“Come in.” “This will be your room from now on.” “As long as you don’t cause any trouble, you’ll be safe here.” Shoko Ieiri smiled warmly as she showed Ronova around the apartment.
Ronova nodded obediently.
“Thank you.” She looked perfectly harmless.
What she didn’t realize was that the person now in the greatest danger…
Wasn’t herself.
It was Shoko.
After helping Ronova settle in, Shoko found Gojo waiting outside.
She folded her arms.
“Alright.” “Tell me everything.” “You’re not still planning to hide the truth from me, are you?” Gojo scratched the back of his head.
At this point…
There was no reason to keep pretending.
So he told her everything.
Ronova’s true identity.
The circumstances of her birth.
Her innate technique.
And the terrifying potential hidden within the Curse Spirit born from humanity’s fear of death.
When he finished…
Shoko was silent for several seconds.
Then she stared at him as though he had completely lost his mind.
“…Are you insane?” “I already knew you were reckless.” “I didn’t realize you were completely crazy.” Back when they attended Tokyo Jujutsu High together, Shoko had often referred to Gojo and Suguru Geto as “idiots.” It had been years since she had called him that.
The fact she was doing it again showed just how unbelievable this situation was.
After all…
Setting aside Ronova’s status as a Special Grade Cursed Spirit…
Shoko herself was one of the few people capable of using Reverse Cursed Technique to heal others.
She understood better than almost anyone how dangerous Special Grades could be.
That alone wouldn’t have shocked her.
What truly stunned her…
Was Ronova’s origin.
A Curse Spirit born from death itself.
The concept was absurd.
Death was among humanity’s oldest and deepest fears.
If such a fear could truly produce a cursed spirit…
Then that spirit’s potential would be almost limitless.
Any fool could see that.
“So…” Shoko looked directly at Gojo.
“You found a cursed spirit that’s practically destined to become unstoppable…” “And instead of exorcising it…” “You decided to raise it?” Gojo smiled awkwardly.
“…Something like that.” Shoko sighed.
“So you’re really that bored.” “You’ve been the strongest for so long that you decided to raise someone capable of challenging you.” Gojo didn’t deny it.
There was some truth to her accusation.
Being unrivaled for years had become…
Lonely.
Seeing his expression…
Shoko knew she’d guessed correctly.
Gojo finally explained himself.
“I won’t deny there was a bit of a gamble.” “But…” “I think I made the right choice.” “You only see Ronova as the Death Curse Spirit.” “I see Ronova herself.” “She’s a good kid.” “I’ve watched her carefully.” “She has never once tried to kill anyone.” “She only witnesses death.” “She doesn’t create it.” Gojo paused.
Then asked quietly, “And can you guarantee…” “That if I exorcise Ronova today…” “The next Death Curse Spirit will be just like her?” Shoko froze.
She couldn’t.
Because Gojo was right.
Cursed spirits could be destroyed.
But the fear that created them…
Could not.
As long as humanity continued fearing death…
Another Death Curse Spirit would eventually be born.
Who could guarantee that the next one would be as gentle as Ronova?
What if the next one delighted in slaughter?
What if it actively sought to spread death?
Compared to that possibility…
Ronova almost seemed like the best possible outcome.
After a long silence…
Shoko let out a deep sigh.
“…Fine.” “I understand your reasoning.” She still wasn’t completely convinced.
But she could at least understand why Gojo had made his decision.
If nothing else…
Ronova’s personality had earned her a chance.
After explaining everything else that needed to be said…
Gojo was promptly kicked out of the apartment.
The moment the front door closed— Only Ronova and Shoko remained.
Ronova was still wondering how she should improve her relationship with her new roommate…
When Shoko suddenly crouched down in front of her.
“Ronova…” “Can I call you Rona-chan?” Ronova blinked.
Then smiled sweetly.
“Of course.” “Shoko-nee.” That single word— Onee-san.
It dealt critical damage.
Shoko immediately covered her face.
“…Too cute.” She had completely lost.
Ronova’s appearance was simply unfair.
Sometimes…
Being too adorable also had its drawbacks.
Several hours later…
Ronova sat motionlessly on a chair with a blank expression.
Like a life-sized fashion doll.
Shoko excitedly held up another outfit.
“No.” “This one suits you better.” “The clothes Gojo bought are terrible.” “Does he seriously have no fashion sense?” “Someone as beautiful as you shouldn’t waste your looks.” Ronova stared blankly into space.
Her previous life’s philosophy had been simple.
As long as clothes were clean…
And wearable…
That was enough.
Fashion?
Matching colors?
Accessories?
Those concepts had never existed in her dictionary.
Unfortunately…
Shoko clearly disagreed.
After dragging her through multiple clothing stores…
The fashion show continued once they got home.
Ronova had already changed outfits dozens of times.
She was mentally exhausted.
Eventually…
Shoko guided her in front of a mirror.
Ronova looked up.
“…” She stared silently at her own reflection.
The elegant outfit…
The carefully arranged hair…
The subtle accessories…
Combined with her naturally ethereal appearance…
Even she had to admit…
She looked stunning.
“…Maybe…” “Dressing up isn’t so bad after all.” Shoko smiled triumphantly.
While Ronova was unknowingly becoming Shoko’s newest dress-up project…
The outside world was growing increasingly restless.
The first to make a move…
Was Suguru Geto.
Ever since witnessing Ronova erase the distance between two locations and escape using All Things Die…
He had become convinced of one thing.
Ronova possessed the potential to become the greatest cursed spirit in history.
If she reached maturity…
She might truly stand above every other cursed spirit.
Someone like that…
Would be the perfect ally for his ideal world.
Because of Ronova…
Geto even began reconsidering his future plans.
Originally…
He had intended to target Yuta Okkotsu and obtain the power of Rika, the Queen of Curses.
Now…
His priorities had changed.
Why pursue Rika…
When Ronova possessed even greater potential?
If he could convince Ronova to stand beside him…
His dream of creating a world ruled solely by jujutsu sorcerers would become far more attainable.
Meanwhile…
The higher-ups of Jujutsu Headquarters summoned Gojo Satoru once again.
The interrogation began immediately.
“What exactly is that Special Grade Cursed Spirit?” “What fear gave birth to it?” “What abilities does it possess?” Gojo yawned.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” “I already exorcised the cursed spirit.” The room fell silent.
Several elders clenched their fists.
Gojo was gifted in almost every way.
Except one.
He absolutely refused to obey authority.
Sometimes…
The higher-ups genuinely regretted allowing him to grow into the strongest sorcerer alive.
Unfortunately…
Regret accomplished nothing.
No one in the room possessed the power to force Gojo to answer.
Eventually…
The questioning ended without producing any results.
As Gojo reached the doorway…
One of the elders spoke coldly.
“You can’t hide her forever.” “We’ll find her.” “And when we do…” “We’ll eliminate her.” Gojo stopped walking.
Everyone expected him to become angry.
Instead…
He turned around wearing a carefree smile.
“As if you could.” The room instantly fell silent.
Gojo shrugged.
“The fact that I can deal with her…” “Doesn’t mean you can.” “Ronova may still be immature…” “But she’s already a Special Grade.” “Without a sorcerer of Special Grade caliber…” “Anyone sent after her would simply be throwing their life away.” With those words…
Gojo walked out without another glance.
Leaving the higher-ups with expressions as dark as thunderclouds.