I will accept requests for help when the time comes.
It was a reasonable condition.
"Are there any other conditions?"
"None. In exchange, I won't make any unreasonable requests. You'd just refuse those anyway, right?"
"True. Like asking for money or demanding I massacre civilians."
"Huh?"
For a fleeting second, Gojo's eyes gleamed.
It was the look of a man who had just caught a lucky break.
"Then, if they're a jujutsu sorcerer, you can kill them for me?"
"That depends on what kind of person they are. If they're absolute scum, I'll consider it favorably."
"Good. That's enough for me."
A twisted smirk played on Gojo's lips.
I could guess exactly which sorcerers he wanted dead.
The same ones he would eventually execute himself in the original timeline.
He was likely thinking of the fossils in the General Headquarters.
"Oh, so it's a hit job? Keep in mind that protection is also an option, so think carefully before you decide. And be prepared for the possibility that I might refuse."
"Fine by me. Besides, I've got plenty of cash, so I won't be asking you for money."
Gojo let out a small chuckle and casually picked at his ear.
I couldn't help but sigh at his blatant display of wealth.
"I apologize for Satoru's behavior."
Geto, who had been silent until now, bowed his head with a heavy sigh of his own.
It seemed even he found his friend's personality exhausting.
"It's fine. By the way, aren't you upset about all this?"
"I'm okay with it. Satoru and I discussed this thoroughly. Also, I am Suguru Geto. My apologies for the late introduction."
"Pleasure to meet you. But why the formal speech...?"
"Because no matter how I look at you, you don't seem like a child. You carry the weight of someone who has lived a long time."
I gave a simple nod.
Fair enough.
"Then, can we consider our agreement finalized?"
"Yeah. Before you go, give me your phone number. We can't keep bothering Yaga-sensei every time we want to get in touch, right?"
"True. However, I'm not fond of my number being sold around. What should we do?"
"You made a Binding Vow with Yaga-sensei, didn't you? Let's make the same one. Suguru, what about you?"
As Gojo asked, Geto nodded.
"I'd like to have his number as well. I'll enter the same Binding Vow, so would you mind sharing it?"
"Very well."
I shared my number with the two sorcerers after we finalized the Binding Vow.
My social circle was expanding.
"Okay. Done. We've finished our business, so we'll be taking our leave. Anything else you want to say?"
Gojo asked as he tucked his phone away.
I didn't have anything left to say either.
I was about to stand up when Geto spoke up.
"Have you ever thought about becoming a jujutsu sorcerer?"
"Me? No. Sorcerers are under the thumb of the General Headquarters. I'd hate that kind of restricted life."
"Ah, I hear you. Those 'rotten oranges' at the top are a real pain to deal with."
Gojo lowered his sunglasses, his eyes twinkling.
Did he relate to that sentiment that much?
"Yes. That's why I won't do it. Besides, I don't even have Cursed Energy."
"There is that. It's definitely not Cursed Energy, but I can feel something flowing through you. Honestly, I'm stumped."
Gojo raised his hands and shook his head.
It was a gesture of total surrender.
"It was a pleasure talking with you. Contact me if you ever need anything."
"Sure. Later."
I stepped outside with Koyanskaya of Darkness and the Foreigner.
It had been a fairly productive encounter.
"Master, are you alright?"
"Yeah. It was interesting."
"If you say so. However, he was remarkably brazen."
"He has the face to pull it off. But he spoke the truth and was reasonably polite. I'm actually grateful."
No hostility, and he came with a clear justification.
I couldn't ask for more.
"If that is Master's judgment, I have no objections. We were the ones who ambushed them first, after all."
The Foreigner nodded without further complaint.
Her attitude was always that as long as I was happy, nothing else mattered.
With the conversation over, the three of us took the subway and headed home.
"Big Brother. My sincere congratulations on your move. I've brought a little something, though it ain't much."
Saturday morning, 9:30 AM.
Naoya paid a visit.
Perhaps because he was older than me chronologically, he had grown quite a bit.
He was also significantly more cordial than before.
That's why I'd given him the address, but...
He showed up with an armful of expensive gift sets.
He certainly knew how to be pleasant when he wanted to.
His Kansai accent and his habit of wearing a kimono remained unchanged.
"Thanks. Welcome."
"Don't mention it. More importantly, are the sisters-in-law doin' well? Japan's summers are brutally hot, so they gotta stay careful, y'know?"
"How thoughtful. I suppose I, as a Foreigner, taught you well."
The Assassin crept closer, her eyes glittering.
She looked at him with a gaze that suggested he was finally somewhat tolerable.
Before, she had looked at him with nothing but pure contempt...
Ever since he started calling them 'sisters-in-law,' she had begun treating him quite favorably.
"Since he's been taught, it's only natural he knows how to handle etiquette with... well, etiquette."
The Foreigner stepped forward, looking a bit smug.
She had every right to feel proud.
"By the way, where's the third sister-in-law? I don't see her."
"She's in her room; she'll be out soon. Come in."
"Ah, yes. Much obliged."
Naoya politely stepped out of his shoes and entered.
The two Koyanskayas took the gift sets.
"Is this Wagyu?"
"It appears so."
They headed to the kitchen and immediately began unpacking the boxes.
Looks like lunch is beef today.
"Assassin. After you check the gifts, could you bring some tea? He brought us gifts, after all; the least we can do is play host."
"Of course, Master. I'll prepare it with great care."
Her excited voice drifted from the kitchen.
I hoped she wasn't planning to express her 'gratitude' by serving him poisoned tea.
Brushing aside the dark thought, I sat down in the living room.
Naoya took a seat opposite me.
"Anyway, you've grown a lot. Is it just a growth spurt?"
"I've still got a long way to go. But Big Brother, you've gotten a fair bit taller yourself."
"Well, I'm in my growth period, too."
We shared a laugh.
It was a bit ridiculous, two people with young bodies discussing physical growth like this.
"By the way, how is the Reverse Cursed Technique coming along? Making progress?"
"It's the same as always. I can use it now, but I'm still lackin'."
Naoya sighed and shook his head.
Reverse Cursed Technique.
The principle was to take the negative energy of Cursed Energy and multiply it by itself to create positive energy.
That positive energy could then be used to heal the body.
Learning it was exceptionally difficult, and very few people could use it.
The original Naoya was no exception.
Yet now, he was capable of using it, however slowly.
It was all thanks to the Foreigner's guidance.
"What about Cursed Technique Reversal?"
"I actually got the hang of that faster than expected. Since my technique has such a distinct characteristic, it was easier to get a feel for it."
A Cursed Technique Reversal acts as the direct opposite of the base technique.
Gojo's Limitless is the easiest and most famous example.
The standard application, 'Lapse: Blue,' is attractive force.
The reversal is repulsive force: 'Reversal: Red.'
Naoya's Projection Sorcery works on a base of 24 frames per second.
When reversed, it becomes 1 frame every 24 seconds.
In other words, the target can only move once every 24 seconds.
If the target fails the movement rules, the 1-second freeze penalty still applies.
At a glance, it might seem broken, but it wasn't quite that simple.
The raw damage dealt was about the same as regular Projection Sorcery.
A target could even intentionally 'fail' to trigger the 1-second freeze and just wait it out.
"That sounds useful."
"Aye. But the Cursed Energy consumption is brutal. And I still have to touch 'em with my palm."
"How brutal?"
"It eats more than half my reserves. Feels like I only have about thirty or forty percent left after one go."
In the original story, Naoya died without ever being able to use the Reverse Cursed Technique.
This was a blinding leap forward.
"Everything is proceeding smoothly, then."
"It's all thanks to you, Big Brother. For the hints, for the training... I'm truly grateful for everything."
"It's the result of your own hard work. Be proud of it."
Click.
The door opened, and Ibuki stepped out.
"Oh my, is that Naoya?"
"Yes. Greetings, sister-in-law."
"Hi. It's been a while."
"Indeed. It's been a few months."
Naoya stood up immediately and bowed politely.
As expected of someone from a noble family, his movements were impeccable.
"You mentioned you entered that school this year, Jujutsu High?"
"Yes. I'm at Kyoto High. I figured if I went to Tokyo, I'd stand out a bit too much, so I held back."
"I see. It sounds like you're doing well."
Ibuki sat down beside me and nodded.
She was far more warm and friendly toward him than the two Koyanskayas.
"Everyone, save the catch-up for later. Let's eat first."
The Assassin called out from the kitchen.
I certainly wasn't going to skip a meal.
'I knew I smelled meat.'
I headed straight for the dining table and took my place.
Simply grilled Wagyu.
The table was spread with homemade pickled radish and several other side dishes.
"C-can I eat, too?"
"You brought the gifts; you've certainly earned the right. I'll even oversee your training once you've digested your food, so sit down. You came here expecting that anyway, didn't you?"
"Ah! Thank you kindly!"
Naoya's eyes lit up as he sat down.
He seemed genuinely overjoyed.
No matter how strong he got, Naoya was still Naoya.
Getting pummeled was part of the routine, but now, he seemed to enjoy it.
His masochistic side had truly blossomed.
Through refined Cursed Energy control and physical combat prowess, Naoya had transformed into a deviant who savored both growth and pain.
Still, it was infinitely better than his former arrogance.
We sat around the table and savored the Wagyu.
The pickled radish was perfect for cutting through the richness of the beef.
"Thanks. That was a great meal."
After thoroughly enjoying the 'food-porn' experience, I returned to the living room.
The food was so good it was almost emotional.
"How is the education at the High School? Is it useful?"
"Honestly speakin', there ain't much to learn. I get far more out of a single session with sister-in-law than a whole term there."
"So, do you only do exorcisms?"
"Yes. Mostly Grade 2 or Grade 3 Curses. I suppose they aren't keen on handing big cases to a Grade 1 fledgling. Which is probably for the best."
I sat opposite Naoya and listened to his account of life at the school.
Tokyo or Kyoto, it was much of the same.
The core business was always the elimination of Cursed Spirits.
Fortunately, they had supervisors and didn't assign solo missions yet, but...
That would likely change soon enough.
"Remind me, what rank are you now?"
"My sorcerer grade? I'm still officially Grade 2. I technically could handle solo missions, but I've requested not to receive them."
"To hide your strength?"
"It wouldn't really matter if I didn't hide it, but I don't want to be worked to the bone yet. It would just eat into my training time."
Solo missions meant traveling all over the country.
Curses were popping up everywhere.
Being constantly on the move meant losing time and energy.
It made sense that he'd struggle to find time for his personal cultivation.
"But you're a Zenin. Couldn't you just excuse yourself?"
"What would be the point of usin' the family name for something like that? It's easier to just keep a low profile."
"I understand. So, how much are you hiding?"
"As far as they know, I only use Projection Sorcery. Reverse Cursed Technique, Cursed Technique Reversal... even the work I'm doin' on Domain Expansion. The only one who knows about all that is my father."
Naoya's father, Naobito Zenin.
The current head of the Zenin Clan.
As long as the man at the top knew, he could provide cover for Naoya.
He had disclosed exactly as much as necessary.
"Oh, right. I met Satoru Gojo the other day."
"Huh? Satoru-kun?! Are you serious?!"
Naoya's eyes widened instantly.
Since Gojo was his idol and goal, it wasn't surprising he reacted this way.
"I really met him."
"How was he?"
"He was strong. Worthy of all the praise the sorcerers heap on him. He'll only get stronger from here on out."
"I knew it...!"
Naoya's eyes sparkled.
He looked exactly like a fan getting good news about their favorite player.
Since I knew he would keep my secrets, I told him the details of the encounter.
"Satoru-kun is amazing, but naturally, the sisters-in-law are still a cut above."
"They certainly make me feel secure."
"If I were in your shoes, Big Brother, I'd feel the same way."
Naoya reached into his pocket.
He pulled out his phone.
"Right. I dug up some of the Cursed Spirit info you asked for."
Tap. Naoya held the phone out to me.
Everything was likely stored inside.
"Mind if I take a look?"
"Of course not. I put it under important messages, so you can see it easily."
I took the phone and scanned through the information.
I hoped to find something significant, but...
'Nothing stands out.'
Grade 2, Grade 1.
This wasn't much better than the reports Yaga provided.
"Good work. Most of these look like things average sorcerers can handle."
"My apologies. I wasn't able to gather much info on Special Grade Cursed Spirits."
"Don't worry about it. It'd be more of a problem if Special Grades were just lying around in piles."
I sighed and handed the phone back.
If only I could hunt down the Special Grade pack that appeared in the original story, I could probably blast right through the 'Cost' limit...
'Oh.'
This looks promising.
Scrolling further down the list, one entry caught my eye.
— Ubusunagami Worship.
— Estimated Grade: Grade 1 or Semi-Special Grade.
— Location: Shikoku.