Ink Cove

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Almost subconsciously, Fushiguro Megumi finds himself leaning forward. The chaos that was currently unfurling throughout the country –throughout the world– in wake of the Shibuya Incident wasn’t something that could be resolved so easily. But if they could get Gojo-sensei back, then they would definitely be in a much better position. So their next step here would be–

“However, twelve years ago, Gojo Satoru either sealed or destroyed the Inverted Spear of Heaven,” Master Tengen says dryly. “And last year, Gojo Satoru also got rid of all the Black Rope.”

Megumi twitches. “Why’d he do that?!”

Okkotsu-senpai pats him on the shoulder sympathetically. “I was actually overseas in Africa earlier this year in order to look for the remaining Black Rope with Miguel. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a fruitless effort.”

Megumi sucks in a deep breath, valiantly tamping down on his frustration. Alright, so maybe Gojo-sensei had never expected that he would need a cursed tool like this, but would it have killed that man to at least leave something that they could use in a pinch, instead of systematically eradicating everything?! Tsumiki’s life was in danger! Megumi needed to–

“There’s another way to free Gojo though, right?” Tsukumo Yuki turns towards the projection of the ancient barrier master standing among them. “You wouldn’t have brought out the Back Gate of the Prison Realm if you didn’t think we would be able to use it.”

“Indeed,” Master Tengen inclines their head. “Among the players participating in the Culling Game, there is a sorcerer from a thousand years ago who calls herself an ‘angel.’ Her cursed technique is to extinguish any other cursed technique.”

“So, this ‘angel’ would be able to free Gojo-sensei if we could get her to cooperate, right?” Maki-senpai shifts her weight, folding her arms across her chest. “Do we know which colony she’s in?”

“The colony in the east side of Tokyo, from what little I am able to glean from the Culling Game’s barriers,” Master Tengen responds. “… And, should you fail to secure the Angel’s cooperation, there is also another individual in the other Tokyo colony whose abilities may prove to be of assistance. Nanami Shiki is also capable of ending active cursed techniques.”

… Who?

‘Nanami’ is not a common surname. And at the mention of this particular surname, there is only one individual who comes to mind: Nanami Kento.Megumi chances a quick glance towards Itadori, inwardly wincing when he sees the fragile expression on his classmate’s face.

… Nanami Kento had been brutally killed by the Special Grade cursed spirit Mahito in Shibuya, right before Itadori’s eyes. And Megumi knows that Itadori had been on great terms with the Grade One sorcerer, and the man himself had also looked after Itadori to the best of his ability–

“Nanami, you say?” Tsukumo makes a faint sound of interest. “Any relation to Nanami kento?”

New chapter for zenith of stars is up!

Chapter 166 (update #177) has been posted.

Late on the usual Ko-fi post here, but:

Chapter 172 (Update #184) was posted this week!

Chapter 172: LINK

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Chapters 166, 167, 168, 169, Interlude 12, and Chapters 170, 171 are also available in advance!

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More extras are also available on Ko-fi. :)

As far as dreams go, this is undoubtedly a strange one. There is a monk dressed in flowing robes standing in front of her, a stranger whom Nanami Shiki is quite certain that she has never encountered before. Not in any historical drama that she’s watched with her classmates before, and certainly not in person.

The dark-haired monk smiles at her. Around them, the pitch-black darkness of the dreamscape stretches on endlessly.

“… Who are you?” Shiki asks. Even through the haze of foggy awareness that comes when one knows they’re currently dreaming, somehow she still hears her own words come out with perfect clarity.

“You may call me Kenjaku. I’m the sorcerer who put up a barrier here,” the monk responds easily to her question. “This city was chosen as one of several locations for people to kill each other in the Culling Game.”

… In the what? Culling Game?

“A rule-based battle to the death between sorcerers,” the man explains, evidently sensing her confusion.

Individually, Shiki understands each word that’s being spoken. But somehow, they make no sense when they’re combined together like this. A battle to the death? Sorcerers?

“Now, there is immense effort that goes into the creation of this barrier. I cannot impose unreasonable conditions,” Kenjaku continues. “So those of you who begin inside the barrier have the right to leave, but only once. What will your decision be?”

… This is such a strange, surreal dream. There’s an absurdity to it that almost makes Shiki want to dismiss it all. Yet, at the same time, there is some instinct within her that whispers for her to listen. Because there is something here that’s undoubtedly dangerous.

The last time that Shiki had felt this way was the night when Kiyohira-sensei had died.

So… suppose that this dream is real, then. There really is a death game that’s about to take place in her hometown. Her answer is obvious. “I’m not interested in fighting.”

“I see. I’ll guide you outside of the barrier, then,” the monk extends a hand towards her. “That’s a pity, though. I was wondering how a budding sorcerer like you who somehow slipped through the cracks of the jujutsu world’s attention would perform.”

Shiki reaches forward and takes his hand. The man’s fingers are ice-cold. “… What’s a sorcerer?”

“One who is capable of harnessing cursed energy to perform various arts of sorcery –innate techniques, barriers, spells. So on and so forth.” Kenjaku begins walking forward towards into the darkness, gently tugging along Shiki behind him. “You can interpret cursed energy is a form of spiritual energy that is inherently born from the negativity of this world. Humanity’s negative emotions, essentially. Those who are capable of utilizing this energy can sense it as a flow in their bodies, one that naturally circulates from their core to their extremities.”

The ‘sorcery’ and ‘negativity’ parts of this are new to her. But the way that this man describes a ‘flow,’ it’s… oddly reminiscent of what Kiyohira-sensei always used to tell her. “Kiyohira-sensei called it ‘ki.’”

“Ki, qi, mana. There are many different kinds of terminology that exist in reference to the same thing,” Kenjaku nods. “Although I suspect that your Kiyohira-sensei may have deliberately obfuscated things a little, in your case. Japan is the country with the highest concentration of sorcerers, and all sorcerers use the term ‘cursed energy.’”

In the past, Shiki would never have entertained that Kiyohira-sensei would knowingly lie to her. Omit details, perhaps, but not outright lie.

… But that night when he died, when they’d been attacked by a man wielding strange, inexplicable abilities–

Was that sorcery, too? Until the very end, Kiyohira-sensei had staunchly refused to breathe even a word of it to her, only insisting for Shiki to forget what she saw–

Shiki abruptly stops in her tracks. Obligingly, Kenjaku also stops along with her.

“… If I participate in this Culling Game. That will allow me to find other sorcerers?” If Kiyohira-sensei was connected to sorcerers. Then, it’s highly likely that his death was related to sorcerers as well. Perhaps this was an opportunity that would finally allow Shiki to learn of the circumstances behind her father-figure’s death.

Kiyohira-sensei had always been extremely tight-lipped about the life that he’d left behind, and Shiki had naturally assumed it was due to criminal connections or areas of gray legality. But–

The more she thinks about it, the more she’s certain that things aren’t so simple.

“The Culling Game is one in which sorcerers will fight and kill each other. Yes, you’ll most certainly find other sorcerers,” Kenjaku looks back at her with a small smile. “I thought you said you weren’t interested in fighting, though?”

“I’m not. But I don’t believe I’ll struggle with killing.”

For the very first time, Shiki lifts her gaze.

Aside from religiously dyeing her hair, Kiyohira-sensei had always advised her to keep her eyes closed, as much as possible. Shiki didn’t see a problem with this. Her natural eye color is unnerving to most people, and she didn’t want to cause trouble for Kiyohira-sensei.

But.

Shiki has always been able to see things that others were unable to. Grotesque monsters, and eerie red lines. If all of this is sorcery, and Kiyohira-sensei had deliberately hidden it from her–

Even if he had done so out of kindness, out of a desire to protect her… Shiki demands an answer for his death. She refuses to remain ignorant.

Shiki pauses, sets down the brush in her hand, and smoothly rises to her feet.

The winter air is crisp and chill, when she pushes open the sliding doors and extends her senses outwards. She does not register any irregularities. Aside from the agitated fluctuations of the cursed energy signatures of the Gojo clansmen, there is nothing abnormal that she notices.

Which is, in itself, abnormal.

But Shiki thinks that she has an idea of what this means.

She leaps upwards lightly, easily clearing the rooftops in three simple bounds, and touches down lightly in the main courtyard, where this sudden commotion is taking place.

“Cease this disturbance,” she orders. Her voice is soft and quiet, and yet the undertone of cursed energy in it allows her voice to easily carry through the courtyard. Multiple Gojo clansmen immediately still upon the command from their clan head, ceasing their ineffective attacks against the tall, mountainous man standing in their center.

“Respected clan head! This intruder forced his way in through the gates, he–”

“He’s not an intruder,” Shiki says. The courtyard falls silent. “Toji. You do realize that you only needed to arrange a visit beforehand to enter the compound? Causing such a spectacle is completely unnecessary.”

“Considering the warm welcome that I just received? I’d beg to differ.” Dark eyes bore into her own without a single shred of unease. It was this very gaze that had caught Shiki’s attention in the first place –those who could fearlessly meet her eyes were few and far between, and yet Toji could do so effortlessly. Then, she had learned that the lack of cursed energy did not mean he was weak. Quite the opposite, really, which made him a perfect fit for her purposes. “Shiki. Where is my son?”

… There is something sharp and jagged in his countenance. Raw with grief, yet determined all the same. He squares his shoulders and sets himself in a combative stance against her, as if preparing to use force to find his son–

And all of his posturing is completely unnecessary.

“I do not appreciate the insinuation that I am holding your son hostage,” Shiki says calmly. If Zenin Toji had chosen to confront her privately, then Shiki would simply hand over the infant without a word. But with the way that he’d caused such a commotion just now, and considering the fact that they were standing in front of a growing audience, Shiki needs to respond in a way appropriate for a clan head.“You were the one who left him in the hospital. Do you feel that you are finally ready to take up your responsibilities to your child now?”

The man’s jaw clenches. But there is no way for him to refute her words, not when they are the truth. “I wouldn’t be standing here if I didn’t intend to take care of him, would I?”

Shiki does not respond immediately. For a moment, she allows silence to thicken in the air, tension pulling taut. A way of tacitly putting pressure on another party seeking something from here –a small tactic that she had learned from the late Elder Takatomi.

But, it wouldn’t do to push too far. Shiki needs Zenin Toji to know that she is displeased with his chosen approach here, but she doesn’t want to leave him with the impression that she is barring him from his own son.

… Why the man would even think that in the first place is something that perplexes her, if she is to be honest. But if there is anything that Shiki has learned from dealing with her clansmen over the years in wake of Kiyohira-sensei’s death, then it would be that it’s unwise for one to be unguarded with their thoughts.

Shiki turns on her heel, pointedly turning her back on the man. A subtle insult, because Zenin Toji is the one who had insulted her first, entering the Gojo clan and injuring her people the way he had. None of them had been severely injured, but there are still several Gojo clansmen who are standing upright only through others holding them upright.

Shiki will need to remember to compensate them for their injuries. After all, they had only been acting against a perceived ‘intruder.’ She will use her personal funds for this.

For the sound of cicadas reminds Shiki of long-gone childhood days when Kiyohira-sensei would grumble and usher her out to the gardens in the evening. When the man would suddenly change from the harsh, strict instructor that he always was during the daytime, and instead quietly point out the stars and constellations to her. She had never quite understood the man’s strange actions back then. It was, after all, something completely irrelevant to her training.

… The inane childhood memory isn’t relevant right now, either. Shiki regathers her wandering thoughts and focuses on the reports in front of her.

The Tobiume are making another request to increase the amount of resources allocated towards them. Rejected. Shiki knows that only two of their number are currently training to be sorcerers. There is no need for them to increase their access to the clan’s cursed tools. But she will partially grant the funding request; there are three members of the Tobiume who will be applying to universities this year. Should those funds be diverted towards other purposes, however, then Shiki will replace the branch head. Again. If she recalls correctly, the last time was–

Crisp, sharp knocking sounds at the door.

“Enter,” she says, flipping to the next page of the documents.

“I apologize for the interruption, respected clan head,” the quiet voice of her assistant says. Suzurigi Choki. There are dark circles under his eyes, a clear sign of stress and fatigue. Shiki will assign him to rest at the end of this month; one of his cousins will be able to stand in as his substitute while he recovers. Suzurigi Choki cannot use reverse cursed technique to remain on top of the demanding workload surrounding the head of the Gojo clan as she does. “I’ve just received a report from one of my contacts. It’s low-priority, but… I believed it would be prudent to bring this to your attention all the same.”

Shiki sets aside the Tobiume report in her hand and turns towards her assistant in silent permission for him to speak.

“… It is regarding Master Zenin, my lady.”

‘Master Zenin.’

There is precisely one person who is addressed as ‘Master Zenin’ by those of the Gojo Clan, and it is Zenin Toji. Youngest son of the previous Zenin clan head, the black sheep who had been born with a Heavenly Restriction that left him with not a single drop of cursed energy in his body.

… The man whom Shiki, when she had ascended as the twenty-ninth head of the Gojo Clan, personally chose as her husband.

“What about him?” Their marriage was a wholly expeditious one. Shiki needed a husband who would not encroach upon her authority as a young, female clan head, nor could he be someone whom others could easily influence –or kill. Zenin Toji could use a legitimate way out of the Zenin Clan that so despised him for his lack of cursed energy. As the husband of the Gojo clan head, he would also be granted a generous monthly stipend.

So… you’re giving me all of this money and saying I need to do nothing, right?

Yes.

Heh. So, nothing about any ‘responsibilities’ you want me to take up? Showing up at functions or events? Playing the role of a good, obedient little husband like a dog?

No. You may do as you wish, once we’re married. You’re not required to stay in the Gojo clan’s compound, either.

Oh? Not scared of me going out and taking a dozen mistresses and ruining your reputation?

Do as you wish.

… Really, now. What’s the catch here, princess?

There’s no ‘catch,’ Zenin-san. I just need someone to be my husband on paper and not die. That’s all.

“Master Zenin’s mistress, Fushiguro Sumire, just died during childbirth this morning,” Choki continues in his report. A calm, unhurried cadence. “The child survived. A healthy boy, named Fushiguro Megumi.”

An odd name for a boy. “Megumi?”

Megumi. Blessing. During her own childhood, Shiki had been called the blessed child. The blessed daughter of the Gojo Clan, for her cursed eyes and cursed technique. But it is all too easy for blessings to turn into curses, isn’t it?

“Yes, my lady. Apparently, the name was chosen by Master Zenin himself,” Choki dips his head. “… Master Zenin took his mistress’ body upon her death and disappeared. The child remains in the hospital, still.”

… How irresponsible. “Continue observing. If he does not return within the next day, then bring the child to the Gojo compound.”

“… My lady?” Choki blinks. It does not take long for him to grasp the meaning beneath her words. “You intend to raise the mistress’ child?”

If Zenin Toji will not behave responsibly, then Shiki will. It may only be a title on paper, but nonetheless Zenin Toji is her ‘husband.’ A formal, binding arrangement, no matter that the two of them have agreed to live their lives separately. And…

Shiki already carries the responsibility of overseeing an entire clan on her shoulders. The burden of being the administration’s sole Special Grade sorcerer. Adding the weight of a single newborn child to everything won’t make any difference.

But this is reality, not a movie. And even if it were, Sluagh holds no fear of wraiths or ghosts when he has already witnessed far worse in his life. He straightens and turns around.

“How persistent,” Sluagh notes coldly. “You’ve been following me through three different star systems. What do you want?”

… As a Type-3 Stealth Unit, some instincts are hard to shake. Evasion over confrontation, for instance. But given the dogged persistence that this particular pursuer has displayed, Sluagh knows that it’s only a matter of time before they eventually manage to catch up to him.

Which is no small feat; Sluagh is one of the best among the Iron Cavalry when it comes to stealth. This is not an empty boast. So for someone to be able to track him down like this–

“I apologize for making you uneasy,” comes his pursuer’s easy response. A young man. Or at least, what appears to be a young man. Sluagh also bears the appearance of a young man himself, but that is no accurate indicator of his real age. “I mean you no ill will. There are simply a few questions that I’d like to ask, if possible.”

Sluagh arches an eyebrow. If possible? … Ha. If the extended pursuit over three different star systems is any indicator of things, then this man is absolutely determined to turn ‘possibility’ into ‘certainty.’

In that case–

“Ask your questions, then.” If it’s only a conversation, then Sluagh does not see any problem with obliging them. His gaze flicks over the man once more –long dark hair, pale skin, ice gray eyes– and pauses.

A stream of new knowledge surfaces seamlessly to the forefront of his mind, courtesy of the shared hivemind among the Iron Cavalry.

“… But to be blunt, I don’t see why the leader of the Galaxy Rangers would be interested in me.” Unlike numerous other rambunctious siblings he could name, Sluagh tends to keep a low profile on the rare occasions when he leaves Glamoth. He’s also quite certain that he hasn’t crossed paths with any Galaxy Rangers, either.

New chapter for zenith of stars is up!

Chapter 165 (update #176) has been posted.

Chapter 171 (Update #183) was posted this week!

Chapter 171: LINK

.

Chapters 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, Interlude 12, and Chapter 170 are also available in advance!

.

More extras are also available on Ko-fi. :)

New chapter for zenith of stars is up!

Chapter 164 (update #175) has been posted.