Compared to Harajuku, Roppongi is generally considered a more upscale spot.
Unlike Harajuku, which is buzzing with youth and street culture, this area is packed with restaurants, TV stations, supermarkets, hotels, Tokyo's largest cinema complex, and every kind of entertainment facility you could imagine.
If Harajuku is where young people go to unwind and wander, then Roppongi is the place for high-end amusement.
Brimming with fiery anticipation, Itadori Yuji and Kugisaki Nobara followed Satoru Gojo until they stopped in front of... a derelict building.
They felt utterly scammed. This place was the opposite of bustling!
"Not every part of Roppongi is glamorous, you know," Gojo chimed in, completely unapologetic about dashing the kids' hopes, a pleased smirk playing on his lips.
"Besides, there's a curse in there. For sorcerers, coming to a place like this shouldn't be surprising at all~"
"Dammit! This is a total scam for us country folks!" Nobara snapped, irritated.
"This area is close to a residential neighborhood," Amber explained to the two.
"If any kids wandered in here looking for adventure, they could get hurt. Being near homes, plus the cemetery next door, means a curse has taken up residence here."
"Huh? If there's a cemetery, shouldn't the curse be stronger over there?" Yuji scratched the back of his head.
"It's not the cemetery itself that's the focus," Megumi interjected, knowing Yuji was still new to the jujutsu world. "It's the people who 'find cemeteries frightening.'"
"Oh, I get it now," Yuji nodded.
"Wait? Shouldn't that be common knowledge?" Nobara looked at them, shocked. "This guy doesn't even know that?"
She knew Yuji wasn't from a major city, but not understanding how curses were born seemed pretty questionable for a practicing sorcerer.
Seeing this, Megumi explained Yuji's situation, hoping to prevent any misunderstanding or prejudice from Nobara. He also went ahead and explained Amber's circumstances, not to deflect, but because it would come out eventually—better to be clear from the start.
Besides, Nobara clearly had a much better impression of the girl than the others, so he hoped it might soften any negative views she had of Yuji.
But Nobara completely bypassed all that, instead voicing her astonishment: "I knew it! A guy like him might not have eaten his own boogers, but he's definitely eaten some other gross stuff... So unhygienic..."
"Hah!?" Yuji couldn't believe that was her takeaway. Since when was he unhygienic? It wasn't like he had a choice!
Megumi, though he knew it was unavoidable, couldn't help but agree with Nobara as he recalled his own shock and dread watching Yuji swallow the finger. "I think so too."
"Eh!?" Yuji stared at Megumi, bewildered. Even you? You were there!
Amber, however, came to his defense. "If Itadori-senpai hadn't done that back then, both of them might have died. So it really was the only choice... It's just that Gojo-sensei and Seele took too long to arrive."
Gojo, unexpectedly called out, thought to himself, 'Heaven knows I was hurrying. I wasn't going full tilt, but who could've predicted someone would eat the finger?'
"You can't blame Sensei and Seele-chan!" Yuji shook his head. "The situation back then was just impossible for anyone."
"Exactly," Gojo declared, putting the matter to rest. Nobody should blame anyone. "But to make sure we don't have any more 'impossible' situations, this curse is all yours, Yuji, Nobara."
"Eh? Just the two of us?" Yuji was taken aback, having assumed they'd all be going in together.
"Tch, what a pain," Nobara grumbled, but without another word, she headed straight for the abandoned building.
Seeing this, Yuji unhooked the jujutsu tool—a telescopic baton—from his waist and followed her.
"Sensei... Isn't Seele going with them?" Amber asked Gojo, confused, after the two had entered the building.
"Mmm~ For Seele-chan, a curse like this wouldn't be any kind of test at all. Your assessment hasn't been arranged yet," Gojo replied with a laugh.
"After all, you're modern Japan's fifth Special Grade. Only a Special Grade curse would do for your test subject."
"Seele is a Special Grade sorcerer?" Megumi was surprised. He knew the curse inside her was powerful, but wasn't the one inside Yuji also incredibly strong? Special Grade wasn't rated just on that.
"You didn't come to training this morning, so you missed it," Gojo explained. "Don't let Seele-chan's demeanor fool you. Even without letting 'the other her' out, she has the power to exorcise Special Grade curses~"
"That really is unexpected..." Megumi gave Amber another once-over. It was hard to see this shy, gentle girl as that kind of powerful sorcerer.
Then again, most powerful jujutsu sorcerers were a little bit off in some way.
The three of them chatted outside, waiting for the other two to finish up inside.
The main target of this test wasn't actually Yuji, but Nobara, who'd come from the countryside to the big city.
Compared to rural areas, the city—with its greater pressure and larger population—generally had stronger curses, some even possessing a degree of intelligence. Whether Nobara, who was used to handling country curses, could keep up with Tokyo's pace was what Gojo wanted to see.
It wasn't that she'd be expelled if she couldn't—sorcerers were too rare for that—but it would affect her sorcerer grade and future mission assignments.
Fortunately, neither of them let him down. While Nobara wasn't exceptional in solo combat, lacking a bit in hand-to-hand skills and stamina, her innate technique was rare and powerful.
As long as someone could create an opening and wound the enemy—whether a limb or drawing blood—she could use that connection to inflict damage. She was an excellent finisher and back-line damage dealer.
Her only weakness was her relatively limited combat ability when alone. In a one-sided fight it was fine, but in an even match things got tough. In a losing battle, if she couldn't wound the opponent, it was basically like being benched.
Watching the two emerge unscathed put Gojo in an excellent mood. He'd just treated the first-year trio to a lavish meal yesterday, and today he took Nobara out for another feast. When she found out the others had already been treated once before she arrived, Nobara was intensely jealous.
Why did she have to arrive one day late!
Everyone got along smoothly. Seeing them bond so quickly put Gojo in an even better mood. But even the best parties must end.
Later that night, after they had all returned to Jujutsu High, Gojo sought out Amber alone. "Seele-chan, your test is here too. I know it's night, but let's push a little harder, shall we~"
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
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If you guys wanna check it out.