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Kusakabe Atsuya hisses sharply, pain blooming in the center of his back from where he'd been roughly thrown against the wall. At the same time, there's also an accompanying pain throbbing in his midsection, emanating from where Gojo had unceremoniously kicked him mere moments ago. Zero pause, zero hesitation.

Atsuya wouldn't say that he's on particularly close terms with the Gojo princess. So, it's not as if he'd been expecting to receive special treatment from her or anything.

But…

There's probably something to be said for how a young child can just attack another human without missing a beat –without any hesitation at all, even. She'd pulled out her sword and beheaded Yagyu Toshiatsu without batting an eye, without faltering in the least–

And the scariest part about it wasn't that she'd drawn her blade faster than Atsuya could stop her. After all the spars they'd had to date, Atsuya has a good idea of the girl's swordsmanship skills, and he's not surprised that she'd been able to kill Yagyu Toshiatsu before the man could react. Before anyone could react, for that matter.

… The most terrifying thing was, Gojo Shiki hadn't been murderous at all.

There hadn't been any killing intent, nor any desire to cause harm that Atsuya could tell. Mild annoyance, perhaps, but that was all. One moment, the two Yagyu elders had been exchanging barbs with each other, and then in the next, Yagyu Toshiatsu-sama's head tumbled to the ground, severed at the neck and spilling blood everywhere.

And through it, Gojo Shiki's expression hadn't changed at all.

Sorcerers… walk a close line on the border between life and death. It's something that comes with the job. A cursed spirit is a creature of malice, but most people will look at it and still recognize it as a creature that's alive, and that makes it hard for them to perform the kill. It's an instinctive reaction in most humans, this aversion towards killing –even if they understand rationally that it's a cursed spirit that needs to be killed, there is something in their hearts that hesitates all the same when it comes to carrying out the act.

Those who possess the potential to become sorcerers are rare. Those who possess the mental fortitude to fight and slay cursed spirits are rarer.

And among them, those who are able to kill humans are rarer still.

… No matter how easy the act of killing is, no matter how used a sorcerer has grown towards killing cursed spirits… there is a difference between killing a cursed spirit and killing a human being.

Atsuya still remembers the first time that he'd been forced to kill another human. The individual in question had been a curse user trying to kill his then-pregnant sister, and Atsuya still clearly recalls the sensation of steel sliding through flesh. Recalls realizing how easy it had been, killing another human like this. And in the next moment, the horror and revulsion that had risen up inside him, once the adrenaline had passed, and Atsuya–

Hadn't quite thrown up, but it had still been a close thing. He'd wanted to, definitely, but his sister had been watching and relying on him, and Atsuya… couldn't let himself fall apart, no matter how much it felt like something in his world had cracked when he'd used the Shin Kageryu meant for exorcising curses to cut down another human.

Even if they'd been a curse user, they were still another human being.

…

It was rumored that Gojo Shiki had killed an assassin sent after her when she was only six years old. Knowing the posturing and bragging that the sorcery clans liked to engage in among themselves, Atsuya had always had his doubts about the veracity of those rumors. Even now, some of his doubt still lingered –oh, he definitely believes that the Gojo princess had killed at least one other human prior to her enrollment in the jujutsu school; her reaction is far too calm and collected for it to be anything otherwise. But six years old?

… Still. No matter how young she'd been when she'd killed another person, it was still… far, far too young.

Atsuya exhales slowly, straightening upright and rising to his feet. The sight that greets his eyes causes his blood to run cold.

Across the room, Gojo Shiki's blade is pointed at Yagyu Nariyasu. There's no particular expression on her face, and seemingly no killing intent at all, but–

But Atsuya knows better than to trust cues like that when it comes to the young Gojo princess, now.

Is she going to kill Nariyasu-sama?

It's a very real possibility, much as the prospect of it makes something churn uncomfortably in the pit of his stomach. Atsuya is not blind to the habits of his sister's father-in-law; the man may not be hungry for power and influence, but he finds it amusing to poke at the web of power plays between persons of interest and arrange for 'interesting' situations to occur. Usually towards some result that would ultimately be to his own benefit, in some way.

Which was all fine and good within the Yagyu Clan, but what possessed him to try these tricks on Gojo Shiki?

And… Takeru.

… Had Yagyu Nariyasu intentionally risked his own grandson? Atsuya had never thought that the man would be the type of person to do such a heartless thing, risking his own flesh and blood, but–

Gojo Shiki's sword lifts upwards, tilting Yagyu Nariyasu's chin.

"Do you really think I wouldn't kill you?"

.

.

Ah. It seems that he has… miscalculated.

"Look at me. I'm genuinely curious, Yagyu-san. Do you really think I wouldn't kill you?"

The words are spoken calmly, placidly. And the Gojo girl had been equally calm and placid right before she'd killed Yagyu Toshiatsu. What Yagyu Nariyasu had quietly admired as an impressive show of restraint on her part has now turned into something far more ominous, now that he's the one on the receiving end of the girl's terrifyingly neutral gaze.

On any other person, a neutral gaze would be a good thing. It would mean that they're still thinking logically, and that they're waiting for Nariyasu to give them a reason to spare his life.

On Gojo Shiki, however…

…

Nariyasu doesn't know what she's thinking.

He'd thought that he had figured out a good grasp of the girl. An understanding of her habits, and what made her tick. Any attempts made towards guiding her needed to be subtle, preferably such that it could be seen as the girl herself making the decisions that needed to be made, rather than being strong-armed into things by the higher ups. Thus far, the tests to probe Gojo Shiki's reactions had been admittedly rather heavy-handed, which Nariyasu disagreed with, and so–

And so, when the perfect opportunity fell into his lap, wasn't it only natural to go along with the situation presented before him?

… More fool him, then, now that he was sprawled on the ground with a sword resting on his neck.

Gojo Shiki was… far more astute than Nariyasu had realized. She had seemed pointedly uninterested in power plays and political intrigue, and so Nariyasu had reasoned that this avoidance also meant unfamiliarity. And her unfamiliarity would be his opportunity.

This was his mistake. And unfortunately, it was looking like this was a mistake that Nariyasu would not have a chance to rectify.

"I…" Nariyasu is acutely aware of the cold blade at his neck, and the warm blood staining the ground. Toshiatsu's blood. Nariyasu had never really borne the man any particular ill will, but that was before Toshiatsu decided to go ahead and make his grandson into bait without so much as a by-your-leave in Nariyasu's direction. As far as he was concerned… there were others in the Yagyu Clan who would be able to take up Toshiatsu's mantle in wake of his unfortunate passing.

And, there were others who would be able to replace Nariyasu's role as well.

Ah, this really was unfortunate. If there's one thing that Nariyasu regrets, it's that his actions seem to have truly drawn Gojo Shiki's ire. He does not want the Yagyu Clan to follow down the Kamo Clan's path of demise, and yet…

…

… really, perhaps it would have been wiser to leave the Gojo princess alone.

But, that's impossible. Nariyasu knows himself, and solving a puzzle is irresistible when there are pieces placed so neatly beneath your fingertips like… even when you know that these pieces were not placed there merely by trite coincidence.

Besides, if it were not Yagyu Nariyasu who approached her this time, then it would be a Zenin Nariyasu, or a Naniwa Nariyasu. Or perhaps even an Abe Nariyasu, who knows? Simply by virtue of the blood running in her veins and the power that she possessed, it was only inevitable that others would seek to use Gojo Shiki. There is nothing to be argued about this fact.

Power is meant to be used. For better or for worse. And it's only human nature to grasp for power, and harness it for a greater purpose.

It's Nariyasu's role to see that power is utilized properly, as a responsible elder of the Yagyu Clan. Him, and the others in their society who play similar roles as he does.

The jujutsu world does not need another Gojo Satoru.

"You don't have an answer for me?"

Even now, the young girl's voice is calm and collected. The bloodstained sword held to Nariyasu's neck remains steady and unwavering.

"… I don't believe I have an answer that you will accept." Nariyasu is perfectly aware that he does not hold any cards in his hands that are enough to convince Gojo Shiki not to kill him. It's true that he used her, and even now he does not regret doing so. He regrets his methods, but not the act itself, and both he and the child who is about to kill him are perfectly aware of this fact. "For what it's worth, though, I do apologize."

Blue eyes rest upon him, indiscernible as the abyss that they are so reminiscent of.

"Liar," the girl finally says. Her tone of voice is less an accusation and more an observation. A factual statement.

"… Ah," Nariyasu blinks, and smiles. Because she's not wrong, really. "Well, I suppose that's true. How perceptive of you, Gojo-san."

The girl does not say anything to respond to this.

Then, Nariyasu's world suddenly tilts and goes dark.

.

.

"You… do you realize what you've just done?!"

There is blood dripping from the edge of the white-haired girl's sword, and yet not a single drop of it touches her person. The sight is almost eerie, in a way, and there's something about it that sends a burst of chills tingling down Okkotsu Yuta's spine.

… Kusakabe-sensei, if his outburst is anything to go by, probably feels the same. But unlike Yuta, who is frozen in place by the unexpectedly bloody turn of events, the teacher still steps forward to confront Shiki-san.

Shiki-san, who's still holding that blood-drenched sword that had just killed two other people… with no change in her expression at all. As if killing someone was nothing to her.

It's only natural to be scared, right?

Yuta is rightfully terrified –even now, there's a part of his mind that feels oddly blank, and his fingertips are numb from the sight he'd witnessed– but at the same time… he also isn't, if that makes any sense.

It's a little hard to explain. But… even though it's scary, how Shiki-san had just gone ahead and killed those men in cold blood… at the same time, Yuta can't help but recall her actions in the elementary school. How she'd swung her sword towards the children, equally merciless, except she'd killed the curses plaguing them instead of taking their lives. She'd helped them, so…

So, why would someone who helped others even if it meant being misunderstood by those around her… suddenly decide to kill people for no reason?

At the very least, Shiki-san is a very logical person. Emotions seem to escape her sometimes, but her logic and reasoning are both intact, and from Yuta's understanding of her, Shiki-san is not the type of person to do senseless things. She's not even a particularly violent person –despite her evident strength, Shiki-san is always well-mannered and in control of herself.

…

Yuta… doesn't understand it entirely, but he is aware that there are a lot of cutthroat politics going on in the jujutsu world. Clearly, he hadn't realized just how cutthroat it was, if Shiki-san had deemed it necessary to kill Yagyu-san. He wonders what it says about Shiki-san, that she's able to lift her sword and kill without batting an eye like this.

He wonders what it says about himself, that he's more surprised than disturbed by what he'd witnessed.

Does this make him a bad person? And if it does, then… what does it mean about Shiki-san?

It almost feels like there are two sides to her –the side that patiently helps Yuta when he's learning to control his cursed energy and takes the time to find a proper swordsmanship teacher for him, and the side that is able to kill someone so ruthlessly. In retrospect, Shiki-san has never hidden anything or pretended to be anything different from what she was, but… somehow, Yuta is having trouble reconciling these two aspects with each other.

… The world isn't something that can be neatly categorized into black and white boxes.

Yuta stares at the white-haired girl standing atop the bloodied corpses, who seems to be both friend and stranger all at once in this moment.

Kusakabe-sensei, too, seems to regard Shiki-san far more warily now than he did when they'd returned to the jujutsu school together.

"Gojo-san. Do you have any idea of what you just…" Kusakabe-sensei trails off into silence, his gaze drifting towards the headless corpses on the ground for a brief moment. Then he sucks in a deep breath, and his gaze snaps back towards the girl in front of him. "Yagyu Toshiatsu and Yagyu Nariyasu are both respected elders of the Yagyu Clan, and they also hold positions of influence in the Jujutsu Headquarters. I understand that you are dissatisfied with their actions, but killing them?"

"I've already warned them before," Shiki-san responds serenely, seemingly unbothered by the teacher's agitation.

Kusakabe-sensei runs a hand through his hair, frazzled. "Their deaths aren't something that the other elders can turn a blind eye to, Gojo-san!"

"Of course not," the girl agrees.

"Then why did you kill them?" Frustration leaks into the man's voice. "Killing two of the higher ups like this, on the very grounds of the jujutsu school no less –are you trying to make enemies of the higher ups? As if they don't have enough reason to be wary of you and your clan already?"

"If they're going to talk behind my back about what a bloodthirsty little creature I am, then what's wrong with meeting their expectations?" Shiki-san shrugs. "And as far as I'm concerned, they're the ones making an enemy out of me. I would've been perfectly happy to pretend to ignore them if they stopped involving me in their inane plans, Kusakabe-sensei."

The man rubs his face tiredly. "… Can you really afford to be making enemies out of the higher ups like this? You know that they're currently trying to pick you and Gojo Satoru apart in order to get at Okkotsu Yuta here."

Yuta startles slightly at the sudden mention of his name.

"They can try," Shiki-san says, and sheathes her sword. Or die trying.

The unspoken threat of death that lingers loudly in the ensuing silence is something that Kusakabe-sensei definitely does not miss, if the new crease in the man's brow is anything to go by.

Yuta wonders if he should be scared, that Shiki-san is threatening to kill again so easily. Is it strange if he feels like he's being protected instead? Or is Yuta going insane here?

"You're insane, aren't you?"

Yuta's heart nearly skips a beat for a moment –before he realizes that Kusakabe-sensei is addressing Shiki-san, still. But the words are not aggressive, nor insulting; instead, there's almost a dazed sort of element to it. Faint disbelief, as Kusakabe-sensei stares at her.

"I'm a sorcerer," Shiki-san corrects. "And all sorcerers are supposed to be a little insane, aren't they?"

"I don't think that's how that works, Gojo-san."

"Isn't it?" Shiki-san tilts her head. "… Want to make a bet with me, Kusakabe-sensei? Once word of what happened here today spreads, how many people do you think will believe that you are my accomplice?"

Oh. That's… Yuta hadn't thought of that at all. Wait, does that mean he might be considered an accomplice to murder, too?

Kusakabe-sensei's eyes widen, the prospect of what Shiki-san is saying clearly having slipped his mind earlier, too.

"… Fuck."

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.

Gojo Daisaku grumbles, muttering a quiet curse under his breath as he raises a hand to rub tiredly at his temples.

"The ojou-sama is at it again, isn't she?"

"… If you don't have anything helpful to say, then you can just keep quiet, Ippei-kun," Daisaku responds, not even bothering to glance up at the young barrier specialist.

Gojo Ippei laughs, embarrassed. Not embarrassed enough to listen to Daisaku and remain quiet though, clearly. "You only get that look on your face when it's something related to the honorable clan head or the ojou-sama that gets on an emergency report to your desk, Gramps! C'mon, I'm just curious."

Daisaku briefly closes his eyes, trying in vain to stave off the incoming headache that he can feel. "… I am not your Gramps."

Ippei-kun sticks his tongue out childishly, only to yelp when his partner puts an immediate stop to his misbehavior by elbowing him in the ribs.

"My apologies, venerable elder," Gojo Hayanari says, stone-faced. "I am still trying to house-train him."

"Hey!"

"…" If Hayanari-kun had even a shred of interest in politics, then Daisaku would've been able to rest easy knowing that he had a good successor. Because if nothing else, the young man's poker face was on par with that of a statue's unmoving expression when he put his mind to it, which would only be an asset to him when navigating all types of sensitive, complicated social situations. Even if his sense of humor left something to be desired.

Unfortunately for Daisaku, sharp-eyed Hayanari-kun had taken one look and immediately started running in the opposite direction when he tried to lead him into the political landscape, going as far as spending four entire years abroad to make his disinterest in their branch family's leadership position perfectly clear. And so Daisaku had started looking for alternatives, entrusting a portion of his tasks to Gojo Jihei in the meantime…

As an assistant, Jihei had always performed his work well. However, Daisaku couldn't say that he appreciated the way that boy swiftly offered his allegiance to Gojo Satoru the day their honorable clan head claimed his position from his predecessor… but there was no doubt that Jihei was competent, and would've grown into a formidable man someday, had he not fallen as an unfortunate casualty in the Kamo Clan's schemes.

And for that offense, the Kamo Clan had drawn Gojo Shiki's ire. They really hadn't made anything better for themselves by the harebrained plan to kidnap the blessed child, either.

Daisaku wonders if the Yagyu Clan had learned nothing from the Kamo Clan's example.

… At least the ojou-sama had killed elders from a clan that the Gojo Clan was historically on bad terms with, which would help with breaking the news to the other Gojo elders. What wouldn't be so easy to talk about would be how the ojou-sama's actions constituted a slap in the face to the higher ups in the Jujutsu Headquarters. The Gojo Clan had their own representatives among their number, but their influence only amounted to so much among the higher ups as a whole… and it didn't exactly make things any better that the Jujutsu Headquarters had been growing progressively warier of the Gojo Clan in recent years.

Ever since Gojo Satoru entered the scene of the jujutsu world, in fact.

And then, Gojo Shiki.

The two children were both blessings to the Gojo Clan. Faults in personality aside, they were both powerful sorcerers of the Gojo bloodline, strong enough to effortlessly dominate the rest of their generation. It's no wonder that the other sorcery families were wary of the Gojo Clan, who had produced two such sorcerers capable of guaranteeing the clan's prosperity for at least the next hundred years.

… As long as there were no fools in the clan who overstepped their bounds or did anything to make their sorcerers turn on them. Daisaku will entrust the task of guiding Gojo Shiki to her teacher Kiyohira, and as for Gojo Satoru…

…

… with how fond he was of the girl, perhaps she would serve as an anchor for him. Perhaps they would be able to become anchors for each other, even. Daisaku, for one, is fully aware that he's not up to this task.

The elderly man lets out a heavy sigh. "I'm getting too old for this."

"Please don't say such things. You are still in good health, venerable elder."

Daisaku side-eyes the deceptively docile-looking Hayanari. "… You. You will attend the next meeting with the other clan elders at my side, as my assistant."

Hayanari bows deeply. "I sincerely apologize, but I–"

"I'll allow you to marry that civilian girl you like so much," Daisaku continues, cutting the boy off before he can finish that sentence. "Bring her into the clan, or keep her out of it. Choose to inform her of the jujutsu world, or keep her ignorant of everything. The decision is yours. In exchange, you will learn to take over my duties, and perform your responsibilities properly. You've been running long enough, Hayanari."

"I've never asked for these responsibilities."

"Yet you still have a duty to uphold." Daisaku regards the young man carefully for a moment. "… If you agree with Gojo Satoru's vision and wish to assist Gojo Shiki, remaining powerless will not do you any good, Hayanari."

The young man doesn't even blink, "I don't understand what you're saying, venerable elder."

"You and Ippei both showed up to Obon at Gojo Kiyohira's side. If you were trying to be discreet, then I must inform you that you failed fantastically," the elder says dryly. Then, softening his voice in a deliberate show of weakness, "I do not have any other suitable candidates. Jihei is dead. Gojo Satoru and Gojo Shiki are both preoccupied with unending missions, most of the time –there's only so much that I and Kiyohira can take care of by ourselves."

There is a long pause.

Then, Hayanari sighs.

"… So much for escaping to another country and getting married there, I guess. You win, Gramps."

Daisaku twitches.

.

.

"I see. So the Gojo girl killed both of them, did she?"

"Yes, sir."

Zenin Akimitsu nods absently, setting aside the report that had just been delivered to him as he dismisses the servant. It was within expectations that there would be some type of reaction from Gojo Shiki this time –the girl was not the type of person to sit back doing nothing when she felt that those around her were threatened. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that she was a child who'd never truly learned restraint.

Regardless, the results were clear: Gojo Shiki could and would kill those who stood before her. The words that she'd spoken had not been empty threats.

This was a good thing.

With undeniable proof that the Gojo girl was unstable, there would be more among the higher ups in headquarters who would become wary of her. And by extension, the Gojo Clan that stood behind her. The Gojo Clan was powerful, but even they would not be able to oppose the might of the jujutsu world should the majority be united against them.

Good.

Yagyu Toshiatsu had been an easy pawn to use, but his death would be no great loss in the grand scheme of things. His clansman Yagyu Nariyasu was wilier, but he, too, was an inconsequential character. If Akimitsu recalled correctly, Yagyu Nariyasu was the father-in-law of Kusakabe Atsuya's sister, and Kusakabe Atsuya was the second year teacher for students in the Tokyo school.

To teach a student who had unflinchingly killed his sister's father-in-law, the same man who'd helped him and his sister integrate into the Yagyu Clan –Akimitsu does wonder how well Gojo Shiki would do under the tutelage of such a teacher.

It would only be a minor inconvenience at best, but that was fine. And if it caused friction to arise between the Gojo girl and the Tokyo school, then that was even better.

Akimitsu knows that there will be rumors spreading in the next few days about Kusakabe Atsuya collaborating with Gojo Shiki in order to murder two respected elders of the Yagyu Clan. He also knows that this most certainly isn't the truth–

After all, it was Akimitsu who'd subtly suggested the idea of testing loyalties to Yagyu Toshiatsu.

And Yagyu Toshiatsu had certainly surpassed his expectations, even if he'd ended up getting himself killed in the process. To think that the Yagyu Clan maintained relations with one of the most prominent curse users of their age…

The noble Zenin Clan would never stoop to such a thing. But he supposes that things would be different for a low-ranked clan who relied on an outsider to uphold their tattered prestige. Kusakabe Atsuya hadn't even adopted the Yagyu clan name, which was all the more shameful for them –to be looked down upon by an outsider who did not share a single drop of Yagyu blood.

How miserable the Yagyus must be.

Akimitsu had found Toshiatsu's desperation amusing, and tragic. Fortunately for Akimitsu, the Yagyu Clan's position was not something that he would ever have to entertain –the Zenin Clan stood strong and powerful, and it was laughable to consider that they would find themselves fallen to such straits.

Still, it was Akimitsu's solemn duty to act to the benefit of his clan, so that the Zenin Clan may continue to accrue power in the future. Fortune had smiled upon the Gojo Clan in this generation, supplying them with not one but two sorcerers of rare, unique talents, but the Zenin Clan had been blessed, too.

Zenin Megumi.

If it had not been for the distasteful intervention of Gojo Satoru, the child would've been welcomed into the clan where he belonged. To think that the Gojo Clan would steal a child with the Ten Shadows from the clan that he belonged to–!

What lies had Gojo Satoru filled the child's head with, all these years? How badly had the Gojo Clan sabotaged him, so as to ensure that Megumi-kun would never be able to reach his full potential –and thereby never be able to defy the Gojo Clan?

Akimitsu accepts the fact that Gojo Satoru is the Honored One, blessed with the Six Eyes and Limitless as he is. But being the Honored One doesn't mean that he can act with unreasonable impunity like this!

Rage simmers hotly within his chest. Outwardly, Akimitsu remains calm, and takes a slow sip of the warm tea sitting on his desk.

Gojo Satoru is the head of the Gojo Clan. Judging by his brazenness, and the fact that there are none within the Gojo Clan who step forward to censure him, the Zenins must seek their own means of rectifying this situation. Of neutralizing the threat that Gojo Satoru poses to the balance of the jujutsu world, and seeing the Ten Shadows restored to the clan that it rightfully belongs to.

The potential that Ten Shadows possesses is equivalent to that of the Six Eyes and Limitless combined. Zenin Megumi has the potential to become a Special Grade sorcerer –and it's a travesty for the Gojo Clan to ruin him in their greed, in their goal of seizing supremacy in the jujutsu world.

Akimitsu won't allow it.

But, he can be patient. The Gojo Clan might be in the wrong, but it will be difficult for them to admit to their wrongdoings –which is why it's necessary to isolate them. Isolate them, and make it clear to other sorcery families that the Gojo Clan is dangerous.

And then, eventually…

Akimitsu takes another slow sip of tea.

Patience is a virtue. They've been carefully planning this for years, now. The day is coming when they will finally see their hard work come to fruition.

Until then, Akimitsu will continue to lie in the shadows and patiently await the right moment to set things into motion.

.

.

Geto Suguru lifts a hand, shading his eyes from the bright sun shining overhead as he steps out into the light. The sudden contrast from a dark chamber to bright sunlight is quite a harsh one, and he finds himself squinting slightly as his eyes take a moment to adjust to the afternoon lighting.

"My apologies, Geto-sama."

"You have nothing to apologize for, Negi," Suguru responds lightly. "We all agreed to the plan of selling cursed spirits to increase our funds. It's only inevitable that others will find out about it someday."

The young man hangs his head. "… But the one who found out was Gojo Shiki."

"Which is unfortunate, yes, but like I said –it's only inevitable that others find out about our business transactions," Suguru shrugs. "She would've learned about it eventually."

"But…"

Suguru knows what the young man is about to say. But once Gojo Shiki knows, she will definitely inform Gojo Satoru. Which would be quite inconvenient for Suguru, especially since he hadn't yet gathered enough cursed spirits to carry out his plan. And as long as he wasn't fully prepared, then a confrontation with Satoru… is an event that should best be avoided. For now.

"It's alright, Negi," Suguru pats the other sorcerer on the shoulder consolingly. "You couldn't have predicted this when you were dealing with the Yagyus. Don't beat yourself up too much over it, hmm?"

The young man ducks his head. "… Yes, Geto-sama."

Good. Suguru doesn't want to see any member of his family be upset with themselves due to circumstances outside their control. And even if it were a mistake that genuinely came about due to their own faults, Suguru only hopes that they would reflect on it and improve next time, rather than spiral downwards in depression.

Still, that Shiki was the first to uncover this… meant that Suguru needed to adjust his plans a little. Originally, he'd meant to keep a low profile in Japan a little longer and build up a stronger base of followers. But Shiki would most definitely investigate the matter on behalf of Satoru, and that was an additional bit of trouble that Suguru could do without.

She won't kill him. That, Suguru is fairly confident of. However, unfortunately the same cannot be said for his family members. So…

"Do you think it's time for a trip to India?" Suguru muses aloud. There had been rumors of a potential Special Grade 'divine curse' that he'd heard of; perhaps this was an opportunity to check things out on that end?

"India?" Negi blinks in confusion, before realization lights his features. "Ah, you're referring to the 'divine curse?' But we still haven't verified the information yet."

Gathering cursed spirits is something that's easier done in Japan than anywhere else in the world –simply because of the greater number of cursed spirits that exist in the country. Given that the goal right now is to gather as many cursed spirits as possible whilst also building their resources, it makes sense to stay in Japan even despite the danger.

But Suguru isn't ready to confront Satoru yet. His family isn't ready to confront Shiki, either.

"It's still worth taking a look, isn't it?" Suguru smiles. "If the information turns out to be a dud, then just think of it as taking a quick vacation. And if it isn't, then all the better. I'd like to have a few new tricks up my sleeves for when the time comes to instigate the inevitable conflict awaiting us on the bumpy road ahead."

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…

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