Chapter 77 — Hatred Still Runs Deep
"By the way," Gojo said, leaning back in his chair, "how did that curse even get through Master Tengen's barrier?"
After Zen'in Shinsuke left, Gojo and the others turned their discussion toward the special-grade curse that had appeared during the exchange event.
Its nature had been… off.
"That curse's aura was strange," Gojo continued, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "It wasn't quite like a typical curse. More like… something closer to a spirit. It felt like it came from nature itself."
"Shame that Zen'in killed it," he added with a pout. "If it had survived, we might've tracked down its allies."
Utahime crossed her arms. "Even if you had caught it, would a special-grade ever sit down for a friendly chat?"
"Fair point. Anyway, no sense beating a dead curse. Let's talk about the exchange event — it's basically ruined, right? After all this, it should be canceled."
"Eh, absolutely not," Gojo said, waving his hand quickly. "This event is the highlight of the year for the younger generation! Who are we to take away their fun?"
He grinned. "Besides, we could always change things up a little. Same formula every year gets boring."
The room fell silent. Everyone just stared at him, speechless.
---
Elsewhere…
Within a secluded domain, sunlight gleamed across a tranquil beach.
The waves lapped gently at the shore — a picture-perfect paradise.
Yet the air was heavy.
"Hanami's dead."
The words hung like smoke.
"Was it Gojo Satoru?"
Jogo sat hunched on a chair, his half-lidded eyes reflecting quiet anger.
They had just been planning together days ago — plotting a world where curses would reign. Now Hanami was gone. Not even a body left behind.
Saying it didn't hurt would be a lie.
They had always known this day would come.
They might not live to see the world they dreamed of.
But someday… one of their kind would.
And when that day came, it wouldn't matter who stood atop the ashes — only that curses had finally triumphed.
---
"No," Mahito replied evenly. "It wasn't Gojo. It was one of the teachers from Jujutsu High — that so-called Curse Killer."
"...Him, huh?" Jogo muttered, his tone flat but heavy.
"It makes sense," Geto Suguru — or rather, the thing wearing his face — spoke calmly, folding his arms.
"The barrier doesn't affect that man. I have no real way to restrain him. He can only be stopped through absolute power."
The special-grade cursed object they intended to use to seal Gojo could only work once — and must be reserved for Gojo alone.
As for Zen'in Shinsuke… Geto didn't consider him a real threat to his grand plan.
He had studied everyone at Jujutsu High, memorized their abilities, temperaments, and weaknesses.
From what he'd gathered, Shinsuke wasn't interested in politics or plans — only in fighting strong curses.
That was something Geto could use.
All he needed was to keep the so-called Curse Killer distracted — send a few powerful curses his way now and then — and make sure he didn't interfere with the real objective.
---
"Just a little longer," Geto said, his tone smooth and cold.
"October 31st — that's the day we seal Gojo Satoru. He'll show up, and when he does, you can have your revenge then."
Jogo's molten eyes flared. "...I know."
If it were up to him, he'd hunt Zen'in down right now, burn him to ash for what he'd done to Hanami.
But revenge would have to wait.
For now, he could only swallow the rage and bide his time.
"Zen'in Shinsuke…" he whispered, the air around him beginning to boil. "I'll never forgive you."
Even Mahito, usually grinning with cruel delight, was unusually quiet.
For all his sadism, even he had liked Hanami — had called the gentle forest spirit a friend.
He looked down at his hand, smiling faintly.
"Curse Killer, huh? Then I'll just have to become a human killer."
---
Meanwhile, somewhere in Tokyo, Zen'in Shinsuke was lounging on his couch with a cup of tea, blissfully unaware that hatred toward him had reached its peak.
---
A day later, the Kyoto Sister School Exchange Event came to an end — in a ridiculous but oddly fitting baseball match.
Tokyo Jujutsu High emerged victorious.
The students returned to their respective campuses, resuming missions and training.
---
"Brother, I'm heading back."
"Go on," Shinsuke said casually, waving his hand without looking up.
The tension between the Zen'in sisters had eased somewhat after the event — though "eased" might be generous.
"Don't get cocky, sis! You just got lucky this time. Next time, I'll win for sure!"
Mai clenched her fist, glaring playfully before turning to leave with her classmates.
"You'll never beat me," Maki replied, arms crossed and lips curved in a confident smirk.
Watching her younger sister walk away, Maki couldn't help but feel a spark of pride.
She'd grown stronger — tougher.
At least she wasn't that tearful girl who used to cry over everything.
---
"Sensei," Maki said, turning to Shinsuke, her expression resolute.
"I'm heading back to continue training."
After witnessing true strength firsthand — the terrifying power of a special-grade curse — she knew how far she still had to go.
She couldn't afford to slow down.
Not when even the first-years were catching up.
Sorcerers had the luxury of rapid growth.
She didn't.
"Not going to visit home?" Shinsuke asked, glancing in the direction of the Zen'in estate.
"There's nothing there worth seeing." Maki shook her head. "Besides, it's not time yet."
Her voice was calm, but her eyes burned with quiet determination.
She hadn't forgotten why she left that place.
And until she achieved her goal, there was no reason to return.
Her goal was simple — to become stronger.
Strong enough to slap the Zen'in clan across the face.
Strong enough to become its head, and end the cycle of scorn.
"See you, Sensei."
Maki hefted a bag full of cursed tools onto her shoulder, gave a short nod of farewell, and stepped out of the courtyard.
Her figure soon disappeared beyond the gate.
---
"Hic~"
A familiar sound broke the quiet.
The current head of the Zen'in clan, Zen'in Naobito, sauntered into the yard with a wine gourd dangling loosely from his hand, his cheeks slightly flushed from drink.
"They're gone already?"
"You've got eyes, don't you?" Zen'in Shinsuke replied flatly, not even bothering to look up.
This old man really did live without a care — drinking morning, noon, and night.
Naobito chuckled and pulled over a chair, sitting down beside him.
"I'm still your uncle, you know. You could at least pretend to be polite."
Shinsuke gave him a sideways glance. "And you could at least pretend to be sober."
Naobito only laughed harder, the wrinkles around his eyes deepening.
---
"Still," he said after a sip, "I never expected those two sisters to turn out so different under your wing."
Word of the exchange event had already reached him, of course.
He never thought the two girls the clan once dismissed as useless would one day have the nerve to defy its traditions outright.
Mai, the girl with an incomplete technique, now possessed a fully realized one.
And Maki — the one born without cursed energy — had inherited his nephew's raw, terrifying skill instead.
"Impressive," Naobito admitted, his tone turning faintly wistful. "But the Zen'in clan's traditions weren't built in a day. Changing them won't be easy."
"That's easy enough," Shinsuke said calmly. "When Megumi or Maki becomes clan head, the problem solves itself. They're not as indecisive as you are."
Naobito shot him a glance, amusement flickering in his eyes.
"Oh? And what if you became the head? You could change it yourself."
"Please," Shinsuke snorted. "You can give me the money, sure — but the title? Keep it. I'm not spending my life babysitting hypocrites who smile to your face and stab your back."
Naobito burst out laughing. "Hahahaha! You've got it all figured out, don't you?"
---
After a long swig, he suddenly asked, "By the way, how's Megumi's sister doing these days?"
He didn't mention it outright, but Shinsuke could tell — the old man had gone out of his way to gather information about Tsumiki.
All to win Megumi's trust.
"How do you think?" Shinsuke replied lazily. "Still unconscious."
Naobito sighed, staring at the mouth of his gourd.
"I've looked through every record about that curse. Nothing. Still… if you ever need my help, you know where to find me."
He stood, taking another drink before staggering toward the exit.
---
Shinsuke watched him go, lips curling slightly.
"Pretentious old drunk," he muttered, rolling his eyes.
If it weren't for Megumi, that man wouldn't give a damn about any of this.