Chapter 58: Sakiko: Sensei, Don't Die
In the early morning, Gojo Satoru entered the Tokyo Jujutsu High library. As soon as he walked in, he saw Zen'in Maki asleep, leaning on a sofa.
On the fourth floor of the library, Hikigaya Hachiman was still rapidly flipping through documents, clearly having stayed up all night.
This level of effort left Gojo Satoru astonished.
"What in the world is that?"
Gojo Satoru looked at the highly busy iron giants moving up and down the stairs, showing great interest. It was a Gothic heavy mecha style, utterly out of place in this world.
He inexplicably found it a bit amusing, these iron giants, over two meters tall, quickly moving books back and forth between the floors.
From Gojo Satoru's perspective, today's Sons of Horus were actually more flexible than they were yesterday, before Hikigaya Hachiman had read the knowledge about Cursed Corpses.
At the same time, the alarm Hikigaya Hachiman had set went off. As for Gojo Satoru, Hikigaya Hachiman had already detected him before he even walked into the library.
Otherwise, the vigilant Sons of Horus would have already opened fire on Gojo Satoru with their bolters.
The Sons of Horus materialized by [Izanagi] are physical entities, and their weapons are functional.
Hikigaya Hachiman was quite surprised. He couldn't replicate the bolter using Earth's technology, but he unexpectedly created what he wanted using an ancient Cursed Technique from a thousand years ago.
The power might be slightly reduced, as the original Imperial bolter uses specialized, large-caliber .75 calibre self-propelled explosive ammunition. The recoil alone is strong enough to tear off a normal human's arm.
Although the original purpose of the Cursed Puppets created by [Izanagi] was to trigger the opponent's Cursed Technique into shutdown.
Hikigaya Hachiman couldn't help but envision creating a squad of Space Marines for coordinated group combat, implementing a strategy of fire suppression against the enemy.
Since the time was about right, Hikigaya Hachiman simply had the Sons of Horus return all the books. With the guidance of the Cursed Corpses, there would be no issues.
"Hachiman, is this your new invention? It's pretty cool."
Gojo Satoru used the Limitless Cursed Technique to ignore gravity and ascended directly from the ground floor to the fourth floor. Up close, he saw the steel guards standing like loyal
protectors beside Hikigaya Hachiman, and a dense smell of gunpowder seemed to rush at him.
These steel guards were not only "plus size" versions, but the gigantic firearms they held were also very thick, with barrel muzzles large enough to easily fit an egg.
This violent aesthetic, which embodies the principle that "bigger is better," rarely fails to excite men.
Gojo Satoru pulled out a camera from somewhere and started aggressively photographing the Sons of Horus, seeming to really like them.
"Don't post them on social media."
Hikigaya Hachiman cautioned Gojo Satoru, who was posing for a photo with the Sons of Horus.
"These are trade secrets."
The livery of the Sons of Horus was only briefly mentioned in Hikigaya Hachiman's previous book when Horus became Warmaster and the Luna Wolves were renamed the Sons of Horus.
Their actual appearance will only be revealed when Hikigaya Hachiman releases the Horus Heresy – Burning Galaxy series, at which point illustrations and other visual media will enter the market.
"How scary. I just feel like having two of these things standing guard outside my old man's door would be incredibly imposing."
Gojo Satoru put his camera away after taking a few more photos. He joked,
"Great author, you won't sue me, will you?"
Gojo Satoru had no idea how the boy's mind worked. Not only was his Jujutsu talent strong, but he also excelled in both literature and physical arts.
His novels were consistently on the hot search charts, and the streets were plastered with the Imperial Aquila symbol—truly unquestionable loyalty.
"I can't stop you from keeping it for your personal viewing."
However, Gojo Satoru's comment made Hikigaya Hachiman think. Perhaps he really could manifest all twenty Imperial Legions and hold a grand parade.
Although the current maximum generation limit is 20 due to the Cursed Technique's restriction, Cursed Techniques can actually be upgraded for Hikigaya Hachiman.
The Life Cores obtained from killing high-grade Cursed Spirits can be homogenized.
That is, to evolve a certain Cursed Technique, the Cursed Spirit Cores of others can be homogenized with it.
However, there is a loss. For [Izanagi], a high-grade Cursed Technique, the exchange rate for other Cursed Spirit Cores is one to three.
Meaning, the Cores of three high-grade Cursed Spirits can provide a slight enhancement to the [Izanagi] Cursed Technique.
"How was your research last night?"
Gojo Satoru didn't know what Hachiman was researching, but for him to treat it with such seriousness, it must not be a simple matter.
"I'm mostly done. I'll come again next time."
Hikigaya Hachiman had reviewed a considerable amount of information last night.
The Fujiwara family was truly wealthy.
There were a total of six Special Grade Cursed Tools, all of which were taken separately by Fujiwara no Yoshifusa and were among the highest grade of Special Grade Cursed Tools.
They covered healing, curse assassination, defensive barrier Cursed Tools, potent poisons, and even a Special Grade Cursed Tool that looked no different from a compass.
Among them, the [Prison Realm] was sought after by the world and coveted by countless people.
The [Prison Realm] was formed from the enlightenment and death of a Buddhist high priest, ranking among the top Special Grade Cursed Tools in the Jujutsu world. Hikigaya Hachiman could feel the absolute longing even in the lines of the book's author.
Its current status was "lost."
No one knew it was actually in the hands of the Fujiwara ancestor, Fujiwara no Yoshifusa, and had been slumbering as a burial object for a thousand years.
This was quite reasonable. The Fujiwara family's power was at its zenith then; even the Imperial Court had to bow to the Fujiwara family's wishes. The [Prison Realm] could only have been in the Fujiwara family's hands.
Using the [Prison Realm] to seal a powerhouse like Sukuna Ryoumen or Gojo Satoru would be particularly rewarding.
But for Hikigaya Hachiman, it was superfluous. He didn't believe he was weaker than them and needed external objects. Ridiculous.
Hikigaya Hachiman couldn't imagine how desperate someone would have to be to resort to such a measure.
As for the [Prison Realm] being used in reverse to seal Hikigaya Hachiman, he wondered if the [Prison Realm] could withstand a single strike from him in his [Archangel] mode.
If the man with the stitched scar on his forehead knew that the Cursed Tool he desperately desired was being so scorned, he would probably be so angry he'd vomit blood.
"Is that so? That's good."
Gojo Satoru didn't ask further, completely unaware that Hikigaya Hachiman now held a Special Grade Cursed Tool that even he couldn't easily oppose.
"Hachiman, are you free next month, mid-month?"
"Huh?"
Suddenly being asked this by Gojo Satoru, Hikigaya Hachiman paused while packing his things.
"Our Kyoto Jujutsu High exchange event is next month."
Gojo Satoru replied.
"So, I want you to represent Tokyo Jujutsu High in the competition."
Hikigaya Hachiman squinted at Gojo Satoru.
"Do you even know what you're saying?
You want me to fight Kyoto Jujutsu High?"
Hikigaya Hachiman wasn't a student at Jujutsu High. Furthermore, asking him to fight students—was he trying to cripple Kyoto Jujutsu High?
Gojo Satoru, how ruthless.
Todo Aoi is a second-year at Kyoto Jujutsu High. There's also another second-year at Kyoto Jujutsu High who, speaking of which, Hikigaya Hachiman snatched the position of Kamo family head from.
There are quite a few second-year students at Kyoto Jujutsu High—four or five.
"Doesn't your school have two second-year students?"
"While Okkotsu Yuta and Hakari Kinji could certainly take on Kyoto Jujutsu High, it's—well, how should I put it—their personalities aren't very stable."
Gojo Satoru scratched his head.
"If I let those two go to Kyoto, I just can't feel at ease."
"That still doesn't necessitate me going, does it?"
"Tch, cheapskate."
Gojo Satoru protested.
Hikigaya Hachiman didn't overthink it and immediately came up with a solution for him.
"Or, you could 'abduct' that boy into your school."
"Which one?"
" Okkotsu Yuta, the one the Sorcerers Association is monitoring, who has a Special Grade Vengeful Cursed Spirit attached to him."
Given the Sorcerers Association's demeanor, upon discovering a troublesome individual like Okkotsu Yuta, they would absolutely sentence him to death.
It would definitely be like that. Those guys are especially afraid of anything that could threaten their authority.
Just like when Hikigaya Hachiman stepped out of the shadows and became active in the Jujutsu world, at that time, his strength was already something the Sorcerers Association couldn't control even if they wanted to.
"Instead of being secretly executed by the Sorcerers Association, why not have you pull him into Jujutsu High?"
Although Okkotsu Yuta is an amateur, the Special Grade Vengeful Cursed Spirit attached to him is powerful enough to far surpass the level of most Special Grade Cursed Spirits.
Forget the second-year students at Kyoto; even if all the students from both schools were tied together, it's questionable whether they could defeat that Cursed Spirit.
Hearing Hikigaya Hachiman, a knowing smile appeared on Gojo Satoru's face.
"That's certainly another way."
He quickly looked troubled.
"But Watashi (I)..."
Hikigaya Hachiman saw Gojo Satoru's "I was waiting for you to say that" expression and immediately judged that this was another trap. The opponent was likely waiting for him to proactively suggest Okkotsu Yuta.
I give you sincere advice, and you play mind games with me like this.
Hikigaya Hachiman immediately interrupted Gojo Satoru.
"You're the head of the Gojo family and currently the strongest Sorcerer in the Sorcerers Association. Who would dare kill him without your say-so?"
Hikigaya Hachiman estimated that Gojo Satoru wanted him to share some of the burden, specifically to have the Kamo and Gojo families jointly pressure the Sorcerers Association regarding the "Okkotsu Yuta" issue.
"Violence doesn't solve problems."
Gojo Satoru winced, then shook his head, and didn't say anything more.
"Right, tell Maki I'm gone."
Hikigaya Hachiman figured he would mentor Megumi Fushiguro next time he came to Jujutsu High, but this time, he wouldn't have time.
"I got it."
Gojo Satoru said.
Hikigaya Hachiman looked at the feigning Gojo Satoru and slapped him on the back.
"Don't play dumb. The Transportation Cursed Technique."
Gojo Satoru possesses an ultra-long-distance Transportation Cursed Technique that can teleport a person thousands of kilometers away.
Hikigaya Hachiman had agreed on the way here that Gojo Satoru would use the Transportation Cursed Technique to send him home tomorrow morning.
He left for a mission and didn't wear his school uniform, so he needed to go home to change clothes.
"Ah, my bad, I forgot."
Gojo Satoru laughed, and Cursed Energy flowed through his fingertips. He quickly drew a complete circle on the ground, surrounded by transportation runes.
This was the Transportation Cursed Technique.
Hikigaya Hachiman looked at the technique and felt quite emotional.
A large part of the Imperium was destroyed by this kind of transportation technique.
The Emperor researched the Webway, which could cover the entire colossal human Imperium. If successful, it would mean being able to instantly travel thousands of light-years from anywhere in the Imperium.
The success of the Webway would have been a great joy for the entire Imperium, but unfortunately, it was breached by Magnus.
The breached Webway was equivalent to opening a second Eye of Terror in the heart of Terra, the human Imperium's capital, allowing Warp daemons to pour out en masse.
Hikigaya Hachiman only remembered that the Regent of Terra, Malcador, took his place on the Golden Throne, but he didn't know what happened afterward.
The failure of the Imperial Webway made Hikigaya Hachiman highly suspicious of the safety of transportation techniques.
Hikigaya Hachiman never uses or wants to learn such a thing.
Gojo Satoru's Transportation Cursed Technique was the most precise Hikigaya Hachiman had ever seen, which is why he felt safe letting him send him off.
"Oh, right, right, I almost forgot."
Just before activating the Transportation Cursed Technique, Gojo Satoru added,
"The Sorcerers Association's net will close in on Okkotsu Yuta tonight."
Seeing that Hikigaya Hachiman didn't respond, Gojo Satoru could only shrug sheepishly, interlace his fingers, and activate the transportation Cursed Technique.
The Cursed Technique's power burst out, leaving a very noticeable depression on the ground tiles outside.
And Hikigaya Hachiman, who had been standing there moments before, vanished without a trace.
Gojo Satoru's Transportation Cursed Technique had virtually no delay. Hikigaya Hachiman was instantly transported to another area as if he had time-traveled.
The coordinates Hikigaya Hachiman gave should have been in a small alley between the buildings next to his house, a place where few people go and there would be no witnesses.
But when Hikigaya Hachiman opened his eyes, he found the surrounding environment quite unfamiliar.
Because it was still early, people hadn't left their homes in this area yet, and the streets were deserted.
Hikigaya Hachiman was standing on something similar to a pedestrian overpass, with what looked like railway tracks below.
"What the heck? Where did that Satoru guy send me?"
Hikigaya Hachiman pulled out his phone and checked his location.
This was the only benefit of the digital age; at least he couldn't get lost.
The area was quite far off, about three kilometers from his house.
"Is that guy really that petty?"
Gojo Satoru's technique precision couldn't possibly be that poor, meaning he did it on purpose.
Then, as if he had calculated it perfectly, he immediately sent an apology text message.
"My bad, my bad, Hachiman. I think I wrote the transportation coordinates one digit wrong. Eh heh."
A thirty-year-old man using "Eh heh."
Alright, alright. It seems he wants to be locked inside the [Prison Realm].
"Hmm?"
While Hikigaya Hachiman was contemplating the details of locking Gojo Satoru in a small dark room, he suddenly sensed the fluctuation of a Grade 2 Cursed Spirit.
It was very faint, right beneath his feet.
Hikigaya Hachiman looked down at the ground, meaning it was in the underpass beneath the railway bridge.
He grabbed the railing and leaned out slightly. Sure enough, he saw a section of a green tail in the train underpass below.
Hikigaya Hachiman immediately used the "Blood Spear" of [Crimson Blood Manipulation] to pierce it, but suddenly his expression became strange.
Because a figure was approaching him very quickly, extremely anxious.
It was an acquaintance.
"No!"
The person grabbed Hikigaya Hachiman's waist, trying to pull his body, which was leaning out, back, essentially tackling him.
"I apologize! This might be disrespectful."
The girl's movements were very forceful, and she held Hikigaya Hachiman's waist tightly, speaking loudly.
"But you can't try to kill yourself!"
Hikigaya Hachiman turned his head and met her extremely anxious golden eyes. The girl's eyes were filled with uncontainable worry.
"Sensei, you were trying to kill yourself just now, weren't you?"
Togawa Sakiko had just bought a cheap breakfast from the convenience store. She was initially very happy to see "Sanguinius-Sensei," who had greatly improved her life, from afar and was about to go say hello.
But his behavior was anything but reassuring.
His whole body, half of it, was leaning out of the railing. And right below was the train track.
His posture looked exactly like he was attempting to jump in front of a train.
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