Chapter 190: A Nation Enshrouded by a Barrier
"Cheers!"
Zen'in Kaon and the rest of the Youth Division gathered together in celebration.
"I still can't believe we actually won," Okkotsu Kaguya said with a sigh of relief. "When all seven of them showed up at once, I honestly thought we were done for."
He glanced at Kaon, genuine admiration in his eyes.
"It was all thanks to your technique. Otherwise, both special-grade curses would've been exorcised by them for sure."
Kaon's strength had grown at an unbelievable pace—she'd only entered the jujutsu world a month ago, yet she was already this powerful.
If she'd grown up in the jujutsu world from childhood, she might already have earned the title of Special Grade Sorcerer.
"Well, I am your big sister," Kaon said smugly. "Isn't it normal for me to be a little amazing?"
She lifted her chin proudly, nearly adding that her entire family was stacked with monsters, so her talent was only natural—but after a second's thought, she held back.
Better to stay humble, she decided.
That thought faded quickly, replaced by irritation.
"Still, it's annoying. Mom and Dad said they'd come watch the exchange, and they ended up being late."
She'd been looking forward to showing off how strong she'd become—only for her unreliable parents to miss it entirely.
"They probably got held up by something," Okkotsu Kaguya said gently, trying to smooth things over on behalf of Zen'in Shinsuke and Yuki Tsukumo.
"They're not young anymore. You should be a little more understanding."
He'd never met his uncle and aunt personally, but he'd heard enough rumors to know they were extraordinary figures.
"They're not that old," Kaon muttered, pouting.
"It's not like they can't walk anymore."
If anything, they were bursting with energy—traveling the world nonstop.
For all she knew, they were probably off somewhere right now, enjoying their carefree life together.
She had come to the jujutsu world, which meant her parents were finally free of their extra "third wheel."
"Still, at least tomorrow we can watch the matches together," Zen'in Kaon said, a hint of anticipation in her eyes.
"I wonder if they'll actually step onto the field."
She was genuinely looking forward to the adult division matches.
After all, her parents were retired powerhouses who had disappeared from the jujutsu world for over a decade.
Would they really stay on the sidelines?
"Can we just get this over with already?" Kusakabe Zetsu muttered, his body wrapped in bandages as he slumped lazily.
"This exchange event is exhausting."
He'd thought that sword-wielding Simurian warrior looked simple enough—only to discover the guy fought like his life depended on it, leaving Kusakabe battered all over.
He just wanted to coast through the competition.
Why did everyone have to take it so seriously?
"Don't be so negative, Kusakabe-senpai," Okkotsu Kaguya said cheerfully.
"We don't even have to fight tomorrow. We can watch the senior sorcerers and learn from them."
He paused, eyes shining with curiosity.
"To be honest, I've been in the jujutsu world this long and still haven't really seen the previous generation fight seriously."
Aside from that one time Gojo-sensei made a move, Kaguya had never even seen his own parents fight at full strength.
"By the way, Kamui," he suddenly asked, looking at Gojo Kamui, who was quietly eating grilled meat,
"You've mastered Reverse Cursed Technique already, right?"
He could feel it—something about Kamui's presence had changed.
More precisely, his eyes had changed.
"Aren't you the same?" Kamui replied casually, not even pausing his meal.
"…Hold on," Kaon frowned.
"What is Reverse Cursed Technique, exactly?"
She'd heard the term during that special mission a month ago, but everything afterward had happened so fast she'd forgotten to ask.
"It's a way of applying cursed energy," Kaguya explained.
"Cursed energy is negative. Reverse Cursed Technique converts it into positive energy."
"Its greatest use is healing—up to and including regenerating lost limbs."
"Generally speaking," he added,
"only sorcerers who've mastered Reverse Cursed Technique have truly touched the core of cursed energy."
"Oh. That's it?" Kaon nodded, unimpressed.
So it was basically a healing technique.
Her shikigami could already heal her, so whether she learned it or not didn't seem that important.
No wonder her cousin had never brought it up during training.
"…Wait," Kaon suddenly frowned.
"Why hasn't Ria come back yet? Does it really take that long to use the bathroom?"
She pulled out her phone, about to send a message—
When a text arrived.
Ria:
Sorry, Kaon! My sister suddenly needed me, so I had to leave early.
See you tomorrow—please apologize to everyone for me (๑•ᴗ•๑)
"Huh? Ria just… left early?" Kaon muttered.
She didn't think much of it—just explained briefly to the others and put her phone away.
After the small celebration, everyone went their separate ways, waiting for the exchange event to continue the next day.
---
Meanwhile, aboard the Simurian starship…
Wave after wave of warriors arrived on Earth in perfect order.
When Ria returned to the ship, she didn't see her sister at all—only fully armed soldiers.
A chill ran down her spine.
"What's going on?" she demanded.
Before she could get an answer, a top-tier Simurian warrior silently appeared behind her and struck.
Ria collapsed unconscious.
"For the future of the Simurian people," the warrior said calmly,
"forgive us, Miss Ria."
That day's match had been watched by every Simurian.
Their perception of Earth had changed.
Combined with the High Priest's recent warnings, many had grown deeply wary.
---
That night, Tokyo was unnaturally quiet.
Like the stillness before a storm.
A plane cut through the clouds and entered the skies of the Sakura Nation.
"Do you feel it?" Yuki Tsukumo asked, her expression subtly shifting.
"Feel what?" Zen'in Mai asked, glancing between Yuki and Zen'in Shinsuke in confusion.
Mai had been overseas on a mission—and on vacation—when she'd coincidentally run into Shinsuke and Yuki enjoying their couple's getaway.
Naturally, she'd joined them as the ultimate third wheel.
Hearing about the aliens, she'd followed them back to see what was really going on.
Shinsuke looked out the window at the pitch-black landscape below.
"Someone has placed a barrier over this country," he said calmly.
"…What?" Mai's pupils shrank.
"You're saying someone covered an entire nation with a barrier?"
What kind of sorcerer could do that?
And why?
"This is probably the aliens' work," Yuki said after sensing the sky.
"Likely to prevent other countries from discovering what's happening here."
"…Then those aliens," she added quietly,
"might not be as friendly toward humanity as we thought."
Shinsuke replied flatly,
"Or maybe they're just unfriendly toward sorcerers."
"..."
(HE IS BACKKKKKK!!!!!)