Yaga Masamichi was on the verge of being named the fifth Special Grade Sorcerer.
During this period, the nationwide fortification of barrier systems progressed rapidly. In major areas, shelters had already been constructed. For instance, in places like Shibuya, if a Curse incident occurred, civilians could quickly retreat into designated shelters. Supervisors on duty could also adjust barrier efficiency depending on the threat.
Tests showed that at maximum output, the barriers could hold off Second Grade Curses and weaker ones until Jujutsu Sorcerers arrived. Against strong Second Grade threats—nearing First Grade—the barriers could only hold for a short time. First Grade Curses could overwhelm them, though the delay could still allow for evacuation. Special Grade threats, however, were beyond these barriers' capacity.
Shelters were equipped with multiple exits. Even if a barrier was breached, people could escape through various routes. This design took into account that Curses typically needed time to eliminate targets, so scattering evacuees increased survival odds.
Another major initiative was the mass production of cursed tools. Kamihara Hajime had inspected the first batch personally.
Currently, three types were in production: wooden fish, talismans, and barrier cores embedded in structures. Their purposes were detection, disruption, and defense, respectively.
If a Curse aura exceeded a set threshold, the wooden fish—an immobile, unstrikable, head-sized artifact—would emit a loud, unmistakable sound. These were arranged in overlapping zones, so nearby areas would also be alerted.
Talismans were designed to repel or stun low-level Curses. Fourth Grade spirits usually fled or froze. Third Grade spirits resisted more, so the recommended strategy was to deploy the talisman and head immediately for shelter. Second Grade spirits were largely unaffected, but talismans still offered a slim chance of survival for ordinary people.
The final tool, the barrier core, originated from a concept within the Zen'in Clan's Ten Shadows Technique. It was used to reinforce the power and reach of existing barriers.
More tools may be added in the future, but for now, development was overseen by Kusakabe-sensei and other clans. Hajime stepped back after confirming production was on track.
Everyone was stretched thin. Not just Hajime and the other Special Grades—Hakari Kinji, Hoshi Kirara, the second-years like Maki, and the first-years were all busy with Curse exorcism assignments.
Most worked in pairs, gradually gaining public recognition. The public's understanding of Jujutsu Sorcerers deepened, especially after missions began livestreaming. Naturally, prominent sorcerers like Megumi Fushiguro and Inumaki Toge became popular.
Yaga Masamichi also advanced the creation of Cursed Corpse familiars. His dog-shaped familiars—simplified versions of the White Wolf—were now semi-mass-producible. Though the bodies were built by logistics personnel, Yaga alone crafted the cores.
These Cursed Corpses, distributed mainly to law enforcement, looked like real dogs and could follow basic commands. If destroyed, they could be rebuilt as long as their core remained. Their design made them ideal scouts for hazardous conditions.
Yaga and the Gojo Family collaborated on this project, excluding other parties. Headquarters, naturally, were displeased.
The Curse outbreaks that began with Sadako were only the beginning. Others—like Kayako, Hachishakusama, and Hanako—soon followed. These were Grade One to Special Grade threats. Hajime and his peers were constantly on missions.
Meanwhile, Megumi Fushiguro and Itadori Yuji were progressing through First Grade evaluations. Megumi was also offered access to Ten Shadows records—probably Naobito Zen'in's doing—but showed no interest in the Zen'in clan itself. He gladly accepted the records, though, in exchange from Hajime.
Other family arts also circulated. Hajime juggled studying these with his assignments—and what he considered equally essential: finding time to rest. Finishing missions too fast only led to more tasks. Without breaks, he'd burn out. Even office workers get weekends; Hajime often had to respond to emergencies in the dead of night.
Then there were the three mysterious Special Grade Sorcerers endorsed by Headquarters. Each wore distinct masks—a white-and-gold fox, a white crow, and a black ape with twin swords. They had proven capable of exorcising Special Grade Cursed Spirits. Hajime, however, was skeptical. With no prior records, he suspected they were artificially created using powerful cursed objects bonded to compatible hosts.
Their sudden rise, likely orchestrated to boost the Headquarters' influence, didn't sit right with him. "If I met them in person, I could be sure," Hajime thought, "but it's probably unnecessary."
...
Elsewhere, Suguru Geto, unseen by the Jujutsu world for some time, watched a livestream from a sofa. On the screen, Yuta Okkotsu and Yuji Itadori battled a Curse. Another screen displayed a paused image of Hajime.
Mahito and Jogo watched alongside him. Frustrated, Mahito scratched his head. "They're guarding Sukuna's vessel too well. He's always with Yuta or that Hajime. Should we target the Special Grade instead?"
Geto grinned. "No need to rush. I've prepared something special. But it must unfold step by step. First, we seal Gojo Satoru and tie down Kamihara Hajime. Then only Yuta Okkotsu, one Special Grade, and our target remain."
He gestured toward the image of the masked Special Grades. Jogo frowned. "Are you sure those tools on them can do what you said?"
Geto smirked. "No doubt. We're talking about the King of Curses from a thousand years ago. This will be fun."
Then, with a shift in tone, he looked at them. "Jogo, Mahito... are you ready to die?"
Jogo remained calm. "You humans are arrogant. I used to wonder—what truly separates Curses from humans? Is it form? Soul? If so, how are we different from you?"
Steam rose from his head. "We feel joy, anger, sorrow. We have family, comrades. If I must die for the future of Curses, I welcome it."
Mahito, smiling, nodded. "Same here. Maybe one day, more like us will be born. It's an exciting thought."
Geto's smile didn't fade. "Good. Let's give the world a surprise."
...
At Jujutsu High, after a mission, Hajime heard a woman's voice call his name.
He turned to see a tall, radiant blonde with a dazzling presence. On her shoulder coiled a snake-like Cursed Spirit. Hajime recognized her instantly—Yuki Tsukumo, Special Grade Sorcerer and Aoi Todo's teacher.
Before he could greet her, she grinned. "Hey, what type of woman do you like?"
It was a familiar question.
Without hesitation, Hajime replied, "Probably the mature type. Of course, looks matter, but character even more."
Yuki laughed, slapping his shoulder. "Different answer than Aoi, but solid taste!"
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