Megumi Fushiguro spoke up. "A Grade 4 Curse is 1 point. Grade 3 is 100 points. Grade 2 is 5,000 points. Grade 1 is 100,000 points. A Special Grade Curse is 20 million points."
Megumi had the best mental arithmetic skills in the room. He continued his deduction:
"It's not just killing Curses. I actively sought out a Grade 3 Curse. I chose a frontal assault and, aside from Domain Expansion, I used everything I've learned as much as possible. In the end, the points I obtained weren't a simple 100, but an unexpected 1,515 points. The surplus points likely correspond to the Cursed Energy I expended.
"Although Jujutsu Headquarters hasn't officially recognized it, I consider my rank to have reached Grade 1 Sorcerer. In other words, as long as a Grade 1 Sorcerer encounters a battle requiring full effort, even just in a standard engagement, they can obtain over 2,000 points. As for a death match, I'm not sure..."
At this point, Megumi looked at Yuji.
Yuji blinked, realizing he was likely the only person in the room who had engaged in a death match with a Grade 1 Curse User. So he spoke up innocently:
"After I finished fighting the old man, I got 5,000 points directly."
Megumi frowned. "A round number?"
"Uh, four digits. The first number was 5." Yuji laughed foolishly.
Nobara couldn't take it anymore. "You muscle brain! Look at the points properly! This might be a crucial hint to peering into the nature of the Dream Migration! If we can grasp the exact numbers behind point acquisition, we can roughly gauge the Dream Migration's intensity. Maybe we could even physically break through into the Dream Migration!"
"Huh?" Yuji looked dumbfounded.
Nobara sighed. "My mistake. I shouldn't have expected anything from you."
What Nobara said was correct. Any barrier has its upper limit, even the supreme technique of Jujutsu Sorcerers: Domain Expansion. It was explicitly stated in the texts that Domain Expansions have a difference in internal and external durability. If the offensive power is high enough, one can directly penetrate a Domain Expansion.
As a user of the Resonance technique, Nobara had a lot of say in this. In the original timeline, she had relied on a single finger of Sukuna to interfere with Ryomen Sukuna's battle at a critical moment using Resonance, shining brightly in the canon events.
Yuta Okkotsu comforted his junior, "It's okay. Originally, it was difficult to calculate the Cursed Energy a sorcerer expends during battle, let alone in a death match. Aside from Gojo-sensei who possesses the Six Eyes, I've never heard of anyone who can precisely calculate their own Cursed Energy volume. We sorcerers refine Cursed Energy while fighting, so how could we calculate it precisely?"
Yuta himself was very persuasive on this point. Before Ryomen Sukuna emerged, his Cursed Energy volume was explicitly stated to be the highest in the Jujutsu world. Even Gojo was far inferior to him in terms of sheer volume. Every time he reinforced himself with Cursed Energy, it was like he was shouldering a mountain range; his volume was immeasurable.
Megumi continued expressionlessly, "The function of points is obvious for the improvement of low-level sorcerers, but the improvement should be even more significant for Jujutsu novices. Because points are easy to obtain, some common Jujutsu knowledge can be easily acquired through points. This allows a complete novice to quickly possess combat power. Then, they will attempt to hunt Curses, or even... kill people."
This was a normal development. Those who hold power will eventually be unable to resist venting it. Like a man with a hammer seeing everything as a nail, they want to smash something. The Dream Migration gave these power-holders a place to vent their power infinitely. To some extent, this could even be considered a good thing.
The premise was that the Dream Migration could guarantee that those who gained power would only vent it inside the Dream Migration, and not in reality. But obviously, that was difficult, unless...
"If someone can obtain a Finite Infinity promise and add a Binding Vow to the Dream Migration's Great Barrier that forces power to be used only within the Dream Migration unless in an emergency... only then can we restrict the erupting new sorcerers from acting recklessly in reality. But I think that will be very hard."
Megumi sighed slightly.
"I specifically asked about the difference between the wish list purchasable with points and the Finite Infinity wishes. It's largely a matter of scale. The larger the scale of the issue, the more massive the points required.
"I tried probing downward from 'World Peace' until I reached 'maintaining peace in a single city for one year.' It required roughly over 3 billion points. And as the number of sorcerers in that city, technological development, and population flow increase, the points would scale up. I realized that these kinds of wishes aren't meant to be bought with points at all. They rely on the Finite Infinity wishes."
"3 billion points? Peace for one city for one year?!" Rice Shower said in disbelief. "A Special Grade Curse is only 20 million points. You'd have to kill 150 of them? Does the world... no, since the history of Jujutsu began, have there even been that many Special Grade Curses? It's so expensive!"
Everyone looked at Rice Shower, which startled her. She shrank her shoulders and asked, "W-What is it?"
"No, nothing," Shoko smiled. "I just didn't expect Rice-chan to care so much about the topic of peace. I thought anyone who was a sorcerer wouldn't care at all."
Gojo grumbled in dissatisfaction, "Who says we don't care? I care a lot! Rice-chan, keep that heart that pursues peace. Gojo-sensei is very pleased."
Kusakabe spoke impatiently, "Can we move past the small talk? I understand what Fushiguro means. While things related to self-improvement through Cursed Energy will increase alongside the points needed for precious knowledge, Cursed Tools, or intel, they are far inferior to points that can influence reality.
"3 billion points is enough to buy 30 million resurrections in the Dream Migration. Even a Grade 4 Sorcerer, provided they don't have a mental breakdown from dying, could be grinded up to a Grade 1 Sorcerer with 30 million lives. And that's assuming this Grade 4 Sorcerer doesn't buy any knowledge, Cursed Tools, or techniques."
Kusakabe's statement wasn't an exaggeration. Although being a sorcerer was 80% talent and only 20% effort, death matches were completely different. This was because death matches improved a sorcerer too much. Even a sorcerer with zero talent, relying solely on countless death matches, would definitely be able to break through their talent's ceiling and step onto the path of the truly strong.
The Dream Migration was equivalent to a Jujutsu talent amplifier. No matter how low one's talent was, one could break through their self-limits through death matches. Add to that the purchase of knowledge, Cursed Energy aptitude, Cursed Tools, and the installation of better Innate Techniques, and one could walk a wide, open road to power.
Kusakabe turned to look at Yaga. "Principal Yaga, you need to be prepared. The coming era will inevitably see an explosion of sorcerers. And not just Grade 4s, but a multitude of Grade 3s, Grade 2s, and even new-age Grade 1 Sorcerers. Worse, we can't deny... there will be wild Special Grade Sorcerers born."
"Is... is that possible?" Panda was shocked.
"Isn't Rice Shower a ready-made example?" Kusakabe said faintly. "She was an early test subject of the Lord of Cursed Spirits, and now she has Special Grade combat power. If she can do it, it proves the Lord of Cursed Spirits already has the ability to manufacture Special Grade Sorcerers. Of course, the base material must be excellent. But for sorcerers who can claw their way up from Grade 4 step by step through death matches, their base material must be outstanding. For the Lord of Cursed Spirits, such material could easily be made into a Special Grade Sorcerer."
The reality of the modern era having only three Special Grade Sorcerers would likely be overturned very soon. Kusakabe made his final conclusion.
The air was quiet for about 2 or 3 seconds.
Yaga spoke solemnly, "I will contact Principal Gakuganji later and have him pay attention to this. If the situation becomes critical, Tokyo will also send students to support Kyoto in handling any unrest caused by new sorcerers... No problem, right?"
The last sentence was directed at the students present.
The current students were no longer the same as when they first enrolled. Including the newly minted Heavenly Tyrant and Slash Sorcerer Yuji Itadori, Megumi Fushiguro who held a Domain Expansion and had successfully tamed Mahoraga, and the Lord of Cursed Spirits' original experimental subject Rice Shower... it was no exaggeration to say that this lineup, placed in an era before Satoru Gojo was born, could beat the entire Jujutsu world into submission!
Yaga had to admit that in this era, excellent sorcerers were emerging in clusters. A storm regarding Cursed Energy had already begun to blow. No one could escape; they could only rise and fall within the storm, be killed by it, or become part of the storm itself.
All the students shouted loudly, "No problem!"
Yaga nodded. "Then, let's talk about other intel. Although those points are used for self-improvement, in reality, they shouldn't be useful to top-tier sorcerers pursuing Finite Infinity wishes, because the Key Keepers are the main point."
"They are still somewhat useful," Nobara smiled. "At least we can use points to find out where the Key Keepers are now. We can challenge them in advance!"
Everyone looked at Nobara, staring at her in disbelief.
Panda asked, stuttering, "You... you didn't go challenge a Key Keeper, did you?"
Toge Inumaki also asked, trembling, "Salmon?"
Nobara punched the air excitedly. "Do you know who I saw? I saw Fushiguro's sister! She even specifically used Kamen Rider moves to fight me. Although I got insta-killed, she was still very gentle in telling me my weaknesses and taught me how to use points for post-battle healing. Sister Fushiguro is so cool!"
*You actually went?!*
The names of the Key Keepers would be revealed by Kogane without needing points just by asking: Jogo, Hanami, Dagon, and Tsumiki Fushiguro!
Megumi stood up, asking agitatedly, "Which barrier were you in?"
Kusakabe covered his forehead. "That's not the point, is it?! The point is that a student was reckless enough to challenge a Key Keeper straight away when the Dream Migration has barely opened? You should know that Key Keepers are inevitably top-tier powerhouses. To provoke them without courage or strategy is not a good habit!"
"Enough with the lecture," Nobara said haughtily. "The more you fight strong sorcerers, the more points you get. The more points you get, the stronger you can become. Then repeat the process, eventually becoming stronger than ever before, becoming able to challenge any opponent. Isn't that the underlying rule of the Dream Migration? Since that's the case, with resurrection as my safety net, isn't it normal for me to go take a peek at the Key Keeper of the barrier?"
Kusakabe fumed, "I just said that the Lord of Cursed Spirits expects you to think exactly like that..."
"No, it's useless even if we insist on not resurrecting." Gojo waved his hand casually. "It's useless for just the few of us to hold out. More people have already successfully died and resurrected in the Dream Migration. They have already placed the Binding Vow in their subconscious. A few more of us won't matter, a few less won't matter. Nobara-chan did the right thing. At least we know where Megumi-chan's sister is, right? Maybe we can even get her to show some leniency."
Kusakabe sighed, "Even so, the behavior is dangerous."
"I don't want to drag everyone down," Nobara said seriously. "I know my potential is far inferior to the others. In the past, I would have let it go, after all, the Jujutsu world is a place that relies 80% on heaven-sent talent and only allows 20% room for effort. But it's different now. With the Dream Migration, even I might be able to keep up with the footsteps of a Special Grade Sorcerer... Since the path is right here, why shouldn't I walk it?"
Gojo looked at Toge Inumaki and Panda. These two students said nothing, but their eyes shone with the same light.
The secret meeting arranged by Gojo had become public knowledge with the opening of the Dream Migration. Among the students, Maki Zen'in, Yuji Itadori, Megumi Fushiguro, and Rice Shower were listed, but Nobara Kugisaki, Panda, and Toge Inumaki were not. They knew the reason well.
Insufficient potential was insufficient potential! The Jujutsu world was such a cruel place. Even if they wanted to exert themselves, without the capability, it just wasn't possible. Although they were unwilling, they could only nod in acknowledgment.
But now, the Dream Migration had truly opened. Even those without talent like them had the possibility of keeping up with the strongest... So, how could they not rise up and chase after them?!
Gojo laughed loudly. "That's right! Since the opportunity is here, why not seize it? Kusakabe, I know what the Dream Migration means to Mahito. I know this is an open scheme laid out by him, but I also understand Mahito. He only lays out open schemes; he wouldn't hide other plots within them. For the many sorcerers without talent, the Dream Migration is a bona fide paradise!"
"Since Nobara-chan wants to, then naturally she can pursue the path of the strongest until she arrives by our side. I, Satoru Gojo, approve of it!"
Nobara pumped her fist happily, and Panda and Inumaki raised their hands high in excitement.
Kusakabe closed his eyes and sighed deeply.
*Fine, they're all crazies. They're all fucking crazies! A Jujutsu student who just barged into the Jujutsu world dares to go hard against a resurrected ancient sorcerer's soul, and it's that ancient sorcerer Yorozu! And this gets approved by the modern era's strongest? Fuck!*
*Between this world and me, one of us has to be fucking crazy. I bet it's the world that's gone mad!*
Masamichi Yaga, however, was thinking further ahead.
In that secret meeting, only Aoi Todo from Kyoto High was brought in; the other students were not. There was nothing to say about that—the potential of the current Tokyo High students was simply higher than Kyoto High's! But with the release of the Dream Migration, students other than Aoi Todo would likely rise to chase the leaders just like Nobara, Panda, and Inumaki.
Especially Momo Nishimiya.
For this user of the mediocre Tool Manipulation technique, there was the path of the Fusion Black Flash paved by the Lord of Cursed Spirits ahead. As long as her Jujutsu talent could keep up, one could say the potential of Tool Manipulation could now rival the Ten Shadows Technique, Limitless, and Cleave. The Lord of Cursed Spirits had single-handedly expanded the upper limits of Tool Manipulation.
The remaining Noritoshi Kamo was already from one of the Three Great Families, making his ceiling easier to touch. Kokichi Muta's Heavenly Restriction was also extremely likely to be lifted without reducing his potential, allowing him to stand on the earth with his own two feet. Mai Zen'in's future had practically been demonstrated personally by Tsumiki Fushiguro. Finally, Kasumi Miwa...
Hmm. Kasumi Miwa's path was quite bumpy, but fortunately, points could directly purchase techniques. Even buying a 'Blazing Fire' release would allow her to reach Ogi Zen'in's height: that of a Special Grade 1 Sorcerer, a trump card second only to Special Grade Sorcerers.
At this moment, Yaga realized with a start:
Even ignoring the fact that this was the Lord of Cursed Spirits' ascension ritual, this ritual itself would indeed cause a massive explosion in both the intensity and quantity of Jujutsu Sorcerers!
...Lord of Cursed Spirits, Mahito, just what are you thinking??
Suddenly, a ringtone sounded.
Everyone looked at Yaga. It was his phone.
Yaga did not leave the meeting. Frowning, he looked at the caller ID: Principal Gakuganji.
Everyone went quiet. Yaga put it on speaker and answered the call. "Moshi moshi, this is Yaga Masamichi."
"This is Gakuganji," Yoshinobu Gakuganji said in a grave tone. "I'll get straight to the point: Our student has seen Ryomen Sukuna."
—Silence.
Gojo stood up. "Where?!"
"Dream Migration, Sakurajima Colony," Gakuganji said. "Student Kokichi Muta saw him and unfortunately came into conflict with him. He was subsequently cut in two. After resurrecting, Muta did not continue exploring the Dream Migration but came out directly to report to us. After that, Muta entered the Sakurajima Colony again and conflicted with him once more. Now, Student Kokichi Muta is stalling Ryomen Sukuna there with the perseverance of being killed three times per minute on average."
"Are you certain?" Kusakabe asked, trembling.
"It's not just confirmed by the Dream Migration's point query as the person himself, but he also displayed the same appearance as a thousand years ago," Gakuganji said. "Two faces, four arms, a giant mouth on his stomach. He was casting slashing techniques after chanting 'Cleave,' and possessed that bottomless volume of Cursed Energy."
"But the fingers are still in my stomach!" Yuji couldn't help but speak up. "I swear no one has taken any fingers out of my stomach!"
"The Lord of Cursed Spirits resurrected him," Gakuganji said coldly. "He doesn't need the power of the fingers at all! We miscalculated. We thought that by killing Yuji Itadori, we could permanently deprive Ryomen Sukuna of a portion of his power. But we didn't expect something like the Dream Migration to exist! Someone must have requested Ryomen Sukuna's resurrection, and Mahito granted that person's wish! And now, even without the fingers, Ryomen Sukuna can retrieve his lost power!"
"No!" Yuji denied loudly. "I just met an old guy inside the barrier. The old guy said he was looking for Sukuna's fingers! If fingers really weren't needed, why would someone be looking for them?"
Gakuganji paused. "Yuji Itadori, are you sure?"
"I'm sure," Yuji said.
Gakuganji mused for a moment. "This indicates that the power the Dream Migration can grant is also limited. At least, it cannot grant power at the level of Ryomen Sukuna. Ryomen Sukuna is collecting power, but eventually, he will go to recover his own fingers... Satoru Gojo, protect the fingers. Or just kill Itad—"
"That's enough, Principal Gakuganji." Gojo interrupted Gakuganji, chuckling. "Fine then, I'll head to the Sakurajima Colony in a bit. Ah, right, points allow for colony transfer, correct?"
"Yes." Panda raised his hand to confirm. "I happened to ask curiously. It only takes 2,000 points to transfer to another barrier, but each person can only transfer once."
For low-level sorcerers, 2,000 points was indeed an extremely high price. But for those at Grade 1 or above, just one standard battle could gather 2,000 points. Even someone like Megumi, who just displayed his techniques as much as possible against a lower-level Curse, could obtain over 1,500 points. From this, the abyss-like gap between low-level and high-level sorcerers was evident.
Killing a Grade 2 Curse was only 5,000 points! In the original timeline, at the very beginning, Megumi was nearly killed dealing with a Grade 2 Curse.
"But the fingers are with Itadori," Gakuganji said. "If you go to the Sakurajima Colony, Ryomen Sukuna can also transfer to the barrier where Itadori is located. You can only transfer once."
"We must find someone to force Ryomen Sukuna to transfer barriers once," Gojo said. "Right now, besides me, who else can force Ryomen Sukuna to transfer?"
Everyone fell silent.
Gakuganji began a roll call. "Is Yuta Okkotsu there with you?"
Yuta Okkotsu took a deep breath. "Then let me do it."
"The current Yuta facing Sukuna would just be a punching bag," Gojo rejected. "He might become a fly, but he can't achieve the goal of coercion."
Yuta shifted uncomfortably. Being called a fly and a punching bag didn't make him angry; having suffered immensely during these past few months of training with Gojo, he knew that if Gojo judged it so, then even possessing the Immortality Technique, he inevitably couldn't be Ryomen Sukuna's match.
"What do you want to do?" Gakuganji asked.
"First, we need to determine where Sukuna will stay," Gojo said seriously. "I will go to Sakurajima and force him into another barrier. This ensures he can only stay in that one barrier and won't go anywhere else. Then, inside that barrier, we will avoid his sharp edge until the end of the year. I will take care of him then."
The logic was actually quite simple. Trap a tiger in one place, then everyone else just avoids that place. They would develop with all their might in other places, and when the time came for the meeting with the Key Keepers that Mahito promised, they would kill Sukuna with the most perfect preparation.
But if they completely abandoned the barrier where Ryomen Sukuna was, it meant allowing Ryomen Sukuna to develop freely.
"You want to fight Ryomen Sukuna at his full prime?" Gakuganji asked suspiciously. "Are you sure? That is the King of Curses, recognized as the strongest sorcerer in history!"
"If Sukuna retrieves all the power of his fingers, it might be a little troublesome."
Satoru Gojo smiled and said:
"But even so—"
"—I'd win."