The peaceful, everyday life was never going to last forever.
Because the unexpected always arrives in the blink of an eye.
On this day, after a relentless series of investigations, the higher-ups of the jujutsu world finally pinpointed Ronawa’s location.
Concurrently, through continuous analysis and research, they had also uncovered a few clues and hypotheses regarding her true identity.
Therefore, the higher-ups decided it was time to make their move on Ronawa.
To ensure absolute certainty and leave her with zero chance of escape, they specifically called in one of Japan’s four Special Grade sorcerers: Yuki Tsukumo.
Deploying a Special Grade sorcerer to deal with Ronawa was, in a way, giving her an incredible amount of respect.
Soon, within the restricted grounds of Tokyo Jujutsu High, in the deepest sanctum where Master Tengen resided, Yuki Tsukumo met with the jujutsu higher-ups, spearheaded by the Gojo clan.
“Whoa, that’s a lot of old geezers,” Yuki said.
“Looks like you called me in to do some dirty work for you.
Tell me the details first.
Then I’ll think about whether or not I want to take the job.”
Yuki Tsukumo was your textbook blonde bombshell.
Her temper was just as explosive as her figure.
She was a massive rebel.
If you wanted her to work, it depended entirely on whether she felt like it.
If she didn’t, she couldn’t care less about orders from the higher-ups.
After all, she was a Special Grade sorcerer; she had privileges to spare.
The jujutsu higher-ups didn’t hold Yuki’s attitude against her.
Nor did they immediately brief her on the mission.
Instead, they asked, “Yuki, what do you think is the one thing humanity fears the most?”
Yuki frowned, not quite understanding what these old fools were getting at.
Still, she gave her answer.
“Probably death, right?
After all, people are pretty terrified of dying.
Especially you old geezers.”
The higher-ups ignored her barbed insult.
Instead, they continued, “Correct.
What humanity fears most is undeniably death.”
“Because death represents the ultimate unknown.
Where do you go after you die?
What will you encounter?
No one can know, and no one can answer.
Therefore, death has become the ultimate fear of all mankind.”
“And as we all know, cursed spirits are born from human fear.
So, do you think a cursed spirit symbolizing death could be born?”
Hearing this, Yuki wanted to laugh. You are reading on g.com, the official source.
In fact, she actually did laugh out loud.
“Give me a break, old man.
How could something as abstract as death spawn a cursed spirit?” She chuckled.
“Hahaha, I never realized you guys were actually so funny!”
However, her laughter quickly died in her throat.
Because the jujutsu higher-ups—those old geezers—showed absolutely no reaction to her scoffing.
They remained terrifyingly solemn.
This made Yuki immediately realize the gravity of the situation.
No way.
Are you saying there really is a cursed spirit representing death?
But that was too absurd.
How could a concept as abstract and broad as death give birth to a cursed spirit?
It had to be a joke!
Yet, looking at the dead-serious expressions on the elders’ faces, Yuki’s heart sank.
Crap.
It looks like they’re being serious!
Ignoring Yuki’s rapidly souring expression, the higher-ups continued, “We are not the only ones to have hypothesized whether death could spawn a cursed spirit.
Our predecessors, the ancients from hundreds and thousands of years ago, shared similar speculations.”
“However, this hypothesis was never proven, because no one had ever seen a cursed spirit born from death.
If you had to point to one, it would probably only be the legendary Izanami.”
Izanami: the Mother of the Gods in mythology, the Ruler of Yomi, revered as the Goddess of Death.
If there was anyone in Japanese history and myth who was most likely to be a “Cursed Spirit of Death,” it would be her.
At this point, Yuki was completely numb.
Weren’t they here to give me a mission?
Then just spit out the mission already!
Instead of saying anything useful, they were just mercilessly info-dumping on her.
What was the meaning of this?!
It was honestly starting to creep her out.
She was half-terrified that in the very next second, these old fools were going to tell her to go fight Izanami.
Did she look qualified to fight Izanami?
It’s not like she was Amaterasu or some other major deity!
Just as Yuki was about to turn around and bolt, the higher-ups finally got to the point.
“Whether Izanami truly existed or not can no longer be verified.
However, we regret to inform you that, following our investigations and Master Tengen’s confirmation…”
“…the Cursed Spirit of Death is real, and it has already been born in Japan!”
She visibly shuddered.
“How is that possible?!” she blurted out.
“How could such an absurd cursed spirit actually exist?
You’re messing with me, right?
You’re lying to me, aren’t you?”
In that moment, Yuki would have preferred these old men to be lying to her.
Sure, she’d be pissed off, but at least she wouldn’t be terrified.
Unfortunately…
Right in front of her face, the higher-ups shook their heads.
They quickly added, “This is a matter confirmed by Master Tengen.
Master Tengen’s intelligence is never wrong!”
At that, Yuki gave up all hope.
She might not trust the higher-ups, but could she really doubt Master Tengen?
Why were so many cursed spirits born in Japan?
Why were Japanese sorcerers and cursed spirits generally so much stronger than those in other regions?
The answer was simple: because of Master Tengen!
Master Tengen’s exact origins were unknown; it was only known that they had lived for a very, very long time.
Furthermore, due to their unique innate technique, they were hailed as the “All-Knowing.” It was said that there was nothing in all of Japan that Master Tengen did not know.
Therefore, any piece of information, as long as it had Tengen’s seal of approval, was one hundred percent true.
Because of this, when Yuki learned that Master Tengen had confirmed the existence of the “Cursed Spirit of Death” and its birth in Japan, only one thought remained in her head.
We are completely cooked!
A Cursed Spirit of Death was, without a doubt, the absolute pinnacle of all cursed spirits.
It was practically a natural-born god among curses.
If a cursed spirit like that could be born, it could only mean the end of the world was fast approaching.
But Yuki quickly pulled herself together.
She looked up at the higher-ups.
“Just give it to me straight.
Where is the Cursed Spirit of Death right now, and what’s its current status?
Worst case scenario, We’ll die fighting!”
Since the conversation had reached this point, how could Yuki not know why they had called her here?
They just wanted her to go fight the Cursed Spirit of Death.
Fine, she’d fight it!
It wasn’t like she was gonna chicken out.
Seeing her resolve, the jujutsu higher-ups quickly briefed her on the Cursed Spirit of Death—on Ronawa’s entire situation.
By the time they finished explaining everything, Yuki was left with only one single thought in her head.
That bastard Satoru Gojo…
he’s completely out of his goddamn mind!