Chapter 37 – Who's Stronger?
With Yuki Tsukumo gone again to continue her quest to uncover the origin of curses, Zen'in Shinsuke's life returned to a rare calm.
His days fell into a steady rhythm: training Maki, teasing Mai, and occasionally checking in on Toji and his family.
But the jujutsu world wasn't as peaceful. With the balance broken, curse-related incidents surged. Each year, Shinsuke exorcised around a dozen Grade 1 curses, sometimes even running into quasi–Special Grades. His strength continued to grow steadily.
As for true Special Grades? Aside from the lightning-wielding one he had fought years ago, he hadn't crossed paths with another.
Why? Simply because they were nowhere to be found.
Five years slipped by in the blink of an eye. The peaceful days finally rippled with change.
"Master, I can already exorcise Grade 3 curses on my own."
Maki stood before him, hair tied in a ponytail, glasses framing eyes full of resolve, a long spear steady in her hands.
She had a feeling—within a year, she'd be able to take down Grade 2 curses solo and earn the official rank of a Grade 2 sorcerer. Then she would truly be worthy to call him her teacher and learn higher techniques.
Looking at the young woman before him, Shinsuke couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Time really does fly.
"Not bad. A little faster than I expected," he admitted with a nod.
He had thought she'd only reach this level once the main story began. Clearly, her years of training had paid off.
"Brother, I can exorcise Grade 3 curses too!"
Mai immediately chimed in like a child eager for praise, fiddling with the pistol in her hand.
"That's pretty good, Mai," Shinsuke said, a hint of relief in his voice.
For ordinary sorcerers, taking down a Grade 3 wasn't much. But for carefree, playful Mai—whose technique was crippled by flaws—it was a genuine accomplishment. Even now, her construction technique could only produce a single bullet per day.
"Hmph, of course. When Sis can handle Grade 2 curses, I'll be able to as well!"
Once a girl resigned to being left behind, Mai had changed thanks to Shinsuke's influence. She worked harder now, striving to keep up.
"I hope both of you get there," Shinsuke said lazily, reclining in his chair.
Whoosh.
Suddenly, a figure appeared in the courtyard as if by teleportation. He glanced at Shinsuke sprawled on his chair, then at the two wary girls.
"You're living quite comfortably. These two… your daughters?"
The uninvited guest—Gojo Satoru—spoke with his usual cheeky grin.
"You know trespassing carries a fine, right? Remember to transfer the penalty fee to my account," Shinsuke deadpanned, feeling a bad premonition.
"Forget the fine for now. Jujutsu High has a new batch of students. Since you're so relaxed, why don't you help take care of them?" Gojo suggested with a smile.
Lately, the school had been swamped with incidents. Most powerful sorcerers were too busy, leaving no one to guide the incoming first-years. And that wouldn't do—fresh students needed someone to show them the ropes: exorcisms, missions, training. By second and third year, sure, they could be left to roam. But not now.
"Are you kidding me? I'm not teaching anyone—especially sorcerers."
The moment Shinsuke heard "teacher," he refused flatly. Leading a team into battle was one thing. Teaching class? What the hell would he even teach?
"Relax, it's just for a year," Gojo coaxed. "You may not have cursed energy or techniques, but you probably understand sorcerers better than any teacher at Jujutsu High."
That much, he could say with absolute certainty.
A man with no cursed energy, thriving in the jujutsu world? That spoke of not only strength but an intimate knowledge of sorcerers and curses alike.
"Even if you don't teach them theory, you can guide them in exorcising curses. If it's about techniques, I'll handle their questions myself," Gojo promised.
He was confident he could spare that much time.
"Not interested," Shinsuke said coldly, unmoved.
Did Gojo think being a Special Grade meant he could pressure him? If Shinsuke didn't want to do something, no one could force him.
"…Being a homeroom teacher comes with a bonus salary," Gojo added slyly. "And I'll throw in ten million yen out of my own pocket."
If Gojo hadn't been so busy cleaning up after Geto's constant messes, he would've just trained the new students himself. No need to rope in anyone else.
"How much extra does a homeroom teacher actually make?"
Shinsuke suddenly asked, face serious. He wasn't interested in Gojo's personal offer of ten million yen—he just wanted to know how much better the official pay was.
"Triple. Base salary gets tripled. Missions are still paid separately. And if your students graduate at Grade 1 level, there's a hefty bonus too."
"I see." Shinsuke leaned back, smiling faintly. "Well, I don't exactly have much to do these days. Fine, I'll help you this once. But don't forget—the ten million, and the trespassing fine. Both need to hit my account."
Gojo's smile twitched. What the hell do you mean, 'for my sake'?
This guy wanted the money and the favor? Was it even possible to be this shameless?
"…Fine. Just be at school on time tomorrow."
With that, Gojo compressed space with his Limitless technique and vanished, leaving behind a deep crater in the courtyard.
Shinsuke glanced at the hole but decided not to bother charging him for property damage. For ten million, he could let it slide.
"Brother, was that the so-called strongest sorcerer, Gojo Satoru?"
The sudden appearance, the iconic blindfold and white hair—it wasn't hard to guess. In the jujutsu world, there wasn't a soul who didn't know his name.
"Yeah." Shinsuke answered casually, but the satisfied smile tugging at his lips betrayed him when his phone buzzed with a bank transfer notification.
As expected of a Special Grade—filthy rich.
Maybe I should tie Yuki down and force her to work at Jujutsu High too. Then I could really retire and live easy…
"Master, between you and him, who's stronger?"
Maki adjusted her glasses, curiosity gleaming in her eyes.
"What do you think?" Shinsuke tilted his head at her.
"Mm… I'm not sure."
She thought it over carefully. By common sense, the title of Strongest Sorcerer was enough proof that Gojo stood at the top. But as Shinsuke's disciple, she couldn't quite accept that. After all, he wasn't even technically a sorcerer, so how could Gojo's title apply? His "Special Grade 1" label was only a rough measure. In truth, she doubted her master's power was limited to that tier.
"And you, Mai? Who do you think's stronger?" Shinsuke turned to her twin.
Mai furrowed her brows in deep thought before declaring with utter seriousness:
"I think Brother's stronger!"
"Oh? And why's that?" Shinsuke raised an eyebrow, half-expecting some hidden insight.
"Because…" Mai put her hands on her hips. "Gojo Satoru doesn't look scary at all. But you, Brother—you made me cry just by looking at me that first time. So clearly, you're way stronger!"
Shinsuke: "..."
Maki: "..."