Gojo Satoru: The Jujutsu World's Bright Future Is Just Around the Corner! / System Update-the Manipulated Mahito and Jogo

"Mm, there was no point staying outside, and that woman would be here soon."

After glancing in a certain direction, Black Seele waved her hand. Looking unwilling to remain outside any longer, she returned to the Stigmata on Seele's body.

Seele pressed a hand against the Stigmata on her chest, then turned to look in the direction Black Seele had been watching.

A few seconds later, the faint sound of footsteps came from afar, slowly drawing closer.

"Looks like things are already over on your side too, little Seele."

A gentle voice rang out across the devastated battlefield. Makima, her clothes immaculate and not stained by a speck of dust, approached with unhurried steps.

At that moment, Leaking Pot and Hanami, who had been lying on the ground in a daze, suddenly regained some of their vigor and turned to look at the approaching woman.

It was because they once again sensed the presence of one of their own, and it was even clearer than before.

"Another one of our kind..."

Though surprised by Makima's identity, Leaking Pot and Hanami's brief delight sank once more when they saw how familiar she was with the human girl.

"Another curse that has submitted to humans. Why? Why are you, the humans of the new era, willing to stand with the humans of the old era instead of joining us to create a glorious age for curses?"

Hearing this, Makima, who had walked closer, turned to look at the two Cursed Spirits on the ground. Her dark golden eyes examined them like objects, devoid of any emotion.

Makima was not surprised that they had seen through her true identity. After all, in her perception, there were no humans left in the entire surrounding area except Seele. Thus, Makima had not bothered to conceal her aura any longer. Her cursed nature was no longer hidden, so it was only natural that the two Cursed Spirits had noticed it immediately.

"A glorious age for curses? Strictly speaking, I am also preparing to create one, and I am currently making preparations for that plan. In that regard, perhaps our goals are somewhat alike."

"Of course, only somewhat alike. The glorious age for curses I intend to create is meant to fulfill my master's expectations. More Cursed Spirits are needed to become kindling and offer themselves to my master, not to create some world that belongs to curses."

After all, only Cursed Spirits that could contribute their value to their master were good Cursed Spirits. Otherwise, they had no reason to exist.

Just as a trace of joy had risen in Leaking Pot and Hanami's hearts after hearing the first half of Makima's words, the next moment, they were drenched in cold water.

After that emotional whiplash, Leaking Pot forced his body, ravaged by the Power of Withering, to move and revealed a teeth-gritting expression.

"In the end, you are still curses that have submitted to humans. Scum like you have long forgotten the pride of being curses. Not only do you willingly allow yourselves to be used by weak humans, you even turn around and betray your own kind."

"Speak. What exactly is your purpose in capturing Hanami and me alive? Let me make this clear first: we will never reveal any information about our companions. If you think torture can make us submit, then go ahead and try."

Makima merely revealed a meaningful smile.

"Torture? I have no need for such methods. Here, you have a better choice."

What did she mean?

Leaking Pot and Hanami were confused, but in the next instant, they felt their consciousness rapidly sinking.

Their thoughts gradually became sluggish, and their awareness seemed to be getting rewritten.

It felt as though some unknown power was forcibly controlling them, while their sense of self grew increasingly blurred.

Control... Could this be some technique like Cursed Spirit Manipulation, one capable of forcibly controlling Cursed Spirits like them?

"That's right. Based on your understanding of this world, you may regard me as... a curse born from humanity's fear of being controlled."

A curse born from humanity's fear of being controlled. Control...

At that moment, Leaking Pot and Hanami finally understood why she had never taken their lives. Unfortunately, they had realized it far too late.

Makima took almost no effort to complete her control over the two calamity Cursed Spirits before her.

"Is it over already, Makima?"

Seeing that both Cursed Spirits had gone quiet, Seele spoke from the side.

"Mm, it is. Next, I'll need to trouble you to dispel the remaining Power of Withering from their bodies and restore them."

Makima answered with a smile.

Seele nodded, then activated the Power of Creation and thoroughly purified the Power of Withering from the two Cursed Spirits' bodies.

Without the continued damage from the Power of Withering, the two Cursed Spirits quickly recovered. They then rose and knelt on one knee before Makima.

"Lady Makima."

Makima gave Hanami and Leaking Pot a slight nod, then waved her hand to signal for them to leave first.

"Proceed with your retreat as you originally planned, then hide and wait for further orders."

"Understood, Lady Makima."

Hanami and Leaking Pot rose to their feet and swiftly retreated in a certain direction.

As the two Special Grade Cursed Spirits departed, the barrier that had covered the entire Jujutsu High School forest slowly dissipated.

Clearly, while Seele and Makima had dealt with the Special Grade Cursed Spirits and curses, the other Jujutsu High School personnel had also finished off the remaining Curse Users.

After waiting in place for a while, the barrier completely vanished roughly ten seconds later. A figure approached from the distance and appeared before Seele and Makima almost instantly.

"Yo, you two. Looks like the fight on your side is already over?"

Having finally arrived at the battlefield, Gojo Satoru spoke to Seele and Makima while clicking his tongue as he surveyed the surroundings.

There was no doubt that, judging by the residual cursed energy, the curses that had appeared here were extremely powerful. Fortunately, both women before him appeared unharmed, so the enemies had likely posed no threat to them.

As for why Gojo Satoru knew that the attackers of Jujutsu High School had included not only Curse Users, but also Cursed Spirits and curses, it was because the students from both schools who had left the barrier had described what they encountered inside.

Curse Users launching a surprise attack on Jujutsu High School, Cursed Spirits and curses possessing human intelligence, and even collusion between Curse Users and Cursed Spirits.

"Just thinking about it made it a real headache."

PS: There would be further improvements to the protagonist's strength later on. However, the theme of this novel was living off others, so the protagonist would not be overly enthusiastic about becoming stronger. Most of the time, he would gain a boost after manifesting a clone, much like Seele. Only when he encountered abilities from characters that were not suitable for a clone would he consider using them himself.

Also, thanks to the generous reader for the tip. Boss, you're amazing. Wishing you good health.

Gojo Satoru: The Jujutsu World's Bright Future Is Just Around the Corner!

"So that's what happened. There were five Special Grade curses and Cursed Spirits in total. Miss Makima defeated three curses, while the other two Special Grade Cursed Spirits escaped after being caught off guard?"

Jujutsu High School's monitoring room had temporarily been converted into a conference room. Aside from the students of the two schools, everyone else was present.

Everyone quietly listened as Makima described the situation inside the barrier.

Naturally, this was a slightly altered version that omitted Makima's control over the curses and Cursed Spirits.

According to Makima's account, after entering the barrier and defeating the three curses of the Cursed Womb Death Paintings to successfully rescue the two students, she had headed to another battlefield. However, because of her arrival, Seele had relaxed for an instant, allowing the two Cursed Spirits to seize the opportunity to escape and vanish without a trace.

"One of the two Cursed Spirits that escaped could completely conceal both its own aura and that of its companions. Once it left your sight, its cursed energy could no longer be sensed or identified. The Curse Users, Cursed Spirits, and curses who attacked Jujutsu High School this time were likely able to infiltrate the school's barrier through that ability."

"This operation was my fault. I held Miss Seele back and allowed two Special Grade Cursed Spirits to disappear. I will truthfully record the situation and submit it to the Director's Council afterward."

Makima spoke to everyone present with a solemn expression.

The principals of both Jujutsu High Schools, along with Gojo Satoru, Utahime Iori, and the others, all wore varying expressions.

"Miss Makima, you are being too harsh on yourself. The Cursed Spirits that attacked Jujutsu High School were not only powerful, but also possessed intelligence no less than that of humans. Such a situation has never appeared in the Jujutsu World's previous records on Cursed Spirits. Furthermore, one of them possessed an exceptionally powerful concealment ability. Even the barrier set up by Tengen could not detect it, so a momentary lapse was unavoidable."

Gakuganji Yaga was the first to speak, his expression serious.

"Indeed. As members of the Jujutsu World's upper ranks, our usual responsibilities are mostly planning and coordination. This incident happened suddenly, and it was already commendable that Miss Makima personally entered the barrier to fight the Cursed Spirits and assist Jujutsu High School in rescuing its students. How could we possibly demand more?"

Gakuganji Yoshinobu nodded in agreement. As the principal of Kyoto Jujutsu High School and the most senior sorcerer present, he knew very well that if the one in Makima's place today had been any other upper-ranking official, they would be lucky if that person did not question Jujutsu High School's security measures afterward, much less offer help personally.

"I also think a momentary oversight doesn't prove anything."

Utahime Iori spoke cautiously.

"Heh. In the end, neither Miss Seele nor Miss Makima did anything wrong. The Curse Users, Cursed Spirits, and curses had launched a premeditated surprise attack on Jujutsu High School. And aside from some ordinary Curse Users, there were five Special Grade curses and Cursed Spirits among the attackers. With a lineup that strong, nobody would have anything to say even if they had merely been driven back. If those rotten mandarins in the upper ranks dare to hold them accountable over this, I wouldn't mind having a proper talk with them."

Gojo Satoru was the last to speak, and in a completely unconcerned tone, he made a statement that was practically heretical. Though he personally felt that such a situation probably would not arise.

After all, given the behavior of those higher-ups, they probably would not dare hold Seele accountable. The only person worth worrying about slightly was Miss Makima, but she was now one of the Jujutsu World's upper ranks herself, and she had displayed strength far beyond that of a Grade 1 sorcerer during this attack.

Defeating three Special Grade curses alone without taking a single injury—combined with Makima's own authority, even if those higher-ups truly wanted to make an issue of it, at most they could offer some irrelevant criticism. It would be nothing painful or significant.

"Still... Miss Makima defeated three Special Grade curses at once. Wouldn't it be perfectly reasonable for her strength to place her alongside Miss Seele and me as a Special Grade sorcerer?"

Gojo Satoru asked with great interest.

For someone like him, who had always desired to change the Jujutsu World, reorganize its upper ranks, and restore its vitality, bringing An Xiu and Seele into the Jujutsu World had already been a pleasant surprise. He had never expected that the Jujutsu World had also concealed someone like Makima—a powerful yet low-key upper-ranking sorcerer whose conduct was completely different from that of the others.

With Seele and Makima, plus himself and Okkotsu Yuta, once the current Jujutsu High School students had grown enough to stand on their own, he could take action and clear out the Jujutsu World's upper ranks. Even if he had to retire because of it in the end, the Jujutsu World's future would certainly be bright under the leadership of the new generation.

Things were getting better. Everything was getting better. The Jujutsu World's flourishing future was already within reach.

Feeling that his years of effort had finally given him hope, Gojo Satoru felt exceptionally refreshed.

"Special Grade alongside you? It is merely a bit of insignificant strength. I cannot compare to Miss Seele or Mr. Gojo."

Makima answered calmly.

"So, other than Miss Seele and me, you wouldn't lose to anyone?"

"I do not see it that way. But if Mr. Gojo insists on understanding it that way, I have no objections."

Such words, implying that she regarded no one besides Seele and Gojo Satoru as worthy of notice, would certainly sound arrogant if spoken by another sorcerer.

But Makima had genuinely defeated three Special Grade curses alone. Setting everything else aside, that strength was at least enough to say she could stand shoulder to shoulder with a Special Grade sorcerer.

After all, not every Special Grade sorcerer was Gojo Satoru, nor had they defeated Gojo Satoru like Seele had.

"I will arrange for people to investigate the collusion between the Special Grade Cursed Spirits and the Curse Users. On that basis, I will also need to trouble Mr. Gojo to lend us his support."

After all, investigating Special Grade Cursed Spirits required the assistance of Special Grade sorcerers. Otherwise, even if the investigators found something, without sufficient strength, it would be difficult for them to return alive.

"Leave it to me."

Gojo Satoru made an OK gesture. He had not acted at all during this attack, and he had been holding back a frustration he wanted to vent.

"Then it seems there is nothing left for Seele and me to do here. The Inter-school Exchange Event probably cannot continue after both Jujutsu High Schools were attacked, so we'll be leaving first."

An Xiu placed a hand on Seele beside him, greeted everyone, and then left the conference room with her.

He was eager to return and sort through their gains. He had no time to stay here and listen to everyone's follow-up arrangements. Makima could handle those matters; they had nothing to do with him or Seele.

No one in the conference room had any objections. Although An Xiu and Seele had joined the Jujutsu World, they did not follow the arrangements of its upper ranks. No one could say anything even if they chose to leave now.

System Update, Mahito's Scheme, and...

"Ding! Detected that Seele defeated the calamity Cursed Spirit Leaking Pot for the host. Reward: 9,000 points."

"Ding! Detected that Seele defeated the calamity Cursed Spirit Hanami for the host. Reward: 7,500 points."

"Ding! Detected that Makima controlled the three Cursed Womb Death Paintings brothers for the host. Reward: 13,000 points."

After leaving the vicinity of Tokyo Jujutsu High School, three consecutive system notifications rang beside An Xiu's ears.

The attack during this Inter-school Exchange Event had provided An Xiu with a total of 29,500 points.

"The points rewarded for Leaking Pot, Hanami, and the three Cursed Womb Death Paintings brothers are all far higher than the standard 2,500 points for Special Grade Cursed Spirits. Is that because of plot relevance, or because they are stronger?"

As An Xiu walked down the road with Seele, he thought about it for a moment and concluded that both reasons were probably involved, though the former likely carried more weight.

After all, Kechizu of the three Cursed Womb Death Paintings brothers did not even possess an innate technique and could only share one with Eso. In terms of strength alone, he was probably inferior to the Special Grade Imaginary Cursed Spirit capable of Domain Expansion that Seele had killed during her Special Grade evaluation. Yet Kechizu's Point reward was higher.

It seemed that powerful Cursed Spirits with plot relevance in the original work deserved special attention. But... there did not seem to be many Special Grade Cursed Spirits from the original work left for An Xiu to pick on.

Aside from Dagon and Mahito, the only ones left were probably the few Special Grade Cursed Spirits under Kenjaku that had at least shown their faces in the original work.

Before An Xiu could continue thinking, the system notification sounded again.

"Ding! Detected that the host has accumulated over 100,000 points in this world through living off others. The system will automatically undergo a seventy-two-hour online update without shutting down. More new functions will be unlocked for the host after the update."

A system update?

After hearing the update notification, An Xiu froze for a moment.

So his system could update too. The prerequisite was accumulating over one hundred thousand points?

"Seventy-two hours means three days. The system can still be used normally during the update, so that's fine."

As for the new functions that would be unlocked after the update, An Xiu was looking forward to them, but not overly so.

After all, the system was already perfect in An Xiu's eyes. More functions would only be icing on the cake. He was someone who lived off others, so even if the new functions were extremely powerful, he might not necessarily have any use for them.

Still, considering that it was the Soft Rice System, perhaps the new functions would help him live off others even better.

"Come to think of it, I waited nearly a month for this Inter-school Exchange Event. In a few days, the discount section of the shop should refresh too. I wonder what items will appear this time."

He checked the remaining time until the discount section of the system shop refreshed. It was also a little over three days, only a few hours apart from the completion of the system update.

"Looks like I'll have to wait three days to find out either way. In that case, I won't worry about it for now."