Chapter 7

Akemi was stunned.

Wasn't I supposed to be the one showing what I could do?

Wasn't it agreed that you lacked the proper qualities of a Jujutsu Sorcerer?

Wasn't it agreed that protecting yourself came first?

What she had never expected, of course, was that this child, whom everyone had always considered "useless," would actually be this strong.

"Ari, you—"

Ari first waved at Gardevoir, signaling that she need not worry about this side and should continue clearing the area. Then he turned to his mother with a slight smile. "I just didn't inherit a cursed technique. I still have the most basic cursed energy."

Cursed energy was the power source, while cursed techniques were its transformed expression. One was the foundation; the other was the superstructure.

The superstructure was naturally better, but that did not mean the foundation itself could not be used.

Though its applications were limited—only usable to strengthen the body or infuse a target to cause damage—its very simplicity meant there was no need to choose or plan. He only had to keep moving straight ahead.

Back when Ari was with the Kamo family, he had memorized methods for training cursed energy and his body through his status as the legitimate heir. He had not neglected them after leaving home, and this had been one step of his plan.

Indeed, with Gardevoir, Ari basically had no need to charge into the front lines. Not only was it risky, but it would also dilute Gardevoir's experience.

But if the trainer himself was too weak, that would likewise hinder a Pokémon's performance. Pokémon with poorer temperaments might even look down on their trainers because of it and refuse to obey their commands. That was not something Ari wanted to see.

Even setting those reasons aside, a healthy body was still the most important asset in life.

Whether it was making money or working hard—or even indulging oneself—a good body let one enjoy it all more fully.

Just imagine it: whenever you wanted to do something, your back ached, your limbs felt weak, and it seemed as though your body had been hollowed out. How would that feel?

Looking at her son, who had knocked down a Quasi-Grade 1 Cursed Spirit with one punch, then at Gardevoir, who had effortlessly crushed every cursed spirit, Akemi sighed from the bottom of her heart. "Letting you leave was the Kamo family's greatest mistake."

Ari merely smiled and said nothing.

A mistake? On the contrary, it had been the Kamo family's best decision.

As long as the atmosphere of the Jujutsu world remained unchanged, the conflict between him and the Kamo family would always exist. The longer they remained entangled, the sharper that conflict would become. It was better to let go and keep their distance; that way, they could at least preserve some dignity.

The Zenin Family, one of the Three Great Families, already had more than one such example.

One of them should have already arrived in Tokyo and entered Jujutsu High. He wondered when they might have a chance to meet.

As his thoughts wandered, Gardevoir completed her cursed spirit-clearing mission. Including the one still barely alive before Ari, her Level had risen from 30 to the latter half of 31, not far from 32.

Ari knew he had made the right choice. Farming experience was still faster in high-level areas. Once he swept through all of Tokyo's major spiritual sites, Gardevoir should be able to contend with Special Grades.

"That's a wrap. Time to go home and sleep. Big cities really are better than the countryside—what a haul."

Ari bent down and fished a fragment from the crack he had punched into the ground.

Akemi leaned over curiously. "What's that? Some kind of companion item that can make Little Sa stronger?"

"No, but it's not much worse than that."

The item interface before Ari clearly read—

Z-Crystal Shard (Fire)

Though it was not of Gardevoir's corresponding Psychic or Fairy type, the existence of Z-Crystal Shards meant the existence of Z-Moves.

Once she mastered Z-Moves, Gardevoir's combat power could rise to another level.

And following that line of thought, did Mega Evolution and Gigantamax exist as well?

In the games, they were distinct features of different regions and generations, but this was the real world. Could they be stacked together? And if they could, just how strong would Gardevoir become?

The more Ari thought about it, the more impatient he became.

He had decided. He would clear out the entirety of Tokyo Metropolis.

Filled with an unprecedented fighting spirit, Ari took the hand of the equally eager Gardevoir and set off for home.

Akemi put away the Curtain she had used to keep ordinary people out and followed behind the two of them.

Her son and daughter were so strong that it made her, their mother, feel a little embarrassed—but she felt even more pride.

With children like these, what more could she possibly ask for?

The Akesato family did not know that just five minutes after they left, another group arrived at Yoshiwara Shrine.

Their composition was similar to the Akesato family's: one man, one woman, and one nonhuman.

But the woman was younger, and the nonhuman was even less human—a panda.

The moment they entered the shrine, Panda twitched his nose and spoke. "Something doesn't seem right. The smell of curses is faint—it's more like residual filth—and it's mixed with the scent of a Curtain."

"You mean someone stole our prey?" The Girl with a single ponytail and a long weapon slung over her shoulder raised an eyebrow.

"Tuna tuna." The shortest Boy pointed toward nearby Nippori Tsutsumi, at an unnatural crack.

With an agile flip, the Girl arrived before the crack. She reached out to touch it, then tried a few movements before grinning. "That's right. It was made by a person—either a blunt weapon or a fist. Whoever did it was an expert."

Panda on the other side added, "Confirmed. There are no cursed spirits here. Someone exorcised the curses before we got here. What should we do?"

"Do you even need to ask? Of course we call that Idiot Teacher and complain." The Girl's smile turned even more mischievous.

After the Boy said, "Salmon," the Girl took out her phone and dialed a number. Once the call connected, she did not forget to turn on the speaker.

The next second, a frivolous voice came through:

"HI~HI~ This is Spicy Teacher Gojo, the students' favorite! Let me guess what problem my adorable students ran into. Did the Cursed Spirit at Yoshiwara Shrine mutate, leaving you unable to handle it? It's fine—just send out a cry of love, and Ultraman Gojo will arrive at once."

"It didn't." Girl held the phone as far away from her face as possible, looking utterly disgusted.

"So you knew there was something wrong with the mission, Satoru," Panda remarked.

"No, I was just guessing based on the blockheads among the higher-ups."

At that, Girl snorted. A cold gleam flashed through her eyes, but she said, "Unfortunately, you guessed wrong. We don't know whether the Cursed Spirit mutated or not, because someone had already come through and cleared the place out before we arrived."

"Someone already came? That shouldn't be possible. The higher-ups clearly assigned this area to me." Teacher Gojo's voice carried a trace of confusion.

"You bastard, you actually dumped your own mission on us." Girl's expression turned ferocious.

Boy added, "Bonito Flakes."

"I applied for it on your behalf in the first place. This is the loving encouragement of a teacher. No need to thank me." Teacher Gojo was shamelessly proud of himself.

"Go die," Girl cursed.

"Ah, I'm dead. Ah, I'm alive again." The teacher was completely unpretentious. "Since the mission is gone, come back first. I'll investigate who stole the target—"

"I refuse." Girl spoke bluntly. "The prey was stolen from us, so naturally we'll investigate it ourselves. This is our first independent mission."

"Agreed."

"Salmon."

Panda and Boy both nodded.

"Hey, hey, what about my opinion?" the teacher protested.

"We're not listening to your opinion." Girl gave a mocking laugh.

"Knew you'd say that." The teacher had expected it. "Fine, be careful on your own. Although no high-Level Cursed Spirits have been found nearby, you can never be too sure with Cursed Spirits. Contact me immediately if anything happens."

"Got it. You're so naggy." Girl hung up, her eyes settling on the direction Akesato had left in. "Just who are you?"

PS: There is no clear explanation of the grading standards for Jujutsu Sorcerers, but there are examples.

Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer Meimei solo-killed the Special Grade Cursed Spirit Smallpox God in Shibuya. During the Kyoto Night Parade of a Hundred Demons incident, Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer Todo solo-killed five Grade 1s and one Special Grade, and he did not even need to use his Cursed Technique against the Grade 1s. Meimei's assessment of Maki: get her promoted to Grade 2 already. Miwa's assessment of Maki: she can kill Grade 2s with ease.

That is why it is said that they are comparable to Cursed Spirits one Level above them. Of course, there is nothing wrong with saying they can handle Cursed Spirits of the same Level with absolute certainty, but killing enemies above one's Level sounds better and more imposing.

Also, unless the gap between Special Grades is enormous, it could even be said that Jujutsu Sorcerers can exorcise Cursed Spirits one Level above them. Mainly because there are examples of Grade 1s losing to Special Grades, and more than one at that, including Kogane's shining moment.