Although Ryuu spoke about it casually, Mei Mei—being an intelligence specialist—knew how absurdly difficult it was.
Not only was detecting Sukuna's soul an impossibility for most sorcerers, but actually exorcising the King of Curses? That was on another level entirely.
And yet, coming from him, it seemed completely reasonable.
Mei Mei exhaled, resting her chin on one hand, her long blue hair falling over one eye. "Well, that was quite the spectacle, Ryuu-kun."
She tilted her head slightly and smirked. "So, is Sukuna really just like the records say? Two faces, four arms?"
"Two faces, four arms, plus a giant mouth on his stomach," Ryuu replied, his tone casual. "He's ugly as hell, but I'll admit, the extra limbs aren't just for show."
Mei Mei hummed in interest. Even if his monstrous form repulsed normal people, those extra arms must've given him a serious advantage in battle—allowing him to cast multiple techniques while still fighting physically.
But what fascinated her more than Sukuna's abilities was Ryuu's reaction to him.
"And? What do you think of the so-called strongest sorcerer from a thousand years ago?" she asked.
Ryuu leaned back in his chair, his Mangekyō Sharingan fading from his eyes.
"A relic of the past. A legend exaggerated by sorcerers who probably couldn't even compare to today's top fighters."
He smirked. "Maybe if he had all twenty fingers, he'd make me take him a little more seriously. But even then, the outcome wouldn't change."
His voice turned amused, but his next words were anything but:
"Not that he'll get the chance to come back."
Mei Mei studied him carefully.
A thousand years ago, sorcery was at its peak. And Sukuna—who stood at the top of that golden era—was now being brushed aside by a sorcerer of today as if he were nothing.
She had once seen that kind of confidence in Gojo Satoru. But ever since the battle in Shinjuku, something had changed. Gojo wasn't as carefree as before.
Between Sukuna and Ryuu, which one was truly stronger?
At this moment, she was more inclined to bet on him.
After all, she had just witnessed it firsthand.
"Now that we've wrapped up business," Mei Mei finally said, reaching into her bag, "let's talk about something more... personal."
She slid a sleek black business card across the table.
"As fellow freelancers, I think we'd make an excellent team, Ryuu-kun."
She smiled. "My combat skills might not be on par with yours, but in the world of intelligence? I'm unmatched."
Ryuu took the card, flipping it between his fingers.
Indeed, Mei Mei was a rare type of sorcerer. Her unique Crows Technique, combined with her wide network of informants within Jujutsu society, made her irreplaceable as a source of information.
Still…
"I've heard about you, Mei Mei," Ryuu mused, tapping the card against the table. "Your services come with a high price."
Mei Mei chuckled, her eyes gleaming.
"Of course. Information is power, and power isn't free."
She twirled a strand of hair around her finger. "But for you, Ryuu-kun, I'm willing to make an exception."
Ryuu raised an eyebrow. "Oh? A discount? That's rare coming from you."
Mei Mei smirked.
"If I can count the number of people I've treated to a drink on one hand, then the number of people I'd ever offer a discount to is even smaller."
Her smirk widened. "In fact, right now, you're the only one."
Ryuu laughed. "Wow. I'm honored."
"Of course, a discount doesn't mean free," she teased, resting her chin in her palm.
He chuckled again. As expected. Even when offering a deal, Mei Mei's obsession with money never wavered. No wonder she was sitting on nearly 50 billion yen in assets despite being under thirty.
A thought struck him, and he asked curiously, "Even if I were your future partner, would I still have to pay for your services?"
Mei Mei paused for a fraction of a second.
Then, she leaned forward slightly, smiling with amusement.
"Money is value, Ryuu-kun. A man who can't give me value could never be my partner."
"Oof. Harsh."
"Harsh?" she tilted her head. "Is it?"
Then she asked, her voice velvety smooth, "Tell me, Ryuu-kun… Would you be willing to give me all your money?"
Ryuu smirked. "Are you implying something, Mei Mei?"
She giggled. "And if I were?"
"If you were," Ryuu leaned forward slightly, mirroring her posture, "then let's test something. How much money do I need to give you to make you mine?"
Mei Mei's sharp blue eyes flickered with amusement.
"Oh? Now that's an interesting question, Ryuu-kun."
Her lips curled into a sly smile. "I have two requirements for a partner. One—he has to be stronger than me. Two—he has to provide me with enough money to make my heart race."
"You already fulfill the first one," she mused, tapping a manicured finger on the table. "So that means… it all depends on how much you're willing to pay."
"You're really cunning, Mei Mei."
"Flattery will get you everywhere, Ryuu-kun."
Mei Mei leaned back with a satisfied smirk, clearly enjoying this conversation.
She was one of the wealthiest sorcerers alive, so "money that makes her heart race" wasn't just a lot of money. It was unlimited money.
A never-ending flow of wealth.
Ryuu chuckled, shaking his head. "So, in other words, you're priceless?"
Mei Mei smirked. "Oh no, I have a price. You'll just have to find it."
She stretched leisurely, her long legs crossing as she downed the last of her drink.
"But…" she said with an almost lazy drawl, "I do think of you as a walking treasury, Ryuu-kun. Sooner or later, you'll be swimming in money. It's only a matter of time."
Ryuu's smirk remained, but inwardly, he wondered.
Was that just a compliment?
Or was Mei Mei—one of the sharpest minds in Jujutsu society—already predicting something about his future?
Either way…
He had a feeling that this wasn't the last time he'd be having a conversation like this with her.
###
Read 15+ chapters ahead on P@treon // Kryzt