Nanami was just about to say something when the Transformer-like cursed spirit interrupted.
"I am a cursed spirit born from humanity's fear of cars. All humans, die!"
"Hahahaha!"
A crazed laugh filled the air.
Humans afraid of cars? Come to think of it, there hadn't been any cursed spirit like this in "Jujutsu Kaisen" before. But considering the bizarre world of curses, it wasn't that surprising.
With that declaration, the cursed spirit waved its massive hands, sending a horde of vehicles sedans, vans, trucks—rushing straight toward Ryuji.
"Is this… a domain?"
Ryuji tried to dodge, but the cars still barreled toward him. That meant one thing: the cursed spirit had deployed its domain, a space with a guaranteed hit effect.
"Be careful!" Nanami warned, though he knew how powerful Ryuji was. "In this domain, cars will keep crashing into you!"
No wonder Nanami had struggled, constantly fending off cars without a chance to get close. He hadn't been able to fight back properly.
"Don't worry about me," Ryuji replied with a calm smile, hands still in his pockets as the cars seemed about to crash into him.
"Die, human!" the cursed spirit cackled, believing it had won.
"This is it…" Nanami watched, feeling a cold sweat. Even though he trusted Ryuji's abilities, the scene unfolding still made him nervous.
But then, to Nanami's surprise, the cars passed through Ryuji as if he were a ghost, not even grazing him.
This was the power of Third Dimension, his intangibility.
"You know, I haven't used this phasing ability much," Ryuji mused aloud. The truth was, with his overwhelming strength, he rarely had the need to use such a specific technique. But he had to admit, it was ridiculously overpowered.
In the face of Third Dimension's phasing ability, the must-hit effect of any domain became a joke.
"How… how is this possible?" The cursed spirit, previously full of confidence, froze in shock. Its most powerful attack had just gone right through Ryuji, leaving him completely unharmed.
"Is it over already?" Ryuji asked, noticing the attacks had come to a halt. His indifferent smile didn't waver.
Clasping his hands together, he turned his gaze to the cursed spirit.
"In that case, why don't I show you my domain?"
If the other side had unleashed a domain, it was only fair to respond in kind.
"What… is that?" Nanami watched in awe.
So far, only Gojo had seen Ryuji use his domain, but even Nanami, knowing Ryuji's talent, couldn't help but be impressed.
"Domain Expansion: Horizon of the Captivating Skandha!"
The domain of Horizon of the Captivating Skandha opened up, its space replacing the cursed spirit's domain in an instant. Unlike Sukuna's Malevolent Shrine, this domain wasn't as fearsome, but it was more than enough to deal with an ordinary special-grade cursed spirit.
With Ryuji's vast well of cursed energy powering it, the cursed spirit's domain was crushed in mere moments.
"What… what is this place?"
Nanami, now seeing the beach, the bright sun, and the gentle waves of Horizon of the Captivating Skandha for the first time, was taken aback.
"This is… beautiful."
He hadn't expected such a serene, almost vacation-like domain.
"I've always wanted to visit a place like this on holiday," Nanami remarked with a hint of longing. "Who knew the first time I'd see such a sight would be inside a domain!"
While Nanami admired the scenery, the cursed spirit was clearly panicking. It hadn't expected its own domain to be overwhelmed so easily.
"How… how can this be?"
Its confidence shattered, the cursed spirit's eyes darted around at the now unfamiliar space. But before it could react, Ryuji's calm voice echoed again.
"Let the dead rise."
In an instant, the tranquil ocean began to churn. From its depths, cursed spirits shaped like giant fish leapt into the air, rushing straight toward the Transformer-like cursed spirit.
Within Ryuji's domain, the sure-hit effect was in full force. The cursed spirit had no chance to dodge.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
The cursed spirit initially tried to resist, but soon it was overwhelmed, struck again and again until it couldn't fight back.
"This… this is impossible!" The cursed spirit, unable to comprehend its defeat, screamed in disbelief. It hadn't expected to be defeated so thoroughly and easily.
Deploying a domain wasn't enough. The difference in power was just too vast. Even the fearsome Horizon of the Captivating Skandha had become far more powerful in Ryuji's hands due to his absurdly high level of cursed energy.
"Well, not bad."
Ryuji seemed satisfied with the result.
"Soul Devouring!"
Without wasting any time, he activated his Soul Devouring ability. Chains shot out from his back, swiftly wrapping around the cursed spirit. The fish-like cursed spirits retreated as their prey was claimed.
Though it wasn't the most massive cursed spirit he had ever consumed, a special-grade spirit was always a good catch.
"A pity…" Ryuji muttered as the chains retracted. The fish spirits returned to the ocean, disappearing as quickly as they had appeared.
The cursed spirits inside the domain were just manifestations of Ryuji's cursed energy, not real cursed spirits he could consume. Otherwise, he could create cursed spirits at will and devour them for power.
"That would've been perfect."
The domain faded, and Nanami stood up, brushing the dust from his clothes.
"Thanks again," he said gratefully. He wasn't naive—he knew he'd have been dead if not for Ryuji stepping in.
"It's nothing," Ryuji replied casually, waving off the gratitude.
"There have been more and more cursed spirits like this lately," Ryuji noted, recalling the spirit's claim that it had been born from the fear of cars. He hadn't seen anything like that before.
"Yeah," Nanami sighed. "People's negative emotions are off the charts these days. The number and variety of cursed spirits have gone through the roof."
"So what's Jujutsu High's plan to deal with it?" Ryuji asked, curious.
"There've been rumors…" Nanami hesitated for a moment but decided to share. After all, Ryuji had saved his life—more than once, in fact. "They're talking about… live streaming."
"Live streaming?" Ryuji was taken aback, then couldn't help but laugh. "So, sorcerers are going to become internet celebrities now?"
"That's one way to put it," Nanami said with a shrug. It sounded absurd, but in the current situation, it might be the best option.
"Right now, too many people have witnessed cursed spirits. It won't be long before everyone knows about them. The idea is to stream battles with cursed spirits so people can see sorcerers in action and feel safer. Maybe that'll calm their fear."
It made sense. People's fear of cursed spirits had fueled the rise in curses. If they could show the public that sorcerers were capable of handling these threats, it might reduce their fear.
But…
"Fear isn't the only negative emotion out there, you know," Ryuji said, shaking his head. "There's also jealousy."
People could be petty and spiteful. If they saw sorcerers wielding powers far beyond that of ordinary humans, some would inevitably feel jealous, angry even.
"Why not me? Why don't I have that power? Why am I just an observer?"
Those feelings could easily give rise to resentment, hatred, and bitterness—emotions just as dangerous as fear.
"…"
Nanami was silent for a moment, understanding the truth of Ryuji's words. But still…
"This is the only solution we have right now. We'll just have to deal with it as best we can."
Seeing cursed spirits wasn't something that had ever happened on this scale before. The higher-ups didn't have a perfect answer.
Ryuji chuckled. "Well, if Gojo is around, he can probably handle most of it. Just having him should be enough to put people at ease."
Gojo was the strongest sorcerer alive. Even if people got jealous, they wouldn't dare act on it as long as Gojo was there to keep things in check.
"And with your power, Ryuji-kun, I'm sure you'll keep plenty of people in line too."
Nanami looked at him with admiration. Ryuji's strength was also more than enough to keep troublemakers at bay.
"Haha, maybe," Ryuji said, smiling. "But honestly, I just want a peaceful life. If the cursed spirits get too out of control, it'll ruin my quiet days."
Nanami knew Ryuji wasn't the type to enjoy being tied down. He didn't want to be part of Jujutsu High, preferring his freedom.
"That's fine. It's just reassuring to have someone like you on our side."
Gojo was powerful, but he could be unreliable. Ryuji, though, was someone Nanami could trust to get the job done.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
With the cursed spirit dealt with, Ryuji wasn't planning to stick around any longer.
"I've got leads on a few more special-grade cursed spirits I need to handle, so I'll be heading out."
"Understood."
Nanami watched him leave, then sighed.
"Looks like I'll be working overtime again. Ugh, I hate overtime."
The next day.
Ryuji came to school as usual.
During lunch break in the classroom, besides Yukino and the others, two new faces had joined them—Nanako and Mimiko .
The two sisters sat on the table, casually swinging their legs, looking very relaxed. Even under the curious gazes of the other girls in the Service Club, they didn't seem the least bit nervous.
After all, they had experienced much more intense situations when they were with the Panxing Sect. This was nothing to them.
"Alright!" Ryuji stood up and clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention. "You've probably seen these two before—Mimi and Nana. They're with me now."
The others had seen the Hasaba sisters before when they had come to ask Ryuji for help, so their presence wasn't a complete surprise.
"Hello," the two sisters greeted. Though their tone wasn't overly friendly, it wasn't hostile either. It was more of a neutral, no-nonsense kind of greeting.
Given that they had once followed Geto Suguru, who preached that non-sorcerers were no more than monkeys, it was understandable that they held a certain contempt for ordinary people. It was ingrained in them.
After a brief pause, the other girls in the Service Club introduced themselves politely.
"Hello, I'm Miko Yotsuya."
"Hi, I'm Hana Yurikawa. You can call me Hana, and I'm also Ryuji-kun's girlfriend!"
"…"
The rest of the introductions were much simpler and less forward compared to Hana's bold declaration.
"A sorcerer?" Nanako and Mimiko only paid attention to Miko, Hana, and Mai for a brief moment before dismissing the rest.
After all, the Hasaba sisters were second-grade sorcerers, so they could sense the cursed energy within Miko and the others. It wasn't strong, but it was there.
Yukino and the others were smart enough to pick up on this. They noticed the sisters' subtle disdain for non-sorcerers, but they didn't let it bother them. They remained calm and composed in their seats.
Seeing this, Ryuji explained, "These two followed Suguru Geto for a while, and they still believe in his idea that non-sorcerers aren't human, just monkeys. It might take them some time to change that view."
Ryuji wasn't one to claim he treated sorcerers and non-sorcerers equally. In truth, he only cared about the people around him. But he didn't go as far as to exclude non-sorcerers from the human race.
"I never said I wanted to change it," Nanako, the older sister with blonde hair and a bit of a rebellious look, couldn't help but mutter, clearly still holding onto her beliefs.
"Hm?"
Ryuji didn't say anything more but shot her a look. The kind that said, *You're with me now, so you follow my rules.*
Mimiko, the younger sister, quickly tugged on Nanako's sleeve and looked at Ryuji apologetically. "We'll change. Slowly."
Nanako wasn't truly disobedient; she just had a bit of a defiant streak. Now, under Ryuji's gaze, she fell quiet and looked away.
"Good." Ryuji nodded, not pressing the issue further.
Then he looked at the others. "Anyway, the Hasaba sisters are both second-grade sorcerers. If any of you have questions about sorcery, feel free to ask them for help."
The sisters had trained under Geto Suguru, a special-grade sorcerer, so their foundations were solid. They would be great teachers for newcomers.
"Them?" Nanako and Mimiko blinked in confusion, looking around. When Ryuji said "everyone," he really meant everyone in the Service Club.
"Wait, but they don't have the qualifications to be sorcerers, right?" the sisters asked, puzzled.
They wouldn't refuse to teach, but if the others didn't have the potential to become sorcerers, then teaching them would be pointless.
Ryuji simply crossed his arms and smiled, not answering directly.
However, Yukino and Utaha, being as sharp as ever, quickly caught on.
"Ryuji-kun, does that mean you've found a way to give ordinary people the ability to become sorcerers?" Yukino asked, her eyes widening slightly.
After all, Ryuji had mentioned something like this before.
"Of course!" Ryuji responded confidently. Over the past few days, he had perfected his control over the Idle Transfiguration, a technique capable of altering one's body at the soul level, enough to solve the problem of qualifications.
"Huh?!"
"This is impossible!"
Nanako and Mimiko were in disbelief. They had never heard of anything that could give a regular person the ability to become a sorcerer. It was always something you were either born with or without.
Ryuji didn't bother explaining further. He raised his hand, and the power of Idle Transfiguration began to form around it.
"Idle Transfiguration is a technique that can modify the soul to alter the body. The main difference between sorcerers and ordinary people is in the brain. If you change an ordinary brain into that of a sorcerer, then anyone can become a sorcerer."
After hearing Ryuji's explanation, the sisters were left speechless. They didn't know what to say.
"Who wants to go first?" Ryuji asked, ignoring their stunned reactions and looking around at the group.
"I…" Utaha started, but Yukino quickly stood up first, beating her to it. "I'll go first."
She approached Ryuji with a serious expression.
"Don't worry, everyone will get a turn!" Ryuji reassured the others. After all, the process didn't take long.
He gently touched Yukino's forehead, and the power of Idle Transfiguration activated. In an instant, Ryuji could see into Yukino's soul and made the necessary adjustments.
The process was quick, taking only a few minutes. When Ryuji removed his hand, Yukino slowly opened her eyes.
Everyone, including Nanako and Mimiko, watched closely.
"It doesn't feel any different," Yukino said, looking slightly confused. She couldn't sense any big changes in herself.
"The real change happens when you try to sense your cursed energy," Ryuji explained with a smile.
"I see."
Yukino nodded, understanding what he meant. She had paid attention when Ryuji taught Miko and the others how to control their cursed energy, so she didn't need much guidance to start practicing on her own.
"Oh, by the way," Ryuji added, "unlike sorcerers born with the ability, those who undergo the Idle Transfiguration transformation are considered 'acquired sorcerers.' This means it'll be harder for you to awaken an innate technique."
In other words, innate techniques were like natural talents, if you weren't born with one, it was difficult to manifest it later.
"Hard, but not impossible, right?"
"Exactly."
Ryuji didn't deny it. Though being an acquired sorcerer was generally considered inferior to being born with the ability, there were always exceptions.
"Maybe one of you will surprise us and awaken a technique. Even if you don't, it's not the end of the world. Sorcerers have plenty of ways to fight without needing an innate technique."
In fact, many talented sorcerers hadn't awakened innate techniques but were still extremely powerful. There were other techniques like the New Shadow Style or simple domain manipulation. There was also the *Falling Blossom Emotion technique from the Zenin family, which could counter domains.
These were all techniques that didn't require innate abilities and were still highly effective.
"So, even if you don't awaken a technique, don't get discouraged. With my connections, it won't be hard to find you some powerful abilities that don't rely on innate talents."
It was all about who you knew, after all. Ryuji wasn't above using his influence to get what he wanted. If someone didn't give him what he needed, he'd just take it.
"Very reliable!"
"That's right! With Ryuji-kun here, we have nothing to worry about!"
"Hehe!"
The girls laughed, reassured by Ryuji's confidence. Their trust in him was clear.
Seeing this, Nanako and Mimiko felt a little envious. But Ryuji wasn't the type to play favorites.
"What are you two jealous of? Don't forget, you're mine too," he said, noticing the look on their faces.
"…"
After a brief pause, the two sisters smiled and nodded, their loyalty now firmly placed with Ryuji.
"Alright, next up!" Ryuji called out as Yukino moved to the side to start practicing gathering cursed energy.
"It's my turn!" Utaha stepped forward eagerly.
One by one, the rest of the girls went through the transformation, gaining the ability to become sorcerers. Those who weren't present didn't need to worry—Ryuji could always transform them later. With the Idle Transfiguration technique, it was as simple as a wave of his hand.
As the girls basked in the joy of their newfound power, Ryuji turned his gaze toward Nanako and Mimiko.
"What is it?" they asked, feeling a bit uneasy under his stare.
"I'm just wondering if Idle Transfiguration can remove the curse on you two."
"Curse?"
Nanako and Mimiko were both stunned.
"We're cursed?" Mimiko asked, looking confused.
They had never considered that possibility before.
"Have you never wondered why, even after becoming second-grade sorcerers, no matter how much you train, your strength hasn't improved?" Ryuji asked, crossing his arms.
"Uh…"
The sisters had always thought that they had simply reached the limit of their talent. But now, hearing Ryuji's words, it made them reconsider.
"So… we've been cursed this whole time?" Nanako asked, still processing the information.
"Exactly. It's called the Curse of Twins," Ryuji explained, not holding anything back. He briefly told them about the curse, how their talents had been split between them because they were twins, which was why their powers had stagnated at a certain level.
"Is there a way to remove this curse?" Mimiko asked hopefully. Both sisters wanted to keep improving, and if the curse was holding them back, they were eager to find a solution.
"Well, the most straightforward method is… out of the question."
The sisters didn't need Ryuji to elaborate. The simplest way to break the curse would be for one of them to die, allowing the other to inherit the full talent. But neither they nor Ryuji would ever consider something like that.
After all, both of them were his now, and losing even one was unacceptable.
"But I'm curious to see if Idle Transfiguration can lift it," Ryuji mused aloud. He gestured for them to come closer.
The two sisters exchanged a glance, then stepped forward without hesitation, standing before Ryuji.
He raised his hands and gently tapped the foreheads of Nanako and Mimiko.
The Idle Transfiguration was activated.
Since it was a curse, Ryuji wasn't completely sure if the Idle Transfiguration could alter it. But after closely observing the situation, he realized something.
"This seems surprisingly simple."
The Curse of Twins, in essence, was like an incomplete talent split between the two sisters. As a result, their souls were also missing a portion, making it impossible for either of them to fully develop their powers.
But with the Idle Transfiguration, all Ryuji had to do was repair that missing part of their souls, and the curse could be lifted. It was a straightforward fix.
That's why Ryuji found the process unexpectedly easy.
The Idle Transfiguration, developed by Mahito, was truly absurd in its capabilities. No wonder Kenjaku regarded this technique as a key part of his plans.
"Well, let's begin," Ryuji said, smiling.
Since both Nanako and Mimiko were his people, Ryuji naturally wanted them to grow stronger.
Under his control, the incomplete portions of Nanako and Mimiko's souls were gradually restored.
"This is it!"
As their souls became whole, the sisters felt an immediate change. Their eyes shot open wide in shock.
The next moment—
Bang! Bang!
A surge of cursed energy exploded from both Nanako and Mimiko.
Their power had risen from second-grade sorcerers to first-grade in an instant.
It was as if all the cursed energy they had accumulated during their past training, which had been held back by the curse, was now being fully unleashed.
"I became a first-grade sorcerer!"
"This is amazing!"
The two sisters looked at each other, excitement lighting up their faces as they laughed out loud.
Ryuji smiled calmly, not at all surprised. He had expected this outcome.
"You both have considerable talent. The fact that you were able to become second-grade sorcerers even with the twin curse holding you back is impressive. Now that your talent is fully restored, it wouldn't be surprising if you reach special-grade in the future."
Before he could finish his thought, both sisters rushed toward him, one on each side, with a playful, grateful energy.
"Thank you!"
Whether it was out of gratitude or something more, Ryuji simply smiled and embraced them.
Ryuji wasn't the type to worry about his women growing too powerful and turning against him. If he couldn't handle something as small as that, it would be an embarrassment considering the strength he had gained.
Just as the affectionate moment unfolded, a sudden chill swept through the room.
"Hm?"
Ryuji turned his head, puzzled.
Yukino, who had been quietly focusing on gathering her cursed energy, now stood up with a startled expression. Her hands were covered in a thin layer of frost.
"What's happening to me?"
It wasn't surprising that Yukino felt a bit scared by the sudden manifestation of icy energy.
"Don't worry," Ryuji said calmly, walking over to her. He lightly tapped her on the shoulder, using his cursed energy to stabilize the cold power that was surging within her.
Slowly, the frost around Yukino began to melt, and the chill in the air faded away.
"What was that?" Yukino asked, looking down at her hands in confusion.
"An Innate technique," Nanako explained, stepping forward. "Yukino, you just awakened an Innate technique."
Yukino blinked in surprise.
Ryuji chuckled. "Looks like you're one of the lucky ones. Like I mentioned earlier, even though it's difficult for someone who wasn't born a sorcerer to awaken an innate technique, it's not impossible. You just proved it."
She had awakened an ice-attribute technique, a powerful one at that.
"An ice-related technique, huh? That's quite strong."
Ryuji thought about it for a moment. It reminded him of Uraume, a subordinate of Sukuna, who used a similar ice-condensing technique. Although Uraume's strength wasn't quite at the special-grade level, it was still far above most first-grade sorcerers.
"Keep working at it. There's a lot of potential in that technique," Ryuji encouraged.
Yukino nodded firmly, her face serious. She was determined to become stronger, not just for her own sake, but so that one day she could stand beside Ryuji and help him.
In the past, Yukino's goal had been to become a righteous sorcerer and save people from curses. But now, her top priority was to support Ryuji. Everything else could come later.
With the new guidance from Nanako and Mimiko, the atmosphere in the Service Club had become much more focused. The girls spent most of their time practicing their cursed energy manipulation, leaving the room quieter than usual.
Ryuji didn't mind the quiet. In fact, he enjoyed it. These peaceful, leisurely moments were exactly what he preferred.
However, things soon became more eventful.
Boom!
A burst of flames erupted in the middle of the room, filling the air with heat.
Ryuji quickly raised his hand, using his cursed energy to gather the flames and prevent them from spreading.
"A fire Innate technique what the—"
It was a rare and powerful technique, one that reminded Ryuji of the fire Innate technique used by one of the Four Great Calamity Cursed Spirits, Jogo. While Jogo's Innate technique was incredibly destructive, even this lesser version carried significant power.
What surprised Ryuji even more was who had awakened it.
Miura Yumiko.
Yes, she had been given the chance to become a sorcerer along with Yui and Hina. However, while Yui and Hina hadn't awakened any special techniques, Yumiko had just unlocked a fire Innate technique.
The Queen of Flame had now awakened a fire-attribute technique.
The Ice Queen, Yukino, had unlocked an ice-condensing technique.
Ryuji couldn't help but chuckle. These titles they had in school—one of fire and one of ice really did fit them perfectly.
"Not bad," Ryuji said, noticing the eager look in Yumiko's eyes. He nodded approvingly. "Keep practicing."
Yumiko grinned, clearly happy with his praise. She would need some time to fully control the technique, but she was already on the right path.
As she composed herself, she cast a competitive glance at Yukino. The two had never been close, and even though they were now both under Ryuji's care, there was still a rivalry between them.
The rivalry wasn't hostile, but neither of them was willing to admit they were lesser than the other.
Yukino, noticing Yumiko's gaze, narrowed her eyes slightly. She wasn't about to back down.
Want to surpass me? Good luck with that.
Yumiko understood the challenge in Yukino's eyes and grit her teeth, doubling down on her efforts.
With this competitive fire fueling them, both Yukino and Yumiko began to progress rapidly in their training.
Utaha, watching from the side, didn't say much. But the way her fingers tapped the desk more quickly than usual gave away her irritation.
She might not have voiced it, but she definitely had a strong personality. Seeing one girl after another awaken powerful techniques naturally bothered her.
But before she could dwell on it, Ryuji reached over and held her hand.
"???"
The sudden gesture startled Utaha. She looked at him in confusion.
"…"
Ryuji simply gave her a reassuring look. Even if she didn't awaken a technique, he would still take care of her. He would always give her something better.
Utaha understood. After a moment of silence, she smiled back at him, the irritation she'd felt beginning to fade.
That's right. There was no need to worry. Even if the others had their techniques, she had Ryuji. And with him by her side, everything would work out.
Meanwhile, the day of the banquet at the Shinomiya family estate was drawing closer.
Ryuji had recently received a call from Gan'an Shinomiya, encouraging him to attend. While Ryuji didn't particularly care about the event, he saw no reason to refuse. It was a free meal, after all.
He even considered bringing some of the girls along for the experience.
But while Ryuji was enjoying these peaceful, daily moments, the world outside was rapidly changing.
The existence of cursed spirits could no longer be hidden. While the curtain technique could keep ordinary people out of areas with cursed spirits, it couldn't fully protect those already inside.
"What is that thing?!"
"Monster! It's a monster!"
"What's happening to the world?!"
"Run for your life!"
People screamed and fled as cursed spirits began appearing in broad daylight. In their panic, they trampled over each other, and many died not from the cursed spirits, but from the chaos of the crowd.
One or two incidents like this could be covered up. But when it kept happening, word spread quickly.
More and more people began to realize that the world wasn't as safe and perfect as they had believed. Cursed spirits had always been lurking in the shadows, and now they were out in the open.
The school wasn't immune to this either. Conversations about cursed spirits had become common among the students. It was clear just how far this information had spread.
"So, what are we doing here?" one sorcerer asked impatiently, standing in a crowded meeting room at Jujutsu High.
Sorcerers from both the Tokyo and Kyoto branches were present, as well as several high-level independent sorcerers. The normally quiet meeting room was now packed and noisy with concerned voices filling the room.
"Hm?"
Sitting in his seat, Kusakabe glanced over at Mei Mei, who was seated beside him, as calm and composed as ever despite the chaos.
"It's rare to see you here without asking for compensation for wasting your time," Kusakabe said with a teasing smile.
Normally, Mei Mei would demand payment if she felt her time was being wasted, even in serious situations like this. Her reputation for putting a price on everything was well-known.
However, this time Mei Mei barely reacted. She simply raised her head slightly, glancing at Kusakabe with an indifferent expression.
"Shut up."
"..."
Her quiet but firm command instantly silenced Kusakabe. He quickly averted his gaze, realizing he had crossed a line.
Even among first-grade sorcerers, Mei Mei was a force to be reckoned with. Kusakabe knew better than to push her when she was in a bad mood.
But what had caused her to be so on edge?
Kusakabe subtly turned his gaze toward Nanami, who was sitting across from them.
"..."
Nanami, noticing Kusakabe's questioning look, shook his head in silence, indicating that he had no idea either.
Kusakabe sighed internally. Sometimes, women's moods were a mystery even to him.
At least, he thought, this was one situation where being single had its advantages. He didn't have to deal with any unexpected mood swings.
In the meantime, Nanami was feeling a quiet sense of relief as well.
At least he didn't have to worry about the complications that came with relationships. In this chaotic world, he had enough on his plate as it was.
"Tsk."
Mei Mei sat with her arms crossed, her head lowered, saying nothing. Though she was perfectly still, her irritation was clear.
The truth was, she was frustrated—not with the meeting itself, but because it had been days since she'd last had a chance to "run into" Ryuji.
Ever since they'd met, Mei Mei had been wondering when she'd see him again, picturing different scenarios and what kind of "coincidental" encounter they might have.
But she wasn't about to be the one to call and set up a meeting, that would be far too direct. She was still a beautiful woman with her pride intact. She couldn't look too eager, after all.
So, she'd come up with a plan.
Since Ryuji was frequently out hunting special-grade cursed spirits, Mei Mei had thought she could figure out where he might be and "happen" to arrive first, creating a perfect accidental meeting.
It was flawless.
But sometimes fate was a tricky thing. Before, she'd run into him by chance without even trying. But now, every time she set up the perfect opportunity to encounter him, something would come up, and she'd miss him by just a hair.
"Damn it," she muttered under her breath. How did I miss him again?
Her plan was foolproof, so why did it keep failing?
To top it off, there was a sting of annoyance in her chest. Mei Mei was used to men pursuing her, not the other way around. Why hadn't Ryuji taken the initiative to seek her out?
It was irritating. And it made her want him even more.
"Yo!"
A cheerful voice broke her train of thought.
Gojo strolled into the conference room, wearing his usual casual grin, not looking worried in the slightest. His laid-back arrival immediately silenced the room.
Everyone's conversations stopped in an instant. Gojo's presence commanded attention. That was the respect and fear the strongest sorcerer of modern times inspired.
"It's rare to see so many sorcerers gathered like this!" Gojo said with a smirk, greeting some of the attendees, many of whom he'd probably fought at some point in the past.
"Alright, enough of that, Gojo. Let's get started," came the voice of Principal Yaga from behind him, interrupting his chatter.
Gojo sighed, rolling his eyes but obediently finding a seat.
Yaga looked around the room, addressing everyone with a serious expression. "Alright, everyone. I'm sure you're all aware of the recent surge in cursed spirits. And I'm sure you've also heard that the existence of curses can no longer be hidden from the public. People are starting to talk about curses and sorcerers openly. This is a situation unlike anything we've ever faced."
The room was silent. Everyone knew that was why they'd been called here, but hearing it out loud still made the situation feel more urgent.
"Okay, okay, enough with the build-up," Gojo interrupted, waving his hand impatiently. "What's the plan?"
Yaga shot him an annoyed look but continued, "The higher-ups have decided on a solution: live broadcasts."
A few murmurs broke out in the room. Live broadcasts?
Yaga explained, "The plan is to broadcast our battles with cursed spirits to the public. The goal is to use the strength of our sorcerers to reassure ordinary people, to show them that curses are not unbeatable, that we're here to protect them."
For the sorcerers, who had always worked behind the scenes, this was a big shift. Some looked uncomfortable, while others seemed intrigued. They all understood the reasoning, though. It was a bold solution, and for now, it was the best option they had.
"Well, would you look at that," Gojo said with a smirk. "Didn't think those crusty old higher-ups had it in them to come up with something like this. I thought they just sat around all day counting their money and bossing people around."
Some of the other sorcerers might have wanted to laugh, but no one dared to join in. Only Gojo could get away with mocking the higher-ups so openly. The others simply kept their eyes down, pretending they hadn't heard him.
"Gojo." Yaga shot him a warning look. "Let's keep this professional."
But then he added, "This plan wasn't devised by the higher-ups. It was Lord Tengen's idea."
At that, Gojo burst out laughing. "Of course it was! Hahahaha!"
Anyone could tell there was a bitter edge to his laughter.
Even as the world was on the verge of being overrun by cursed spirits, the higher-ups had done nothing to adapt. Instead of leading, they were still protecting their own interests. It was Tengen, the one who rarely involved himself with the affairs of others, who had come up with the plan.
Gojo's laughter faded, and his expression turned dangerous. "Rotten to the core," he muttered. "If it weren't for the fact that no one's ready to take their place, I'd have wiped them out by now."
Despite his power, Gojo knew managing the world of sorcery was an entirely different skill from fighting. The old guard may have been corrupt, but they controlled a network of influence and authority that couldn't simply be replaced overnight.
Yaga saw Gojo's darkening mood and sighed. "Alright, enough of that. Since everyone agrees on the plan, we need to start preparing. Soon, we'll be stepping out of the shadows and into the public eye. Get ready."
The sorcerers in the room murmured in agreement, some looking uneasy at the thought of fighting in front of an audience. After a few moments, many of them began to file out, leaving just a handful behind, mostly from Jujutsu High and Kyoto High.
"Gojo." Yaga looked at him, his tone firm. "You'll be the first to go on camera. We need a strong debut, so you'll be facing a special-grade curse. Make it count."
Even Principal Gakuganji from Kyoto High, who often clashed with Gojo, didn't object. Everyone knew that Gojo's power was unmatched. If anyone could make an impact, it was him.
"Don't worry, don't worry." Gojo grinned, his tone more serious than his words suggested. "I'll make it a spectacle."
It would be a perfect opportunity to showcase the strength of sorcerers and show the world that there was nothing to fear.
"Oh, by the way," Gojo said, as if suddenly remembering something. "As far as special-grades go, we've got me, but then there's another one, right?"
The room went quiet, with several people glancing around in confusion.
Gakuganji raised an eyebrow. "Another special-grade sorcerer? What are you talking about?"
Gojo grinned. "I'm talking about Ryuji."
At that name, recognition sparked in the eyes of the Kyoto students, especially Miwa and Momo. Ryuji had saved them once, and his presence had left a strong impression.
"Ah, Ryuji," Gakuganji said, nodding slowly. "Yes, I've heard rumors. They say you even consider him a genius, Gojo."
"It's not just rumors." Nanami, who had been silent up until now, spoke up. "I saw him in action recently. Ryuji opened his domain and defeated a top-tier special-grade cursed spirit, one that had opened its own domain as well."
The room went quiet at that. Sorcerers exchanged looks of astonishment. Opening a domain was a rare skill, even among special-grade sorcerers.
"You're serious?" Gakuganji asked, clearly shocked. He had known Ryuji was talented, but this was on a different level.
Nanami nodded. "He handled it with ease. The cursed spirit didn't stand a chance. Ryuji's power is very real."
Gojo smirked. "Told you, didn't I? He's the real deal."
"Speaking of which," Nanami added with a slight smile, "his domain was the most beautiful I've ever seen. Sunshine, ocean, beach… it looked like a perfect vacation spot. It was almost surreal."
The others looked at him in surprise. A beach domain?
Mei Mei's eyes narrowed slightly. She had seen Ryuji's domain before, and it hadn't been anything like what Nanami was describing. When she had witnessed it, it had been dark and dangerous, a blood-red space filled with a sense of foreboding.
Something wasn't adding up.
"What's wrong, Mei Mei?" Nanami asked, noticing her expression.
She hesitated, then decided to speak up. "Are you sure? When I saw Ryuji's domain, it was… different. Dark red, almost oppressive. It felt dangerous, not beautiful."
Nanami's eyebrows knit together. "Sunshine and ocean aren't exactly dark and oppressive, are they?"
"Exactly," Mei Mei replied, still puzzled. She wasn't the type to misunderstand something like that.
A few others began to murmur, realizing the implications. If Ryuji's domain could appear so drastically different depending on the viewer, that suggested he had an unusual level of control over it, or maybe even multiple domains.
Principal Yaga's gaze sharpened. "Mei Mei, can you describe exactly what you saw?"
Mei Mei hesitated, wondering if this was crossing some line of Ryuji's privacy. But then she recalled that Ryuji had never tried to hide his strength. He had faced down curses openly and had never asked her to conceal his strength, so she stopped hesitating.