Year 2002.
In a small village in the Japanese countryside, by the bank of a quiet river, a young boy sat fishing.
His hairstyle was rather “exotic” compared to the locals—he grew his hair long, tied it up in a high bun at the back, while his bangs sloped heavily to one side, giving off an impression that was both messy and somehow…
stylish.He had been sitting there for a long time, his gaze gradually turning bored.
“Not a single bite…”
Just as he was about to give up, his fishing rod jerked violently.
“Got one!”
He sprang to his feet, eyes lighting up.
The tug was heavy—definitely a big fish.He braced himself, pulling up with all his strength.However, as the catch broke the surface, the excitement on his face instantly froze.It wasn’t a fish.It was a sword…
snapped in half.The kid blinked a few times, then picked it up to inspect it.Even though it was broken, the blade remained icy sharp.
The hilt and pommel were crafted with remarkable finesse, clearly no ordinary item.
“Hmm… keeping it as a kitchen knife could work.”
He shrugged, casually swinging it a few times before deciding to wrap up his fishing trip.
“Time to go home.”
He raised his hand.A flare of cursed energy flickered—from behind him, a cursed spirit resembling a pelican manifested.
He jumped onto its back, letting the wind carry him toward the village.
That boy was a jujutsu sorcerer.His innate technique was Cursed Spirit Manipulation—the ability to subdue and control cursed spirits.Yet his parents were completely ordinary humans.No one in his family understood the power he possessed.
On the first day he awakened, he didn’t even know what he was facing.Fortunately, a passing jujutsu sorcerer on a mission visited the village.
That very person explained this world to him—about cursed spirits, jujutsu sorcerers, and the path he was stepping onto.Currently, being underaged, he could not yet enroll in Jujutsu High.So, he remained in this village.Fighting on his own.Subduing cursed spirits on his own.And protecting those around him.
Cursed Spirit Manipulation was a powerful ability—but by no means a pleasant one.With weak cursed spirits, he only needed to touch them to absorb them.For stronger ones, however… he was forced to defeat them first.In the early days, he almost risked his life every single time he fought.On the bright side, with every victory, his “army” grew larger.And life… gradually became a little easier to navigate.He didn’t neglect physical combat training either—because he understood clearly that relying solely on cursed spirits would one day cost him dearly.
Yet there was one thing… he could never get used to.After being subdued, cursed spirits turned into small spheres.And to gain absolute control over them…He had to swallow them.Their taste—Was like a rag used to wipe up vomit.Every single time, his stomach churned violently.”What kind of cursed taste is this…”He hated it.Hated it deeply.
Except for that…He was still proud of his power.He believed that awakening this ability… was no coincidence.The jujutsu sorcerer from back then had also said:”You are a special case, kid.”
His parents didn’t understand jujutsu.But they understood him.They trusted, loved, and supported him unconditionally—even though he was doing a job they could neither see nor touch.
Gradually, a clear conviction took root in his heart:”Perhaps… my mission is to protect non-sorcerers.”
He tightened his grip on the broken sword’s hilt.His gaze turned resolute.
After a long flight, the young boy finally returned to his small home.Smoke curled up from the kitchen.
His mother was standing at the stove.”You’re back, Suguru?” She turned her head, smiling.
Out of luck today.””That’s a shame,” She chuckled softly.
“Good thing your father anticipated it and bought fish on his way home.””Oh, man…”
Geto Suguru, 13 years old.A jujutsu sorcerer… born into a completely normal family.
“By the way, Mom,” Suguru sat down, suddenly asking, “did… he visit today?””I assume you mean that sorcerer gentleman?” She replied.
“No, didn’t see him today.
But he left a message saying you should keep training, and he’ll visit when he finishes his work.””Got it.”That man lived in Tokyo—a distant and bustling city.
He once mentioned that Suguru possessed extraordinary potential, even promising to take him to Jujutsu High when he was old enough.A promise… capable of changing an entire life.
“Ah, I brought this back.”Suguru pulled out the broken sword.His mother glanced over, not paying much mind.”Looks quite nice.
Alright, go wash your hands and let’s eat.””Okay.”Suguru nodded, casually tucking the blade at his waist before heading to wash up.While he was at it, he rinsed the sword as well.Water ran over the cold steel edge.And then—Suguru froze.”…Wait… wasn’t it shorter earlier?”He knit his brows.The sword… seemed to have grown slightly longer.Then he shook his head.”Must be misremembering.”
Dinner proceeded simply.A small house, humble food, yet strangely warm.Suguru looked at his parents, a familiar warmth swelling in his heart.I have to make life better for them.Currently, he was already capable of exorcising Grade 1 cursed spirits on his own.The money earned from minor tasks, he handed over entirely to his family.If he became an official Grade 1 jujutsu sorcerer in the future… he would have a stable income.A clearer future.
“How has your work been lately?” His father asked.”Not bad,” Suguru answered casually.
“Cursed spirits are getting stronger… but I’m still stronger than them.”His father fell silent for a moment, then said:”Be careful.
Every time you come home with injuries… I can’t help but worry.”Suguru nodded softly.It was precisely words like these… that made it impossible for him to stop.
After dinner, once chores were done, Suguru went out to his usual training spot behind the house.The night wind was cool.He began warming up.To Suguru, martial arts weren’t an option—they were a necessity.Despite being a Cursed Spirit Manipulation user, he pushed himself to reach high-level close-quarters proficiency.At first, he learned from martial artists in the village.Later… he developed his own style.His own fist techniques.His own movement patterns.Even weapon usage: three-section staffs, katanas…
Remembering something, Suguru paused.The sword.He drew it out.And this time—He no longer had any doubts.The sword… was growing longer.Right before his eyes.Not an illusion.Not a mistake.The broken section of the blade… was slowly “sprouting” back, as though it had never been broken in the first place.Suguru narrowed his eyes.”…This sword is restoring itself?”A simple conclusion.Yet far from ordinary.He lightly squeezed the hilt.The metal was cold… yet carried an indescribable sensation.Not like an inanimate object.More like—something that was sleeping.
Suguru lowered the blade.His gaze turned serious.”Looks like… I picked up something quite extraordinary.”He went back inside, digging through old books on swordsmanship.A thought gradually took shape.Starting today—he would use this sword.
.
.
.
Kaito, 13 years old, was sitting in the Yorozuya office, looking every bit like a real “boss.”This place had been operational for nearly a year.
The office occupied the second floor of a three-story building in Beika Town, Beika District, Tokyo.
The first floor was a café, quite convenient; the third floor served as the living space for Toji and his wife.Although the sign read Yorozuya—an “odd-jobs” shop—people frequently mistook it for a detective agency.Kaito didn’t mind.
If there was work and money, that was enough.Normally, Toji would man the second floor.
Thanks to having the “financial mogul” Kaito backing him, he lived quite comfortably… perhaps even a bit excessively.An expensive set of office desk and chair, upholstered in genuine leather like an executive’s.
Beside it stood a glass display cabinet showcasing antiques.
The reception area featured a premium sofa paired with a brand-new flat-screen TV.When Kaito first came to inspect the place, he could only exclaim:”Don’t tell me you burnt through an entire year’s budget on these things?”Kuina had to continuously apologize on her husband’s behalf.As for Toji… he remained silent, two distinct “red maple leaves” stamped on his face from the recent physical discipline.
Kuina had given birth safely—to a baby boy.Toji named him Megumi, meaning “blessing from heaven.” Though the name sounded a bit feminine…The issue lay in the surname.According to the agreement with Naobito, Toji still bore the Zenin name.
However, he desperately wished for his son to have nothing to do with that family name.In the end, Kuina still decided to register the child’s name as Zenin Megumi on his birth certificate. This chapter was taken from novelping.com without permission.
Ever since Megumi’s birth, Toji’s life seemed to have settled down.During the day, he sat in the office.
If there was no work, he watched football, horse racing, drank beer… making the place intolerably messy at times.Kuina—or sometimes Tobu when she stopped by to hang out—would have to clean up while nagging relentlessly.When commissions arrived, usually finding lost pets or investigating marital infidelity, Toji immediately got to work.Despite his striking appearance, he was exceptionally skilled at suppressing his presence.
Combined with a sharp sense of smell, these kinds of jobs weren’t too difficult for him, and the income was decent.In the evening, he returned to the third floor—a small, simply decorated yet cozy apartment complete with a dining room, bedroom, kitchen, and a nursery for the newborn.Life seemed to have found its groove.
However, on one occasion, Toji took an observation job.Things got complicated when the target under surveillance suddenly died.The police immediately suspected him and brought him in for questioning.Toji was quickly cleared of suspicion.
Not only that, thanks to his sharp intuition and keen observation skills, he even assisted in tracking down the actual culprit.Ever since then, in the eyes of ordinary people, Toji had become a reputable detective, even earning recognition from the police.Conversely, in the jujutsu world, this place still held little influence.Exorcising cursed spirits was usually assigned by headquarters.As for illegal commissions like assassinations—after Toji became “connected” with the police—no one dared approach him for those anymore.Nevertheless, Kaito felt this was good enough.At least Toji now had a home to protect.His marriage was quite solid.
Kuina was one of the few people who could keep his wild temper in check.Except…Toji was… terrible at babysitting.Once, Kuina went out, leaving Megumi in his care.Right when the baby cried for milk, Toji was glued to a football match.He fed the baby milk.Then… used duct tape to stick the kid to the wall so he could keep watching the game.A very… “special” family.
Additionally, two women occasionally appeared in the house—Katen and Kyokotsu.After a year of training, Toji could now materialize the souls of the two blades.The first time Kuina saw them, she thought he dared bring mistresses home.Even worse, those two “girls” didn’t bother explaining, deliberately teasing, touching, and flirting, leaving Toji unable to defend himself despite having a mouth.In the end, Kaito had to personally step in to explain for him.Over time, Kuina accepted their existence—viewing them as somewhat… odd members of the family.
“Hmm… this month’s income isn’t bad.”Kaito turned the pages of the ledger, his gaze focused.Kuina, after recovering from childbirth, had come down to assist with management.
On this front, Kaito trusted her implicitly.”However… why are transportation expenses so high?
Especially when you work around District A?””District A… isn’t there a racetrack over there?” Tobu tilted her head in thought.A second of silence.”You bastard of a husband!”A vein popped on Kuina’s forehead.
She immediately grabbed Toji’s ear, twisting hard.”You burnt money on that again, didn’t you?!”Toji curled up on his chair, trying to shrink his presence as if… doing so would spare him.Kaito sighed softly.”Sigh… gambling is fine.
But your taste is awful.
You keep betting on weak horses.
Why not bet on the dark horses and win big at once?”Toji instantly sat up, arguing back:”What do you know, Kaito?!
Battle Wolf is always highly rated!
It’s just… its time hasn’t come yet!”…Clearly, that wasn’t the main point.Kuina and Tobu watched the two men arguing with full passion, completely speechless.Without realizing it, Kaito had begun catching Toji’s “contagion.””Hmph, whatever to you two.”Kuina crossed her arms, turning toward the door.”Since we’re done, I’m heading to the market.
Kaito, Tobu, please watch Megumi for me.”She gave clear instructions.And Toji?Completely ignored.
When Kuina left, only three people remained in the office.The atmosphere instantly shifted.Kaito closed the ledger, his eyes turning serious.”Alright.
Now for main business.”Kaito spoke up, his voice dropping an octave.”The higher-ups at headquarters… are starting to keep an eye on us.”Toji sneered, full of disdain:”Never could stand that group of old coots.”Tobu rested her chin on her hand, sighing:”I don’t get why… annoying people always sit in high positions everywhere.”Kaito nodded slightly, continuing:”Earlier, they ordered a Soul Slayer Blade from me.
Then brought it in for analysis.””And?” Toji raised an eyebrow.”Snapped in half.”A short pause.”Not only did they fail completely… but they threw it away like trash.”Kaito paused briefly, then added:”Until they learned… that a Soul Slayer Blade can restore itself using its master’s cursed energy.”Toji let out a soft laugh:”And now they’re coming back demanding compensation from you?””Precisely.””Fools.”Kaito didn’t refute.
His gaze lowered slightly.He could always sense every blade he forged—like faint signals, yet never disappearing.That discarded blade… seemed to have found a new master.Someone far more suited.”So currently…” Kaito closed his notebook, “…they are looking for ways to sway those who possess Soul Slayer Blades.”
Over the past year, the number of Soul Slayer Blades Kaito sold had increased significantly.And as more people used them, he collected even more interesting data.First—even if a Soul Slayer Blade was destroyed, it could restore itself as long as the master supplied cursed energy.Second—even before unlocking Shikai, they transformed according to their user.The blade could grow longer, wider, or abnormally sharp, depending on the volume of cursed energy.Every strike, when “fed” with cursed energy, possessed power far surpassing ordinary weapons.A Grade 2 sorcerer wielding a Soul Slayer Blade could completely defeat a Grade 1 cursed spirit.Even… hold off a Special Grade cursed spirit long enough to make a safe retreat.That alone was enough to make the reputation of Soul Slayer Blades spread far and wide.
And it wasn’t as if no one had reached Shikai.In the Gojo clan, someone had unlocked theirs—a blade named Kubikiri Orochi, featuring a menacing serrated edge.Someone in the Kamo family awakened Gonryomaru—taking the form of a slender rapier, razor-sharp to the extreme.As for the Zenin side… Haguro Tonbo appeared.Calling it a “sword” was no longer accurate.It resembled a double-ended quarterstaff, each end tipped with an oval blade.
When witnessing Shikai for the first time, the clan heads were thrilled.However, that joy did not last long.Aside from changing shape and increasing destructive power… these blades possessed no special intrinsic abilities.Disappointment was inevitable.After all…Not every Soul Slayer Blade reached the caliber of Kaito’s Hyōrinmaru, Satoru’s Senbonzakura… or Toji’s Katen Kyōkotsu.The gap between them—clearly existed.
Because of this, the clans grew even more desperate.They continued buying more Soul Slayer Blades.Simultaneously pouring resources into cultivating those who had become their masters.
Kaito was different.He recorded every piece of data, every transformation, every reaction of each blade.Initially, all started from a single form—a katana.Yet over time… according to the very nature of the wielder…they gradually evolved into entirely different things.Not just weapons.Rather… the reflection of the soul.Those evaluated as “nothing special” didn’t feel discouraged either.Because, even without outstanding innate abilities…As long as they reached Shikai—That blade had truly become their genuine companion.
“Those higher-ups… also approached me and Satoru,” Tobu spoke, her tone calm, but her eyes chilled by a few degrees.”They promised all sorts of things.
Power, resources… even throwing in subtle threats.”She paused.”The condition was establishing a binding vow—to obey their orders.”Toji chuckled contemptuously:”Don’t tell me you were planning to nod along?”Tobu shot him a glance.”Do you think I’m that kind of person?”A flicker of killing intent brushed past.”In fact… I wanted to kill every last one of them on the spot.”The room’s atmosphere dropped abruptly.Understandable.Tobu and Satoru—two individuals who had inherited inherited techniques, possessed Soul Slayer Blades, and maintained close ties with Kaito.Yet the higher-ups still dared offer conditions like that.Not out of confidence.Rather… out of habitual manipulation.”That group… is rotten from the roots,” Kaito said softly.He turned back a few pages of notes.”They once deliberately provided false information regarding cursed spirits.”Toji knit his brows:”For what?””To push jujutsu sorcerers into missions beyond their capabilities.”A silent beat.”Testing reactions.
Or… eliminating those they can’t control.”Tobu tightened her grip.”Lucky those people had Soul Slayer Blades.”Kaito nodded.”After surviving and returning… they all came to find me.”Not to make demands.Rather… to express gratitude.”Satoru told me as well,” Kaito continued, his voice dropping lower.”He wants to wipe out that whole bunch.”Toji smiled faintly:”Makes sense.””But now is not the time,” Kaito stated immediately.He looked directly at the other two.”Killing them isn’t hard.””The hard part is… what comes after.”No one responded.Because everyone understood.If the higher-ups disappeared—Who would control the jujutsu world?What would the factions standing behind them do?And… who possessed enough standing to step up and replace them?To overthrow—One must have successors ready.Kaito closed his notebook.”We are not ready yet.”Toji grunted softly, expressing disgust:”Listening to this political stuff really gives me a headache.”He stood up, stretching his arms.”I’m going to train.””Not staying for dinner?” Kaito glanced at him.”I’m cooking this meal.”Tobu, who had her back turned, froze in her tracks.”…Then training can wait.”Toji raised an eyebrow, bursting into a chuckle.By now, Tobu’s daily routine had been very clearly divided—Meals cooked by Kaito,andmeals not cooked by Kaito.