Life returned to normal for the three of them after that one day they spent together.
Satoru Gojo had already gone to apply for their Jujutsu Sorcerer rankings.
However, since it was winter and the number of Cursed Spirits was low, the ranking missions weren't immediately issued. The Director's Bureau was looking for Cursed Spirits that "matched" the level of Satoru Gojo and his companions.
In an abandoned building on the outskirts of town, a slug-like Cursed Spirit was continuously attacking Eiji.
In response, Eiji simply reinforced his defenses with Cursed Energy and stood still.
Mahoraga's Wheel silently rotated from within the shadows.
"A power with corrosive effects, huh."
Seeing that Mahoraga had adapted, Eiji no longer waited.
He raised his right hand, and a gust of wind sliced through the air, instantly heavily damaging the Cursed Spirit.
"Level 3 Cursed Spirit, its ability is corrosion. Do you want it?"
"Yeah."
Suguru Geto nodded. The heavily injured Cursed Spirit transformed into a Cursed Spirit Jade, which Suguru Geto consumed.
"Here."
Eiji skillfully handed over a Honey Tea.
"Thanks."
Suguru Geto was accustomed to drinking a bottle of Honey Tea after consuming Cursed Spirit Jade; it did make him feel much better.
"Lately, we haven't been able to find any decent Cursed Spirits."
"Yeah, I didn't expect Cursed Spirits to have peak and off-seasons too."
If it were summer, the two of them could easily catch several Level 1 Cursed Spirits with a bit of effort, and Level 2 Cursed Spirits were even easier to find.
But now, even Level 2 Cursed Spirits were hard to come by.
"It's still early. Want to go out somewhere?"
"How about the cinema? A few new movies have been released recently, want to check them out?"
"Sure."
As they walked, the two of them found the entrance to the building blocked by several unwelcome guests.
There were three people in total: two were around their age, and one was a tall, thin man who looked to be in his thirties.
"Do you know them?"
Seeing their hostile gazes directed at Eiji, Suguru Geto sensed something was wrong.
"Yeah, I know them. Coincidentally, I have some business with them too. You should head back first."
Eiji said nonchalantly.
Suguru Geto opened his mouth, but in the end, he swallowed the words of help he wanted to offer.
Suguru Geto knew Eiji; he never did anything he wasn't sure of.
"I'm leaving. Remember to come home early."
After leaving the building, Suguru Geto didn't actually go home. Instead, he stood under a tree not far from the building.
Neither Satoru Gojo nor Suguru Geto would stand by and watch a friend fall into danger. It was just that compared to Satoru Gojo, Suguru Geto's concern was a bit more subtle.
If it were Satoru Gojo at this moment, he might have teleported to buy some Edamame and Fresh Cream Kikufuku, then teleported back to sit nearby and watch the show.
While it was still concern, it wasn't exactly heartwarming.
"What, afraid of implicating your friend?"
The leading young man had short, light-blonde hair and beautiful features. He wore a shirt-like garment on his upper body, traditional hakama pants, and a haori draped over his shirt.
Eiji recognized the arrogant and conceited young man at first glance.
Naoya Zenin.
He dyed his hair.
Eiji remembered Naoya Zenin having black hair when he was younger.
"Dealing with a few weaklings like you is enough for me alone."
Eiji's calm expression delivered the answer that annoyed Naoya Zenin the most.
Eiji wasn't surprised by their arrival.
After all, Eiji had boldly written down "Ten Shadows Technique" on his Jujutsu High application.
Eiji now possessed the strength to not fear the Zenin Family, so he wasn't afraid of them coming after him.
"Heh, you're just a lucky piece of trash. Kneel down and beg me now, and I might let you return to the Zenin Family. How about it?"
The anger on Naoya Zenin's face turned into pride and arrogance as he said the latter half of his sentence.
"You think you're worthy?"
Naoya Zenin's expression froze.
He hadn't expected this former servant of the Zenin Family to dare to talk back to him again and again.
"It looks like I'll have to teach you the family laws of the Zenin Family properly."
As his voice fell, the two people behind Naoya Zenin made their move.
"Zenin Family Elite Unit [Heishi], Futo Zenin."
"Zenin Family Elite Unit [Heishi], Ranta Zenin."
"Pfft."
Eiji let out a laugh.
"What's so funny?"
Anger filled the voices of the two men.
"Nothing, it's just that people like you who announce your family name everywhere remind me of brats who scream for their moms wherever they go."
"Die for me."
A fierce wind swirled around Futo Zenin as he crossed the distance between them at extreme speed.
Eiji was about to act but suddenly felt unable to move.
"Brother Futo, now!"
Ranta Zenin, who had been standing behind, widened his eyes and stared intently at Eiji.
Sensing he couldn't move, Eiji didn't rush. His cursed energy defense and Mahoraga's power appeared on his body simultaneously.
Bang.
Rumble.
Eiji was hit by Futo Zenin's fist, accelerated by wind, and sent crashing into the wall behind him.
Smoke billowed for a moment.
Futo Zenin and the other man did not pursue, as Master Naoya had instructed them to bring Eiji back alive.
After all, as the owner of the Ten Shadows Technique, even if he was weak, he could serve as a tool to deter the Gojo Family.
Ten seconds, twenty seconds, thirty seconds...
"Hmph, is that all you've got?"
After a minute passed and Eiji hadn't appeared, the two men assumed he had been defeated.
"Someone this useless dared to bark in front of Master Naoya."
Ranta Zenin subtly flattered Naoya Zenin.
"Who are you calling...?"
A familiar voice suddenly came from behind Ranta Zenin. Ranta Zenin turned around in disbelief.
It was Eiji, who had appeared behind him through his shadow.
"You bastard."
Ranta Zenin looked at Eiji, his anger seemingly about to erupt from his eyes.
The moment his gaze landed on Eiji, Ranta Zenin activated his Cursed Technique.
Pop.
With a soft sound, Ranta Zenin found his Cursed Technique had been broken.
"Wait!"
Realizing his technique had failed, Ranta Zenin was about to warn Futo Zenin.
Before he could finish, Futo Zenin had already swung his fist towards Eiji.
Snap.
Eiji extended his right hand and caught Futo Zenin's fist.
Before Futo Zenin's disbelieving eyes, Eiji kicked him flying.
"What did you do?"
Cold sweat beaded on Ranta Zenin's forehead.
"Your Cursed Technique locks onto the target with your gaze, using cursed energy to generate an eye-shaped cage that prevents movement, right?"
Under Ranta Zenin's astonished gaze, Eiji revealed the function of Ranta Zenin's technique.
"I just released cursed energy in advance and broke the cage before it could form."
"Why... why can you see it?"
Ranta Zenin panicked. He couldn't understand why this person knew his technique so well, especially since they had just met.
The dharma wheel in Eiji's shadow spun again, this time adapting to Futo Zenin's Cursed Technique.
However, since both were wind-based Cursed Techniques, Futo Zenin's technique's adaptation method overlapped with that of Tiger Grave.
Therefore, Mahoraga gained half of an adaptation method this time. Adding the corrosive curse method from the Cursed Spirit earlier and Ranta Zenin's binding curse method, Mahoraga's inventory increased by 2.5.
"Don't panic, Ranta, he just got lucky."
Hearing Futo Zenin's voice, Ranta Zenin's panic subsided considerably.
"You're lying, my technique is invisible, there's no way you could have seen it."
Upon hearing this, Eiji's lips curled into a silent mockery.
What a joke. Mahoraga can see Sukuna's slashes clearly; your cage is nothing to Mahoraga.
"You bastard."
Ranta Zenin roared and activated his Cursed Technique.
A trickle of blood flowed from the corner of his eye.
Bang.
The familiar light sound occurred again, shattering Ranta Zenin's hope.
Seeing Eiji hadn't moved, Futo Zenin assumed Ranta Zenin's technique had succeeded and attacked Eiji again.
Eiji slapped with his left hand, sending Futo Zenin's fist flying to the side.
I finally understand why Toji Fushiguro always liked to defend my attacks like this during our sparring sessions. It really is cool.
Eiji raised his right foot and delivered a kick to Futo Zenin's stomach.
Futo Zenin's body instantly bent like a shrimp, and he was sent flying out of the building like a cannonball.
Since Eiji had Mahoraga buff him beforehand, he wasn't even afraid of Toji Fushiguro in close combat now. Why would he be afraid of a weakling like Futo Zenin?
-----------
Translation by: randomtranslator.com
Read 2500+ original & fanfic translations and Translate for Free at: randomtranslator.com