Chapter 13: The Correct Way to Unlock Heavenly Restriction
The higher-ups of the Jujutsu world.
In a dimly lit room, a group of mysterious elders gathered for discussion.
"That brat, Gojo Satoru, has already awakened his technique. It won't be long before he becomes the strongest sorcerer of this era."
An old, indistinct figure voiced his opinion.
Gojo's strength was undeniable, but his overwhelming power had shattered the delicate balance, leading to the appearance of stronger, more dangerous curses.
Moreover, Gojo's reputation among the higher-ups was far from favorable—he was seen as arrogant, unruly, and utterly defiant of authority.
In short, he was no obedient pawn, and that gave the council a collective headache.
"Lord Tengen is too kind. If it were up to me, I'd have long shown Gojo and his ilk the price of defying orders."
At that, the other silhouettes turned their calm gazes toward the speaker, their silence almost mocking—"And do you truly believe your words aren't laughable?"
"Cough… what? Am I wrong?"
The old man's face flushed, but he stubbornly insisted his reasoning was sound.
"Enough. We'll end the discussion about Gojo here. What's done is done."
Bringing up the past was meaningless.
"By the way, the man from the Zen'in clan has returned—and thanks to Naobito, he's even been placed in Jujutsu High as a teacher. What's your take on that?"
"Oh? You mean that tyrant?"
It was clear the higher-ups were well aware of the bloody history within the Zen'in family.
"No cursed energy, yet strong enough to rival a Grade 1 sorcerer. What a freak."
"And now he's to be a teacher at Jujutsu High? You must be joking."
"Well, the Zen'in clan's face must be saved. Just treat him as another useless mouth to feed. After all, Jujutsu High is already full of so-called 'wastes.'"
Even Special-Grade sorcerers like Yuki Tsukumo were branded as burdens—so what harm was one more?
At the very least, letting the Zen'in clan owe them a favor might prove useful in the future.
---
Time passed, and a year slipped by in the blink of an eye.
That summer flew quickly. Zen'in Shinsuke spent most of it immersed in training, occasionally checking in on his nephew and niece.
As for Jujutsu High—he never set foot there. His salary arrived punctually every month regardless, so why bother showing up?
But in that year, Shinsuke also revealed to Toji the correct way to unlock the power of Heavenly Restriction.
"So this is why, despite both of us bearing Heavenly Restriction, you're stronger than me?"
Drenched in sweat, Toji felt a faint warmth rise within his body, his expression filled with surprise.
His raw physical strength, his resistance to cursed energy, his hyper-sharpened senses—all of these were innate.
He had never once thought training was necessary.
Instead, he had spent most of his life honing skills—killing techniques, weapon mastery, and combat instinct.
"It's not over yet. Use your mind to sense it, then guide it into this point in your left brain."
Shinsuke reminded him, ensuring Toji wouldn't waste the precious Qi and blood power he had painstakingly tempered.
Following Shinsuke's instructions, Toji completed his very first session of cultivation.
And as he felt this power unique to Heavenly Restriction awaken within him, it was as though Toji had opened the door to an entirely new world.
It turned out Heavenly Restriction wasn't truly a shackle—
it possessed its own unique power, no weaker than cursed energy!
"You figured this out on your own?"
Toji looked at Zen'in Shinsuke, curiosity flashing in his eyes.
"Of course."
Shinsuke admitted without hesitation. After all, the "cheat" was his—saying he discovered it himself wasn't exactly wrong.
"Focus on your training. Stop wasting time thinking about revenge on the Jujutsu world. If you have that kind of energy, use it to get stronger."
Mockery, disdain, ridicule—none of it mattered. Strength was the only true law.
"Who said anything about revenge? I stopped caring about that a long time ago."
Toji shot back, annoyed. These days, between raising two kids and working to put food on the table, he barely had the energy to hold grudges.
Maybe it was Shinsuke's influence, but Toji had let go of many things. Pride? Ego? Empty words. No one's ridicule could diminish the strength he had now.
No cursed energy? So what? His brother didn't have it either—it wasn't like he was alone in that.
---
Riiiing, riiing…
Shinsuke's phone buzzed.
"Hello?"
"Moshi moshi~ Did you recognize my voice?"
On the other end was Yuki Tsukumo.
"Oh, it's you. Got the money ready?"
"Hey, that hurts! Is that all we ever talk about?"
"So, you've prepared the one-year interest, right?"
"…" Silence. Yuki was clearly speechless.
"Hah… whatever. Tokyo Jujutsu High. I'll be waiting there."
Click. She hung up in irritation, clearly fuming.
Shinsuke, unfazed, turned to Toji.
"Once you fill your first acupoint, I'll teach you the next step. Remember—training the Eight Inner Gates has countless details. Handle it carelessly, and the backlash will cripple you."
Whether Toji could progress that far, Shinsuke didn't know. But he did know this—the further one advanced with the Gates, the harder the training became.
Even after a year of grueling effort, he himself had yet to fully open the Fourth Gate.
Compared to chakra cultivation, this path was many times more difficult.
---
"You're going to Jujutsu High?"
Toji, having memorized the instructions, couldn't help but ask. He hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but his sharpened senses made it impossible not to hear. It wasn't like he could just plug his ears.
"Of course. I'm a specially appointed taijutsu instructor there. Going to Jujutsu High is perfectly natural, isn't it?"
"…Hah?"
Toji stared at him, dumbfounded. Was this guy serious?
"You? A Jujutsu High teacher?"
"What's wrong with that?"
Shinsuke casually changed into the black short-sleeve shirt issued by Jujutsu High. His explosive muscles stretched the fabric taut—one look was enough to scream professional combat instructor.
"I'm off. Still need to collect my payment. If I'm late, that woman Yuki will vanish without a trace."
---
That summer, both Gojo Satoru and Geto Suguru officially advanced to Special Grade Sorcerers.
Gojo, in particular, was hailed as the strongest of his generation.
From then on, the once inseparable duo split, taking on missions separately. They never again fought side by side.
Inside the school, Geto slumped onto a bench, exhaustion etched into his face. Dark circles clung beneath his eyes.
Nearly the entire summer had been spent in endless exorcisms, swallowing curse after curse, day after day.
Like a machine, he safeguarded ordinary people's lives. But… were these people really worth it?
He thought back on the ignorant mobs, the ugliness of human hearts he'd witnessed all year. Doubt gnawed at him. Why was he even a sorcerer?
Why protect people like them?
The stench of curses made him sick to his core.
"Haibara… do you really think you can keep being a sorcerer?"
Geto suddenly asked the junior beside him, who radiated an almost blinding optimism.
"Hmm…"
Haibara Yu propped his chin on his hand, thinking for a moment before smiling brightly.
"I've honestly never thought about it. But as long as I do what I can, it makes me feel fulfilled and happy."
"…I see."
That simple answer quieted Geto's restless thoughts, if only for a moment.