Peaceful days never lasted forever.
Sometimes…
Everything changed in an instant.
After months of investigation…
The higher-ups of Jujutsu Headquarters finally traced Ronova’s whereabouts.
At the same time…
By piecing together scattered clues and consulting Tengen, they reached a horrifying conclusion.
They had finally identified what Ronova truly was.
A Curse Spirit born from humanity’s fear of death.
Faced with such an unprecedented threat…
The higher-ups decided they could no longer wait.
This time…
They would eliminate her.
To ensure success…
They summoned one of Japan’s four Special Grade sorcerers.
Yuki Tsukumo.
The very fact that they deemed a Special Grade necessary demonstrated just how seriously they viewed Ronova.
Deep beneath Tokyo Jujutsu High…
Inside the Tombs of the Star Corridor…
Yuki Tsukumo met with several representatives of Jujutsu Headquarters.
The atmosphere was unusually tense.
Yuki glanced around the room.
“…Wow.” “That’s a lot of old men.” She folded her arms casually.
“So…” “What impossible job are you trying to dump on me this time?” “Explain it first.” “I’ll decide afterward whether I feel like accepting.” That was simply how Yuki operated.
She acknowledged almost no authority.
Even the higher-ups couldn’t force her to do anything she genuinely refused.
After all…
She was a Special Grade sorcerer.
Strength granted privileges.
The elders were already accustomed to her attitude.
None of them reacted.
Instead…
One elderly man calmly asked, “Tsukumo.” “What do you believe humanity fears most?” Yuki blinked.
“…Seriously?” “That’s your opening question?” She thought for a moment before shrugging.
“Death.” “Everyone fears dying.” She looked around the room.
“Especially people your age.” The room remained silent.
No one took offense.
Seeing that…
Yuki’s smile slowly faded.
The elder continued.
“Correct.” “Death is humanity’s greatest fear.” “It represents the ultimate unknown.” “What happens after death?” “Where do people go?” “No one knows.” “No one can answer.” “Because of that…” “The fear of death has existed since the dawn of humanity.” He paused.
Then quietly asked, “And cursed spirits…” “Are born from human fear.” Yuki frowned.
“I know that.” The elder nodded.
“In that case…” “Have you ever considered…” “Whether humanity’s fear of death itself…” “Could eventually give birth to a cursed spirit?” Yuki laughed immediately.
“Come on.” “You’re joking.” “A concept that broad producing a cursed spirit?” “That’s ridiculous.” She chuckled.
“I didn’t know you old men had a sense of humor.” Nobody laughed.
Not one person.
Every elder maintained the same grave expression.
The room suddenly felt much colder.
Yuki’s smile gradually disappeared.
“…You’re serious.” No one answered.
They didn’t need to.
Yuki slowly felt a chill crawl down her spine.
…No way.
Ignoring her growing unease…
The elder continued.
“This possibility isn’t merely our speculation.” “For centuries…” “Many sorcerers have reached the same conclusion.” “They simply lacked proof.” “No one had ever witnessed such a cursed spirit.” “If there were any historical figure resembling one…” “It would only be…” “Izanami.” The name alone changed the atmosphere.
In Japanese mythology…
Izanami was the goddess associated with death and the underworld.
If any legendary being resembled a Curse Spirit of Death…
It would be her.
Yuki rubbed her forehead.
“…Wait.” “I thought you were assigning me a mission.” “Why am I getting a mythology lecture?” The more they explained…
The more uneasy she became.
For one terrifying second…
She genuinely wondered if they were about to order her to fight Izanami herself.
Absolutely not.
She mentally prepared to leave.
Then…
The elder finally reached the point.
“Whether Izanami truly existed is impossible to confirm.” “But…” “Master Tengen has verified something else.” He looked directly at Yuki.
“A Curse Spirit born from humanity’s fear of death…” “Exists.” “And…” “It has already manifested in Japan.” Silence.
Complete silence.
Yuki’s brain stopped working.
For several seconds…
She simply stared.
Then…
“What?” She blinked repeatedly.
“No.” “That’s impossible.” “You’re joking.” “Please tell me you’re joking.” “If this is some kind of prank…” “It isn’t funny.” The elders quietly shook their heads.
“This information comes directly from Master Tengen.” “There is no possibility of error.” Yuki’s shoulders slowly slumped.
She didn’t trust the higher-ups.
Never had.
But…
She trusted Tengen’s knowledge.
If Tengen confirmed something…
Then it was real.
Master Tengen was unlike any ordinary sorcerer.
For more than a thousand years…
His barrier techniques had protected Japan.
His influence shaped the country’s entire jujutsu society.
While he wasn’t literally omniscient…
His unparalleled barrier techniques and vast network allowed him to perceive and analyze information beyond the reach of almost anyone else.
If even Tengen had concluded that the Death Curse Spirit existed…
Then doubting it was meaningless.
Yuki slowly covered her face.
“…Seriously?” “The worst possible cursed spirit…” “Actually exists?” A Curse Spirit born from death itself…
The implications were horrifying.
Such an existence possessed limitless potential.
If allowed to mature…
Nobody could predict how powerful it might become.
Several moments later…
Yuki took a deep breath.
The shock gradually faded.
In its place…
Resolve returned.
She looked toward the elders.
“Fine.” “Tell me everything.” “Its location.” “Its abilities.” “Its current condition.” “If I’m going to fight it…” “I’d at least like to know what I’m walking into.” The elders exchanged glances.
Then…
They revealed everything they knew.
Its name.
Ronova.
Its appearance.
Its connection to Gojo Satoru.
Its innate technique…
All Things Die.
The fact that Gojo had chosen to shelter it instead of exorcising it.
By the time the explanation ended…
Yuki sat motionless.
After a long silence…
She finally spoke.
“…That idiot.” Every elder looked at her.
Yuki sighed deeply.
“Gojo Satoru…” “Has completely lost his mind.” Only someone as absurd as Gojo…
Would discover the most dangerous cursed spirit in history…
And decide to raise it instead of destroying it.