Gojo Satoru was called in first. After hearing the proposal, he looked unusually serious. "It's doable. Tengen's barrier can gather cursed energy, solving the power issue for mass-producing cursed tools. Even if not everyone gets one, it can still be widely distributed."
He continued thoughtfully, "The Gojo family does have some traditional cursed-tool methods, but ironically, the Zen'in excel in this more—even their contributions to the repository are unmatched."
Yaga Masamichi, clearly impatient, interrupted, "We'll discuss that later. I'll confirm with Master Tengen."
Shortly, Yaga returned and called Kamihara Hajime aside. "Master Tengen says it's feasible, but he wants to discuss details with you."
---
Hajime followed Principal Yaga into Hoshi Palace—normally hidden behind shifting barriers that ordinary people could never find. Inside, he found layered underground halls circling a massive tree. At the base was a torii gate embedded in its trunk.
Stepping through it, the lights dimmed and a pathway of lanterns appeared. Where moments ago was a palace, now there was a simple tatami room: a low table, an old TV, a vase of fresh flowers, and a window showing a bright blue sky.
Before him knelt a strange figure—Master Tengen. Its form was humanoid at best, its head merely a protrusion with four vertically aligned eyes.
"Principal isn't staying?" Hajime asked.
Tengen's neutral, genderless voice asked him to sit and introduced tea materializing beside him.
"You strike me as extraordinary," Tengen said, fixing its many eyes on him. "As for your idea… it aligns perfectly with what needs doing."
Then the master spoke of "votive power", a long-forgotten form of cursed energy born from human worship—not purely negative but intertwined with faith and emotion. Though once used rarely to create curses or tools, it was mostly obsolete now.
But Tengen revealed he could channel this votive power to strengthen barriers—and through those barriers, mass-produce simple cursed tools. When the public realizes they can use these tools against minor curses, panic will calm.
Tengen then created a dome-shaped barrier in front of them. Hajime applied his incomplete barrier technique onto it. Tengen inspected it and nodded approval.
"This is promising. We'll rely on ordinary people's energy to power these barriers. Yaga and you will manage the rollout."
As their session ended, the room faded back into the palace's root space. Yaga and Gojo were waiting above.
---
Zen'in Negotiation Task
Yaga—looking uneasy—asked, "Will Zen'in agree to this?"
Gojo leaned back casually. "We're not asking for their lives, just their manufacturing cooperation. Naobito isn't stupid—he'll go along."
Hajime then learned from Gojo that he'd been chosen as a neutral mediator—but he'd have to visit Zen'in personally. Yuta was tied up elsewhere.
Hajime sighed and accepted. Yaga reassured him: "Even without Zen'in's tools expertise, we won't lag far behind."
Hajime realized he needed someone familiar with Zen'in—and thought of Maki.
---
Maki's Insight
He found her training alone. "I need someone to help with Zen'in," he explained.
She paused, then nodded seriously. "Naobito isn't like the rest—he's reasonable. And I know how Zen'in work."
Maki stopped her training and gathered her gear. "I'll go with you."
---
Well, in case you're unaware, sending Powerstones won't cost you a dime. So do me a favor and send some stones.