Chapter 10: Special Grade Mission
Shoko began to explain the fundamental principles of the Reverse Cursed Technique in the most concise way, extending her finger to trace the complex trajectory of Cursed Energy flow in the air.
"Try to feel the Cursed Energy inside your body. Imagine it's not meant for destruction, but for construction and repair... Precision. The key is precise control over Cursed Energy..."
Toho Hiroshi immediately concentrated all his focus, his Three Tomoe Sharingan unconsciously activating, staring intently at the trajectory of Cursed Energy Shoko was demonstrating, trying to understand and memorize the incredibly complex operation.
However, just as Shoko expected, it was extremely difficult.
His control over Cursed Energy was already clumsy, let alone performing such a precise reverse operation.
After several attempts, the Cursed Energy inside his body merely surged violently, completely unable to achieve that delicate transformation, and he almost caused his eyes to hurt intensely again.
"It's no good, it's too hard..."
Toho Hiroshi dropped his hand in frustration, the tomoe in his eyes slowly disappearing.
"I told you already."
Shoko was not surprised. "This requires years of practice and talent. It's not something you can learn just by watching a few times."
Although he failed, Toho Hiroshi was not entirely discouraged. At the very least, he had obtained the most basic theory and had personally "seen" Shoko's demonstration, which was infinitely better than fumbling around on his own.
Moreover, the burning pain in his eyes had indeed eased quite a bit.
"Thank you, Miss Shoko. I apologize for disturbing your rest."
Toho Hiroshi thanked her sincerely and stood up, preparing to leave.
"Wait."
Shoko called out to him, pulling a small bottle of eye drops from a drawer and tossing it to him. "I made it myself. It has a slight analgesic effect. Use a drop when you feel uncomfortable. Don't come knocking on my door in the middle of the night again. Next time, I really will call someone."
Toho Hiroshi took the eye drops, a surge of warmth filling his heart: "Yes, thank you very much."
He gently closed Shoko's door and left.
Inside the room, Shoko lit another cigarette, watching the hazy moonlight outside the window, and muttered to herself, "The Mangekyo Sharingan truly is a walking source of trouble. It looks like the days ahead won't be peaceful."
She seemed to have foreseen that the addition of this new classmate would bring even more intense changes to the already turbulent Jujutsu High... Three months flew by amidst high-intensity training, studying, and missions.
Toho Hiroshi's life settled into a nearly brutal routine: during the day, he was tempered by Gojo Satoru using all sorts of "creative" methods to hone his Physical Techniques and Cursed Energy foundation, occasionally conducting tactical cooperation drills with Suguru Geto; at night, he unfailingly went to Ieiri Shoko's place, enduring her complaints of him being a "troublemaker" and the haze of secondhand smoke while painstakingly researching the secrets of the Reverse Cursed Technique; in between, he carried out relatively safe exorcism missions screened by Masamichi Yaga.
The results were significant.
Under the "abuse" of Gojo Satoru, "the strongest sparring partner," his Physical Techniques and basic Cursed Energy control improved considerably. Although he still couldn't compare to monsters like Gojo and Geto, dealing with ordinary Cursed Spirits was more than enough.
The use of his Three Tomoe Sharingan also became increasingly proficient; dynamic vision, insight, and basic Illusion Technique interference all became sharp tools in his battles.
Most Grade 3 and even some Grade 2 Cursed Spirits could be successfully exorcised relying only on his Three Tomoe and Physical Techniques, almost eliminating the need to use the heavily taxing power of the Mangekyo.
And the Reverse Cursed Technique, which consumed most of his mental energy, gradually reached the threshold under countless failures and Shoko's venomous yet precise guidance.
Night, in the infirmary.
Toho Hiroshi sat cross-legged, fine beads of sweat dotting his forehead, all his focus concentrated on the circulation of Cursed Energy within his body.
Imagining negative plus negative equals positive, achieving ultimate precision control... A faint, trembling white light, barely visible, flickered around his fingertip.
That light was extremely unstable, flickering on and off, as if it would dissipate the next second, but compared to the previous situation where a single attempt would cause Cursed Energy disruption or even backlash, it was a world of difference.
"Tsk, slower than a snail, but at least it's taking shape."
Ieiri Shoko, cigarette dangling from her mouth, leaned against the laboratory bench. Her tone was still flat, but a hint of imperceptible surprise flashed in her eyes.
To touch the edge of the Reverse Cursed Technique in three months, even if it was only enough positive energy to barely treat a minor scratch, this level of talent and perseverance far surpassed ordinary people.
Of course, his Sharingan, which could precisely observe the flow of Cursed Energy, probably deserved much of the credit.
Toho Hiroshi let out a long breath, and the wisp of white light on his fingertip finally gave out and quietly dispersed.
A strong feeling of mental exhaustion washed over him, but his eyes were filled with excitement.
"Although it's still very weak, I've found the feeling!"
"You still have a long way to go."
Shoko poured cold water on his enthusiasm. "That amount of energy can't even heal a shallow cut. Moreover, it will have a negligible effect on relieving the level of damage to your eyes."
"I know, but this is at least a start."
Toho Hiroshi was not discouraged.
Being able to learn the Reverse Cursed Technique, even just the basics, meant he had a slight advantage in this race against the Mangekyo.
Just as he was about to rest and try again, the infirmary door was knocked upon.
Masamichi Yaga's tall figure appeared in the doorway, his expression as serious as ever.
Masamichi Yaga's voice was deep and solemn, breaking the slightly relaxed atmosphere in the infirmary: "Satoru, Suguru, Hao, we have an emergency mission."
The three immediately stood up, their expressions turning serious. Even Shoko put out her cigarette and looked over.
"The location is a small town in Saitama Prefecture. The incident has been classified as a—Special Grade Cursed Spirit Disaster."
Yaga's words instantly solidified the air.
"Special Grade?"
Suguru Geto frowned. "Is this the final confirmation from 'The Window'?"
"Yes. Multiple observers from 'The Window' confirmed at the cost of their lives that the source of the curse meets Special Grade characteristics, and has already caused large-scale civilian casualties and disappearances. Its physical characteristics are highly suspected to match the urban legend of the Kuchisake-onna."
Yaga paused, his gaze sweeping over the three. "Mission objective: Confirm and exorcise the Special Grade Cursed Spirit 'Kuchisake-onna,' and rescue survivors wherever possible."
He looked at Shoko: "Shoko, you prepare as well and come along. There might be a large number of casualties requiring emergency treatment on site, and your Reverse Cursed Technique is crucial."
Shoko nodded solemnly: "Understood."
Gojo Satoru whistled, showing no fear on his face, but instead filled with eager excitement: "A Special Grade! Finally, something worthwhile! Kuchisake-onna? Sounds interesting!"
"Satoru, don't be careless."
Yaga warned in a deep voice. "Special Grade Cursed Spirits are fundamentally different from Grade 1. Their abilities are often bizarre and unpredictable. Especially Cursed Spirits formed by specific legends, they are very likely to possess a 'Domain' or rule-like abilities."
His gaze finally settled on Toho Hiroshi: "Toho, this is your first time facing a Special Grade. Your ability is unique and might yield miraculous results, but remember, safety first. Your primary task is to cooperate with Satoru and Suguru, and ensure Shoko's safety—she is key to the on-site rescue."
"Yes! Principal Yaga!"
Toho Hiroshi took a deep breath, feeling his heart pound faster from nervousness and a hint of excitement.
Special Grade Cursed Spirit, Kuchisake-onna.
This will be an unprecedented challenge...
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