Someone in the Multiverse, Starts as Fu Hua Chapter 47

"No... fighting at that point would have been pointless, and I'd have gotten scolded by Principal Yaga afterward."

Fushiguro Megumi said, "But that's not what I meant. It's more that you seemed a bit more relaxed."

"Huh?"

"About the orphanage matter before—have you made any progress?"

The boy didn't continue his previous line of thought but instead brought up another topic.

"Yeah, it really was a Cursed Spirit's doing... After the Window carefully analyzed the Cursed Remnant, they told Shier the spirit's location."

Anbai nodded, a hint of melancholy in her voice: "Yesterday, Shier exorcised it... It was a Grade 1 Cursed Spirit."

'Normally, Cursed Spirits don't move around that frequently; most stay active where they were born...'

Fushiguro didn't voice this thought, since it was common knowledge, and the first Special Grade Cursed Spirit the girl had exorcised had also inexplicably moved to that location.

He felt there was some unusual phenomenon at play, but couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Besides, that wasn't what he wanted to talk about.

"If I made you upset, I'm sorry."

Fushiguro noticed the change in the girl's expression: "Actually, my situation is a bit similar to yours... so I understand that feeling of living under someone else's roof, and... the feeling of an important family member suddenly disappearing."

"Because I matured early, I wondered if everyone's enthusiasm might actually make you uncomfortable, forcing yourself to go along with it... something like that."

The usually calm boy finally got to his point: "So, when I said 'you did well,' I wasn't talking about avoiding a pointless fight, but about you being more willing to express your own thoughts first."

"Eh..."

Anbai hadn't expected that it would be Fushiguro Megumi, who usually spoke little and seemed the most distant from her, to say these things.

"Thank you, but... that's also thanks to the other me. If not for the other me, Shier really would have waited until the end..."

She expressed her gratitude and took the chance to hope he might change his impression of Black Amber.

"I see. But I think if a person doesn't want to change themselves, or lacks the courage to take a step forward, no amount of persuasion from others will help."

Though it was a compliment, Anbai somehow caught the implicit meaning: 'This is your own doing, so don't go trusting a curse because of it.'

As expected, stereotypes weren't so easy to change...

"Hey! Shier-chan, stop indulging that guy and let him follow behind on his own!"

The two up ahead seemed to have finished arguing and had pulled far ahead, so Nobara called out to Anbai, who was walking alongside Fushiguro.

"Fushiguro, hurry up too! Didn't you say we were going for cake? If you dawdle, we'll be late!"

Seeing Nobara calling to Anbai, Itadori also reminded Fushiguro.

"Is it really that urgent..."

Fushiguro sighed, but knowing that if he didn't speed up, he'd only get more pestering, he picked up the pace: "Anyway, things are fine as they are now. That's all I wanted to say."

"Shier understands."

Seeing the two up ahead getting impatient, Anbai nodded to Fushiguro and jogged over to catch up.

A leisurely pace tinged with a hint of urgency, surrounded by friends—this kind of life was unfamiliar yet joyful for Anbai. Compared to her previous world, this one undoubtedly gave her a stronger sense of belonging.

And so, time passed until two days later.

"These are the... helpers you said could be useful?"

In the dark forest, looking at the two Curse Users before him who clearly seemed weak, Jogo felt like he'd been tricked: "These weaklings, what use are they?"

"Don't judge them by appearances; they're actually talented assistants."

Liao Chi chuckled, holding out three fingers: "As I said before, to achieve your goal, we need three things."

"First, seal Gojo Satoru, so our actions won't be hindered."

"Second, have the vessel Itadori Yuji's Sukuna fully Incarnate and reappear in this world."

"Third, guide Shier Fulei and the Heavenly Curse Spirit into a state of mutual hatred."

As Liao Chi withdrew his three fingers one by one, the confident smile on his face finally gave Jogo a bit more reassurance.

"So, this time, Hanami and I will draw Jujutsu High's attention, forcing Gojo Satoru and Shier Fulei to focus on the school, while you collect all the fingers from the Director's Office."

Jogo, who had never fought Gojo Satoru, didn't think this was particularly difficult.

In his mind, as a new human, he was stronger than any Jujutsu Sorcerer.

But...

"We already have leads on the first and second points, but how do we achieve the third? And besides, is it really necessary to make them fight?"

Jogo frowned: "If you think those two humans are in the way, I'll just go kill them."

"Haha, if you did that, you'd die, Jogo."

Liao Chi couldn't help but laugh: "As for how to guide the third point, I've already set things in motion. Don't worry—when Shier Fulei and the Heavenly Curse Spirit have worn each other down, our new world will be on the verge of completion."

Then, he would absorb the Heavenly Curse Spirit and the unknown curse within Shier Fulei, becoming the ruler of this new world.

A sinister smile, incongruous with his handsome face, crept across Liao Chi's features as he lowered his voice: "Alright, the Exchange Meeting at Jujutsu High has already begun. It's time for us to move."

Chapter 35: Before the Battle

"What!? The Kyoto Exchange Meeting isn't an exchange meeting in Kyoto, but an exchange meeting with the Kyoto Campus?"

At the school gate, the Tokyo Jujutsu High students who had gathered to welcome the official arrival of the Kyoto school students cruelly shattered her fantasy upon seeing the suitcase in Nobara's hand.

The once-enthusiastic Nobara felt her hands and feet turn cold: "Then... my Fresh Yatsuhashi and Kuzukiri..."

"No wonder you seemed way too excited."

Maki was speechless: "So we were never on the same page this whole time?"

"It's fine, just a little misunderstanding, no need to feel so bad."

Yuji patted Nobara on the shoulder.

"Aren't you pretty excited too..."

Looking at the travel bag on Yuji's back and the dejected look on his face, Panda couldn't bear to watch and sighed: "The Exchange Meeting is held at the campus of the previous year's winner. Since we won last time, it's in Tokyo this year."

"Ugh..." x2.

"How could you guys just go and win like that!"

Nobara grabbed Panda by the collar and shook him.

"It wasn't us! We didn't participate last year!"

Panda's voice was a bit distorted from being grabbed, but the usually steady and honest panda still explained quietly: "Last year, Yuta participated. I heard it was an overwhelming victory, but we weren't there, so we don't know the specifics."

"H-How could this be..."

Nobara and Yuji slumped to the ground, utterly dejected.

"We can buy some together next time we go to Kyoto for a mission..."

Even though she knew these two goofballs probably weren't as upset as they let on, seeing them like this, Amber couldn't help but crouch down, pat both their backs, and whisper comfortingly.

"That's unlikely. Just like Kyoto students don't show up in Tokyo for missions."

Fushiguro said flatly: "Although Jujutsu Sorcerers are chronically understaffed, there are still designated zones."

"Ugh...!" x2.

"Kei-senpai..."

Seeing the two look even closer to death, Amber couldn't help but glance at Fushiguro.

Fushiguro sighed: "I just meant there's no need to go specifically for a mission. If you want to go, just pick a free day and head over."

"What's this, all gathered here? Come to welcome us specially?"

At that moment, a familiar voice that made Nobara's temple twitch rang out. Accompanied by footsteps, Zenin Mai and the Kyoto Jujutsu High students appeared before them.

"Okkotsu still isn't here."

Todo scratched the back of his head, feeling a bit disappointed, but thinking of Yuji, it somewhat reignited his enthusiasm.

Nobara was already annoyed seeing Mai, and combined with the fact that her own Maki had said their relationship wasn't good, she became even more unrestrained, her expression both mocking and fierce: "Laugh while you can. Once we get inside, we'll wipe that smile off your face."

"What's with that first-year... She feels kind of scary..."

On the Kyoto side, Nishimiya Momo, clutching a broom and sporting a strange double bun hairstyle, muttered awkwardly. She hadn't witnessed Nobara's facial expressions before and just found her hard to approach.

"Okkotsu isn't here, and there are two first-years. Nothing to worry about."

A Mech, clearly not human from head to toe, suddenly spoke: "The only one to be wary of is that vessel."

He fixed his gaze on Yuji. Though his eyes were utterly devoid of life, they gave Yuji a strong sense of discomfort.

"Mai-senpai, how have you been lately? You don't look so energetic."

Amber and Maki Zenin had also reunited after a long time.

"I've been doing alright..."

Maki Zenin scratched the back of her head, her reluctance obvious at a glance. Sure enough, she soon added: "It's just that I've been getting called in for talks a lot lately..."

"Ah..."

Without needing it spelled out, Amber could guess why.

Because she was the first person to come into contact with Shier, after the higher-ups found themselves helpless against Shier, they could only try to learn about her through Maki Zenin.

It wasn't that they didn't want to go to Todo Aoi, but it was well known that Todo's thought process was different from a normal person's. Plus, his teacher was Tsukumo Yuki, so the higher-ups basically left him to his own devices except for missions.

Moreover, Todo had never seen Black Amber with his own eyes, so interrogating him would be pointless.

That left only two people who had seen Black Amber: one was Gojo Satoru, who couldn't be touched, and the other was Maki Zenin, who was easy to push around. It was easy to imagine that this cheerful blue-haired girl had been targeted by the higher-ups more than a few times.

Thinking of this, Amber felt a pang of guilt and sympathy: "Mai-senpai... I'm sorry, it's because of Shier that..."

"Ah, no, not at all!"

Maki Zenin quickly waved her hands: "This isn't Shier's problem!"

Although the higher-ups had been coming after her because of the girl, Maki Zenin wasn't so unreasonable as to blame the wrong person. The girl was her savior; the higher-ups were the real culprits causing her trouble.

"But, no matter how you look at it, they're only giving you a hard time, Mai-senpai, because of Shier."

Amber's eyes faintly flickered with a crimson glow: "So, Shier will take responsibility too."

Watching the girl's emotions surge on her behalf, Maki Zenin felt a warmth in her heart. Though she knew none of this was the girl's fault, being interrogated like this would inevitably breed resentment—after all, she wasn't some saint.

But since the other party was willing to do something for her, that resentment quickly dissipated.

"It's fine. Shier only just became a Special Grade Jujutsu Sorcerer; it's better to keep things stable for now, since the recognition was just earned..."

While the two chatted happily on one side, the others on the other side were eyeing each other with mutual disdain.

But the standoff between the two sides didn't last long. A woman named Iori Utahime walked over, accompanied by Gojo Satoru and the principals of both schools. Since Tokyo's third-years were all away on business trips, the first-years had been forced to fill in, so the rules still needed explaining.

In short, this Exchange Meeting was a two-day inter-school event. The first day was a team battle: whichever side exorcised more curses—both stronger and more numerous—would win. The victory criteria were determined by a comprehensive score based on the grade and quantity of curses exorcised.

Of course, interfering with the opponent was allowed during this time, so clashes between the two sides were common.

But the rules forbade causing excessive injury. After all, Jujutsu Sorcerers were already scarce; it was fine to fall in exorcism, but dying at a comrade's hands would be too wasteful.

After explaining the rules, both sides entered the school together to prepare for the upcoming Exchange Meeting.

The Tokyo side wasn't particularly tense. Everyone had witnessed each other's progress lately, and not long ago, their own Itadori Yuji had fought the opposing ace, Todo Aoi, to a draw.

Though Todo hadn't used his technique and likely wasn't going all out, it still showed how much Itadori had grown.

At the very least, he could hold him off for a short while.

And as long as Todo was temporarily dealt with, the others weren't that dangerous to their side—except for that Mech, about whom they had little intel. He might spring some unexpected surprises.

"Anyway, no need to worry. We just need to perform as usual."

Finally, Maki made the call.

Chapter Thirty-Six: Transition.

Meanwhile, on the Kyoto Campus, the discussion was entirely different.