On Monday, April 17, the higher-ups summoned the two troublesome children.
Asou Akiya stopped Gojo Satoru and said to him,
"Tell the higher-ups that the Inverted Spear of Heaven is in your possession."
Gojo Satoru blinked.
"Huh?"
Getou Suguru recalled the weapon that had been shattered into pieces.
"That cursed tool...?"
Asou Akiya did his best to maintain a serious expression, worried that the two of them would fail to appreciate the importance of the matter.
"The Inverted Spear of Heaven is the natural enemy of all cursed techniques. Having it in the hands of one of our own is a form of deterrence. Master Tengen won't leak the information. Saying this will benefit both of you."
Gojo Satoru ignored him and prepared to slip away.
Asou Akiya immediately grabbed his arm.
"I know you don't like lying. You don't need to say anything. Let Suguru do the talking. Just remain silent and tacitly acknowledge it."
Although Gojo Satoru enjoyed pulling pranks, he had always preferred to conduct serious matters openly and honestly.
After Kenjaku gave up on killing the Six Eyes during childhood, the Prison Realm became the special-grade cursed object he prepared specifically for the Six Eyes.
Throughout history, the Prison Realm had imprisoned many people.
However, very few had ever been released alive.
Most sorcerers trapped inside were driven to despair by the chaotic distortions of time and space perception. In the end, many chose suicide as their only escape.
"Suguru, I'm counting on you. Help Gojo confirm it when the time comes."
Seeing that Gojo Satoru remained silent, Asou Akiya entrusted the matter to Getou Suguru instead.
He had long since stopped expecting reliable cooperation from Gojo Satoru in situations like this.
"Okay."
Getou Suguru had no intention of refusing a reasonable request from Asou Akiya.
The Star Plasma Vessel mission had taken place the previous Monday.
After an entire week of arguments, the Higher-Ups and the Three Great Clans had finally reached a compromise.
Each side made concessions.
The Three Great Clans would compensate the Headquarters for the resources and money spent raising the Star Plasma Vessel over the past decade.
In exchange, the Higher-Ups would abandon any attempt to pursue responsibility for the incident.
Inside the dimly lit meeting chamber, shoji screens concealed the figures of the members of the Jujutsu Higher-Ups.
The Jujutsu Inspector General of the Headquarters, jointly nominated by the Three Great Clans and officially appointed by the Japanese Cabinet, spoke.
"Gojo Satoru. Getou Suguru. This is the only failed mission on your records. The higher-ups have agreed to waive accountability and revoke Amanai Riko's designation as the Star Plasma Vessel. In exchange, the Three Great Clans will compensate the Headquarters for ten years of financial and manpower losses."
He paused before continuing.
"Do either of you have anything you wish to say?"
The two teenagers stood in the center of the room, facing the interrogation.
Getou Suguru lowered his gaze and maintained a calm, composed posture. The Cursed Spirit Manipulation user, who was perpetually strapped for cash, answered simply, "I have no objections."
Gojo Satoru, on the other hand, replied coldly, "Are you people done yet? Your efficiency is ridiculously low."
As the Gojo Clan young master who possessed the Six Eyes making his first appearance before the Higher-Ups, he had absolutely no fear of these old fools. After sweeping his gaze across everyone present and assessing their cursed energy, he came to a straightforward conclusion: not a single one of them could fight. They were all weaklings. So what gave them the right to sit there and question him from a position of authority?
"Gojo Satoru," one of them began, "is it true that Zen'in Toji defeated you once and left you on the brink of death?"
"What does that have to do with you?"
"Before his defection, Zen'in Toji stole several cursed tools from the Zen'in Clan's treasury. Among them was the Special Grade cursed tool known as the Inverted Spear of Heaven. Is it currently in your possession? The Zen'in Clan hopes that you will return the special-grade cursed tool."
"That thing is my war trophy. If the Zen'in Clan has the guts, they can come ask me for it themselves."
To Getou Suguru's surprise, Gojo Satoru deftly sidestepped the issue and conveniently omitted the fact that the Inverted Spear of Heaven had already been destroyed.
Standing at nearly one hundred ninety centimeters tall, Gojo Satoru looked down at everyone present with unconcealed disdain.
"You've asked me enough questions. Now it's my turn to ask something."
"When are you going to issue my Special Grade certification?"
One of the Elders could no longer tolerate Gojo Satoru's arrogance and immediately rebuked him. "Gojo Satoru, you are currently a student of Tokyo Jujutsu High. Show some respect to the Elders. Your most recent mission ended in failure. That alone is enough reason for you not to be promoted to Special Grade."
A dangerous edge crept into Gojo Satoru's voice.
"So because a mission failed, I'm not qualified to become a Special Grade sorcerer?"
Getou Suguru spoke up. On the surface, it seemed as though he was supporting the Higher-Ups, but in reality, he was helping his friend.
"Japan is about to enter summer, which is the busiest season for the jujutsu world. High-end combat power is indispensable. Tsukumo Yuki isn't in Japan, and I can't handle everything by myself. This summer will be more than enough for Gojo to prove both his strength and his accomplishments."
One of the existing Special Grade sorcerers stepped in to smooth things over. After a brief discussion, the Higher-Ups found themselves agreeing with the reasoning of the Cursed Spirit Manipulation user.
"Gojo Satoru," they said at last, "this summer will determine whether you truly possess the qualifications we expect."
"Tch..."
Without giving the Elders any face at all, Gojo Satoru turned around and walked out.
When he stayed at home, these people would practically beg him to leave the house.
Damn it, had becoming a student at Tokyo Jujutsu High actually lowered his value?
Getou Suguru quickly caught up with him and smiled as he patted his shoulder. The two returned toward Tokyo side by side. Along the way, Getou Suguru suggested paying Amanai Riko a visit. Gojo Satoru agreed, and the two changed course toward Renchoku Girls' Junior High.
At Renchoku Girls' Junior High's middle school division, second-year student Amanai Riko had returned to her former life.
She attended classes at the school she loved alongside the classmates she cherished. In a classroom filled entirely with girls, she got along well with everyone around her. When her classmates asked about her current living arrangements, she had no intention of revealing anything about the jujutsu world and vaguely replied, "There were some changes in my family situation, so I'm temporarily staying at the school for a while."
Amanai Riko straightened up with renewed energy.
"But this young lady is finally free now! From now on, I can go out and have fun with all of you!"
That answer immediately ignited her classmates' curiosity.
"Woooow—you're free now?!"
"Was it an arranged marriage? Didn't you say before that you lost your freedom at fourteen? Does that mean you don't have to go through with the marriage anymore?"
"That's amazing. My dad is still trying to set me up on blind dates."
"Riko, what method did you use to succeed? Can you teach us?"
Amanai Riko's face flushed red.
Her "assimilation" had somehow been misunderstood as an "arranged marriage."
"I-I-I just kept refusing and eventually succeeded!"
"So decisive!"
"Exactly! Riko actually dared to refuse. We don't have that kind of courage."
"But honestly, being able to marry into Riko's family would be wonderful."
"Riko's distant relatives are seriously handsome. Those two older brothers are the most handsome men I've ever seen."
"Are they really that handsome?" Amanai Riko said, completely unconvinced. "I didn't feel that way at all. I think you're all exaggerating a little."
"Riko, please~! Give us his phone number!"
"We want the white-haired big brother's phone number!"
"...Stop rubbing against me like that. I don't have it!"
Surrounded by her enthusiastic classmates, Amanai Riko was shocked to discover just how absurdly popular Gojo Satoru was.
The guy had only visited her classroom once.
Yet that single appearance had been enough to leave her classmates completely smitten.
Outside the classroom, on a rooftop in the distance, the two teenagers used their exceptional eyesight to observe Amanai Riko's situation at school.
She had obtained the life she wanted.
She had successfully escaped the tragic fate that awaited every Star Plasma Vessel of her generation—the destiny of being sacrificed to Master Tengen.
Gojo Satoru said, "I told you there was nothing to worry about."
Getou Suguru murmured, "It's even better than I imagined. Riko can start over now."
Just as Gojo Satoru was about to leave, he suddenly paused. His Six Eyes rapidly swept across the entire campus.
"The cursed object in the school has been removed."
"What?"
Getou Suguru did not immediately understand.
Too lazy to explain basic jujutsu knowledge, Gojo Satoru only elaborated because it was Suguru asking.
"In important locations such as schools, hospitals, government office buildings, and similar places, the jujutsu world usually stores certain valuable cursed objects. People are sent to inspect them regularly. To ordinary humans, these cursed objects are highly toxic, but the cursed aura they emit can drive away cursed spirits."
Gojo Satoru pointed at the buildings below.
"There wasn't a single cursed spirit here before."
Getou Suguru thought for a moment before reaching a conclusion.
"The Higher-Ups have given up protecting the Star Plasma Vessel, the school has returned to normal operations, and they've removed the cursed object that was being stored here?"
"Exactly."
Getou Suguru found that easy enough to understand.
"The fact that the Higher-Ups aren't causing trouble for Riko anymore is already a good outcome."
"Let's go."
Getou Suguru had no intention of worrying about the school's future. He called for Gojo Satoru to climb onto the flying cursed spirit and sent Amanai Riko a brief message, letting her know that they had come to visit. It was enough to prove that they had checked on her while avoiding unnecessary future contact.
Sorcerers and ordinary people.
Without realizing it, they and Amanai Riko had already become people who belonged to different worlds.
"Suguru, what are you doing after we get back? Want to take on a mission together?"
"No. Cleaning."
"Is it already your turn for dorm duty today?"
"No... It's for The Tombs of the Star Corridor..."
"How tragic, Suguru. You're seriously such a good kid. Akiya tells you to do something and you actually do it?"
"Satoru, I'm just honoring my word. I don't want to break my promise to Master Tengen."
"I just happen to have nothing to do, and I don't feel like going back to class. If you beg me a little, I can accompany you."
"Sure. That's the first human thing you've said all day. Let's go."
"What do you mean, 'the first human thing I've said'?!"
High above the city, the flying cursed spirit wobbled unsteadily through the air, doing its best not to be affected by the two teenagers roughhousing on its back.
In front of the main hall of the Tombs of the Star Corridor, two utterly unreliable second-year students wielded brooms with all the ferocity of martial artists. Dust filled the air as they swept. Various bizarre-looking cursed spirits assisted them in transporting the trash, each contributing its own small part to the cleaning effort.
Back in the classroom at Tokyo Jujutsu High, only Asou Akiya and Ieiri Shoko were attending class.
Ieiri Shoko openly played with her phone, repeatedly bothering the studious Asou Akiya seated beside her and refusing to let him enjoy being a model student.
The screen displayed the chat group:
}—+—{
[Tokyo Jujutsu High's Melon- Eating Duo]
[Ieiri Shoko: Where are those two?]
[Asou Akiya: They were summoned by the Headquarters. They're probably off arguing with people right now.]
[Ieiri Shoko: The old men at the Higher-Ups probably suffer from high blood pressure. Hopefully they won't get so angry that they pass out.]
[Asou Akiya: And then you'd have to go treat them?]
[Ieiri Shoko: …]
[Asou Akiya: Ah, I hit a sore spot. My deepest apologies.]
[Ieiri Shoko: I'm not that fragile. And stop being so sharp-tongued. All I did was interrupt your studying. Honestly, Nanami and Haibara should've joined the prison group photo too. You're probably the most reliable upperclassman in their eyes, aren't you?]
[Asou Akiya: Heh.]
[Asou Akiya: Alright, let's pay attention in class. Put your phone away.]
[Ieiri Shoko: One last question. Is that Zen'in underclassman coming back to school? I feel like I should avoid him.]
[Asou Akiya: No need to avoid him. I'll make sure he's properly disciplined.]
[Ieiri Shoko: ??????]
[Asou Akiya: Let him recuperate for a few more days. At the latest, I'll have him back in school by next Monday.]
[Ieiri Shoko: ...Is it just me, or are you dealing with him faster than you deal with Gojo?]
[Asou Akiya: Don't be ridiculous. They're not even comparable.]
}—+—{
When Gojo Satoru enrolled, it was as though the divine child of the Six Eyes had descended into the mortal world.
When Zen'in Naoya enrolled, it was as though a relic of feudal society had come to pollute one of the few remaining pure lands of Tokyo Jujutsu High.
...
"No visitors."
A member of the Higher-Ups requested an audience with Master Tengen and was rejected without the slightest hesitation.
Soon afterward, the Higher-Ups issued orders to sorcerers across Japan to inspect the barriers. The results showed that the Great Barrier of Japan remained completely stable and free of abnormalities. Just as Master Tengen had claimed, a third Star Plasma Vessel had already been successfully assimilated.
Kenjaku, however, did not believe the smokescreen the jujutsu world was putting up.
As long as his people could not personally see Tengen with their own eyes, "she" would never believe that Tengen had successfully renewed their fleshly body.
"Fushiguro Toji is dead, Amanai Riko survived, and the Time Vessel Association wasn't destroyed?"
"This has gone completely off-script."
Standing within the territory of the Time Vessel Association, Kenjaku personally examined the traces left behind on the battlefield. After assessing the evidence and confirming Gojo Satoru's current level of strength, he sighed in frustration.
"The growth rate of this generation's Six Eyes is far too fast. The Inverted Spear of Heaven has also fallen into his hands. Fortunately, I've never heard of a Six Eyes user who particularly enjoys relying on cursed tools."
As long as Gojo Satoru did not carry the Inverted Spear of Heaven on his person at all times, that item would eventually find its way back into her hands.
Kenjaku leisurely departed from the Time Vessel Association's grounds without leaving behind the slightest trace and headed toward her next destination.
"Tengen is hiding within the barriers."
"So was the assimilation completed, or was it not?"
Beneath her bangs, a stitched scar ran across her forehead—a sight so shocking that it would be enough to terrify Tengen the moment they saw it.
Stopping before Fushiguro Toji's gravestone, the short-haired woman, whose appearance was as gentle and graceful as flowing water, crouched down and dug up a portion of his buried remains. A hint of surprise crossed her face.
"They actually buried part of his body?"
Kenjaku had originally come merely to take a look, but now she collected Fushiguro Toji's severed arm.
"A rare treasure among those bound by Heavenly Restriction."
Had it not been for the fact that her cursed technique would conflict with a Heavenly Restriction, Kenjaku would have been quite interested in taking over Fushiguro Toji's body. The ultimate physical strength it possessed was a form of violent temptation that no one could easily resist.
She quietly added Fushiguro Toji's remains to her list of research subjects.
"Next..."
Kenjaku arrived at St. Love Orphanage in Yokohama and met with the director in a friendly and approachable manner before asking a seemingly ordinary question.
"Hello. Do you happen to have any sixteen-year-old boys who have not yet been adopted?"
She was investigating Asou Akiya's background.
Among Getou Suguru's three classmates, information on Gojo Satoru and Ieiri Shoko was relatively complete. Information on Asou Akiya, however, was remarkably scarce.
The Higher-Ups believed that Asou Akiya was merely a civilian companion student hired by the Gojo Clan.
During the Star Plasma Vessel mission, his role had been limited to supporting Gojo Satoru and Getou Suguru. His strength did not appear particularly noteworthy.
Kenjaku, however, never overlooked a potentially useful piece on the board.
Through the orphanage, she obtained information about Asou Akiya's interpersonal relationships. Then, using connections within several hospitals, she acquired blood samples from his medical examinations.
Back in the laboratory, she conducted genetic testing on the samples with considerable interest.
Kenjaku sighed in disappointment.
"There isn't the slightest blood relation to any of the Three Great Clans in his genes."
She had long grown accustomed to seeing new sorcerers suddenly emerge within the jujutsu world, only to discover that their ancestors had some connection to the jujutsu community.
The jujutsu world was essentially one enormous family.
Everyone inside it knew one another in some fashion, while outsiders found it extraordinarily difficult to squeeze their way in. Very few true civilians—people with no innate technique, no background, and no bloodline ties—ever managed to make a name for themselves within the jujutsu world without eventually being used up as expendable cannon fodder by the Higher-Ups.
Among the Three Great Clans, Kenjaku's influence over the Kamo Clan was the strongest, while her influence over the Gojo Clan was the weakest. As a result, she could not obtain a definitive answer regarding Asou Akiya's origins from the Gojo Clan's upper ranks.
"A person like this can't possibly be free of worldly desires. His classmates are all geniuses. He must long for power as well."
"Could he become one of my people and act as my intermediary to meet Tengen?"
Thinking of Tengen's extreme vigilance whenever her presence was involved, Kenjaku ultimately shook her head in regret.
"Not particularly useful."
Tengen knew that she favored possessing black-haired male sorcerers and had gradually developed a psychological aversion toward that type of person.
Asou Akiya. Male. A Semi-Grade 2 sorcerer without an innate technique. Classmate of the Cursed Spirit Manipulation user and the Six Eyes.
His body was not valuable enough for Kenjaku to possess.
His network of connections was also fairly ordinary.
Neither was worth investing significant resources into.
By her estimation, he was probably just an inconsequential supporting figure within the school. He possessed a few tricks and some intelligence, enough to protect himself, but little more than that.
"As for Amanai Riko, the Higher-Ups are simply letting her go?"
A trace of amusement appeared in Kenjaku's eyes.
"So Getou-kun has voluntarily become her protector?"
Kenjaku's attention shifted away from Asou Akiya and settled upon Amanai Riko instead.
Ideally, every Star Plasma Vessel should die.
After a moment of hesitation, however, she chose to tolerate the situation for the sake of her future plans involving the Cursed Spirit Manipulation user.
In order to one day experience the once-in-a-thousand-years miracle that was Cursed Spirit Manipulation for herself, all other personal grudges could be set aside.
Kenjaku sighed regretfully.
"Getou-kun, you never should have lost to Fushiguro Toji. Your mastery of your cursed technique is simply far too poor."
The birth of the Six Eyes had shattered the balance of the jujutsu world.
And in this era, where both humans and cursed spirits proliferated like maggots, it was also the perfect breeding ground for a Cursed Spirit Manipulation user.
As Gojo Satoru continued his explosive growth, cursed spirits would inevitably erupt in ever-greater numbers, desperately attempting to restore the balance disrupted by his existence. One day, all of those cursed spirits would become Getou Suguru's food.
Kenjaku saw the balance of the jujutsu world and its future with absolute clarity.
And the more clearly she saw it, the more irresistible it became.
As expected, she truly did love black-haired male sorcerers the most.