"Megumi, maybe it's my imagination, but I feel like the atmosphere around us is a bit strange," Nobara Kugisaki murmured softly, her brows slightly furrowed as she vigilantly observed her surroundings.
Unlike Fushiguro Megumi, who had lived in the city since childhood, Nobara Kugisaki was born in a remote village, making her much more sensitive to the current suburban environment than Fushiguro Megumi.
Fushiguro Megumi nodded seriously upon hearing her words. In this environment, his senses were indeed not as sharp as Nobara Kugisaki's, but his summoned shikigami, Nue, was still circling in the air, relaying information to him.
Is something hidden nearby?
If even the shikigami Nue couldn't accurately perceive it, it could only be a stronger entity. Although it was also possible that a Curse User was lurking nearby, the greater possibility was a powerful Special Grade Cursed Spirit.
"Nobara Kugisaki, it's probably a Special..."
Before Fushiguro Megumi's words had fully fallen, the shadow hidden in the surroundings suddenly flashed out. It was a dog-like Cursed Spirit, which raised its sharp claws and fangs and charged towards Fushiguro Megumi.
"Shikigami Summoning: rabbit escape!"
At the critical moment, Fushiguro Megumi formed new hand seals. Countless shikigami rabbits leaped out from the shadows, forming a shield with their bodies before the dog-shaped Cursed Spirit's claws and fangs could reach Fushiguro Megumi.
With a "swish!" the shield formed by the rabbit escape was torn apart. Fushiguro Megumi also used the brief time the rabbit escape bought him to roll on the ground and create distance.
"It's a Special Grade Cursed Spirit!"
Fushiguro Megumi shouted, and Nobara Kugisaki's equally strenuous shout responded.
"No need to tell me, I see it!!!"
As Nobara Kugisaki's shout fell, countless nails imbued with Cursed Energy were launched from the hammer in her hand, all striking the Cursed Spirit and piercing it. Unfortunately, the damage was not significant.
Unlike human Jujutsu Sorcerers who must learn Reverse Cursed Technique, Cursed Spirits, whose bodies are made of Cursed Energy, can easily repair damaged bodies by simply expending Cursed Energy.
A vast amount of Cursed Energy flowed from its body. It had been so well hidden just moments ago, but now it exposed its Cursed Energy as if it were an exhibitionist.
This was a very ominous, disgusting Cursed Energy that made one want to cover their mouth and vomit. It even caused the two who perceived its Cursed Energy to experience confusing hallucinations.
"This is a Special Grade Cursed Spirit... No, it shouldn't be an ordinary Special Grade Cursed Spirit. Did it devour Sukuna's fingers? One, or two, or... all of them?"
Fushiguro Megumi muttered nervously to himself. Not long ago, his teacher Chinatsu had taught them about Special Grade Cursed Spirits.
"Special Grade Cursed Spirit? Well, they are indeed very strong, but although they share the 'Special Grade' title with Special Grade Sorcerers, there's still a big difference between the two. I'd say they're like the lowest tier of Special Grades. Megumi, you should be able to handle one by yourself."
The three of them walked shoulder to shoulder, chatting on the road. Chinatsu walked in the middle, smiling as she spoke, raising both hands to stroke the heads of the two beside her.
Fushiguro Megumi's face was full of disbelief. He had only seen one Special Grade Cursed Spirit to date, which was the octopus Cursed Spirit that had run to their area during the national chaos a few years ago and was beaten up by his dad.
Although he was severely beaten by his dad back then, Fushiguro Megumi, who was also often disciplined by his own dad's physical techniques, could deeply understand that feeling of powerlessness. Putting aside other combat abilities, Fushiguro Megumi greatly admired that level of durability.
Nobara Kugisaki, walking on the other side, heard Chinatsu praise Fushiguro Megumi for having the strength to single-handedly subjugate a Special Grade Cursed Spirit. Being highly competitive, she also pointed a finger at herself, repeatedly asking Chinatsu if she could do it too.
"Nobara Kugisaki, you're still a bit lacking, but I believe you'll be able to do it in no time, after all, you're so smart, Nobara Kugisaki."
Listening to Chinatsu's words, Nobara Kugisaki put one hand on her hip and slightly turned her head to look at Fushiguro Megumi on the other side, letting out a heavy snort from her nose, much like a child vying for affection.
Nobara Kugisaki: I'll catch up!
Fushiguro Megumi: Ah, this... Fushiguro Megumi sighed helplessly. This sigh was not because of Nobara Kugisaki; Chinatsu beside him knew the reason.
"Do you feel like you haven't grown much lately?"
The sudden question caught Fushiguro Megumi off guard, especially such a penetrating inquiry into his inner thoughts.
He fell into a brief silence and didn't answer immediately, but this could also be considered a response. Seeing this, Chinatsu raised her head slightly and spoke again.
"The growth of Jujutsu Sorcerers is not linear. I believe that even if I didn't say this, you've heard it from others. In the Jujutsu World, where talent surpasses effort, getting stuck in a dead end of arduous training isn't a good thing."
Fushiguro Megumi didn't quite understand Chinatsu's words. He lowered his head and pondered for a moment before opening his mouth in confusion.
"Shouldn't I be working hard?"
At this, Chinatsu almost clenched her fist and delivered a 'fist of love' to Fushiguro Megumi's head. Just as the punch was about to land, her professional ethics as a teacher made her hold back.
"Oh my goodness, what I mean is that you and Nobara Kugisaki have both worked hard enough. I've seen all your efforts. What you're missing now is just a small opportunity, a chance for you to be reborn. When that opportunity truly comes, you two must seize it."
Chinatsu's words echoed in both their minds at this moment. Without a single word of dialogue, the expressions in their eyes changed, becoming even more resolute.
"Shikigami Summoning: Divine Dogs!"
Fushiguro Megumi formed new hand seals, and two dog-shaped shikigami, one black and one white, emerged from his shadow. After summoning the shikigami, he did not retreat behind them. Instead, he seriously raised his clenched fists, with dense black Cursed Energy coiling around them.
In the Jujutsu World, there is a stereotype that Jujutsu Sorcerers who use shikigami as their combat method have weak physical combat skills. It's believed that if one can avoid the shikigami's interference and get close to the Jujutsu Sorcerer, they can easily defeat them.
Fushiguro Megumi, as the wielder of the Ten Shadows Technique, the pinnacle of shikigami-based Cursed Techniques, should also fall into this category. Unfortunately, he did not grow up in the Zen'in Family.
If he had been born into the Zen'in Family and received systematic training as a family head from a young age, perhaps his mastery of the Ten Shadows Technique could have advanced even further. However, growing up beside his father, the heavenly restriction tyrant, also had its advantages.
Fushiguro Megumi seriously stared at the Special Grade Cursed Spirit before him. Nobara Kugisaki also held her hammer and nails, walking solemnly behind the Special Grade Cursed Spirit. If her gaze, fixed on the Special Grade Cursed Spirit, were directed at a person, it would likely make their legs tremble with fear.
Special Grade Cursed Spirit... we will exorcise it!