Next Bonus, 600PS!!
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According to the anime's canon, the Maximum: Uzumaki of Cursed Spirit Manipulation could, on one hand, combine one or several Cursed Spirits and detonate them to unleash a devastating attack. The more Cursed Spirits added, the stronger the resulting explosion.
The other ability was to extract the Innate Techniques of the consumed Cursed Spirits and claim them as his own.
After all, theoretically, whether it was a Cursed Spirit or a Jujutsu Sorcerer, an individual could only possess a single Innate Technique. But with this ability, the user of Cursed Spirit Manipulation could possess multiple techniques.
Of course, there was a drawback: absorbed techniques couldn't grow or improve through training. Whatever power the technique had when it was absorbed was the exact level of power it would remain at forever. Still, it was an overpowered ability.
He just wasn't sure if Suguru Geto's version of this ability in the anime had a hidden flaw he hadn't noticed. If not, why has Geto never been seen using a second technique?
Regardless of why Geto never used it, Kai was confident in his perfected version of Cursed Spirit Manipulation. Even though he couldn't use it directly on Jujutsu Sorcerers, the techniques of many Cursed Spirits were still extremely valuable.
'Never mind! I'll keep Sadako around for now. She is my only Special Grade Cursed Spirit, after all. Better to keep her as a trump card!'
After a moment of thought, Kai decided against extracting Sadako's technique.
For one, while her Technique was quite good, he wasn't lacking in offensive capabilities at the moment.
Secondly, she was his first Special Grade Cursed Spirit. Extracting her technique would physically exorcise and destroy her. He figured he could experiment with extraction later, perhaps after he acquired a second Special Grade.
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"Is... is it over?"
Eriri and Sayuri felt as if they had just survived a lifetime of trauma. They probably hadn't expected the battle to end so decisively, making it look almost effortless on his part.
But thinking back, Kai had dominated Sadako from start to finish. The Special Grade hadn't even been able to fight back.
Goodness. Thinking about it now, who is the real monster here?
"Well, didn't I tell you? It's just Sadako. There's nothing to worry about."
Pulling himself from his thoughts, Kai smiled easily at Eriri and Sayuri, who were both staring at him in awe.
"Hmm?"
He was just about to say something else when he sensed an approaching presence. He raised an eyebrow and looked over with interest.
"Oh... I didn't expect to see something so fascinating the moment I arrived."
"?"
The sudden voice startled Eriri and Sayuri, prompting them to turn toward the source.
A short distance away, a tall woman with long, pale blue hair styled in a distinctive, thick braid was slowly walking toward them. Every movement she made exuded a captivating, mature allure.
"..." For some reason, even though they had only just laid eyes on her, Eriri instantly felt a deep sense of hostility toward the woman.
"That look... are you jealous?"
Mei Mei clearly noticed Eriri's burning, envious glare. Raising an eyebrow slightly, a playful smile touched her lips. She spoke in a languid drawl, "Don't be too envious. To be honest, during a battle, I always find them to be quite a burden."
As she spoke, Mei Mei shifted her weight, causing her chest to sway noticeably.
Eriri failed to see how they were a burden at all. If anything, the sight was just blindingly frustrating.
'DAMN IT! I WISH I HAD A BURDEN LIKE THAT!'
Sayuri helplessly tried to comfort Eriri. Truth be told, even Sayuri's figure paled in comparison to this woman named Mei Mei, let alone Eriri's.
However, what Sayuri truly cared about was the woman's choice of words.
Battle?
She looked at Mei Mei, then at Kai. 'So, is she a Jujutsu Sorcerer like Kai-kun?'
"You must be the Kai that Satoru Gojo mentioned. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Mei Mei, currently a Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer."
She had originally taken a mission to exorcise a Cursed Spirit here, hoping to make a quick buck, only to stumble upon this incredible scene.
Even though she was affiliated with Jujutsu High, Mei Mei's true religion was money. She wouldn't lift a finger for a school-assigned exorcism mission unless there was a proper payout involved.
Kai remained silent, just watching her with curiosity.
Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer Mei Mei. She was undeniably one of the most distinctive female characters in Jujutsu Kaisen. She also had quite a few system quests tied to her.
But Kai wasn't too focused on that right now. Instead, he recalled his knowledge about her.
Even though her Innate Technique, Black Bird Manipulation, was entirely ordinary and lacked any inherent combat power, her sheer talent had allowed her to push its limits. She had developed a strike capable of one-shotting Special Grade Cursed Spirits.
Similarly, her physical combat prowess was outstanding even among Grade 1 Sorcerers. Satoru Gojo himself had admitted that Mei Mei was the strongest female sorcerer he knew when it came to close-quarters combat.
"Well, I know it's rude to ask about someone else's Innate Technique so directly, but I have to ask... The technique you just used was Cursed Spirit Manipulation, wasn't it?"
As she spoke, Mei Mei's eyes burned with curiosity.
This entirely contradicted the intelligence Satoru Gojo had provided. Did Gojo not mention it was a space-warping ability? Yet, upon arriving, she had clearly witnessed Kai turn the Special Grade Sadako into a sphere of Cursed Energy and devour it.
This exact process was identical to how Suguru Geto utilized Cursed Spirit Manipulation. Although Geto was now a traitor to Jujutsu High, they used to be classmates, so she was intimately familiar with his technique.
Could two identical techniques exist in the same era?
It wasn't entirely impossible. But then, what about the spatial technique Gojo had described?
While maintaining a casual exterior, Mei Mei's mind was racing. Gojo might be an eccentric fool most of the time, but he never joked about intel like this.
Either Kai's ability just resembled Cursed Spirit Manipulation, or... he possessed two—or perhaps even more—Innate Techniques.
"Yep. But I'm not telling you."
Faced with her probing, Kai pondered for a second before giving his blunt reply.
"Ara?"
She hadn't expected that response. After a brief moment of surprise, Mei Mei let out a soft laugh. She didn't mind rejection—what she hated was silence, as that made negotiating impossible.
"Are you sure you can't tell me? I'm very curious, you know!"
She took a few deliberate steps toward him. Lowering her voice suggestively, she purred, "If you tell me the secret of your technique, I'll go on a date with you. How does that sound?"
He had to admit, Mei Mei really knew how to leverage her natural assets.
"Don't even think about it!"
Before Kai could reply, Eriri darted in front of him, crossing her arms defensively and glaring fiercely at Mei Mei.
"Kai would never agree to go on a date with you!"
Eriri might be a bit slow on the uptake, but she wasn't an idiot. From their conversation, she understood this woman was a Jujutsu Sorcerer like Kai. She had intended to stay quiet on the sidelines, but hearing Mei Mei blatantly hit on him pushed her over the edge.
This shameless woman is using her body to seduce him!
Eriri refused to allow it!
"Hmm?"
Mei Mei looked at the girl blocking her path in surprise. She wasn't angry—instead, a cryptic smile formed on her lips.
"If I'm not mistaken, little girl, you're just an ordinary human, aren't you?"
"Y-Yeah? So what??"
Since she had only just learned about Jujutsu Sorcerers, Eriri thought they were really strong people. She didn't grasp the insurmountable chasm between ordinary humans and Sorcerers. Even though Mei Mei's question made her feel inexplicably inferior, Eriri stood her ground and glared back defiantly.
"Hahaha! It's nothing, it's nothing! It's been a long time since I've met such an amusing little girl!"
Mei Mei suddenly burst into laughter at Eriri's bravado.
"Well, it seems today isn't the best time for a chat." Mei Mei looked up at Kai with a hint of regret. "Until next time, then. I'll be looking forward to our date!"
Kai hadn't said a word the entire time. He simply watched her leave.
Mei Mei's appearance was certainly a surprise, but nothing more than that. Besides, he knew she wasn't actually an easy woman—she was just trying to leverage her sex appeal to satisfy her curiosity about his technique. If he had actually tried to take her up on the offer, she would have vanished in an instant. She was by no means a helpless damsel.
Kai didn't care either way—there would be plenty of opportunities to cross paths with her again.
"Um..."
Once Mei Mei was gone, Eriri suddenly became hesitant again. "Don't get the wrong idea! Just now, I was only... only..."
The tsundere Eriri desperately wanted to ensure Kai didn't misinterpret her jealousy.
"..."
'This silly daughter of mine. Can't she read the room before acting like a tsundere?'
Before Eriri could finish her excuse, Sayuri stepped in, cutting her off. She smiled at Kai. "It seems our Eriri has finally grown up!"
"MOM!" Eriri glared at her mother in flustered embarrassment.
Unfortunately, Sayuri ignored her. 'Sigh... My daughter's skill level is far too low. I'll have to take matters into my own hands.'
"It's getting late. We should head back."
"Alright."
Kai hadn't forgotten that Marin Kitagawa and Megumi Kato were still waiting for him.
Originally, Kai planned to say his goodbyes and leave the moment they returned to the Sawamura villa. However, Eriri had ended up falling asleep while leaning against him on the ride back.
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"This child."
Looking at Eriri, who was still fast asleep in her bed, Sayuri felt a mix of helplessness and deep affection. After the traumatic rollercoaster she had endured today, it was only natural for her to be exhausted.
"Thank you so much for everything you did today," Sayuri said, her gaze turning soft and warm as she looked at Kai after closing Eriri's bedroom door.
If it hadn't been for him, she likely would have met a gruesome end.
"It was nothing. After all, it would be a tragic waste for someone as beautiful as you to disappear from this world."
With Eriri out of the picture, Kai dropped his restraint. His intense, burning gaze caught Sayuri off guard, making her heart skip a beat.
"D-Don't be ridiculous. I'm already quite old!" She looked away, blushing under his scrutiny.
Her bashful reaction only made Kai smile wider as he stepped closer to her.
"I disagree. I think you look incredibly youthful and stunning. If you and Eriri walked down the street together, everyone would think you were sisters."
It wasn't empty flattery. In crossover anime worlds, it was as if many of the mothers possessed an eternal youth cheat code. No matter their actual age, they remained impeccably beautiful.
"I..."
He was standing far too close. Sayuri could practically feel the warmth of his breath. Her heart began to pound erratically against her ribs.
"It's a pity."
"?"
"I have plans tonight. Otherwise, I would have loved to stay and have a long, intimate, heart-to-heart chat with you."
"..."
'Is this 'heart-to-heart chat' of yours actually decent?'
However, hearing that he was leaving, a distinct pang of disappointment washed over Sayuri. But then she caught herself. 'Wait, what on earth am I thinking?'
"U-Um, it's fine. If you have errands to run, Kai-kun, you should go. Don't let me hold you up!"
Knowing his true identity as a Jujutsu Sorcerer, Sayuri genuinely didn't suspect any ulterior motives behind his "plans."
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