Kinji Hakari's voice was low:
"While I was at Jujutsu High, I never imagined that the number of deaths caused by Cursed Spirits annually across Japan wouldn't even match the number of humans killed by other humans in Tokyo—it's not even half! The first time I learned this statistic, I thought most deaths were due to accidents or natural causes, but no, suicide, sudden death, and death due to occupational illness account for the majority."
Kinji Hakari stopped speaking. He slowly exhaled, performing his final warm-up movement.
Gojo Satoru remained silent. He truly hadn't looked into these matters. He was already exhausted just dealing with the old geezers above him; even his teaching time had to be squeezed out, making it impossible for him to seriously investigate the confirmed annual death toll of the country, let alone read professional reports.
He only cared about the affairs of the jujutsu world and the balance between the jujutsu world and ordinary society. Other than that, he had never entertained the idea of interfering with ordinary society.
This cold, hard data slammed into him, catching him off guard for the first time. He was stunned.
Kinji Hakari said calmly, "Jujutsu High taught me that Cursed Spirits are unforgivable, and direct killing behavior is absolutely unacceptable. So, is dying from overwork due to mandatory overtime ordered by a company considered killing?"
"Is death caused by vitamin deficiency resulting from long-term nutritional imbalance due to a lack of energy to eat properly considered killing? Is choosing suicide because one cannot bear societal pressure considered killing?"
"Human trafficking, drug dealing, the children of high-ranking officials judged insane by the courts, and bosses who hypocritically use the name of 'greater good' to order employees to work beyond legal labor limits,"
"Issues like these are ubiquitous in today's society."
"Are these considered killing?"
"I am not some great politician, and I have absolutely no clue about these social problems. Even if I racked my brain, I couldn't come up with a way to handle such things, because I don't understand sociology, economics, or diplomacy. I'm even clumsy when handling my own interpersonal relationships."
"But I can handle ten-digit addition, subtraction, and multiplication."
"No matter how you look at it, the number of humans killed by humans far exceeds the number of humans killed by Cursed Spirits. This data is absolutely not fabricated."
Kinji Hakari stood up straight, stretching his arms with all his might toward the sky, as if yawning. He said solemnly:
"Humans have ruled humans for over ten thousand years, and all I see is endless awfulness, constantly falling downward like an abyss, falling and falling, with no bottom, no place to stand.
"Now that things have reached this point, and there is a Cursed Spirit whom even Gojo-sensei acknowledges choosing to try its own method, what reason do I have not to choose to—"
"Take a gamble?"
Gambling with the future of humanity? Gojo Satoru wanted to shout this. But he knew that saying such things was completely useless now.
Kinji Hakari was not controlled, nor was he under any Binding Vow. He had reached this conclusion entirely through his own will, based on his life experiences, deep contemplation, and personal insights.
This conclusion was certainly not biased. Let alone Gojo Satoru, if Kinji Hakari's words were taken anywhere, some people would surely agree. This wasn't because those who agreed were fools who didn't know Cursed Spirits couldn't be trusted, but simply because—over these ten thousand years, the result of humans ruling themselves has been truly awful.
A meme actually explains this phenomenon quite vividly: An alien comes to Earth to rule it. A worker nervously asks, "How are you planning to enslave us?" The alien replies cruelly:
[You will all work a full 8 hours every day, be provided only three meals plus snacks, and only get milk in the morning! Lunch break will only be one hour! Haha, you will be utterly exhausted!
You will only receive bonuses three times a year and only two months of annual leave! The cruelest part is, you only get one day of psychological counseling per week! You'll only get a raise every four months, overtime only grants triple pay, and mandatory fitness after work! ]
Now tell me, how many working people wouldn't be confused by that? Just as Kinji Hakari himself said—
—If humanity itself is failing, why not let the Cursed Spirits try?
"I don't know if you've gone completely mad, Hakari." Gojo Satoru sighed.
"I don't know either." Kinji Hakari, instead, smiled. "But I do know that I can afford this gamble. Precisely because Gojo-sensei is watching my back, even if Mahito's reforms fail and turn disastrous, Gojo-sensei will surely twist Mahito's head off and make everything return to the way it is now, won't he?"
Gojo Satoru was stunned, finding it hard to believe. "You actually think that way?"
"Is there anything wrong with me thinking this way?" Kinji Hakari finished his warm-up and gave a thumbs up. "You are Gojo-sensei. What reason… do you have not to let me trust you? You're the strongest."
Gojo Satoru's heart skipped a beat. He suddenly recalled Kinji Hakari once saying that if even Mahito couldn't deal with Gojo Satoru, the next sharp force aimed at him would be Ryomen Sukuna.
Kinji Hakari was being sentimental! This information should theoretically be top secret, yet he said it without hesitation.
On one hand, he chose the King of Curses to reign over the world, hoping for a big gamble, and thus he would never betray the King of Curses. Even though Gojo Satoru was standing right in front of him, he would not compromise.
On the other hand, he hoped Gojo Satoru would live—and live forever. If the King of Curses' reforms backfired, Gojo Satoru would personally kill the King of Curses and return everything to the starting point.
This was… what incredible trust!
Gojo Satoru couldn't help but be moved, but he absolutely wouldn't show it on his face.
He raised his usual frivolous and arrogant smile and said to Kinji Hakari, "Alright, leave it to me."
"Just by looking at Satoru, I can tell he's already been convinced by your fallacies."
Yuki Tsukumo took off her jacket, revealing her athletic physique. Cursed Energy fluctuations spread from the tips of her hair. Under the midday sun, her blonde hair seemed ignited by flames, taking on a molten gold-red color. Her silhouette, bathed in sunlight, looked like a goddess emerging from the sun.
Kinji Hakari felt immense pressure. The little dragon on his shoulder had already opened its fierce eyes, glaring at Yuki Tsukumo. He laughed boldly, and the Cursed Energy on his body began to burn. As the Cursed Energy ignited, the little dragon on his shoulder also began to change.
The little dragon suddenly spread its wings and flew toward the sky, while Kinji Hakari advanced.
"How do you know they are fallacies?" Kinji Hakari asked, moving his arms.
"When you put your faith in Cursed Spirits, the words that leave your mouth are nothing but disgusting fallacies," Yuki Tsukumo chuckled. "Satoru is still too young. He is bound to this island nation, as if his soul has taken the shape of this country. His power is strong enough to kill all of humanity, yet his mind is as pure as an innocent young girl who has never experienced love."
"You, huh—you really don't listen to reason." Kinji Hakari grinned, baring his teeth like a fierce tiger.
"It is precisely because I have listened too much that I am standing here." Yuki Tsukumo also smiled, a fierce smile like that of an evil spirit. "Come on, kid, let me properly witness the demeanor of the King of Curses through you!"
"As you wish!" Kinji Hakari formed hand signs and roared enthusiastically:
"Tokyo Metropolitan Jujutsu High School, third year—Kinji Hakari."
"I request instruction from Lady Tsukumo!"
Yuki Tsukumo's fighting spirit was instantly ignited. She threw away the jacket she had taken off, revealing a sleeveless, form-fitting tank top underneath. The top clung tightly to her figure, outlining breathtaking curves. The discarded jacket flew into the sky like a black banner waving in the wind.
She burst out laughing:
"Special Grade Sorcerer Yuki Tsukumo accepts your challenge—bring it on!"
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