Currently, the opposing side was still maintaining a semblance of diplomacy. Their wording remained ambiguous, but both parties clearly understood the underlying intentions.
After discovering the existence of Jujutsu and learning that Japan had preserved and developed this system over a thousand years, that greedy superpower naturally wouldn't let go of what they believed to be the key to ushering in a "new era." A series of demands, arrogant and presumptuous, quickly followed.
Still, it was evident they knew some of the inner workings. They hadn't torn off their masks completely—yet even so, tensions spiked immediately.
Among the outrageous demands, they even had the nerve to request Jujutsu Sorcerers for their "experiments." It went without saying: the Jujutsu community would never allow that.
For once, the Big Three Families and the Jujutsu Headquarters stood united. Some of the foreign requests went beyond invasive—they were an attempt to dig up the very roots of their world. The majority of the Jujutsu society agreed: this greed would not be tolerated.
But rejection was easier said than done. While human weapons were useless against Curses, they could still harm Jujutsu Sorcerers.
Cursed Energy provided defense to an extent, but ordinary Sorcerers wouldn't withstand snipers, rifles, or heavy artillery. Even the strongest would be challenged by modern weapons—or worse, nuclear arms.
A full-scale war wasn't an option. At best, it would result in mutual destruction.
So the question was: how do they achieve peace... without war?
"Deterrence," Kamihara Hajime said flatly. All eyes turned to him.
He continued, "Peace is maintained through power balance. If both sides can destroy each other, neither side dares to strike. Modern peace is built on nuclear deterrence."
"So," Hajime explained, "we need to make them understand that we possess power—power strong enough to warrant their fear. That's how we'll establish peace."
"But we don't have nuclear weapons..." someone began.
Yaga Masamichi understood immediately. "We may not have the strongest man-made weapons... but we have the strongest Jujutsu Sorcerers."
Everyone's gaze turned toward Gojo Satoru and Kamihara Hajime.
Could individual power truly serve as deterrence? It wasn't about scale—it was about perception. If a single person could bring destruction, that was enough to change the enemy's mind.
"I'll go," said Gojo.
Hajime, who had been preparing to volunteer, glanced at him. Gojo smiled. "This kind of job is beyond student training. Besides, my Technique is flashier."
"Gojo-sensei…"
He wasn't wrong. Hajime's Time Null State made him perfect for assassination, slipping past defenses like they didn't exist. He was a natural killer in a world where humans had no defense against Cursed Techniques.
Gojo, however, was something else—a walking bomb, infinitely regenerating and impossible to ignore. His presence would force the world to pay attention.
But Hajime understood why Gojo insisted on going. It wasn't just about ability.
Hajime mostly killed Curse Users, criminals, or those too far gone for redemption. This time, it was different. They were facing soldiers, people following orders—some unaware of what they were involved in.
Gojo knew Hajime could do it. But he also knew what such a role would do to him.
If the plan failed, whoever carried it out would be labeled the villain who triggered global war. The world wouldn't remember reasons—only consequences.
That's why Gojo insisted on going. It was a teacher's burden, not a student's.
And with that, the plan was decided.
They wouldn't start with brute force. Official negotiations came first. Kyoto would be informed. The Jujutsu leaders would prepare in secret.
Even students like Megumi Fushiguro and Itadori Yuji could sense the tension. At first, only vague hints were given, but as pressure mounted, Hajime decided they deserved to know the truth.
Unlike Principal Yaga, Hajime believed it wasn't about strength. It was about awareness. They were Jujutsu Sorcerers, and no protection would last forever.
---
The American Delegation
When the Americans arrived, Hajime didn't attend the talks. The Big Three Families and Jujutsu Headquarters handled them.
The first negotiation failed instantly.
According to Gojo, it was "glorious." Apparently, the elders nearly cursed the foreign representatives on the spot.
What surprised everyone was that the Americans already knew of Gojo Satoru—and no one dared provoke him.
Gojo claimed it was due to his overwhelming reputation, though he added that the old geezers still tried to shift responsibility onto him. When the Deterrence Plan was proposed, the elders panicked, worrying it would trigger war.
But in the end, they yielded. Gojo's power and resolve left them no choice.
"Those old men care more about their legacy than their lives," Gojo muttered later. "They're just waiting for me to clean up the mess."
Hajime laughed, "Gojo-sensei, what if we took over? With your strength and my Technique, the Jujutsu World could be ours."
Gojo, sipping tea and nibbling pastries, reached over to ruffle Hajime's hair.
"You've been watching too many action movies."
Then his tone softened. "Don't worry about this stuff. Enjoy being young. You'll have plenty on your plate soon. Yuta Okkotsu's returning—you'll see him in a few days."
"As for the mess… this is a crisis, but also a chance. The real threat isn't the higher-ups. It's the one pulling the strings behind them."
---
Operation Deterrence Begins
Negotiations collapsed.
Everyone finally realized that America intended to seize control of Jujutsu. The Jujutsu World, disgusted by the spinelessness of the official government, began to act.
Their foreign enemies—previously overlooked Jujutsu Sorcerers—received help from the Americans, gaining mysterious status and protection by mingling with stationed forces.
Soon after, disappearances began. Jujutsu Sorcerers went missing.
But retaliation came fast.
Those rogue Sorcerers and their handlers—three leaders and several officers—were killed inside their fortified military base, without a trace of the attacker. Their peaceful faces suggested they saw it coming.
No one needed to ask who was responsible.
Meanwhile, Japan's anti-drug campaign came to a close. The cursed contraband disguised as narcotics had been wiped out.
But no one had time to celebrate. The Deterrence Plan was ready.
Tensions hit freezing point. International media swarmed the story. America deployed warships for "training exercises," bolstered troop numbers, and began economic pressure.
Japan had no choice but to act.
---
The Strongest Makes His Move
Morning dawned.
Gojo Satoru stood calmly, no blindfold or sunglasses covering his Six Eyes.
He waved casually to the students, flashing a smile.
"Then I'm off. Don't worry... I'm the strongest."
He gave a thumbs-up, then vanished into the sky.
---
Above the Pacific
Massive warships cut through the sea, unmoved by the crashing waves.
Commander Jorale had been briefed on Jujutsu. At first, he dismissed it—until he saw its effects. Now, he was a fanatic.
He saw Jujutsu as a key to a new world order, one America had to dominate.
Their weapons were supreme. Flesh and blood couldn't resist them, no matter how powerful.
Once they mastered Jujutsu, global supremacy was inevitable.
"Such power should not belong to a small island nation," Jorale muttered, smug.
Just as he ordered the daily exercise to begin, a black dot appeared in the sky.
He laughed. "A drone? Or a fighter jet?"
But reports came quickly. Radar couldn't track the target. It moved erratically, unnaturally. Too small to be a jet.
Then came the radio call:
"Commander! Someone's flying... in the air!"
Jorale rushed out. He saw it.
A man. Floating.
He gave the order—"Fire!"
But before weapons could launch, one of the ships split clean in half, silent and effortless.
Explosions filled the sky—but the man remained.
He moved again, too fast to track. He raised one hand.
"Stop… stop…"
A roar answered him. Another ship was destroyed.
Jorale collapsed, muttering in disbelief.
"Impossible…"
---
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