"You want me to teach you the knack for Domains? You're asking some tough questions. ...Well, let's see. A Domain is about imbuing your innate technique with your inner self. Maybe you should try searching for what kind of person Suguru Geto really is? How to search? Boy, you're full of questions today. Are you in a slump? Fine, I'll help you out. ...Have you ever heard that a person dies twice? I'm sure you have. The first time is when they actually pass away, and the second is when they're forgotten. So, why not ask about the 'self' that is stored inside others?"
It was on a night during the July trip to Tateyama that Suguru Geto received such advice from Naoya Zen'in when he consulted him about Domains.
At the time, Geto was completely stuck on the final step of mastering Domain Expansion, so he swallowed his pride and decided to ask Naoya for the 'knack.'
The words he received in return were: "Search for the self inside others." On the surface, it didn't seem like advice at all, but it was also true that he had nothing else to rely on.
Deciding to take Naoya's words at face value for once, Geto resolved to ask his classmates and those around him about himself. From 그 day on, he began slowly collecting the various versions of 'Suguru Geto' that existed within others.
"About you, Suguru? Where's this coming from? ...You look serious. Hmm. Well, for me, you're the only one I can truly call my best friend. You were the only one in our year who could even come close to catching up to me, the only one who could stand by my side. ...No one else is listening right now, right? Don't go spreading this around. —Honestly, to me, every other living thing looks like a 'flower.' If I touch them normally, they scatter. If I'm careless and just walk around, I'll crush them. That's the kind of image I have. ...I mean, I do like humans in my own way. Even among the flowers, some are like Utahime Iori—dancing flowers that start moving if you poke them—and some are like Shoko Ieiri, who stays by your side even if she withers. But you, Suguru. You're like a 'Cherry Tree.' I can lean against your trunk. There's no way I could ever trample you. If I broke your branches or scarred your bark, the inside would rot and turn hollow, sure, but a 'Cherry Tree' is naturally hard and strong. You were the first person I ever found that I could actually rely on, Suguru. —Naoya Zen'in? He's like Biollante, so leaning on him is a bit..."
"About Suguru Geto? What's up? Some kind of life counseling? ...Ah, I see. Hmm. Well, there's a lot to say, but in a word, maybe a 'serious-type trash'? And Satoru Gojo is the 'unserious-type trash.' From my perspective, both of you bully Utahime Iori-senpai, provoke the teachers, and break something during every single mission. You're quite the pair of problem children. ...But even so, you know. We're friends. I think you're a good guy. But even though you're trying to act serious, Suguru, you're actually pretty high-handed—arrogant, even. You should probably work on that, okay?"
"About you, Senpai? You're a great person! Strong and serious! But I like how you've been lately, too! ...Eh? Well, since a little while ago, you haven't been quite as strict, Suguru Geto-senpai. How should I put it... before, you were like 'Absolute Justice!'—a bit scary, like Akainu from ONE PIECE. Now, it's more like 'Well, I guess that's okay too'... I like that you're more like Aokiji from ONE PIECE now!"
"About Suguru Geto-senpai? ...That's a difficult question. To be honest, I don't know you that well yet. We're seniors and juniors who share the same meals, but it's only been a three-month acquaintance. ...However, it's clear that you are a good person. I admire your commitment to being upright. I always strive to base myself on facts and maintain self-discipline, but it's not an easy task. ...To me, Suguru Geto-senpai appears as a pioneer walking that path. Lately, you've been struggling to look reality in the face and swallow both the pure and the corrupt. Following in your footsteps... yes. It gives me a sense of security."
"What, you're askin' me too? ...I guess that makes sense. Well, the man known as Suguru Geto is a romanticist, from where I'm sittin'. You're the kind of idiot who truly believes there's such a thing as 'right' in this world. ...This world, especially the jujutsu world, is full of nothin' but scum and crap. In the middle of all that, you're far too serious, Suguru. If you came to stay at my house, you'd probably foam at the mouth and die, wouldn't ya? But even so, there are times I find you dazzlin'. Just like you say, jujutsu sorcerers are here to help people, and I think we oughta hold onto justice. But yeah, if you let yourself get poisoned by the gutter-trash of the world and snap, it'll be dangerous. Just like there are good people like you among sorcerers, there are countless beasts among the non-sorcerers—worse than monkeys. Keep your guard up."
"What's wrong, Suguru? ...I see, about yourself. For your Domain? I see... To be honest, I think you're a handful. You cause nothing but trouble. Do you know how many apology letters I've written or how many times I've had to go around bowing my head because of you? ...But there is no death without regret for a jujutsu sorcerer, and this world is overflowing with absurdity. In the midst of that, I appreciate your attitude of trying to maintain reason. Just don't overdo it. The world is fundamentally absurd. Suguru, you're still young. Rely on us adults sometimes. I might be weaker than you or Satoru Gojo, but I am your teacher."
"Sugu!? Honey! It's a call from Sugu! Forget the newspaper and get over here! I don't really understand these video calls! ...Sorry, dear, it's a bit noisy here. ...About Sugu? To me, you'll always be my precious child. When I went through the pain of labor to bring you into this world, you were so tiny, and now you've grown so huge. ...But let's see. I don't think I raised you wrong, but I am a little worried about your personality. Sugu, you have a habit of turning your eyes away from the bad parts of people and forcing yourself to swallow your own feelings, don't you? When you're angry, it's okay to just let it out, you know? Of course, you can't get in trouble with the police or bother the neighbors. ...Come on, honey, Sugu is troubled, say something!"
"...I was keeping quiet because your mother was rattling on, you know? Fine. Suguru, I heard your concern. 'Searching for oneself' sounds very much like a student. I, too, consider Suguru my pride and joy as a son. ...To be honest, I don't quite understand your work... but well. If I were to give advice to my son as a fellow member of society... eventually, for harassment, the Labor Standards Bureau is best, and for violence or incidents, calling the police is the way to go. Humans have a sense of justice that makes them want to stand up against evil, and I believe you have a particularly large amount of it. However, there's a trick to wielding justice. Leave it to the experts; relying on the right person for the right job is also a fine way to exercise justice. ...Well, if you're calling us like this, perhaps my worries were unnecessary?"
And so, as he gathered them, there were many Suguru Getos standing there.
Indeed, even if he hadn't realized it himself, that was Suguru Geto.
Receiving those thoughts from others, imbuing them into his technique and refining them, carving out his own form—Suguru Geto's Domain achieved a surprisingly beautiful stability.
It was a sort of end of childhood.
The dreaming boy, passing through the pupa of adolescence, metamorphosed into an 'adult' who stands firmly on the ground to prove his existence to the world, spreading his wings wide.
Domain Expansion: "".
Conquering the depths of the belly, swallowing the world, burying those who must pass, and letting the exceptional dwell within.
The cursed technique effect imbued into that Domain was——.
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