"It was quite a hassle returning from abroad. Ever since I heard the Curses here were exposed, all routes back were cut off from the outside. In the end, it was the local side that came to pick me up."
Yuki Tsukumo and Hajime walked side by side, with Yuki recounting her struggles abroad. After the incident occurred, she prepared to return, but the silent blockade enforced by foreign powers made it nearly impossible.
Ultimately, the local authorities arranged for her return. What the public didn't know was that this blockade targeted mass evacuations—isolated individuals slipping through were of little concern to them.
In other words, small ripples didn't matter; the Japanese government, of course, kept this hidden. Even the elite who could've escaped were restrained by strict regulations.
"So much has changed in my absence. I heard about the live broadcasts. I just saw Gojo Satoru—he's as dramatic as ever," she added, chuckling.
Hajime listened quietly as they arrived at the edge of the school playground, a familiar hangout for Jujutsu High students. Yuki sat on the ground, taking in the surroundings.
"If you've got something to say, say it," Hajime said bluntly as he joined her.
Yuki smirked. "Am I really that indecisive? Maybe the environment really does change people."
Her tone shifted. "I came to you for several reasons, but the main one is simple: I want to understand the current state of the country."
"Aoi Todo isn't the type to care. The folks at Headquarters are more annoying than helpful. And Gojo… He won't give me a straight answer. There was someone else I could've asked, but they're gone now."
She stared into Hajime's eyes. "You and Yuta Okkotsu are my best options. Do you understand your position? Your importance? Your power?"
Hajime followed her meaning without trouble. "Yeah, I get it. For example, if Gojo Sensei wanted to, we could wipe out Headquarters. The so-called Big Three Families… these days, it's just the Gojo Family running things."
"Gojo thinks ahead. Things haven't escalated to that point yet. The tides are shifting, so I'm not worried."
He added, "But eventually, those old fossils will have to step aside. This era doesn't belong to them anymore. Hopefully, they'll realize that."
Yuki rested her chin on her hand, smiling in agreement. "You think they're obsolete too? I once considered teaming up with Gojo, but we didn't see eye to eye."
"Headquarters, the Zen'in and Kamo factions, even Tengen—they're all relics of a bygone era."
Hajime nodded. "Things are changing. Gojo's come to some realizations. He and Principal Yaga have been working nonstop."
Changing the subject, Yuki asked, "I once posed this question but never got a satisfying answer. Hajime, what's your take on solving the Curse problem at its root?"
Hajime narrowed his eyes. It wasn't an easy question, but he gave it thought. The origin of Curses was clear, but solutions were elusive.
Either everyone becomes a Jujutsu Sorcerer, able to control their Cursed Energy and stop it from leaking. Or everyone becomes like those with Heavenly Restriction—no Cursed Energy, and thus no Curse generation.
But both ideas were impossible. Only a god could make that happen.
Hajime offered a third view. "I think this might go on for a long time—until people advance scientifically, until Curses can be understood, analyzed, and controlled like any other mystery from ancient times. That's when we'll solve it."
He added with a wry smile, "Unless this whole thing is some joke by a higher existence. Then I guess we'll need to hope for divine intervention."
Yuki considered his answer. "That's… surprisingly reasonable. Maybe even realistic."
She stood up, brushing dust off her coat. "Well, I'm going to see Tengen. Looking forward to our next meeting, Hajime-san."
Waving playfully, she turned to leave. Hajime blinked, confused. "Weren't you going to ask me something?"
Yuki smiled over her shoulder. "I already did. Bye-bye~"
---
Yuki's return shook the Jujutsu world. As a Special Grade Sorcerer, she greatly lightened the burden on Hajime and the others. Each Special Grade was now assigned to a general region, though this was flexible in emergencies.
Her presence allowed for more coverage. With national barriers, mass-produced cursed tools, and widespread shelters, the situation was stabilizing.
Time passed. The public grew accustomed to the new systems. Praise for the tools and shelters was widespread. Normalcy was returning, at least on the surface.
Then, an unexpected tremor shattered that peace.
November 24th, 1:45 PM – Shizuoka Prefecture
What began as a minor tremor quickly turned sinister. At first, people calmly followed earthquake drills, but no buildings were damaged. Life resumed.
Then the Cursed Bells rang out.
Used as warning tools, these wooden fish-like bells screamed across Shizuoka, echoing through its towns. And they didn't stop. Simultaneous alarms from every direction caused widespread panic.
Even worse, Mount Fuji showed signs of volcanic activity. A terrifying thought gripped the public—was it going to erupt?
The anomalies and Curse reports were rapidly escalated. Special Grade Sorcerers were alerted, and the response team moved immediately.
---
Hajime, Yuta Okkotsu, and Gojo Satoru arrived via Limitless.
The Bells had been forcibly shut off. The public was already evacuated. Though Mount Fuji looked stable, there was no mistaking the ominous energy within.
Authorities had been monitoring this area for years. When they detected a surge in Cursed Energy, they called in the top-tier Sorcerers.
Yuki was busy elsewhere and couldn't assist. With potential catastrophe looming, the trio acted quickly.
"The aura… it's insane," Gojo muttered, removing his blindfold. His Six Eyes glowed with clarity. Hajime and Yuta could feel the pressure even without his vision.
Hajime compared the aura to past Special Grades. None matched it. Even combined, they couldn't touch this.
"No way… Mount Fuji isn't becoming a Curse, right?" Yuta said nervously. "It's not going to erupt on us?"
Gojo shook his head. "No. There's a massive Cursed Spirit inside the mountain. It's like a Cursed Womb on a huge scale. But stronger. Much stronger."
The three climbed the mountain, gathering data as they ascended. Then, Gojo's phone rang.
Only a few people had his number. Whoever was calling, it was serious.
After answering, Gojo frowned deeply.
"A Curtain's appeared in Shibuya. Over a thousand civilians are trapped—and they're calling my name."
He continued, "In Kyoto, four Special Grade Curses have surfaced. Headquarters won't hold. Yuki's tied up in another battle."
Hajime put it together immediately. "This is a setup."
"Three locations, all timed perfectly. There's no coincidence here. They're pulling us apart."
He thought of Mahito and his crew—silent for too long. "They've planned this. It's all bait."
Gojo sighed. "If they're using hostages, I have to go. You two stay here. I'll return as fast as I can. Do your best to exorcise whatever's inside this mountain."
Gojo vanished.
The volcano didn't erupt, but the energy surging within grew more violent. Hajime and Yuta couldn't breach the crater—it would only worsen things.
Every three minutes, tremors returned, stronger than before.
They'd retreated lower on the mountain. Clouds gathered overhead—dark and unnatural.
Yuta broke the silence. "It's coming."
Hajime looked up. A swirling mass of clouds hovered above the peak. Cursed Energy overflowed.
A thunderous roar split the sky.
Snow fell from the summit. Then, like a missile, a massive entity erupted from the mountain's peak into the sky.
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