Preparation

October 30, 2018.

The air in the medical ward of Tokyo Jujutsu High was thick with the lingering smell of disinfectant. Shiyue Shuo leaned against the headboard, staring at the date on his phone.

Outside the window, the cold late-autumn wind swept through the treetops with a rustling sound. Though Shoko Ieiri's Reverse Cursed Technique had repaired the puncture wound in his forehead, the sensation of having his brain blown open still left a dull ache in his temples.

"Still thinking about that?"

A cool voice rang out. At some point, Satoru Gojo had taken a seat on the windowsill. He was not wearing his blindfold, and his jewel-like Six Eyes glowed faintly blue in the dim room.

[Remember this site's domain name. Read novels every day for an excellent experience!]

"I'm thinking about what we'll be doing at this time tomorrow." Shiyue did not look up. His voice was hoarse, filled with uncertainty.

The talismans were powerful, but they had plenty of limitations. He had to try developing the ability to use multiple talismans during the same time period, but that was easier said than done.

"With the intelligence you gave me, jujutsu sorcerers of every grade and the assistant supervisors have already gone ahead to make preparations." Gojo jumped down from the windowsill and casually pulled a blindfold from his pocket, putting it back on. "October thirty-first. They really picked a good day. They've gone to quite some trouble to seal me."

"Don't let your guard down. My appearance has already caused the cursed spirits' side to revise their plans, and I can't be certain that my intelligence is completely accurate." Shiyue Shuo suddenly looked up, his pink eyes flashing in the darkness.

Gojo stopped walking with his back to Shiyue Shuo. The atmosphere in the ward instantly dropped to its lowest point, pressure unconsciously radiating from the strongest.

"If I still get sealed, what will you do?"

"I'll do my best to reduce our casualties." Shiyue Shuo swung himself out of bed, his bare feet landing on the cold floor. The time when the Shibuya Incident would erupt tomorrow happened to fall within the Dog Talisman's window. It could ensure everyone's safety during that period. Beyond that, they could only leave it to fate.

Gojo fell silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed, his voice brimming with confidence.

"We'll win."

At the same time, in a cold sewer tunnel somewhere in Shibuya.

The dim lights flickered on and off, illuminating the twisted, nauseating lumps of flesh covering the surrounding walls. Mahito sat atop a pile of discarded buckets, fiddling with an extremely tiny Transfigured Human between his fingers.

"Hey, will that brat really come?" Mahito tilted his head, excitement filling his mismatched eyes. "That soul smells so delicious. He got away from me in the basement last time, but this time, I'll crush him with my own hands."

Kenjaku stood in the shadows with both hands tucked into the sleeves of his loose monk's robes, his deep gaze fixed on the map of Shibuya pinned to the wall.

"He'll come. Although we don't know how he learned such detailed information about our plans, we still need to act according to plan." Kenjaku's voice was as calm as stagnant water. "Judging by the battle at Yasohachi Bridge, he should possess more than one ability. To obtain abilities like those, the conditions of his Binding Vow must be quite severe."

"As long as the cursed energy output is high enough, even iron can be reduced to ash." Jogo sat on a pipe nearby and exhaled a plume of scorching smoke. His single eye narrowed as terrifying heat radiated from him.

"Don't measure Binding Vows with your shallow understanding of jujutsu." Kenjaku turned his head, his tone growing colder. "Based on what he showed last night, he should enter a near-immortal state during a certain period at night. The price is likely that he has no means of attack. We can simply ignore him then."

"Wouldn't that be perfect?" Mahito split his lips in a grin, revealing rows of pale teeth. "If we can't kill him, then we'll trap him. Once Gojo is sealed, I'll have all the time in the world to study that interesting soul of his."

"Don't get careless." Kenjaku turned his gaze back to the map, lightly tapping the B5 level of Shibuya Station with his fingertip. "Our top priority is still Satoru Gojo."

"He's just a brat. How much trouble can he possibly cause?"

A somewhat aged yet cold voice sounded from deep within the shadows. Several figures slowly emerged. At the front was an elderly woman dressed simply, with a burly young man wearing a vacant expression beside her.

"Curse users?" Jogo snorted disdainfully. "What are these human trash doing here?"

"Don't underestimate them." Kenjaku smiled faintly. "Besides Ogami, there's Jiro Awasaka and Haruta Shigemo. They'll be responsible for clearing out any lone Jujutsu High sorcerers inside the Curtain."

A short boy with a strange-looking longsword hanging from his waist dangled upside down from the ceiling. It was Haruta Shigemo. Licking his lips, he grinned at Mahito. "Hey, I heard that guy called Shiyue Shuo is really handsome. Can I peel off his face and keep it as a collection?"

"Be my guest." Kenjaku glanced at him, lightly tapping the B5 level of Shibuya Station with his fingertip. "Move the plan forward. We begin this afternoon."

"Oh my, I can't wait!" Mahito split his lips in a grin, baring rows of pale teeth as he instantly crushed the Transfigured Human in his hand.

Kyoto, in a hidden workshop.

This had originally been one of Kokichi Muta's backup underground rooms for relocation. But now, it had become an efficient command center and mechanical factory.

Countless mechanical creations were being produced here. Rows upon rows of Mechamarus stood side by side like an army.

Kokichi Muta stood before an enormous monitor. He wore a fitted Jujutsu High uniform, his eyes filled with determination.

"Muta, everything is ready."

Kasumi Miwa pushed open the door, carrying two cups of coffee. As she looked at the boy before her, a trace of delight still lingered in her eyes.

"Thanks." Kokichi Muta took the coffee. The instant their fingers brushed, warmth surged through his heart.

He suppressed the stirrings in his heart and turned back toward the screen. Thousands of red dots densely covered the display. They were miniature mosquito sensors he had deployed throughout Shibuya in advance through his technique.

"According to Gojo-sensei, the cursed spirits' side will mobilize an unprecedented force this time." Kokichi Muta's voice was low and firm. "Information transmission inside the Curtain may be blocked, but my mechanical puppets are controlled by my technique, so they can communicate normally."

"And there are these puppets with only shells and weapons. I don't know why Shiyue didn't want me controlling their core components, but he must have his reasons. Just transporting them there will be quite an undertaking."

"I'll do my best too." Kasumi Miwa tightened her grip on her katana. Though she still felt weak, there was no retreat in her eyes this time.

Kokichi Muta firmly pressed the activation button in his hand. One unconscious puppet after another was transported up from below and headed toward Shibuya.

"Will we win?"

Add bookmark

Return to table of contents

Report chapter error

Share with friends: