The Night of December 24th.
Inside the faculty dorm, White Zetsu flipped through Mirai's notebook, looking dissatisfied.
"What... You told me to stay away from Gojo Satoru, but you went and provoked him instead!"
Mirai leaned back on the sofa, scrolling through his phone. "This is different."
"Suguru was a death row inmate. He attacked the school. Satoru won't lay a hand on me—a fellow teacher and Clan Head—without absolute proof."
White Zetsu scratched his head. "Though he calls himself the Strongest... he's still bound by worldly rules?"
"That's his weakness," Mirai said, taking the notebook back. "His bond with his students, his colleagues... it's his chain."
"Most importantly... Satoru had already prepared himself for Suguru's death."
"If Suguru hadn't betrayed us..." Mirai murmured, closing his eyes. "Even if he destroyed the world, Satoru wouldn't have stopped him like he did today."
"Human emotions are complex," White Zetsu shrugged. He opened his mouth, and a hideous, caterpillar-like Cursed Spirit crawled out.
"Anyway! At least the harvest was good!" Zetsu grinned, petting the spirit.
...
The Next Day.
Gojo Satoru walked toward the main building. He was surprised to see Shoko Ieiri walking beside him.
"Shoko? It's rare to see you outside the morgue."
Shoko lit a cigarette. "I came to find the Zenin Clan Head."
Gojo frowned. "Why? You don't have feelings for that brat, do you?"
"Even I have standards," Shoko deadpanned. "If I find a chance to sew your mouth shut, half the school will thank me."
"Ouch," Gojo pouted. "Anyway, I'm going to see him too. Let's go."
Shoko paused. "Is it about... Suguru?"
"No," Gojo said calmly. "Even without Mirai... I would have done it myself."
Shoko looked at him. "It seems the reckless fool has matured."
...
The Faculty Office.
"Miss Shoko. Long time no see."
Mirai smiled as they entered. Even under the harsh office lights, his smile looked perfect—too perfect. Like a textbook illustration.
Shoko ignored the pleasantries.
"Where is the talking Cursed Spirit?" she asked bluntly.
"Is it convenient for me to dissect him? Just a little look inside?"
"Pfft—!" Gojo burst out laughing.
Mirai's smile froze. "Dissect?"
"Don't worry," Shoko waved her cigarette. "Cursed Spirits don't die from dissection. Their core is intact. I can just cut him open, look around, and sew him back up."
Mirai's eye twitched. "I have no problem with that... but you should ask Zetsu."
"Where is he?"
"Hanging out with Maki and the first-years."
Shoko rolled her eyes at Gojo (who clearly knew where Zetsu was but didn't say anything) and walked out.
"Pigs grow fat by eating," Shoko muttered as she left. "You cut them piece by piece... let them grow back... repeat until they die of old age."
Mirai shuddered. "Remind me never to get sick around her."
"Your expression doesn't seem fake now," Gojo chuckled, sitting on the desk.
Mirai pulled out his phone and texted White Zetsu: Run.
Then he looked at Gojo. The warmth vanished from his eyes.
"What do you want, Satoru?"
"Megumi Fushiguro," Gojo said, his voice serious. "Why are you so fixated on him?"
"He has Zenin blood. He has the Ten Shadows. Why shouldn't he return to his family?"
"Name your price," Gojo said. "What do you want in exchange for giving up custody?"
Mirai looked at Gojo. A genuine smile crept onto his lips.
"I see. You really care about that kid."
"Fine. I happen to need your help with something."
"If you agree... I will drop the claim on Megumi. I will even give you the Zenin Clan's secret manuals on the Ten Shadows Technique."
Gojo frowned. "What do you want?"
The manuals were valuable. They contained centuries of data on shikigami combinations and taming rituals. Giving them up was a huge concession.
"It's simple," Mirai said.
"I want to experience your Domain Expansion."
Gojo blinked. "Ha?"
"One minute," Mirai said, holding up a finger. "Put me inside Unlimited Void for one minute."
"As long as you guarantee my safety... just let me stay inside."
Gojo leaned forward. His Six Eyes scanned Mirai.
He's trading a Ten Shadows user for a look inside my Domain?
Is he trying to find a weakness? Or does he just want to learn?
It was suspicious. But Gojo was confident. No one could adapt to the information overload of Unlimited Void in just one minute without frying their brain.
"No problem," Gojo nodded.
"But first you ask for safety... then you offer the manuals later."
Gojo smirked. "Zenin-sensei... you really value your life, don't you?"
Mirai ignored the taunt. He smiled brightly.
"Deal."
Gojo felt a strange unease settle in his gut.
That smile... was real.
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