The three people present were completely convinced by Satoru Gojo after seeing the data displayed on the computer.
No one had expected that the seemingly impossible curse placed upon Cursed Children, something that had never been overcome, would be solved so effortlessly by him.
"Th-this... how exactly did you do it? Isn't the Corrosion Rate something that can't be changed at all?"
Enju Aihara looked at Gojo. After everything she had experienced, the admiration in her eyes had completely transformed into deep respect.
It was not because Enju was easily swayed. Anyone who had gone through everything she had would likely feel the same way.
"Ah, it's pretty simple."
"The Corrosion Rate increases because the amount of Gastrea Virus inside the body increases, right?"
"So I cut off the parts of your body that contained the virus, then helped you regenerate a new body without any virus inside. Naturally, your Corrosion Rate went down."
Gojo looked at Enju with a cheerful smile, calmly explaining something that sounded completely unbelievable.
Hearing his words, Sumire and Rentaro exchanged glances. The shock in their eyes was impossible to hide.
This... this was completely impossible for anyone else to replicate, wasn't it?
Other than Gojo, the only thing they knew of that could achieve regeneration on this terrifying level was Gastrea.
"So does that mean it's possible to completely eliminate the Gastrea Virus?"
Enju's eyes widened as she asked with curiosity and excitement.
"To do that, I would have to cut your body in half at the waist, regenerate one part first, then cut away the other part before the virus spreads into the newly regenerated section, and regenerate that part as well."
"However, that method only works for me."
Gojo shook his head as he explained.
Even if Enju still had consciousness while being cut in half, Gojo would not be able to regenerate her head during that period.
And even if he did regenerate it, the result would only be an empty shell.
The only possible chance would be to regenerate her at the exact moment she died, allowing her remaining consciousness to transfer into the newly regenerated body.
However, a child like Enju could never meet that requirement.
Even Gojo himself would have to be extremely careful and immediately activate Reverse Cursed Technique if his head was suddenly destroyed by an external force.
As for Enju, even if she learned Reverse Cursed Technique, she still would not be able to accomplish something like that.
Hearing this, Enju felt a little disappointed, but that was all.
Actually, her current situation was already quite good.
Her Corrosion Rate had decreased, meaning she could fight with fewer restrictions, and Rentaro would not have to worry about her as much.
At the same time, she would be able to stay beside him for much longer.
Most Initiators only had a lifespan that lasted until around the age of ten.
But Enju wanted to remain with Rentaro for much longer.
If possible, she even wanted to become his bride someday.
If the Gastrea Virus was completely removed, she would no longer be able to exist as Rentaro Satomi's Initiator.
At that point, the person standing beside Rentaro would be someone else entirely.
A stranger.
Just thinking about that possibility filled Enju's heart with unease.
She could never feel at ease if she was unable to accompany Rentaro through those dangerous battles.
"It's a shame."
"If it really could be done, then those Cursed Children..."
A trace of regret flashed through Rentaro's eyes.
He had always seen the miserable lives those Cursed Children were forced to endure.
If there was a way to change everything, that would be the best possible outcome.
However, he could not say anything about this.
After all, this was Gojo's ability, and expecting him to solve everything alone was clearly unrealistic.
Tokyo's population was no longer what it had once been, but the amount of Curse power that existed was still far from insignificant.
Even if Gojo exhausted himself completely, he could not possibly solve everything by himself.
"Putting that aside, Gojo-kun, thank you. Really."
"Thank you for helping lower Enju's Corrosion Rate. You are practically her savior."
Only Rentaro and Sumire knew just how dangerous Enju's condition had been before.
If she lost control even once, she could have crossed the limit and transformed into a Gastrea.
So calling it a life-saving favor was not an exaggeration.
"Please, let me study you. Even if it's only a little."
Sumire completely ignored everything else, focusing only on her desire to research Gojo. Her voice was filled with pleading.
In Gojo, Sumire had seen the possibility of ending everything.
If she could understand this ability of his...
"My ability isn't something that can be understood through research."
Gojo shook his head helplessly.
Whether it was Cursed Energy or magic, they were things cultivated through training. They were not something stored inside flesh and blood.
Even if Sumire had the opportunity to examine his blood or any other part of his body, it would be useless.
"However..."
Gojo paused and looked at Sumire with a smile.
"If Miss Muroto is willing to offer something in return, then it's not impossible."
"What do you want me to offer?"
Sumire answered without hesitation. Her eyes were filled with desire and excitement.
"Become my private consultant."
"No problem!"
Sumire immediately agreed.
"Whether it's mechanical modifications or other fields, I'm also very skilled in biotechnology."
"Working with me will definitely be worth your while. You won't lose out."
Technical documents and information could be obtained through Seitenshi.
However, once he received them, Gojo had no way of knowing whether they were genuine.
Based on the position Seitenshi had displayed, even if someone had tampered with the information, she herself might not have noticed.
That was why he needed someone who could help verify everything.
And right now, Sumire was an excellent choice.
She could help him determine whether those documents were real or fake.
"If you need it, I can give you the complete mechanical modification data right now."
"Hm?"
Gojo froze slightly and looked at Sumire in confusion.
Before coming here, the only thing he knew about Sumire was that she was responsible for Rentaro's mechanical modifications.
But if she had only been involved in that project, then even with a deep understanding of it, she should not have access to all the technical data.
Something about that did not add up.
"The complete data?"
"Didn't Rentaro tell you? I'm the highest person in charge of Japan's branch of the New Human Creation Plan."
A faint smile appeared on Sumire's lips.
"The highest person in charge?"
Gojo looked around the underground laboratory, then at the dark circles under Sumire's eyes and the suspicious purple liquid inside the beaker on the table.
He had a hard time believing that statement.
"The surroundings don't really look like it."
"That was in the past. I'm no longer involved with it."
Sumire spoke calmly, as if she were talking about something completely insignificant.
"Sounds like there is a story behind that."
"Not really. I just couldn't stand those rotten Higher-ups."
Sumire remained expressionless.
"Besides, their ideals were different from mine. To avoid unnecessary trouble, I came here and hid my identity."
"Hidden identity?"
Gojo touched his cheek silently after hearing that.
"Then I'm afraid I have some bad news. Starting today, it seems like you won't be able to stay hidden anymore."
"Why?"
"Are you planning to report me?"
Sumire looked at him in confusion.
"That's not it."
"It's just that I've been getting closer to the Higher-ups recently, and there will probably be all kinds of surveillance and monitoring."
After hearing that, Sumire's expression became speechless. For a moment, she did not know what to say.
No one had expected things to develop in this direction.
"Then it seems our cooperation has become even more necessary."
"Otherwise, wouldn't I be at a disadvantage? At least let me satisfy my curiosity before I get dragged away."
"Of course. I won't reveal your secrets to those annoying people."
Sumire rubbed her forehead. She seemed to have accepted her current situation.
However, she quickly adjusted her mindset and took the initiative.
"Well."
"Actually, you don't need to worry about this."
Gojo waved his hand.
"I can handle these problems. I can also get you a better and larger research facility, so you can work in a more comfortable environment."
This time, Sumire became cautious.
"You still have other demands? If they're too unreasonable, I won't agree."
She pulled at her white lab coat and looked at him warily.
"Miss Muroto, don't misunderstand. Everything I just mentioned is what I should do after you become my private consultant."
"As your employer, these things are only natural, aren't they?"
Gojo smiled.
"All you need to do is help me handle some related matters."
"No problem."
After realizing Gojo did not have any strange intentions, Sumire no longer cared.
She immediately agreed.
"If that's all, then I'm willing to accept."
"Snap."
Gojo snapped his fingers and smiled at her.
"Then it's settled."
"However, if we want to continue and take things further, this place won't work. We'll need to move somewhere else."
"Otherwise, I don't want people calling me a heartless boss."
Gojo stood up and looked at Sumire.
"Let's go back with us first. I'll find you a new research facility within the next few days."
"Am I really going with you just like this?"
"Won't that cause trouble for you?"
"No need to worry."
Gojo spoke confidently.
"You only need to check if there is anything you need to organize and bring with you."
"Now that you mention it, there actually is quite a lot. Wait for me a moment."
There was no need to take the equipment.
The important things were the research data.
While Sumire was busy organizing everything, Rentaro hesitated before walking over to Gojo.
"Gojo-kun, is this really okay?"
Rentaro had never expected that a simple physical examination would lead to so many changes.
Even Sumire had ended up joining Gojo.
"Of course. Don't worry about it."
Gojo laughed.
"Having Miss Muroto come with us is much safer than leaving her here alone."
Gojo was extremely confident about that.
With him and Betty around, even assassins would have no chance of succeeding.
Seeing how confident he was, and remembering Gojo's strength, Rentaro nodded.
Regardless of anything else, security would not be an issue.
Previously, Rentaro had seen Sumire living alone in this dark underground laboratory for so long, and he had wanted her to go outside, see the sunlight, and experience the outside world.
But he also understood.
That was impossible.
The moment Sumire appeared on the streets, she would be discovered, and someone would come to take her away.
After all, when she had left the government back then, Sumire had completely fallen out with the Higher-ups.
After waiting for a while inside the room, Sumire's voice finally came.
"Alright, all the data has been copied. We can leave now."
"Let's go."
"I'll take you to where we're staying now."
"The place might be a little small for the time being, so don't mind it."
"That's fine. It has to be better than this place."
Sumire casually brushed her hair aside, not caring at all.
The group left the school together.
Enju was carrying a large bag in her hands.
Inside the bag were not ordinary belongings.
They were her severed limbs from earlier.
Although it sounded strange, it was still better than leaving them in the underground laboratory.
That place had probably not been visited by anyone for years. If she left them there, they would likely rot before anyone discovered them.
Since they had come from her own body, throwing them away felt strangely uncomfortable.
"Rentaro, what are we having for dinner tonight?"
Carrying the bag, Enju walked with light steps, clearly in a good mood as she spoke to Rentaro beside her.
"There are still some vegetables at home. I'm not sure what will be delivered today..."
Rentaro shook his head. He did not really know either.
"Actually, Rentaro-kun, I think you should spend some time planning a weekly menu."
"Then you only need to write down the ingredients you need each day. That way, you won't have to wait for the ingredients to arrive before figuring out what to make."
"Hm, Gojo-kun is right."
Gojo's suggestion was definitely worth considering.