Dusk. The Conference Room.
"Satoru... don't take it too seriously." Principal Yaga spoke in a deep voice. "If it weren't for you, the Kyoto students would be dead."
"Yeah," Utahime, who usually disliked Gojo, spoke up unusually. "Sukuna is definitely talking nonsense. Looking so dejected isn't like you at all, you Bastard."
"Disheartened?" Leaning against the door, Gojo Satoru raised a hand and chuckled. "It's rare to see someone this strong... I'm overjoyed! How could I be discouraged?!" He grinned, his blue eyes flashing. "I thought I had no rivals. My growth had bottlenecked. I didn't expect that Fake Smile Guy to be so well-hidden. This is really something to look forward to!"
Nanami Kento, sitting to the side, pushed up his glasses and sighed internally. Work is shit. Sorcerers are shit. The world is troublesome enough with one Gojo Satoru. Now there's Zenin Mirai. Did I make a mistake coming back?
"Mei Mei," Gojo turned to the woman counting money on her phone. "You aren't part of the Fake Smile Group, right?"
"White Zetsu?" Gojo looked at the corner.
In the corner, a weak White Zetsu (in Haruta's body) grinned, revealing sharp teeth. "That's right! Mei Mei and Mirai-boy just like each other's wallets. She's definitely not with us."
Mei Mei smiled calmly. "I do like the rewards from the Zenin Head. He is quite satisfied with my work collecting Cursed Spirits." She wouldn't admit to treason, but she wouldn't deny taking money. She played both sides.
"White Zetsu," Gojo asked. "That Fake Smile Guy... he's hiding a lot more, isn't he?"
Everyone froze. Even excluding the students... Mirai fought Gojo to a standstill. And he was HOLDING BACK?
"You're quite perceptive," Zetsu counted on his fingers.
"1. Ten Shadows Technique (Shikigami)."
"2. Unknown Special Grade Cursed Spirits."
"3. The Gunbai Fan."
"4. Main... well, even his trump card, Master Zetsu, hasn't been used yet!"
"And there's more..." Zetsu shook his head, smacking his lips. "To be honest... Mirai-boy said he genuinely wants you to become stronger. He thinks you're too weak right now."
"Oh?" Gojo rubbed his forehead, chuckling. "Being treated like a nobody... that's really absurd."
...
"Ijichi," Gojo turned to his assistant. "Report. Zetsu might know more than we do."
Kiyotaka Ijichi stood up, sweating. "Casualties: Five Grade 2 Sorcerers. Three Semi-Grade 1s. One Grade 1. The perpetrators include the Patch-Faced Cursed Spirit (Mahito) and a User of Ice Formation (Uraume)."
"As for the stolen items..." Ijichi flipped a page, trembling. "Six Sukuna Fingers. Cursed Womb: Death Paintings... Numbers 1 through 9. All stolen."
"Impossible!" Principal Gakuganji slammed his hand on the table. "Didn't Lord Tengen detect the intrusion? How did Cursed Spirits pass the barrier?"
"Hanami," Gojo said calmly. "The Special Grade that Mirai crushed. His plant aura is like nature itself. He likely opened a hole in the barrier."
"So," Gojo looked at Zetsu. "Can you tell us the truth? Or do you need permission?"
"No need to goad me," Zetsu shrugged. "I'll tell you. It wasn't Hanami. It was the Sukuna Finger you brought back last time. Someone placed a Positioning Seal on the talisman."
"Tsk," Zetsu sneered at Yaga. "Next time, don't leave dangerous things in the warehouse. It's safer with me."
"A powerful Barrier Master..." Gojo murmured. "Tell me~" Gojo leaned in, his tone playful again. "Since you think Fake Smile is so powerful, betraying a little info won't hurt, right?"
"Fine," Zetsu grinned. "But first... answer my question. Who gave you the idea to eavesdrop on us? Suspecting your own students... turning on a colleague... that doesn't sound like your idea, Gojo. Who was the rat?"
"Five points!" Without a moment's hesitation, Gojo replied. "The Head of the Kamo Family."
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