The cold wind blew, carrying a light dusting of snowflakes.
In years past, this would have been the peak of a biting winter where families stayed huddled behind closed doors. Now, however, the streets of Tokyo were surprisingly lively. Festive red "Fortune" lanterns hung from streetlights, and traditional shimekasari decorations adorned every doorway, marking the transition from the old year to the new.
During these few months of seasonal turnover, everyone had become incredibly busy—even Hasegumo, who had initially hoped to enjoy a period of leisure.
He had clearly underestimated the consequences of telling Satoru Gojo about his plans to marry. Gojo, the King of Trouble, had first wheedled the location of Hasegumo's hometown out of Suguru Geto. Then, he rallied a "Grand Army" of students, colleagues, and even a few higher-ups, storming into the mountain Curtain like a hundred-thousand-strong invasion force. They threw a massive, elaborate wedding for the two people who had wanted nothing more than to avoid a hassle.
Suguru Geto didn't show up in person, but he sent a gift and a blessing through Gojo. As for what that gift was... we'll save that for next time.
After the wedding, Hasegumo put Yu Haibara through a three-month martial arts "hell camp." Thanks to the existence of the Reverse Cursed Technique, Hasegumo didn't pull a single punch. He "killed" Haibara multiple times a day. Under the crushing pressure of facing death seventeen or eighteen times every twenty-four hours, Haibara finally shattered his own limits. He achieved the realm of Shindigunken (Heart-Drop Fist Listening), adding another true Martial Arts Master to the ranks of Shingen-ryu.
Other notable events occurred during this time: Hakari Kinji and Hoshi Kirara officially withdrew from Jujutsu High to dedicate themselves entirely to their underground fight club.
Then there was Yuta Okkotsu. After Rika's "dispel," it was as if a seal had been lifted. Through three months of rigorous training, he easily surpassed his previous limits. He mastered advanced applications of Cursed Energy and Barrier Techniques, and even successfully developed his own Domain Expansion.
With a Domain in his arsenal, a Special Grade evaluation was unavoidable. Yuta didn't resist; attaining a higher status would help him do what he truly wanted within the Jujutsu world.
However, gain often requires sacrifice—be it the departure of Orimoto Rika or the weight of his new rank.
...
Two months ago, Suguru Geto made a mysterious video call to Gojo via LINE. He claimed to have discovered a Cursed Tool in Africa called the Black Rope, which had the ability to disturb the Limitless technique.
Gojo wanted to test its effects, but the opportunity was gone. According to Geto, the tool was extremely rare, and he had accidentally damaged it while studying its properties, rendered it useless. Taking advantage of the situation, Gojo decided to engage in a bit of "abuse of authority." He dispatched Yuta to Africa to accompany the "African Uncle" (Miguel) who had provided the tool, tasking him with investigating the mysterious tribes there to find more.
When the boss gives an order, the subordinates run their legs off. Thus, the unfortunate Yuta Okkotsu packed his bags and headed to Africa with his "new" Rika in tow.
All the events mentioned above were merely minor affairs concerning the faculty and students of Jujutsu High. Aside from those involved, few people cared; at most, they'd offer a brief "huh, interesting" before going back to their lives.
But at the start of spring in 2018, a world-shaking event occurred—one deeply connected to our protagonist, Hasegumo.
Cursed Spirit Profile: Little Boy / Fat ManInnate Technique: Uranium-235 / Plutonium-239
Appearance: Like their namesakes, "Little Boy" appears as a male child no older than ten, while "Fat Man" appears as an average, middle-aged obese male. Neither shows overtly monstrous traits.
Origin: They are Special Grade Cursed Spirits born from the despair and terror of over 200,000 casualties in Japan, combined with the global fear of nuclear energy.
History: They first manifested in the rebuilt cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Within ten minutes of appearing, they caused skin ulcerations, cancers, and blood diseases in over a thousand people nearby.
Effect: Although their appearances and technique names differ, their effects are identically catastrophic. They maintain a constant radiation field of 500 Roentgens within a one-kilometer radius. They possess infinite Cursed Energy and unknown output levels.
Nature: Because their bodies are composed of Cursed Energy, their infinite reserves grant them a form of immortality.
Note 1: After the atomic bombings, the Jujutsu Association at the time anticipated this. They monitored Japan closely; thus, the appearance of these Special Grades did not cause widespread panic. They were sealed shortly after manifesting by the previous head of the Gojo clan and Lord Tengen.
Note 2: Is it possible to use this infinite Cursed Energy as a reserve power source? (Struck out). This entity is too dangerous. It is not a power humanity should wield. Permanent sealing is the only option.
Note 3: Later research by a certain sorcerer found that the effects on modern ordinary people can be healed via Reverse Cursed Technique. However, survivors who actually experienced the Hiroshima/Nagasaki events cannot be cured.
"This is Kyodo News." "Around September, a certain politician, A-certain-be, publicly announced support for the discharge of treated wastewater from a certain nuclear facility into a certain sea area…" "According to interviews, public sentiment is overwhelmingly opposed to these remarks." "Many citizens worry that the discharge will affect their daily lives…"
The news broadcast continued on the television, but the man sitting in front of the screen was no longer paying attention. He had heard this report repeated for over seventy-two hours. He knew every word, every syllable; he could probably recite it backward.
He was in a large room—large, but not empty. It contained gym equipment, a big-screen TV, a wide, soft bed, and even a private bathroom. It was enough to make one wonder if this was actually a prison.
The bright lights embedded in the ceiling flickered slightly. Behind a glass partition, the man wearing a white surgical mask sat in a rocking chair, swaying gently.
"What are you doing here?"
It was a question, but the visitor didn't answer. Instead, the visitor asked a question of his own: "What was the point of killing him?"
"If a mistake isn't corrected, people will start to believe the mistake is the truth."
"Some things are meaningless if you don't do them, but someone always has to do them, right? It just so happens I have the ability and the will…" The man's voice was as gentle as ever, but his eyes held the serene satisfaction of someone who had fulfilled his life's ultimate purpose.
"Fair enough. Let's not talk about that." Hasegumo didn't argue. He simply reached out and pushed the door.
He was surprised to find that the door to this "prison" cell wasn't even locked. "It seems the prison authorities quite support your actions, Senpai."
Tetsuya Yamagami smiled and pulled out another chair, gesturing for Hasegumo to sit. "What are they saying about me out there?"
"Can't you see for yourself? It's reported every single day." Hasegumo pointed at the TV, only to realize the content was the same loop of footage he'd seen when he arrived.
"If I knew, I wouldn't be asking you." Yamagami chuckled again. Though he wore a mask, his brow furrowed in a way that matched the smile Hasegumo remembered. "They only let me watch this. I'm barred from knowing anything about the outside world since my arrest."
"Even the fact that they let you visit is beyond my expectations."
"I see." Hasegumo rested his chin on his hand, murmuring, "So they left the door unlocked hoping you'd try to escape, so they could use it as leverage against us… It seems the prison is also under the control of those people."
In the past, Hasegumo never bothered thinking about such things. He only cared about having enough power to protect what was close to him. He was only thinking of it now because Gojo had been constantly cornering him lately to discuss dark political nonsense, as if trying to "re-educate" his worldview.
Shaking off the thought, he returned to the topic. "Most people think you're a man of talent and conviction, just a bit extreme in your methods."
"Some even call you the greatest marksman in Japanese history."
"Ha. And the negatives?"
"Some think you've made Japan lose face."
"With a Shosho (Prime Minister) capable of doing what he did, our face was already long gone."
"True enough…"
On January 14, 2018, a certain former Prime Minister of Japan was assassinated while giving a public speech in Nara Prefecture. Due to the severity of his wounds, he was pronounced dead at 17:23 local time. He was 63 years old.
According to witnesses, the assassin stood behind the victim and applauded after the deed was done.
The culprit was arrested at the scene without resistance. The motive for the assassination is still under investigation.
The following month, on the 14th, the government announced the cancellation of the wastewater discharge plan; all wastewater would continue to be stored in underground containers. However, public opinion remained skeptical of the announcement.
In this timeline, perhaps Hasegumo's arrival triggered a butterfly effect. Or perhaps this was a different parallel universe entirely.
Regardless, the man who was assassinated met his end several years earlier than his original destiny. In doing so, he became the ninth top leader in Japanese history to fall victim to Gekokujo (the low overcoming the high).
As a side note: his grandfather, a man named Nobu-something, was also stabbed after leaving office. He just had better luck and survived. One might speculate that the grandson was influenced by the grandfather's legacy, leading him to commit the headline-grabbing blunders that fulfilled Japan's traditional art of Gekokujō.
Back in the prison, after chatting for a while, Tetsuya Yamagami reached under the TV and pulled out a few bottles of sake. Just like that time in the bar, the two sat at the table and lightly clinked their glasses. This time, however, Hasegumo's glass was also filled with sake. He didn't love drinking, but he wasn't a teetotaler.
"Cheers~" "Cheers."
The cups clinked.
After three bottles of "horse piss," Yamagami had removed his mask. His face was flushed, and his hand was unsteady, making it look like the sake might spill at any moment. He was clearly drunk, his speech becoming fragmented. Hasegumo, however, remained unfazed, his complexion unchanged as he continued to drink.
"… you know what I really want to ask… I don't care what the outsiders say. I want to know… what my colleagues in the Jujutsu world think of what I did…"
It was only then that Hasegumo realized how much Yamagami valued his identity as a sorcerer. He paused, then drained his glass in one gulp. "Don't worry, Senpai."
"This time, the entire Jujutsu world stands behind you. You might have to change your name to keep living later, though." He scratched his head and added, "Then again, maybe you won't have to."
"Huh?" Yamagami, sprawled on the table, let out a muffled grunt of confusion after a long pause. "The entire Jujutsu world?"
"Satoru and I support you. That is the entire Jujutsu world."
Hasegumo helped Yamagami back into bed. He turned to leave, but then remembered something. He didn't care if the drunken mass on the bed could still hear him; he gave one final warning.
"There are still people we can't influence who want you dead."
"I heard the Prosecutor's Office appointed a legal aid for you—someone with a massive sense of justice but a terrible track record of losing cases. Whatever happens, don't plead guilty, and don't try to run. We're on your side."
"That lawyer you mentioned…" a voice came from the bed just as Hasegumo reached the door. "What was his name again?"
Hasegumo thought for a moment. "I believe it was… Hiromi Higuruma."
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