At the Training Ground, Sakurada Niji had not taken any missions lately because his Cursed Tool, [Skyward Support], was damaged. At first, it had seemed that only the handle was broken, but when he swung [Skyward Support] yesterday, he discovered that its ability to ignore most air resistance had vanished. He could only entrust the Jujutsu Association with repairing it.
The way [Cursed Tools] were made had always been a mystery. Some said they were ordinary weapons transformed by prolonged exposure to cursed energy. Others said they were what Jujutsu Sorcerers became after death. Some claimed that both cursed spirits and Jujutsu Sorcerers could be made into Cursed Tools, while others said they were created by Jujutsu Sorcerers with special cursed techniques.
None of these claims could be verified. All anyone knew was that Cursed Tools were more common among the three great clans, especially the Zenin Clan. Its bodyguard force of non-sorcerers, the [Kukuru Unit], consisted of clan members who had not awakened a cursed technique. With so many Cursed Tool users in its ranks, the Zenin Clan kept a large stock of Cursed Tools in its armory.
For now, all he could surmise was that Cursed Tools without special effects were fairly common, but those with special properties generally carried price tags in the hundreds of millions.
"I wonder how much the repairs will cost... Damn Jogo... I really hope cursed spirits can be used as materials for Cursed Tools..." Sakurada Niji practiced his cursed technique reversal at the Training Ground.
He could now use cursed technique reversal to make things he had fixed in place "move," and he could also make direct contact with "space" in another form. He had originally wanted to develop something like teleportation, but after researching it, he realized that unless he wanted to ride the Satoru Gojo Express, developing a more efficient way to travel might take a long time.
Now he was trying to shape cursed energy into weapons, fix them in place, and then use them. After trying this for a while, however, he discovered that these "weapons" were incredibly cost-inefficient.
The reason was that although he could swing these "weapons" made with his cursed technique, Sakurada Niji could not perceive cursed energy at a finer level. For now, he could not make weapons with greater "sharpness." They were only as effective as ordinary blades, and these "weapons" were little different from disposable tools.
Making them move doesn't consume much cursed energy, but if I want to fight with these "weapons," I'll have to keep pouring cursed energy into them whenever they take a hit to maintain the stability of the cursed technique inside.
Of these "weapons," only throwable "spears" and "throwing knives" are cost-effective enough to use in combat. They don't consume much, and I don't have to worry about how long they last. But if I want to improve my accuracy, I've got plenty to learn...
Over the past few days, Sakurada Niji had done little besides develop his cursed technique and assist Shoko. Her lessons on human musculature had greatly improved the healing efficiency of his reverse cursed technique. He now knew how to quickly assess different injuries and identify which bodily tissues to prioritize when healing. This allowed him to regain his fighting strength as quickly as possible after nonfatal wounds or the loss of a limb.
Rather than spend cursed energy maintaining a weapon, he was better off using a Cursed Tool and coating its edge with a spatial saw blade that kept "rotating." Although he still could not make very fine saw blades, they were good enough against enemies whose flesh was less resilient.
Sakurada Niji could now use his cursed technique to cut inorganic matter at will-Toji did not count. The principle was that once he fixed a target in place with cursed technique lapse, he could use cursed technique reversal to freely "move" the fixed target. The wall in front of him was the best example.
Sakurada Niji fixed half of it in place with cursed technique lapse, then used cursed technique reversal to move the other half, achieving a "cut" with an exceptionally smooth surface.
Ugh, it feels like my brain's about to burn out... The most important thing now is figuring out how to observe cursed energy at a finer level. Right now, I can only manipulate it on the surface, not break it down any further. Is it really impossible to see it without the Six Eyes?
Sakurada Niji's total cursed energy reserves exceeded Satoru Gojo's, but Satoru Gojo could execute his cursed technique with the smallest possible amount of cursed energy and use it with almost no loss. This was the gift of the Six Eyes, something virtually no one else could achieve.
If Sakurada Niji could gain finer control over cursed energy, he would be able to reduce his consumption and double the amount of time he could fight.
Should I approach this through medicine...? Have Satoru observe how his Six Eyes work, then work with Shoko to study them. We could probably develop a technique to modify the eyes. Even if all it gave me was the basic ability to observe cursed energy, that would be more than enough.
Sakurada Niji had hit upon the brilliant idea of having Satoru Gojo observe himself.
Satoru probably wouldn't agree to let Shoko and me dissect him... What a shame... Eyes that beautiful deserve to be studied!!
After only a few days of learning from Shoko, Sakurada Niji's thinking had already begun heading in the direction of a mad scientist. He believed that every idea he had now was for the advancement of Jujutsu Society and science, without any personal grudges mixed in.
After experimenting for a good while longer, Sakurada Niji felt that his cursed energy was nearly depleted. He left the Training Ground and headed toward the dorms.
As soon as he reached the dorm area, Sakurada Niji spotted Suguru Geto, who had already returned. He was sitting on the floor outside the dorm, leaning against the wall with his head lowered, seemingly lost in thought.
Sakurada Niji walked over to Suguru Geto and slowly sat down beside him, leaning against the wall.
"Geto, what's wrong? Too many of those missions? Take me with you tomorrow..." Sakurada Niji said to Suguru Geto beside him.
"Hmm...? Niji... Oh, sorry. I'm exhausted. I dozed off for a bit just now..." Suguru Geto slowly raised his head. The dark circles around his eyes made it obvious that he had barely slept lately.
"Geto, take me on your mission tomorrow. I'll handle those jobs." Sakurada Niji faced Suguru Geto and earnestly repeated what he had just said.
At Sakurada Niji's words, Suguru Geto seemed to perk up a little. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, as though he did not believe Sakurada Niji could handle missions that tested one's humanity.
"Are you underestimating me? I don't have a shred of pity for evil people." Sakurada Niji looked Suguru Geto straight in the eye and spoke each word deliberately.
After hearing that, Suguru Geto braced himself against the wall, stood up, and stretched.
"Okay, okay, okay~ I believe you~ We'll go together tomorrow. Think of it as me taking you out for a drive~" Suguru Geto replied dismissively.
Sakurada Niji looked indignant. Just as he was about to say something, Suguru Geto spoke again.
"Ahh~~ I'm sleepy~ Off to bed~ See you tomorrow." Suguru Geto yawned, slowly walked into his dorm room, and closed the door.
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