After the three spent a day hanging out together, life returned to normal.
Satoru had already submitted their applications for the Jujutsu Sorcerer Rank evaluations.
However, because it was winter and the number of Cursed Spirits was low, the evaluation missions were not immediately issued. The Jujutsu Headquarters was still looking for Cursed Spirits that matched Satoru and his companions' levels.
In an abandoned suburban building, a slug-like Cursed Spirit was relentlessly attacking Eichi.
In response, Eichi simply reinforced his body with Cursed Energy and stood motionless.
In the shadows behind him, Mahoraga's Dharmachakra quietly rotated.
"An ability with corrosive effects, huh."
Seeing that Mahoraga had completed its adaptation, Eichi no longer hesitated.
He raised his right hand, and a blade of wind slashed out, instantly tearing through the Cursed Spirit and leaving it severely wounded.
"A Grade 3 Curse, with corrosion abilities. Do you want it?"
"Yeah."
Suguru nodded. The heavily injured Cursed Spirit turned into a Cursed Spirit Orb, which he absorbed.
"Here."
Eichi handed him a bottle of honey tea with practiced ease.
"Thanks."
Suguru had gotten used to drinking honey tea after consuming Cursed Spirit Orbs. It really did make his body feel better.
"Lately, we haven't run into any decent Cursed Spirits."
"Yeah, I didn't expect Cursed Spirits to have peak and off-peak seasons."
If it were summer, they could easily catch several Grade 1 Cursed Spirits, with Grade 2s being even more common.
But now, even finding a Grade 2 was difficult.
"It's still early. Want to go somewhere?"
"How about the cinema? A few new movies came out recently. Want to go watch one?"
"Sure."
As they walked toward the exit, they noticed several uninvited guests blocking the doorway.
There were three people: two around their age, and a tall, thin man in his thirties.
"Do you know them?"
Seeing the three glare at Eichi with hostility, Suguru immediately sensed the tension.
"I know them. I actually have something to talk to them about. You should head back first."
Eichi's tone was calm.
Suguru opened his mouth but swallowed the offer to stay and help.
He knew Eichi never did anything he wasn't confident about.
"I'm heading out, then. Be sure to come home early."
After leaving the building, Suguru didn't actually go home. Instead, he stood beneath a tree nearby.
Neither Satoru nor Suguru would ever stand by and watch a friend fall into danger. Suguru's way of showing concern was just more subtle than Satoru's.
If it had been Satoru, he probably would've teleported to buy an edamame fresh cream kikufuku, then teleported right back to watch the fight unfold.
Though it was technically concern, it wasn't exactly heartwarming.
"What, afraid of implicating your friend?"
The leading youth had short, light blond hair and striking features. He wore a shirt-like top, traditional light hakama, and a haori over it.
Eichi recognized him instantly.
Naoya Zen'in.
He had dyed his hair.
Eichi remembered that Naoya's hair used to be black when he was a child.
"I'm enough to deal with a few nobodies like you."
Eichi spoke calmly, giving Naoya the most irritating reply possible.
He wasn't surprised by their arrival.
After all, on his Tokyo Jujutsu High application, he had openly listed the Ten Shadows Technique.
Now that he had the strength to face the Zen'in Family directly, there was no need to hide anymore.
"Heh, you're just a lucky nobody. Kneel and beg me now, and I might let you return to the Zen'in Family. How about it?"
The anger on Naoya's face turned into pride and arrogance as he spoke.
"Are you even worthy?"
Naoya's expression froze.
He hadn't expected this former servant of the Zen'in Family to dare talk back to him again.
"It seems I need to teach you the Zen'in Family's rules."
As his words fell, the two people behind him stepped forward.
"Zen'in Family Elite Unit [Hei], Futo Zen'in."
"Zen'in Family Elite Unit [Hei], Ranta Zen'in."
"Pfft."
Eichi chuckled.
"What's so funny?"
Their voices were full of anger.
"Nothing. It's just that people like you who have to announce your Family name everywhere remind me of little kids who can't go anywhere without shouting for their mommy."
"Die!"
A gust of wind enveloped Futo as he closed the distance in an instant.
Eichi was about to move when he suddenly realized he couldn't.
"Futo-nii, now!"
Ranta's eyes widened, locking onto Eichi.
Even though he couldn't move, Eichi stayed calm. His Cursed Energy defense and Mahoraga's power activated at once.
Bang.
Rumble.
Futo's wind-accelerated punch sent Eichi crashing into the wall behind him.
Dust filled the air.
Futo and Ranta didn't chase after him, since Naoya had said to bring Eichi back alive.
After all, as a Ten Shadows Technique user, no matter how weak he was, he could still serve as a deterrent against the Gojo Family.
Ten seconds passed. Twenty. Thirty.
"Hmph, is that all you've got?"
When a full minute passed and Eichi still hadn't reappeared, they assumed he was down.
"This trash dares bark in front of Young Master Naoya."
Ranta's flattery drew a satisfied smirk from Naoya.
"You, who are you talking about?"
A familiar voice came from behind Ranta. He turned in disbelief.
It was Eichi, standing right behind him, emerging from the shadows.
"You bastard."
Ranta's eyes burned with rage as he locked his gaze on Eichi again and activated his Technique.
Bang.
A soft sound echoed. Ranta realized, to his horror, that his Technique had been shattered.
"Wait!"
Panicking, he turned to warn Futo.
But before he could finish, Futo was already attacking.
Slap.
Eichi extended his right hand and caught Futo's punch effortlessly.
In Futo's stunned gaze, Eichi kicked him hard, sending him flying.
"What did you do?"
Cold sweat rolled down Ranta's forehead.
"Your Technique locks onto your opponent through your gaze, then forms a cage-shaped barrier of Cursed Energy to immobilize them, right?"
Eichi's calm voice made Ranta's eyes widen in shock.
"I just released Cursed Energy in advance and broke the cage before it could form."
"Why, how can you see it?"
Ranta's voice trembled. He couldn't understand how Eichi knew so much about his Technique when they had never met before.
In the shadows, Mahoraga's Dharmachakra rotated again, adapting to Futo's Technique.
However, because it was also wind-based, its adaptation overlapped with Tiger Funeral's Technique.
As a result, Mahoraga only gained half an adaptation method this time. Combined with the corrosive Curse from earlier and Ranta's confinement Technique, Mahoraga's inventory happily increased by 2.5.
"Don't panic, Ranta. He just got lucky."
Hearing Futo's voice, Ranta regained some composure.
"You're lying. My Technique is invisible. You couldn't have seen it."
Eichi's lips curved into a faint, mocking smile.
What a joke. Mahoraga can clearly perceive even Sukuna's slashes. Your cage is child's play in comparison.
"You bastard!"
Ranta roared and activated his Technique again.
A thin stream of blood flowed from the corner of his eye.
Bang.
The same sound echoed again, shattering the last bit of hope in Ranta's heart.
Seeing that Eichi wasn't moving, Futo assumed Ranta's Technique had succeeded and charged forward again.
Eichi deflected his punch with a slap from his left hand.
So this is why Toji liked blocking my attacks like this during sparring. It really does feel cool.
Eichi raised his right leg and kicked Futo in the stomach.
Futo's body bent like a shrimp, then shot out of the building like a cannonball.
Since Mahoraga had already buffed him, Eichi wasn't even afraid of fighting Toji in close combat. Why would he be afraid of a nobody like Futo Zen'in?
(To be continued.)