I Play Ninjutsu in Jujutsu Kaisen! Chapter 19

Xià Rìluò pulled up his sleeve to wipe his face, staring at his reflection in the floor—pale, at a loss for what to say next.

"And I need to report that cursed spirit to Gojo-sensei. It's at least quasi-first grade. No way I can exorcise this on my own."

[Mission: Exorcise the cursed spirit within the ring alone. Reward: 15 points, 100 cursed energy permanent boost.]

"......"

"Son of a bitch..."

"System, is your mother doing okay?"

"A quasi-first grade cursed spirit is something I can exorcise?"

Xià Rìluò was speechless. He slowly stood up and asked, "Uh... my blood pressure's a bit high. Can I step out to catch my breath?"

Yùtǔ Měi said with concern, "Of course. You look pale—should I call a doctor?"

"No need. I'll be fine after some fresh air."

Xià Rìluò pushed open the door and left. The heavy wooden door creaked shut, its echo lingering in the hallway.

The strong curse energy faded as he moved away. Through the window, he saw the bodyguards standing watch outside.

His mind was tangled.

From the clues so far, that cursed spirit didn't harm people—at least not in front of Yùtǔ Měi. And then there was the system's mission prompt: [cursed spirit within the ring]. That meant the spirit was stored inside the ring.

Kind of like Rika. But how was such a powerful cursed spirit born?

Forget it. Better contact Gojo-sensei.

The call connected, and Gojo Satoru's voice came through, sounding a bit pained.

"Hey, Rìluò-kun. Didn't expect you to leave so early. I'm a little sad I didn't get to eat your breakfast."

"Uh... I don't cook breakfast..."

Good grief. Lucky I got out fast—if a bunch of people had dragged me into making breakfast, who could handle that? Xià Rìluò inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Something you need?"

"Yeah. I ran into a cursed spirit I can't match. Lucky thing is, it seems bound by its own rules—doesn't hurt people. But the tricky part is—it's Yùtǔ Měi's mother."

"I haven't verified it yet, but that's what the spirit itself said. I'll check later. Since it won't harm anyone in front of Yùtǔ Měi, my plan is..."

"Stop, stop, stop!"

Gojo Satoru cut him off. "If you've got your own plan, why tell me? Just go do it."

"Well..."

Xià Rìluò looked at his reflection in the glass—a face full of worry. He was right. He was scared. Facing a quasi-first grade, he didn't have the strength to fight it.

But the system had left him this mess—exorcising a quasi-first grade cursed spirit alone.

Tough...

"Scared?"

Gojo Satoru seemed to sense it. "If you're scared, give me the ten million, and I'll take care of it. One finger and it's gone."

"No... no need. I just... wanted to talk it out with you, Gojo-sensei. Since we're done, I'll start my plan."

Xià Rìluò hung up. His earlier anxiety had turned into pure exasperation.

One finger to exorcise a cursed spirit—big deal? Once I exorcise this one and pull a powerful ninjutsu from a twelve-consecutive draw, I'll roast you with one fire blast.

No time to waste. First, find out where the ring is.

Back at Tokyo Jujutsu High.

"Gojo-sensei, what's wrong?"

Fushiguro Megumi asked, seeing Gojo Satoru's cold smirk.

"Nothing. Just that I'll be going on a business trip for about ten days. You'll train in physical techniques with Maki-senpai."

"......"

Damn it. How does this guy get to be a teacher? Doesn't even bother with an excuse—just takes a paid vacation. I should report him to Principal Yaga. Fushiguro Megumi was speechless, but seeing Gojo's thick-skinned attitude, he figured even the principal wouldn't faze him. He replied with resignation:

"Sure. Whatever makes you happy. I'll go find Maki-senpai now."

"Bye~!"

Gojo Satoru waved, replaying Xià Rìluò's call in his mind.

At least he was calm. Facing a powerful cursed spirit, he didn't run first—he weighed whether he'd die, then gathered useful intel.

Gotta say, that was bold. Bold to the point of being twisted, like he was chasing the thrill of near-death—because if he guessed wrong...

He'd die.

"Haha, what a lunatic. Like he was born just to exorcise curses."

Gojo Satoru chuckled coldly, slowly unwrapping the white blindfold from his eyes, revealing his clear blue pupils.

"Of course. Since you're so beautiful, Sister, I always max out my favorability for pretty older women."

His right hand pulled the Old Man's Sunglasses from his pocket as he stood up. "How could I let a madman like him fall here? After all, he's my student—future top-tier combat power in the sorcery world."

"Let's go see how he handles this alone. What kind of face is hiding beneath that rational exterior?"

After adjusting his thoughts, he pushed the door open again. His once-pale face had regained a bit of color.

"You're okay?"

"Yeah, my blood pressure just dropped a little. I stepped out for some air, feeling better now."

"Didn't you say your blood pressure was high when you went out just now? How'd it drop?"

Mitsuchi Mi asked, puzzled.

"..."

"Pfft!"

Harukaze Chizuko, standing by the door, covered her mouth with her left hand and let out a soft laugh, the corners of her lips curling up. She murmured quietly, "Troublesome little brother, let's see how you explain this now."

Natsu Hiraku heard it all and saw it all. All he could do in response was offer an awkward but polite smile.

Then he looked at Mitsuchi Mi and continued, "As your personal bodyguard, I'll fulfill my duties for the next half-month—exorcising anything dangerous to you or society."

As he spoke, his gaze flicked to the cursed spirit on her head.

Right now, the spirit looked like a gentle mother, combing her beloved child's hair. Though there was no sign of a rampage at the moment, that might not hold later.

Cursed spirits had low intelligence, and its purpose here should be to protect the daughter.

If Mitsuchi Mi got hurt, that meant it would lose control.

Suddenly, he felt a heavy weight of responsibility. Wait...

Why was he making up so many excuses to exorcise it? The System Quest was already out—could he really not exorcise it?

"..."

"Alright, let's head out."

Mitsuchi Mi gently removed the ring from her left index finger and placed it under the pillow at the head of the bed. Her eyes stayed fixed on the ring the whole time, as if it were the most precious thing in the world.

But to Natsu Hiraku, the black thread of dust inside the ring connected to the cursed spirit's body. No doubt about it—this was the [Cursed Spirit in the Ring] the system had warned about.

Even knowing he shouldn't get too close, it seemed to be wary of him right now, like a child cautious of someone new.

But that was fine. Fifteen whole days—plenty of time to let it lower its guard. And when that time came... exorcise it!!

For now, the main task was to go learn physical combat from Ido Shuichi tonight. Otherwise, he really couldn't overpower that strong cursed spirit.

"Miss, Mr. Natsu Hiraku, take care."

Harukaze Chizuko pulled the door open and stood straight in place.

"Thanks, Sister Chizuko. Take care of the house."

After saying that, Mitsuchi Mi bounced out the door, clearly loving the world outside. Her lively personality made Natsu Hiraku feel like he needed to reassess this girl who was older than him.

When they first met, he thought she was just a naive sweetheart. Now, why did she give off the vibe of a big sister next door?

Stepping out of the yard.

Mitsuchi Mi asked, "Do you think I'm pretty?"

"Huh?"

Natsu Hiraku glanced at her. Though she was four years older than him, she was a bit shorter. A simple white summer dress brought out a different feel on her. Her delicate features radiated confidence, and her eyes seemed to hold light—the kind of girl many men would dream of as their first love.

"Of course you're pretty. To be honest, you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, Sister. Sister Chizuko comes second."

"Hahaha."

Mitsuchi Mi instinctively covered her mouth with her left hand and chuckled softly. "Such a smooth talker. No wonder Sister Chizuko seemed to like you back home—she must see you as a little brother."

"Of course. Since you're so beautiful, Sister, I always max out my affection for pretty older women."

Natsu Hiraku put on a proud expression, then cut straight to the point. "That ring you were wearing on your left hand earlier was really pretty. Why didn't you bring it out?"

"That thing... it's too precious. Losing it... wouldn't be good."

Mitsuchi Mi answered with a bitter look, as if recalling something.

"But I'm here. I'll protect you for these fifteen days. Forget the ring—even if a strand of your hair fell off outside, I could find it for you."

That wasn't a joke. With the Sharingan fully active, he could count even a flake of dandruff falling, let alone a hair.

"That... depends on the situation."

Mitsuchi Mi didn't outright refuse, nor did she agree. That ring was left to her by her mother before she died. Every time she wore it, she felt like her mother was beside her, kissing her forehead.

If she lost it, she'd regret it for life.

"I see."

Natsu Hiraku glanced at Mitsuchi Mi. Her eyes were lowered now, tears faintly visible at the corners, as if recalling something sad.

By now, it wasn't hard to guess—that cursed spirit really was her mother. All he had to do was encourage her to take this step, let her wear the ring out and interact with him more.

Let it get familiar with his scent, then on the last night, he could steal the ring and go one-on-one.

Although that was the general plan, the real headache right now was figuring out how to encourage her to take off the ring and take her first step in life. Should I just keep the Sharingan on her the whole time, watching for every strand of hair that falls?

Forget it...

I'd run out of chakra in half an hour, and women's shopping trips take at least three hours. That plan won't work...

Better to save the Sharingan for where it actually matters, like copying taijutsu techniques tonight.

What a pain. I just don't get women. Maybe I'll give Maki a call when I have time?

Yeah, that's the plan. But first, I need to deal with the tails following us.

We've only been out for ten minutes, and they're already tailing us this openly?

Are they looking down on me?

Natsu Hiraku glanced sideways with his peripheral vision. From the road's reflective mirror, he could spot one at the corner a hundred meters ahead. There were two plainclothes men behind them, who had been following for four minutes now. They looked like they were chatting, but their distance was perfectly controlled, keeping a steady pull-and-drag with them.

Seemed like they wanted to follow a bit longer before making a move.

He lowered his voice to warn Mitsuchi Mi: "Stop at that alley up ahead in a bit. A few people are following us. If you're scared, just close your eyes—I'll chase them off."

Natsu Hiraku's warning snapped Mitsuchi Mi out of her thoughts. She quickly wiped the tears from her eyes and said, "You didn't see anything just now. I wasn't crying. I just got some sand in my eyes."

"Alright. Who's the boss now? You're paying, so I keep my mouth shut. This beautiful sight I'll keep in my heart forever."

Natsu Hiraku leaned in as if to plant a deep, passionate kiss, but Mitsuchi Mi blocked him with her hand, her voice sharp:

"Don't get cheeky. Where'd you learn all these flirting tricks? A kid your age not learning anything good—how many girls have you already ruined?"

"None. Heaven and earth as my witness, I haven't ruined a single one."

"That's what all scumbags say."