As the first light of dawn washed over the Star Plasma Cult's courtyard the next morning, Geto Suguru stood waiting at the entrance with Mimiko and Nanako.
A pale gold hue tinted the distant sky as the Cursed Spirit's massive silhouette cut through the morning mist, slowly descending onto the courtyard's open ground. On his way back, Rin had already informed Geto Suguru of the mission's details over the phone.
The Cursed Spirit Cursed Spirit landed, and Mimiko and Nanako immediately hurried forward to carefully help the still-weak Negi down. They supported him from either side, softly asking about his condition.
Geto Suguru walked straight toward Rin, his eyes filled with undisguised approval as he reached out to pat his shoulder.
"You did an excellent job, Rin."
Rin leaped down from the Cursed Spirit's back. Though his movements carried a trace of post-battle exhaustion, he kept his back straight and spoke calmly.
"It was nothing. It's what I should have done."
As he spoke, he took out the rune-wrapped box containing Sukuna's Finger from his robes and gently handed it to Geto Suguru.
To celebrate the successful completion of Rin's first mission, Geto Suguru personally cooked a meal.
A small round table was set in the dining room, where Rin, Negi, Mimiko, Nanako, and Manami—who had come over after hearing the news—sat together.
The dishes on the table weren't extravagant, but they were all Geto Suguru's specialties. Steaming soups sent up plumes of white vapor, chasing away the morning chill.
During the meal, Mimiko and Nanako chirped away, asking for details about the mission with eyes full of admiration, while Manami quietly refilled Rin's tea, occasionally chiming in.
Negi raised his glass and solemnly apologized to Rin.
"Rin, I was too impulsive before. I almost compromised the mission and put you in danger... I'm sorry. And about what happened earlier, that was my fault too."
Seeing his sincerity, Rin waved a hand.
"It's all in the past. It doesn't matter anymore."
He raised his teacup and clinked it against the others'. In the crisp sound of the toast, there was the warmth and liveliness of true companions.
As night deepened, Rin returned to his dormitory.
Moonlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, casting a long, thin shadow on the floor.
Sitting at his desk, his fingertips unconsciously rubbed his palm. It felt as if the pain from clashing fists with Aoi Todo and the searing heat of boiling Cursed Energy when unleashing Black Flash still lingered there.
Recalling that life-and-death struggle in the ruins—Todo's Black Flash, Mei Mei's crow flock, the tension of copying a Cursed Technique, and the exhilaration of a desperate counter-kill... a sensation he'd never felt before quietly spread through his heart. He seemed to have fallen in love with the feeling of combat.
In the past, he had desperately sought strength only to "protect himself."
To survive in this world teeming with Cursed Spirits, every improvement had been driven by a passive vigilance.
But now, fighting was no longer just a means of survival. In his clashes with the strong, he felt the thrill of breaking through his limits and had found a new goal.
It was no longer about simple self-preservation; he wanted to actively become stronger—strong enough to control his own destiny and even influence the impending "big event."
He raised a hand to rub his brow, soberly realizing that little time remained before the big event that would change everything. He had to seize every moment to increase his strength.
At the same time, this battle had exposed many issues: his physical techniques faltered significantly after being injured, his coordination of jujutsu, and his response to multi-pronged ambushes still had flaws... these were all hurdles he needed to overcome one by one.
Under the moonlight, Rin opened a drawer and took out a brand-new notebook, writing the words "To Be Improved" on the first page.
The rustling sound of the pen tip across the paper was exceptionally clear in the silent dormitory. It was his expectation for himself and his declaration of war against the future... The white curtains of the Jujutsu High infirmary fluttered gently in the breeze, the smell of disinfectant mingling with faint ripples of Cursed Energy.
Shoko sat by the hospital bed, a soft glow emanating from her fingertips as she slowly placed them over the wound on Aoi Todo's arm. The wound, accidentally inflicted by Mei Mei, was deep enough to see bone. Even with the Reverse Cursed Technique's repair, it would take time to heal properly.
On the adjacent bed, Mei Mei leaned against her pillow. Her face was still pale, yet she was still joking with Shoko about herself.
"Oh dear, I really took a loss this time. The medical bills are enough to buy several cups of coffee."
Just then, the infirmary door was pushed open, and Gojo Satoru, wearing his black blindfold, walked in. His signature white hair was particularly striking under the lights.
He didn't speak immediately, simply circling the two hospital beds. Though his fingertips didn't touch the wounds, he could perceive the residual traces of battle through Cursed Energy: dense impacts of energy, the aftershocks of Black Flash, and a strange aura of Cursed Energy that belonged to neither Todo nor Mei Mei.
"Looks like you guys had quite a lot of fun this time."
Gojo Satoru stopped and leaned against the wall. His tone was somewhat nonchalant, yet it couldn't hide the curiosity in his eyes. "Was it against that kid from the Star Plasma Cult?"
Mei Mei glanced up at him and snorted.
"Who else could it be? That kid is bizarre. Not only is his Cursed Energy strong, but he can also copy my crow flock and Todo's technique."
Todo nodded as well, his brow still slightly furrowed as he recalled being countered by Rin using Boogie Woogie.
"His learning ability is terrifying, and his reaction speed in battle far exceeds that of other Jujutsu Sorcerers his age."
As Shoko adjusted the intensity of her Reverse Cursed Technique, she added:
"Judging by the residual Cursed Energy in their bodies, the opponent has mastered at least three different types of Cursed Techniques and is very proficient in using the abilities he copies."
After hearing their descriptions, the smile on Gojo Satoru's face gradually deepened. Behind his blindfold, his eyes clearly shone with excitement.
"Copying jujutsu? And being able to apply it quickly in battle... how interesting."
He raised a hand to stroke his chin, thinking of the young man with Special Grade strength he had recently found, then connecting it to Rin's startling rate of progress. He couldn't help but chuckle.
"Lately, geniuses in the Jujutsu World seem to be popping up in clusters."
The moment those words left his lips, his thoughts drifted involuntarily to Geto Suguru—the best friend who once stood by his side but now stood on the opposite one.
"Suguru..."
Gojo Satoru's tone softened, carrying a complexity that others would find hard to grasp.
"You really are a good teacher. The students you've raised are all so outstanding."
He looked out the window. The sky was gradually darkening, as if prefiguring the approach of some storm.
"Perhaps we'll be seeing each other again soon, Suguru."
Silence fell over the infirmary for a moment. Shoko continued to focus on the treatment, Mei Mei leaned against her pillow with her eyes closed to rest, and Todo reflected on the details of the battle.
Only Gojo Satoru remained leaning against the wall, his fingertips lightly tapping the surface. In his mind, he was already planning that the next time he saw Rin, he would definitely 'play' with him properly.
And while he was at it... see what Suguru was actually plotting right now.
....
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