Among the Cursed Spirit classifications, there is a special category called Imaginary Vengeful Cursed Spirits.
What makes these Cursed Spirits special is that they are born from a specific archetype, and they truly possess the power of that archetype.
To the untrained eye, it might seem as though a myth or legend is slowly unfolding before them.
Now, bound by Barrier Techniques before Mahito, were several Imaginary Vengeful Cursed Spirits.
Although Special Grade Cursed Spirits appeared quite casually in the original story, in reality, they were extremely rare.
As for Special Grade Imaginary Vengeful Cursed Spirits, there was only one in the entire original work, and in the entire history of the Jujutsu world, there had only been six.
When Mahito gave the order, he didn't actually expect to find a Special Grade Imaginary Vengeful Cursed Spirit; they were simply too rare.
Moreover, Special Grade Cursed Spirits were usually disobedient.
With the Cursed Spirit trio's half-baked Barrier Techniques, they likely wouldn't be able to trap a Special Grade Cursed Spirit anyway.
So, his requirement was simple: as long as it was an Imaginary Vengeful Cursed Spirit, its Grade didn't matter.
Even after repeatedly lowering his requirements, Mahito didn't expect that after searching all over Japan, they would only find five.
It was too few.
Compared to the increasingly large population of Cursed Spirits, Mahito suspected that Imaginary Vengeful Cursed Spirits made up less than one ten-thousandth, or even one hundred-thousandth of the total.
Jogo shifted uncomfortably.
"Sorry, Mahito, we could only find this many."
"As for Special Grade... we didn't find a single one."
"No, I am already very satisfied."
Mahito didn't mind.
Mahito wasn't lying.
If he relied solely on himself, he wouldn't have the time or energy to search for them one by one.
Unlike the Mahito in the original work, who casually experimented on Cursed Spirits and discarded them without hesitation, he had never given up on thoroughly researching them.
And now, this was the manifestation of those results.
He walked over to the five Imaginary Vengeful Cursed Spirits, looked down at them, and lightly raised his hand.
They were:
A Kappa, a Tengu, and a Zashiki-warashi.
And two Yuki-onna.
In ancient times, the number of Imaginary Vengeful Cursed Spirits was unexpectedly high, but it was different in the modern era.
Most people didn't actually believe in the existence of monsters.
During middle and high school, some urban legend-type Imaginary Vengeful Cursed Spirits might be born due to the influence of ghost stories, but once people entered society, they almost never thought about such things.
Conversely, Cursed Spirits constructed from practical, real-world worries had begun to emerge in an endless stream.
Imaginary Vengeful Cursed Spirits were almost extinct.
The Imaginary Vengeful Cursed Spirits that still remained today were, without exception, figures renowned both domestically and abroad.
The five Cursed Spirits currently before Mahito's eyes were exactly like that.
Among them, the Yuki-onna, being incredibly famous, was one of the very few that existed in multiples.
"Then, let's begin," Mahito whispered.
Idle Transfiguration.
The five Imaginary Vengeful Cursed Spirits began to change.
It wasn't an instantaneous transformation like when Mahito used Idle Transfiguration on himself; it was a gradual change, like a gardener meticulously pruning a tree.
They had been restlessly making bird-like cries, but as the transformation took hold, they quieted down.
The Cursed Spirits were fundamentally not human, but their bodies were becoming increasingly humanoid.
Idle Transfiguration was fundamentally altering their Soul structures, yet they felt no pain; instead, they joyfully accepted their transformation.
The first to complete the transformation was the Kappa.
This Imaginary Vengeful Cursed Spirit was originally two meters tall, with a huge turtle shell on its back.
Its entire body was seaweed-green, its lips were beak-like, and its head was bald except for a ring of hair around the crown.
But now, it was compressing.
Its limbs became slender, and the texture of muscle faintly emerged beneath its skin.
Azure hair began to grow wildly on its head, and the originally bald crown was covered as ear-length short hair formed, complete with a bow pinned to the back.
A sleeveless short dress appeared on its body, with a light blue Haori draped over it.
A long black scarf fluttered in the wind.
It wore black silk over-the-knee socks, though its toes and heels were exposed, and ninja sandals on its feet.
A water-colored long blade appeared before her.
She picked it up, her expression solemn and grave.
Next was the Tengu.
A pair of huge, black-feathered wings covered its body.
When they unfurled again, it was wearing an off-the-shoulder Kimono, primarily deep red and black with gold accessories.
Its long black hair was tied up in a bun with a hairpin.
It straightened its body, boldly exposing the upper half of its ample chest.
It stretched its slender legs, their elegant lines flowing like river water.
The high-slit skirt revealed her thighs, and a pair of short white socks and high-toothed geta adorned her feet.
She grasped a maple leaf fan in her hand.
The female Tengu smiled, radiating charm.
Then came the Zashiki-warashi.
Its change was the smallest, as it was the Imaginary Vengeful Cursed Spirit closest to human form.
Under Idle Transfiguration, its biggest change was its face; originally, its features were severely distorted, only barely recognizable as a child's face.
Now, its features properly aligned, revealing a small, pitiful face.
Its slightly messy black hair became neat, settling into a traditional bob cut.
With black eyes and a red Kimono, a huge bow was pinned at her waist.
A pair of bells were worn on her wrists like bracelets, making a crisp sound when lightly shaken.
Finally, the Yuki-onna twins.
Their ice-like bodies gradually melted, and plain white Kimonos draped over them.
Their snow-white long hair cascaded smoothly down to their hips.
Their sideburns and bangs were perfectly straight, as if cleanly cut.
Matching snow-white eyelashes hung over their eyes, making them look like noble twin princesses.
Beneath their Kimonos, they wore white socks and boat-shaped wooden geta.
Thick white winter scarves were wrapped around their necks, lifting slightly when brushed by the wind.
Five pairs of eyes opened simultaneously, and they knelt on one knee, offering their loyalty to Mahito.
"You are the first batch of Intelligent Cursed Spirits I have created."
"I shall name you," Mahito said, turning his gaze to the Kappa.
"Kusakabe Sha. 'Sha' refers to a riverbank spirit appearing faintly in the morning mist, embodying the tranquil, eternal beauty of a hazy ink painting."
"Thank you, Master, for the name."
"From now on, Kusakabe Sha shall be Master's blade," the samurai girl said, lowering her head.
"Hafu."
Mahito smiled at the Tengu.
"May your black wings never fall, and the brilliance of the hidden maple leaves reflect your fierce heart, like that of a demon or a god."
The mature, oiran-like girl curled her lips into a smile.
"Hafu thanks Master for the name and shall never forget it."
"Yayoi represents new life, and Rin has been used to ward off evil since ancient times."
Mahito looked at the Zashiki-warashi and spoke gently.
"Yayoi Rin, this is your name."
"May your original intention remain eternal, and from now on, may evil spirits stay away."
The girl lowered her head, her bangs covering her eyes.
She said cautiously, "Th-thank you, Master."
"Yayoi Rin will work hard!"
"Finally, the miraculous twins," Mahito said slowly.
"Imaginary Vengeful Cursed Spirits are already very rare, yet two identical ones actually appeared before me at the same time, making me marvel at the wonders of fate."
"Ori and Nami."
"Weaving and ripples; these are deeply connected words, strongly associated with fate."
"I bestow them upon you."
The snow-white twins bowed in thanks at the exact same time, their timing perfectly synchronized.
They said in unison, "Ori,"
"And Nami,"
"Thank you, Master, for the names."