Flying back directly would have been faster and more convenient, but Hanakain Fubuki didn't mind occasionally enjoying the dedicated car service provided by the Jujutsu Association.
Two minutes later, on the steps by the main entrance of the juvenile detention center, three figures sat side-by-side, while one lay flat beside them.
Hanakain Fubuki and Busujima Saeko sat together. Itadori Yuji, who had previously surrendered control of his body to Ryomen Sukuna, seemed to have passed out from extreme exhaustion. Fushiguro Megumi was currently looking after him.
The sun dipped below the horizon, and the sky gradually darkened.
In the pleasant evening breeze, Hanakain Fubuki glanced over at Itadori, whose eyes remained tightly shut.
"I was originally planning to keep him locked in the Black Coffin a bit longer, but seeing as the markings on his face are gone, I assume that means the possession has ended, right?"
"Ah, yeah," Fushiguro replied curtly.
According to their original plan, he was supposed to hand the severely injured Nobara Kugisaki over to Mr. Ijichi, send the signal to Itadori immediately, and then rush back to the fight. However, right after sending the signal and charging back into the detention center, he found that the Innate Domain within had already dissipated. Shortly after, Busujima-senpai and this guy next to him walked out, casually carrying a large black coffin.
They also brought out the unconscious Itadori Yuji and Sukuna's finger.
Although he still had no idea who this guy really was, it was clear the large black coffin was his technique.
And since he could effortlessly suppress Sukuna at the strength of two fingers, his power had to be at least Special Grade... possibly even beyond that.
"Don't worry too much, though. From what we've seen, Itadori seems capable of completely suppressing Sukuna," Busujima Saeko explained, noticing Fushiguro's contemplation.
But then, she lowered her voice significantly for the next part.
"So, the current plan among the Jujutsu High brass is to use Itadori's unique constitution as a vessel to collect all of Sukuna's fingers. Once all twenty fingers are gathered, Itadori will be executed, killing Sukuna along with him."
"Huh? Why?" Hanakain Fubuki's mouth twitched. "I'm curious, what twisted logic led them to that conclusion? Did they just pull it out of thin air? Or was it some knee-jerk decision?"
"...What do you mean?" the swordswoman asked after a slight hesitation.
"Simple." Hanakain Fubuki gestured with his thumb towards the detention center behind them. "That Baldy Special Grade Cursed Spirit we just dealt with inside? It had one of Sukuna's fingers in it. Not only could it suppress Sukuna's consciousness, but it could also harness the finger's power. Now, it's dead, but the finger remained perfectly intact, didn't it?"
...
...
It was a sharp point, yet so straightforward it was impossible to refute.
Itadori Yuji could suppress Sukuna's consciousness, but so could the Special Grade Cursed Spirit. Furthermore, the Cursed Spirit could even utilize the finger's power. That alone was enough proof that it was arguably a better vessel for Sukuna's fingers than Itadori.
To put it bluntly, the Jujutsu Association likely chose Itadori as the vessel purely because he couldn't access the power of Sukuna's fingers. Whether he consumed one finger or two, even if he ate all twenty, he'd still just be a jock with a bit more strength than average – making him easy to execute later, with minimal resistance.
But guaranteeing that killing Itadori also kills Sukuna inside him? That's a whole different gamble.
Especially since this decision was apparently made by a vote among the Association's higher-ups. As the legendary British Prime Minister Jim Hacker might say – when everyone is collectively responsible, it means no one is actually responsible. That's bureaucracy for you.
Busujima Saeko and Fushiguro Megumi clearly grasped this point as well, and both fell into silence.
Hanakain Fubuki cleared his throat lightly, changing the subject. "Speaking of which, when that Ijichi guy called you earlier, Busujima-senpai, I remember him saying the target was a Special Grade Cursed Spirit. If they knew it was a Special Grade, why didn't they dispatch a Special Grade Sorcerer? Where's the Gojo family's 'Strongest'?"
"Gojo-sensei is away on business," Fushiguro's voice came from the other side of Hanakain. "Normally, a sorcerer of the same rank as the target curse would be assigned to accompany the mission. But around noon today, Gojo-sensei received an urgent assignment. Apparently, a Grade 1 Sorcerer went missing during a mission, so the Association sent Gojo-sensei to assist."
A Grade 1 Sorcerer went missing? So they sent a Special Grade Sorcerer to help? And left a group of students to face a Special Grade Cursed Spirit alone?
A sudden buzz filled Hanakain Fubuki's head as he felt like he was beginning to grasp the sheer absurdity of it all.
"What a truly... shitty, amateur setup."
The logic was simple. There were only a handful of Special Grade Sorcerers in total, and combat specialists like Gojo Satoru were even rarer.
Okay, finding a missing Grade 1 sorcerer is important, but what about the students sent here on this mission? Aren't they important too?
To put it more harshly, if he hadn't been here today, that 'Strongest' Sorcerer Gojo would likely finish searching for the missing Grade 1 only to have to come here next to search for three missing students.
Instead of assigning the right people to the right jobs, they pull their main assets off critical missions to plug old holes, which inevitably creates new holes that need plugging later. It's a textbook vicious cycle.
And the fact that someone like Gojo Satoru apparently accepts this arrangement? Why even be a Special Grade Sorcerer? He might as well go work at a funeral home – guaranteed promotion to Special Grade Corpse Hauler within a year.
The only difference being, one job involves hauling strangers' bodies, the other involves hauling the bodies of his own students and juniors.
Letting a shitty amateur setup command ordinary kids – kids who should've lived normal lives but had their fates twisted by awakening powers they never asked for – sending them on lethal missions... How is that any different from strapping bombs to child soldiers and sending them in human wave attacks against enemy tanks?
It's simply...
"This is why I can't stand Jujutsu Sorcerers..." Hanakain Fubuki muttered under his breath, clicking his tongue softly, the words meant only for himself.
Just then, another evening breeze rustled past. Headlights cut through the darkness from beyond the large iron gate at the front wall of the detention center, and a black sedan pulled up.
Looking through the window, the driver was a gaunt, weary-looking man with the unmistakable air of a corporate drone, dressed in the standard Jujutsu High uniform.
"Looks like our ride's here. Let's go."
Hanakain Fubuki stood up, dusting off his pants.
"Oh, by the way, a bit of free advice," he added, turning back to the others. "After you report back from this job, you should seriously consider cutting your losses and getting out. If things keep going like this... you'll all get screwed over sooner or later."
__________________________________________________________
Greetings, my dear clients of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor! 👋
I have some updates for you! I noticed another translator is also working on this current fanfic, So idecide start bringing you a brand new translation project starting next week!
BUT don't you worry! I'm definitely NOT stopping this current translation. 😉 In fact, I plan to add something special right here – those spicy lemon scenes (18+) featuring some favorite characters that I felt were missing! They'll be added directly into this version as we go.
Want to be the very first to read the new translation? You can get early access by supporting me on Patreon! Your support there helps make all these translations possible. ❤️
patreon.com/Walnutchan
The exciting new project launching there (with early access for Patrons!) is:
✨ Frieren in Elden Ring ✨