Mahito had recently felt like he was constantly busy.
Although his faction was growing larger by the day and he had more and more subordinates, it always felt like there weren't enough. It was especially so now.
He remembered half a year ago when he had just been caught by Kenjaku and Jogo. Back then, he used a bluff to make Kenjaku sign a Binding Vow, ensuring he could grow to his current level.
At that time, wherever he went, he had to have at least one Intelligent Cursed Spirit by his side—usually Jogo or Hanami. He didn't care where Kenjaku went at all; after all, he couldn't control Kenjaku back then anyway.
After that came Kinji Hakari, Ashiya Magon, five second-generation Intelligent Cursed Spirits, Tsumiki Fushiguro, Toji Fushiguro, and finally Choso, Kechizu, and Eso.
His faction had truly risen.
To put it bluntly, with his current strength, even if he fought the entire Jujutsu World head-on, he would only be slightly inferior.
The slight inferiority lay in Yuta Okkotsu and Yuki Tsukumo.
Even though Mahito's faction was already extremely strong and he could now trade one-for-one with Gojo Satoru, those two, Yuta Okkotsu and Yuki Tsukumo, were still unmatched.
Special Grade Sorcerers were indeed too overpowered.
It wasn't that there were no people of Special Grade Sorcerer level on this side. Kinji Hakari, Tsumiki Fushiguro, Toji Fushiguro, and Kenjaku, in terms of pure strength, were all Special Grade level.
Their side had four, and including Mahito himself, there were five Special Grade-level combatants.
Meanwhile, the Jujutsu World, even counting Gojo Satoru and Tengen, only had four.
Tengen was purely a Barrier Technique user; her direct combat power wasn't strong.
But the problem was that the enemy's Special Grade Sorcerers were too absurd.
Even the weakest, Yuki Tsukumo, would be extremely difficult for their Special Grade combatants to defeat in a direct fight. More terrifyingly, if she had a safe place, she could even take someone down with her as she died.
Yuki Tsukumo was the kind of character people liked to use in memes:
"Invincible against anyone below Special Grade, trades one-for-one against anyone above Special Grade."
Even in the disadvantageous situation of the original work, if Yuki Tsukumo hadn't been soft-hearted, she really could have taken Kenjaku with her.
If Yuki Tsukumo had just hardened her heart and stopped caring, Kenjaku would have one hundred percent died there.
Well, after personally fighting Yuki Tsukumo and comparing her to Kenjaku's level in the original work, Mahito was certain that if Yuki Tsukumo and Kenjaku truly engaged in a Domain battle, Kenjaku would lose without a doubt.
Dammit, how could Kenjaku possibly withstand Star Rage?
He couldn't withstand it at all!
Pure stats were the reason for dominance.
This was why Gojo Satoru's Six Eyes and Limitless, and Yuta Okkotsu's seemingly limitless Cursed Energy, were too heaven-defying.
Otherwise, even in the entire history of the Jujutsu World, Yuki Tsukumo would definitely be a top-tier existence.
Mahito even suspected that if Gojo Satoru and Ryomen Sukuna lacked information, they might also be traded one-for-one by Yuki Tsukumo.
This really wasn't Mahito bragging; after all, Yuki Tsukumo was the only person in the original work with clear planet-busting capability.
Never mind if it was a suicidal move, just tell me if she can bust a planet or not.
Heh, never mind planet-busting; if you really compress the Earth into a 2 cm glass ball to form a black hole, the entire solar system wouldn't survive.
That's freaking solar-system-busting!
Before transmigrating, when reading the manga, Mahito had discussed this in a group. All the members, including Mahito himself, thought Gege Akutami was drunk and filled in the stats with his feet.
As for Yuta Okkotsu... he was fine before, but now Yuta Okkotsu has the Immortal Technique from Tengen.
Even Kenjaku admitted that unless he used a seal, even he, a thousand-year Curse User, wouldn't know how to fight him.
What can be done?!
This was one of the reasons he was so busy—
—He had to reverse the current situation!
First, he had to continue strengthening his faction's power!
"That's it!" Mahito looked serious. "I'm going to start strictly checking your strength!"
Kenjaku added, "As the time for the Dream Walk Migration draws closer, it is certain that we have reached the final battle with the Jujutsu World. This battle can be said to decide the future of humanity. Before Tengen becomes a god, we must ensure the Dream Walk Migration is completed as quickly as possible. Otherwise, if Tengen truly becomes a god, with the combination of God Tengen and Gojo Satoru, we can only..."
The newly joined Choso asked in a heavy voice, "Are we doomed?"
Everyone looked at Choso, making him a bit nervous.
"What is it? Is that not the case? God Tengen possesses the ability to precisely manage and operate the great Japanese barrier alone, and Gojo Satoru can only be countered by Mahito. When the time comes, as long as God Tengen cooperates with Gojo Satoru to take us down one by one, even if Mahito has strength rivaling Gojo Satoru, he won't be able to save us in time. Was my judgment wrong?"
Jogo couldn't help but laugh, but it wasn't a laugh of mockery; it was closer to self-deprecation.
He remembered Kenjaku saying the same thing when they were collaborating. At that time, everyone was terrified by Kenjaku's words, and because of that, everyone, including Mahito, was tricked into signing a Binding Vow.
Thinking back, they were really naive then.
Choso frowned at Jogo, suspecting he was being mocked. To his surprise, before he could question him, Jogo said warmly, "Kenjaku's point is that if we fail in this competition, we'll just have to go to America and become the shadow rulers."
That's right.
Even if the combination of God Tengen and Gojo Satoru truly appeared, couldn't they just hide abroad?
But at that time, even Mahito hadn't thought that way because he had path dependency. He thought that in the Jujutsu Kaisen world, Japan was the absolute center, and once Tengen became a god...
Tengen would surely warn the entire world, and by then, even Mahito would have nowhere to run.
But after actually visiting America, Mahito suddenly realized that even if Tengen truly became a god, she couldn't possibly affect foreign countries.
In the surface world, Tengen was truly just background noise; she was fine in Japan, but she had no influence at all abroad.
Look at what the U.S. Army lieutenant general said—America isn't afraid of any thousand-year sorcerer at all; if they need to fight, they'll fight!
Choso's eyes widened as he said blankly, "Huh?"
Yes, Choso had made the same mistake as Mahito.
Kinji Hakari said with some discomfort, "I used to have quite some fantasies about America, but since talking with the U.S. President, now just the thought of staying in America for thousands or tens of thousands of years gives me goosebumps. Sigh, I used to think Japan was so-so, but now I feel Japan is truly great. Anyway, if I don't give it my all, I'm not going to America."
Kinji Hakari spoke with such abundant emotion—as if "if the startup fails, I'll have to tearfully go be the President of the world's strongest country"—that Choso was left speechless.
Hanami looked at Jogo and sighed.
[I didn't expect that after dying once, Jogo would actually be able to comfort someone so warmly. Jogo, you've really grown. ]
Dagon hopped twice for no apparent reason and let out two meaningless cries.
"Don't talk to me in that tone used for comforting children," Jogo said dissatisfiedly. "Even now, I still have a fiery temper. And Dagon, stop messing around! Be quiet!"
Hanami chuckled, not caring at all about Jogo's warning.
Since dying once, Jogo had truly grown, both in terms of strength and how he handled things.
Now, he truly had strength close to that of a Special Grade Sorcerer.
Well, only close.
To truly sit at the same table as a Special Grade Sorcerer, the current Jogo still couldn't do it.
However, if it were a Special Grade Sorcerer with weak defense, he could try to take them down with him.
Mahito was very satisfied with Jogo's current personality.
He looked around at the people seated: Kenjaku, Jogo, Hanami, Dagon, Kinji Hakari, Ashiya Magon, Tsumiki Fushiguro, Chisato, Kazeha, Yayoi Rin, Yuki-ori, Yuki-ren, Toji Fushiguro, Choso, Kechizu, and Eso.
Without realizing it, his power had expanded to such a level.
"Before I check everyone's strength, let's have a work report... Kinji, you go first," Mahito called out.
"Nothing much else, except that an anonymous caller has been contacting me lately, likely a higher-up from the Jujutsu World," Kinji Hakari said in a low voice. "He said he could provide us with convenience; he only asks for a place for himself in the future."
"No matter who it is, refuse them."
Ashiya Magon's voice had returned from old age to youth, but his tone still carried a sense of world-weariness.
He said indifferently, "If we fail, there's no need to say more. If we succeed, no matter who he is, if he dares to disobey us, just have Chisato call the police."
Kechizu and Eso weren't as strong as their eldest brother, and they never spoke much during meetings.
But at this moment, they both showed expressions of wanting to say something but hesitating.
The honest Eso could hold it in, but Kechizu really couldn't.
He asked in his somewhat effeminate tone, "Call the police? Are you serious?"
Chisato looked back at Kechizu.
In the original work, Kechizu was a rather tall and sturdy man with a cursed face made of blood on his back. He was very ashamed of the face on his back and would never let anyone see it.
But now, because of Mahito's Idle Transfiguration, he had become normal. Although still a sturdy man, he could now proudly show his back.
Chisato said calmly, "The police will fulfill their duties well. Because this kind of anonymous call constitutes bribery. After we report it, the police should use their power to track down the owner of this anonymous call and then carry out an arrest."
Kechizu's mouth twitched.
"I thought the police couldn't do it."
"If the police can't do it, then it's a judicial problem," Chisato replied to Kechizu with the same calmness. "Just keep reporting it. Keep reporting it all the way up. If it still can't be handled in the end... then it becomes our job."
Kechizu's casual expression turned cold.
He felt a sharp blade aura cover the entire space, as if everyone could hear the sound of a long sword being unsheathed.
But listening closely, it seemed like just a breeze passing by, messing up his hair.
"Big Sister's swordsmanship has improved again," Kazeha praised.
"I don't deserve such praise," Chisato said seriously. "It's thanks to Fushiguro-kun accepting my challenge. Sparring with him has benefited me greatly."
"I don't mind, just have fifty million ready," Toji Fushiguro let out a low laugh.
Chisato looked pained, and everyone else let out friendly laughter.
Well, that fifty million was considered a debt.
Each spar meant Chisato owed Toji Fushiguro fifty million.
In the past month, she had challenged him three times, racking up a debt of 150 million yen.
Currently, she didn't have a formal job and was forced to start contacting the talent scouts who had given her business cards before.
It was only because they were currently in the most critical period for Mahito to become a god, and the Dream Walk Migration still required Chisato's barrier knowledge to set up.
Otherwise, Young Miss Masasa might have already made her debut!
Choso glanced at his younger brother and said, "This is good. If we just use violence according to our whims, although it's satisfying..."
"...it would push us to the opposite side of the world. Doing everything by the rules always leaves some leeway. It seems like self-restraint, but it actually reduces the hostility others have toward us. For example, hasn't someone already come hoping to defect?"
"I think there will be more and more in the future."
Mahito understood the subtext of this newly joined subordinate; he hoped to continue maintaining the current state.
Unlike in the original work, where except for Choso himself, his two brothers were incarnations in monstrous bodies—no, including himself, they were actually incarnations. So from the beginning, their appearance was built on the sacrifice of innocents.
Choso judged that compared to the dark path, the righteous path was simpler and more comfortable for them.
But this time, their appearance was entirely due to the Construction Technique and Idle Transfiguration.
Both the incarnations and the Souls were personally crafted by Mahito.
Naturally, the two brothers were not in monstrous forms.
It could be said they were completely clean.
On the contrary, because they had been manufactured as cursed objects since birth, they could even openly seek revenge against the Jujutsu World, and this revenge appeared just.
Their clean background and just revenge gave them many ways out, so much so that Choso's judgment was completely different from the original work.
This was also why he cared so much about the rules.
Mahito snapped his fingers.
"Let's do as Chisato said. If another anonymous call comes, record it and call the police directly. I remember we also have a Diet member on our side, right?"
Kinji Hakari nodded.
"One Diet member bought a slot for immortality; that was a rule set by Mei Mei back then."
"Even though Mei Mei betrayed us, I won't go back on this deal," Mahito said with a smile. "When the time comes, have this Diet member keep an eye on the police station. I believe with a big figure pressing from above, the police will be more serious."
At this point, even Mahito was feeling sentimental.
Damn it, even with the Jujutsu World still watching like a hawk, he was still doing quite well in human society relying on his two cards of immortality and resurrection, becoming a big shot...
No, it should be they watching the Jujutsu World like hawks.
Thinking about it this way, except for their heritage, the Jujutsu World really isn't as good as them anywhere.
No wonder even Kinji Hakari is getting calls to defect.
Mahito called out again:
"Kenjaku?"
"There are no surprises on the American side," Kenjaku said with a smile. "The President is very keen on establishing the American Great Barrier. Especially when you revealed that your immortality must rely on a Heavenly Barrier, he urged us repeatedly. I think the U.S. Ambassador has already gone to the Japanese government agencies in person to hold them accountable. Tengen's departure from Japan is not far off."
As for whether Tengen would ignore America's request?
Kenjaku dared to assert she definitely wouldn't.
Over these thousand years, Tengen has merged with Star Plasma Vessels several times.
Each time she merges, she forcibly recalls why she must do so.
Tengen is not a cold person; her coldness lies in her clarity about the necessity of maintaining her human identity.
Therefore, after each Fusion, she only becomes more determined in her philosophy of maintaining the balance of the Jujutsu World.
This philosophy, maintained for a thousand years, has already seeped into Tengen's bones.
So, when there is a massive external stimulus, Tengen will inevitably take action.
Even if she has to use her own life as a stake, she will press forward.
This is why in the original work, even though Tengen knew Kenjaku was fully prepared, she still didn't leave the Star Corridor.
At that time, she clearly could have temporarily left to avoid the brunt of the attack, which would have been the optimal solution, but she didn't.
She preferred to ask the protagonist's group to stay as bodyguards rather than leave the Star Corridor.
Because she had to continue fulfilling her duty; she had to continue protecting the Star Corridor!
It's the same now.
With Yuta Okkotsu as a substitute and the blatant pressure from American forces, Kenjaku judged that Tengen would definitely have a "relapse."
She would rather put herself in danger than allow the balance of the Jujutsu World to be broken.
She will inevitably travel to America.
"Very well, this way we can safely start the Dream Walk Migration."
Mahito smiled and nodded, calling out for the third time:
"Jogo, tell us about the preparations for the Dream Walk Migration."
Jogo straightened his back and explained:
"The ten barrier nodes in Japan are fully prepared for coverage. With Hanami leading the team personally, it's impossible for the Jujutsu Sorcerers to notice. We didn't encounter any accidents on the way; it was so smooth that I'm starting to get suspicious."
In the original work, there were ten great barriers for the Culling Game, though the story only showed four of them.
These ten barriers were all nodes personally set by Tengen years ago, making them the most comfortable and convenient locations to deploy a great barrier.
The current Mahito doesn't intend to change them.
Kenjaku is an expert in this area; Kenjaku desires the establishment of the Culling Game more than anyone, so he won't cause trouble here.
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