Chapter 25 – How to Seize Control Over a Cursed Spirit's Fate
When Zen'in Shinsuke arrived at Tokyo Jujutsu High, most of the faculty had already gathered. Even several instructors from Kyoto Jujutsu High had made the trip.
"So lively? All this for just one special grade?"
Shinsuke took his seat, a little surprised.
Special grade spirits were indeed dangerous, but did they really need this kind of mobilization?
"It's not just the cursed spirit," Gojo Satoru said, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "This matter involves a group of curse users."
Normally, Gojo wouldn't spare a second thought for a cursed spirit. But since this involved his best friend, Geto Suguru, his attitude had hardened. Deep down, he still held on to the hope of bringing Geto back. As long as Geto was willing, Gojo believed he could handle the opposition from the higher-ups alone.
At that moment, Ieiri Shoko entered, pushing a wheelchair. Sitting in it, wrapped head to toe in bandages, was Amanai Riko.
"Sorry to trouble you all," Riko greeted the room of sorcerers politely.
"Uncle? You're here too?"
Spotting Shinsuke, her face turned red. Just days ago she had been freeloading meals at his place, and now here she was, bundled up like a rice dumpling—it was humiliating.
"Tsk, tsk. Riko, you've still got a lot of training to do. It's only been a few days…"
Shinsuke shook his head at her pitiful state. Still, for a spirit to injure a Grade 1 sorcerer like Riko so badly, it clearly wasn't a run-of-the-mill special grade.
"Ahem. Riko, why don't you tell us exactly what happened?"
Yaga Masamichi coughed twice, steering the meeting back on track.
Riko glanced around the room, then began.
"This happened in Shibuya. I ran into a curse user—Geto Suguru. By the time I arrived, he was already fighting a special grade spirit…"
She recounted her mission. It had started as a routine exorcism. After cleansing the curse, she sensed an immense wave of cursed energy nearby. Thinking it was another spirit, she went to investigate, intending to deal with it as well.
Instead, she stumbled upon Geto in battle with a cursed spirit. The fight dragged on, and even he couldn't quickly subdue it. That alone told her the spirit's power was at least special grade.
Since she was already there, she decided to strike from the shadows—waiting for her chance to land a decisive blow. After all, the last thing she wanted was for Geto to absorb the spirit and use it to further his twisted ideals.
But before she could finish charging her technique, both Geto and the cursed spirit noticed her. The spirit immediately switched targets and mauled her. If not for Geto's interference, she would've been dead on the spot.
"To injure Riko this badly… this isn't just any special grade," one teacher muttered.
"Did Geto manage to absorb it?" another asked.
Riko shook her head. "No, it escaped. According to Geto, it's not an ordinary special grade. Its strength is constantly growing. He admitted that soon, even he might not be able to defeat it. He's very fixated on this spirit. It's almost certain he'll make another move."
The room fell silent.
Everyone knew Geto's capabilities. If even he couldn't subdue the spirit—not entirely because of Riko's interference—that spoke volumes about its power.
"Constantly growing stronger?"
Shinsuke narrowed his eyes. Could it be a natural-born prodigy among spirits, like Toji among sorcerers? If so… a cursed spirit of that caliber could yield him a tremendous amount of blood and vitality.
"The real problem," Yaga said gravely, "is that we don't know the spirit's location. Nor do we know when or where Geto will confront it again. If it appears in a crowded district, the chaos and casualties would be catastrophic."
This was why so many instructors had been summoned. Geto didn't care if non-sorcerers lived or died, and cursed spirits even less so.
"For now, it's most likely still in Shibuya. Your assignment is to split into teams and sweep the district. If you find it, don't engage immediately—report first."
He laid out the plan simply: locate the spirit, then concentrate firepower to eliminate it as quickly as possible, minimizing collateral damage.
Because Geto was involved, there was also a high chance they'd have to contend with his allies. Hence, every available teacher had been called in.
"I'll head out first. You all can catch up."
Gojo stood, clapped his hands, and warped himself to Shibuya in an instant. He was itching to see Geto again.
"Rude brat. Doesn't even say goodbye to his seniors," Shinsuke muttered, rising at a slower pace. For short distances, he might be faster than Gojo, but when it came to long-range teleportation, Gojo had the advantage. Shinsuke decided he'd just take a car over.
"I'll partner with Mei Mei!"
Iori Utahime hurried to Mei Mei's side, clutching her arm.
The only one left was Kusakabe Atsuya. He glanced at Yaga, ready to speak, but Yaga cut him off.
"This time, I won't be participating."
"Huh…? Ah! Shinsuke-sensei! Wait for me!"
With no other choice, Kusakabe hurried after Zen'in Shinsuke.
The truth was, they'd barely interacted before. The guy looked sharp—handsome even—but also gave off a vibe that he wasn't exactly easy to get along with.
Still, overthinking wouldn't help. Kusakabe quickened his pace. Even if Shinsuke wasn't the easiest person, spending more time together would smooth things out eventually.
Meanwhile, Yaga had already dispatched a number of Grade 2 sorcerers to Shibuya, assigning them to support the main teams.
"Shinsuke-sensei, wait up!"
Kusakabe finally caught up, slightly out of breath.
"Hm? Kusakabe-sensei, did you need something?"
Shinsuke looked at him, puzzled. He vaguely remembered this guy—wasn't he often called the "strongest Grade 1"?
"Didn't you hear Principal Yaga just now? Grade 1 sorcerers are to pair up. You and I are a team."
Kusakabe emphasized the instruction from moments earlier.
"Oh, is that so? Nice to meet you, then."
Shinsuke finally realized, smiling as he extended a hand.
Just now, he'd been so preoccupied with scheming how to wrest control over the cursed spirit's fate from the others that he hadn't paid attention to Yaga's words.
Being a "special Grade 1" himself, he counted as one of them anyway.
"Uh… n-nice to meet you!"
Kusakabe blinked, startled by the casual friendliness, then quickly reached out to shake his hand.
"Let's get moving, shall we?" Shinsuke said.
"Y-yes, right. Time to head out," Kusakabe replied quickly.
So, maybe Shinsuke-sensei wasn't as stern as his appearance suggested. Still… there was something about being around him that made Kusakabe just a little nervous.