The walk to the Principal's office was silent, save for the rhythmic clicking of Gojo's boots. Akira felt the weight of the "Iron Feast" in his gut—the shard of the Grade 3 Cursed Tool he had consumed was vibrating, merging with his own Cursed Energy.
[System Notification: Digestion of 'Iron Feast' complete.]
[New Passive Skill: 'Steel Skin' - Physical resistance increased by 15%.]
[Evolution Progress: 4.2%]
They stopped before a massive set of sliding doors. Gojo pushed them open with his usual lack of ceremony. Inside, the room was dimly lit, filled with hundreds of stuffed dolls. In the center sat Masamichi Yaga, the Principal, needles in hand as he worked on a felt creature.
"You're late, Satoru," Yaga said, his voice deep and gravelly. He didn't look up. "And you've brought the 'Problem'."
Akira stepped forward, his heart hammering. The atmosphere was different here. It wasn't the chaotic malice of a Curse, but the controlled, suffocating pressure of a master.
[Warning: Presence of 'Cursed Corpses' detected. Total count: 42 within immediate range.]
[Quest Update: 'The Executioner's Interview']
[Objective: Prove your 'Will to Live' without losing control of the Hunger.]
"This is Akira," Gojo introduced, hands in his pockets. "The kid who eats his problems instead of solving them."
Yaga stood up, and the stuffed doll in his hand suddenly came to life, hopping onto his shoulder. "In Jujutsu High, we don't just ask what you can do. We ask why you do it. Akira, if I tell you that your existence is a curse to humanity, what is your purpose for living?"
Before Akira could answer, a large, muscular stuffed bear—a Cursed Corpse—lunged from the shadows, its fist glowing with energy.
[Combat Mode: Forced Initiation!]
[Constraint: Do NOT consume the Cursed Corpse (Friendly Fire).]
Akira ducked, the bear's fist whistling over his head. The Hunger flared. His vision turned violet. The bear was filled with concentrated Cursed Energy—a delicacy. His teeth ached.
"I live..." Akira started, dodging another strike. He felt the 'Steel Skin' absorb the shock of a glancing blow. "I live because I refuse to let my brother be the next thing this world devours! If I have to become a monster to eat the monsters that threaten him... then so be it!"
He caught the bear's arm, but instead of biting, he channeled his energy outward, pushing the creature back with a surge of raw power.
Yaga raised a hand, and the bear stopped instantly, turning back into a lifeless doll.
"Selfless greed," Yaga muttered, a small smile appearing. "A dangerous motivation, but a human one. Satoru, he stays. But if he loses control... I expect you to be the one to end him."