Tengen lightly clapped her hands.
"That's enough, Utahime Iori," Tengen said softly. "Since Yoshinobu Gakuganji is sitting here, it means he has already passed Gojo Satoru's most rigorous scrutiny. You should know clearly that if Gojo Satoru truly decided to investigate someone, all of that person's thoughts would be laid bare. Right now, you are just venting your emotions, nothing more."
Utahime Iori took two or three deep breaths before slowly sitting down.
"I will keep watching you, Principal Gakuganji."
"I have a clear conscience," Yoshinobu Gakuganji said uprightly.
"I hope so," Utahime Iori said coldly.
Tengen looked around and found that although no one present was gossiping, there was obvious wavering. In such a highly confidential internal meeting, the presence of someone suspected of being a spy was indeed a blow to morale.
But Yoshinobu Gakuganji's inclusion was not just because of Masamichi Yaga's recommendation; in fact, Tengen herself wanted him to join.
Because his identity was indeed too suitable!
In the Jujutsu World, the Traditionalist Faction was surprisingly numerous, and their power far exceeded the Reformist Faction under Gojo Satoru—of course, that was excluding the three Special Grade Sorcerers.
In the original work, there was such a scene: after Gojo Satoru was sealed, Masamichi Yaga, the principal of Tokyo Jujutsu High, was walking on a night road when he was blocked by Jujutsu Sorcerers led by Yoshinobu Gakuganji, who threatened him to hand over the mass-production method for creating Panda's Cursed Corpse. Masamichi Yaga refused and was killed with ease.
After the battle, Yoshinobu Gakuganji didn't have a single scratch on him!
Part of this was due to Yoshinobu Gakuganji's own strength, but it was also due to the cooperation of the Traditionalist Faction he led, which made it so easy.
This was just the tip of the iceberg of the Traditionalist Faction.
Facing the aggressive Mahito, the addition of the Traditionalist Faction would be like adding wings to a tiger. Even if they were just cannon fodder used to stall a few of the enemy's key combatants for a few seconds, it would be enough for the Jujutsu Sorcerers present who could actually take the field.
Using lives to pile up information on the enemy was originally the Traditionalist Faction's specialty.
It was the same logic as the Zenin Family using the lives of the Kukuru and Hei units to scout Mahito's strength before letting Zenin Naobito do the final battle.
Mahito mocked Zenin Naobito for being cruel, not knowing that this was actually a common practice for the Traditionalist Faction and wasn't considered cruel at all.
Tengen had used logic to override emotion and accepted Masamichi Yaga's recommendation.
She thought others could understand, and since Gojo Satoru had already thoroughly checked Yoshinobu Gakuganji, he should have gained everyone's approval.
But she didn't expect...
Tengen sighed inwardly; it was indeed because ancient methods could no longer keep up with the new era. She hadn't stepped into the politics of the new era for too long, and issuing orders with the political mindset of ancient times was no longer working.
After all, in ancient times, if the leader of a faction had already decided, how would any subordinate dare to question it?
Were they seeking death?
It would be only right for the leader to kill the questioning subordinate on the spot!
But now, even Gojo Satoru had spoken personally, yet it couldn't stop the wavering of his subordinates.
The situation was too different, making it impossible for Tengen to adapt.
Tengen glanced at Gojo Satoru.
Gojo Satoru sighed and stood up.
"I'll be blunt," the man said nonchalantly, without a hint of the air of a leader of a secret meeting. "Whether Principal Gakuganji is a spy or not doesn't matter at all. He is the leader of the Traditionalist Faction and can bypass the orders of the Jujutsu Higher-Ups to command most of the traditionalist Jujutsu Sorcerers."
"In Mahito's Apotheosis Ritual, we need this power, and I can guarantee that Principal Gakuganji will not betray us."
"Unlike previous situations where we could joke or compromise, this is now a war of species; he wouldn't dare to act recklessly."
A fear of death gripped Yoshinobu Gakuganji's heart in an instant, causing his heartbeat to stop for a moment.
He grunted and did not refute.
Gojo Satoru turned to look at Utahime Iori.
"Are you satisfied now?"
Utahime frowned and nodded.
"If this is your will."
In other words, Utahime Iori still didn't trust Yoshinobu Gakuganji, but she was willing to trust Gojo Satoru.
Since Gojo Satoru was willing to trust Yoshinobu Gakuganji, she was willing to as well.
This blind trust made Gojo Satoru's heart sink.
He knew clearly that these people were building a force based on his personal charisma, a force that would undoubtedly far surpass the Jujutsu Higher-Ups, and he was the leader of this force.
He had to be responsible for everyone!
As such, he could even less afford to let Yoshinobu Gakuganji go.
Gojo Satoru said slowly,
"According to Utahime's account, she saw five newborn Intelligent Cursed Spirits in Mahito's base. Each newborn Cursed Spirit possesses strength no less than a Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer and is still growing rapidly."
"What's even more terrifying is that we don't have specific information on these five newborn Intelligent Cursed Spirits. At most, we know that the eldest sister is skilled in swordsmanship, a Cursed Spirit with a pair of black wings is skilled in using wind techniques, and there's a Cursed Spirit who can easily use Spatial Gates. The last two twin-like Cursed Spirits are not skilled in swordsmanship."
"Besides that, all the Curse Users in Japan have vanished. Where are they? They can only be in Mahito's hands."
"I don't want any of you to be sacrificed; you should understand what I mean."
Aoi Todo immediately frowned.
"You mean you want us to be like those traditionalists, watching the people from the Traditionalist Faction go up and die to gather information while we sit back and enjoy the fruits of their labor?!"
"Aoi," Yuki Tsukumo looked at Aoi Todo. "The ones we are dealing with are not those five newborns."
Aoi Todo was stunned.
Gojo Satoru said calmly,
"The ones dealing with these five newborns are Maki Zen'in, Fushiguro Megumi, Miyuki, and Itadori Yuji."
The four people whose names were called straightened their bodies.
This time it was Aoi Todo's turn to be incredulous.
"Are you joking?!"
Maki Zen'in looked at Aoi Todo.
"You don't believe in us?"
"Itadori is okay, Fushiguro can barely catch my eye, and although Miyuki is cowardly, her strength is immense and she has a poison technique, so her power is decent."
"But you are far too lacking," Aoi Todo sneered.
"Perhaps you want to try my fist again?"
Unlike the original work, where during the exchange event between the Tokyo and Kyoto schools they were attacked by Cursed Spirits and Curse Users led by the original Mahito, and the students from both schools worked together to defeat strong enemies—Hanami even almost died there—this time, the exchange between the two schools was very peaceful.
Although Aoi Todo still became friends with Itadori Yuji, he remained arrogant toward the others.
Maki Zen'in clenched her fist.
Before she could speak, Tengen said quietly,
"I was the one who recommended Maki Zen'in to be here... I have a way to cut the connection between the Zenin twins, making Maki Zen'in the new generation's Heavenly Restriction."
Everyone was stunned, even Gojo Satoru.
Gojo Satoru couldn't help but ask,
"You can even do something like that?"
Tengen glanced at Gojo Satoru indifferently.
"Where do you think those Six Eyes of yours came from?"
The Six Eyes were the divine aspect cast off by Tengen.
Tengen could even cast off the Six Eyes and designate them to be born in the Gojo Family through reincarnation.
She must have thoroughly researched something like Heavenly Restriction.
Previously it was unnecessary, but now that it was, she could certainly change it.
In the original work, it was the death of Maki Zen'in's younger sister, Mai Zen'in, that made Maki Zen'in a true Heavenly Restriction.
But if Tengen intervened, no one would have to be sacrificed, and she could break the mysterious connection between the twins.
This was much simpler than casting off a divine aspect.
Tengen, who died very abruptly in the original work, was now showing her true capabilities.
Whether it was knowledge, Barrier Techniques, or sorcery abilities, aside from direct combat, she was almost perfect.
This was also the reason why Kenjaku wanted to kill her immediately in the original work.
Aside from the Culling Game and the reasons involving his fated enemy, Tengen herself was a huge threat.
As long as Tengen didn't die, Kenjaku would always be restricted.
Gojo Satoru was taken aback, then gave a thumbs-up and praised loudly,
"As expected of Lord Tengen, who has protected the Jujutsu World for a thousand years. Truly amazing!"
Gojo Satoru knew all too well how powerful a Heavenly Restriction was.
If their side could instantly gain a Heavenly Restriction, even if they weren't as good as Toji Fushiguro—a lite version—it would still be a massive boost!
It was no exaggeration to say it was equivalent to adding a genuine Special Grade Jujutsu Sorcerer to their combat power!
Tengen ignored the clowning Gojo Satoru and looked at Aoi Todo.
"Now, are you at ease?"
Aoi Todo nodded thoughtfully.
"No wonder we need to add the cannon fodder from the Traditionalist Faction. You're right, this strength should be enough."
Yoshinobu Gakuganji wanted to roar that his Traditionalist Faction wasn't cannon fodder!
But looking at everyone present, he couldn't shout those words no matter what.
Even the weakest, Utahime Iori, could provide a massive boost to anyone with her Solo Restriction Zone.
The others all possessed the power of at least a Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer, and several had potential rivaling true Special Grade Sorcerers.
Not to mention that all the genuine Special Grades of the modern era were already here.
To these people, the members of the Traditionalist Faction really were just a bunch of cannon fodder and small fry.
"Besides, I just said it, right? Mahito also has a huge number of Sorcerers under him," Gojo Satoru smiled.
"I'm sure Todo doesn't want to waste his energy on that kind of small fry."
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