After hearing Mahito's words, Ryan gave a quiet nod. He didn't respond verbally, his thoughts already swirling with the implications of what had been said.
Sure enough, there was someone truly exceptional at the top of this world. Not only was Kenjaku powerful, but his mind was a force of nature—sharp, calculating, and cunning in ways that bordered on monstrous. Ryan couldn't help but marvel at the sheer unpredictability of the situation. How did Kenjaku know about Mahito and his group's change in alliance? Was it intuition, or perhaps some form of detection method? The very fact that he had anticipated their movements was a testament to his abnormal intelligence.
Ryan didn't dwell on it for long. He understood that there were forces beyond his control, and Kenjaku was one of them. With a mental shrug, he shifted his focus back to the tasks at hand.
He briefly reviewed the missions he'd been assigned:
Mission 1: Defeat all cursed spirits.
Mission 2: Defeat all Jujutsu Sorcerers.
Mission 3: Defeat Gojo Satoru and Yuta Okkotsu.
Out of these three objectives, none seemed particularly difficult, though each carried its challenges. Defeating cursed spirits and Jujutsu Sorcerers was straightforward enough—though there was one task that stood out as more elusive. Kenjaku.
His identity was vague at best. It couldn't be said that he was strictly a cursed spirit, nor could he be fully classified as a Jujutsu Sorcerer. His existence straddled the line, and that made him an anomaly. Even if Ryan didn't take action against him, it wouldn't hinder the completion of his tasks. Kenjaku was not the kind of being who could easily be defeated or captured. It seemed likely he was already avoiding Ryan's detection.
Ryan had no intention of pursuing Kenjaku for now. First, there was no pressing need to do so. Second, it was clear that Kenjaku wasn't interested in engaging. He'd probably already slipped away. Anyone who wouldn't show up even when called by their allies would be difficult to track down, especially someone who could alter their appearance at will.
It would be a waste of time to search for him. There was no need to force the issue.
"In that case," Ryan began, his tone calm yet decisive. "We'll look elsewhere. See if we can find any other cursed spirits."
Mahito and the others paused, waiting for confirmation. They all nodded quickly in agreement.
"He's right," Mahito said. "We'll leave immediately."
Just as the voices of the group faded, a sudden chime echoed in Ryan's ear—a familiar notification from the chat group.
[Ding!]
[Task 1: Defeat all the cursed spirits!]
[The task has been completed!]
[Rewards will be distributed upon returning to the mission space. Please wait.]
Ryan froze for a moment, taken aback by the sudden announcement. It's already over? he thought, feeling a bit of surprise.
He had only dealt with three special-grade cursed spirits. It felt too soon. But I suppose that's the nature of this world... special grade cursed spirits here aren't numerous. Most of them had already been handled. But what about the lower-level ones? Had those been dealt with as well?
Before Ryan could ponder further, Tsunade's voice cut through his thoughts.
"That was quick..." she said with a hint of surprise. "It seems like the other teams are making excellent progress!"
Ryan nodded as she continued, her tone now more focused. "If we want to secure a top-three finish, we can't afford to relax. We need to keep moving."
Hearing her words, Ryan couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration. My companions are incredible. They've already taken care of the others so swiftly.
Next, the second task was nearly complete.
Defeat all Jujutsu Sorcerers!
In truth, the third task was already a part of the second one. After all, Satoru Gojo and Yuta Okkotsu were Jujutsu Sorcerers as well. Once they were dealt with, the problem would be solved.
The issue, however, lay in one key question: Where were these sorcerers right now?
As Ryan considered this, his gaze shifted toward his three subordinates. He was silent for a moment, contemplating his next move, before speaking.
The sky above the city seemed to grow heavier as Mahito, Jogo, and Hanami released their full cursed energy. The oppressive aura immediately flooded the area, darkening the surroundings and sending a chill through the streets.
Ordinary citizens—blissfully unaware of the world of cursed spirits—felt the weight of the malevolent presence, though they couldn't name it. A general sense of dread washed over the crowd as a cold wind blew through the city. Their hearts raced, instinctively knowing something was wrong but unable to understand why. The air seemed to grow thick, as though the very world around them was holding its breath.
"W-What's happening?" one person murmured, looking around in confusion, trying to make sense of the strange shift in the atmosphere.
"Where's this… feeling coming from? It's so… wrong!" another person stammered, an overwhelming sense of dread settling in their chest.
Some of the more sensitive individuals, those with a slightly heightened intuition, may have noticed an unnatural distortion in the air, but it would be beyond their comprehension. They couldn't identify it—they simply knew something terrible was near.
"Something's wrong! We need to get out of here!" someone shouted as panic began to spread. It was a primal fear they couldn't ignore.
"It's a special grade Cursed Spirit! There's no mistaking it!" a third voice shouted, the realization hitting hard.
Nearby sorcerers, those with enough sensitivity to cursed energy, felt the disturbance like a shockwave running through their bodies. Panic spread like wildfire. They knew that power—intensely malevolent, uncontrollable, and dangerous. The very fabric of the city seemed to warp under the pressure of it.
"This is bad! We need to alert everyone immediately!" One sorcerer pulled out their phone, urgently typing a message to their fellow jujutsu sorcerers.
As the chaos unfolded, a figure appeared in the distance, approaching the building with purpose. His white hair, strikingly handsome face, and black cloth obscuring his eyes made him instantly recognizable—Satoru Gojo.
Gojo was unparalleled—an absolute force of nature, the most powerful Jujutsu Sorcerer of their time. He was untouchable, standing among the four supreme Jujutsu Sorcerers.
His power was legendary. Gojo alone could take on multiple special-grade Cursed Spirits without breaking a sweat. Even the most formidable enemies could do little more than try to seal him away, for there was no killing him.
Gojo's special eyes allowed him to see through the flow of all power, deciphering the very fabric of reality around him. His abilities were nearly invincible, rendering him a true anomaly.
As soon as Satoru Gojo felt the overwhelming power in the air, his expression shifted. Without hesitation, he darted toward the source of the disturbance. In an instant, he was standing before the three curse spirits, his piercing gaze locked onto them.
His voice was steady, but it carried an unmistakable weight.
"I don't know what you're after," Gojo said, "but if you're here to face me, you're as good as dead."
His words were followed by a swift movement, his body coiling to strike. However, before he could act, Ryan's voice echoed through the tense silence.
"Step back, all three of you. Let me handle this."
Without question, Mahito and the others bowed their heads respectfully, stepping back with precision. They understood. Ryan had made it clear—he would be the one to confront Gojo.
Ryan slowly made his way forward. He knew that, despite their strength, the three curse spirits, as special as they were, could not defeat Satoru Gojo. Even with a three-on-one advantage, Gojo would still be an insurmountable challenge.
There was no need for the trio to waste their energy. This was Ryan's opportunity to test the waters. Could the strongest force in this world even pose a threat to him? That was what intrigued him.
The moment Gojo saw Ryan step forward, he tensed, his instincts screaming. He could sense it—an immense and unfamiliar power radiating from the man in front of him. It was not like any special ability Gojo had encountered before.
What confused him even further was the fact that these three special-grade Cursed Spirits, typically uncontrollable and hostile, were now yielding to this human. It was an anomaly that defied everything Gojo knew.
He couldn't contain his curiosity. "Who are you?" Gojo asked, his voice measured but filled with disbelief. "These three… they're obeying you. There's never been anything like this in history!"
Ryan's response was calm, almost casual. "It's nothing special."
He paused, letting the words settle before adding, "Isn't it normal for the weak to bow to the strong?"
"Ha, you're bold," Gojo chuckled, taking a step forward, his playful demeanor returning in full force. "You must think I'm one of those 'weak' guys, huh?"
Ryan's gaze sharpened a subtle challenge in his eyes. "Do you want to test it for yourself?"
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