章 24: Chapter 24: Fake Smile, Real Smile
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Night fell, and the moonlight was pure.
Inside a small, standalone building, White Zetsu flipped through an old notebook, his expression showing slight dissatisfaction.
"What the heck… You tell me to avoid Satoru Gojo, yet you go and provoke him yourself."
Mirai leaned half against the sofa, his face calm. "This is different."
"Geto is a death-row criminal wanted by Jujutsu High, not to mention the culprit behind attacking the school."
"In front of the students who were severely injured, Satoru Gojo won't make a move."
White Zetsu scratched his head, a hint of confusion on his face.
"He considers himself the strongest, yet he's still bound by worldly rules, influenced by the opinions of ordinary people."
"Honestly, it's beyond comprehension."
Mirai stood up, taking the notebook from White Zetsu's hands, speaking softly, "Those 'ordinary people' you're referring to are his students, his former best friend and classmates."
"The bonds between them aren't as fragile as you think."
Mirai flipped open the notebook and nestled back into the sofa. "Most importantly, Satoru Gojo has already accepted the possibility of Geto's death."
"If Geto hadn't betrayed them…"
"He wouldn't have let things slide as easily as he has, even if it meant destabilizing the entire Jujutsu world."
"Human emotions are indeed complicated."
As White Zetsu spoke, a wide grin appeared on his face. From his mouth, a grotesque curse spirit, resembling an oversized, crimson caterpillar, crawled out.
Toying with the curse spirit in his hand, White Zetsu chuckled. "Regardless of anything else, our gains this time aren't bad at all."
———
The next day, In front of the Jujutsu High building.
Satoru Gojo glanced at the approaching figure and was momentarily surprised.
"Shoko?"
"It's rare to see you outside the medical ward."
Shoko raised his eyes slightly, his tone flat. "Just a coincidence. I'm here to find Zenin Mirai."
Gojo frowned. "What do you need from him?"
"Don't tell me you've actually taken a liking to him?"
"My Infinity won't stop poison, you know."
Shoko pulled out a cigarette from her pocket, her tone nonchalant. "If I ever get the chance to shut your venomous mouth, I'm sure plenty of people will thank me."
Gojo pouted, "Good to know you're not interested. The woman doesn't seem like a decent person anyway."
Shoko lit his cigarette. "You're no different."
"Heh,"
Gojo, hands in his pockets, started walking. "Let's go together. I was just heading to see him as well."
Shoko paused for a moment, then slowly followed. "Is it because… of Geto?"
"No."
Gojo's expression remained calm. "Even if it wasn't him, I'd still handle things myself."
Shoko's eyes flashed with a trace of surprise at his words.
"Seems like the reckless idiot from back then… has grown up quite a bit."
———
"Mirai-san, long time no see."
The white coat designated for medical professionals couldn't hide the heavy dark circles beneath Shoko's eyes.
Ten years ago, Mirai had murmured in the car about getting closer to her.
And now, they had indeed progressed—becoming coworkers instead of strangers.
"Long time no see."
Looking at the faint smile on Mirai's lips, Shoko seemed to understand what Gojo had meant by calling it a fake smile.
It was like reciting from a textbook, repeating word for word.
Too formulaic, without a hint of sincerity.
But Shoko didn't care; she wasn't here for small talk.
Scanning the room's layout, Shoko got straight to the point. "Where's that talking curse spirit?"
"Mind if I dissect it for a look?"
"Hahaha, I knew you'd ask that."
Gojo, who had been observing from the side, burst out laughing.
Mirai's smile stiffened—he hadn't expected Shoko to be so direct.
"Don't worry. A curse spirit's body isn't like a sorcerer's."
"As long as the core isn't destroyed, it can always regenerate with cursed energy."
Shoko twirled a strand of hair around her finger, her expression serious.
She had dissected plenty of curses, but one as unique as White Zetsu was rare enough to tempt her greatly.
Mirai's eye twitched. "I have no objections, as long as White Zetsu is willing…"
"Where is he? I'll ask him myself."
Mirai replied, "He's probably hanging out with Maki and the others."
Shoko shot a glare at the grinning idiot beside her and headed straight for the door.
Gojo, despite knowing that White Zetsu was in the school building, had kept silent. The fool.
As Shoko's figure disappeared, a helpless expression crossed Mirai's face.
It was true that curses could regenerate with cursed energy, but that didn't mean they couldn't feel pain.
Shoko's logic reminded Mirai of an old internet joke from his previous life:
A pig eats feed to grow fat, and you can slice its meat bit by bit. Once it regrows, you slice it again. In this endless cycle, you can keep eating the pig until it dies of old age…
"Now that expression on your face doesn't seem fake."
Gojo crossed his legs, chuckling lightly.
Mirai pulled out his phone, sending a message to notify White Zetsu. He asked calmly, "So, why did you come to see me?"
"Heh, even your cold expression now is real."
Seeing Mirai remain indifferent, Gojo spread his hands and revealed the reason for his visit.
"Megumi Fushiguro. Why are you so fixated on him?"
Mirai turned his head, looking at Gojo. "Shouldn't that be my question to you?"
"He's from the Zenin bloodline and has awakened a technique similar to mine. Shouldn't he return to the clan?"
Gojo's expression became serious. "Name your terms. What will it take for you to give up on Megumi?"
"Seems like you've grown quite attached to the kid, huh, Gojo-sensei?"
Mirai's lips curved into a genuine smile.
"In that case, I have something I need your help with."
"If you agree, not only can you decide his fate, but I'll also provide the Zenin family's experience with the Ten Shadows Technique."
Gojo frowned. "What do you want?"
The Ten Shadows Technique was Megumi's innate ability, and even without the Zenin family's knowledge, he could control his Shikigami with ease.
But that information wasn't worthless.
It could accelerate Megumi's growth, helping him learn to combine and manipulate Shikigami more efficiently in battle.
Much like how Sukuna took over Megumi's body—there was a visible difference in the size and power of the Shikigami due to Sukuna's superior cursed energy control.
Things like merging Shikigami and expanding techniques were all factors that made a big difference.
"It's simple. I want to experience Gojo-sensei's Domain Expansion."
Mirai smiled gently. "One minute. Just give me one minute inside your domain."
"And, of course, under the condition that my life is guaranteed."
Gojo leaned forward slightly, the crease between his brows deepening.
The seriousness of Megumi's existence had been emphasized by the higher-ups, yet Mirai seemed willing to give him up so easily.
It felt suspicious—like everything had been planned in advance.
'Is he trying to study my Domain Expansion, or is there another reason…'
After a brief pause, Gojo nodded. "Alright."
"But first, you want me to ensure your safety inside the domain. Then, you offer the Ten Shadows Technique's knowledge."
Gojo smirked sarcastically. "Mirai-sensei…"
"You sure are cautious about staying alive."
Having achieved his goal, Mirai was completely unfazed by Gojo's sarcasm. Instead, he smiled back at him.
Gojo's expression didn't change, but deep down, he felt a strange unease.
'That smile… was real.'
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