Three years passed like a dream.
The day of the Three Great Clans Festival finally arrived.
"Today's participants are here. You'll receive your numbers shortly. Please proceed to the main
hall for the opening ceremony."
Shinichi surveyed the crowd of young sorcerers—the elite of the Kamo, Zenin, and Gojo families.
Most were between ten and thirteen, their faces a mixture of nerves and excitement.
Kenki walked beside him, radiating quiet confidence. Kengen had stayed behind among the
spectators, but his techniques had improved dramatically over the years.
The main hall was impressive—traditional architecture blended with modern conveniences, the Three
Great Families' banners hanging from the rafters. On an elevated platform sat the family heads and
their representatives.
Shinichi's father, Kamo Kenji, was among them. He had risen to full clan head status in the years
following Hidden Inventory, partly through political maneuvering and partly through Shinichi's
growing reputation.
And there, wearing his signature round sunglasses even indoors, was Gojo Satoru. The strongest
sorcerer had somehow become the Gojo family head—through methods Shinichi could only imagine.
Gojo caught Shinichi's eye, lowered his sunglasses, and winked.
Same as always.
On the Zenin side, a fierce-looking man with scars dominated the proceedings. Naobito Zenin,
current head, flanked by his chosen successors and elite warriors.
One figure caught Shinichi's attention—a young woman with tied-back hair and an expressionless
face. Based on her age and bearing, this had to be Maki Zenin.
Heavenly Restricted, like Toji. Treated like garbage by her own family. Another piece on the
board.
"The first event is a solo cursed spirit exorcism. Eliminating your assigned cursed spirit wins.
You'll be judged by the number of cursed spirits eliminated."
The announcer explained the rules. Hundreds of low-grade cursed spirits had been captured for this
event. Participants would enter the barrier one by one to hunt.
"The cursed spirits in the barrier are second and third grade. There's also one first-grade cursed
spirit. For your safety, please retreat if you encounter it and wait for the judges to handle
it."
"Just a first-grade cursed spirit? How disappointing."
The voice came from Shinichi's left. He turned to see a young man around twelve, with sharp
features and an air of overwhelming arrogance.
Naoya Zenin. Future head of the Zenin family, at least in his own estimation.
"You're Naoya Zenin, aren't you?"
Naoya's expression brightened. "You recognize me. How flattering."
"I'm Kamo Shinichi."
"I know who you are." Naoya's smile turned cold. "The brat who got close to Toji Fushiguro during
Hidden Inventory. Word travels fast."
"And?"
"And I find it irritating." Naoya's jaw tightened. "Toji was the strongest man to ever come out of
the Zenin family. A legend. And some Kamo child gets his attention? His respect?" He laughed
bitterly. "You don't deserve it."
Shinichi met Naoya's glare without flinching. "Sounds like jealousy to me."
Naoya's eyes narrowed. "We'll see how confident you are after the competition."
He walked away, deliberately bumping Shinichi's shoulder as he passed.
Kenki appeared at Shinichi's side. "That guy looked hostile. Are you okay?"
"Fine. He's just noise."
"You sure?"
Shinichi smiled. "When the results come out, he won't be so arrogant."
The months before the Festival had been intense, but the New Year brought a welcome break.
"I'm heading to Jujutsu High," Shinichi announced. "Want to come?"
Toji, who had been lounging in Shinichi's guest quarters, barely opened his eyes. "Pass. Lock the
door on your way out."
"You could visit Megumi, you know. He's there every week."
"I know."
"And?"
"And I watch him from a distance. That's enough."
Shinichi sighed but didn't push. Toji's relationship with his son was complicated—layers of guilt,
regret, and unspoken affection that neither of them knew how to navigate.
"Suit yourself."
Jujutsu High in winter was beautiful. Snow blanketed the grounds, softening the school's severe
architecture. Shinichi arrived to find a gathering already in progress.
"Shinichi! Long time no see!"
Riko Amanai—now seventeen and thriving—tackled him in a hug before he could react. Her Reverse
Cursed Technique training had progressed remarkably; she was nearly at Shoko's level.
"Easy, Riko. You'll crush him."
Shoko appeared behind her, looking amused.
"She's gotten stronger," Shinichi wheezed.
"She's gotten enthusiastic."
The gathering included most of the usual suspects: Gojo, Geto, Shoko, Riko. Kento Nanami and Yu
Haibara had returned from a mission, looking tired but satisfied. And sitting in the corner,
trying to look disinterested, was Megumi Fushiguro.
"Megumi!"
Shinichi approached the younger boy. At six years old, Megumi already had the serious expression
that would define him—dark hair, sharp eyes, a perpetual slight frown.
"Shinichi." Megumi nodded formally. "Hello."
"I brought gifts. Kikufuku from Kikuan."
"What? Another bag?" Gojo materialized beside them, eyes fixed on the confection. "I thought that
place had limited quantities!"
"The Kamo family acquired Kikuan three years ago. I get unlimited access."
Gojo's expression cycled through shock, outrage, and grudging respect. "You planned this. All of
it. The Hidden Inventory save, the alliance, everything—it was all a scheme to get unlimited
daifuku!"
"You caught me."
"I knew it! You're a villain!"
The banter continued as the group settled around the stove. Shinichi found himself beside Megumi,
who was cautiously sampling a strawberry Kikufuku.
"How's training?" Shinichi asked.
"Fine. Gojo teaches me when he remembers."
"And when he doesn't?"
"I practice on my own." Megumi hesitated. "Can I show you something?"
"Of course."
They moved to an empty space nearby. Megumi formed a hand seal, and shadows pooled at his feet.
"Divine Dogs!"
Two dogs emerged—one black, one white. Unlike the versions Shinichi remembered from the manga,
these were small and almost comically cute, reflecting Megumi's current limited power.
The dogs immediately pounced on Megumi, licking his face enthusiastically.
"They're supposed to be fierce," Megumi muttered, embarrassed. "This isn't how it's supposed to
work."
Shinichi couldn't help but smile. "They seem to like you."
"That's not the point."
But when Shinichi reached out to pet them, the dogs responded with equal enthusiasm. They seemed
drawn to his cursed energy, sensing something familiar.
"They like you too," Megumi observed. "That's unusual. They bit Gojo the first time he tried to
touch them."
"My cursed energy attracts cursed spirits. The Divine Dogs are similar enough that they probably
sense that affinity."
"Huh." Megumi processed this. "You're strange."
"I've been told."