Ryomen Sukuna is a demon god from Japanese legend, recorded in the Nihon Shoki. It is said to have two faces and four arms, possessing immense strength and a fondness for eating humans. However, there is another interpretation that views him as a local guardian deity. Though his appearance is monstrous, he is considered a benevolent and good god, with worship of him continuing even into modern times.
Mahito fell silent, recalling that the jujutsu higher-ups of a thousand years ago truly did regard Ryomen Sukuna as a living god. They even regularly offered young boys and girls for Sukuna to consume, completely abandoning their duty to protect humanity.
Tsumiki Fushiguro was not lying. Ryomen Sukuna was truly regarded at that time as—a god.
"One last question." Tsumiki Fushiguro looked directly into Mahito's heterochromatic eyes. That gaze seemed to possess tangible power, sending chills down one's spine. "In your team now, who is in charge? You, or Kenjaku?"
Kenjaku chuckled happily. "It's him. I'm just a strategist."
Tsumiki Fushiguro didn't even glance at Kenjaku, keeping her eyes fixed on Mahito.
At that moment, Mahito finally understood why Kenjaku had surrendered so readily. Tsumiki Fushiguro wasn't using any Cursed Energy, yet her intense, undeniable will pressed down like a physical weight upon whomever she fixed her gaze upon. Mahito perceived this with utmost clarity.
Tsumiki Fushiguro had extended her will to cover the entire space. She lay on the hospital bed, finding even the slightest movement difficult, yet merely seeing her eyes, witnessing the casual sweep of her gaze over you, would instantly make you believe she possessed the kingly authority to control all things.
She was an undisputed powerhouse.
Mahito's heart pounded wildly, both from sensing the danger and because—she had already been imprinted with an [Ideological Imprint].
—Tsumiki Fushiguro is already mine!
Mahito took a deep breath and said solemnly, "It's me."
Tsumiki Fushiguro stared intently at Mahito's heterochromatic eyes. Mahito did not look away or flinch. Only after two or three seconds did she slowly nod. "I understand."
Mahito extended his hand to Tsumiki Fushiguro. "Although I believe I restored you perfectly, after being inactive for so long, your instincts have probably forgotten how to use your limbs… Can you get up?"
Tsumiki Fushiguro gazed at Mahito's hand, hesitated for a moment, and then grasped it. "Thank you… I haven't asked yet, what is your name?"
"Mahito," he said. "My name is Mahito. Pleased to meet you, Miss Tsumiki Fushiguro."
"You Want me to turn your Tsukumogami into a human form while I'm at it?" Tsumiki Fushiguro looked at the hopeful Mahito with disbelief, her usually calm expression finally cracking and twisting. "Are you in your right mind?"
"Give up. It's impossible," Tsumiki Fushiguro asserted.
Transforming Mirokuji Kirigiri into a female Demon Blade Princess—this was an idea that had sprouted in Mahito's mind the first time he saw Mirokuji Kirigiri. And as he nurtured it into a true Tsukumogami, this idea grew uncontrollably, becoming an obsession.
Unfortunately, Mahito had tried for a long time without any progress. He had specifically consulted Kenjaku about this. Kenjaku didn't outright deny it, saying that the combination of the Construction Technique and Idle Transfiguration held too many possibilities; it wasn't an impossible feat.
But this was truly the first attempt since the dawn of the jujutsu world—a complete venture into the unknown, with no sorcerer ever having researched this before.
The research on "Half-Cursed Spirits" at least had some theoretical basis. Kenjaku himself had attempted to cultivate them before. In other words, while no Half-Cursed Spirits appeared in the original work, their theory was actually complete, not baseless.
But this matter lacked even basic theory. Even with Kenjaku's capabilities, they were at a loss. Kenjaku introduced someone to Mahito: the ancient sorcerer Yorozu.
According to Kenjaku, during his millennium of wandering, he had encountered the most outstanding Construction Technique users of various eras. Yet, even after a thousand years and meeting all sorts of top-tier Construction Technique users, Yorozu remained in a league of her own.
With Yorozu's help, combined with Mahito's unique ability, Idle Transfiguration—unparalleled in a thousand years—even something never before seen in the jujutsu world, the humanization of a Tsukumogami, might be achievable.
So said Kenjaku.
And now, Yorozu was right before Mahito. And her answer was—
"Impossible," Tsumiki Fushiguro asserted. "Give up, Mahito."
Uncertain about who had set up the barrier covering Tsumiki Fushiguro, Mahito and the others dared not stay long at the hospital. After confirming Tsumiki Fushiguro was willing to follow Mahito temporarily, they returned directly to their base.
Now, Tsumiki Fushiguro was in the room specially designated for Kirigiri, carefully examining this Tsukumogami crafted from an imitation of the ancient sword Futsu no Mitama. She took Kirigiri from its stand, gently drawing the blade from its scabbard. The straight-bladed greatsword, over two meters in total length, emitted a light metallic sound as it was unsheathed.
She gazed at this ancient sword Tsukumogami and praised, "Exceptionally well nurtured. Its spirituality is also perfect. If you hadn't assured me that Mirokuji's cultivation time was less than two months, I would have thought I was witnessing a Tsukumogami over three hundred years old. She's a beautiful girl; I can sense her tranquility and elegance, like a white swan floating serenely on water."
"Just by looking at her, I understand—you love her dearly," Tsumiki Fushiguro looked up at Mahito, frowning as she said, "Repairing her is simple. Two days would be more than enough… I don't understand why you want to humanize her. What's the point?"
Mahito pondered seriously. "Because it's cool."
Tsumiki Fushiguro's lips twitched. "I hope you're joking."
"I'm not joking. I'm serious," Mahito declared emphatically. "A man should love a Demon Blade Princess!"
On the way over, Tsumiki Fushiguro had learned that Ashiya Magon was also here. Originally, she planned to visit Ashiya Magon first. Their relationship a thousand years ago was quite strange, which wasn't Ashiya Magon's fault—it was entirely Yorozu's own doing. Now, Tsumiki Fushiguro naturally didn't Want such a strange relationship; she hoped to have a normal interaction with an old friend.
Well, in Tsumiki Fushiguro's eyes, Kenjaku didn't count as a friend at all. Compared to Kenjaku, she trusted Ashiya Magon more.
But at that moment, Ashiya Magon, along with Hanami and Dagon, were instructing the five newly born intelligent Cursed Spirits and hadn't come over yet. Kenjaku personally went to fetch them, so Mahito first brought Tsumiki Fushiguro here to see Kirigiri.
She thought that repairing Kirigiri would suffice to repay Mahito for waking her. And she was indeed confident about it. She was recognized by the millennium-old sorcerer Kenjaku as the strongest Construction Technique user in a thousand years. Even if the ancient sword Tsukumogami suffered structural damage from a direct hit by Black Flash, repairing it wouldn't be difficult for her.
As she herself said, two days would be enough.
The arranged duel with Yuki Tsukumo was set for one week later, during the inter-school exchange period. During that time, Gojo Satoru would only be at Tokyo Metropolitan Jujutsu High School. Seizing this opportunity, Mahito could have a samurai-style duel with Yuki Tsukumo.
Time-wise, it was more than sufficient. Mahito had no complaints about that.
But if there was a better possibility, how could Mahito not pursue it? A Demon Blade Princess was right within reach!
Mahito couldn't resist. He simply couldn't resist!
Regarding this, the strongest Construction Technique user in a thousand years said with profound earnestness:
"Mahito, a sword cannot become a human. Wake up."
"Even you can't do it?"
"It's not a matter of whether it can be done," Tsumiki Fushiguro said, in a tone reminiscent of telling a child that humans can't fly. "The structural difference between a sword and a human is so vast it's visible to the naked eye, even without understanding. For a Construction Technique user to construct a Cursed Tool, the most basic theoretical foundation is required.
"You don't even have a theory here; calling it a fantasy seems indulgent. This is pure wishful thinking!"
"Can you… try a little harder?" Mahito looked at Tsumiki Fushiguro expectantly.
"Can't try at all. Give up," Tsumiki Fushiguro said expressionlessly.
Mahito was very disappointed.
Tsumiki Fushiguro sighed. "I can understand the feelings a swordsman holds for their beloved sword—Swordmaster Ashiya used to carry the sword I gave him even while bathing and sleeping. It wasn't until Sukuna severed that sword that his obsessive tendencies lessened somewhat.
"Only somewhat. He still couldn't forget that sword.
"I suspect that even now, he hasn't used another sword, because he regarded that sword as his life's pursuit, a feeling deeper than love for a person.
"I suspect he still keeps that broken blade. Sukuna's Cleave Technique is flawless; the cross-section of that broken sword must be perfect too, making it easy to maintain.
"If a sword could truly become human, I have no doubt he would be even more fanatical about it than I am about Sukuna."
Mahito recalled Ashiya's state when he saw Kirigiri a week ago and found Tsumiki Fushiguro's judgment very convincing. That old man Ashiya was exactly that type of person!
"Kenjaku once said that if anyone in this world could turn an ancient sword into a human, only you, Miss Yorozu, have that possibility," Mahito said. "He holds you in high esteem. I learned many of your deeds from him, with the 'Insect Armor' impressing me the most. I thought if it were you, it might be possible. In this era, the 'Insect Armor' would be the first Kamen Rider."
Since you could create the first Kamen Rider, surely making a Demon Blade Princess was possible too? That was the hope Mahito clung to.
Tsumiki Fushiguro frowned. "Kamen Rider?"
"I remember your 'Insect Armor' imitates insect exoskeletons. Isn't that the first Kamen Rider?"
"My 'Insect Armor' is not some fantasy from a tokusatsu show, but a mature concept," Tsumiki Fushiguro said. "I used to be very troubled. Compared to other Cursed Techniques, the Construction Technique has an overwhelming disadvantage in terms of Cursed Energy efficiency. Although its total Cursed Energy output is no less than that of the powerhouses from the Heian era, the intense consumption of Cursed Energy makes its frontal combat capability insufficient."
This is a bottleneck for all Construction Technique users, and even the strongest Construction Technique user in a thousand years cannot escape it.
⭐ Enjoying the story?
You can read ahead and support the translations by joining my Patreon! Your support helps me update faster and take on more projects. Thank you for reading!
Read up to 50 chapters ahead!
patreon.com/AminaSim
Next Bonus Chapter at 300 Powerstones.