"We contained what we could, but that day's incident reached far beyond our control. The perpetrators were ordinary people with no recollection—like puppets manipulated behind the scenes," Ieiri reported in the conference room at Tokyo Jujutsu High. "Most citizens remain skeptical. Though the Police managed the situation quickly and launched a media diversion, two critical issues persist."
He paused, gathering attention before continuing. "The first concern is foreign reaction. We now confirm the network shutdowns and communication blocks weren't accidental—they were deliberate. Whether foreign powers are cooperating with the mastermind remains unclear."
"Second—and the topic of today's discussion—is the mysterious pill from the video, which apparently enables users to perceive Curses."
Ieiri set a small plastic bag containing a white pill on the table. "Have we analyzed it?"
"Yes," Ieiri nodded. "Jujutsu High's researchers confirm it indeed grants the ability to see Curses. Its properties aren't fully understood. It appears to be synthesized from merged human and Curse tissue, enhanced by unknown technology. It likely shares the same origin as the broader phenomenon."
Principal Masamichi Yaga's expression turned grave. "Some people are already convinced. The moment they've taken it, they seek answers. As more people see Curses, personal fear intensifies—and fear breeds Curses themselves."
Kamihara Hajime pressed his hand to his temple as public reports and videos crashed online. Police denials now felt hollow; those who'd taken the pill were certain of their experience. And with widespread distribution, supplements of the pill were ramping up.
Ieiri continued, "Yesterday, a company employee used the pill, witnessed a Curse firsthand, and shared it. Then others took pills, saw it, and fear mutated into a new Curse. The Police can't contain this. It's proliferating faster than we can manage."
He took a breath. "We're at a tipping point. A handful of believers is manageable, but once numbers swell, opinion shifts. When the majority claims certainty, resistance collapses. The question: how many people will resist trying it?"
One faction favors full suppression—seize the pills, silence the witnesses. But the opposing faction, which Hajime now supports, believes it's too late. The best path is strategic transparency: reveal a controlled version of the truth rather than hiding it completely.
Gojo Satoru turned to Hajime. "Hajime‑san, your thoughts?"
Hajime leaned forward. "It's closer to the latter. You can't bury this. Accidents and deaths that could be seen as unnatural will now be labeled Curses. The internet age makes this uncontainable. And the drug is already out there—information spreads regardless."
He paused to voice his biggest fear. "Will this actually empower Curses? Has this happened before?"
Gojo shook his head. "Not entirely. Although awareness can fuel negative emotions, thereby feeding Curses, it also exposes them. If nobody hides, people die in mass, eventually reducing the fuel. If humanity vanished, so would Curses. Their existence depends on ours."
Hajime absorbed this. "So we've exposed Curses here and severed international spillover—but what exactly is the mastermind after?"
Meanwhile, in the realm of Cursed Spirits, Suguru Geto hosted an unusual gathering of Mahito, Jogo, and others.
Jogo grumbled, "Why only this country? Can scattered Curses really face off with the two Special Grade Sorcerers?"
Geto offered a wry smile. "Actually, make that three. Yuta Okkotsu has returned."
He continued patiently, "If exposure is worldwide, humanity fights back—more powerful sorcerers will emerge. You're mistaken if you think Cursed Spirits survive without humans. Eradicating humanity makes your goal impossible."
Mahito stroked his chin thoughtfully. Jogo, less enthused, asked the real question: "Then why reveal Curses? Weren't we aiming to awaken them?"
Geto smiled, placing a card on the table. "Why separate them? You were born from humanity's fear of nature. What do people fear most about Curses themselves?"
Jogo's eyes lit up. "Our awakening accelerates it!"
Geto explained, "We're close to the final step. First we turn this country into a 'nation of Curses,' then watch the rest fall into chaos."
---
Back at Tokyo Jujutsu High, the atmosphere was urgent. Newly formed Curses remained easy to eliminate, but public awareness sparked new problems. Jujutsu Sorcerers were being eyed with suspicion. Worse still, cult-like factions had formed, trading in Cursed "medicines"—spreading fear, faith, and greed.
Police restrictions temporarily calmed things, but the public waters were boiling underneath. Anyone who claimed Curses were real immediately drew crowds. Suppression only intensified resistance.
At long last, the Jujutsu World and authorities devised a plan: reveal part of the truth—not to shock, but to control. A national broadcast would prove Curses exist, while showcasing that "we can handle them."
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Nationwide Broadcast
"See, I told you—they're real!" a voice proclaimed. "Yes, Curses are born from human negative emotions, but that means they're real—and controllable," concluded a spokesperson.
For the first time, Curses entered national discourse. Public trust in the Police recovered. Outrage focused on the rogue individual who leaked the footage—not the Sorcerers. Dissenters remained a minority.
As part of the plan, live exorcism demonstrations were proposed. Having three Special Grade Sorcerers perform public Curse beatings could reassure the public and calm fear—turning dread into confidence.
Hajime‑san frowned at the idea. "Wait—does that mean I'm going public?"
Gojo smirked. "Not just you—Yuta and I too. Think—relief through spectacle."
Hajime shook his head. "I don't want it."
Gojo laughed. "Oh come on, Hajime‑san, don't you want to be a hero?"
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