Chapter 18: Meeting Gojo, A Test of Handshakes

White Zetsu was just about to stir things up again when he caught Mirai's warning glance, making him halt instantly.

...

Suguru Geto clenched his fists tightly inside his robe, his nails digging into his palms until blood seeped through. The sharp sting reminded him of where he was—the heart of Jujutsu High. Any rash action here was a death sentence.

After a brief silence, Geto lifted his head, a radiant smile stretching across his face. "It seems the Zen'in family head has quite the talent for training dogs."

Mirai casually waved his hand, his smile unchanged. "Interested? I can teach you."

As he spoke, Mirai's gaze slid to the two girls behind Geto—Nanako and Mimiko. Sensing the shift, Geto's smile faltered, and he subtly stepped forward, shielding the girls from Mirai's line of sight.

The white bird cursed spirit opened its beak, swallowing the frightened Nanako and Mimiko into its mouth, severing Mirai's direct view of them.

Having been closer and observing the attack pattern, Geto had started piecing things together. Mirai's technique was fast—both in cursed energy release and its activation—but it required a focused line of sight.

Fighting the impulse to strike back, Geto's voice was colder now. "Zen'in Family Head, would you mind giving me some space to speak with my old friends?"

Mirai shrugged and stepped back, still smiling. He had pushed Geto enough. Forcing a fight here and now wouldn't benefit him.

Geto strode forward, his gaze sweeping over the Jujutsu High sorcerers before landing on Gojo Satoru.

"I'm here to declare war," Geto said, cutting to the chase. His frustration and tension left no room for pleasantries.

"On December 24th, at sundown, the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons will begin. I will unleash a thousand curses across Shinjuku in Tokyo and Kyoto, the sacred land of jujutsu. Their mission will be to exterminate every human in sight."

Geto's tone was flat, emotionless. "Whether you believe me or not, whether you come or not, is up to you."

With that, he turned on his heel, ready to leave.

"You really think I'll just let you walk away?" Gojo's voice was calm, yet sharp.

Geto paused but didn't turn around. With a wave of his hand, a swarm of Grade 2 curses appeared, encircling Maki, Panda, and the others.

Without a word, Geto showed Gojo the consequences of any potential attack.

"Come on!" White Zetsu's voice trembled as he pushed his way to the center of the group, his bravado barely masking his fear. "What's this? You think these little bugs can scare me?"

Despite White Zetsu's tough words, the others—Maki, Panda, Inumaki, and Yuta—closed ranks around him, protecting the seemingly weak spirit.

Maki did it out of obligation, knowing that White Zetsu had helped her during her time with the Zen'in clan. The others followed her lead, trusting her judgment.

"Protecting a cursed spirit?" Geto stood on the back of his giant bird, sneering. "So the school has changed. Are Jujutsu sorcerers now friends with curses?"

His gaze hardened as it landed on White Zetsu. "Gojo, your students are getting chummy with cursed spirits. Aren't you going to guide them back to the right path?"

The fact that this cursed spirit had been responsible for killing one of his subordinates infuriated Geto, but he hesitated to act, wary of Mirai.

If Gojo were to step in, though, that would simplify things.

Gojo glanced at Maki's determined expression, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "It's just a Grade 4 curse," he said casually. "If he's Maki's uncle, there's no problem with him sticking around Jujutsu High."

Geto's face darkened as his attempt to provoke Gojo failed.

He turned his attention back to Mirai, his tone sharp. "Zen'in Family Head, I expect to see you at the Night Parade."

"Count on it," Mirai responded with a smirk. A free banquet of curses? He wouldn't miss that.

Geto cast a long, calculating look at Mirai, as if memorizing every detail. Finally, he smiled. "Once the Night Parade is over, I'll pay a visit to the Zen'in estate."

"You're always welcome," Mirai replied smoothly.

The white bird's wings flapped, scattering leaves as it soared into the sky. From above, the people below looked like ants. Geto's eyes, however, burned with hatred.

Once he obtained Yuta Okkotsu and Rika Orimoto, he would ensure the Zen'in family was wiped out.

Recalling his first encounter with Mirai, Geto knew it was no coincidence. The cursed spirit user had been baited—shown a glimpse of Mirai's terrifying power on purpose. A display of control, one that knew Geto's ambitions and enticed him into action.

But Geto wasn't reckless. He wouldn't barge into the Zen'in clan without being fully prepared. No, first, he would eliminate Jujutsu High and take Yuta's curse. Then, and only then, would he return to settle things with Mirai.

"Once I have those two curses, not even Gojo will stand in the way of my ideals," Geto muttered to himself as the bird carried him away.

...

Mirai watched as Geto disappeared into the sky, his lips curling into a mocking smile.

Geto's patience had surprised him—ten years without making a move. But in the end, everything was still progressing according to plan.

The idea that a mere pawn could defy the will of the one moving the pieces? That was laughable.

"So, you're the new teacher they brought in?" Gojo's voice broke the silence as he approached.

"That's right," Mirai answered, his tone casual. "I pulled some strings as the Zen'in family head to get the position."

The two stood facing each other, a quiet tension building between them. Even with Geto gone, the others felt the pressure rise once more.

"Gojo!" "Mirai-san!" Yaga and Maki called out simultaneously, rushing to intervene.

"There's no need to worry, Principal." Gojo's face relaxed into a smile as he extended his hand. "It's nice to meet you, colleague."

Yaga was about to breathe a sigh of relief, but then he noticed the faint trace of cursed energy coating Gojo's hand. It was subtle, but Yaga knew it well—Gojo hadn't deactivated his Limitless technique. No one could touch him.

"Gojo—" Yaga began to warn, but the sight before him made his words die in his throat.

Mirai's hand passed through Gojo's protective barrier, the two hands seemingly merging as if Mirai's own was just an illusion projected by a hologram.

"Nice to meet you, Gojo-sensei," Mirai said with a sly grin.

Was this a test? A show of dominance?

As Gojo stared at their joined hands, his usual confident expression faltered for just a moment. [T/N: In many occasions in the future, your favourite charcters will fail so be prepared.]

Mirai's grin widened.

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