Chapter 80: The Commercial Street Chess Game—Undercurrents Before the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons
The moment the two stepped out of the Training Ground's iron gate, they saw Nanako and Mimiko running around the corner of the corridor, hugging Pillows. Their ponytails swayed gently with their steps, and their eyes were filled with Anticipation.
Before Suguru Geto could speak, the two sisters rushed to his side, their voices urgent and spoiled:
"Lord Geto! When are we going on vacation? You promised to take us to Hawaii, and we've already prepared our Swimsuits!"
Suguru Geto looked at their sparkling eyes, a gentle smile appearing on his face, and reached out to rub Nanako's head:
"Don't worry. I already bought a large Villa with a Pool in Hawaii, and the Furniture and Daily Necessities have been arranged.
Once I finish the tasks at hand, I'll take everyone there to relax and have fun for a few days."
"Wow! That's great!" Hearing this, the two sisters jumped up excitedly. Mimiko even pulled Nanako's hand, quietly planning to go to the Beach to collect Seashells and watch the Sunset.
After chattering for a few more sentences, the two skipped back to their room, clearly going to share the good news.
Watching the sisters' cheerful figures, Rin's heart suddenly sank. He subconsciously calculated the time; there was less than a week until the day of the "Night Parade of One Hundred Demons" planned by Suguru Geto.
The so-called "finishing the tasks at hand" likely referred to this big event that would disrupt the Jujutsu World.
And the vacation promise Suguru Geto made to the children was more like a... preemptive "Reassurance."
He suppressed his thoughts, asked no more questions, and followed Suguru Geto out of the Base.
The two soon arrived at the entrance of a slightly dilapidated Commercial Street.
The Commercial Street before them displayed a Warning Sign reading "Demolition Area." The walls were mottled, most doors and windows were damaged, and the air was filled with the smell of dust and decay.
Rin scanned the surrounding environment, his pupils slightly contracting. He recognized the place instantly: it was where Yuta Okkotsu and Toge Inumaki first teamed up to execute a mission in the Original Work.
At this moment, the low growls of Cursed Spirits faintly drifted from deep within the Commercial Street. These Low-Grade Cursed Spirits gathered here were clearly released intentionally by Suguru Geto long ago.
The two walked into the Commercial Street.
And hid in a secluded corner.
Suguru Geto, hands in his pockets, offered no further explanation, simply gazing calmly at the Commercial Street entrance, as if waiting for something.
Rin did not press him, standing quietly beside him. He knew very well that this "wait" was intended to ensure Yuta Okkotsu and the others would "just happen" to encounter the Cursed Spirits here, thus following Suguru Geto's Script and stepping into the "Night Parade of One Hundred Demons" Trap step by step.
The wind picked up Scraps of Paper from the ground, sweeping past the dilapidated Shop Signs, making a rustling sound.
The two stood silently in place. Although they were in the same space, it was as if an invisible Barrier separated them. Suguru Geto watched with a calm expression, while Rin quickly calculated the Countermeasures.
The plot advanced precisely like a pre-set Script.
The sound of car brakes came from the intersection. A Tokyo Jujutsu High Vehicle stopped, and Yuta Okkotsu and Toge Inumaki got out one after the other.
The Tokyo Jujutsu High Support Staff beside them was holding a Tablet, quietly explaining the mission: clearing the Low-Grade Cursed Spirits inside the Commercial Street, their tone filled with the ease of a "Routine Mission."
Rin stood quietly watching their figures from the shadow of a distant Rooftop.
Okkotsu's expression was serious, reflecting his first mission, while Inumaki pulled at his collar, exposing the Cursed Mark on his chin. The two walked side-by-side toward the Commercial Street entrance, completely unaware they had stepped into the setup laid by Suguru Geto.
On the way here, Rin had guessed that Suguru Geto might want to take down Okkotsu early, but judging by the current situation, the other party clearly had a longer-term Plan. If he truly intended to act, Suguru Geto would never do so without preparation.
Before long, the growls of Cursed Spirits and the sound of Cursed Energy Colliding echoed within the Commercial Street, but soon returned to silence.
Just as Okkotsu and Inumaki finished clearing the Low-Grade Cursed Spirits and were preparing to report to the Support Staff, Suguru Geto finally moved.
Cursed Energy flickered at his fingertips, and a low Cursed Speech flowed through the air: "Arise from Darkness..."
Before he finished speaking, a Deep Black Curtain suddenly unfolded, precisely covering the Light White Curtain that the Tokyo Jujutsu High Support Staff had previously deployed. The two Curtains overlapped, and Yuta Okkotsu and Toge Inumaki below remained completely unaware.
Suguru Geto's expression remained calm, even revealing a hint of imperceptible Hesitation, which was completely different from the Scene Rin remembered from the Anime.
The Suguru Geto in the Original Work should have been joyful that his Plan succeeded, but the man before him paused for half a second when Mobilizing his Cursed Energy at his fingertips.
Before Rin could think further, Suguru Geto activated his Cursed Technique again. A Second-Grade Cursed Spirit, much larger than an Ordinary Cursed Spirit, suddenly appeared before Yuta Okkotsu and Toge Inumaki, roaring and launching an attack.
A Loud Noise came from below, and the battle instantly erupted. Rin's attention was drawn back to the Battlefield. Okkotsu's Cursed Energy Burst forth; although his movements were not practiced, he was able to accurately suppress the Cursed Spirit.
Inumaki continuously uttered short phrases of Cursed Speech, interfering with the Cursed Spirit's movements. Although their Cooperation was green, it showed the unique Synergy of Tokyo Jujutsu High students.
As the battle progressed, Okkotsu seized the opportunity to break free from the Cursed Spirit's entanglement, grabbed the Throat Medicine commonly used by Inumaki, and threw it toward him.
Inumaki caught the Medicine Bottle, drank it, took a deep breath, and the Cursed Mark on his face glowed: "Crush!"
The powerful Cursed Speech Technique erupted, and the Second-Grade Cursed Spirit instantly died, completely neutralizing the opponent.
Almost simultaneously with the Cursed Spirit's dissipation, Suguru Geto raised his hand and Withdrew the Black Curtain that had covered them, allowing Okkotsu and Inumaki to leave with the Support Staff.
"What a shame. I originally wanted to bring you to witness The Rumored Rika."
Suguru Geto sat on a Rooftop Beam, his tone carrying a hint of Regret, his gaze following the direction Yuta Okkotsu and the others left.
In Rin's pupils, the Crimson Sharingan slowly rotated. When Inumaki released his Cursed Speech just now, he had completely Replicated that special Cursed Energy Fluctuation and the Principle of the Cursed Technique.
Even the characteristic of "Compulsory Command" contained within the Cursed Speech was clearly imprinted in his mind.
Hearing Suguru Geto's words, he withdrew his gaze and looked at the Cursed Spirit "Choubou" beside the other man.
Choubou slowly spat out a Student ID Card. Yuta Okkotsu's photo was printed on the Card Face, and the Grade Column clearly stated "Special Grade."
Rin took the Student ID Card, pretending to be surprised as he raised an eyebrow:
"Special Grade? I honestly couldn't tell that kid had this kind of Ability."
Hearing this, a smile finally appeared on Suguru Geto's calm face, his eyes filled with Anticipation:
"Don't underestimate him. He's also Special Grade. I really want to Meet him soon." He paused, lightly tapping the Beam with his fingertip, his tone certain:
"However, that day will arrive very soon."
As his voice fell, Cursed Energy Shimmered around Suguru Geto, and Rin also mobilized his Cursed Energy.
The figures of the two disappeared, leaving behind only the empty Commercial Street and the Traces of the Controlled Battle that had just occurred. It was as if everything was just a Routine Mission, but the Chess Game hidden in the shadows was only just beginning to turn.