"Even if you ask me, it's not something I can answer right now. Let's sit down and talk first."
James knew it was pointless to argue with someone in a heightened emotional state. Reason would be ignored, emotions would take over, and in the end, the only outcome would be escalating conflict. Since both parties were clearly agitated, they needed to cool off before any meaningful discussion could take place.
> "James, Inumaki Toge has been taken away!"
Geto Suguru's voice trembled slightly with urgency.
James simply nodded, signaling that he already knew.
> "I asked Principal Yaga to negotiate when I arrived."
He chuckled lightly.
> "He was still fiddling with his cursed corpse when I found him."
Only then did Geto let out a heavy sigh of relief. He knew, deep down, that he should have gone straight to someone who could fix the situation. But he feared he wouldn't be able to suppress the violent urge to kill someone out of sheer anger. That's why he sought out Gojo Satoru first—perhaps hoping Gojo could talk him down.
But today's Gojo Satoru wasn't the same man as his future self. Though still brilliant and strong, the current Gojo lacked the weight of experience that shaped him into a true leader. Time and hardship were still necessary for Gojo to fully mature into the man the Jujutsu world would one day follow without question.
If you can't console someone, you must at least stop them from falling apart.
> "James…"
Gojo's voice was hesitant. He could sense it—an invisible but heavy wall had grown between himself and Geto Suguru.
> "The two of you… must the world be so black and white? Isn't it big enough for both of you to change it in your own way?"
At James's words, both of them glanced at each other, then turned their heads away and scoffed.
Two tsunderes.
James held his forehead in frustration. Just as he was about to scold them for being stubborn, Yaga Masamichi rushed over, slightly breathless. That a Jujutsu master like him looked exhausted showed just how seriously he took this situation.
> "You two—"
> "We're sorry, Principal Yaga."
Geto Suguru was the first to apologize. After all, the ruckus had disturbed many of the younger students. The last time something like this happened was when he and Gojo had chased James across the school under the moonlight.
> New students: "What happened, Teacher Geto?"
> "I've brought Inumaki Toge back. Please, Geto—don't do anything rash."
Now it was James's turn to be surprised.
Yaga had managed to bring Inumaki back far faster than he had expected. James had assumed the bureaucratic red tape would take days, if not weeks.
But only Yaga knew how that negotiation truly played out.
At first, the other party resisted.
Until he used his final bargaining chip:
> "If you don't give Inumaki back to Geto Suguru now... James will be the one coming to retrieve him next time."
The moment James's name was mentioned, there was dead silence behind the curtain. Then came the shaky reply:
> "Understood."
Geto Suguru gradually calmed down. He had been weighing the consequences in his mind. If he killed them now, it would be labeled a riot. But if Jujutsu masters collectively rose up and eliminated them, it would be seen as a justified rebellion.
Gojo had been right about one thing: companions are important.
Inumaki Toge had returned, but that didn't mean Geto forgave those responsible. His convictions hadn't changed. He just realized that change might require patience and alternative methods.
> "Principal Yaga, I understand."
With that, Geto Suguru bowed and turned to leave. But Gojo suddenly called out to him.
> "Suguru… no matter what happens, no matter what you become… if you ever fall into the abyss—I'll save you."
Gojo's Six Eyes sparkled with calm determination. He had already lost James once. Was he destined to walk this path alone?
Without looking back, Geto raised a hand and replied.
> "Me too. I'll be watching you."
He waved and vanished into the hallway.
Beside Gojo, James gave a thumbs-up, smiling brightly.
> "Ah, passionate bromance. This is beautiful."
"…What's with that look in your eyes, James?"
Gojo stared into James's ice-blue pupils, finding encouragement, amusement, and something strange he couldn't quite place.
> "Nothing. I just think… boys really treat each other well."
> "Get lost."
Gojo pushed James aside in mock irritation. He didn't fully understand what James meant—but he was pretty sure it wasn't a compliment.
> "Oh come on, I came all this way."
Side by side, they strolled into the moonlit night.
Yaga watched them go, raising his goggles with a sigh.
> Is it really safe to leave the future of the Jujutsu world in the hands of people like this...?
---
A Few Days Later
> "I've been waiting for you for a year. Isn't it a little rude to make a woman wait that long?"
Yuki Tsukumo sat on a sofa, legs crossed, exuding her usual bold charisma. Across from her sat James, who had come to visit. He looked completely at ease, even preparing a pot of tea for the two of them.
> "You know how badly I was injured," he said with a lazy grin.
In truth, his injuries had healed six months ago. He'd just been procrastinating.
Yuki didn't push. She smiled knowingly, then shifted the conversation.
> "So, James—what kind of woman do you like?"
A soul-piercing question.
James blinked. He had never really thought about it before.
> "I guess… someone who's gentle, caring, considerate?"
> "How average."
Yuki's deadpan response made him cough.
> "You're incredibly powerful, you know. Probably the strongest Jujutsu sorcerer I've ever seen. Out there, people are already calling you the God of Jujutsu Masters."
James waved it off.
> "That's just hype. Reputation's meaningless. Strength is what really matters—and as long as I have that, I'm not worried about titles."
Yuki tilted her head.
> "Well, I think the rumors make sense. So—can you finally tell me about the idea you wrote about in your letter?"
Ah, that.
One year ago, James had sent Yuki a letter while she was frantically researching ways to eliminate all Cursed Spirits.
That letter had shocked her.
Not only did it contain information about the birth of Amazakki, it also included James's own theory about the true nature of Cursed Spirits.
> "Have you ever considered… that there's actually no fundamental difference between a Jujutsu sorcerer and a Cursed Spirit?"
As James explained, he began drawing diagrams in the air with his fingers. Yuki listened attentively, her eyes growing brighter with every word.
> "It's such a simple idea," she muttered. "And sometimes, simplicity brings us closer to the truth."
She furrowed her brows in thought, then relaxed. James quietly sipped his tea, patiently waiting.
Their conversation continued deep into the evening, filled with theories, challenges, and unexpected inspiration.
When James left, Yuki was still jotting down notes at her desk.
---
A Few Days Later – On a Rooftop
> "What do you want?"
A burly figure stood on the edge of the rooftop, wind howling around him—but he remained still as stone.
> "Nothing special. Just wanted to check in."
> "Coming uninvited is rude, James."
> "I only came to see someone I know."
Beneath them, the city pulsed with life. Cars honked, people bustled across intersections, and streetlights blinked in sync with the rhythm of the night.
James stepped closer, joining him on the ledge.
> "Don't you think… when people in high places look down on others, it's like watching ants?"
Fushiguro Shiori said it without emotion.
But James didn't need to be told. His ice-blue eyes clearly reflected the truth.
It was Fushiguro Megumi down there, waiting for the crosswalk to change. Just a normal day on his way home from school.
> Are you being arrogant too?
> "Seeing you like this… it feels like it's time for me to leave."
James stretched lazily, gazing up at the sky. He reached up with one hand, as if trying to capture the blue.
> "It's a good day. Maybe I'll go take a nap…"
And that nap would last—for ten years.
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