Tokyo.
Inside the special conference room used by the higher-ups of the jujutsu world, also known as the Headquarters, Masamichi Yaga, principal of Tokyo Jujutsu High, walked step by step toward the center.
"This is a critical moment between the Shibuya Incident and the Culling Game. Why have you all specifically called me here?"
Standing at the very center of all the higher-ups in the room sounded impressive, but everyone knew the truth. Standing there meant only one thing. You were not on the same side as them.
Masamichi's gaze swept across the room, as if trying to see through the figures hidden behind the folding screens.
"From what you said, the two special grade sorcerers responsible for the 'vessel' have both refused to carry out the execution of Yuji Itadori, correct?"
A voice came from behind one of the screens.
"I do not believe Yuji Itadori has done anything wrong. If he has done nothing wrong, then he does not meet the criteria for execution, at least for now. And as a 'vessel,' he has not yet reached the agreed-upon completion," Masamichi replied calmly.
He did not mention Mukuro or Satoru, speaking only in his own name to protect his student.
"Do you know how chaotic Shibuya became yesterday? And according to our information, Ryomen Sukuna also came out and caused havoc. What was the agreement back then?"
Another elder pressed from behind a screen.
From the very beginning, they had wanted Yuji executed. It was only because Satoru had forced the issue, arguing that Yuji could suppress Sukuna, that the death sentence had been postponed. And in that agreement, it was clearly stated that Sukuna must not be allowed to run wild.
Yet what happened?
Shibuya was the answer. They could not endure that kind of terror again.
"That was because he was force-fed a large number of fingers in a very short time. His body couldn't adapt immediately. That should be taken into account."
Back then, the agreement was for Yuji to slowly consume the fingers, with Satoru stepping in if he lost control. What happened in Shibuya clearly did not follow that condition.
"And even with more than half of his power restored, Sukuna was still defeated by a special grade sorcerer, Mukuro Fushiguro, who was not even at full strength. You should understand that as well."
Silence fell over the room.
"Masamichi Yaga, you should understand very well the damage caused to the jujutsu world and even human society by the reckless actions of people like Mukuro Fushiguro and Satoru Gojo."
Suddenly, the topic shifted. Everything before had only been a setup. A setup to bring up this very issue, an issue concerning those at the very top.
"Therefore, in this world, aside from nuclear weapons, there must be a way to restrain special grade sorcerers. We hope you understand this."
The higher-ups behind the screens tried to bind Masamichi with morality.
For years, although they were nominally in control of the jujutsu world alongside the Big Three Families and stood at the top of the pyramid, special grade sorcerers stood above even that.
Especially Masamichi's three former students: Mukuro Fushiguro, Satoru Gojo, and Suguru Geto.
All three possessed the power to overturn an entire nation, yet they were almost completely uncontrollable. They might not fall into becoming curse users, but whenever they disagreed with orders or new rules from above, they simply refused to follow them.
On the other hand, whenever those people clearly opposed something, even these so-called higher-ups could do nothing about it. They had endured this for a long time, yet there was nothing they could do.
Things had stayed like this for years. They disliked each other, but no one tore things apart openly, and everyone simply put up with it.
At worst, they would endure it for a few more decades. Once those arrogant special grade sorcerers died of old age, their descendants would take back control of the jujutsu world.
However, the Shibuya Incident had completely intensified the conflict between the two sides. Under Kenjaku's scheme, the special grade sorcerer Mukuro Fushiguro fought the King of Curses from a thousand years ago, Ryomen Sukuna.
Thousands died in Shibuya, and several kilometers of buildings were destroyed. The economic losses, both direct and indirect, were immeasurable.
Both the higher-ups of the jujutsu world and the government were extremely dissatisfied. The former believed that at the very least, the "source" of the incident, Sukuna's vessel, had to be eliminated. That was their bottom line.
But the special grade sorcerers had crossed it.
So the higher-ups wanted a method, a way to restrain them. Using nuclear weapons against a single target was unrealistic and too risky, as the opponent could very likely move at extreme speeds.
The only remaining possibility was the man standing before them.
Masamichi's method of creating intelligent cursed corpses.
Until those special grade sorcerers suddenly rose to prominence, the higher-ups didn't even know he possessed such a talent. Although his individual combat strength wasn't that high, because of this ability, Masamichi had been classified as a "quasi-special grade sorcerer."
More than once, they had hinted to him, both openly and subtly, that if he handed over the method, they would elevate him to a true special grade. After all, if he wanted, he could create an entire army of cursed corpses capable of destroying a nation.
And unlike shikigami users, these cursed corpses had intelligence. They could replenish their own cursed energy and carry out tasks with precision.
These old men had coveted this ability for a very long time, but they simply hadn't dared to speak because of those few individuals. This time, they intended to use the Shibuya Incident as leverage to pressure him.
They were counting on Masamichi's honest nature and were certain he would never tell his students about this, because he did not want the already strained relationship to worsen any further.
"If you want to hold me, their teacher, responsible for what my students have done, I have no objections."
Masamichi adjusted his sunglasses, unbothered by their accusations as he responded directly. If they believed his students had done something wrong, they could talk to him. Even punishing him was fine.
But the method of creating intelligent cursed corpses would never be handed over.
To him, those sentient cursed corpses like Panda and Takeru were like his own children, and the purpose of their existence was never meant for battle. Panda becoming a sorcerer was simply because he was a unique and powerful exception.
"If you intend to punish me, you can issue it now. If not, I'll take my leave. There are matters at the school that require my attention."
Looking at the silent room, Masamichi shook his head and turned to leave.
"Damn it… this is infuriating!"
Once Masamichi had completely left, the suppressed emotions of the higher-ups finally exploded, and these figures of authority now cursed like common street brawlers.
Yet no one noticed that when Yaga entered, a small bird had followed him in.
And it never left.
It remained there in the shadows, quietly listening to the entire meeting.
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