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Ryosuke stayed silent for a moment, his hands still buried in his pockets. His gaze lingered briefly on the massive door. Then he gave a slight shrug and answered in a calm voice: "Why not?"
Utahime frowned, clearly unsatisfied with such a vague answer. She fixed her eyes on him, hoping he would continue.
Ryosuke sighed and straightened up, folding his arms.
"Look, I don't have some grand heroic cause or personal revenge to carry out. It's just… something I was given the ability to do. And if I can help people or, along the way, get a little stronger, that works for me."
Utahime observed him for a few seconds. Finally, she nodded gently.
"Very well. I suppose everyone finds their own reasons along the way." She opened the door and stepped aside to let him pass. "The principal is waiting for you."
He entered without a word.
The room was spacious but dim, lit only by the softened light coming through large curtained windows. Behind a wide desk stood an elderly man with an elongated bald head. He had long, thick white eyebrows that curved down along his face, and a white goatee.
He also wore several piercings: a nose ring, two on his lower lip, three on each upper ear, and one on each of his large earlobes.
The principal was dressed in a white nagajuban over a stylized black T-shirt, a violet hakama, light-colored tabi, and zori.
His name was Yoshinobu Gakuganji.
"My child," he said in a deep, steady voice. "Come closer."
Ryosuke obeyed, stopping a few meters from the desk.
"I heard you wanted to see me. So, what did I do?"
The principal gave a faint smile, amused by his nonchalant tone.
"It's not about what you've done, but rather what you could do," he replied, rising slowly. "I've heard about your actions during yesterday's mission. Defeating a Special Grade curse… That's admirable. But I wonder…"
He approached, hands clasped behind his back.
"Is what happened afterward truly real?"
Ryosuke met his gaze without flinching.
"I don't see why I'd make something like that up. We were heading back from the mission when we ran into that man."
The principal nodded slowly, his expression unreadable.
"I see. My child, don't think we doubt you. But you should know, the man you encountered isn't just anyone. He is Suguru Geto, the most wanted jujutsu criminal in Japan."
Ryosuke raised a brow.
"Oh yeah? And that's supposed to concern me?" he shot back, crossing his arms.
The principal ignored his casual tone and continued, unfazed:
"His danger level is only slightly below that of Satoru Gojo. The very fact that he crossed paths with you is no good sign."
Ryosuke rolled his eyes, irritated.
"So why am I here? If you're trying to scare me, it's not working."
A nearly imperceptible smile tugged at the old man's lips. He opened a drawer from his desk, pulled out an envelope, and handed it to Ryosuke.
"Here's your form. It's official: you are now a Special Grade sorcerer."
Ryosuke blinked in surprise.
"Huh? That was fast…"
The principal nodded slowly.
"When necessity arises, administrative procedures move quickly. Defeating a Special Grade curse—and on top of that, crossing paths with Geto—is more than enough to earn the title."
Ryosuke took the envelope, not hiding his skepticism.
"I'm guessing you expect something from me, then?"
"My boy, I'll be frank. I trust your abilities. The fact that you came back without a scratch after an encounter with Suguru Geto is impressive, but… it makes the council skeptical. Some of them think—"
Ryosuke burst out laughing, cutting him off. He leaned forward slightly, resting a hand on the desk.
"You've got to be kidding me. Side with that guy?! That's a stretch, don't you think?"
Yoshinobu gave the faintest of smiles, nodding slightly.
"Perhaps. But know this: I hold your aunt Yuki in the highest regard. She is an extraordinary woman, an unparalleled sorcerer. And you, Ryosuke… you are one of the rare geniuses I've met."
Ryosuke straightened, crossing his arms again, a smirk playing on his lips.
"That, I already know. Now, tell me why I'm really here. You didn't summon the 'rare genius' that I am just to shower me with compliments, did you?"
Yoshinobu let out a sigh and slowly sat back down in his chair. His gaze darkened slightly, and his voice grew heavier.
"Do you think you could kill Satoru Gojo?"
The question cracked through the air like thunder. Ryosuke froze, his arms slowly falling to his sides. His smirk faded as his eyes locked on the principal, searching for meaning. But Yoshinobu didn't move, waiting for an answer.
"What?" Ryosuke finally muttered, visibly thrown off.
Yoshinobu smiled, but it was far from comforting.
"I understand the question is troubling, but know that your answer will determine whether this conversation continues… or ends here."
Ryosuke looked away. He stayed silent for a moment, his fingers drumming nervously against his thigh. Then he turned his head back toward Yoshinobu, narrowing his eyes slightly.
"You know, you're the first person to ever ask me something that absurd. But I'm curious… Why would you even want me to consider something like that?"
Yoshinobu didn't answer right away. Instead, he simply stared at him, patient.
Ryosuke remained silent, his thoughts clashing violently in his head.
Kill Satoru Gojo, huh…
He lowered his gaze slightly, idly playing with the envelope in his hands.
Yoshinobu Gakuganji…
This old man was far more complex than he had thought.
As for the question… Ryosuke already knew the answer. But he remembered a man once, who had shown the very same confidence when asked to do something like this. That man ended up in two pieces. (A/N: Riddle)