Eight Gates faster than he or Toji did.
Her body wasn't as naturally monstrous as theirs, but that came with advantages — it was easier for her to reach her limits through intense training, and opening each Gate required less qi. Of course, while her progress might be faster, the power she gained wouldn't reach their level.
It was like comparing Guy and Rock Lee — same technique, different foundations. Physical strength determined everything. The stronger the foundation, the greater the burst once the Gates opened.
That was why Jinsuke could fight Gojo on even ground with only six Gates open.
"I understand, Master. I won't let you down." Maki nodded firmly, eyes burning with determination.
For the first time, she felt she was truly walking a path that led somewhere — a path that belonged to her. She would give everything to reach the end of it.
Meanwhile, in Kyoto Jujutsu High—
Mai's body trembled.Something invisible surged into her, flooding her veins with a strange vitality. She gasped, feeling a rush of energy she'd never known before.
"What… what is this?"
She stood frozen, confused yet exhilarated. Her cursed energy was flowing more smoothly — far more than ever before. In that moment, she felt invincible.
Driven by instinct, she raised her hand. A sphere of cursed energy flickered to life in her palm. She began to compress it, refine it — until a cursed energy bullet formed.
But when she finished… she didn't feel exhausted.
"What the—?"
She tried again. Another cursed bullet formed. Then another. And another.
By the time the sixth bullet appeared in her palm, a hint of fatigue finally hit her.
"I… really got stronger."
Mai stared at the bullets in disbelief, her heart racing with excitement. She didn't know how or why, but she had undeniably grown stronger.
Before, she'd never truly believed she could surpass her sister. But now — now she could see it. Her strength had increased, her potential had blossomed.
Someday, she could create more than bullets.S he could forge entire weapons.
"Ha… hahahahaha! Just you wait, Sis! I'm going to defeat you!"
The thought alone filled her with pride and fierce joy. Then, an even bolder thought crossed her mind.
"Wait… if I'm this strong now… maybe even my cousin won't be my match someday?"
But then she remembered Jinsuke effortlessly hunting curses — and quickly dismissed that suicidal idea.
Little did she know, the reason behind her sudden power-up was a strange twist of fate. The tiny traces of cursed energy Maki had expelled from her own body had somehow drifted into Mai's, perfectly filling the void that once limited her.
Now, Mai was complete — a true sorcerer capable of wielding her Construct Technique without restraint. Whether she could master its full potential, however, would depend entirely on her effort.
The long-standing curse of the Zenin twins… had finally found an answer.
At the same time, the higher-ups of the Jujutsu world received reports about the battle between Gojo and Jinsuke.
"What do we do?!" one of the old men stammered nervously. "Do you think he's realized we were the ones who pushed Gojo to attack him?"
After all, the plan had been his idea — and if Jinsuke found out, he might just come slaughter them all.That lunatic was perfectly capable of it.
"Relax," another elder muttered, trying to calm both of them — and himself. "Gojo and he don't get along. He probably won't say a word."
"Maybe we should go hide with Master Tengen for a while?" The cowardly one was already preparing to flee.
"Cowards! Why would Tengen-sama bother with your nonsense? Enough. The matter ends here!" The most senior elder snapped, silencing them all.
Bringing this up to Tengen would only make things worse — after all, they were clearly in the wrong from the start.
Still, many of the old men couldn't sleep for days, plagued by nightmares of Jinsuke kicking down their doors.
As for Jinsuke himself — he had no time to care about them.
"Megumi, from today onward, you're officially a first-year student of Jujutsu High." Jinsuke handed him an ID card. "Here's your student pass. Keep it safe."
Megumi Fushiguro bowed slightly. "Understood, Uncle."
He pocketed the card, then looked up. "Uncle, can I start taking curse exorcism missions right away?"
He already knew all the basics about cursed energy and techniques from his studies in the Zenin clan. He'd joined Jujutsu High mainly to take jobs — to earn money for his family and gain real combat experience.
After all, his father and uncle were still counting on him to one day take the Zenin Clan's leadership — and fill their coffers.
"You can," Jinsuke nodded. "But start small. Don't rush into high-level missions. You've got plenty of theory but no real experience yet — take it step by step."
This was his golden goose, after all — the future of both the clan and his wallet.He couldn't let anything happen to the boy.
"If something comes up, find me. If I'm not around, go to Gojo. He's a first-year teacher too. If neither of us is there, look for your aunt, Maki — she's in second year."
He sounded more like a nagging father than an uncle.Jinsuke already knew what was coming — soon, Megumi would meet Itadori, and Sukuna would take interest in him. When that time came, either he or Gojo needed to be at the school to handle it. Preferably both. He'd rather have Sukuna pick a different target than his nephew or niece.
"I understand, Uncle. My father already warned me about that before I came."
Megumi sounded impatient, but he didn't dare show it. His uncle's presence carried a kind of authority that even his father bowed to.
"Oh? Getting impatient, are you? Then get out of here already!" Jinsuke lightly kicked him toward the gate.
"Got it! Thanks, Uncle — see you!"
Megumi grinned and sprinted off, eager to take on his first mission.
"That brat…" Jinsuke shook his head, a faint smile on his lips. He never thought he'd live long enough to start sounding like an old, nagging parent.