Kenjaku's Training

After musing for a while, Kana Shizumi landed steadily.

Though he had complained about it over and over in his head, Kana Shizumi was actually quite satisfied with his ability when he looked at the reality of things.

After all, having something was better than having nothing.

Sure, right now I can only use my head to attack Gojo's shoe soles, but look at everyone else. Some people couldn't even reach him if they wanted to ram into him! Proud!

At the same time as he familiarized himself with this power, Kana Shizumi also did his best to analyze the current situation, as well as Kenjaku's plans.

Based on the facts, it was probably not difficult for him to figure out what Kenjaku meant by a "complete form."

"Once all six cursed tools are equipped, your attributes gain a flat +30, and each cursed tool can also display some wonderful traits and abilities..."

In terms of basic stats, he could probably match a semi-grade 1 sorcerer. With targeted preparation, matching those weaker grade 1 sorcerers should not be a problem either.

Thinking of that, Kana Shizumi naturally thought of the Death Paintings.

In the original story, Itadori had swallowed all his remaining brothers and sisters. If their current situations were compared side by side... didn't they share another kind of "commonality" as well?

It was just that Kana Shizumi's qualities were clearly somewhat "worse." The cursed tools themselves had already lost their sense of self.

"So is this some common flaw in early works?"

And if that theory was followed through, then perhaps only someone with strength at this level could be considered qualified by Kenjaku.

While the person in question was still thinking, Kenjaku clapped his hands and rose to his feet.

"Alright. Since you've gained quite a bit, you can stay here with me for the next few days."

"...Hm?" Alert.

I'm living with Jail Mom? What does he want...

In contrast to Kana Shizumi's wariness, Kenjaku spoke leisurely in an exceptionally calm tone.

"Given your level, carrying out similar missions from now on would not be easy either. So you need some time first, to become stronger."

He gave a soft hum, as if agreeing with his own opinion, then quietly added,

"With the goal of raising your strength as quickly as possible, reaching that level won't be all that simple... It's a little troublesome. I'll need to weigh the options."

Kana Shizumi instantly perked up when he heard that.

Here it came, here it came.

Jail Mom gives me guns and special training too... Who said motherless children were like grass? I'm doing pretty great!

However, just as had been mentioned before, the jujutsu world itself did not encourage mediocre people to turn things around through hard work...

Kana Shizumi did not think aimless effort would be of much help. After all, the reason Itadori and the others had improved in the original story was, fundamentally, because they were simply "exceptionally gifted."

Didn't you see how 268 Itadori had already swept through the jujutsu world after taking some time to build himself up?

Okkotsu had spent the rest of his life pouring everything into Rika's Ring, forcibly crafting a super cursed tool with his own hands...

So then, what kind of special training could rapidly raise his strength now?

What could it be?

Facing Kana Shizumi's confused gaze, Kenjaku looked up at just the right moment, a subtle smile appearing at the corner of his lips.

"I have it... Let's start by training in Barrier Technique."

Barrier Technique.

Kana Shizumi froze slightly upon hearing those words, then opened his mouth as though he had suddenly understood, wearing an "I see" expression.

He got it.

Just as Kana Shizumi had concluded earlier, when considering abilities that could be directly improved through training...

Barrier Technique was one branch within a broader category.

It sounded simple enough, but it actually had a rather wide range of applications.

At the most basic level, there was the "Curtain" that Jujutsu High and the others set up before taking action. It could block out unnecessary observation and completely isolate battles between sorcerers and cursed spirits.

Some people with greater expertise could even use it as cover.

In the original story, when Gojo tried to handcraft a Thunderous Explosion to give Sukuna an opening surprise, he needed Ijichi to deploy a barrier and slow Sukuna's perception.

And with a Binding Vow in place, it could even exclude certain specific targets.

Of course, those finer details were specific applications.

The "Curtain" within Barrier Technique was the foundation. As long as he mastered it fully, it would make training in this area twice as effective with half the effort.

Additionally.

The special countermeasure shared by the Big Three Families, used to protect oneself within a domain...

The technique known as "Simple Domain" could also be learned and mastered.

Though the original story called it a technique "used by the weak for self-preservation," it actually had its own uses.

Whether for emergencies or to create an information gap, selectively using techniques and playing different "cards" was itself a form of contest during a confrontation.

And in truth, learning these things was not easy.

Because, broadly speaking, knowledge itself was monopolized in the jujutsu world—Simple Domain sounded commonplace, but in reality, it was a special technique known by few sorcerers outside the Big Three Families.

"And the quality of the teacher matters too..."

The original story had mentioned that Kusakabe's way of teaching Itadori was rather crude. They even had to use soul swapping before he could gain a deeper understanding of the various techniques and methods of application.

And who was Kenjaku?

Standing before you now was a thousand-year-old monster, Tengen's best friend, the second user of an open domain in the entire work, and the first person to personally set up the Culling Game barrier...

Honestly.

Other than Tengen, there probably wasn't anyone else in the whole story with deeper mastery of Barrier Technique than Kenjaku.

A PhD personally supervising a high school student's homework!

This time, if you still can't pass, you might as well kill yourself...

Those trivial thoughts flashed through Kana Shizumi's mind, and his expression became somewhat excited.

Because, all things considered, once he mastered Barrier Technique, Kana Shizumi would have a little more confidence as long as he did not directly face a T0-level powerhouse.

And, most importantly.

Barrier Technique was also a necessary prerequisite for unlocking a sorcerer's ultimate move, Domain Expansion!

After all, in essence, Domain Expansion was the manifestation of one's Innate Domain into reality using cursed energy... Without an understanding in this area, accomplishing that would be very difficult.

So this specialized training was, in another sense, also making up Kana Shizumi's foundational weaknesses.

Nothing but benefits.

Wonderful! I'll learn!