Jujutsu Sorcerer Association The Higher-Ups, one hour before complete lockdown.
"Esteemed sirs of the The Higher-Ups."
The screen first displayed a logo, the English identifier for [SINGULARITY], meaning 'SINGULARITY'.
"This is our company's chief engineer, Professor Futaba Ichian."
A middle-aged man in a sharp suit, looking quite presentable, was demonstrating in front of a large screen to a group of old men, then he called another accompanying staff member to come in.
The uncle, wearing a white lab coat, had a lot of white hair mixed in with his black hair, and deep dark circles around his brown eyes, making him look as if he hadn't rested in a long time, completely spiritless.
Futaba Ichian slowly walked to the front of the stage, hands in the pockets of his white lab coat, and lazily let out a yawn.
"He will demonstrate our company's new product—"
But the host was interrupted before he could finish his sentence.
"Get to the point, this old man's time is precious."
Because the stern-looking, white-haired old man glared at the young man with an exceptionally fierce gaze, as if he wanted to devour him.
"And using technology to replace Jujutsu, that's laughable."
The one who said this was Zenin Shūsai, one of the most powerful elders of the Zenin Family, puffing out his beard and glaring.
He sneered and said,
"The Cursed Spirit Restraint Device you made last time almost caused the death of a first-year student at Tokyo Jujutsu High."
He was referring to the time Kenmyo rescued someone from a Grade 2 Cursed Spirit, and the collar around the Grade 2 Cursed Spirit's neck was a prototype from this [SINGULARITY] company.
It was also made by Futaba Ichian.
"If this time it's still that kind of trash, we don't have time to waste with you here."
Not just Zenin Shūsai, but any of the old men sitting below, when singled out, held a more distinguished status than the last, all prominent figures in the outside world.
Their time was spent on decisions concerning the life and death of the Jujutsu World, not on gathering so many people for a new product launch.
This was the The Higher-Ups, the highest decision-making body of the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association, where the Gojo Family, Kamo Family, Zenin Family, and other renowned high-ranking Jujutsu Sorcerer Association officials were present.
Holding a new product launch here, this scene would only give the first impression of a unscrupulous merchant scamming the elderly with free rice and cooking oil, then pushing health products.
However, it wasn't wrong; if the deal went through, the people below would become major clients of [SINGULARITY] company.
Technological progress is built on failure; the previous Cursed Spirit collar, a device to suppress Cursed Spirit activity, was the first generation, and now the second generation has been rolled out and is being rigorously tested in a certain area.
"Alas, remnants of the old era."
Futaba Ichian glanced at the old man from the Zenin Family and muttered to himself,
"With one foot already in the grave, they still can't listen properly."
"Presumptuous!"
Although the mumbling was very soft, Zenin Shūsai still heard it. With his fiery temper, he exploded, slamming his fist on the table with a "bang," directly creating a huge hole.
The old man even put one foot on the table, clutching the sword at his waist, radiating killing intent. Gone was his previous dignified demeanor; he now looked like an old hooligan provoked into a fight.
One could only say that the older generation of the Zenin Family were all like this. Having started as yakuza, it was their own fault that Fushiguro Toji killed more than half of them.
"Enough, Hideyoshi."
Just before the atmosphere in the room became even more tense, another authoritative voice intervened; it was the Vice President of the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association.
"Listen to what he has to say."
Zenin Shūsai hesitated for a moment, subtly glanced at their Zenin Family's Grand Elder, and after seeing him shake his head slightly with a minimal movement, the old man snorted coldly and sat down directly.
"Mr. Futaba, please proceed."
The Vice President of the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association said,
"Then I'll keep it short."
Futaba Ichian held the microphone, completely unfazed by the killing intent from the Zenin Family's side.
After all, as the developer, even a fool would know the importance of the products he launched, especially in such special times, where they become strategic materials of paramount importance.
Futaba Ichian had a staff member push over a machine that looked like a projector. When he pressed the button on the machine,
Instantly, a large amount of unknown runes were released from all the openings at the top of the machine, densely covering everything from the floor to the ceiling.
"Hmm?"
The old men present, with their discerning eyes, immediately understood the machine's purpose.
"A Barrier?"
"Yes, it's a simple Barrier, with a maximum coverage radius of one kilometer."
"Heh, new students can do this kind of thing, what's it for?"
Zenin Shūsai scoffed, as if dismissing the product.
"Indeed, as this esteemed elder said, if it's just using a machine to deploy a Barrier Technique, there's nothing remarkable about it."
Futaba Ichian said,
"If I recall correctly, all of your Jujutsu Sorcerer' Barrier Techniques require enhancement from a certain esteemed individual's power to be effective, right?"
The importance of Tengen to the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association is not only reflected in her Barriers covering all Jujutsu Sorcerer strongholds, but also in Barrier Techniques themselves; only with Tengen's blessing can these Barrier Techniques meet standards in aspects such as defensive power and coverage area.
This Barrier Technique is particularly important; without it, Jujutsu Sorcerer would be greatly hindered in their daily missions, becoming powerless.
Therefore, the vast Jujutsu Sorcerer Association, with so many Jujutsu Sorcerer, was actually severely constrained by Tengen.
"What if my device allows you to maintain Barriers at a usable level even without Tengen's blessing?"
Futaba Ichian took out a remote control and pressed a button. The entire Barrier instantly seemed to be coated with a thick armor, layers of scales completely covering the Barrier, maximizing its defensive power and protection.
It was hard to imagine that a machine could achieve such a feat.
"What!"
Several of the more straightforward old men stood up in astonishment.
If this were the case, Tengen would indeed no longer be needed.
"Good!"
The Vice President of the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association immediately made a decision,
"Your project, we, the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association, will invest in it."
Afterward, the entire The Higher-Ups went into lockdown, prohibiting external contact to prevent information leakage. The last, highly confidential instruction issued was:
"When Tengen assimilates with the Star Plasma Vessel, eliminate the Star Plasma Vessel."
This was the reason Kenmyo received that contradictory plan. Since the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association had its own method for Barrier Techniques, it naturally no longer needed Tengen, the "tool."
Tengen primarily had her own small ideas, but she didn't tell others. Her existence had already been viewed as an obstruction by the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association.
If there was a way to kill her, they would certainly exert all their efforts to do so.
Kenmyo's side had just arrived at Jujutsu High.
The helicopter hadn't landed yet, but some ambulances and other equipment on the ground had already arrived.
These were for Jujutsu Sorcerer to get checked after missions, because Cursed Spirits' abilities are bizarre and varied. If they didn't get thoroughly checked, very adverse effects might occur.
There was a precedent: a Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer, after exorcising a virus-type Cursed Spirit, didn't realize his lungs had been corroded by the Cursed Spirit's Cursed Energy. By the time others discovered it the next day, he had already turned into a pool of blood.
It would be a joke if a Jujutsu Sorcerer died not from exorcising a Cursed Spirit, but from an untimely death. With so few Jujutsu Sorcerer, welfare and benefits naturally had to be better. So, Iori Utahime and Mei Mei had to go for a check-up after getting off the plane, similar to a Jujutsu Sorcerer's physical examination. Just in case, Kenmyo also sent Shoko.
"By the way, did we set up a 'Curtain'?"
Gojo Satoru had just gotten off the helicopter when he suddenly heard Iori Utahime ask this.
Because Kenmyo's pure white ice giant dragon was truly iconic, if seen or photographed by ordinary people, it would be big news.
"Don't worry, Utahime."
Normally, Gojo Satoru would be breaking into a cold sweat by now, because this guy had no habit of setting up a "Curtain."
Moreover, Gojo Satoru lived life as he pleased; what did it matter if ordinary people saw his Cursed Technique's effects? Their fear was their problem, what did it have to do with him?
This always led to Gojo Satoru receiving 'love education' (fist attacks) from Teacher Principal Yaga, never learning his lesson.
But today, he could proudly say,
"Utahime, your worries are superfluous."
"Reliable Kenmyo has prepared everything."
Because Kenmyo had worked with Mr. Akutabe on cleanup tasks in his earlier years, he had long developed the good habit of being meticulous, preparing everything in advance for all tasks that needed to be completed.
Things like "Curtains" were already set up by Kenmyo from the moment the flying dragon was in the sky, a full-domain fitting Curtain that automatically deployed within a four-hundred-meter radius wherever the Cursed Technique reached.
This benefited Gojo Satoru as a teammate, who had never felt so happy on a mission.
He didn't have to worry about anything; Gojo Satoru didn't use any Cursed Energy to save Utahime, which was quite effortless.
A slacker's double happiness.
"Satoru, don't rely on Kenmyo too much."
Suguru Geto saw Gojo Satoru's appearance and immediately knew he was getting carried away, so he sighed and reminded him.
"It's just a rare opportunity to go on a mission with Kenmyo."
Don't rely on Kenmyo for everything. If Kenmyo isn't with them on missions, they could make big mistakes.
"It's fine, Suguru."
Kenmyo heard their conversation and said nonchalantly.
"Anyway, I'm your exchange student this month."
The helicopter landed directly on the Tokyo Jujutsu High playground, so Yaga Masamichi was already waiting nearby.
"But, is your construction speed that fast?"
Kenmyo had a Barrier in the air before, so he couldn't see clearly, but once on the ground, everything became clear.
When he last visited, the entire teaching building was crushed by the Cursed Spirit domain hidden in Kenmyo's arm, and the surrounding buildings were also crumbling.
But now, everything had returned to normal. There were no ruins, no debris; the iconic majestic buildings of Tokyo Jujutsu High still stood there, just as he had first seen them.
"This infrastructure speed is really amazing."
Kenmyo exclaimed,
In such a short time, they were able to clear such a large area of ruins and erect tall buildings. This efficiency was incredible.
Even if Jujutsu High couldn't operate, it could be used as a construction team. With this efficiency, building skyscrapers would be easy, right? Jujutsu Sorcerer could find re-employment.
At the same time, the point in time Kenmyo last visited, and that specific period, showed a truly enormous difference in strength.
Without using Uncle Lan, the current Kenmyo could instantly kill his past self who had arrived at Jujutsu High.
Although it was only a short period, Kenmyo's progress in strength was a miracle far surpassing all of this.
From the strength of a Second-Grade Jujutsu Sorcerer, needing Uncle Lan to defeat a Grade 1 Cursed Spirit, to now being able to solo Type C Special Grade Cursed Spirits, and Type B Special Grade Cursed Spirits being no problem.
His title had jumped from an outsourced worker to a Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer.
If Kenmyo revealed the reality that he could open a Domain, he would undoubtedly be the second person in the Jujutsu Sorcerer Association to be granted the title of Special Grade Sorcerer.
But that would be a life of toil.
Due to the previous guy's slacking off, so many troublesome and difficult old cases had accumulated, and he was probably expected to handle them all.
They dared to order him around like this when he was a Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer; damn it, they would surely make full use of a Special Grade Sorcerer.
So, some attention should not be sought.
The Jujutsu Sorcerer Association would just come looking for him for any trivial matter; he couldn't live that kind of life. Special Grade Sorcerers were even forced to go abroad, which shows how immense the pressure was.
Kenmyo had his own life; for him, he preferred to watch his sister conduct experiments. How free that life was.
"Star Plasma Vessel, Tengen."
Kenmyo wasn't too optimistic about this mission. Was an old monster who had lived for a thousand years that easy to scheme against?
The old men in the The Higher-Ups would have to live ten lifetimes to possibly match Tengen's age. Moreover, she was on the verge of transformation, her power about to break through the limits of her current body, so she had to dissipate her power and start anew.
This guy could even activate a Cursed Technique to gather all the negative emotions from around the globe into Neon. I think his strength has already surpassed the concept of'Special Grade.'
"Kenmyo, what's wrong?"
Suguru Geto suddenly saw that his good friend's complexion didn't seem too good, so he asked,
"You don't look well, have you overused your Cursed Technique?"
"No, just assume I was spacing out."
Kenmyo shook his head, not making the two of them wait long.
"Let's go, Teacher Principal Yaga is still waiting for us."
"Teacher Principal Yaga."
The three walked over, Kenmyo greeted first, he said.
"Thank you for what happened last time."
He was referring to Yaga Masamichi declining the bonus and sharing the bounty for killing the Special Grade Cursed Spirit with Kenmyo.