Dojigiri

Osaka.

Shen Yuanyi took his luggage and White Wolf out of the airport. He had originally been wondering how he would bring it along, but this flight allowed pets on board. Although White Wolf was rather large, its Husky appearance and intelligent eyes made it seem utterly nonaggressive.

This mission was not difficult, only somewhat unusual. Shen Yuanyi had come not only to handle a task involving a Curse User, but more importantly because someone in the family connected to the case had awakened an innate technique.

This place was closer to Kyoto Jujutsu High, so they should have been the ones to handle it. However, while this long-established family had produced no Jujutsu Sorcerers in recent generations, they were otherwise just an ordinary family.

Their ancestors had once possessed a Jujutsu-related legacy, but by now none of their descendants had shown any talent in that regard. According to Gojo-sensei, someone from this generation of the family had apparently awakened an innate technique after skipping generations.

Since she had received no relevant guidance, the person herself had always thought she had superpowers or something. (Shen Yuanyi: What a coincidence.) It was not until a recent accident that her family discovered it. Her grandfather happened to know a fair amount about the family's old records, and after many twists and turns, they found the Gojo Family.

The so-called accident was that a Curse User seemed to have set their sights on the family. Gojo Satoru had then sent his beloved student to deal with it, while also seeing whether Tokyo Jujutsu High could gain a new freshman.

Before Shen Yuanyi had even left the airport, he spotted someone holding a sign with his name on it. Apparently, someone had come to pick him up. Well, Gojo Satoru had not told him the specific location at all—he had only given him a phone number and said someone would handle all the miscellaneous details once he arrived.

The person picking him up was a woman in a black suit. Her looks were average at best, though makeup might have added a few points. She appeared to be around 1.7 meters tall, with a tall, slender figure.

Shen Yuanyi walked over, lowering his sunglasses slightly to reveal his eyes. After thinking for a moment, he said, "You're from the Gen Family, right? I'm Shen Yuanyi."

The woman bowed. "Genichi-kun, I am Sugihara Riko. The vehicle has been prepared outside. Please follow me."

Once outside the airport, Shen Yuanyi saw an expensive-looking stretch luxury car parked by the roadside. Its emblem looked like some kind of triangle. Shen Yuanyi did not know much about cars. Sugihara Riko then opened the door for him. White Wolf darted inside while she was briefly stunned, and Shen Yuanyi climbed in after it.

There were only two seats in the spacious back compartment. Shen Yuanyi paused the moment he got in, because someone was already seated on the other side—a bright, beautiful young girl. She had an oval face, almond eyes, willow-leaf brows, and a pair of properly together legs beneath her short skirt. Long and fair, they were utterly free of excess fat. She was probably the sort who would constantly be approached by talent scouts on the street.

The girl looked curiously at Shen Yuanyi and White Wolf. Even with a large dog crammed in, there still seemed to be plenty of room. Shen Yuanyi removed his sunglasses. "You're from the Gen Family?"

The girl extended her hand. "My name is Gen Naine."

Shen Yuanyi shook her hand politely. "Shen Yuanyi. You're the one who awakened an innate technique, aren't you?"

Gen Naine's eyes lit up. "How could you tell? Are you a Jujutsu Sorcerer too?"

Of course, Shen Yuanyi had not actually seen through her. He had guessed. Gen Naine concealed her Cursed Energy very well, and according to the information he had received, it seemed to be related to her innate technique.

The reason for his guess was much simpler. He had come here for this matter, and the girl named Gen Naine did not look like an employee such as Sugihara Riko.

She was also extremely curious about him, so there was an eighty-percent chance that she was the Gen Family descendant who had only recently learned about Jujutsu Sorcerers.

The car started smoothly. Shen Yuanyi noticed a partition between the front and rear seats, while Sugihara Riko sat in the front passenger seat.

Rather than answer Gen Naine's question, Shen Yuanyi reclined in the comfortable seat and asked, "You know a little about Jujutsu Sorcerers now, right?"

Gen Naine was clearly excited. At his words, she nodded repeatedly. She had once wondered whether there were other people in this world who possessed "superpowers" like hers.

In the end, she learned of the existence of the Jujutsu World. Her family had once been part of it too. Her grandfather, who stayed at the ancestral residence, had dug out ancient books from forgotten corners. The things recorded inside had practically opened the doors to a New World for her.

Not long ago, someone with ill intentions had attacked her family. It had been her "superpower"—no... her innate technique—that drove away that so-called Cursed Spirit.

"Do you have an innate technique too? What is it?"

"Is this doggy an ordinary dog? Why does it seem a little... different?"

For a while, the girl asked question after question like a curious child. Shen Yuanyi quietly listened to her chatter until she finished, then said, "Although most people's innate techniques are public knowledge, you should try not to ask others about them on your own initiative when you meet them. And for the record, my innate technique is related to speed."

"His name is White Wolf. Though he looks like a dog, he is actually a Cursed Corpse made by our principal."

After that, Shen Yuanyi casually answered some of her questions. From them, he could tell that Gen Naine did have a basic understanding of the Jujutsu World, but her curiosity and incomplete grasp of the subject left her desperate for answers to many questions.

The car drove so steadily that Shen Yuanyi almost forgot they were still traveling. Only when he felt a slight halt did Gen Naine say with a smile, "We're here."

The moment the door opened, White Wolf sprang out first. After Shen Yuanyi got out, he saw that they had stopped in front of a residence. Several other cars stood before and behind theirs, presumably belonging to bodyguards or something of the sort.

Only then did Shen Yuanyi have time to take in the surroundings. Most of what he could see was greenery of all kinds, with very few buildings. It seemed quite far from the city, though the scenery was nice.

After Shen Yuanyi and Gen Naine got out, a man, a woman, and an elderly man standing at the entrance came over. Gen Naine went up to greet them. They were her parents and grandfather.

The middle-aged man, who looked every inch a successful businessman, approached with a friendly smile. "My name is Gen Eiji. This is my wife, Gen Misora, and this is my father, Gen Masateru."

"As for my beloved daughter, Gen Naine, I imagine you have already met her. Tea and refreshments have been prepared inside. Please come in so we may discuss this in detail."

Shen Yuanyi gave a polite, slight bow and introduced himself. He had always been too lazy to perform that full ninety-degree bow. Perhaps Gojo Satoru had influenced him in that regard as well?

After entering through the gates, he discovered that this old-fashioned courtyard residence was actually quite large. The atmosphere was also somewhat tense. Looking closely, he could see many people in black suits patrolling around.

After passing through several gates and courtyards, they arrived at a room with a tea table inside. Freshly brewed tea sat upon it, still steaming.

Sugihara Riko slid the door shut, leaving only Shen Yuanyi and the family of four in the room. Gen Eiji spoke first. "First of all, thank you for your assistance. Let me explain the situation in our household."

Shen Yuanyi picked up a cup of tea and drained it in a few gulps. He had grown a little tired from all the talking in the car. "You can just call me Yuanyi."

Gen Eiji nodded and continued, "In truth, I know a little about the Jujutsu World. My family is a branch of the Settsu Gen Clan. It was only in the last two generations that our household began to see some success in business."

"As our standing rose, we began to hear whispers of certain things. Combined with the old books that no one in the family cared about anymore, I learned a little. I simply never expected my daughter to awaken this kind of talent so early. As her father, I have been somewhat negligent."

Gen Eiji's expression suddenly turned serious. "Some days ago, Naine returned to visit her grandfather and encountered those things. Based on the clues, they were being controlled by someone."

"Fortunately, Naine injured that invisible aberration. Only then did we discover that something was unusual about her. My father is more familiar with the family's ancient records, and that was how we learned that after so many generations, Naine had become... a Jujutsu Sorcerer."

"Afterward, I sought out many channels and hired a professional. Through the family's connections, I contacted people in the Jujutsu World. I ask that Genichi-kun deal with the person hiding in the shadows. The Gen Family will be endlessly grateful and repay you handsomely."

Shen Yuanyi said calmly, "There is no need for such courtesy, Mr. Gen. That is precisely the mission I came here for. But I have a question that I hope you can answer."

"That ill-intentioned person is what we call a Curse User. Why did he set his sights on your family? Was it for money?"

Gen Masateru, who had been sitting beside them, spoke up. "Let me explain. That Curse User's target is an heirloom of the Gen Family—a famed blade, Dojigiri Yasutsuna."

Shen Yuanyi was full of question marks when he heard that. "Sir, if I remember correctly, isn't that antique kept in a museum?"

Gen Masateru braced both hands on his knees, looking anything but joking. He continued, "Not that blade, but the Dojigiri from Jujutsu World history—the one said to have been used by a Gen Family ancestor to slay the famous great yokai, Shuten Doji."

"It has always been enshrined here, in the ancestral home of our branch. I used to think it was merely a legend too, until..."

Unable to hold herself back any longer, Gen Naine finally raised her hand and cut in. "I used that sword to slash that... um... Cursed Spirit! Then it ran away."

Naine's mother looked reproachful and worried, while her grandfather wore a kindly smile. It was clear that Naine was dearly spoiled by her family.

"A cursed tool."

Shen Yuanyi came to that conclusion inwardly. It appeared to be a case of a Curse User plotting to steal someone else's inherited cursed tool. But what concerned him more was the "Shuten Doji" the old man had mentioned.

Terrifying beings from Myths and Legends or urban legends were known as "Imaginary Vengeful Spirits" when they manifested as curses. Because people's fear of them was both specific and genuine, they were often extremely powerful.

Quite a few of the Special Grade Cursed Spirits recorded or controlled by the higher-ups of the Jujutsu World belonged to this category. They were known as "Special Grade Imaginary Vengeful Spirits."

Could there once have been an Imaginary Vengeful Spirit called Shuten Doji? Or had some curse been given the name Shuten Doji?

But there was another matter at hand. Shen Yuanyi spoke up. "Besides the matter of this Curse User, there is another reason I came here. In addition to their innate techniques, Jujutsu Sorcerers also need inheritance and education."

"First, let me introduce—Tokyo Jujutsu High."

Using a formal tone, he explained the existence of the school to them in detail, vaguely mentioning Teacher Gojo Satoru and the reason he had come here.

Gen Eiji and the others looked thoughtful, while Gen Naine became even more eager. A school that taught "superpowers"—she had been looking forward to something like that far too much. Such scenes had previously existed only in films or fantasies, yet now they might actually become reality.

After Shen Yuanyi finished speaking, he rose to his feet. "You can take your time considering whether to enroll. For now, could you take me to the place where the attack occurred? I'd like to see whether there are any clues."

Gen Eiji nodded. "Of course. Then... Father, please take Genichi-kun and Naine to have a look. Misora and I will arrange those matters."

Gen Masateru nodded and stood. "Follow me."

After leaving the room, the old man dismissed the bodyguards who had followed them, allowing only Sugihara Riko to accompany them. They soon arrived at an old wooden hall.

The old man took out a key and opened the heavy doors. Inside, apart from numerous wooden shelves and the ancient books upon them, there were only several well-maintained suits of armor bearing the marks of history.

At the center of the room stood a long table, upon whose rack rested an ancient sheathed blade.

Shen Yuanyi walked around the hall with White Wolf. Several bookshelves had been knocked over, and there were signs of damage. The books had been put away, but the other traces had not been disturbed.

The broken window had not been touched either. The scene had been preserved almost exactly as it had been when the incident occurred. Fortunately, not much time had passed, and the residual traces of Cursed Energy in the room could still be identified.

He had White Wolf memorize the scent of the two types of Cursed Energy in the room. One should belong to Gen Naine. If they encountered the owner of the remaining scent, White Wolf would be able to recognize them.

Gen Naine, standing nearby, asked curiously, "So? Did you find anything?"

Shen Yuanyi rose to his feet. "A little. The enemy probably wasn't very strong, around Grade 2. And it was a remotely controlled shikigami. It fled after you injured it, so it seems it didn't want to expose its whereabouts either."

"This blade..."

Shen Yuanyi looked thoughtfully at the ancient sword on the wooden table. Suddenly, an aged hand took it down. Shen Yuanyi looked up at Gen Masateru.

The old man smiled. "This is Dojigiri. Naine used it to wound that invisible enemy that day."

Gen Naine said quietly from the side, "That thing looked like some kind of enlarged monster fish. It was really ugly..."

Shen Yuanyi committed that information to memory, then looked at the ancient blade Gen Masateru held out to him—Dojigiri.