The resolve to lose your life

Because of the sudden crisis involving the star plasma vessel's disappearance, Tan Man's formal introduction to his fellow first-years, Kento Nanami and Yu Haibara, had been delayed.

They were supposed to go through the usual routine of introducing themselves and getting to know one another.

But although all three had taken part in the operation arranged by Masamichi Yaga, they had yet to meet face-to-face.

Even so, Kento Nanami and Yu Haibara had already heard Tan Man's name from Masamichi Yaga, along with the story of his fight with Satoru Gojo and how it had ended with Tan Man defeating him.

The Zenin Clan surname alone, combined with a victory over Satoru Gojo, already spoke volumes.

In the first-year classroom at Tokyo Jujutsu High, Yu Haibara spoke excitedly to Kento Nanami.

"I never thought the person who beat Gojo would be a first-year just like us!"

Kento Nanami was not as optimistic as Yu Haibara. He voiced his concerns.

"Someone that strong doesn't strike me as easy to get along with. After all, the gap between us and him is pretty huge."

Kento Nanami and Yu Haibara's completely different reactions more or less reflected their different approaches to dealing with people.

They did not have to wait long before Masamichi Yaga entered the classroom and stepped up to the lectern.

[A quick note to head off arguments: regarding the teaching arrangements at Tokyo Jujutsu High during this period, this story assumes that Satoru Gojo's emergence temporarily upset the balance between jujutsu sorcerers and cursed spirits, resulting in heavy casualties and leaving even Tokyo Jujutsu High understaffed. After Masamichi Yaga took over as principal, there were no additional jujutsu sorcerers available to serve as teachers, so he currently teaches every year at Tokyo Jujutsu High.]

"All right. I've already told you about him, but now it's time to formally introduce our new student. Come in!"

Masamichi Yaga looked rather grim. There had been no progress on the star plasma vessel case, and Satoru Gojo had told him about Suguru Geto's disappearance the previous night. He had barely rested all night, and anxiety was building inside him.

At Masamichi Yaga's cue, Tan Man calmly slid open the classroom door. He first wrote his name, Tan Man Zenin, on the blackboard, then turned around to introduce himself.

"Nice to meet you. My name is Tan Man Zenin. I look forward to getting along with you."

Masamichi Yaga pointed to Yu Haibara and told Tan Man, "Grade 3 Jujutsu Sorcerer, Yu Haibara."

"I'm Yu Haibara. Nice to meet you."

Next, Masamichi Yaga pointed to Kento Nanami and told Tan Man, "Grade 3 Jujutsu Sorcerer, Kento Nanami."

"I'm Kento Nanami. Nice to meet you."

Just then, Masamichi Yaga's phone rang. The caller was listed as the Jujutsu Headquarters liaison office.

Masamichi Yaga frowned slightly and addressed the three of them.

"Get to know each other for now. I'm going outside to take this call."

With that, Masamichi Yaga immediately turned and left the room, answering his phone.

"Yes, it's me. About what happened last night..."

Yu Haibara immediately hurried over to Tan Man and asked excitedly.

"Zenin, what's your cursed technique?"

Kento Nanami sighed and reminded Yu Haibara.

"Haven't I told you several times? Don't go around asking people about their cursed techniques."

Information about a cursed technique was itself a factor in the tactical struggle of a fight. Of course, voluntarily revealing that information to strengthen the technique was another matter.

It would have been fine if Tan Man wanted to explain it himself, but Kento Nanami still felt it was inappropriate to ask for such sensitive information at their first meeting.

Yu Haibara scratched his head and smiled apologetically.

"Sorry, sorry. I was just really curious about what you used to beat Gojo."

Tan Man simply smiled and replied.

"It's fine. I don't mind. But rather than describing it, showing you directly next time we get the chance would make things clearer."

Tan Man paused, then changed the subject.

"You don't have to call me Zenin. Just call me Tan Man from now on."

Tan Man's response surprised Kento Nanami. He had expected someone like him to be harder to get along with.

While they were talking in the classroom, Satoru Gojo's angry voice rang out in the hallway. He had grabbed Masamichi Yaga by the collar and was demanding answers.

"Why are you still doing nothing? Shouldn't we be getting everyone out there to look for Geto?"

Masamichi Yaga had heard Satoru Gojo's report about what he had found the day before, so he understood why he was so agitated.

Anyone would struggle to stay calm if a companion they spent every day with vanished in the blink of an eye, leaving only a large pool of blood behind, with no sign of them alive or dead.

"Calm down, Satoru. You searched all night. You should understand the situation better than I do. If even you couldn't find him, then the others..."

But before Masamichi Yaga could finish, Satoru Gojo cut him off.

"Don't tell me you're waiting for today's orders from Jujutsu Headquarters so you can send us back out to look for that damned star plasma vessel?!"

"..."

Masamichi Yaga had no answer to Satoru Gojo's accusation. He was no longer merely the teacher of Satoru Gojo and the others. As principal, he had more to consider and was subject to more restrictions from Jujutsu Headquarters.

The regulations governing the duties of jujutsu sorcerers clearly stated that Jujutsu Headquarters had authority over the principal, and in an emergency, it could directly command and supervise all jujutsu sorcerers.

It was not that Masamichi Yaga did not care about his student. The star plasma vessel situation simply took much higher priority right now, and he had no choice but to cooperate with Jujutsu Headquarters.

Moreover, inappropriate though the comparison might be, if anything went wrong with Lord Tengen, it would undoubtedly be a tremendous crisis for Japan.

If Lord Tengen's barriers failed, the damage inflicted by the cursed spirits that had grown stronger because of Satoru Gojo's existence would be unimaginable.

Tan Man appeared just then, and threads of Black Flame instantly wound around Satoru Gojo's wrist.

He said calmly, "You should let go, Gojo. I don't know exactly what happened, but from what I can see, you're just taking your frustration out on Mr. Yaga. That won't solve anything."

Satoru Gojo used Limitless to directly counter the Black Flame Tan Man had released, forcibly snapping its threads as he said irritably.

"Get out of my way. Geto's life is at stake! This has nothing to do with you, so stop interfering!"

Tan Man simply countered in a calm voice.

"I think I understand what happened, but don't you think you're being a little childish? This isn't how you solve the problem. Besides, as jujutsu sorcerers, aren't we supposed to be prepared to lose our lives at any moment?"

Tan Man's words struck a nerve. Satoru Gojo's expression turned cold, and he glared at Tan Man as he asked.

"Then are you prepared to lose yours?"

"Would you like to find out, Gojo?"