Satoru Gojo asked, "What did you discover in the ruins of the Zenin clan?"
"Marks. Perfect arcs that only a master swordsman could execute," Yuki Tsukumo said.
"I examined the condition of the Kukuru Unit members."
"On all their corpses were those flawless slash marks, as if a Sword Saint was casually swinging his blade, the tip lightly grazing the vital points of the Kukuru."
"All the Kukuru Unit members fell like stalks of wheat."
"I felt like I was watching a brilliant samurai film."
"Rainy night, kimono, katana... and of course, a formidable, brave villain."
"The King of Curses is brewing a state," Satoru Gojo said slowly.
"It is seeking a higher level of Cursed Energy flow... Black Flash."
"It wants..."
"...to enter a Black Flash state."
Yuki Tsukumo nodded lightly.
"I can already imagine the King of Curses' state."
"It's not a Cursed Spirit as understood by common sense."
"It has its own thoughts, its own philosophy, even its own sense of honor."
"It suffered humiliation, and even though it clearly knew the Zenin clan was one of the Big Three Families of the Jujutsu world, it still came."
Yuki Tsukumo imagined the battle that night.
Although it was a brutal act of extermination, for a moment she felt transported to a Heian Era ancient road.
A single man with a single sword, a lone dragon in the night.
"It announced itself at the main gate of the Zenin clan, holding a sword in its hand."
"It first used the sword in its hand to engage the enemy."
"As the fight progressed, its skill with the blade became increasingly refined."
"At the start, it used the sword to cut people in half, fierce and violent."
"But as it killed, it grew more proficient."
"Gradually, it abandoned directly cutting people apart."
"It evaded everyone's weapons, killing only with the tip of its blade, strolling through the rainy night."
"Then, it stepped through the Zenin clan gate and faced the fierce assault of the Hei Unit."
"At this point, it could no longer rely solely on swordsmanship to win."
"It employed its Cursed Technique."
"My eyes couldn't discern what technique it was."
"It didn't intentionally reduce the residual Cursed Energy on the battlefield, but the interweaving of techniques was too chaotic for me to distinguish."
"But one can imagine it was an earth-shattering Jujutsu Kaisen, because the excessive residual Cursed Energy tangled together, indistinguishable from one another."
"The entire Zenin residence became ruins during that Jujutsu Kaisen."
"It and the Zenin clan's Hei Unit fought with all their might."
"It ultimately defeated the Hei Unit and stepped into the Zenin clan's main residence, where the head of the Zenin clan, Naobito Zenin, was waiting for it."
Yuki Tsukumo snapped back to reality, pointed a finger at the huge crater, and concluded.
"Their battle started from the Zenin main residence and was fought all the way here, where the victor was finally decided."
Satoru Gojo imagined that battle.
The King of Curses was alone, yet it harbored no fear in its heart.
It began fighting outside the Zenin gate, advancing step by step in a frontal assault posture, killing its way to the presence of the Zenin clan head.
Satoru Gojo couldn't help but say, "What a tough guy."
"I feel like I've returned to the era where samurai roamed everywhere."
"Back then, samurai valued honor more than life."
"If someone dishonored them, even with just a single man and a single sword, they would risk their lives for revenge."
"I had the same feeling... The one who taught it must have been an Ancient Sorcerer."
"A modern person couldn't possibly act like this."
Yuki Tsukumo nodded in agreement, then asked, "An Ancient Sorcerer who has lived to the modern day. Do you have any leads?"
Satoru Gojo shrugged. "I only know of one person."
"Tengen?" Yuki Tsukumo asked.
"Tengen," Satoru Gojo nodded.
Yuki Tsukumo scratched her head irritably.
"Then that clue is basically cut off."
"With the current evidence, there's no way we can apply to see Tengen."
"On the contrary, after this incident, the old men have raised Tengen's protection level even higher."
"Aren't you in a special relationship with Tengen? Can't you pull some strings?" Satoru Gojo asked.
Yuki Tsukumo sighed deeply.
"It's precisely because of that special relationship that I can't pull strings."
"The old men always suspect I might pose a threat to Tengen, and the annoying part is I can't really refute it..."
"I have indeed had a few... extreme actions."
Satoru Gojo scoffed mockingly.
"Get even more extreme!"
"Just barge into Tengen's barrier right now, shout a few choice insults, and I swear Tengen will definitely see you."
Yuki Tsukumo pursed her lips, offering no rebuttal.
She was used to being lawless.
Remember, before Satoru Gojo, she was the only modern Special Grade Sorcerer.
Her strength and status were unquestionable.
She operated long-term overseas, not heeding the commands of the Jujutsu Headquarters.
If not for this incident being too severe, she wouldn't even have bothered to return.
But being a bit more extreme?
She was used to it.
She simply took up Satoru Gojo's suggestion.
"No problem, I'll go disturb Tengen. Besides Tengen, do you have any other leads?"
Satoru Gojo thought for a moment, then said slowly, "Meeting Tengen would be best."
"But if we can't, we can still inquire elsewhere."
Yuki Tsukumo understood his implication. "You mean those 'Curse Users'?"
"I have a student who's constantly mixed up with Curse Users."
"Of course, he's not a Curse User himself, just uses them to make money."
Satoru Gojo smiled.
"Before this, even I couldn't contact him. But now it's different."
"Since such a major event has occurred, I can use it as an excuse to reach out."
"Those old men can't say anything."
The corner of Yuki Tsukumo's mouth twitched. "Your connections are really something."
Satoru Gojo laughed triumphantly.
"Hahaha, who do you think I am!"
"Good. Finally, a useful clue in this tangled mess."
Yuki Tsukumo clashed her fists together.
"Then contact him quickly. Try to resolve this as soon as possible... Otherwise, time might run out."
"Time running out?" Satoru Gojo raised an eyebrow.
"Don't tell me you haven't noticed," Yuki Tsukumo said gravely.
"This Lord of Curses is growing at a high speed, with no end in sight."
"Before entering the Zenin clan, it was only using swords."
"At first, it wasn't skilled, but the more it used them, the more proficient it became."
"In the end, maybe not a Sword Saint, but a master swordsman it undoubtedly was."
"And how long did that take? Its learning speed in combat is terrifyingly fast!"
"Then, after entering the Zenin gate, it engaged in a technique battle with the Hei Unit."
"It almost completely abandoned the swordsmanship it had just mastered and started using its Cursed Technique."
"To put it nicely, it's enriching its arsenal."
"To put it bluntly, it simply doesn't have its own 'fighting style' yet."
"It's just..."
"...fighting wildly."
Yuki Tsukumo unconsciously waved her hand, as if mimicking the trajectory of a sword slash.
"It's still groping its way forward, actively searching for a combat method that suits it."
"Finally, its battle with Naobito Zenin was even more direct."
"It transformed into a dragon, freely soaring over this land, and killed Naobito Zenin."
"In that battle, it barely used those complex Cursed Techniques or swords; it directly destroyed Naobito Zenin with its raw violence!"
Yuki Tsukumo lowered her hand, which had been waving unconsciously, and looked at Satoru Gojo with a serious expression.
"It hasn't fully grown yet, Satoru."
"Because it hasn't integrated all of its abilities yet."
"Right now, it's just fighting with each ability individually, which is far from being a 'combat system'."
"But sooner or later, it will complete its own 'combat system,' and only then will it be considered fully grown."
"Even now, before it's 'mature,' it could wipe out the Zenin clan single-handedly—"
"—Once it fully matures, I can't even imagine how much power it will be able to unleash."
This wasn't just baseless worrying; Yuki Tsukumo could strongly feel the growth of the King of Curses.
From this battle alone, she could sense that the Lord of Curses had evolved at least three times.
Each evolution brought a massive surge in the Lord of Curses' strength, growing until it could eventually crush the head of the Zenin clan with ease.
Even by the rank of a Jujutsu Sorcerer rather than a Cursed Spirit, the current King of Curses is worthy of being called a Special Grade.
It's already at the same rank as her!
"You're overthinking it," Satoru Gojo smiled.
"What? Are you saying there's something wrong with my analysis?" Yuki Tsukumo frowned.
"No, your analysis is correct. I completely agree," Satoru Gojo said calmly.
"Just by looking at this battle, one can tell the Lord of Curses is indeed still in its growth phase."
"Its potential is far from being fully realized."
"Normally, it should be dealt with as quickly as possible, before it reaches its limit."
"Then why...?"
"But all of that is based on one premise."
"What?"
"Me. I'm here," Satoru Gojo said.
Yuki Tsukumo was left speechless.
Satoru Gojo spoke indifferently, "As long as I am alive, it doesn't matter how much the King of Curses grows. I will handle everything."
"Right now, I'm not concerned about the Lord of Curses at all, because I've already seen that it has no intention of causing trouble right now."
"The Zenin clan was the one looking for trouble; it only counterattacked after being humiliated."
"Otherwise, it wouldn't have shown up at all."
"If we just leave it alone and don't intentionally provoke it, it's harmless for the time being."
Yuki Tsukumo's mouth twitched.
"Only you could say something like that. So, what exactly are you planning to do now?"
Satoru Gojo's expression suddenly became animated.
"Did you know? The exchange event between the Tokyo and Kyoto schools starts in two weeks!"
"Want to come? See the students I'm so proud of! I guarantee you'll be amazed!"
Yuki Tsukumo looked at him in disbelief.
"Are you serious?"
"The Zenin clan was just wiped out! You're ignoring such a major event to focus on a school exchange?"
"Are you saying a school sports meet is more important than the destruction of the Zenin clan?"
Satoru Gojo said as if it were the most natural thing in the world, "Isn't that obvious?"
"How can those bastards who have nothing to do with me compare to my lovely students?"
Yuki Tsukumo questioned, "Do you even hear yourself?"
"I remember one of your students is also named Zenin, right? Is this how much you care about your 'lovely students'?"
"You mean Maki-chan," Satoru Gojo said nonchalantly.
"Do you know what she thinks about this clan massacre?"
"I told her the Zenin clan was wiped out, leaving only the elderly and weak, and she just responded with 'Oh'."
"'Oh'?" Yuki Tsukumo was stunned.
"'Oh'," Satoru Gojo repeated.
Yuki Tsukumo held her forehead, feeling a dull ache.
Now she finally understood why those old men had such a pleading tone when they contacted her.
Dammit, this Satoru Gojo is completely unreliable!
She had always known he was eccentric, but she never imagined he could be this unreliable!
What an eye-opener!
Yuki Tsukumo couldn't take it anymore.
"Give me the phone number of that student of yours who's always hanging around with Jujutsu Sorcerers."
"Since you're too lazy to contact them, I'll do it!"
"I finally understand why Kento Nanami told others, 'I trust Mr. Gojo, but I will never respect him.'"
"It's the same for me now. I trust you, Satoru, but I don't respect you one bit. You're not worth anyone's respect!"
Satoru Gojo was completely unaffected.
He pulled out his phone to give her the number, but just then, it started ringing.
He casually answered it and put it to his ear.
"Moshi moshi, this is Satoru Gojo."
"Mm-hm, that's true, but you've got one premise wrong."
"I'd only agree to that if I were dead or unable to move freely."
"Naobito Zenin and I had an agreement, and I don't think you're qualified to represent Naobito Zenin to negotiate with me, are you?"
"What situation? I don't understand... What? What?! Are you serious? Are you serious?!"
"Fine, I agree! I'm coming over right now!"
"What do you mean 'discuss'? There's nothing to discuss!"
"Megumi was bought! Do you understand? His ownership is in my hands."
"How I deal with him is none of their business!"
"Of course I can make the decision. I have more right to decide than he or his deadbeat dad!"
"That's it then, I'll handle it immediately!"
Click.
Satoru Gojo hung up.
Yuki Tsukumo asked curiously, "What happened?"
Satoru Gojo initially tried to keep a straight face, wanting to maintain his solemnity.
But gradually, the corners of his mouth curled up uncontrollably.
In the end, he burst out laughing, almost to the point of tears.
"Haha, hahahaha! I've just picked up one of the 'Big Three Families' for free!"
"What on earth is going on?" Yuki Tsukumo was completely baffled.
"I have a student named Megumi Fushiguro," Satoru Gojo said between laughs.
"He's been invited to become the head of the Zenin clan!"
"Huh...?" Yuki Tsukumo's mouth fell open in shock.
Satoru Gojo was so happy he looked like he wanted to dance.
His fingers moved nimbly as he sent a text.
A notification sound chimed on Yuki Tsukumo's phone; she pulled it out to see a message from Satoru Gojo.
Satoru Gojo said gleefully, "That student of mine is named Kinji Hakari. You should know him, since I've bragged about him everywhere."
"I've sent you the contact number, so I'll leave everything regarding the Lord of Curses in your hands!"
"I'm going to see my dear student now! That's all, ja na!"
Yuki Tsukumo had just finished reading the text, and before she could even look up, Satoru Gojo vanished like a fleeting wind.
Yuki Tsukumo took a few deep breaths, then finally lost her temper and roared.
"Go—jo—Sa—to—ru!"