Chapter 197: Four Birds, One Stone
Ren stood still on the balcony, the silver glow of the moon painting faint light across his face. His breath was low and steady, but his eyes looked distant—almost haunted.
"Who—no… What are you?" He muttered under his breath, his voice barely louder than the wind brushing past him.
The thought hung in the air like a whisper from somewhere far beyond comprehension.
'No, no, this could all just be a big coincidence… There's no "why." There's no hidden pattern, no puppeteer pulling the strings… There can't be. There's no way something bigger is keeping everyone and everything in check. That's impossible!'
He tried to laugh it off, but the sound didn't come. His mind was running in circles, thoughts colliding like storms inside his skull.
'Sure, there are insane things in this world—curses, superhumans like Toji, monsters like Sukuna—but a higher power controlling everything? No. No way… right?'
Ren's thoughts felt like they were falling through a void. He grabbed his head with both hands and took a deep breath, trying to center himself.
'But… if something like that did exist… what would it be? Fate? Or something like… God.'
The word echoed like a curse inside his mind.
He froze.
For a long moment, Ren didn't move. The idea itself felt heavy—too big, too unreal. Then, shaking his head fast, he forced the thought away, muttering, "No. No, that's ridiculous."
He turned his back to the moon and walked back into the room. The faint night breeze followed him as he closed the balcony door behind him.
'It doesn't matter,' Ren thought. 'Even if there is some kind of higher power controlling everything, it's not my concern right now. And I don't even have any real proof—just a bunch of strange coincidences strung together.'
He stopped mid-step, eyes narrowing.
'Wait… Angel.'
The name surfaced from the depths of his memory, bringing with it a spark of realization.
'There was someone called Angel, right? If I remember correctly, she appears in the Culling Games—one of the sorcerers from the Heian era. The Abe Clan… yeah, that's it. An ancient clan, one of the elites. Their elite force was the Desshi Pacification Squad, composed of Angel and remnants of another clan. They launched an attack on Sukuna back then… but failed.'
Ren's brows furrowed as the fragments pieced themselves together.
'The name "Angel"… that's the problem. Her cursed technique was called Jacob's Ladder—or maybe that was her maximum output? Damn it, I can't remember the exact details, but I remember what it did… It erased curses. Light-based purification…'
He blinked once, his eyes widening slightly.
"…Why the hell was her name Angel?" He muttered aloud.
The silence that followed was deafening. Then realization hit him like a slow, creeping wave.
"Shit," Ren whispered. "I have proof…"
He sank down into the chair, leaning forward as his hands clasped together. His pulse was fast, the rhythm echoing through his temples.
"But still," he murmured, "maybe it's just… an absurd coincidence. Yeah, maybe that's all it is. I should finish Red Stitch first—before diving into any of this nonsense about fate or gods."
With a firm clap of his hands, Ren dispelled the cursed curtain covering the room. The shimmer in the air vanished, restoring everything to its quiet, ordinary stillness.
"Worm, Kai2," Ren said calmly, and both of them stirred from the corners of the room. Worm slithered from under the bed, and Kai2 swirled in the air before disappearing neatly into Ren's shadow, followed by the worm.
Ren took a steadying breath and stepped out of the bedroom.
The living room was softly lit, and both Mei Mei and Ogami were sitting across from each other, talking quietly. Their conversation stopped the instant Ren entered.
He tilted his head slightly, a half-smile playing on his lips. "What are you two talking about, huh?"
Both women froze for a moment. Ren's tone was calm, but the hint of amusement in his eyes carried an edge.
'Both of them getting along? 'That's rare,' he thought. 'Anyway, I should start heading back to Jujutsu High before sunrise. It's almost 11:30. If I leave early enough, no one will notice I was gone.'
Ogami stood up first and bowed lightly. "We were simply talking, Master. Now, what would you have us do?"
Ren sat down across from them, resting his elbows on his knees. "Right now? I'm leaving soon. But before that, I have new tasks for both of you."
Both women straightened, attentive.
"Ogami," Ren began, "I want you to infiltrate the Jujutsu higher-ups. Gather information—everything you can. Names, decisions, upcoming movements. For now, you'll operate solely as an information gatherer."
Ogami bowed deeper this time, a faint smile on her lips. "Consider it done, Master."
Ren turned to Mei Mei. "And you," he said evenly, "your job's a little trickier but suits you perfectly. I want you to travel the world. Find everyone who crafts cursed tools. Track down every blacksmith, forger, and maker connected to cursed weaponry. Collect everything you can—how they're made, who's making them, and where."
Mei Mei blinked, a small twitch forming near her temple. 'The whole world? Is he serious? That's going to take months… What's he planning to do with all that information?'
Meanwhile, Ogami's expression softened with something like admiration. 'I expected him to assign me to watch the higher-ups. He doesn't underestimate them—even with his power. How humble. As for Mei's task… troublesome, yes, but perfect for her crows. Did he plan all of this in advance? He must have. He always thinks several steps ahead huh? how interesting...'
Ogami smiled faintly, eyes closing for a moment.
Ren, meanwhile, sat back and exhaled quietly. 'Even if I'm about to complete Red Stitch, the cursed tool project comes next. I need eyes on the higher-ups—they're still a mystery. And Mei Mei… Keeping her away from me for a while should fix things with Maki. It'll make the lie believable—that I broke things off with her. Plus, giving her work keeps her from getting lazy. Four birds, one stone.'
Ren gave a small nod, then stood up and walked toward the door.
The night outside was still dark, the moon fading slightly as the horizon hinted at dawn.
Ren slipped his hands into his pockets, his thoughts quieter now—but deep down, the earlier questions still lingered…