HRU: Chapter 207/208

Chapter 207: The Ecosystem of Gojo Satoshi’s Awakening

General Administration of Jujutsu, Central Courtyard, Conference Hall.

The moment Jujutsu High proposed assigning the recovery of Sukuna's finger as an admission task, the room erupted into argument.

And the dispute had shown no signs of stopping even now.

Voices clashed.

"It's simply too arrogant to entrust the retrieval of a Special Grade Cursed Object to two high school students."

"That's a remnant of Ryomen Sukuna, the King of Curses from a thousand years ago!"

"Even if it's just a fraction of his power, it's not something an ordinary sorcerer could possibly handle!"

"Let alone a student who hasn't even officially enrolled!"

But others clearly took issue with those objections and shot back.

"These two are from the Gojo family. They're not ordinary candidates!"

"They've both proven themselves capable of confronting Special Grade cursed spirits! One is the Six Eyes user of the Gojo clan! The other is a prodigy who possesses a Zanpakutō!"

"I say we leave the task to them!"

"..."

As the debate spiraled on, no one managing to convince the other, all eyes suddenly turned to one man, a middle-aged figure unfamiliar to most.

Yagyū Hidetsugu.

A man who had risen to prominence within the Directorate General's Office over the past nine years. His rank was second only to the Director of Jujutsu, who rarely made an appearance.

So, in the Director's absence, his words held tremendous weight in any dispute.

Yagyū Hidetsugu calmly swept his gaze across the room, eyes resting on the group that had been locked in heated argument just moments before. He hesitated briefly.

He had clawed his way to this position within the Directorate General.

All for Gojo Satoshi.

Not only did he now hold this authority, he had also secretly placed numerous individuals from the Gojo family within the ranks.

His purpose: to facilitate the cooperation between the Metropolitan General Headquarters and Gojo Satoshi.

Nine years ago, Satoshi had entrusted them with the mission of collecting Sukuna's fingers.

Now that Satoshi was personally heading out, Yagyū would protect him with everything he had.

Yagyū Hidetsugu's expression remained neutral as he declared,

"I approve of assigning the mission to recover Sukuna's finger to Tokyo Jujutsu High."

Upon hearing this, those who had opposed turned pale.

They didn't want to provoke him.

But of course, the real reason was that they wanted to use their own family influence to claim Sukuna's finger for themselves.

They wanted to object again, but seeing the look in Hidetsugu's eyes, none dared to speak further.

"Agreed."

"I... also agree."

Yagyū Hidetsugu smiled faintly.

"Good. Then it's settled."

"Arrange the mission immediately. Deliver the secret scroll containing the mission's location to Yaga Masamichi and have him take it back."

"If there's nothing else, this meeting is adjourned."

"..."

After receiving notice from the Spell Inspectorate.

Zenin Estate, Family Council Room.

All key figures of the Zenin clan were gathered. Seated at the head of the long table was Patriarch Zenin Naobito.

On either side of him sat Zenin Ogi, Zenin Jinichi, Zenin Shinsuke, and the others.

Naobito's tone was steady.

"Since Gojo Satoshi fell into slumber, our Zenin clan has greatly expanded its influence."

"We even managed to suppress the Gojo family for a time."

"But now, we may need to revise our plans."

His words caused the room to fall silent. Everyone glanced at the stack of documents placed in front of them.

Clearly, Naobito's statement was based on the contents of those files.

All of them picked up the documents to read.

Zenin Ogi's expression darkened.

"Patriarch, our Zenin clan is currently working closely with the Kamo clan. Even if that monster Satoshi awakens, I don't think it'll hinder our growth."

Zenin Shinsuke clenched his fists tightly.

"That's right. My strength is finally beginning to recover."

"And Gojo Satoshi has been asleep for nine years. Even if he awakens, who's to say he'll be as fearsome as before?"

"Besides, don't forget, we have the Kamo clan backing us!"

Zenin Jinichi leaned forward, both hands resting on the table, smiling confidently.

"Exactly. We've made a major breakthrough. If we keep going, the Zenin clan might surpass the other two great sorcerer families!"

"There's no reason to stop now!"

If things continued on this trajectory, Jinichi's influence within the clan would only grow.

Naturally, he wasn't willing to abandon their plans.

Naobito sighed inwardly. In this seemingly quiet meeting room, he could already hear the crashing of waves beneath a cliff's edge.

"Have Gojo Satoshi's nine years of slumber made you forget the power of his Zanpakutō?"

"Do none of you recall it in your dreams at night?"

His regretful words struck everyone like a cold wind.

Their faces changed.

Indeed, they had grown complacent. But now that Naobito mentioned it, both Ogi and Jinichi broke out in a cold sweat.

Gojo Satoshi's Zanpakutō…

Even after nine years, the shadow it cast on their hearts had never truly faded.

Zenin Shinsuke's expression twisted with frustration.

He had once been hailed as a genius of the Zenin clan… until Gojo Satoshi appeared. Since then, he had been utterly forgotten.

Taking a deep breath, his gaze sharpened.

"Patriarch, you said it yourself."

"Gojo Satoshi has been asleep for nine years. During that time, his Zanpakutō has remained silent!"

"Even if it can recover… there's no proof it will!"

"More importantly, we don't even know if Satoshi can return to the power he had back then!"

Zenin Jinichi chimed in:

"Patriarch, Shinsuke is right. Cooperating with the Gojo family is not the right move for the Zenin clan."

"Do you think if we approach him now, Gojo Satoshi will respect us?"

"After Satoshi fell asleep, the Gojo family's growth came to a halt. We seized that opportunity and took a huge bite out of their territory!"

"Do you really believe there's still a chance for cooperation?"

Naobito slowly closed his eyes.

After a long pause, he exhaled lightly.

"Ogi, even if we can't cooperate, we must do everything in our power to avoid becoming Satoshi's enemy."

"And Shinsuke… if you want to return to your former glory, you must let go of your obsession with Gojo Satoshi."

"If you truly doubt how much power he still has after sleeping for nine years…"

"Then the answer is simple."

"Tomorrow, the Jujutsu High entrance exam will take place. The entire process will be broadcast live!"

"Gojo Satoshi will be facing a Special Grade cursed spirit that has consumed Sukuna's finger. If you're that curious, why don't we all watch together?"

"..."

(To be continued.)

Chapter 208: The Future of the Curse World

Kamo Estate, private study.

The current head of the family, sat behind his desk. As the true leader of the Kamo clan, this was where he spent nearly every day.

Ever since joining forces with the Zenin family this past year, the Kamo clan's strength had surged. Their influence within the world of jujutsu had grown significantly.

The stain left behind by Kamo Noritoshi's actions a hundred years ago was slowly fading from public memory.

But that alone wasn't enough.

The humiliation the Kamo family once suffered could only be cleansed with blood.

Kamo calmly flipped through the stack of reports and photos handed to him.

Suddenly, his expression shifted.

"That kid from the Gojo clan actually woke up, and both brothers picked the S-level entrance mission. Now that's interesting."

"If they all pass... the Gojo clan will truly have birthed a dragon."

"If this were a few years ago…"

"Maybe even I would've felt some pressure."

But a smile quickly returned to his face. Unlike the Zenin family, Kamo felt no fear or pressure from Gojo Satoshi.

"After all, the Kamo clan already has a child who has mastered the Blood Manipulation Technique. Sooner or later, we will rival the Gojo family."

As one of the Big Three Sorcerer Families, the Kamo clan no longer needed to bow to the Gojos or the Zenins.

After some time, Kamo Satoshi raised a finger and instructed calmly:

"Don't worry about the Gojo family. Focus on accelerating our plans within the Jujutsu General Directorate."

---

Ieiri Estate, courtyard corridor.

A breeze blew gently between the wooden buildings. Ripples danced across the surface of the water by the pavilion. Ieiri Inamichi stood quietly under the corridor, listening to his subordinate report the latest news from the Polytechnic.

His daughter, Ieiri Shoko, was on this year's admission list. Naturally, he was far more attentive to these matters than usual.

When he heard the details about the exam list and the assigned exam team, Inamichi was startled. Then a wave of complex emotions followed—relief mixed with concern.

He was relieved because it had been nine years.

His daughter had finally waited for that boy to wake up.

He recalled how those nine years had worn on her—how her appetite vanished, her spirit dulled. It pained him to see it.

That was why he had insisted she enroll at Jujutsu High, hoping a change of environment might lift her mood. He hadn't expected her to cross paths with Gojo Satoshi again there. Maybe… it wasn't such a bad thing after all.

The worry, though, was that tomorrow, Shoko would be participating in the S-level entrance exam alongside Gojo Satoshi.

"A Special Grade Cursed Object: Sukuna's Finger..."

Even though the General Directorate had tightly sealed all information, the Ieiri clan, being a prestigious family in the jujutsu world, still caught wind of it.

The two Special Grade cursed spirits who had consumed Sukuna's fingers were likely stronger than average Special Grades.

And far stranger.

Even though his daughter could use the Reverse Cursed Technique, she lacked the strength to defeat such a spirit alone.

If something happened to Gojo Satoshi, there was no way Shoko could escape from such a creature.

Ieiri Inamichi rubbed his forehead, already feeling the onset of a headache.

He had no idea how much of Satoshi's strength had recovered. The boy had only just awakened, yet he was about to face such a formidable opponent.

Would he be able to handle it?

But even if he suggested Shoko withdraw from the test now, she would definitely refuse.

"I just hope Shoko and Satoshi can have a happy ending." Inamichi let out a long sigh.

...

Tokyo, Jujutsu High School.

After leaving the General Directorate, Yaga Masamichi immediately returned to Jujutsu High without a moment's delay.

He didn't dare linger for even a second longer.

There was no other reason. The documents in his possession were simply too important.

He glanced over at the four students laughing and training in the yard. Without a word, he made his way directly toward the principal's office.

He knocked lightly.

"Come in."

The response came in a strong but slightly aged voice. It was the current principal of Tokyo Jujutsu High, Sekiguchi Seiji.

"Principal!" Yaga greeted respectfully.

"Principal Sekiguchi, the General Directorate has approved our request."

Yaga stepped forward and presented two secret scrolls.

Sekiguchi Seiji smiled as he took the scrolls.

"Well done. You've done an excellent job."

But the smile soon faded. His expression turned serious.

"However, Mr. Yaga…"

"This year's entrance mission is unlike any we've had before. It may be the most dangerous in the school's history."

"You must be fully prepared. We can't afford to lose any of them."

"They carry tremendous potential."

Sekiguchi let out a long sigh.

Yaga was briefly startled, then nodded with solemnity.

"Rest assured, Principal Sekiguchi."

"Even if they can't complete the S-level mission, I'll make sure they're protected."

"Good. Then go ahead and prepare." Sekiguchi waved his hand to dismiss him.

Just as Yaga turned to leave, Sekiguchi suddenly called out again.

"Wait, Mr. Yaga."

Yaga paused, confused.

"Principal, is there something else?"

Sekiguchi shook his head with a faint smile.

"When you get old, you start forgetting things."

"Not long after the entrance exam, the Sister School Exchange Event with Kyoto Jujutsu High will begin."

Yaga was taken aback.

"So soon?"

Sekiguchi nodded.

"Their school year starts earlier in Kyoto. They wanted the exchange to last longer, so they arrived ahead of schedule."

"I'll leave the arrangements to you."

Yaga thought for a moment, then asked,

"Principal, I heard one of Kyoto's instructors is an incredible talent this year?"

Sekiguchi's expression shifted slightly.

"Yes. Tsukumo Yuki became a Special Grade sorcerer not long after entering the school. She broke the record for the fastest ascension to that rank."

"If she had chosen the S-level entrance mission back then, she might've cleared it."

Yaga nodded slowly.

"Another genius… Seems like this year's exchange is going to be intense."

"Before Satoshi fell asleep, Yuki Tsukumo was already rumored to be close to him. Nine years ago, when he was attacked by a Curse User, she stepped in to help."

"As a Star Plasma Vessel, Yuki is linked to Lord Tengen. You could say she's the bridge between Gojo Satoshi and Lord Tengen."

"This time… I get the feeling Yuki is coming here more for Satoshi than anything else. We can't let Kyoto Jujutsu steal him away…"

Sekiguchi Seiji nodded solemnly.

"Exactly. We must protect those four children."

"Especially Gojo Satoshi."

His voice softened, heavy with the warmth of an elder's care.

Yaga understood at once.

"Don't worry, Principal. I won't let anything happen to those four."

He turned and left.

It wasn't just about winning the exchange.

It was because in those four, he saw a chance to change the entire jujutsu world.

(To be continued.)