"That Fushiguro-san was sealed?!"
Unlike Megumi's calm reaction, Ino showed none of the composure expected from a senior.
A special grade sorcerer being sealed was no small matter. If this was not handled quickly and the news spread, the entire jujutsu world would fall into chaos.
Not to mention that the one confirmed to be sealed carried the title of "the strongest." There was even the possibility that another one had been sealed as well.
"Calm down a little. You're already a sorcerer capable of standing on your own."
While acknowledging Ino's strength, Nanami continued thinking about their next move.
At present, they knew that several layers of Curtains had been set up in Shibuya by unknown curse users. The outermost layer prevented ordinary people from entering or leaving. Then there was the one that had suddenly appeared not long ago, the curtain that prevented sorcerers from entering.
The innermost one was likely meant for civilians or perhaps even Satoru himself. For now, that one did not need their attention.
The real problem was the second layer.
If they did not remove the restriction that prevented sorcerers from entering, then even if they had ten thousand ways to attack, none of them would matter.
"Megumi, don't worry. Fushiguro-san was only sealed. With Nanami-san here, we—"
After receiving recognition from his idol, Ino suddenly felt confident again. Only then did he remember the younger junior standing beside him and quickly tried to comfort Megumi instead.
"I'm not worried."
But before he could finish speaking, Megumi cut him off.
"The reason they chose sealing is because they couldn't win head-on. That means the enemy doesn't have anyone on the level of Uncle Mukuro or Gojo-sensei."
"Uh…"
Ino froze and scratched his forehead with a finger. For some reason, it felt like Megumi had thought through far more things in that instant than he had.
So who exactly was the senior here?
"Don't act like a senior. The students nowadays are very strong, in every aspect."
As he reminded Ino of this, Nanami had already begun walking toward the curtain.
"Let's deal with the sorcerer who set up the curtain first."
No matter what happened next, they needed to get inside first. If Satoru had truly been sealed, then the sooner they entered, the better, for themselves and for the civilians.
"Nanami-san, what about me? We can't use phones inside, so let us assistant managers handle communication between you."
Ijichi, who had been standing quietly in the back like a background character, suddenly stepped forward and volunteered.
Blocking signals was one of the functions of a curtain. Sorcerers needed to exorcise curses, fight curse users, and save civilians. If they also had to waste time passing messages between teams, their efficiency would drop greatly.
Ijichi planned to gather all assistant managers waiting nearby and form a human communication network. If anything unexpected happened or something important was discovered, they would run around the Shibuya area to deliver the information.
"Ino, you're responsible for protecting Ijichi."
Nanami paused briefly before giving the order.
"Huh? I wanted to go inside and help…"
Ino looked stunned.
He had hoped to show his abilities in front of Nanami, gain recognition, and receive a recommendation for promotion to grade 1 sorcerer. That was one of the reasons he had not advanced yet.
He wanted that recommendation from this man.
"They separated the special grade sorcerers and sealed them. They also set up multiple curtains. The enemy this time isn't reckless. I suspect they've already considered this possibility," Nanami replied calmly.
He had actually thought of Ijichi's idea even before he mentioned it. However, he had not suggested it first because of personal reasons.
On a battlefield where even special grade sorcerers could be sealed, he did not want his weaker junior to risk his life.
But now that Ijichi still volunteered despite knowing the danger, Nanami would not crush that determination.
Sending Ino with him was already the most he could do.
"I'm counting on you."
After leaving those final words behind, Nanami and Megumi officially entered the curtain.
"We were entrusted…"
Ino held the rolled up ski-mask on his head. The joy in his voice could not be hidden.
"Nanami-senpai…"
Beside him, Ijichi's lips trembled slightly. For some reason, he felt like crying.
Memories of their days at Jujutsu High flashed through his mind. He clearly remembered how slowly he walked back then, yet he was always able to follow behind his seniors.
They always walked ahead quickly and seemed carefree, yet they always stood in front of him.
What "a true adult among adults."
To him, he was simply his Nanami-senpai.
* * *
Meanwhile, time returned to the moment when Satoru was sealed.
Meiji-Jingumae Station.
"There are two curtains here. The outer one restricts ordinary people from entering or leaving, and inside there is another one whose purpose we still don't know."
An assistant manager carefully explained the situation at the station to Haibara and Yuji.
Her tone carried some embarrassment.
She had failed to determine the exact function of the inner curtain.
The exits above had been blocked by the curtain, and curses were slaughtering people above ground. Fear had forced everyone to flee underground.
Because of this, she made a bold guess. The lower curtain was likely meant to prevent sorcerers from entering.
"Also, the one who set up the barrier should be somewhere between the two curtains. At least the one who set up the inner curtain should be there."
Based on the difference in barrier strength, she believed the base of the curtains was likely outside. It was precisely because they accepted the risk of being discovered that the inner barrier was much stronger.
"I see. Then let's go."
Understanding the situation, Haibara patted Yuji on the shoulder, and the two of them entered through one of the station entrances.
"I feel it. It's over there."
The moment they reached the second underground level, they sensed a strong wave of cursed energy.
Looking down the corridor, they saw Ko-Guy, a curse roughly the size of a human, his appearance resembling a giant locust.
He was happily chewing on a human corpse.
Both Haibara and Yuji's expressions hardened.
"What are you staring… staring at?!"
Noticing their fierce gaze, Ko-Guy stood up in dissatisfaction. His speech stuttered slightly, but that did not stop him from acting confident.
"I know now! You are juj… juj…"
Suddenly, he seemed to remember something and pointed at the two of them. But halfway through speaking, he forgot what he was trying to say.
"Jujutsu sorcerers. We're here to kill you."
Haibara raised his hands in front of him, already prepared to strike.
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