Behind Jujutsu High, at a remote shrine.
Moss-covered stone steps appeared exceptionally quiet under the pale moonlight.
The noise of the world was far away, so distant that only the occasional dull thud of leftover fireworks from the mountain's evening festival could be heard.
All that remained was the incessant chirping of cicadas, the signature sound of midsummer.
Yoru, Satoru Gojo, and Suguru Geto.
These three represented the pinnacle of the jujutsu world's power—a trio strong enough to overthrow a national government in a single night. Currently, they sat side-by-side on the cold stone steps.
Each held a chilled bottle of Ramune.
"Psh—"
The sound of a tab being pulled was exceptionally crisp in the silent night.
"I say, Suguru, what exactly do you want, dragging us out in the middle of the night to a place where even a ghost wouldn't show up?"
Satoru took a large gulp of soda, stretching his long legs out casually with a tone of laziness and indifference.
"The owner of that goldfish-scooping stall was just about to bring out that pure gold koi. I was planning to take it in one go."
Yoru didn't speak.
He simply drank his soda in silence, his deep red eyes reflecting the cold moon above.
He knew that this conversation tonight would become a massive watershed in the history of the jujutsu world.
Suguru Geto ignored Satoru's complaints.
He lowered his head, staring at the bubbles rising in his soda, and remained silent for a long time.
Finally, he broke the somewhat oppressive silence.
"Satoru, Yoru."
Suguru's voice was soft, but every word felt carefully considered, carrying the determination of someone who had burnt their bridges.
"I plan to... leave Jujutsu High."
The moment those words were spoken.
The chirping of the cicadas seemed to freeze instantly.
Satoru's hand holding the soda can stiffened, and his azure eyes narrowed behind his sunglasses.
A sliver of the terrifying pressure belonging to the strongest uncontrollably leaked out.
"Say that again?"
Satoru's voice turned cold, causing the surrounding temperature to drop by more than ten degrees.
"You're leaving Jujutsu High? Where to? To become the leader of that bullshit Star Religious Group? Or to become one of those vilest curse users the Rotten Oranges talk about?!"
"Suguru, have you lost your mind?!"
Facing Satoru's questioning, Suguru didn't get angry. Instead, he showed a smile of relief.
"Satoru, don't get worked up. Let me finish."
Suguru looked up, staring directly into Satoru's eyes.
"I've thought a lot these past few days, and I've seen through many things."
"The rules of Jujutsu High are like invisible chains, binding us tightly."
"Those higher-ups will never truly protect Riko. Even if she's hiding overseas, as long as those Rotten Oranges are in power, they'll eventually find her to use as leverage against us."
"And that monster called Kenjaku is also hiding in the shadows, watching us like a venomous snake."
Suguru squeezed the aluminum can in his hand.
"As long as I stay at Jujutsu High for even one more day..."
"Haibara, Nanami, and even Shoko and Utahime-senpai... they will continue to be targeted and plotted against by the higher-ups!"
"They will use all sorts of despicable means to test our bottom line and force us to compromise!"
At this point, Suguru took a deep breath, his gaze becoming sharper than ever before.
"So, I must leave."
"Furthermore, I'm not just leaving. I'm going to masquerade as an extremist who hates non-sorcerers and wants to subvert the entire jujutsu world!"
"I will draw all the attention and fear of the higher-ups—even Kenjaku's focus—entirely onto myself!"
This was the incredibly insane plan Suguru had finally devised after countless agonizing struggles!
Feigning defection!
"The two of you will stay inside Jujutsu High."
"Satoru, you are the strongest on the surface. You can use absolute force to intimidate those Rotten Oranges and protect the students. And while you're at it..."
"Help me take care of Shoko and the others. Don't let those heavy missions crush her. And Utahime-senpai—she gets provoked too easily."
Suguru pointed at Yoru and Satoru.
"Also, for Riko and the others abroad—don't let the higher-ups' reach get that far."
"Yoru, you are the biggest wild card. You can set the board in the shadows, looking for the opportunity to thoroughly drag Kenjaku out and overthrow the higher-ups."
"And as for me..."
The corners of Suguru's mouth curled into an arrogant arc.
"I will become their most terrifying nightmare in the darkness!"
"One in the light, one in the dark; working together from the inside and outside. Only this way can we truly protect Riko and the people we care about, until finally..."
"...we completely overturn this rotten chessboard!"
Listening to Suguru's shocking analysis, even Yoru couldn't help but marvel in his heart.
*The Suguru Geto of the original story, who walked toward self-destruction due to confusion and despair, has actually erupted with such an incredible sense of the big picture and audacity after being forcibly pulled back onto the right track!*
But Satoru's brow remained furrowed.
"I don't agree!"
Satoru stood up abruptly, the soda can in his hand deforming under his grip.
"Suguru, do you know what this plan means?!"
"It means you will be completely branded with the infamy of a curse user! It means you will become a wanted criminal in the entire jujutsu world!"
"It means you will be misunderstood and despised by everyone, and even... even Principal Yaga and the others will treat you as a true enemy!"
Satoru took a step forward, staring intently at Suguru.
"You, alone, carrying all the darkness and sin... I absolutely will not allow such a thing!"
"We are the strongest! If the higher-ups won't behave, the three of us can just join forces and level the General Headquarters directly!"
Seeing Satoru nearly losing his composure, a warm current surged in Suguru's heart.
He knew that his best friend, who always had 'Above and below, I alone am the honored one' on his lips, truly cared about him.
"Satoru, killing a few Rotten Oranges is easy."
Suguru stood up, looking Satoru in the eye.
"But what happens after they're dead? Who will rebuild the order? How do we lure out Kenjaku, who's hiding in the dark?"
"If problems could be solved just by killing, how would we be any different from those monsters?"
"This is currently the only way to completely break the deadlock."
Suguru's gaze was incredibly firm. Even in the face of Satoru's strong opposition, he didn't show the slightest intent to back down.
Beside them, Yoru also slowly stood up.
He looked at the two men facing off. Under the flickering lamplight, the shadows of the three were stretched long, eventually interweaving.
Yoru knew that the moment Satoru unclenched his fist, the script of this world had been completely torn to shreds.
The road ahead would no longer have the guidance of those who came before; only this bond that transcended life and death would guide their way through the darkness.
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