HRU: Chapter 204/205

Chapter 204: The News of Awakening Spread

Not long after Yaga Masamichi submitted this year's admission list to the top authorities of the Jujutsu world…

The news that Gojo Satoshi had awakened and chosen to undertake the S-rank entrance exam at Jujutsu High spread like wildfire across the entire sorcery world.

Inside the assembly hall of the upper echelon of the Jujutsu world…

Top figures from various factions gathered, each holding a report in hand with grim expressions as discussions began.

"Gojo Satoshi has awakened…"

"The first thing he did after waking up was to head straight for Jujutsu High."

"With the Gojo clan's prestige, does he even need to attend Jujutsu High?"

"I wonder what kind of storm he'll stir up in the world of sorcery this time…"

"Enough speculation."

"He's been asleep for so long. Who knows if his Zanpakutō is still usable."

"That's true."

"After all, in these nine years, none of the other Zanpakutō have reached Bankai. Maybe that blade that suppressed us nine years ago has lost its edge."

"I heard he and Satoru both selected the S-rank entrance mission. They'll be carrying the live broadcast puppet with them. Why not use this opportunity to evaluate his current strength?"

"Agreed. Let's contact Principal Sekiguchi and make the exam public."

"Wait, public? Wouldn't that expose classified student information?"

"If it's the Gojo brothers, it's fine."

"True."

"…"

At the head seat, an old man rested on his elbows, silently listening to the entire exchange.

He remained quiet for a long time, then let out a soft sigh.

"So he's finally awakened… Gojo Satoshi, after nine long years."

"…"

As the exam process was made public throughout the sorcery world, the news of Gojo Satoshi's awakening swept across every corner of the jujutsu community like a spring breeze.

…

Tokyo, Yorozuya.

Zenin Toji, always quick to gather information, confirmed the report several times.

It was true.

He suddenly burst into laughter.

"Satoshi, that guy!"

"You dumped the whole Yorozuya on me for nine years, and the first thing you do after waking up is rush to the technical school?"

"You're making your friend feel a little abandoned here."

Though he complained, his heart was filled with joy.

"Wife! Pick up some wine tonight and make something nice!" Toji shouted.

But his voice was too loud. It startled the two-year-old baby who had just fallen asleep, immediately began crying again.

"Toji, you woke Megumi up again! It's your turn to calm him down."

Toji scratched his head, smiling sheepishly. "Alright, alright, I'll handle it!"

"Megumi, you're already two years old. Why are you still crying so much?"

"Come on now, no more tears. When you grow up, I'll take you to see someone, and he'll forge you a super cool Zanpakutō. Let's get some sleep, okay?"

The someone he spoke of was naturally Gojo Satoshi.

And he wasn't worried at all about Satoshi.

Because no matter what his reason was for going back to Jujutsu High…

He would always return to the Yorozuya.

Until then, Toji would just keep the shop running like always.

…

Toji had finally managed to lull Megumi to sleep and let out a long sigh of relief.

Just then, the door to the Yorozuya flew open.

"We're back!" a voice called out.

Toji's face instantly stiffened.

He glanced down at Megumi, who was beginning to stir, and started praying frantically.

Please, no. Don't wake up!

Then another sharp voice rang out.

"Yuto! Can you at least pull your weight on the next mission?"

It was the unmistakable voice of the special-grade cursed spirit, Jogo.

The combination of sharp voices caused the black-haired baby to fully wake up.

He opened his eyes and looked straight at his father.

Toji held his breath.

Please don't cry, Megumi. Be a man!

But, just like before, Megumi let out a loud wail.

Toji sighed in defeat and looked toward the outer room with a darkened face.

"Damn it, Jogo! Yuto! Can you shut up for once?"

Yuto, completely unfazed, responded calmly, "Relax, Toji."

"The more Megumi cries now, the less he'll cry when he's older. Unlike Yuta—so well-behaved it's actually got me a little worried."

Toji growled, "Yuto, you really are unbelievable sometimes."

Jogo exploded, "Seriously! Yuto's been dragging down every mission lately. We should just fire him already!"

Yuto chuckled, "Hey, Jogo. I have a kid to take care of. What's wrong with easing up a little?"

"You're a special-grade cursed spirit!"

"Those little cursed things are nothing to you!"

Jogo grumbled, "You say I'm special grade, stronger than any of the cursed spirits Suguru manipulates… yet here I am cleaning up your mess just to get a glimpse of Ryūjin Jakka."

"I just wanted one simple thing. One glance!"

"Is that so hard to ask?"

"Do you know how I've survived these nine years, Yuto?!"

He held his head in despair, sighing dramatically.

Yuto laughed again, "Jogo, it's Ryūjin Jakka, right? Don't worry. You'll see enough of it once Satoshi wakes up."

"Yeah, just wait a little longer."

He knew exactly why Jogo had stayed here all this time.

It wasn't just about seeing Ryūjin Jakka.

And Yuto didn't call him out on it.

Jogo turned away, folding his arms.

But when he glanced at Toji's posture again, he noticed something that made him groan.

"Damn it! Why is everyone a dad now?!"

Not that he was jealous or anything.

But every time they went on a mission, he was the only one doing all the real work.

He was the last single one standing!

Yuto burst out laughing.

"Jogo, maybe it's time you found yourself a nice cursed spirit to settle down with."

Jogo's face went dark. "Get lost!"

"I've already pledged myself to Ryūjin Jakka. I'm just waiting for Boss to wake up."

His voice was firm.

But then it grew quieter.

"…It's just… Boss has been asleep for too long."

"When is he going to wake up?"

"…"

Yuto grinned and patted his shoulder.

"Don't worry, Jogo. Boss will wake up when it's time."

(To be continued.)

Chapter 205: In Action

"No need to wait, he's already awake."

Toji held Megumi in his arms and said seriously.

Hearing his words, Yuto and Jogo both froze in place.

A moment later, their bodies began to tremble slightly.

"He… when did he wake up? Is he in the inner room right now?" Jogo's voice quivered—not from fear, but from sheer excitement.

Yuto swallowed nervously, eyes shining as he stared at Toji.

Seeing their reactions, Toji shook his head and replied with a helpless smile.

"I don't know when exactly he woke up. Satoru called me. He didn't return to the Yorozuya. Seems the first thing he did after waking up was head straight to Jujutsu High."

Yuto and Jogo exchanged glances, then spoke at the same time.

"Jujutsu High?"

"Why would he go to a place like that?"

Given Satoshi's position in the Gojo clan, there was no need for him to enroll in Jujutsu High.

If he wanted, he could take over the Gojo family immediately and stand as its current head.

But then again, no one had ever been able to predict what Satoshi was thinking, so they simply let it be.

Toji looked at his companions and smiled.

"Anyway, I'm not sure why he's there, but not only did he enroll, he picked the S-rank entrance mission."

"And interestingly enough, the mission is to retrieve one of Sukuna's fingers."

Each word hit them like a hammer.

"Special Grade Cursed Object… Ryomen Sukuna's finger?!"

Yuto's eyes widened with shock. "As expected. That's so like him!"

Beside him, Jogo's pupils quivered violently.

He was thrilled.

As a cursed spirit, he understood the weight behind Sukuna's fingers. Any ordinary cursed spirit that consumed one would evolve into a special-grade threat.

Retrieving one of them meant fighting a special-grade cursed spirit.

Jogo's heart leapt.

"So I can finally, finally see Boss fight again!"

"Maybe this time I'll see the Zanpakutō in action!"

That overwhelming inferno. That elegant, unshakable presence in battle.

Jogo could barely contain himself.

Toji laughed. "Jogo, Yuto, the entire recovery mission will be broadcast live tomorrow. So let's take a rare day off and enjoy the show."

"Let's see how much the Zanpakutō that once shook the Jujutsu world has grown after nine years of sleep."

…

While the Yorozuya was abuzz with excitement…

A similar atmosphere filled the Gojo clan's council chamber.

Kumaen sat calmly at the head seat, a cup of tea in hand and a serious glint in his eye.

A subordinate leaned over to whisper something in his ear.

Kumaen sighed and fell silent.

No one could guess what he was thinking.

After a long pause, he said coldly to the man beside him,

"The Zenin and Kamo families have been unusually active lately."

"After Satoshi fell asleep, and the Zanpakutō's influence faded, they've grown bolder."

"Seems like certain people are finally about to show their ambitions."

But thinking of Satoshi made him frown slightly. "It's been nine years. Still no word from Satoshi…"

Although he'd been under Lord Tengen's protection, and the Gojo clan had periodically checked in, nothing had changed.

Still, it would be a lie to say he wasn't worried.

Even so, as acting leader, these thoughts couldn't sway him. He dismissed the sorcerer and rose to leave.

Maybe I should visit Jujutsu High and watch Satoru's entrance exam. And meet Satoshi in person.

He hadn't taken a step before Gojo Shunichi burst in, eyes gleaming with urgency.

Kumaen didn't sit back down. He frowned and asked, "Shunichi, what's got you in such a rush?"

Is the Zenin or Kamo clan up to something again?

Shunichi was often involved with those two houses on expansion matters.

But Shunichi quickly shook his head.

"No, this is good news!"

Kumaen blinked, realizing today was the start of Satoru's school term.

He asked uncertainly, "So… Satoru was accepted into Jujutsu High?"

That doesn't count as great news.

Shunichi quickly clarified, "Not yet. Satoru takes his entrance exam tomorrow."

Kumaen sat down again with a sigh, a little annoyed. "Then what kind of happy news is this?"

"In the Gojo clan right now, the only good news that would matter… would be Satoshi waking up."

Shunichi's eyes lit up. "Exactly. Satoshi has awakened."

"Our clan can finally move forward again. We won't have to worry about the other two families anymore."

The teacup in Kumaen's hand trembled.

He shot to his feet, voice trembling.

"You're serious? He's awake?! From the Tombs of the Star?!"

Shunichi nodded solemnly. "Yes. Would I joke about something like that?"

Kumaen was visibly shaken.

"What happened?! Tell me everything!"

Shunichi shared all the details he had received.

Kumaen's hands were shaking.

"Good. Good! Good! Satoshi has finally awakened!"

He was so overwhelmed, he said "good" three times.

But after his joy subsided, his brows furrowed again.

"But… if he's awake, why enroll in Jujutsu High?"

"And why choose the S-rank entrance mission—the one no one's ever completed?"

"That's far too dangerous!"

"Shunichi, should we just bring him back and install him as the Gojo family's agent?"

Shunichi hesitated for a moment.

"Acting head… I believe Young Master Satoshi has his own reasons for being at the school."

Kumaen paced in frustration.

"I don't want to stop him from attending…"

"But he just woke up. We have no idea how strong he currently is. And dealing with Sukuna's fingers is no trivial task!"

(To be continued.)