On the playground, the three of them—Genji and the others—stood before Mei Mei, aching all over.
Even though their injuries had been healed by Shoko, the lingering pain in their bodies could not disappear so quickly.
"Based on the results of our sparring session, among the three of you, Student Genji has the best taijutsu, followed by Classmate Geto. Gojo-kun is the worst; presumably, you haven't put much effort into practicing taijutsu in the past," Mei Mei said, looking at the three in front of her.
Satoru Gojo, being called out, looked a bit embarrassed, but recalling that he had only lasted less than three minutes before being knocked away by Mei Mei, he didn't say anything.
However, his defiance was keenly noticed by Mei Mei, so she continued to speak to them:
"I know that all of you, as Jujutsu Sorcerers, have strength and potential that exceed mine, and you all possess powerful Forbidden Techniques. This is something that a sorcerer like me, with a weak technique and no offensive capabilities, envies. But!" Mei Mei changed the tone of her voice and continued.
"Taijutsu ability remains an important component of a Jujutsu Sorcerer's strength. Let's not talk about Student Genji for now, as his Forbidden Technique requires melee support anyway; let's just talk about you two." Mei Mei turned her gaze toward Suguru Geto and Satoru Gojo.
"Classmate Geto is a Shikigami User; when fighting enemies, they will definitely try to get as close to you as possible, and at that moment, your melee combat ability becomes the key to deciding the battle.
And Gojo-kun, the same applies to you. The Limitless Forbidden Technique does indeed give you the confidence to ignore enemy attacks, but the question is, how long can you continuously maintain that Forbidden Technique? And what would you do if an opponent had a way to bypass your Limitless? I heard from Principal Yaga that you were once defeated by Student Genji for this very reason."
After finishing her lecture, Mei Mei began to analyze the weaknesses in each of their taijutsu.
"Alright, that's all for today's class. I will be staying at Tokyo Jujutsu High for the next two weeks to give you taijutsu training sessions, so please treat me well." Having said that, Mei Mei gave them a charming smile, but the smile, which would otherwise be very pleasing to the eye, made the three of them subconsciously shiver.
"Hey, hey, Shoko, Miss Mei Mei, if you're free, how about we go shopping? I heard a new bag just came out, let's go check it out." Seeing that their class had ended, Utahime, who had been waiting impatiently for a while, pulled Shoko over to Mei Mei and said excitedly.
"Sure."
Watching the three girls walk further and further away, the three boys left behind looked at each other.
"So, what do we do now?"
"What else can we do? Dismissed, back to the dorms. I haven't finished my season quests yet." Saying this, Genji, still thinking about the game he bought yesterday, was the first to turn and walk back.
"Satoru, I'll head off too. I promised my parents I'd go home today." With that, Suguru Geto summoned a massive bird-like Cursed Spirit, hopped on, and left as well.
Satoru Gojo, looking at the playground that had been lively half a minute ago but was now empty except for himself, scratched his head.
"Forget it, never mind these heartless guys. I'll go buy some cream daifuku." Saying this, Satoru Gojo shook his head and left the playground.
"Hmm hmm hmm~"
Just as Genji was humming some unknown tune while walking toward the dorms, Principal Yaga called out to him.
"Wait a moment, Genji."
"What is it, Teacher?" Genji stopped in his tracks upon hearing this.
"I think you should see this."
Saying this, Principal Yaga took out a document and handed it to Genji.
"But I must state that the authenticity of this intelligence has not been fully verified, and I hope you will remain calm after reading it, okay?"
"I understand, Principal Yaga." Principal Yaga's serious expression and words made Genji subconsciously put away his previously frivolous attitude. He took the document, but the opening lines instantly made his pupils shrink.
"Suspected Quasi-Special Grade Cursed Spirit—The Gun, which was injured and went into hiding 10 years ago, has reappeared."
"Principal Yaga, this is..." Genji looked up sharply at Principal Yaga.
"Don't be impatient, finish reading the report first."
Upon hearing this, Genji could only temporarily suppress his emotions and continue reading the report.
"On December 23, 2005, a village in the countryside of Adachi Ward was found, with all 221 residents dead. The cause of death in all cases was a gunshot wound to the heart. However, no bullets or shell casings were found at the scene. After an investigation by an Assistant Supervisor, residual Cursed Energy was discovered, leading to the conclusion that it was the work of a Cursed Spirit. Combining this with the method of the villagers' deaths, it is inferred that there is a high probability that this Cursed Spirit is the Quasi-Special Grade Cursed Spirit—The Gun, which was injured and went into hiding 10 years ago. Furthermore, based on the scene, there is a possibility that the Imaginary Cursed Spirit—The Gun has evolved into a Special Grade Cursed Spirit."
The report ended there, but Genji kept confirming the information mentioned in the report over and over again.
"Shot in the heart, killed instantly, no bullets or shell casings found at the scene, which means the bullets were formed from condensed Cursed Energy. That's right, it must be that guy."
Genji looked up sharply at Principal Yaga, "Teacher, where is that guy now?"
"Calm down, Genji!" Seeing Genji's state, Principal Yaga couldn't help but wonder if he shouldn't have shown this unverified report to Genji now. But since things had reached this point, Principal Yaga composed himself and said to Genji seriously,
"I just felt that this matter shouldn't be hidden from you. Several Grade 1 Sorcerers are already in charge of this case. Before they have any results, promise me, stay at Tokyo Jujutsu High and don't go anywhere."
"But..."
"Promise me, I'm begging you, Genji." Principal Yaga looked at the young man before him, whom he could say he had watched grow up, and spoke to Genji almost pleadingly.
Meeting Principal Yaga's eyes, Genji subconsciously looked away.
"Alright, I understand. I will stay at Tokyo Jujutsu High during this time." After saying this, Genji turned and walked back to the dorms.
Watching Genji's back, Principal Yaga couldn't help but sigh. Perhaps only he knew how much killing intent was hidden beneath Genji's everyday cheerful expression toward that Cursed Spirit.
In the mountainous area of Hachō City, several figures were moving rapidly.
"I'm telling you, this Cursed Spirit can really run; it's already crossed city districts," said the man with a tachi hanging at his waist to his companions.
"Stop complaining, Shimizu-kun, stay alert. Don't forget that the Jujutsu Headquarters estimates that this Cursed Spirit may have evolved to Special Grade. Plus, this Cursed Spirit was likely born from people's fear of guns, a modern weapon, so its strength is immeasurable. One cannot be too careful."
As the man was speaking, he suddenly noticed that the residual Cursed Energy ahead had disappeared. He immediately signaled for everyone to stop, then said to the woman in the center of the team,
"Ono, the residual Cursed Energy has disappeared. Activate your Forbidden Technique to scout the surroundings."
"Understood." The woman named Ono activated her Forbidden Technique and began to scout the surroundings.
However, right after she activated her technique, she discovered with horror that a powerful aggregate of Cursed Energy was located right behind them.
"Captain Long, watch out behi..."
Ono didn't finish her sentence before a bullet formed from Cursed Energy pierced her heart, and then Ono fell powerlessly to the ground.
"Everyone disperse, the target is behind us!" Hearing Ono's warning, Long immediately issued orders to the remaining teammates. At the same time, he activated his Forbidden Technique, orange-red flames lit up in his hands, which he threw behind him, and he rolled forward to put some distance between himself and the target.
Just as he turned his head to look back, wanting to confirm the result of the attack, a bullet rushed out from his flames and, like Ono, shot into his heart. The man touched his heart in disbelief, only to feel a handful of blood. Then his body swayed, and he fell to the ground.
"Captain!" The remaining two looked around in terror. In the blink of an eye, half the team had fallen, and even the strongest, Captain Long, had fallen.
At this moment, the Cursed Spirit walked out of the darkness, and the two finally saw its appearance clearly: its whole body was pale, with bulging muscles, and countless bullets were embedded in its muscles. Its back, shoulders, and arms had grown barrels of various different firearms, and its head was simply a revolver with only a magazine and a barrel.
"Kamizono-kun, let's fight it to the death, otherwise neither of us will survive." The man named Shimizu abruptly drew his tachi.
"Shin Kage-ryū: Simple Domain!"
Having activated the Simple Domain, Shimizu swung his blade at extreme speed, blocking several bullets heading toward the two of them.
"Forbidden Technique Expansion: Afterimage!" Kamizono also expanded his Forbidden Technique at this time, interfering with the Cursed Spirit's vision. The Cursed Spirit now found multiple afterimages appearing before its eyes, making it unable to accurately judge the positions of the two.
"That's it!" Seeing that the two of them had successfully stalled the Cursed Spirit, Shimizu shouted happily: "Support has been called, now we just need to hold on."
But the Cursed Spirit suddenly raised both of its arms, aiming all the gun barrels on them at the area where the two were located. The next second, all the gun barrels fired at once. The gunfire instantly covered the two. After the gunfire subsided, the bodies of the two had already been blasted to smithereens.
With this, the Cursed Spirit pursuit team was completely wiped out!
Having dealt with the four pursuers, the Cursed Spirit looked up into the distance, and at the end of the direction it was looking, was none other than Tokyo Jujutsu High!