Mahito transformed into a bird and soared freely over several streets before finally landing atop Tokyo Tower.
Kenjaku had been waiting there for some time. "Well? What kind of soul does Chiyo Shin have?"
Mahito stuck out his tongue. "Disgusting. Touching his soul felt like touching a person stitched together from all sorts of creatures."
"I see." Listening to Mahito's description, Kenjaku suddenly recalled a secret document left by the head of the Qin family fifteen hundred years ago, which he had discovered while researching.
The head of the Qin family and Tengen had disagreed over the development of curses.
From then on, the two most powerful people in the country went their separate ways.
After years devoted to their respective pursuits, Tengen perfected his Barrier Technique and proposed establishing empty barriers across Japan to draw the entire world's curses into the country.
That would allow them to monitor curses.
Whenever a curse appeared, they could dispatch sorcerers to exorcise it.
The plan quickly won unanimous approval from Jujutsu Society, as well as the emperor's authorization.
But when the head of the Qin family heard about it, he furiously emerged from seclusion to argue with Tengen.
Neither could convince the other, and they came to blows.
Though Tengen had perfected his Barrier Technique, he was still no match for the Qin family head's astonishing destructive power.
They fought for a full day and night, with the Qin family head finally emerging victorious.
Just as the Qin family head thought this battle would make Tengen change his mind and abandon the plan,
the gravely wounded Tengen said, "If you cannot kill me today, I will resume my grand plan after you die."
The Qin family head was horrified.
How could he truly kill the old friend he had sparred with all his life? Helpless, he turned and left.
Supported by his subordinates, Tengen also returned to recuperate.
Once the Qin family head returned home, he refused all visitors and never emerged again.
Tengen's Cursed Technique was immortality. The Qin family head knew full well that he could never outlive him.
After careful consideration, the Qin family head stopped cultivating and relinquished his position.
He then hid himself in a secret chamber to research ways to extend his life, hoping to stop Tengen in the future.
Whether that first head of the Qin family had succeeded, Kenjaku did not know.
But Chiyo Shin was very likely one of the products of his research.
The Collapse Cursed Technique did not lie. Chiyo Shin had to have an inseparable connection to the Qin family.
A stitched-together soul? No matter. Soul Offering doesn't care about that. It just makes things a little less entertaining.
"That's enough information. Come on, Mahito. Time to head back." With that, Kenjaku jumped off the tower.
Mahito transformed into a large bird and followed close behind.
Tokyo Jujutsu High
As soon as Kento Nanami got out of the car, he called Satoru Gojo to discuss the cursed spirit attack.
Meanwhile, Ijichi arranged rooms for Junpei Yoshino and Nagi Yoshino.
Inside their newly assigned room,
Junpei Yoshino told Nagi Yoshino everything that had happened to him over the past few days.
Nagi Yoshino's heart clenched as she listened.
She had never imagined her son had endured so much where she couldn't see. She lifted Junpei Yoshino's bangs and looked at the cigarette scars on his forehead.
Unable to hold back any longer, she pulled Junpei Yoshino into her arms and broke down sobbing.
Junpei Yoshino hugged his mother back and wept quietly.
Nobara Kugisaki, Chiyo Shin, Megumi Fushiguro, and Yuji Itadori sat in the lounge.
"That's what happened. If we hadn't been in a residential area, I'd have scattered its ashes already." Chiyo Shin finished speaking and took a huge gulp of cola.
"You just relied too much on your own strength. You didn't even bring a Cursed Tool." Nobara Kugisaki munched on chips and offered some to Yuji Itadori.
"Yeah, fair enough. You're right, Kugisaki. If I'd brought a Cursed Tool, I'd have had more ways to attack." Sprawled across the couch, Chiyo Shin pawed at Megumi Fushiguro.
Megumi Fushiguro slapped his hand away. "Then, given that cursed spirit's ability, why did it keep vomiting after touching you?"
"How should I know?" Chiyo Shin wiped his cheek again.
"Hahaha! Chiyo's soul must be ugly and disgusting," Nobara Kugisaki said with a laugh.
"Tch. My soul is absolutely flawless. That Mahito just couldn't handle how pure it was.
"And Kugisaki, have you learned the detailed domain guide I gave you yet?" Chiyo Shin sat up, snatched the chips straight out of Nobara Kugisaki's hand, and began stuffing his mouth, leaning his face toward her as he ate.
"Heh heh, Chiyo." Looking at his obnoxious expression, Nobara Kugisaki slowly pulled out her hammer.
The instant the hammer came down, Chiyo Shin's face snapped back out of its path.
"You're nowhere near ready to hit me." Chiyo Shin plopped down on the couch and tossed the empty chip bag onto Megumi Fushiguro.
With a dark expression, Megumi Fushiguro removed the chip bag and began chanting, "Furube Yurayura..."
"Holy shit! That's overkill! Overkill!" Chiyo Shin launched himself forward and clamped a hand over Megumi Fushiguro's mouth.
"It's okay, Chiyo. Fushiguro hasn't made the hand sign." Looking at the mess strewn across the floor, Yuji Itadori fetched the broom from the corner.
"Scared me to death. Haha, I knew Megumi couldn't bear to hit me." Chiyo Shin promptly collapsed into Megumi Fushiguro's arms.
Megumi Fushiguro's brow twitched. "Eight-handled..."
"I'm going! I'm going!" Seeing Megumi Fushiguro's hands beginning to form the sign, Chiyo Shin scrambled back to normal.
Chiyo Shin straightened up. "Where were we? Right. I'll make sure to bring all my Cursed Tools whenever I go out on a mission."
"You all get along so well."
Junpei Yoshino came out of his room and saw the lively scene in the lounge. He would have been lying if he said he wasn't envious.
Everyone in the lounge turned toward him at the sound of his voice, making him feel a little embarrassed.
Seeing how tense Junpei Yoshino was, Chiyo Shin called out, "Want to join us, Junpei?"
"Can I?" Junpei Yoshino asked.
"Of course you can. Come on over." Chiyo Shin beckoned impatiently.
Junpei Yoshino walked over to them. Megumi Fushiguro and Nobara Kugisaki were unfamiliar faces, but he still sat down beside Yuji Itadori.
"Give everyone a proper introduction." Chiyo Shin handed him the cola to use as a microphone.
Junpei Yoshino took the makeshift microphone and stood up. "Um, hello, everyone. My name is Junpei Yoshino. I like manga and movies. It's nice to meet you all."
"Welcome!" Everyone applauded.
A smile spread across Junpei Yoshino's face as he listened to the applause. This felt so nice.
"So, Junpei, do you want to join us?" Chiyo Shin asked, holding out his hand.
"Me?" Junpei Yoshino pointed at himself in confusion.
"Yes," Chiyo Shin said firmly.
For a moment, Junpei Yoshino didn't know what to do. "But I..."
"Go ahead, Junpei." Nagi Yoshino had also entered the lounge and heard Chiyo Shin's invitation.
Junpei Yoshino turned to his mother. Nagi Yoshino nodded gently, giving him her support.
"Okay. I'll join." Junpei Yoshino firmly grasped Chiyo Shin's outstretched hand.
"Haha, I knew it. Here's another present for you." Smiling, Chiyo Shin placed his hand over Junpei Yoshino's bangs.
Junpei Yoshino felt only a brief itch. When he reached up to touch his forehead again, it was perfectly smooth.
"A fresh start, Junpei. Welcome to Jujutsu High." Chiyo Shin slung an arm around Junpei Yoshino's shoulders.
Watching them, Megumi Fushiguro and Nobara Kugisaki shared knowing smiles.
Before you continue