JJK: Chapter 4/6

Chapter 4: Freedom

At 10 p.m., in a high-end restaurant in Hachiman City, Eichi and Gojo Satoru were devouring food as if competing.

"Are you reincarnated as a hungry ghost or something?"

After finishing the last plate of dessert, Satoru picked up a napkin and wiped his mouth.

Eichi, sitting across from him, was less particular. He casually wiped his mouth, then ordered two more plates of steak.

There was no other way. The portions were small, especially in a high-end restaurant like this. Even as a child, he could eat many plates.

"Why don't you try going hungry for a whole day, then fight with everything you have?"

Rolling his eyes at Satoru, Eichi took a couple of sips of freshly squeezed juice.

"Are you from the Zen'in Family? How come I've never heard of you?"

"Not from the Zen'in Family, and I won't have any connection with them in the future."

"Oh? With the Ten Shadows Technique, you should be very important to them. Will those old geezers let you leave?"

Calling the higher-ups old geezers so early?

"Heh, don't worry. In their records, I am just a servant whose parents died and who has no Technique. That bastard who used the Family's help to reach Grade 2 is dead, so it is impossible for me to still be alive."

Did he awaken the Ten Shadows Technique on the brink of death?

Satoru understood.

"Interesting."

A flicker of excitement passed through his eyes. As part of the Big Three Families, he knew some things about the Zen'in Family and had guessed some of Eichi's circumstances.

"But now that you've awakened the Ten Shadows Technique, if you go back, you will be a treasure in those old geezers' eyes."

He specifically emphasized treasure, then looked at Eichi with a smile, anticipating his answer.

"And then?"

"Huh?"

Eichi's sudden question interrupted his thoughts.

"Go back to the Zen'in Family, use the Ten Shadows Technique, and then what?"

"Then those old geezers will rally around you to become the successor to the Family head. You can get anything you want, and you can deal with those who bullied you however you please."

Satoru took a sip of juice, diluting the intensely sweet taste that ordinary people would find unbearable.

Due to the burden the Six Eyes placed on his brain, he had an extreme sweet tooth. Flavors that ordinary people would find hard to swallow were commonplace for him.

"Does that make me any different from them?"

Eichi spread his hands.

"At that point, you would be the Zen'in family's main heir, though still not as good as me."

"Forget it. I am afraid I will lose control one day and kill all those bastards."

"You really do have that power."

Ancient texts in the Gojo Family contained records of Mahoraga. The Gojo Family head of that generation had Six Eyes as well. Although weaker than Satoru, he was still a top-tier powerhouse.

Therefore, the Gojo Family was one of the few that knew about Mahoraga's abilities.

Out of curiosity, Satoru had once asked the current Family head if he could defeat Mahoraga.

The Family head had been evasive, but the implication was clear. Even if the Gojo Family attacked together, they might not win.

The Zen'in Family's strength was similar to the Gojo Family's, which meant the current Eichi indeed had the power to wipe them out.

If Eichi knew Satoru's thoughts, he would definitely say, "You're overthinking it."

Relying only on his own Cursed Energy recovery to replenish Command Seals, he did not know when he could complete all three.

Moreover, Mahoraga's adaptation to Command Seals was not slow. If Mahoraga truly eradicated the Zen'in Family, the most likely outcome would be that before the clan was destroyed, Mahoraga would adapt to the Command Seal's restraint and turn around to smash him into a pancake.

"What do you plan to do next?"

"Find a rural area to hide for a while, and after a few years, when this dies down, I will go to Tokyo to pursue the life I want."

After he finished speaking, he began wrestling with the steak the waiter had brought.

Mainly, he was not used to using a knife and fork. It felt awkward.

"By the way, will you take this? It is a Special Grade Cursed Object, useless to me."

And it might attract trouble.

Eichi did not say the latter.

"We can."

Clap, clap.

Satoru clapped indifferently.

A bodyguard who had been waiting nearby stepped forward, took Ryomen Sukuna's finger, then left the restaurant. Soon after, he returned with a bank card.

Satoru reached out to take the card and waved his hand, signaling the bodyguard to withdraw.

The people of the Gojo Family were all old-fashioned, not as interesting as outsiders.

He also knew why. If one gained the Divine Child's favor, it was fine, but if one did not and showed disrespect, they would be lightly removed from his side or severely disciplined by Family law.

The Big Three Families were quite similar in this regard, except the Zen'in Family was the most heartless.

"Is that enough?"

He handed over the bank card.

"It is enough."

Looking at the string of zeros for the amount and password, then at Satoru propping his chin with one hand, completely unconcerned about money, Eichi felt like hitting a landlord.

"Thanks for the meal. I am leaving."

Taking the bank card, he stood up to go.

"What is the rush?"

Satoru raised an eyebrow.

"Didn't I say there are many Zen'in Family dogs in Kyoto? While it is still dark, it is best to leave Kyoto first."

Hachiman City was on Kyoto's outer edge. With the Divine Dogs for travel now, his speed would increase significantly. Leaving Kyoto under cover of night, then resting in the suburbs or countryside tomorrow morning, was the safest option.

"Do you want me to send someone to escort you?"

Eichi paused, thought for a moment, but still refused.

Putting on his hat, he found a dark alley and summoned the Divine Dogs, who had been eager to come out.

"Hey, do not lick my face."

They seemed to have been cooped up for a long time. As soon as they emerged, they lunged forward, placing their front paws on Eichi's shoulders, tongues lapping at his face, tails wagging like windmills.

He did not scold them, only fumbled to fend off their attack.

After all, what boy could refuse a majestic, powerful, affectionate dog?

It took a great effort to calm them down. They had wanted to see their master ever since the Technique awakened, but had been kept in the shadows for a long time due to Eichi's command.

Looking at the Divine Dogs, almost as tall as himself, Eichi was surprised.

Were the Divine Dogs he first summoned about the same size as the ones Megumi Fushiguro summoned at the beginning?

Before the System left, it had strengthened Eichi's body. Now, the Cursed Energy in his body was very high, almost unrivaled among his peers, so the Divine Dogs he summoned were also much larger.

In this world, the upper limit of Cursed Energy was determined at birth, but whether one could reach it depended on growth and training.

With the System's strengthening, as long as Eichi did not slack off, he would not lose to anyone in terms of Cursed Energy in the future.

"I remember the Nue Megumi summoned was only the size of a person, but the one summoned by Sukuna Fushiguro was as big as a building."

As he spoke, his gaze fell on the White Divine Dog with half its tongue hanging out, like a husky.

"Will there be a chance to summon Divine Dogs as big as skyscrapers? And Great Serpents too. Then I will find people to film Norse mythology, like Fenrir vs. Jörmungandr, and arrange for a few people to play Heroic Spirits."

Embracing fantasies about the future, Eichi rode one of the Divine Dogs and disappeared into the darkness.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 5: All Parties

Two days later, at the Gojo Family.

"These are the documents you requested."

An assistant supervisor from the Gojo Family handed Satoru the compiled information on Zen'in Eichi, organized overnight after receiving the order.

Satoru, currently chewing on a piece of bread, idly looked at the bamboo grove and rock garden in the courtyard.

"Just put it there."

The night before last, after Satoru returned home, his two bodyguards reported the incident to the family head. The Gojo Family head immediately arranged for Eichi's information to be collected overnight.

Upon learning this, Satoru also requested a copy.

Name: Zen'in Eichi

Family Members:

Father: Zen'in Sho (Deceased)

Mother: Yukimura Chiyoko (Deceased)

...Below was a detailed introduction to Eichi and his parents.

Zen'in Sho had no Innate Technique and served loyally in the Zen'in Family's Kuguru Squad. He died two years ago during an exorcism mission, covering the retreat of Zen'in Family Jujutsu Sorcerers after a failed exorcism.

Yukimura Chiyoko was an ordinary person who always fantasized about marrying into a wealthy family and living a noble life. Unfortunately, after marrying into the prestigious Zen'in Family, she realized Sho was not the protagonist of her imagined TV drama, and life was far from what she envisioned.

Wanting a divorce, she was subjected to the Zen'in Family's disciplinary methods and, in fear, abandoned the idea of escaping.

One year after Sho's death, six-year-old Eichi still had not awakened an Innate Technique. Having lost her last hope, Yukimura Chiyoko hanged herself.

In this world, Jujutsu Sorcerers typically awaken their Innate Technique between ages four and six. Few awaken after that, and most who do only awaken unexpectedly in a life-or-death crisis.

However, not everyone is the protagonist of a shonen manga who escapes danger by awakening a Technique.

After all, gaining an unfamiliar ability in a life-or-death moment can be a hindrance if not used properly.

Therefore, most people, even if they awaken a Technique, cannot escape death, especially in Jujutsu Kaisen where even important characters are constantly served their last meal.

Thus, after Eichi failed to awaken at six, Yukimura Chiyoko lost hope of rising in status through him and ultimately hanged herself.

After reading the file, Satoru placed it on the floor beside him, looked up at the sky, and began to ponder what entertainment Eichi could bring him.

At the same time, inside the Kamo Family's main residence, an elder with a stitched forehead was reviewing the same documents.

The elder was Kenjaku, who had taken over the Kamo Family elder's body, and one of the powerful higher-ups in the Jujutsu world. Kenjaku received word when the Gojo Family used higher-up authority to find Cursed Spirits for Satoru to practice with.

Intending to test this generation's Six Eyes user, Kenjaku gave one of Sukuna's fingers to the Cursed Spirit Satoru planned to fight, giving rise to the Special Grade imaginary Cursed Spirit, the Half-bodied Vengeful Spirit.

He had not expected to uncover a bigger fish instead of mapping out the Six Eyes user's limits.

"Mahoraga, the strongest shikigami that no one has tamed for a thousand years. How did that brat manage it?"

Kenjaku was baffled.

"Forget it, I will find the answer eventually."

In his view, Eichi had many uses. Whether subtly manipulating him into a subordinate, pushing him into the Culling Game, or keeping him as a backup body, all were excellent options.

Such a useful tool should remain under his control. At the very least, he should not be controlled by any other family.

"Another five hundred years."

The five-hundred-year deadline was approaching, and the Six Eyes user had been born on schedule. The time for Tengen's next assimilation was not far off.

"Will I be able to stop Tengen and the Star Plasma Vessel's assimilation this time, or will I have to wait another five hundred years?"

Kenjaku's gaze fell upon a chess piece inscribed with "Time Vessel Association."

Afterward, by unspoken agreement, Kenjaku adopted the same approach as the Gojo Family, concealing any traces of Eichi and removing him from the Zen'in Family's sight.

Kenjaku did not want Eichi to return to the Zen'in Family because he wanted to use him himself.

The Gojo Family did not want Eichi to return because once he did, the Zen'in Family's strength would increase significantly, and they would possess a means to threaten the Six Eyes user.

They wanted to eliminate any existence that could threaten the Six Eyes user in advance, but wary of Mahoraga's power, they did not dare act rashly.

Finally, the Gojo Family head and several elders decided to secretly win Eichi over to their side, keeping it from the Zen'in Family.

In their minds, winning over a child who had been bullied by the Zen'in Family and then helped by the Gojo Family would be incredibly easy.

Because Eichi did not know how to clear Cursed Energy residue, his whereabouts were still known to the Gojo Family. All they had to do was orchestrate a few chance encounters, offer some favors, and a seven-year-old child would happily follow them home.

As for the Zen'in Family.

With both the Six Eyes user and the unprecedented Ten Shadows Technique Mahoraga, would the Zen'in Family dare challenge them?

It just so happened that Eichi had been bullied by members of the Zen'in Family back then. They would settle that score properly.

Thinking of this, the Gojo Family head's aged face creased into a chrysanthemum-like smile. Satoru, who had just entered the room, turned and left upon seeing it.

"Ah, it is Satoru. Come over and chat with this old man."

Hearing this, Satoru ran even faster.

Born with Six Eyes, Satoru possessed unparalleled observation, able to see countless details ordinary people missed. Because of this, he was far more mature than his peers.

Those people's thoughts could not be hidden from him. Without studying micro-expressions, he could infer what they were thinking through subtle changes in an adult's face.

And he knew when the old family head showed that expression and used such an intimate tone, he was most likely going to drag him into something boring again.

For example, dragging him out to visit people, telling everyone he only awakened Limitless at four and could only exorcise Cursed Spirits at five, implying he could not compare to their children.

"Sigh, why is this child running away?"

Watching Satoru disappear around the corridor corner in an instant.

The aged Gojo Family head shook his head helplessly.

Could not catch him, simply could not catch him.

Meanwhile, Eichi, who was on both Kenjaku's and the Gojo Family head's minds, was leisurely basking in the sun in a small country yard.

A recently abandoned country yard with a fence, a newly bought lounge chair, a small fan in hand, a tea table piled with snacks beside him, and two fluffy big dogs lying at his feet.

"This is the life," Eichi could not help but exclaim.

After resting all day yesterday, he took advantage of the time before sunset and before the shops closed to withdraw some money from an ATM.

After that, he went on a shopping spree in town.

He had entered Osaka. From Zen'in Family influence maps he had quietly pieced together before, and from information picked up while chatting casually with Satoru the day before, this area belonged to the Gojo Family, and Zen'in members rarely appeared here.

Therefore, Eichi no longer hid. Primarily, the Gojo Family's presence in the story was sparse, and because of Satoru, Eichi felt no aversion toward them.

Thanks to the ATM machines that had been in use for years. Otherwise, a seven-year-old child carrying a bank card with a huge deposit would likely be reported by the bank on suspicion of stealing from home.

And thanks to the worker who went to the city a few years ago, leaving the small courtyard to Eichi, giving him a cozy little home.

Thus, seven-year-old Eichi began his retirement early, a life he had not achieved even in his previous one.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 6: Shadow Servant

On a forest path, Eichi and the White Divine Dog were running at full speed, while in the sky above them, an owl with a skeletal face repeatedly attacked.

Whoosh.

Nue folded its wings and shot toward Eichi like an arrow loosed from a bowstring.

"Woof woof!"

The White Divine Dog, constantly tracking Nue, immediately issued a warning.

Hearing it, Eichi rolled into the trees at the side, narrowly evading Nue's pounce.

As Nue skimmed the ground, the White Divine Dog tried to knock it down, but Nue was ready and forced it back with several bolts of lightning.

"What a pity."

Seeing the White Divine Dog fail to ground Nue, Eichi did not linger. He used the forest for cover and continued toward his destination.

What awaited him was a barrage of lightning from Nue.

Watching the continuous strikes, a question flashed through Eichi's mind: why is it easier to be struck by lightning when hiding under a tree during a storm?

Soon, a chain of lightning forced him back onto the forest path, and both sides returned to the initial standoff.

"Phew, finally here."

Looking at the clearing ahead, where the ground was carpeted with weeds, Eichi finally felt relieved.

This short hundred meters had been the most exhausting distance he had ever run.

Thump.

Tripping on something, Eichi stumbled and fell onto the dry weeds. Nue, which had been searching for an opening, immediately dove for him.

A second before Nue's talons could grab Eichi, the White Divine Dog barreled in from the side, shouldering Eichi away, then instantly melted into a puddle of shadow and merged into the ground.

"Now."

The Black Divine Dog, which had been waiting nearby, bit through the ropes holding the trap. A large net sprang up from beneath the weeds, ensnaring Nue as it tried to flap back into the sky.

As the net rose, a golden chess piece was carried up with it.

It was a golden piece with only an upper body, two horns on its head like a beast.

Strike while the iron is hot.

"Shikigami, Divine Dogs. Imaginary Summon, Berserker."

The White Divine Dog, which had been unsummoned to avoid the strike, reappeared. The Black Divine Dog and White Divine Dog clamped down on Nue's wings together.

Nue poured out its Cursed Energy to break the Divine Dogs' restraint, but before it could shake free, a large hand appeared, seized its talons, and slammed it hard into the ground.

A figure covered in shadows loomed, exuding an ominous aura.

Imaginary Summon, Shadow Servant Berserker.

This was a method Eichi had developed using the Holy Grail the System left him.

The Holy Grail contained chess pieces corresponding to seven classes. These seven pieces would serve as the core for summoning Imaginary Heroic Spirits once enough Illusion Power was gathered, acting like the spiritual core in the original Heroic Spirit Summoning.

However, Eichi had not yet collected enough Illusion Power, so he could not summon Heroic Spirits.

After studying the Holy Grail's information, he had a bold idea.

Could he summon mass-produced Shadow Servants by channeling the Ten Shadows Technique's Cursed Energy flow through the Heroic Spirit chess pieces?

The Ten Shadows Technique summons shadow shikigami.

Heroic Spirit Summoning is also a form of familiar or shikigami summoning.

Therefore, using the Ten Shadows Technique to summon Shadow Servants via the chess pieces as a medium seemed feasible.

After many attempts, Eichi successfully summoned a Shadow Servant.

Unlike the Divine Dogs, which remain in Eichi's shadow after being summoned, Shadow Servants vanish outright when unsummoned, leaving only the chess piece.

Each time he summoned a Shadow Servant, he had to take out the chess piece and summon again.

Eichi also discovered another use for the chess pieces.

These seven pieces seemed to have been modified into Cursed Tools by the System.

The Divine Dogs would gain specific enhancements after consuming a chess piece.

For example, the Black Divine Dog, which ate the Assassin piece, gained enhanced stealth and striking power, becoming even deadlier.

This was also why Nue failed to detect the Black Divine Dog before the ambush.

The White Divine Dog ate the Rider piece, gaining stronger mobility and stamina.

"Finish it in one go."

Seeing Nue slammed to the ground, Eichi unleashed all his Cursed Energy, reinforcing the Divine Dogs and the Shadow Servant.

The next moment, countless attacks rained down on Nue.

Within seconds, Nue gave up resisting and dissolved into a puddle of shadow, merging into Eichi's shadow.

"Phew, it finally worked."

Eichi happily wiped the sweat from his forehead, unsummoned the Shadow Servant, and rode the White Divine Dog back to his small courtyard.

A white figure had been waiting there for a while.

"Satoru, you are here?"

Eichi was not surprised. Satoru had visited several times since Eichi moved in, and their relationship was quite good.

Although Satoru was already showing early signs of his power, his personality had not yet reached the exaggerated level seen later.

Before he became 2.5 Gojo, Satoru was still very reliable.

Even after arriving in the world of Jujutsu Kaisen, every time Eichi thought about the later developments, they felt absurd.

Shouldn't a story about a hero challenging a Demon King involve the hero carefully analyzing the Demon King's abilities, then fighting with everything to defeat him?

Why did it become Sukuna, the Demon King, figuring out all of the hero Satoru's abilities beforehand, then chopping Satoru into 2.5 Gojo?

Even if Satoru had to lose, that would be fine. A traditional loss for the sake of his students, or getting ambushed by Kenjaku, would be acceptable.

One moment he was shouting that he had won, the next he was seeing his life flash before his eyes.

And with no time to mourn Satoru becoming 2.5 Gojo, Kashimo, the God of Thunder, rushed to the battlefield.

With no time to mourn Kashimo's death, Higuruma, the genius acknowledged by Sukuna, rushed in.

With no time to mourn Higuruma's death, Yuta Okkotsu, who had just finished watching a comedy show, rushed in.

With no time to mourn Yuta Okkotsu being cut in half, Maki, the second-generation Heavenly Restriction, rushed in.

No, Yuta Okkotsu was only cut. Whether he ended up like Satoru is still unknown.

"Why are you staring at me?"

"You are good-looking."

"Isn't that obvious?"

"..."

Eichi fell silent.

"Were you taming a shikigami just now?"

"Yeah, a big bird that can fly. I plan to ride it for travel later."

"Interesting, call it out so I can see it."

"Nue."

Eichi did not refuse. He formed hand signs, and a human-sized owl, Nue, appeared between them.

His Cursed Energy, which had just recovered a bit, dropped rapidly, but Eichi did not mind, since he also wanted to see it.

(To be continued.)