In the previous chapter: After the final clash between Gojo Satoru and Kaito, a colossal explosion devastated the battlefield, creating a crater several kilometers across and completely altering the landscape. The cursed energy of both vanished, leaving the outcome of the battle uncertain.
The sorcerers from the School of Sorcery, who had retreated to a safe area, returned to the site to search for survivors. Although the forest and the city appeared untouched, they soon discovered the true extent of the hidden destruction. After splitting into groups and exploring the terrain, they found Gojo gravely wounded, embedded in a mountain, his cursed energy nearly depleted.
Shoko managed to stabilize him, but Gojo fell into a coma. He was secretly taken to a safe house, where he was kept under strict guard to prevent high-ranking officers or enemies from taking advantage of his condition.
Meanwhile, Kaito left the battlefield alive. From a distance, he completely restored the destroyed area, concealing any trace of the fighting. Back in his apartment, he rebuilt his body and revealed his true identity to Masayuki, his butler, explaining his past, his origins as the First Curse, and his plans: to restore his clan, spread the cursed energy throughout the world, and eliminate anyone who stood in his way.
Days later, after eight days in a coma, Gojo finally awoke. He confirmed that he hadn't defeated Kaito and that Kaito had deliberately spared his life. Aware of the threat he posed, Gojo understood that Kaito was an existence that shouldn't exist in this era, and that his presence would mark the beginning of something much greater.
At that moment, Gojo was lying in bed, staring at the ceiling with a thoughtful expression. Meanwhile, Shoko left the room intending to warn the others.
She walked through the hallways until she reached a room where everyone was gathered, a space that resembled a makeshift cafeteria. There was an almost empty vending machine and a coffee maker that had been running for hours. Nobara, Panda, and Itadori were sitting at a table playing cards, while others sat at another table, either silently or checking their phones.
Calmly, the sound of footsteps began to be heard from the hallway.
They all raised their heads at the same time, looking towards the entrance.
At that moment, Shoko appeared in the doorway. She observed them for a moment before speaking:
—Gojo woke up.
Itadori stood up immediately, his smile radiant with relief and joy. The atmosphere instantly changed, and several people smiled at his words.
Nobara spoke, crossing her arms:
—That idiot finally woke up. It's about time.
Megumi gave a slight smile and stood up without saying anything, starting to walk towards the exit. Itadori followed him immediately.
Maki also stood up and spoke with determination:
-Come on.
Inumaki simply said:
-Salmon.
Panda raised his arms, giving a small jump of joy:
—Yes!
So, they all went together to Gojo's room to see him.
After everyone left, Shoko stood for a moment watching the students' swords. Then she followed them down the corridor, a faint smile playing on her lips, a mixture of relief and happiness.
After walking for a while, they arrived at Gojo's room. The door was ajar. Inside, Gojo was lying on the bed, with one hand behind his head, staring at the ceiling.
Itadori was the first to enter. He did so energetically, with a big smile on his face.
—Gojo-sensei!
Gojo turned his head and, upon seeing him, returned the smile with his usual carefree air.
—Oh. Yuuji? I see you're doing well. How were you while I was gone?
Itadori approached the bed, clearly relieved.
—Gojo-sensei. We were all worried.
Megumi entered silently and stopped beside the stretcher. She observed him for a few seconds before speaking.
—I'm glad you're alive.
Gojo tilted his head.
—How cold you are, Megumi. I thought you'd at least feign emotion.
Nobara entered the room and approached the stretcher with a mocking smile.
—Hahaha, you got a good beating.
Gojo smiled and scratched the back of his head.
—It seems so, hahaha.
Nobara frowned with feigned anger.
—Hey, don't laugh.
After that, the second-year students came in. Panda took a couple of exaggerated steps and approached the bed.
—Sensei! I thought you were gone forever.
Gojo responded with a confident smile.
—I'm tough and strong. I wouldn't fall so easily, hahaha.
Maki entered and, seeing him in that state, shook her head with a slight smile.
"It's good you woke up. It would have been a problem if you'd stayed asleep."
Gojo replied without losing his smile.
—Of course. Although I'd like to sleep a little longer. Hahaha.
Inumaki peeked his head out from the doorway.
-Salmon.
Gojo gave a thumbs-up.
—That sounds like approval.
Shoko was the last to enter. She leaned against the doorframe and calmly observed him.
—Eight days unconscious. What did you do this time to end up like that?
She sighed and added:
—Next time, don't break yourself so much. Can't you see your students missed you?
Gojo sighed, closing his eyes for a moment.
—That hurt more than my wounds.
He thought to himself: They were left waiting. They're good students.
For a moment, the room fell silent. It wasn't awkward. It only confirmed something everyone felt.
Gojo was back.
Shoko stopped leaning against the door and walked towards him, standing beside him. She glanced at him and spoke calmly, but without softening her tone:
"What did you do this time, Gojo? I want to hear everything, down to the smallest detail. Tell me how you ended up in this state, and what you'll do after this."
Gojo glanced at her for a moment. Then he stopped smiling and spoke seriously:
"I lost completely. I was no match for Kaito. Like I told you before, he outclassed me in every way: strategy, cursed energy, and experience. He knew how to strike, how to move. Even the way the cursed energy worked in his body was completely insane."
Everyone watched him in silence. No one said anything , until Maki thought:
Even though he's an idiot, he's strong. And yet he ended up in this state. If someone like you falls, what will happen to us?
Maki raised an eyebrow and spoke frankly:
—Is that guy so superior that even you felt inferior?
Gojo looked at her for a moment, smiled slightly, and then looked down at her hand.
—I was able to replicate some of his manipulation of cursed energy. Do you want to see it?
They all looked at each other and nodded.
Gojo settled himself on his stretcher, rolled up his sleeve and extended it to the side, making a fist.
—This is the normal movement of the cursed energy.
A translucent, blue-green flame appeared on his forearm, covering his fist. At that moment, Gojo exerted more force, and the cursed energy vanished completely.
Everyone opened their eyes in surprise.
The veins in Gojo's arm began to glow a deep blue, spreading along the entire limb. The pressure in the room increased, accompanied by a slight gravitational pull emanating from that arm.
Megumi thought: Such a sophisticated method. This is just an imperfect replica of the original.
Then she spoke:
—That method was used in the past.
Gojo shook his head gently.
—No. He told me that in the past they weren't able to replicate his method. But it's possible that something similar to this existed.
Nobara frowned.
—The history of witchcraft has always been so profound. I wonder why there are so few of us now when there used to be so many.
He thought, with a barely sustained smile: Gojo Satoru, the strongest. Against him, now I don't even know how to feel. I think I'm scared.
Gojo replied calmly:
—It's possible Kaito severed the sorcery line when he eliminated them in the past, but who knows?
Shoko sighed and thought. Now I wonder what will happen. Gojo lost. No one can stop Kaito. How much will the world of sorcery change with his return? I need to see it.
He looked at Gojo's arm and explained:
"You're using your veins as a power catalyst. You're making that arm much stronger than normal. Each vein is equivalent to the power of one of your arms. If we multiply that, the difference is absurd."
Gojo released his fist and slowly lowered his arm, unleashing the pent-up power.
"But it wasn't like that," he said. "When I fought him, he didn't use his veins as a catalyst. It was different. He had channels all over his body, allowing the cursed energy to flow smoothly and calmly."
He paused for a second before continuing:
He held back. Not in the expenditure of that damned energy, but in his physical strength. Or rather, in his fists. They weren't as powerful as they truly were. I could only clumsily replicate it, using the veins in my body.
Gojo sighed and leaned back lazily on the stretcher.
"It was an unequal fight. He never used his curses under his control. He just fought straight, as if he were reaffirming that he was always the strongest. How annoying."
Shoko looked at him for a moment, then scratched her head.
—But tell me one thing. If that guy is so incredible, how did you survive? You probably died from a single blow.
Gojo smiled. He looked at everyone and then glanced down at a small table to the side, where there was an apple next to a glass of water. He took it calmly.
—While fighting Kaito, I realized something about my ability. Kaito said it was time, but it isn't.
Megumi spoke first, barely frowning:
—Can you control time?
Nobara added, with a slightly raised eyebrow:
—Is that why you were able to keep up with his fighting level?
He thought, without looking away: To think I'd reach that level. Damned genius.
Itadori just watched with curiosity, leaning slightly forward.
Gojo spoke with a calm smile:
—No. I don't control time. What I control is the speed of things. My ability has always been based on the same thing: lengthening and shortening the distance between points. But Kaito told me something important: that abilities also depend on imagination.
He walked around the block in his hand.
—Then I thought of a different way to use it. Not just to lengthen the distance between objects , but to manipulate the distance within matter itself, without needing to move it.
She held it up in front of them.
"Since I can manipulate distances, everything I did before was practically instantaneous. I never needed to think about another way to fight. But Kaito was right about one thing: my abilities were made for fighting the weak."
His expression became slightly more serious.
—So I changed my way of thinking. I followed the same principle, but I took it further. Instead of using space only to attack or defend myself, I started using it to alter the speed of things.
He paused briefly.
Simply put: I can make something appear faster or slower by manipulating the space it occupies. I shorten or lengthen the path it must travel, and at the same time, I can accelerate or decelerate whatever is moving within that path.
He looked at the apple calmly.
—That's my true speed control. It's not that I manipulate time; it's that I modify both distance and the internal movement of matter.
She squeezed it lightly between her fingers.
At that moment, a white aura appeared around the fruit. The apple began to wither gradually, wrinkling and darkening, until the aura changed intensity and the fruit slowly returned to its original state.
Gojo spoke calmly:
—When I accelerate the internal distance of matter and its movement, a process occurs much faster. And if I apply reverse cursed energy, I can reverse that same spatial manipulation.
The apple looked fresh and firm again.
—From the outside it looks like I'm going back in time. But that's not the case. There's no time travel or real reversal. I'm just accelerating or decelerating internal processes using space.
He smiled slightly.
—It's like a car: I can shorten the road, make it go faster, brake, or put it in reverse. But time never changes. Only the road and the speed within it change.
They all watched him for a moment, not fully understanding.
Itadori spoke, confused:
—Being able to modify something like that, even if it's not time, isn't that a very advanced skill?
Megumi thought, barely lowering her gaze: If even with this he couldn't defeat Kaito , I can't imagine the true magnitude of his power. If Gojo-sensei hadn't been there, we all surely would have died. Just thinking about it is overwhelming.
He discreetly looked up at the others.
I'm sure they know it too. Deep down, we should be grateful that someone like him exists in this day and age.
The silence fell again, heavy but different. It was no longer just astonishment.
It was consciousness.
Shoko spoke while looking at the apple:
—So that's how it works. I think I understand it more or less. But even so, you weren't able to stop or kill Kaito.
Gojo just smiled and sighed.
—When I did it, I thought the same thing, that it would kill him.
He shrugged lazily.
"But that guy has a weapon capable of shattering reality itself. So what I was doing was pointless. Even during the fight, I slowed everything around me down, even light. But it was impossible to stop him. And in the end, I ended up like this."
Panda spoke seriously:
—A weapon that can break reality? It sounds like something out of a fictional story.
Gojo opened his eyes a little, and then laughed with amusement.
-Ha ha ha.
Nobara looked at him, frowning.
—What are you laughing at?
Gojo replied, still smiling:
—Now that I think about it, that guy told me something about his weapons. One of them has the ability to imprison gods.
Everyone's eyes widened in surprise.
—Gods!?
Gojo stopped laughing, but his expression remained relaxed.
"He never used his full power against me. Not even in a one-on-one fight. His weapons belong to his cursed ritual. He could have used his sword and those chains to kill me. But he gave me a chance."
He lowered his head slightly and leaned lazily back against the stretcher.
Itadori listened in silence.
He suffered so much in the past, yet he still made so many people suffer for so long. And now, thanks to Gojo-sensei, who was able to bring him to his senses a little, the world remains unchanged.
Her fingers closed slightly.
Maybe this time someone was able to catch him.
She didn't say anything out loud. But her gaze no longer showed fear.
He showed understanding.
Maki sighed.
—With everything you've told us, and with his story, there's only one thing to say. His power is strange. If what he said about the past is true, then he was the one who changed the course of sorcery, leaving only a few clans alive throughout time.
Megumi spoke seriously:
"Such a being shouldn't exist in this era. Perhaps in the past they could stand against him, when there were many more sorcerers, but now no one is his rival."
Gojo kept his face calm.
—Apparently, his title of "cursed god" isn't just a name. Perhaps the special rank no longer suits him. Maybe we should create a new one.
He barely smiled.
-Ha ha ha.
Itadori, on the other hand, remained serious.
"For now, we can only wait. Perhaps he won't do anything wrong. If we leave him alone, he might not bother anyone. After hearing his story, I understand. The ancient world wasn't peaceful. It was much crueler than this one. And besides, he hasn't done anything the entire time you've been inactive, Gojo-sensei."
Gojo was silent for a moment and thought.
The fact that he hasn't done anything is precisely what worries me. But after hearing his plans, I think I know what his next move will be.
Then he spoke calmly:
—I'll go talk to him. He's probably waiting for me.
Shoko looked at him with interest.
—I would like to meet him.
The other students nodded almost at the same time.
—We'll go too.
Gojo watched them for a moment.
—That's not a good idea. They'd be better off staying put.
Then he glanced sideways at Shoko.
—You can come after all. I can see the curiosity in your eyes.
Shoko sighed, putting her hands in the pockets of her medical coat.
—Meeting the creator of curses sounds interesting.
A slight smile appeared on her face.
Gojo shifted on the stretcher, sitting on the edge.
"If you want something from him, you'll have to give him something in return that interests him. It's the only way to get him to talk civilly."
Shoko nodded slightly.
—I see. So, an exchange. I wonder what he's looking for.
He glanced at him out of the corner of his eye.
—I'll talk to him.
Gojo stood up and stretched. Everyone watched him.
Then he looked at his students.
—I'd better go out. I'm going to get everything ready.
They left the place without saying anything.
Shoko walked to a closet inside the room and opened it.
—We'll put your clothes here.
Gojo nodded. Shoko left the room.
Gojo approached the wardrobe and began to change. As he adjusted his shirt, his mind raced.
I have to find a way to get closer to his power.
He tried to organize his thoughts. Analyze techniques. Variables. Failures. But for the first time in a long time, he couldn't find a clear answer.
Her mind went blank.
That bothered him more than any injury.
After a moment, he finished changing. He calmly adjusted his sleeves, as if nothing weighed on him. He left the room and, as he walked down the corridor, put on his mask. The fabric covered his eyes. His expression returned to normal.
"It's time to solve the problems," he murmured.
After that, he arrived at the room where everyone was. He looked at Shoko.
—It's time to go.
Shoko nodded and they began to walk calmly until they left the place.
Gojo then looked at the first and second-year students.
—Go to the academy of sorcery. It's best if you continue with your duties. Many will surely ask for me. Tell them I'll be there today and that they should wait.
Without adding anything else, he started walking towards the exit. This time he wasn't wearing his usual smile and thought.
If I had died, everyone under my wing would have been hunted down by the elders. That would have been troublesome. Kaito, by letting me live, you saved many lives.
He paused briefly in thought.
But for some reason, I feel a strange sensation inside me. It's kind of funny. I feel good. Like everything is easier now. It's exciting.
Everyone watched his back in silence as he walked away.
Nobara tilted her head slightly.
—Don't you think it's a little strange?
Megumi replied calmly:
—It's like things aren't the same as before. It's strange.
Maki crossed her arms.
"It's because he was completely defeated. He did everything he could and still lost. Someone like him had never felt anything like that, I suppose."
He scratched his head, doubting his own conclusion.
Itadori remained silent for a few seconds before speaking:
"Maybe it's because he no longer has a burden on him, as if he feels at peace. Or something like that."
The others looked at him, thoughtful.
No one answered.
Then, without saying anything else, they began walking towards the exit to return to the witchcraft academy.
Gojo and Shoko were in a taxi heading to Kaito's residence.
As they walked on, Gojo spoke calmly:
—Shoko, when I spoke with Kaito earlier, the people who brought him here were a special-grade curse and a special-grade sorcerer.
Shoko, who was looking out the window, turned her head towards him.
—A special-grade sorcerer and special-grade curses? The curses must be those the school has already dealt with. But as for the sorcerer, I wonder who that could be.
Gojo tilted his head slightly.
—Kaito told me that the name of that sorcerer is Kenjaku, or Geto.
Shoko was suddenly taken aback. She couldn't say a word and just thought.
It's impossible.
Gojo continued seriously:
"He's most likely alive, if it's still him. If not, something else must have happened. It was my fault for not letting you handle his body."
Shoko turned her gaze back to the window.
"Geto's body passed through my hands. So how could he be alive?"
Gojo was silent for a moment.
—In the end, it's possible someone has taken his body. We'll have to search until we find him.
Shoko just nodded.
Gojo thought as he watched the streets go by outside the car window.
Is Geto alive? I wonder if it really is him.
He lowered his head slightly.
I hope he has only risen again.
After several minutes, the taxi came to a complete stop. Gojo and Shoko got out of the car in front of the building where Kaito lived. The glass windows reflected the midday sun.
Shoko observed the structure.
—I thought he'd be hiding somewhere dark, not in a luxury building.
Gojo put his hands in his pockets and spoke in a relaxed tone:
—He's a pretty strange guy.
He started walking. He went up the front steps and Shoko followed closely behind.
They passed through the entrance and arrived at the first floor. The interior displayed the luxury of the place without disguise: polished marble, warm lighting, and furniture that seemed more like exhibition pieces than simple decorations.
Shoko looked around silently and murmured, barely audible:
—How luxurious. I've never been to a place like this.
Gojo approached the reception desk. The woman behind the counter greeted him warmly. He blushed slightly and thought, somewhat distractedly:
What a handsome man. I feel like I've seen him before.
Gojo spoke as he leaned casually against the counter:
—I'm looking for the building owner.
The receptionist nodded and picked up the phone to make a call.
Someone answered on the other end.
—Mr. Masayuki, someone is looking for Tanaka-sama.
The receptionist listened for a few seconds. Then she looked at Gojo ya Shoko.
-Yes sir.
While answering, she continued to watch them, responding to the questions they asked her over the line. Finally, she hung up.
—Sir, someone will be here to see you shortly. If you'd like, you can wait.
Gojo nodded and walked to the waiting room. He sat down calmly. Shoko sat down next to him. After a few minutes, the doors of one of the elevators opened.
Masayuki emerged from it and walked directly toward them. As he approached, he spoke:
—You're the ones who came to see Shiro-sama, right?
Gojo watched him. He barely raised his gaze and nodded.
Masayuki continued with serious composure:
—Then follow me. I'll take you to him.
He turned around and walked toward the elevator, pressing the button for private access. Moments later, Masayuki entered. Shoko and Gojo followed him.
As the elevator ascended, Masayuki glanced sideways at Gojo and thought:
Kaito-sama told me he was dangerous . We'd better be careful.
Inside the elevator, Gojo tilted his head slightly, observing him.
—So you're using cursed energy, butler.
Masayuki glanced at him sideways, maintaining his composure.
—It's something Kaito-sama granted me. I'm only able to see curses, nothing else. Although for someone like me, that's already enough.
Gojo observed him for a moment, analyzing every detail of his presence. Then he looked ahead.
-I see.
Upon hearing that, Shoko thought:
It's capable of giving people cursed energy. That's beyond what I expected.
A slight tension ran down his spine.
To tell you the truth, I'm a little scared.
She glanced sideways at Gojo and sighed, trying to keep her expression from changing.
I hope everything goes well. I want to ask you a few things. The reason must be simple curiosity.
Her eyes barely closed.
I want to hear from him. I want him to tell me about the past.
A moment later, the elevator doors opened on the top floor.
Masayuki stepped out first and led them to a spacious room. There sat Kaito at the table, eating with complete tranquility.
Masayuki looked at Gojo and Shoko.
—You can sit down. I'll bring you lunch so you can talk while you eat. Please take a seat.
Gojo and Shoko turned their gaze toward Kaito. She said nothing. What she saw in front of her left her speechless.
He wore an open black yukata, embroidered in gold, his chest bare. His hair was swept back naturally, and his glasses concealed his eyes. Serene. Unchanging. As if nothing in the world could disturb him. The atmosphere around him was stable, too stable. It wasn't ordinary calm. It was the stillness of someone who knew that nothing there posed a threat.
Kaito looked up.
—Sit down.
Gojo watched him for another moment. Then he stepped forward and sat down opposite him. Shoko followed, sitting beside him without taking her eyes off Kaito.
The silence grew tense.
Kaito placed the utensils on the table. His eyes fixed on Gojo.
—I see you're still alive, Gojo Satoru.
Seated opposite him, Gojo held his gaze through the mask. His voice came out firm.
—That's right. I'm still alive. Although I wonder why.
Kaito leaned back in his chair, calm, as if the question had no weight.
"I wondered about that too. You're of no benefit to me." He paused briefly. "But something told me that what defines your existence is loneliness. Perhaps that's the reason."
Gojo remained silent. He barely lowered his head.
The loneliness of the strongest.
Different eras. Different times. Kaito reached the summit, driven by pain and vengeance, followed by loneliness. For him, it was a choice. For Gojo, however, the summit meant something else: protection. Both possessed enough power to destroy everything. But one had been molded to raze. The other, to sustain.
Shoko kept staring at him without looking away.
Kaito. A being from another era.
He remembered what the first-years had said about him. His story. His past. The loneliness of the strongest was not something just anyone could understand.
But Gojo did.
Gojo raised his head again.
—I see. So that's it.
Their eyes met. Intensity filled the room.
"Then tell me," Gojo continued. "What do you plan to do now? Destroy the world, or control the sorcerers of this era?"
Kaito stared at him intently before answering.
"You overthink things. I don't hate this age of sorcery. My era ended long ago. I don't want to fight like that. In the past, I ravaged the entire world, and yet it didn't die. People kept on living. Just as I will with my life. I have nothing in this age. So I will build something in it. As I told you before, my clan will be rebuilt."
Gojo looked at him for a second.
—Recreate a clan? A being like you should hate sorcery. Why seek peace?
Kaito held her gaze. Then, calmly, he brought a hand to his face. The glasses disintegrated into dust and vanished into thin air. He slowly lowered his hand.
Her red eyes appeared.
The pressure in the room suddenly increased.
Gojo lowered the blindfold. His blue eyes were exposed.
They stared at each other.
Shoko didn't move. The tension was enough to crush anyone.
Kaito spoke with absolute coldness:
"It's true. Witchcraft took everything from me. I should destroy the world to quell my hatred, but that's not how it works. I already tried it once, and it doesn't work. You are living proof of that. Although one thing did come to pass: I wiped out all those who wronged me. Nothing of them remains in the past."
He took the glass and drank wine.
—I just want to have something. Maybe that's it. I want to continue with my clan on my own.
He leaned back in his chair.
"I don't want to fight. I will return to humanity what belongs to it. But they will bear the memory of what happens when they lose control, driven by their selfish desires. That will be their punishment. Something etched in their memory so they will never forget it, and so that I won't forget it either. Before that, I will form my clan. It won't be the strongest, but it will be a solid foundation. A place where those who come after won't have to suffer."
Gojo watched him in silence.
"I see. You want to protect something. Or rather, you want something of your own in this era." He tilted his head slightly. "The world is cruel. But someone like you, who isn't on anyone's side, isn't bad for anyone."
Kaito looked at him for a moment. His red eyes shone brightly.
-That's how it is.
Gojo held his gaze and spoke seriously.
—I accept the deal. But listen carefully: if you try to destroy the barriers that protect ordinary people, I will act to defend them. It is my duty. And my choice.
Kaito smiled slightly, sideways.
—Okay. We'll see when that day comes. It'll be interesting to see who falls first again.
Gojo responded with the same half-smile.
—Next time I won't lose.
Kaito brought his hand to his face, and his glasses reappeared, covering his eyes. At the same time, Gojo put his mask back on. Both of them hid their gazes.
The pressure in the room decreased.
The air began to stir again.
At that moment, Masayuki returned with more food and placed it in front of Gojo and Shoko.
Shoko barely opened her eyes when she saw the plates. Everything was excessively luxurious. Gojo, on the other hand, began to eat with complete composure, as if the scene were perfectly normal.
Kaito watched them in silence.
Is this better? Is this what you wanted, Ea? Perhaps this was always the only way. The deal is done. Now all that remains is to find those willing to serve.
He looked away at Shoko.
And who is she? She has something special about her. A special skill, no doubt. Although, for someone dressed as a doctor, it doesn't seem out of the ordinary.
A few minutes passed. Gojo and Shoko finished eating calmly, and Masayuki returned to clear the plates.
Kaito watched them for a moment longer.
—Good. Now that everything is settled, is there anything else you need?
Gojo turned his head toward Shoko. She met Kaito's gaze, swallowed, and spoke calmly.
—Yes. There's something I want to know. No one's asked you, have they? What was your past like?
Kaito parted his lips slightly and smiled faintly.
—Of all the people I've met, you asked an interesting question.
Gojo, upon hearing that, was also intrigued.
A past without cursed energy. Or with a different kind?
Kaito turned his gaze back to Shoko, with a lazy expression.
—Why do you think I would tell you something like that?
Shoko didn't look away.
—Because I can give you information that will help you rebuild your clan. But I want to do it through a binding vote. That way you'll know I'm not lying.
Gojo looked at her, surprised.
Kaito, what exactly are you looking for, Shoko?
Kaito blinked once.
—What is a binding vote?
Gojo answered without taking his eyes off him.
"It's a contract between two parties. It's established under clear rules, and neither can lie or break it without paying the price. It's one of the fundamental laws of the world of sorcery."
Kaito nodded and turned his gaze back to Shoko.
—Very well. Let's do it.
Shoko spoke firmly, stating her part of the deal.
—I will give you all the information I possess to help you rebuild your clan. In return, you will tell me about the past in which you lived. What that time was like.
Kaito watched her for a few seconds and replied, sealing his part.
—I will narrate my past, and you will give me useful information for my clan. That's the deal.
Silence fell over the room.
Then Kaito opened his eyes completely and smiled.
—So this is a binding vote. They're using the laws of the world to seal it. Interesting.
Gojo and Shoko looked at each other for a moment. Kaito's reaction wasn't normal. It was as if he had understood something they hadn't said.
Kaito noticed their expressions.
—Tell me, then. What specifically do you want to know?
Shoko took a deep breath.
—Everything you can remember. What the cursed energy was like. How they fought. How many clans existed. How that world worked. I want to know everything.
Kaito sighed, picked up the glass, and took a sip of wine before speaking.
"The past wasn't much to write home about. Let's start with the clans. There were hundreds of them. Each lived its own way, united by the alliance of sorcerers. The only thing that bothered us were the warlocks: lawless beings who killed anyone who stood in their way. They ruled their own territories. We ruled ours. The only times large numbers of people died were when the great wars of sorcerers and warlocks broke out for power. Many of my clan fell in those wars."
He paused briefly.
—The cursed energy of that era was used differently than it is now. It was also different in itself. The energy of today is contaminated. The energy of the past wasn't pure, nor was it filled with reverse or cursed energy. It was simply energy. Nothing more.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, remembering.
—The sorcerers who awakened during that time were numerous. Many elders reached absurdly high levels of power and aged slowly, eventually becoming ancestors of their clans. Over the years they ceased fighting, but they did not lose strength. They took a very long time to die.
He paused briefly.
—And yet, I exterminated them all.
He rested his elbow on the arm of the chair.
—Everyone knew of the existence of sorcerers. Ordinary humans lived to surpass themselves. They trained in martial arts to become stronger and survive. Most did not awaken innate abilities. They could only use cursed energy. But with discipline and constant combat, some managed to reach the top.
Kaito looked at the wine in his glass before speaking.
"The past was cruel and ruthless. Only the strongest ruled. If the sorcerers of that era hadn't been attacked by me, the world today would be very different."
Shoko and Gojo remained silent. They were trying to imagine a world built entirely on sorcery. A world where everything was decided by power.
Shoko was the first to break the silence.
—How did the internal bases of the clans function?
Kaito stopped looking at the glass, took a sip and looked up at Gojo.
—In the great clans, there were internal strongholds. Individuals with ultimate abilities. In the Gojo clan, for example, there was the Lightning Line. They could use lightning. And that wasn't their only ability. The great clans had many like that. Within them, people with multiple techniques were born. To be a leader, it didn't matter who you were, as long as you had the clan's blood and were the strongest. That's how it worked.
Gojo didn't move, but his mind was agitated.
So the Gojo clan had so many sorcerers that they had to fight among themselves to decide who would be the leader. Lightning users?
Shoko, on the other hand, was surprised by something else.
Humanity had had that power in the past.
And yet, everything had been lost because of his own selfish desires.
Shoko lowered her gaze slightly, lost in thought. Then she raised it again to Kaito, with a spark of determination.
—Tell me , is there any way to restore the energy to normal? To stop it being contaminated?
Kaito smiled. And suddenly he laughed.
-Ha ha ha.
Shoko barely opened her eyes when she heard it. It wasn't mockery. It was surprise.
Kaito spoke, still with a slight smile.
—Do you really want that? The energy of this era is stronger than before. You could say it's its evolution.
He looked at her for a moment longer and the smile disappeared.
—From what I've seen in modern sorcerers, they all awaken unique abilities thanks to that energy. But it's scarce. Limited. And it lacks the final step to reach its full evolution.
Then he looked at Gojo.
—The person who erected the barriers is a fool. They are limiting humanity. And they are also damaging its foundation.
Gojo was surprised. So was Shoko. She barely frowned and asked:
—Is the barrier covering Japan not a help? Is it a problem?
Kaito answered without hesitation.
—The barrier confined the cursed energy within Japan. It concentrated it. But it also restricted it. The damage is subtle, as if something had been draining it for centuries. It wasn't malicious; perhaps whoever did it wanted to help. But it ended up disrupting the balance. The energy was about to reach its full potential, and it was contained.
Her red eyes barely shone.
—I can sense the antiquity of that phenomenon. I would say it occurred more than a thousand years ago.
Gojo remained still.
A thought crossed Gojo's mind.
Over a thousand years ago? Then it was the golden age of the sorcerers? The Heian period. That would explain a lot.
Gojo just tilted his head towards Shoko, without saying anything.
What is he thinking? Is he planning something? Or is he trying to find a way to defeat him with this?
Then he looked at Kaito.
Shoko began to speak in a firm tone.
—The current world of sorcery is controlled by the Sorcery Association. A group of elders runs everything from above. They give the orders to keep citizens safe, so that humans can live without fear. We sorcerers hunt curses and protect them. That's the essential thing you need to know.
He paused briefly.
—Now, about people who could be of use to you. Tokyo is the main headquarters of sorcery. Perhaps, with your abilities, you can attract two in particular: Maki Zenin and Itadori Yuji. If you offer them something they need, they might consider following you. Itadori, you may already know him. He is the vessel of the curse you encountered.
The air was silent for a moment.
Shoko added calmly:
—Although, they wouldn't normally trust someone like you. Convincing them will depend solely on what you show them.
Kaito nodded. Shoko continued.
—The next one is in Kyoto. There's someone there with a celestial restriction.
Kaito opened his eyes and looked at her intently.
"Celestial Restriction? They still exist? I thought I'd eliminated them. Wait. The Zenin clan. I see. So they didn't die, just like the Gojo clan."
Shoko frowned slightly.
—What are you talking about?
Kaito answered calmly.
"I thought that kind of lineage had died out. The celestial restrictions. Those bodies blessed by the god of war. I thought they had left no descendants. But it seems he survived. He healed. And lived in peace."
She wrinkled her nose slightly and let out a low laugh.
—Ha. That damned guy.
A surge of energy surged from his body for a moment, dense and heavy. Then it dissipated, restoring calm to the area. Kaito sighed.
—It doesn't matter. There's nothing left to do.
Gojo then spoke, analytically.
—A body incapable of using cursed energy. You call it blessed?
Kaito turned his gaze towards him.
—That type of body was revered within the Zenin clan. In a way, whoever possessed it ended up becoming a leader. They were called the strongest of their era. But even so, if the wielder of the Ten Shadows faced someone with that special body , the outcome was uncertain. Those born with that physique always became troublesome beings. Unpredictable. Undetectable. They had the perfect body for learning everything.
He adopted a thoughtful expression.
—Now that I think about it, when I completely destroyed their clan, I read their historical records. I was looking for weaknesses, anything that could be useful to me in the war. And I found something interesting: if someone were to possess both a celestial restraint body and the power of the Ten Shadows, they would become invincible.
His eyes shifted towards Gojo.
"The first leader of the Zenin clan possessed both. Just like in your clan. The first bearer of the Gojo bloodline had almost all the cursed abilities of his blood. But when that power is passed on to descendants, it divides. No body can withstand it completely."
Shoko and Gojo were surprised.
So it was a blessing, a being like that, Gojo thought.
Then he spoke, with an incredulous smile.
—So all that's from the past. Wow. The ancient world was truly incredible. I wonder how powerful those beings really were.
Kaito watched him silently and placed the wine glass on the table.
Shoko then spoke:
—The world you describe sounds like a fantasy. It's hard to believe. If someone else told us the same thing, we probably wouldn't believe them either.
Kaito looked at them and spoke, addressing Shoko.
—Continue with the information you were going to give me.
Shoko nodded and continued.
"The person from Kyoto I mentioned has a different celestial restriction than the one you described. It's the opposite. Instead of a strong, unbreakable body, they possess a nearly infinite amount of cursed energy. You could say that, in that respect, they are your equals. But their body is incapable of movement. They live paralyzed. That will be the case for the rest of their life."
Kaito looked away for a moment.
Everything has a price. Only a few beings exist without paying it.
Then he saw her again.
-That's all?
Shoko remained silent for a moment before answering.
"There's someone else. Her name is Yuki Tsukumo. She's a special-grade sorceress. Nothing has been heard from her in a long time. In the past, they called her crazy because she had two goals. One: to eliminate cursed energy. The other: to make all humans possess her, so that curses would cease to exist."
Kaito smiled slightly, sideways.
—I see. So someone like that exists. Interesting. Do you have any more information about her?
Shoko shook her head.
—No. She hasn't been seen for a while, but I'm sure she's still alive.
Kaito tilted his head slightly.
—I understand. The information isn't bad, but I can't say it's enough. I want you to tell me the location of the one in Kyoto. And if you get any information about Yuki Tsukumo, you'll give it to me too. That way, the deal will be more fair.
Shoko sighed and nodded.
—Okay. But if you want to form a real clan, you'll have to expand it into the world of sorcery. You'll have to figure that out yourself.
Kaito watched her for a moment. Then he looked at Gojo.
—I wonder what those elders who govern witchcraft think of me. Perhaps I should pay them a visit.
Gojo held his gaze. Neither of them spoke.
The silence was heavy.
Kaito calmly closed his eyes.
—I'll think about it later.
At that moment Gojo spoke.
—Since you decided to do all that, I suppose this is where the conversation ends. It's all over, Kaito Kagyo.
Kaito moved and stood up.
—I won't accompany you. You can go on your own. I expect you to send the final information, and then we'll finalize our deal. But first, tell me your name.
Shoko also got up.
—Shoko Ieiri.
Kaito nodded.
Shoko looked at Gojo. He tilted his head slightly, still seated. Shoko walked toward the exit. They both walked in silence to the elevator and stepped inside. The doors began to close and the descent started.
Then Gojo stood up and looked at Kaito. He spoke in a calm but firm voice:
—You're interesting, Kaito. To a certain extent. You want to protect your own so they don't suffer what you suffered.
Kaito watched him.
—Gojo Satoru. What do you mean?
Gojo turned around and walked toward the elevator. He raised a hand in a farewell gesture.
—Call me Satoru, Kaito.
Kaito did not respond.
Gojo pressed the button. A moment later, the doors opened and he stepped inside. He stopped just before they closed. He turned his face slightly, not looking directly at him.
—Perhaps. We're not so different.
The doors closed.
And the elevator descended.