Chapter 44: Shura
"It's nothing major," the vet said calmly. "Just severe malnutrition. He passed out from hunger. Though his teeth are coming in, he'll need to be on goat's milk for a few days. Also, if you want to keep him, you'll need to file with the Public Security Bureau."
Tatsuro frowned. "Why? Isn't it just a dog?"
"It's a dog, yes, but it's a Tibetan Mastiff pup—known for its aggression. Just a heads-up: don't raise it just because you feel sorry for it. It could become dangerous. If you insist, make sure you chain it tight at home."
Wait, this little guy was that fierce?
Tatsuro looked with renewed curiosity at the tiny pup licking up goat's milk inside the cage. He wasn't used to raising dogs—his only real reference was Lila's husky, whose demolition skills were top-tier.
Climbing walls, jumping on furniture, and always looking dumb in a charming way—what a riot.
"How big can a Tibetan Mastiff get?"
The vet replied, "For a giant Tibetan Mastiff? Shoulders can reach about 75 cm. And yes, it could easily bite your arm off. So, do you still want it? If not, I'll have to hand it over to the authorities."
"I want it! Of course I do! How much do I owe you for the treatment?"
Tatsuro quickly followed the vet and pulled out his wallet.
"No charge. Just fed him a bit of milk. If you're taking him, be a responsible 'father.' Dogs are loyal. Don't let him down."
With that, the vet waved him off and walked away.
"Thank you, Doctor."
Tatsuro turned back to the puppy, now licking his mouth contentedly. He reached out and gave the little guy's head a gentle rub.
"Heh. I guess this is fate, huh? You're lucky to run into me today. How about it? Wanna come with me? Training will be rough, but you'll eat well. Just give me a bark and—"
Before he finished, the Tibetan Mastiff let out a soft bark and bumped his hand affectionately with its head.
It didn't understand a word, of course—but it understood one thing: this guy fed me.
"Good boy."
Tatsuro patted him again, then turned to the vet. "I'll take the cage too, and bring me a few cans of goat milk powder."
"Sure."
---
Two minutes later.
Tatsuro stepped out of the animal hospital with the cage in his right hand and a bag of milk powder in his left.
He had no problem raising it from a pup. In fact, this way, its loyalty would be rock solid. Time to go back and form the blood contract—he doubted the little guy would resist.
Bald and skinny as it was, the thing actually looked kind of cute.
"Alright, buddy. Let's go home. From now on, you're a member of Jujutsu High. Gotta train hard!"
He hailed a taxi. "Take me to Tokyo Metropolitan Jujutsu High."
"Got it! Buckle up, let's roll!"
Though it was morning rush hour, the cab driver's godlike lane-cutting abilities got them there in under half an hour.
Tatsuro nearly had a heart attack on the way, though. They narrowly avoided at least five crashes. He kept saying, "No rush, take it slow," but the driver just grinned:
"Relax. I used to be the Drift King."
…Great. Now his new dog had puked up all the milk it just drank and was lying flat inside the cage.
Tatsuro got out, looked at the poor thing, sighed, and opened the cage.
"Well, since you're already passed out, I'll just give you your fortune now, little guy."
He bit his finger, letting blood drip from the wound.
Drawing a circle on the pup's forehead, he carefully wrote his name inside. Then, he formed hand seals and chanted:
"Boar. Dragon. Rooster. Monkey. Goat—Summoning Technique!"
The blood mark faded into the puppy's skin. Their spirits connected instantly. Tatsuro could feel its dizziness. And just like that, his own cursed energy could now flow freely into it.
Since it was right next to him, the summoning wasn't actually triggered—but the blood contract was complete.
"Alright, let's head inside and try summoning it again."
He picked up the cage and walked toward the school gates.
---
7:30 a.m.
The students were already up and jogging around the training field.
Seeing Tatsuro approach, carrying a cage in one hand and a bag in the other, they all waved.
Panda: "Tatsuro! Wanna jog with us?!"
Yuta: "Good morning, Tatsuro!"
Inumaki: "Salmon!"
Megumi: "Good morning, Tatsuro. I'll beat you in tomorrow's match! Though… my wolves are gone now."
Maki: "What the hell were you yelling about this morning? Did you lose your mind?"
Tatsuro smiled and answered each of them:
"No thanks, Panda. I've got stuff to do first."
"Morning, Yuta."
"Inumaki, still as energetic as ever!"
"Hope you're ready to lose, Megumi."
"Aw, come on, Maki. I just got a little overexcited. Haven't been home in a while, y'know?"
"I don't know, and I don't wanna know," Maki deadpanned.
"I've gotta drop something off in my room first. I'll catch up in a bit—and I'll introduce the new member to everyone."
With that, he jogged off toward the dorms.
The group blinked in confusion.
"New member?"
Five Gojo never said anything about a new student…
---
Click.
Tatsuro entered his dorm room and locked the door behind him. He put down the bag and the cage.
The Tibetan Mastiff was awake now—but was barking anxiously because it couldn't see him.
Thanks to their spiritual link, Tatsuro's words echoed in its mind:
'It's okay. I'm right here.'
Hearing its master's voice, the pup calmed down immediately and laid still, unsure where the voice came from—but feeling safe.
'Good boy. From now on, your name is Shura.'
With that, Tatsuro bit his thumb again and quickly formed hand seals:
"Summoning Technique!"
Poof! Thud!
White smoke burst from the room. The puppy vanished from the front gate and reappeared beside Tatsuro.
Though a bit confused by the sudden location change, Shura immediately recognized its master and trotted over, nuzzling against his leg with a soft whine.
"Aww, okay, okay. Here's your milk."
Tatsuro beamed.
He grabbed the goat milk powder from the bag, boiled some warm water, and mixed a bottle.
Shura eagerly lapped it up, tail wagging.
"Take your time. There's more if you're hungry. Once you're strong enough to eat meat, we'll begin your training, Shura."
Tatsuro scratched behind its ears.
He was in a great mood.
There was only a month left until the Exchange Event.
Time to train hard.
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