God and Devil Alike!

Maki Zenin, her arm injured, took another Cursed Tool from her bag. She still did not choose any protective gear, instead switching to a katana.

"Why doesn’t she know how to adapt at all…?"

Gojo Satoru helplessly rubbed his forehead, though a trace of admiration flashed in his eyes.

More often than not, it was obsession that allowed a person to go farther and reach the pinnacle.

Chu Yang also admired her attitude and decided to give her a few pointers. If she could gain any insight from it, that would be her good fortune.

"Give me a sword."

Chu Yang’s words made Maki Zenin’s eyes light up. She hurriedly handed him the katana in her hand, then took another sword out of her bag for herself.

The two began fighting once more.

Chu Yang deliberately held back nearly ninety percent of his strength. Otherwise, it would still have been a one-hit KO.

This time, Maki Zenin was very cautious. Unlike when she wielded a Naginata with broad, sweeping movements, she stayed outside Chu Yang’s attack range.

But Maki Zenin had no idea what level Chu Yang’s swordsmanship had reached.

Even without using Observation Haki, Chu Yang could tell what her next move would be just by looking at her stance.

The two appeared evenly matched, but Gojo Satoru spotted the truth. Chu Yang’s movements were far too composed, as though he were waiting for Maki Zenin’s katana to come at him every time.

"This guy isn’t merely good at Taijutsu. His swordsmanship is also incredibly high-level… No, wait, isn’t his swordsmanship a little too strong?"

As he spoke, Gojo Satoru saw Chu Yang unleash a slash several meters long, carving a deep trench through the grass of the athletic field.

"Hey, hey, you’ve got to be kidding. That power is already on par with cursed techniques!"

Gojo Satoru gradually grew excited, as though he had stumbled upon some unbelievable gossip.

"Even his casual slashes have that kind of power. It’s hard to imagine that this kid was just an ordinary corporate slave a few months ago…"

Even Kento Nanami could no longer remain composed. He unconsciously leaned forward, watching the battlefield closely.

"That’s amazing!"

Yuta Okkotsu’s eyes shone!

Chu Yang’s fighting style was not only suited to Maki Zenin, but to him as well. Once he reinforced his body with Cursed Energy, he could barely match the other’s strength.

"Maki’s really excited. Her arm is clearly injured, yet her movements are still so large."

Panda looked both worried and emotional. As her friend, he knew exactly how much this battle would change Maki Zenin.

At first, he had thought this was an evenly matched spar, one where both could learn from each other. But reality was nothing like that.

The close-combat skills Chu Yang displayed were the strongest Panda had ever seen, without question. As someone who also specialized in close combat, Panda had benefited enormously.

"Salmon."

Toge Inumaki nodded.

Maki Zenin was indeed in an extremely excited state. The possibilities Chu Yang had shown her allowed her to see her own future.

In only ten minutes, the intense battle gradually pushed Maki Zenin to her limit. Her arm had swollen to nearly twice its size; a fracture was certain.

Chu Yang prepared to stop. If they continued, she might suffer irreversible injuries.

Throughout the battle, he had first used the swordsmanship style of the One Piece world, then the sword techniques of the Demon Slayer world, and finally the blade arts of the Bleach world.

Their styles were vastly different, yet they all led to the same destination. He just did not know whether Maki Zenin understood that principle.

Perhaps because her stamina had run dry, Maki Zenin fell while backing away. Panda and the others watching immediately stepped forward to check her injuries, bringing the battle to an end.

Gojo Satoru and Kento Nanami also walked to the center of the athletic field.

"Sorry, make way, everyone."

Gojo Satoru pushed Panda aside, crouched down, and covered Maki Zenin’s injured arm with Cursed Energy. A miraculous sight unfolded: the swelling slowly faded, and her arm returned to its normal size.

"Reverse Cursed Technique. The principle is similar to two negatives making a positive—it gives Cursed Energy a healing effect."

Chu Yang watched the treatment process with focused attention.

Reverse Cursed Technique was not a cursed technique, but a method of using Cursed Energy. It was extremely complicated, second only to Black Flash in difficulty, and very few people understood it.

The overwhelming majority could only use Reverse Cursed Technique to heal themselves. At present, only Gojo Satoru and Shoko Ieiri could actively use it to heal others.

In the future, Yuta Okkotsu and Ryomen Sukuna, the King of Curses, would be able to do so as well.

In terms of healing results, Reverse Cursed Technique was still somewhat stronger than Chu Yang’s vitality-based healing. Even a fatal injury that pierced the brain could be healed instantly.

After treating Maki Zenin, Gojo Satoru stood and stretched lazily. "Don’t tell me you were some genius teenage kendo prodigy back in school?"

Chu Yang mocked himself. "If I had been that kind of guy, would I have ended up as a corporate slave?"

"That’s true." Gojo Satoru nodded, smiling with narrowed eyes. "In just a few months, the combat experience and techniques you’ve accumulated have surpassed those of Jujutsu Sorcerers who have lived for decades. It’s shocking. At this rate, you might even surpass me before long…"

Chu Yang looked at him disdainfully. "You’re praising me on the surface, but really you’re praising yourself. You really have no shame."

"Hahaha!" Gojo Satoru doubled over with laughter.

Kento Nanami shook his head and turned to leave.

He despised every extra second he had to spend around Gojo Satoru.

"Nanami’s leaving. Aren’t you going too?" Gojo Satoru looked at Chu Yang.

"I’m tired. I’m resting here. As for guarding Tokyo, Senior, work hard in my place. I’m skipping work."

Chu Yang waved a hand.

"The more cursed spirits exorcised during this mission, the bigger the bonus. It’s rare for a money-grubber like you to give that up."

"Senior, do you know what Corporate Slaves hate most?"

"I know this one. Nanami said it’s overtime!"

"Correct! By the way, the vacation I applied for just last night got canceled this morning. I’m not in a very good mood right now."

"Now that you put it that way, I understand." Gojo Satoru deeply sympathized with him and turned to instruct Panda and the others, "Take Maki to rest, and prepare a place for him to sleep while you’re at it."

To Gojo Satoru, Suguru Geto’s Night Parade of One Hundred Demons was nothing much. Even if Chu Yang did not participate, the outcome would not change, which was why he had called it a war Geto was destined to lose.

No one knew that Suguru Geto’s target was Yuta Okkotsu.

Likewise, no one knew that Chu Yang’s target was Suguru Geto!

Time flew by.

December 24, 2017.

Christmas Eve.

Shinjuku and Kyoto.

The streets, which should have been livelier than usual, were now completely deserted. Only large numbers of Jujutsu Sorcerers remained, waiting in full battle readiness.

Nearly all of the second-year students from Jujutsu High were in Kyoto, fighting alongside Kyoto Prefectural Jujutsu High School.

Only Toge Inumaki and Panda had been dispatched to Shinjuku, serving as backup alongside the upperclassmen.

Gojo Satoru and Masamichi Yaga were there as well.

The sky was dark and overcast.

Beneath the dreamlike neon lights, the scent of curses grew increasingly intense in the city’s shadowy corners.

Eerie laughter suddenly echoed through the streets. Cursed spirits swarmed in, surging endlessly like a tidal wave.

Masamichi Yaga reminded the Jujutsu Sorcerers participating in the operation to avoid damaging infrastructure as much as possible.

"If you encounter ordinary people who have not managed to escape, protect them and get them out immediately. Do not get drawn into battle."

"Finally, exorcise every last cursed spirit!"

"Move out!"

Tokyo Prefectural Jujutsu High School.

Yuta Okkotsu and Maki Zenin were chatting in a classroom. One had not been permitted to join the operation, while the other was recovering from her injuries.

Suddenly.

Both of them looked out the window.

A black film gradually spread across the sky above Jujutsu High.

This was a barrier curtain, the most commonly used barrier in the jujutsu world.

The caster could freely set the conditions for entry and exit. Anyone who did not meet those conditions could not enter the barrier.

The barrier’s strength depended on the Jujutsu Sorcerer’s ability.

Suguru Geto had already arrived at Jujutsu High, and his target was Yuta Okkotsu.

As long as he killed him, he could obtain the Special Grade Cursed Spirit—Rika Orimoto.

Seeing that someone had invaded Jujutsu High, Maki Zenin returned to her room to search for a Cursed Tool. Then she suddenly remembered that her most reliable Naginata had been crushed barehanded by Chu Yang several days ago.

Her gaze then fell upon the katanas, and Chu Yang’s astonishing swordsmanship flashed through her mind.

"Then I’ll give it a try!"

Maki Zenin took a deep breath, grabbed a katana, and rushed out of the room. After running only a few steps downstairs, she happened to encounter Chu Yang.

"Go back and rest."

Chu Yang directly took the Cursed Tool from her hand and left without looking back.

Maki Zenin stared blankly at Chu Yang’s departing figure.

It was not that Chu Yang was concerned for her safety or feared Suguru Geto would beat her to death. He simply had to end the battle before Gojo Satoru arrived, and he had no time to waste.

Otherwise, Suguru Geto would definitely die.

With his Observation Haki overlapping the curtain’s range, Chu Yang found Suguru Geto’s location. He was heading toward the classrooms of Jujutsu High.

The next moment, Chu Yang flashed away and was already waiting at the end of the road.

Looking at Chu Yang, who had appeared out of thin air, Suguru Geto did not take him seriously. He laughed carelessly. "I thought Jujutsu High had been completely emptied out. You don’t dress like a student, nor are you a teacher. Are you from the logistics department?"

Chu Yang smiled faintly. "Something like that."

"Let’s make a deal. Let me pass, and I’ll spare your life. How about it?" Suguru Geto tucked both hands into his sleeves, a smile at the corners of his eyes, looking gentle and honest.

"Then let me make you a deal too. Call me big brother, and when I hit you later, I’ll try to go a little easier on you." Chu Yang’s smile was even more kind and amiable.

Suguru Geto was rather surprised and paused slightly. "Do you know who I am?"

Chu Yang nodded. "The meeting a few days ago was pretty detailed. A Special Grade Curse User, and you were classmates with Gojo Satoru. You should be fairly strong."

"You don’t look like a lunatic, yet you dare speak in that tone. I know every Special Grade Jujutsu Sorcerer, but I’ve never seen you…"

Suguru Geto narrowed his eyes, smiling without really smiling.

"It’s normal not to know me, because my Grade 1 evaluation was just approved."

Chu Yang answered with a straight face.

This time, Suguru Geto could no longer hold it in. He clapped his hands and burst into laughter. "What an interesting guy. I’m almost reluctant to kill you."

Chu Yang drew his blade, still smiling. "For saying that, I can go even easier on you later. Hmm… I’ll only use fifty percent of my strength."

Suguru Geto’s laughter came to an abrupt halt. Killing intent suddenly filled his gaze as he coldly spat out two words. "Lunatic."

With a wave of one hand, black mist immediately filled the narrow alley, and cursed spirits continuously crawled out of it.

"There’s no need to test each other. It’s a waste of time."

As Chu Yang’s words fell, a sword light suddenly blazed between heaven and earth, sweeping through the alley. The cursed spirits had barely appeared before they were reduced to ashes beneath it.

The smile at the corner of Suguru Geto’s lips froze. He took a deep breath, stared at Chu Yang, and asked:

"So it seems you deliberately stayed here waiting for me?"

Chu Yang chuckled. "I’m a very suspicious person. Most of the time, I don’t even trust my own people, much less intelligence spoken by an enemy."

Suguru Geto spread his hands and shook his head helplessly. "Hey, hey, hey, I was still a Jujutsu High student back then. I didn’t count as an enemy, did I?"

Chu Yang smiled and asked in return, "What if Jujutsu High is my enemy too?"

Suguru Geto’s expression turned solemn as he frowned. "Who exactly are you?"

Chu Yang did not answer. Holding his sword in one hand, he crooked a finger at Suguru Geto.

"No matter who you are, you can’t stop my plan!"

Black mist churned around Suguru Geto, carrying an oppressive force entirely different from before. The cursed spirit he had summoned this time was clearly no Grade 2 fodder.

"This is the Special Grade Cursed Spirit I possess, Incarnate Tamamo-no-Mae. Go on, say hello to her properly."

A humanoid cursed spirit emerged from the black mist. It wore ancient clothing, and its face resembled a mask painted with a false smile.

At the same time, the air behind Suguru Geto rippled, and a cursed spirit crawled out. He reached into its mouth and pulled out a three-section staff.

It was Toji Fushiguro’s relic, a Cursed Tool named Playful Cloud. It possessed no cursed technique, only pure physical power.

The stronger the user’s arm strength, the more terrifying Playful Cloud’s destructive force became.

"Fighting alongside your summons? What a touching master-servant bond."

Chu Yang sneered.

Suguru Geto did not dare let his guard down. He launched his attack with complete focus, as the destructive power Chu Yang had just displayed said everything.

The man holding the katana before him was definitely Special Grade!

"Even with Cursed Energy reinforcement, your body is still as fragile as paper in my eyes."

Chu Yang disdainfully raised his katana high, like a god passing judgment upon mortals.

He brought the blade down.

The powers of the sun and moon appeared at once.

Blazing sunlight.

Dim moonlight.

The two intertwined like enormous millstones, grinding every substance caught within their radiance into nothingness.

Source Breathing · Second Form · Sun-Moon in Radiance

The Special Grade Cursed Spirit Incarnate Tamamo-no-Mae had barely stepped into the light of sun and moon when it let out a shrill howl, its body gradually ground away.

It tried to flee, only to discover that it could not move at all. Between the two different lights was a powerful suction force, like a black hole.

Suguru Geto stopped in his tracks, watching helplessly as the cursed spirit was destroyed. Goosebumps rose across his body, and a chill shot from his tailbone to the top of his skull.

He had only seen such overwhelmingly destructive power in one other person in his life.

Gojo Satoru!

Suguru Geto began to consider retreating.

But how could he retreat now, after coming this far?

Rika Orimoto was right before him. As long as he obtained this cursed spirit, he could completely turn the tables!

Suguru Geto gritted his teeth and instantly released a huge number of cursed spirits. He intended to use them to hold Chu Yang back until he killed Yuta Okkotsu and seized the cursed spirit.

Meanwhile, Yuta Okkotsu and Maki Zenin in the classroom also saw the cursed spirits Suguru Geto had unleashed.

The two exchanged a glance and saw the worry in each other’s eyes.

"Senior Yang is strong, but dealing with so many cursed spirits alone must be difficult. Should we go help him?"

"Of course!"

The two rushed out of the classroom together, leaping continuously across the rooftops.

Shinjuku.

Gojo Satoru, realizing it only afterward, guessed Suguru Geto’s objective and teleported Panda and Toge Inumaki back to Jujutsu High.

"With Yang there, work with him to hold Suguru Geto back. I’ll be right behind you."

In the blink of an eye, the two appeared above Jujutsu High.

"There’s a veil. Gojo’s guess was right—Suguru Geto is here!"

Panda roared, preparing to use brute force to break through the barrier.

But in the next second, he saw the barrier shatter with a deafening crash. Two wondrous lights illuminated the entire world beneath the dusk sky.

Sunlight.

Moonlight.

Panda and Toge Inumaki watched the densely packed cursed spirits on the ground completely disintegrate beneath the two lights.

Meanwhile, Yuta Okkotsu and Maki Zenin witnessed an even more horrifying sight from much closer.

The four of them, along with Suguru Geto, all trembled as their gazes focused on Chu Yang.

Bathed in radiance, the man walked forward at an unhurried pace.

Both god and devil.

"I underestimated you…"

Suguru Geto gave a bitter smile, his face ashen as he watched Chu Yang approach him step by step.

Had he known his opponent was this powerful, he should not have tried to tie him down with cursed spirits. He should have unleashed his strongest cursed technique from the very beginning.

Suguru Geto still had a cursed technique called "Uzumaki," which could gather the power of every cursed spirit into a single attack of tremendous destructive force.

But Chu Yang had now destroyed more than half of his cursed spirits. With only the remaining ones, Uzumaki no longer had enough power to threaten Chu Yang.

"I lost." Suguru Geto knew he had no chance of turning things around. Yet with death looming over him, he felt strangely relieved.

He had already given everything he had in this life. Things turning out this way could only be blamed on bad fortune. There had been countless people throughout history who had fallen just short of success; one more would make no difference.

Even if I had succeeded… I might not have been able to defeat Gojo.

Suguru Geto mocked himself inwardly, his expression becoming increasingly calm and composed.

He stood still, as if waiting for death.

Chu Yang stopped before him and slowly drove the blade in his hand toward Suguru Geto’s heart.

Intense pain surged through him, yet Suguru Geto’s expression did not change in the slightest.

Panda and Toge Inumaki landed directly beside Maki Zenin and Yuta Okkotsu.

The four held their breath and silently watched from the side.

The blade did not pierce any vital spot. Instead, at astonishing speed, it engraved a mysterious curse mark over Suguru Geto’s heart. After the brief pain faded, Suguru Geto realized his injury was not nearly as severe as he had imagined.

What godlike skill!

Suguru Geto was beyond shocked.

When the blade left Suguru Geto’s body, he staggered and collapsed onto the ground. His consciousness slipped into darkness, but he had not died.

Only a powerful swordsman like Chu Yang, whose swordsmanship had reached its ultimate extreme, could accomplish such a thing.

What Chu Yang had carved onto Suguru Geto’s heart was the curse mark of the Flying Thunder God. So long as he wished it, he could appear beside Suguru Geto at any time.

Panda and the others felt a chill run down their spines.

From their perspective, Chu Yang was killing Suguru Geto in an exceptionally cruel manner.

Stabbing a blade into someone’s chest and stirring it around—just thinking about it hurt.

This misunderstanding was not bad either. It saved them from noticing anything suspicious.

Chu Yang carried Suguru Geto’s "corpse" out of Jujutsu High. Maki Zenin and the others did not dare ask questions and could only watch him leave.

After arriving somewhere deserted, Chu Yang first treated Suguru Geto’s injuries, then woke him. The latter looked somewhat dazed.

"You’re not going to kill me?"

"I want your life."

"What value does my life have? Before you, I’m no different from ants, am I?"

"Whether it has value is for me to decide. Even if you’re an ant, you’re a relatively large one."

Chu Yang said bluntly, "I don’t particularly like the current jujutsu world. Whether it’s those great clans or the higher-ups at Jujutsu High, they can define Jujutsu Sorcerers as good or evil however they please. But as far as I’m concerned, some of them are more like curse users than actual curse users."

"I want to rewrite the order of this world."

"I have no interest in mocking your ideals, even if I think they’re childish. But before you have enough power to realize those ideals, why not help me fulfill my wish first?"

Suguru Geto stared blankly for a long while before finally laughing softly. "Why should I help you?"

Chu Yang directly stabbed his blade into Suguru Geto’s chest and said coldly, "I’m not asking you to choose. I’m merely giving you a chance to live."

The icy blade pierced his body again in that familiar way. Suguru Geto’s breathing grew rapid. The sensation of dying and coming back to life was not pleasant, and it repeatedly wore away at his courage to face death.

Just as Chu Yang was preparing to continue his artistic work on Suguru Geto’s heart, Suguru Geto chose to submit.

"Very good. From today onward, we’re comrades on the same side. Though I’m hardly worthy, I can reluctantly serve as the boss. What do you think?"

The friendly smile on Chu Yang’s face felt strangely familiar to Suguru Geto. He suddenly recalled what Chu Yang had said before the battle and could not help giving a bitter smile. "So you were after me from the very beginning. While the mantis stalks the cicada, the oriole waits behind…"

"In this situation, if I object, I’ll definitely die. Other than agreeing, is there a second path?"

Chu Yang nodded. "Since you agree, hurry up and figure out how to fool Gojo Satoru. He’ll be back soon."

Suguru Geto summoned a cursed spirit that resembled an insect.

Then he dripped several drops of blood onto the cursed spirit, and it immediately transformed into his likeness.

Chu Yang instantly understood. He used the blade tip to mash the fake Suguru Geto’s heart to pieces, obtaining a perfect corpse.

"The corpse can last for at most an hour. If it goes beyond that, the cursed spirit will disappear."

Suguru Geto narrowed his eyes as he reminded Chu Yang.

"Alright, get going. It’ll be more troublesome if you run into Gojo Satoru later."

Chu Yang waved him away.

"Aren’t you going to ask where my base is? Do you not plan to find me in the future?"

Suguru Geto was full of confusion.

"If I want to find you, I can do so anytime. If you don’t believe me, you can try hiding."

Chu Yang sneered, issuing the warning in a joking tone.

For some reason, Suguru Geto felt his scalp tingle. He knew Chu Yang must have done something to him, yet he could not figure out what.

The longer Suguru Geto remained around Chu Yang, the more uncomfortable he felt. He immediately summoned a cursed spirit and had it carry him away from Jujutsu High.

Not long afterward, Gojo Satoru returned to Jujutsu High beneath the afterglow of dusk. At the gates, he saw Chu Yang and the fake Suguru Geto’s corpse.

Gojo Satoru suddenly slowed his steps. He walked slowly toward the corpse and stared at it for a long time before turning to Chu Yang. "You worked hard."

Chu Yang shook his head and took a student ID from his pocket, handing it to Gojo Satoru. It was Yuta Okkotsu’s student ID, which had been lost during a mission not long ago and picked up by Suguru Geto.

"Do you need some time alone?"

"Thank you. Then wait for me a little longer."

Chu Yang nodded and walked over to sit on the steps.

He looked at the fiery clouds on the horizon and silently waited for Gojo Satoru to mourn his dear friend.

Three minutes later, Gojo Satoru stretched, seemingly returning to his usual carefree demeanor.

"You figured out from the start that Suguru Geto’s target was Yuta, so you deliberately stayed at Jujutsu High, didn’t you?"

The corners of Gojo Satoru’s mouth lifted slightly as he recalled Chu Yang’s hesitant expression during the previous meeting.

"I just got lucky."

Chu Yang smiled and stretched while sitting on the steps, imitating Gojo Satoru.

"Were you the only one who fought Suguru Geto in that battle?"

Gojo Satoru stood at a distance with his back to Chu Yang.

When he asked that question, no one could see the surprise on his face.

"You’re asking whether Yuta Okkotsu stepped in? Unfortunately, he didn’t make it in time."

Chu Yang shook his head.

Gojo Satoru suddenly turned and stared at Chu Yang. Special grade was already the pinnacle of the jujutsu world, and Suguru Geto was one of the strongest among them. In all of Jujutsu High, other than himself, Gojo Satoru could not think of a second person guaranteed to defeat him.

"Your Grade 1 evaluation hasn’t even been announced yet, and now you need to be evaluated again. You really know how to cause trouble for the higher-ups."

Gojo Satoru grinned and teased Chu Yang.

"Actually, I really wanted to see the expressions on those higher-ups’ faces after Suguru Geto took Rika Orimoto. To them, that would have been the real trouble…"

Chu Yang’s tone was chilling.

"Oh-ho, little Yang~~~ That idea of yours is very dangerous. That won’t do. Yuta would die."

Gojo Satoru continued smiling to himself.

Yet the atmosphere between them gradually became unsettling because of Chu Yang’s words.

"Though I also hate those rotten old men…"

Before the atmosphere could grow even more rigid, Gojo Satoru added that last sentence in a joking tone.

"You rushed back here in such a hurry for Yuta Okkotsu, didn’t you? Hurry up and deal with Suguru Geto’s body, then go see him."

Chu Yang calculated the time and casually reminded Gojo Satoru.

Gojo Satoru walked directly into Jujutsu High, waving behind him without turning around. "Bury him somewhere with a nice view. That way, I’ll feel better when I visit him next time."

Chu Yang had long expected this reaction. Once Gojo Satoru left, he took the fake Suguru Geto’s corpse away.

Gojo Satoru walked partway toward the classrooms. Broken walls and ruins littered the area, making it easy to imagine how fierce the battle had been.

Yuta Okkotsu spotted Gojo Satoru from afar and hurriedly called out.

"Gojo-sensei!"

Several people gathered around him and vividly recounted the battle that had just taken place.

"When that guy called Suguru Geto showed up, I thought something terrible was about to happen."

"I never expected Senior Yang to wipe out several thousand cursed spirits with just one attack. Though at the end, the way he killed Suguru Geto was a little cruel…"

Gojo Satoru silently listened as the four excitedly described the battle.

Amid their overlapping chatter, he formed a fairly clear picture of the fight between the two.

"He actually won that easily. It feels like his potential is even greater than Yuta’s. At this rate, could he really become a Heavenly Restriction with cursed techniques?"

Gojo Satoru suddenly remembered that life-or-death battle with Toji Fushiguro during his student days. If his luck had been just a little worse, he truly might have died at the other man’s hands.

The thought of Chu Yang growing to that level, perhaps even becoming stronger, stirred something deep within Gojo Satoru.

Even as he reflected on it, Gojo Satoru vaguely felt something was off. Though they had not known each other long, he did not believe Chu Yang was the sort of person who tortured his opponents to death.

"Yuta, come with me for a moment."

Gojo Satoru returned Yuta’s lost student ID to him, then began speaking about Rika Orimoto’s curse.

To make the illusion of his own death more convincing, Suguru Geto voluntarily severed his connection with the other cursed spirits, making the cursed spirits in Kyoto and Shinjuku appear more like naturally occurring, ownerless cursed spirits.

At the same time, the cursed spirits in both locations stopped their blind attacks, and some had already begun showing signs of leaving.

Seeing this, Masamichi Yaga understood that something had happened to Suguru Geto, their master.

Half an hour later, the last cursed spirit on the streets of Shinjuku was exorcised, declaring the failure of the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons.

Members of Geto’s Group vanished amid the chaos, escaping the Jujutsu Sorcerers’ pursuit.

Nanako and Mimiko, Suguru Geto’s adopted daughters, were among them. The two returned to their base in a daze.

They knew there could only be one explanation for the cursed spirits going out of control: something had happened to Suguru Geto.

"Why are you two pulling such long faces? I’m not dead."

Suguru Geto looked at the two with a smile.

Nanako and Mimiko abruptly raised their heads, staring in disbelief at the completely unharmed Suguru Geto before rushing toward him together.

"Why did you release the cursed spirits? We really thought you were dead!"

The two, who had always deeply respected and adored Suguru Geto, lost their tempers like never before.

"In any case, the plan failed. I didn’t manage to take Rika Orimoto, and I nearly died. No, to be precise, I’m already a dead man."

Suguru Geto scratched his head as he awkwardly explained what had happened at Jujutsu High.

When they heard that he had been defeated with ease, everyone assumed Gojo Satoru had returned in time. But upon further thought… Gojo Satoru would never suggest that Suguru Geto form an alliance and cooperate with him.

For a moment, no one could accept such a reality.

In their eyes, no one could defeat Suguru Geto, much less someone other than Gojo Satoru.

Nanako and Mimiko in particular were furious. They could not accept anyone other than Suguru Geto leading their group.

Seeing this, Suguru Geto placed both hands on the girls’ heads and stroked their hair as he warned them, "Don’t get any other ideas. That guy looks normal enough on the surface, but he’s actually a lunatic. If things go wrong, everyone could die, including me…"

Thinking of Chu Yang’s ideals, which were even crazier than his own, Suguru Geto broke out in goosebumps. Someone actually wanted to rewrite the order of the jujutsu world…

What a… complete and utter lunatic!

"That assessment of ‘lunatic’ is rather objective. I’ll accept it as praise." Chu Yang appeared abruptly inside Geto’s Group’s base. No one saw how he had arrived, as if he had crossed through time and space.

Everyone faced him like a great enemy, staring at Chu Yang as they each activated their cursed techniques. The atmosphere was taut with tension.

"Stop!"

Suguru Geto shouted angrily, sweeping his sharp gaze across his companions.

Only then did they withdraw their respective cursed techniques.

"I don’t mind using force to gain your temporary submission. To avoid trouble, you may choose to challenge me together."

Chu Yang wore a kind smile, speaking neither quickly nor slowly, with a manner as gentle as a spring breeze.

The gazes of some people in Geto’s Group flickered. Clearly, they were tempted.

They thought that if one person could not defeat him, could a group not do it?

The smile on Chu Yang’s lips deepened. He was already prepared to make an example of someone, though he wondered who would step forward first.

Likewise, their reactions did not escape Suguru Geto’s eyes. His angry, low voice rang out, "I’ll say it one more time: don’t seek death!"

Watching Suguru Geto hover on the brink of rage, everyone stiffened. Those who had bared their fangs also settled down again.

Chu Yang shook his head regretfully.

Seeing this, Suguru Geto was almost certain that Chu Yang had intended to kill someone just now, and a chill suddenly ran down his spine.

Suguru Geto hurriedly changed the subject, looking at Chu Yang with feigned curiosity. "Is your cursed technique spatial teleportation?"

Chu Yang smiled. "No. It’s just a little trick. My innate cursed technique hasn’t awakened yet."

Normally, people with Cursed Energy gradually awakened in childhood, but Chu Yang was different. Before the Soul Palace appeared, he had truly been an ordinary person.

So, judging by the length of time he had possessed Cursed Energy, he was equivalent to a newborn only a few months old.

Even with talent sharing, it would still take a few more months for his innate cursed technique to awaken.

"It hasn’t awakened yet?"

Compared to how Chu Yang had located him so precisely, the fact that he had not awakened an innate cursed technique shocked Suguru Geto even more.

He trembled slightly, gradually realizing the severity of the situation.

So the strike that had destroyed thousands of cursed spirits earlier had not been Chu Yang’s cursed technique.

If it was not a cursed technique, then what kind of power was it?

Only now did Suguru Geto truly feel inclined to submit to the person before him.

He was not worried that Chu Yang would deceive him.

Someone that powerful simply would not stoop to disguising himself with lies.

Though he was curious about that destructive power, Suguru Geto did not press the matter. Instead, he changed the subject and introduced Chu Yang to Geto’s Group, a massive organization.

The upper ranks of Geto’s Group were all curse users who had gathered because they agreed with Suguru Geto’s ideals.

The ordinary members had once been followers of the Star Religious Group.

The so-called Star Religious Group was a group of ordinary people who fanatically worshipped the Jujutsu Sorcerer Tengen. Tengen’s origins were extremely mysterious. He was a very ancient Jujutsu Sorcerer with an innate cursed technique of "agelessness." Whenever his body aged to a certain point, the technique would alter his flesh and force him to evolve into a higher form of existence.

Tengen feared that excessive evolution might pose a threat to humanity, so every five hundred years, he chose someone with a Special Physique to assimilate with him, "resetting" the aging of his body and interrupting the technique’s progression.

People with this Special Physique shared a single title—the Star Plasma Vessel.

The ones responsible for protecting the previous Star Plasma Vessel, Riko Amanai, and escorting her to the Tombs of the Star Corridor to assimilate with Tengen were Suguru Geto and Gojo Satoru.

The mission had failed.

Riko Amanai had been killed before they even arrived.

The one who killed her was Toji Fushiguro, known as the Heavenly Restriction.

The Star Religious Group believed that assimilating with the Star Plasma Vessel was a desecration of Tengen, so they spent a huge sum to hire Toji Fushiguro, who specialized in hunting Jujutsu Sorcerers, to stop the operation.

Gojo Satoru had nearly died at his hands. Fortunately, at the final moment, he grasped Reverse Cursed Technique and healed his fatal injuries.

Even so, they had failed to save Riko Amanai’s life.

The followers of the Star Religious Group had wildly celebrated Riko Amanai’s death right in front of Suguru Geto and Gojo Satoru. It was also the first time Suguru Geto had felt disappointed in human nature.

Gojo Satoru had even wanted to kill them all, but Suguru Geto stopped him in the end.

Gojo Satoru probably never imagined that Suguru Geto, who had once prevented him from slaughtering everyone, would kill hundreds in a fit of rage years later.

In short, the Star Religious Group had become enemies with Suguru Geto because of this. The moment he turned dark, he went after their headquarters.

After a bloody massacre, they submitted to Suguru Geto’s violence.

Suguru Geto continuously amassed wealth and collected cursed spirits through this powerful force, allowing him to accumulate the terrifying number of cursed spirits needed to launch the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons.

Now, this force was in Chu Yang’s hands.

After learning about Geto’s Group, Chu Yang had everyone else leave, intending to speak with Suguru Geto alone.

Perhaps Suguru Geto’s stern attitude earlier had worked. Everyone was very obedient, including Nanako and Mimiko.

A moment later, only Suguru Geto and Chu Yang remained in the room.

Before Chu Yang could speak, Suguru Geto took the lead. "For the time being, I won’t appear before any Jujutsu Sorcerers. You can rest assured of that."

Chu Yang nodded. "As long as you know that yourself. However, I came here to remind you of something else."

"A reminder?" Suguru Geto frowned slightly.

It was not a particularly serious word, but his heart still tightened.

"Have you heard the name Kenjaku?"

"It sounds familiar…"

"He was a Jujutsu Sorcerer from the same era as Ryomen Sukuna."

"If he was from the same era, shouldn’t he have died long ago? Why bring him up?"

"Because he isn’t dead."

How could a Jujutsu Sorcerer from a thousand years ago possibly still be alive?

Suguru Geto was about to say it was impossible, but then he thought of Tengen’s condition and felt that perhaps it was not impossible after all.

"Is his cursed technique similar to Tengen’s?"

"A little. More accurately, he’s more like a parasite. Kenjaku discarded most of his body, leaving only his brain behind, then transplanted it into his target’s body to achieve immortality."

At this point, Chu Yang paused, and his tone became even more grave. "After parasitizing someone, Kenjaku can not only use his own innate cursed technique, but also the original technique of the body’s owner."

Suguru Geto’s expression immediately turned ugly. He finally understood what Chu Yang’s warning meant.

Kenjaku had set his sights on his cursed technique.

Cursed Spirit Manipulation!

Chu Yang continued, "Kenjaku has been quietly watching you. If you had died at Jujutsu High today, he would have taken over your body immediately. But you didn’t die…"

Without waiting for Chu Yang to finish, Suguru Geto added, "If he finds out I’m alive, he’ll probably search everywhere for my whereabouts, then kill me."

"That’s more or less the situation."

After saying that, Chu Yang sat down on the sofa, crossed one leg over the other, and waited for Suguru Geto to digest this shocking news.

Kenjaku’s reputation was formidable. To make a somewhat inappropriate comparison, he and Ryomen Sukuna were like the Suguru Geto and Gojo Satoru of that era, perhaps even more so.

"You think I’ll lose?"

"Not lose. You’ll definitely die."

"What makes you so certain?"

"How weak could someone whose name was recorded in history possibly be?"

Suguru Geto let out a long sigh. "I haven’t even had time to celebrate surviving disaster, and now Kenjaku has appeared. Why is everyone waiting to take my life?"

Chu Yang teased, "He needs your power, and so do I. Essentially, there’s no difference between us. Only the methods differ."

Suguru Geto leaned back against the sofa, looking as though he was ready to give up. "There’s still a big difference. At least I’m alive. I really don’t want someone using my body to do strange things."

"If that day really comes, remember to destroy my body."

There was also a bar in the room, though no one knew whose hobby it was. Chu Yang stood, walked over to it, took out a bottle of champagne from the counter, and picked up two wine glasses.

"I didn’t come here just to remind you that someone has their eye on you. I told you before, your life belongs to me. Even if you want to die, you need my permission."

Chu Yang poured two glasses of wine. Just as Suguru Geto thought he would be handed one, Chu Yang drank both glasses himself and looked at him with a smile.

"Your twisted sense of humor is a lot like Satoru’s. Is it that once you get as strong as you two, there’s bound to be something wrong with your brains?"

Suguru Geto walked over to the bar in annoyance and poured himself a glass.

The next second, they each raised a glass.

"Then here’s to a pleasant cooperation."

On the streets of Kyoto and Shinjuku, after the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons had ended, Jujutsu High’s logistics department was handling the aftermath. Damaged public facilities were being repaired where necessary, and compensation was being paid where needed.

In an unoccupied corner, a pair of shadowy eyes silently watched the scene.

"Suguru Geto is suspected dead. Proceed according to plan."