A true genius

As a veteran jujutsu sorcerer, and Satoru Gojo's homeroom teacher at that, Masamichi Yaga understood better than anyone what Cursed Technique Lapse: Blue meant.

It was the Gojo Clan's inherited cursed technique, an advanced application of Limitless.

Normally, even clan members fortunate enough to inherit Limitless would meet only one end if they forcibly activated Cursed Technique Lapse: Blue without the atomic-level precision observation and computational assistance provided by the Six Eyes: being torn to pieces by uncontrolled gravitational force.

But what about the boy before him?

He had no Six Eyes, much less any chance of having received systematic training from the Gojo Clan.

Just from a single glance?

Satoru Gojo hadn't even had time to demonstrate it. Had he forcibly reproduced that attack with his less-than-vast cursed energy, simply through Phantom Parade's so-called "analysis of principles"?

What a terrifying talent for cursed energy manipulation!

Behind his sunglasses, Masamichi Yaga's eyes were filled with astonishment.

He had originally thought Li Shunchen was merely a special talent who needed protection. Now, it seemed he was a monster that had yet to fully mature.

Yet if Li Shunchen could have heard Masamichi Yaga's thoughts at that moment, he probably would have rolled his eyes in irritation on the spot.

Easy? Are you kidding me!

In the simulation, I exhausted my cursed energy and passed out hundreds of times practicing this move. It took over a year before I could barely keep it under control at close range...

This was proficiency he had painstakingly ground out through the effects of Overachiever.

The demonstration wasn't over. After stunning Satoru Gojo, Li Shunchen didn't stop. He slowly turned toward Suguru Geto, who sat nearby looking as though he was enjoying the show.

"As for Geto's Cursed Spirit Manipulation, I don't need to demonstrate that, do I?" Li Shunchen spoke casually, as though discussing what to eat for lunch. "After all, there aren't any wild cursed spirits around here for me to capture. And honestly..."

He paused, his eyes showing a trace of utterly genuine disgust, as though he had experienced it himself. "I'm not particularly interested in trying a taste like swallowing a rag used to wipe up vomit."

"Wha...!?"

The composed smile on Suguru Geto's lips instantly froze and shattered.

His pupils contracted sharply, and he practically jolted out of his chair on instinct.

Those words hit him even harder than the demonstration of Cursed Technique Lapse: Blue!

The price of absorbing cursed spirits-that unbearably revolting taste-was a secret he had never mentioned to anyone, an ordeal he bore alone.

Satoru Gojo didn't know. Shoko didn't know. Neither did Mr. Yaga.

Why did this guy he had just met know? And how could his description be so precise?!

Suguru Geto stared fixedly at Li Shunchen. This time, he no longer doubted Phantom Parade's authenticity.

A cursed technique that could even "read" the subject's sensory memories... that was far too unfair.

"All right, that concludes the theoretical verification."

Li Shunchen gave them little time to digest it. He turned and beckoned to Masamichi Yaga at the lectern.

"One last thing, Mr. Yaga. Could you come over and give me a hand?"

"Me?" Still immersed in his earlier shock, Masamichi Yaga pointed at himself and walked over reflexively. "What do you need me to do? Help test the flow of cursed energy?"

"No, let me borrow your hand."

"Like this?"

Though puzzled, Masamichi Yaga extended his large, thick hand, holding it open with the palm facing up.

The next second, cold steel flashed. Without another word, Li Shunchen moved with astonishing speed, drawing Asagirimaru straight from his waist, turning the blade, and slashing hard across Masamichi Yaga's palm!

Slash! Blood splattered, crimson liquid dripping onto the desk in an instant.

"Hey!!" A furious shout rang out as Satoru Gojo, who had still been staring blankly, sprang into action.

Almost instinctively, he flashed to Li Shunchen's side and delivered a cursed-energy-infused knife-hand strike, knocking Asagirimaru hard out of Li Shunchen's hand!

Clang!

The short blade struck the wall, scattering sparks.

"What the hell are you doing?!"

Satoru Gojo seized Li Shunchen by the collar, his azure eyes filled with fury and killing intent.

Though he was usually disrespectful toward Yaga, everyone in this room fell within his circle of protection.

Drawing a blade on one of their own crossed the line.

"Satoru! Calm down!" A hand landed on Satoru Gojo's shoulder.

Suguru Geto had risen at some point as well. He glanced at Shoko Ieiri, who had also stood up nearby, and a glint of understanding flashed through his eyes.

"Let him go. Considering how he just reproduced your cursed technique... he's probably trying to demonstrate that."

Satoru Gojo paused, then released his grip and gave Li Shunchen a suspicious look.

Li Shunchen straightened his rumpled collar, his expression as calm as ever, as though he hadn't been the one Satoru Gojo had nearly beaten up.

He offered no explanation, merely taking Masamichi Yaga's still-bleeding hand again.

Cursed energy surged, but this time it wasn't negative, destructive energy. It was positive cursed energy, warm, gentle, and brimming with vitality.

"Reverse Cursed Technique."

Under everyone's gaze, the wound in Masamichi Yaga's palm, deep enough to expose bone, stopped bleeding, scabbed over, and healed at a visible rate amid a cloud of white steam.

In less than half a minute, his skin was as smooth as before, without even a trace of a scar.

"This...!?" Masamichi Yaga looked at his completely unharmed palm. This time, he was truly shocked speechless.

If reproducing Cursed Technique Lapse: Blue represented a talent for destruction, then this represented strategic-level value.

Within Jujutsu Society, people who could heal themselves with Reverse Cursed Technique were rare, but not nonexistent.

But those who could output Reverse Cursed Technique to heal others were vanishingly rare throughout Jujutsu Society!

Before this, Jujutsu High had only one such treasure: Shoko Ieiri.

"You actually..." Shoko Ieiri, who had remained silent all this time, walked over with an unlit cigarette between her lips. Her usually half-lidded, languid eyes were now wide open.

She took Li Shunchen's hand and turned it over and over, examining it as though she could stare a flower into bloom.

"Hey, newbie, you're going to steal my job." Despite her words, there was a barely perceptible trace of excitement in Shoko's voice.

Finally... I won't have to work around the clock cleaning up after these idiots all by myself?

"A genius... a true genius."

Masamichi Yaga drew a deep breath and delivered his final assessment.

Even with unremarkable hand-to-hand skills and modest cursed energy reserves, Li Shunchen's value was already immeasurable based solely on his all-purpose replication and his ability to use Reverse Cursed Technique on others.

He looked at Li Shunchen as though regarding a piece of uncut jade.

Masamichi Yaga steadied himself, recalling the Grade 2 Cursed Spirit mentioned in the report, which Li Shunchen had exorcised alone. If he could reproduce human cursed techniques...

"Li Shunchen," Masamichi Yaga asked in a low voice, his tone becoming particularly grave, "does Phantom Parade's reading effect work on cursed spirits too?"

To prevent any misunderstanding, he added, "I mean beings like the one you killed that night. If you can analyze cursed spirits' cursed techniques..."

That would mean Li Shunchen could not only learn from his companions, but also expand his repertoire without limit by hunting cursed spirits.

Li Shunchen pretended to ponder and didn't answer immediately. He raised a hand to his chin, a thoughtful look in his eyes, as though recalling the details of that night's battle. Only after a long while did he speak with some uncertainty.

"I think... it should be possible. Before I killed it, I did sense information coming from its cursed energy. But perhaps because I wasn't proficient enough yet, that sensation cut off after I killed it."

It was a perfect answer, acknowledging his potential while leaving room for uncertainty.

Rather than feeling disappointed, Masamichi Yaga nodded emphatically at his words, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Good. Very good."

Satoru Gojo had leaned back against the desk again. As he watched Li Shunchen, the smile on his lips grew wider-a wild grin that came from discovering a new toy... no, a new companion.

"Hey, Geto." He nudged Suguru Geto beside him with his elbow. "Looks like our missions are going to get pretty interesting."

Suguru Geto looked at Li Shunchen, recalling that comparison to vomit, and sighed with mixed feelings. Then he, too, gave a relieved smile. "Yeah. Looks like we won't need to go out of our way to protect him."

This was no newcomer in need of protection... he was clearly a monster that hadn't finished growing yet...