The meeting dissolved into smaller conversations after Toji disconnected. Shinichi found himself
cornered by Geto, whose skepticism hadn't diminished.
"You've thought this through," Geto said. "More than a child should be capable of."
"I've had time to think."
"That's not an answer." Geto studied him with unsettling intensity. "Who are you, really? Where
did you come from?"
From another world. Another life. I watched you become a monster in a manga, and I'm trying to
prevent that.
But he couldn't say that. So he told a partial truth instead.
"I'm someone who was given a second chance. And I don't want to waste it."
Geto considered this for a long moment. "A second chance at what?"
"At making things better. At protecting the people I care about. At building something that
lasts."
"And you think you can do that? A child, barely six years old, trying to reform a system that's
older than most countries?"
"Not alone. That's why I need all of you."
Geto laughed—not mockingly, but with genuine bewilderment. "You're either incredibly naive or
incredibly arrogant. I'm not sure which."
"Maybe both."
"Maybe."
Geto fell silent, staring at the ceiling. When he spoke again, his voice was quieter.
"You talked to me. After Hidden Inventory. About whether it was worth it."
"I remember."
"Why? You barely know me. We've spent, what, a few hours together in total? Why do you care what
happens to me?"
Because in another timeline, you killed thousands of people. Because your despair almost destroyed
the jujutsu world. Because Gojo never recovered from losing you.
"Because you're important," Shinichi said simply. "Not just as a sorcerer. As a person. You matter
to people—Gojo, Shoko, your future students. If you give up, if you let the darkness win, it
doesn't just affect you. It affects everyone you could have saved."
Geto was quiet for a long time.
"I don't know if I believe you," he said finally. "But I want to. Is that enough?"
"It's a start."
Across the room, Gojo was having his own conversation with Riko.
"So you're not going to become one with Tengen after all. How do you feel about that?"
Riko fidgeted. "Strange. My whole life, I was told this was my destiny. My purpose. And then it
just... wasn't."
"Purpose is overrated," Gojo said. "Trust me. People kept telling me I was the 'chosen one,'
destined to be the strongest. You know what that actually means?"
"What?"
"Nothing. You are what you choose to be, not what other people decide for you." He grinned. "So
what do you want to be, Riko Amanai? Now that you're free?"
She thought about it. Really thought, maybe for the first time in her life.
"I want to help people. Like Shoko does. I want to learn the Reverse Cursed Technique and save
lives."
"Good answer. Stick with that."
Shoko found Shinichi sitting alone, watching the others talk.
"You orchestrated all of this, didn't you?"
Shinichi didn't deny it. "Someone had to."
"Why you? Why not let the adults handle it?"
"Because the adults are part of the problem." Shinichi looked up at her. "The higher-ups are
corrupt. The clan heads are selfish. Even the 'good' sorcerers are so focused on day-to-day
survival that they can't see the bigger picture."
"And you can?"
"I can see what needs to change. Whether I can actually change it... that remains to be seen."
Shoko sat down beside him. "You're exhausting, you know that?"
"I've been told."
"But you're not wrong. About any of it." She sighed. "Fine. I'm in. For whatever that's worth."
"It's worth a lot. Thank you, Shoko."
"Don't thank me yet. If this plan falls apart, I'm blaming you entirely."
"Fair enough."
In the days that followed, the pieces began falling into place.
Gojo Satoru officially became the head of the Gojo family—not through negotiation or diplomacy,
but through raw power. Anyone who objected found themselves facing the full weight of his
Infinity. The objections stopped quickly.
Geto Suguru began the process of transitioning from active sorcerer to educator. It would take
years, but the foundation was being laid. He started mentoring younger students, sharing
techniques, teaching philosophy alongside combat.
Shoko Ieiri focused on medical advancement, with Riko Amanai as her first serious student. The
former Star Plasma Vessel showed remarkable aptitude for the Reverse Cursed Technique—perhaps a
remnant of her connection to Tengen.
And Toji Fushiguro...
The Sorcerer Killer "died" two weeks after Hidden Inventory. An unfortunate accident during a
mission, according to official reports. In reality, he simply disappeared—his cursed tools
confiscated (and secretly distributed among allies), his identity erased from official records.
He would resurface eventually, Shinichi knew. But for now, he was a ghost. A resource to be called
upon when needed.
As for Megumi and Tsumiki Fushiguro—Gojo Satoru visited them personally. A tall, strange man in
round sunglasses, offering them protection, education, and a future free from the Zenin family's
control.
Megumi was suspicious. Tsumiki was hopeful. Both accepted.
Finally, Shinichi returned to the Kamo estate.
His father was waiting for him. Kamo Kenji looked older than he had just weeks ago—the stress of
his son's disappearance had taken its toll.
"Shinichi."
"Father."
"You have a lot of explaining to do."
"I know."
They walked together through the estate, past servants who whispered and guards who stared. The
prodigal son had returned—but as what? A hero? A troublemaker? A liability?
"What you did was reckless," Kenji said. "Dangerous. Irresponsible."
"Yes."
"You could have died. You almost did die, from what I've heard."
"Also yes."
"And somehow, you managed to save lives, prevent a catastrophe, and earn the respect of both Gojo
Satoru and the jujutsu higher-ups." Kenji stopped walking. "How?"
Shinichi met his father's eyes. "I saw an opportunity. I took it."
"An opportunity for what?"
"To make things better. To change the way the jujutsu world works, from the inside."
Kenji was silent for a long moment.
"You're six years old."
"Almost."
"This is insane."
"Probably."
Another long pause. Then, incredibly, Kenji laughed.
"Your mother would have loved this. She always said you were special. 'He's going to change the
world,' she told me, right before you were born."
Shinichi felt something tighten in his chest. "She said that?"
"She did. And I'm starting to believe she was right."
Three years later, the Three Great Clans Festival was announced.
Shinichi had spent those years training relentlessly—physical conditioning with Toji (who visited
the estate under cover of darkness), technique refinement with clan instructors, strategic
thinking with whoever would listen.
He was no longer the scared child who had bluffed his way past a legendary assassin. He was a
Grade 1 sorcerer in all but name, with skills that rivaled practitioners twice his age.
And he was ready to show the jujutsu world exactly what he was capable of.
"The Three Great Clans Festival," Kenki said, reading the announcement. "Ten representatives from
each family. Ages fifteen and under."
"I know."
"You're entering, aren't you?"
"Obviously."
Kenki grinned. "Then let's show them what the Kamo family can do."
Standing beside his brother, looking out at the future he was slowly reshaping, Shinichi allowed
himself a rare moment of satisfaction.
Things were different. People were alive who should have been dead. Alliances existed that
shouldn't have been possible.
It wasn't victory. Not yet. But it was progress.
And progress, Shinichi had learned, was the only thing that really mattered.