The night passed in silence.
It wasn't until the blazing sun shattered the moon that a new day arrived.
When Yuto opened his eyes again, the beauty beside him had already departed, leaving only the faint fragrance of camellia lingering in the air, refusing to fade.
Last night, after sharing a 'bicycle' ride with Mrs. Yukinoshita and Yukino Haruno, the two had ridden with gusto. By the end, one could barely walk, clutching her sandals, while the other had simply fainted.
.......
It was 4 p.m. when Mrs. Yukinoshita and Haruno finally arrived at the meeting room. Mrs. Yukinoshita, being older, managed to hold herself together despite a slight ache in her waist. Haruno, however, was a mess, her way of walking awkward and unsteady.
"Haruno, are you alright?" Mrs.Yukinoshita asked, her brows furrowing at her daughter's weary state.
"I'm fine, Mom. Just overdid it with yoga last night," Haruno replied, her face flushing as she turned away in embarrassment.
"And you? Why are you…?" Haruno ventured.
"Just practicing gymnastics," Mrs.Yukinoshita answered with a straight face, betraying no hint of strain. Only when Yuto glanced at her did he catch the soft, reproachful glint in her eyes.
With everyone present, a brief meeting ensued. It was swiftly decided that Yuto would become the de facto leader of the Yukinoshita clan. In exchange for various profit shares, he'd provide protection. After the previous day's brutal events, no one dared object. Even those who wanted to protest swallowed their grievances under the weight of the smiling boy's presence on the podium.
From then on, at Yuto's behest, most Yukinoshita clan operations would shift from Chiba to Tokyo. Mrs. Yukinoshita and Haruno would also relocate to work under his enterprises.
...….
Time flew by.
Soon, it was the day of the "Hundred Demons Night Parade," as foretold by Geto Suguru.
Ding! "Your account has received a reward of 90 million yen from the Tokyo City Government."
After finishing his usual 'morning exercise' with Yukino Mifuyu, Yuto opened the door to receive a package from a man in black. Behind him, Yukino peeked out curiously as they returned inside.
"Master, who sent this package?" the beautiful woman asked, her moist eyes blinking.
"It's the official reward for slaying the Kishimojin last time," Yuto replied, casually opening it. Inside lay a sleek, gray-black tachi–a curse tool, unmistakably a weapon for curse masters.
"Let's test this blade," Yuto said, stepping into the courtyard of his newly bought luxury villa.
Crackle
A magnificent wave of curse power surged from him. His grip tightened, and black-red lightning crackled along the blade. Slowly, he raised it, the lightning coiling around it, distorting the space it passed through. With a gentle slash—
Swish!
The lawn split like paper, leaving a startling scar on the ground.
"Impressive," Yuto said, rubbing his nose with satisfaction before sheathing it.
Ding dong…
The doorbell rang. Yukino opened it to find Hozuki Yayoi, with a large backpack, striding in.
"Little Yayoi, what brings you here?" Yuto asked, using magic to mend the cracked lawn.
"Big Brother Yuto, these are weapons I made for you—[Stone Statue Demon Arrows], curse tools crafted from the Kishimojin's entire body," she said, panting as she set down her load and presented them proudly.
The [Stone Statue Demon Arrows] were special-grade curse tools—a whole stack of them. Knowing the Kishimojin statue's weight, it was no wonder the little girl was nearly bent double carrying them.
"Let me help, Little Yayoi," Yukino said, her maternal instincts flaring. She patted the girl's head, arranged the arrows neatly, then swayed toward the kitchen. "Sister will get you some juice."
"If you're giving me all these, what will you use?" Yuto asked, picking up an arrow the size of a baby's arm. Crafting them clearly took effort—grinding them down alone would've been arduous.
"Hehe," Yayoi giggled, sipping the orange juice Yukino handed her. "Big Brother Yuto, I've been thinking. Last time with the Kishimojin, I only gave you the location—you did all the fighting. I took advantage of you. So, I made these as a thank-you."
"But don't you need them?" Yukino asked.
"I just need this finger," Yayoi said, pulling a tiny stone statue finger from her pocket. "Anything bigger, I can't carry. It cuts iron like mud and has exorcism properties. It's enough for me."
"Such a sensible child," Yuto and Yukino said, exchanging glances. At nine, Hozuki Yayoi was far too mature, walking a path unlike other children her age.
After seeing her off, Yuto called Utaha and Mafuyu to teach them.
...
Yuto used his [Territory Creation A] skill to upgrade his workshop.
[Connecting to underground ley lines… constructing the magic matrix… linking to the Great Source… beep beep, system fully connected. 120 Noble Phantasms integrated into the ether network, 360 rune black keys consolidated…]
Watching Kasumigaoka Utaha and Kirisu Mafuyu bustle about the courtyard, Yuto smiled. "You two learn fast, helping me set up the workshop already."
"Oh, please. We don't have your cheat-like projection magic!" Utaha, in a black long skirt, kicked him lightly with her stocking-clad leg.
"Exactly," Kirisu added, wiping sweat from her brow. "How can a student cheat at learning?!"
"It's not cheating if you're studying," Yuto teased. While Utaha focused on the magic array, he patted Kirisu's buttocks. She nearly yelped, her tall frame trembling adorably.
"You rascal, what are you doing?" the teacher whispered, blushing fiercely as warmth spread through her thighs.
"I want to, very much," Yuto said with an ambiguous gesture, making her flush deeper while glancing nervously at Utaha.
"Don't go too far. I'm your teacher, we've already crossed too many lines," she hissed, recalling their recent escalations beyond hugs and kisses.
"But yesterday, in my arms, you didn't say that," Yuto chuckled, relenting.
...….
With preparations complete, Yuto set off for Tokyo Jujutsu High, eager to see Geto Suguru's shock. Due to Geto's warning, Tokyo and Kyoto governments had mobilized, evacuating citizens under the guise of drills and stationing curse masters to patrol.
Riding a projected black bird, Yuto soared through the sky, wind howling with sonic booms. Infused with his vast magic, the bird outstripped ordinary projections in size and speed. Below, the usually bustling streets lay eerily empty.
"Damn it! This guy's physical skills are insane!" Okkotsu Yuta gripped his long sword, attacking Geto like a storm. Yet the monk parried effortlessly, his hands a blur, finding gaps with terrifying prowess.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Explosive clashes rang out. Geto squinted at the anxious boy, sneering, "You have a special-grade curse, yet your physical skills are pathetic. Satoru's been too lenient."
"Shut up! You hurt Inumaki-senpai and the others—I'll tear you apart!" Yuta roared, his curse power surging. His bond with Zenin Maki, Inumaki Toge, and Panda fueled his rage as they lay defeated by this man.
"Come, Rika!" Yuta leaped, summoning a white curse—Orimoto Rika, his childhood sweetheart.
"Finally… the Queen of Curses," Geto said, eyes gleaming. With a flick, he unleashed a swarm of curses, forcing Yuta back.
"Damn, why the sudden change?" Yuta tumbled meters away, then took a curse-infused punch from Geto, crashing through walls into the street. Rika shielded him, sparing him injury.
"Interesting. You enjoy picking on high schoolers, don't you, Geto?" a playful voice cut in.
Geto's calm shattered. "You? How are you here?"
"I came because I wanted to. Did you think your scheme would fool me?" Yuto descended, dispelling his projection magic.
Geto's face darkened. Yuto's arrival upended his plans.
"Since you're here, don't think about leaving," Geto growled, summoning a plump, caterpillar-like curse and drawing a blood-red three-section staff—Yun, a special-grade tool relying on physical strength. Knowing Yuto's prowess from the Kishimojin fight, he abandoned games.
Whoosh!
Geto vanished, swinging Yun with brutal force. "Let's dance," Yuto said, switching to curse power and drawing his black blade.
Clang!
Their clash thundered. Geto flew back, shocked.
Yuto followed slashing mid-air. Too fast to dodge, Geto threw out curses to block.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Curses disintegrated under Yuto's blade. Reward notifications chimed, bringing a smile.
'What a fine Saint Quartz gift pack. Geto Suguru, don't die until I've drained your curses.'
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