First meeting

Three years passed in the blink of an eye.

The Zenin Clan's training room had long since lost the exhilaration of those early breakthroughs. In its place was an unfathomable stillness.

Zhiyan sat upright at the stone table beneath an ancient tree in the courtyard. His fingertips shifted gently, pale blue cursed energy winding between them like flowing water.

Three years of honing his abilities had made the symbiotic power of four Shikigami sources instinctive. The Divine Dogs' perception and wind control, Toad's battlefield-controlling mucus, Rabbit Escape's swift clones, and Nue's thunder were already extensions of his own body. He had also tamed two more Shikigami, Great Serpent and Max Elephant, and performed Source Exchange with them.

He was no longer the boy who had needed to experiment cautiously with exchanging sources. Across the entire Jujutsu Society, no one of his generation could match him. Even some of the Zenin Clan's veteran sorcerers could gain no advantage against him.

His presence was calm and steady, without the slightest hint of a sharp edge. Only those who truly approached him could sense the terrifying power concealed beneath that peaceful exterior.

In his hands, the Ten Shadows Technique had long since transcended the framework of its thousand-year legacy and reached an entirely new realm.

"Big brother-"

A bright, sweet voice abruptly broke the courtyard's silence.

A small figure rushed over and threw her arms around Zhiyan's arm. She tilted up her delicate little face, her dark eyes sparkling as she gazed at him, while her small hand tugged and shook the hem of his clothes in unabashed pleading.

It was Wana.

"Big brother, take me out to play~" Wana rocked his arm, her little brows drawing together as grievance filled her voice. "It's so boring at home. All I do is train and read. It's no fun at all! I'm going stir-crazy!"

Zhiyan lowered his gaze to the clingy little girl nestled against him. His hand paused over the page he was turning, and he gave a helpless sigh.

Over these three years, he had watched Wana grow little by little. She had inherited the Zenin Clan's exceptional talent and had a lively, charming disposition, with just two particular traits-she was extraordinarily attached to him, and once she set her mind on something, she would never give up.

He gently stroked her soft hair, his gaze settling on the lush old tree in the courtyard. His voice softened, though his resolve allowed no argument. "Wana, you're still little. Outside isn't like home. There are too many dangers."

"What dangers?" Wana immediately tipped her head back, her lips pursing as she protested.

"Cursed spirits, and Curse Users who are even more frightening than cursed spirits." Zhiyan's voice was quiet, but a trace of coldness lay beneath it. "They hide in the shadows of the city and target young sorcerers from the clans who have bounties on their heads and unstable cursed energy. You can't protect yourself yet."

"I don't care, I don't care!" Wana simply clung to his arm, rubbing her little head against him. "Please take me out just once, big brother! Just once! You're so strong. I know you can protect me!"

Her persistence made Zhiyan's brow twitch. The composure he maintained even in the most dangerous situations now gave way to a few traces of helpless surrender.

"When you're a little older, I'll take you out to play, all right?" he tried to coax her.

At those words, Wana's lips immediately turned down, and her eyes reddened as though she might burst into tears at any moment. Her little voice was thick with hurt. "Big brother~ I'm already eight! And I've awakened my cursed technique!"

She suddenly raised her small hand, a faint sheen of cursed energy glowing across her palm, and proudly puffed out her chest. "My cursed technique is just like Father's! I'm not a little kid who can't do anything anymore. Please take me out, big brother-"

Faced with her refusal to give up, coupled with those moist eyes full of hope, Zhiyan finally ran out of ways to resist.

He fell silent for a moment, let out a long sigh, and helplessly tapped Wana's forehead with a fingertip.

"...I really can't say no to you."

Wana's eyes instantly lit up, as though filled with starlight.

"Just this once," Zhiyan said, his voice growing serious again. "Once we're outside, you must stay right beside me. Not even half a step away. Whatever you see, you can't run off, shout, or use your cursed technique without permission. Can you do that?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Wana nodded eagerly, her little head bobbing up and down. A brilliant smile spread across her face as she wrapped her arms around Zhiyan's neck and planted a loud kiss on his cheek. "You're the best, big brother! I'll be really good!"

Zhiyan shook his head helplessly, but a faint tenderness slipped into his eyes.

He stood and instructed a servant to notify Naobito Zenin, then selected several clan sorcerers to accompany them. Only after confirming that everything was arranged did he take Wana's soft little hand and walk toward the Zenin Clan's gates.

They climbed into a private car. The Zenin Clan's high walls gradually receded behind them, and the bustle and warmth of the city came rushing in.

Traffic filled the streets, and pedestrians streamed to and fro. In the world of ordinary people, there were no fluctuations of cursed energy or howls of cursed spirits, only the warmth of everyday life.

Wana's eyes widened with curiosity. She pressed herself against the car window, looking this way and that, so delighted she could almost have jumped up.

After leaving the car, Zhiyan led Wana through the crowd, his presence concealed flawlessly. He looked like an ordinary teenage boy taking his little sister out, while the accompanying sorcerers kept their distance. Yet deep in his eyes, he remained utterly calm and vigilant.

The Divine Dogs' perception spread like an invisible net, firmly covering every inch of space around the pair. No abnormal fluctuation of cursed energy, no trace of hidden malice, could escape his notice.

Over the past three years, he had done more than shut himself away to train at the Zenin Clan's estate. Curse Users had become increasingly rampant in the city. Unlike cursed spirits, which killed on instinct alone, they possessed intelligence and cursed techniques. Ruthless and vicious, they delighted in hunting sorcerers for bounties, making them a more troublesome threat than cursed spirits.

That was the real reason he had always been reluctant to take Wana outside.

In the shadows ordinary people could not see, greedy, sinister eyes were always watching.

"Big brother, look at that candy figure!" Wana tugged his hand and pointed excitedly at a roadside stall, her eyes sparkling.

Zhiyan followed her gaze, the corners of his lips lifting almost imperceptibly. He was about to step forward when he suddenly stopped.

At that moment, the air around them inexplicably grew cold.

Through the Divine Dogs' perception, he sensed a cold, clinging current of cursed energy steeped in murderous intent. Like a venomous snake, it silently coiled toward him from deep within an alley, its target unmistakable-him.

Curse Users.

The tenderness in Zhiyan's eyes vanished in an instant, replaced by a fathomless, icy stillness.

Without drawing attention, he gently moved Wana behind him. Cursed energy flickered in his palm.

"Wana," he said in a low, calm voice devoid of emotion, "close your eyes and hold on to my clothes. Whatever happens, don't open your eyes or turn around."

Wana sensed the change in her brother's tone. The excitement vanished from her little face, and she obediently nodded, gripping the hem of Zhiyan's clothes and closing her eyes.

Zhiyan slowly raised his gaze and looked calmly toward a narrow, shadowy alley.

Several hunched figures emerged slowly from the darkness, grotesque, greedy smiles on their faces, their cursed energy filthy and foul.

"That brat who's the Zenin Clan's heir... and the one beside him is worth plenty too," the leading Curse User said with a sinister chuckle, licking his lips. "What luck. Two treasures in one go..."

Zhiyan said nothing.

In that instant, his cursed energy erupted.

He summoned no Shikigami, formed no hand signs, and made not a single unnecessary movement.

Whirling wind instantly wrapped around his fingertips.

The leading Curse User sneered at the sight and was about to channel his cursed energy to resist when Zhiyan's eyes darkened and his fingers flicked.

In a flash, several Wind Blades slashed unerringly toward every Curse User!

Faint whistles cut through the air at the alley entrance. The Wind Blades pierced their cursed energy pathways with precision and slammed them to the ground. They lay twitching, too severely wounded to rise, even their screams reduced to feeble cries.

In no more than an instant, every Curse User who had been swaggering moments earlier lost the ability to resist. They lay sprawled on the ground, unable to move.

Zhiyan lowered his fingers, reining in his sharp aura slightly while remaining vigilant. Without turning his head, he ordered in a low voice, "Take them into custody and hand them over to Jujutsu Headquarters."

The Zenin sorcerers standing guard nearby immediately stepped forward. They deftly produced restraining Cursed Tools, bound the gravely wounded Curse Users securely, and quickly escorted them aside to await further orders.

Zhiyan lowered his head to Wana, who still clutched his clothes behind him, her little face slightly pale. His voice softened at once, and he gently stroked her head. "Wana, it's all right now. The bad people have been subdued."

Wana raised her moist eyes, glanced at the Curse Users being led away, then looked up at her brother's gentle expression. Her small body trembled slightly before she nodded firmly. Her hands relaxed again, taking hold of his sleeve.

"The rest of you, follow on either side. There's no need to come close," Zhiyan instructed the accompanying sorcerers again, his tone calm.

The remaining Zenin sorcerers respectfully acknowledged the order and spread out a short distance around them. They discreetly established a protective perimeter, neither disturbing the siblings nor sacrificing their ability to respond immediately to any sudden danger.

Zhiyan took Wana's soft little hand again. The steady warmth of his palm soothed her lingering fright as he walked toward the candy-figure stall that had made her eyes light up.

The city remained warm and bustling, filled with traffic and voices. It was as though that fleeting moment of danger had never happened.

Holding Wana's hand, Zhiyan strolled along the lively street. The icy stillness in his eyes had long since faded, leaving only tenderness for the little girl beside him. His fingers occasionally tightened gently to make sure she remained safely at his side.

Sunlight fell over them, blending their shadows into a warm outline. The sweetness of candy and the comforting aromas of street food drifted toward them. The danger they had encountered was merely a brief interruption in this ordinary outing, erased almost as soon as it appeared.

A warm breeze carried a sweet scent along the street. Wana's nose twitched, and the colorful desserts in a nearby display window immediately caught her attention. Her dark eyes shone like stars as she tugged hard on Zhiyan's hand, her light steps almost turning into skips.

"Big brother, big brother! Look over there! A dessert shop! So many pretty sweets!"

Her tug briefly checked Zhiyan's stride. Seeing her excitement, he smiled with helpless indulgence and let her pull him into the warmly decorated dessert shop.

The sweet scent of cream filled the shop, and warm yellow light shone down, soothing and inviting.

Wana immediately fixed her eyes on a photograph of Cherry Blossom Snow Daifuku displayed on the counter. It was the shop's specialty, with soft pink-and-white wrappers enclosing cherry blossom filling, so enticing that she could not look away. She tilted up her little face and tugged Zhiyan's sleeve. "Big brother, I want that! Cherry Blossom Snow Daifuku!"

Zhiyan nodded and was about to place their order when the uniformed clerk bowed slightly, looking apologetic. "I'm very sorry, but this customer has just purchased our last two servings of Cherry Blossom Snow Daifuku."

As the clerk spoke, they indicated a girl beside the counter.

Zhiyan turned, his gaze settling on the small figure.

The girl wore a simple, light-colored dress, her brown hair resting softly beside her ears. Her features were delicate, with a beauty mark at the corner of her right eye and a hint of languid nonchalance. Her lips were lightly pressed together. She was not especially lively, but there was something fresh and comfortable about her.

She held a paper bag containing the daifuku, her fingers lightly pinching its handles. When she looked up, her clear eyes met Zhiyan's.

Wana's lips pursed slightly, and disappointment flickered in her eyes. Still, she was sensible enough not to cry or make a fuss. She merely tugged Zhiyan's sleeve and murmured, "Oh... they're sold out..."

Zhiyan glanced down at the dejected little girl, then turned to Shoko beside them. His presence softened, without the slightest hint of pressure, and he spoke in a calm, clear voice. "Miss, would you be willing to let us have one serving of Cherry Blossom Snow Daifuku? My little sister loves it. I can pay you double."

The girl blinked and looked at Wana, who stood beside Zhiyan gazing longingly at her paper bag. The little girl was delicate and adorable, her eyes full of hope, tinged with shy disappointment.

She looked down at the two servings of daifuku in her bag, then studied the composed boy before her, whose bearing clearly suggested an exceptional background. A faint smile appeared on her previously indifferent face, and she readily held out one serving.

"No need to pay extra. Just give it to her." The girl's voice was soft, with a child's clear tone, yet without the noisiness of most children. "I can't finish two servings by myself anyway."

Wana's eyes instantly lit up. She immediately peeked out from behind Zhiyan and accepted the daifuku with both hands, her little cheeks flushed with gratitude.

After a moment's thought, she lifted her head and addressed the girl with utter seriousness, her voice earnest and sincere:

"Thank you! You're so nice! To thank you, can my brother and I treat you to a meal? Let's go eat something delicious!"

The girl paused in surprise, then could not help smiling, her eyes curving. Some of the languor in her expression faded, replaced by a child's innocence.

Zhiyan was a little surprised as well. He looked down at the little girl, who was determined to repay the kindness, and shook his head helplessly. Still, he did not object, instead saying warmly to the girl, "My sister means it. If you're not in a hurry, please join us for a meal as our thanks."

She tilted her head, glanced out the window, then looked back at Wana, whose enthusiasm made it hard to refuse. She nodded lightly. "Sure. I'll take you up on that, then."

Wana immediately cheered. Hugging her daifuku tightly, she eagerly moved closer and took the girl's hand, looking utterly affectionate.

Watching the two girls holding hands, Zhiyan's eyes softened. He signaled for the accompanying sorcerers to wait outside, then followed the girls and chose a table by the window. Once they had finished their desserts, he planned to take them to a nearby restaurant for a meal.

Warm yellow light fell over the three of them, and sweetness filled the air. The danger in the alley had long since vanished, leaving only the gentlest warmth of everyday life.