So boring...
Tuogen lay sprawled on the beach, currently in a cursed fetus form. His upper body resembled a massive octopus, while his lower half looked like an inflated tumbler toy. His red skin glistened under the hot sun as he basked lazily in the heat.
With a yawn, Tuogen slowly stood up.
"Time to find some humans to play with!"
Several cursed spirits had split up to explore Kyushu Island. Originally, Zhenren was supposed to bring Tuogen along, but he'd run off to "play" on his own, leaving Tuogen behind with instructions to wait for his return.
But after waiting a long time without any sign of Zhenren, Tuogen figured he was off having fun. So, he decided to go have some fun himself.
---
In a small seaside town, seagulls circled in the bright blue sky, and the salty scent of the ocean breeze drifted through empty streets. The town, once a bustling tourist hotspot, was eerily deserted.
Two boys wandered through the quiet town.
One had short white hair, a high collar that covered his mouth. The other wore a wide-sleeved white technical high school uniform with gold buttons, marked by a black Uzumaki emblem on the chest.
They were Inumaki Toge and Okkotsu Yūta, dispatched to investigate the strange happenings in this seaside town on Kyushu Island.
It all started when a tourist was found dead on the beach under mysterious circumstances. The police had been called, but unable to explain the death, they contacted the Cursed Spirit Hotline.
Preliminary assessment suggested the presence of a Special Grade Cursed Spirit.
In response, Tokyo Jujutsu High School sent First-Grade Jujutsu Sorcerer Okkotsu Yūta and Quasi-First-Grade Sorcerer Inumaki Toge to investigate.
Okkotsu Yūta carried a katana strapped to his back. His sharp eyes scanned the surroundings while his enhanced senses picked up faint scents in the air.
In this altered timeline, Rika hadn't died in a car accident. She was still alive. However, thanks to the reformed Jujutsu education system, Yūta's sorcerer potential had been discovered early, and he was sent to train at Tokyo Jujutsu High School. Now in his second year, he had grown significantly stronger.
At first, he had been reluctant to go, not wanting to leave Rika's side. But something she said changed his mind forever:
> "Yūta, the world is changing fast. If something happens, I want you to be strong enough to protect our family."
In the past, Rika had always protected him. Now it was his turn to protect her.
With relentless training and exceptional talent, Yūta surprised even Gojo Satoru. Gojo, intrigued by his distant relative, believed he had found another worthy companion.
First-Grade Jujutsu Sorcerers formed the backbone of modern Jujutsu society. Among the famed Nine Pillars who fought in the Hundred-Year War, most were of this elite rank. Some even argued that James existed on a level beyond the rest.
As for Inumaki Toge, he had grown up in the Bankei Sect under the care of Geto Suguru after his father passed away. Once he was old enough, Geto sent him to Tokyo Jujutsu High School himself.
His biological father had been one of the Nine Pillars. His adoptive father, too.
Undoubtedly, Inumaki was the most distinguished student at the school. Even Kamo Noritoshi, heir to one of the Three Great Sorcerer Families, paled in comparison.
Despite his lineage, Inumaki had grown into a gentle and kind person. Years of hard training, constant lectures from Geto, and guidance from Gojo shaped him into someone approachable and well-liked among his peers.
---
"Ji… something's not right here," Okkotsu muttered, eyes narrowing.
He slowly removed the sword from his back and drew it from its sheath.
He paused.
The waves... he could hear them. But the sun was shining bright—there was no wind, no storm.
A domain? Could it be... Living Domain?
He gestured subtly. Inumaki noticed, reaching for his collar, fingers ready to pull it down at a moment's notice.
They crept forward in silence and followed a narrow path lined with coconut trees until they reached the beach.
Then they saw it.
Under the shade of a tree, a grotesque octopus-like creature gnawed on something bloodied and limp. Human remains.
Why hadn't the police found this earlier?
A domain with a screening barrier? One that only let in those with cursed energy?
This was bad. Very bad.
A Special Grade Cursed Spirit for sure!
Okkotsu raised his hand, signaling Inumaki to retreat slowly. The best strategy here was diversion, not confrontation.
---
Meanwhile, Tuogen had unconsciously released his Living Domain while feeding. He suddenly sensed eyes watching him and tensed up. The domain flickered and broke apart.
Okkotsu and Inumaki were suddenly back on the main beach.
There's someone here!?
Tuogen panicked. Should I run? Where's Zhenren?!
He was, deep down, very timid. After hearing stories about the Nine Pillars Statues, fear had burrowed into his heart.
Run!
Ironically, both sides had the same thought.
In the next instant, they all took off in opposite directions!
Wait… they're running away from me? Maybe they're not that strong...
Tuogen paused, sensing their movement speed. A sly grin formed on his lips. Time for a little chase.
He turned and gave pursuit.
The air split with a sharp, violent sound as he raced forward. Wind howled and sand exploded skyward. He was fast—far faster than expected.
Seeing this, Okkotsu knew he couldn't outrun him.
He spun around and lunged forward—sword drawn!
A sharp flash of cursed energy burst from the blade. Blood splashed in the air and painted the sand.
"ARRRGHH!! IT HURTS!!!"
A massive gash split open the creature's head. Tuogen rolled in agony, his aura darkening. His body writhed violently as legs and arms burst forth. His lower body stretched into powerful limbs. A giant tail whipped behind him. But his octopus head remained.
Pressure!
Inumaki felt it like a wave crashing down. His hands trembled, fingers twitching. Then, a gentle hand landed on his shoulder.
Okkotsu looked calm. Unshaken.
Inumaki met his eyes—and found courage.
He nodded.
Let's go.
---
Tuogen launched his left arm. A powerful stream of water burst forth like a high-pressure hose.
Okkotsu somersaulted sideways, narrowly dodging. His jacket was torn and soaked.
Suddenly—
The ground beneath them cracked open, and a giant isopod lunged from underground, mouth wide open, trying to swallow both sorcerers whole!
Emergency!
Inumaki tore down his collar and shouted—
> "Stop!"
The isopod froze instantly.
Okkotsu grabbed Inumaki and dashed forward, leaping free of the beast's jaws. Inumaki groaned slightly—strained but not bleeding. The backlash wasn't severe this time.
Yūta's grip on his sword trembled.
He exhaled slowly, mind drifting to a memory…
---
"Gojo-sensei, do you know swordsmanship?"
Gojo stood casually with a long sword, performing a few flashy moves.
"I'm not great at it," he admitted. "But I've got a friend who is. You'll improve with practice. I heard you're learning from Maki?"
"Yeah, my hand-to-hand combat isn't that good."
Gojo smirked.
"Then stop learning from her."
"Huh?"
"She doesn't do swordsmanship. What she does is close-combat fighting—Shen Er-style stuff. No sword in the heart."
"…Gojo-sensei, aren't you the Eye of Heaven? How do you know all this?"
Gojo bonked him lightly on the head.
"Don't interrupt. First lesson of swordsmanship—breathe."
"Breathe? That's it?"
"I don't know! Just follow the instructions."
Gojo had no idea either. He just saw it through Six Eyes.
"…So how should I breathe then?"
"Good question."
Gojo paused, then pulled out his phone and made a call. After a brief chat, he tossed it to Yūta.
When Yūta read the name on the screen, a jolt ran down his spine.
His entire body buzzed.
> James.
The God of Jujutsu... was going to teach him?
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