Gojo Satoru was undeniably reckless.
But reckless did not mean foolish.
After learning about Ronova’s abilities, even someone as confident as Gojo should never have trusted her so completely.
After all…
Ronova was a cursed spirit.
Not a human.
Gojo could place unconditional trust in people like Yuta Okkotsu and Yuji Itadori because, at their core, they were still human.
Ronova wasn’t.
So why did Gojo continue protecting her as though he had lost all caution?
The answer was surprisingly simple.
Ronova had already used All Things Die on him.
Not to kill Gojo himself…
But to kill his murderous intent and wariness toward her.
Gojo had greatly underestimated the true scope of Ronova’s innate technique.
Who would ever imagine that an ability capable of killing people…
Could also kill something as intangible as intent?
Yet that was exactly what Ronova had done.
Quietly.
Silently.
Unlike techniques that exploded with cursed energy or dramatic visual effects…
All Things Die made almost no sound.
It arrived as death itself often did.
Without warning.
Without spectacle.
Gojo never realized that anything had happened.
After all…
Ronova wasn’t trying to kill him.
She only targeted the thoughts that would have driven him to exorcise her.
His hostility.
His instinctive caution.
Compared to killing Gojo himself…
Those concepts required only a tiny fraction of cursed energy.
As a result…
Without realizing it, Gojo gradually viewed Ronova less as a dangerous Special Grade Cursed Spirit…
And more as someone worthy of protection.
Even opposing the higher-ups no longer felt like an especially difficult decision.
From the outside…
It looked as though Gojo had simply chosen to gamble on Ronova’s future.
In reality…
He had unknowingly fallen victim to her ability from the very beginning.
As for Shoko Ieiri…
Ronova still couldn’t understand her.
She had never used All Things Die on Shoko.
She hadn’t manipulated her emotions.
Nor had she killed any part of her will.
Yet Shoko continued treating her with extraordinary kindness.
Thinking about it…
Ronova couldn’t help making a strange guess.
…Could Shoko actually like girls?
It was the only explanation she could come up with.
Unfortunately…
Peace never lasted forever.
Soon enough…
Ronova encountered the one person she least wanted to see.
Suguru Geto.
That afternoon…
Shoko had gone to Tokyo Jujutsu High for work as usual.
Ronova stayed behind.
She sat comfortably in the apartment, drinking the soda Shoko had bought for her while enjoying the cool air conditioning.
She even occupied Shoko’s computer without the slightest trace of guilt.
Life was wonderful.
Then— A familiar voice interrupted her.
“A cursed spirit born from humanity’s fear of death…” “…yet one that has no interest in spreading death.” “To be honest…” “I’m impressed.” Ronova instantly stiffened.
She slowly turned around.
Standing behind her…
As though he had always been there…
Was Suguru Geto.
Every muscle in her body tensed.
If anything happened…
She would immediately use All Things Die to erase the distance between herself and somewhere far away.
She wasn’t interested in fighting him.
Geto was simply too dangerous for any cursed spirit.
Seeing the obvious vigilance in Ronova’s eyes…
Geto raised both hands slightly.
“Relax.” “I don’t have any intention of harming you.” “My technique allows me to control cursed spirits…” “But I have no intention of using it on you.” “You possess limitless potential.” “I possess an ideal worth pursuing.” “It would be incredibly foolish to destroy the very person who could help me realize that ideal.” He smiled gently.
“I’m here to seek your cooperation.” Those words…
Were completely sincere.
At least…
From Geto’s perspective.
The truth was exactly as he claimed.
Ronova’s innate technique was terrifying.
But her own strength still lagged far behind.
Even if Geto forcibly absorbed her today…
Would she be capable of defeating Gojo Satoru?
No.
Would she possess enough power to change the world?
Still no.
Since that was the case…
Absorbing her now would only waste her limitless potential.
Far better…
To let her continue growing.
Then, once she reached maturity…
She would become the greatest weapon imaginable.
Suguru Geto possessed everything necessary to become a tragic villain.
A gifted youth.
A painful past.
The loss of comrades.
The repeated burden of swallowing cursed spirits through Cursed Spirit Manipulation, a process so revolting that he once compared it to swallowing a filthy rag soaked in vomit.
Gradually…
His ideals changed.
He reached a conclusion.
Cursed spirits were born from the negative emotions of ordinary humans.
Therefore…
As long as non-sorcerers continued existing…
Cursed spirits would never disappear.
His solution was simple.
Create a world inhabited only by jujutsu sorcerers.
A world without ordinary humans.
If humanity disappeared…
The source of cursed spirits would disappear with it.
To everyone else…
It was madness.
To Geto…
It was salvation.
That belief ultimately transformed him into the most wanted curse user in Japan.
Understanding Geto’s ideology made one thing obvious.
He had absolutely no desire to kill Ronova.
On the contrary…
He wanted her to become stronger.
As the Curse Spirit born from death itself…
She possessed the potential to wipe out humanity.
Exactly the power Geto needed.
Naturally…
There was also another reason.
Once a cursed spirit was absorbed through Cursed Spirit Manipulation, its growth permanently ceased.
If Geto intended to absorb Ronova at all…
It certainly wouldn’t be now.
He would wait until she had fully matured.
That was why his promise not to harm her…
Sounded so convincing.
For a brief moment…
Ronova almost believed him.
Almost.
While pretending to listen…
Ronova was actually searching for opportunities to escape.
Follow Geto?
Absolutely impossible.
That would be like willingly walking into a tiger’s den.
Still…
She kept smiling.
“Cooperation?” “Tell me more.” Geto nodded.
“It’s simple.” “I’ll help you grow stronger.” “In return…” “You’ll help me with a few insignificant tasks.” Ronova nearly laughed out loud.
“Insignificant?” You mean helping you wipe out humanity?
No chance.
Still…
She continued playing along.
“What kind of insignificant tasks?” Geto merely smiled.
“Nothing difficult.” “I only want you to do what you’re naturally best at.” Ronova blinked.
Then her eyes suddenly lit up.
“I get it!” “So you’re recruiting me for an esports team?” “I knew it!” “My gaming talent has finally been recognized!” “I’ve always said I was destined for professional competition instead of staying home all day.” “So…” “What’s our team called?” “Who’s sponsoring us?” “Who’s on the roster?” “…” “…” Suguru Geto’s smile froze.
His expression gradually became blank.
He was a Special Grade curse user.
A revolutionary.
A man preparing to reshape the entire world.
And somehow…
The cursed spirit standing in front of him thought he was recruiting her for professional gaming.
For the first time in quite a while…
Suguru Geto genuinely had no idea how to continue the conversation.