How Did His Thinking Get Led Astray?

Asking Aikawa Kaze to draw up a detailed plan with a step one, step two, and so on was actually a little unrealistic.

Ultimately, he was still all talk at this point. He had never put any of this into practice, and he couldn't guarantee his methods were right. Still, his overall approach was at least somewhat better than that of these two guys who had poured all their skill points into combat.

As the saying went, Flower Planting Country's compulsory education might not make you a top expert, but at least in theory, it taught you the basic knowledge you would encounter in every aspect of life.

Aikawa Kaze figured that even if he hadn't specifically studied political maneuvering, he was still better off than jujutsu sorcerers who had no awareness of it whatsoever.

Suguru Geto's choice-to kill all ordinary people and build a world for jujutsu sorcerers-was an outright rejection on account of its adolescent delusions and crimes against humanity. Even Satoru Gojo's choice was, to some extent, a little too sweet and innocent.

Of course, compared with a certain guy with weird bangs, Satoru Gojo's choice was still reassuring enough.

Thankfully, Satoru Gojo hadn't chosen to simply slaughter the entire rotten upper echelon of Jujutsu Society. Instead, he had chosen to nurture fresh blood through education to replace those Old Conservatives. Otherwise, this would have been much harder to handle.

"Gojo Sensei's approach is moderate reform, but that approach alone is still far from enough. As the saying goes, 'engage with conventional forces, win with unconventional ones.' Gojo Sensei is missing that unconventional force."

Seeing the baffled looks on their faces, Aikawa Kaze knew they didn't quite understand what he meant, so he simply searched for the movies about mutants.

"That's why I suggested you watch this series. It'll make it easier for us to draw comparisons."

"Do you think we're a couple of dinosaurs?" Satoru Gojo curled his lip in displeasure. "Geto and I watch movies and play games together all the time. We saw this series ages ago. What's the problem?"

"I hope you still remember the general plot."

"I remember. The setting is that some humans have awakened special abilities and become mutants. Then the mutants split into radicals and moderates, and various stories happen because of their differing views, right? There are similarities, sure, but it's different too."

Suguru Geto recalled the plot and shook his head.

"Everyone knows mutants exist, whereas people don't know about jujutsu sorcerers-and more importantly, mutants aren't like jujutsu sorcerers. They're persecuted by ordinary people too, but they don't have cursed spirits they have to face or sacrifices they have to make..."

"That's not the aspect I mean." Aikawa Kaze shook his head. "Since you both remember the plot, don't you find the positions of the radical Magneto and the moderate Professor X interesting?"

"Come to think of it, it's basically always Magneto and his followers causing trouble, and then Professor X's students or subordinates handle it... huh?"

As Satoru Gojo spoke, he began rubbing his chin, his expression turning curious. He had a vague sense that he had stumbled onto something crucial.

Suguru Geto nodded thoughtfully too.

The leaders of those two factions had once been close friends, and both fought for the happiness of mutants. They had only parted ways because their ideals and chosen paths differed.

That storyline felt strongly familiar, though it wasn't exactly uncommon. It was just that...

"Whenever the government introduces a law or something happens that's bad for mutants, the radical Magneto goes out and causes trouble."

"Then the moderate Professor X steps forward to oppose him and resolve the problem. The government owes him one, so it can only make a concession..."

"Mutants who want stability and lean toward order get taken in by Professor X, while those who want more radical reform join Magneto. And on top of that, the two sides team up in emergencies..."

"Not only that, to fight the radicals, the authorities have to appease the moderates by giving them certain benefits and preferential treatment..."

"With the moderates mediating, they can sometimes serve as a bridge between the authorities and the radicals."

Neither Satoru Gojo nor Suguru Geto had initially considered that angle. After Aikawa Kaze pointed it out, they began taking turns adding to the discussion, their eyes growing brighter and brighter.

At first, it still sounded as though they were discussing the plot. Later, they had moved beyond the story altogether, as if they could see a brand-new future.

They exchanged a look and saw the eagerness in each other's eyes. It was as though they were back in their Jujutsu High days, working together in perfect sync to pull a prank.

By analogy, Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto both wanted Jujutsu Society to improve and jujutsu sorcerers to be happier. It was just that Suguru Geto belonged to the radical kill-them-all faction, while Satoru Gojo belonged to the moderate reform faction.

Then wouldn't what came next follow perfectly naturally?

"I'm gradually building up my own people and finding ways to replace those Old Conservatives."

Satoru Gojo closed his eyes, remembering the subordinates and students who had died.

Over the years, it wasn't as though he hadn't recruited like-minded subordinates or trained students he liked and admired. But whenever he got busy and let his guard slip, those people became easy targets.

"Those old bastards can't do anything to me openly, but they're always pulling tricks behind my back to get rid of the other members of the Gojo Faction."

"That's when I should step in."

Suguru Geto nodded, an exaggeratedly malicious grin spreading across his face.

"I'm the radical, after all! For the sake of jujutsu sorcerers, I'll eliminate the higher-ups who assassinate them or secretly plot against them. I'll also make trouble for them over certain unreasonable rules."

"Exactly! Mr. Geto, you're strong. No one but Gojo Sensei is a match for you, so they can only turn to Gojo Sensei for help."

Aikawa Kaze clapped, then turned his gaze to Satoru Gojo.

"So what would our clever, powerful Gojo Sensei do in that situation?"

"Haha, naturally, I'd demand that they change their unreasonable rulings or policies—and depending on the situation, I'd have Geto get rid of the stubborn Tangerine Peels. The Old Conservatives who can still follow orders and be useful can stay for the time being to keep Jujutsu Society running."

"Full marks for both Gojo Sensei and Mr. Geto!"

Aikawa Kaze clapped like a seal, then offered another prompt.

"Question! What should you do if the Jujutsu Higher-Ups order Gojo Sensei to kill Mr. Geto?"

"Let them! As long as I don't admit anything, who the hell can make me? If they're so capable, they can send someone else after Geto!"

"Wrong answer!"

Aikawa Kaze crossed his arms into a big X and looked at Suguru Geto.

"Mr. Geto, your answer, please!"

Suguru Geto didn't speak right away. He thought for a moment before answering.

"Argue with Satoru a few more times and fight him a few more times. The fiercer, the better. Whatever the people who know the truth or a few others might suspect, we at least need most people-most of the higher-ups, at the very least-to believe we've broken with each other."

"Exactly! That's the key."

Aikawa Kaze nodded. If they were going to play off each other, they had to make it convincing.

"Even if you can't make them believe you've really broken with each other, you at least have to leave them uncertain. You can't let them know you're putting on an act."

Only then could the two collude, one out in the open and one in the shadows, working from both inside and outside to reform Jujutsu Society faster and more effectively.

-Wait, wasn't something off here?

Suguru Geto nodded instinctively, only to suddenly realize the problem.

Wait, hadn't he already "broken" with Satoru ages ago? Why were they making it sound as though they hadn't fallen out at all, but were in cahoots instead?

And wasn't his grand cause to kill all ordinary people and build a world with only jujutsu sorcerers? Why had he somehow been talked into helping Satoru Gojo and Aikawa Kaze reform Jujutsu Society?

At what point had his thinking started getting led astray?