Dojikiri

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Osaka.

Ren walked out of the airport with his luggage and White Wolf. He had originally wondered how he was supposed to bring White Wolf with him, but this flight allowed pets on board. White Wolf was larger than most, but his husky-like appearance and intelligent eyes looked far too harmless to threaten anyone.

This mission was not difficult, only a little unusual. Ren had not come here only to resolve a task involving a curse user. More importantly, someone in the family connected to this case had awakened a cursed technique.

Kyoto Jujutsu High was closer and should have handled it, in theory. However, this family had a long history. Though no jujutsu sorcerer had appeared in recent generations, and they were now an ordinary family, their ancestors had once possessed a jujutsu-related inheritance.

According to Gojo-sensei, a descendant in this generation had awakened a cursed technique after several generations with no talent.

Because she had never been taught anything about jujutsu, the person herself had always thought she had some kind of supernatural power. Ren could only call that familiar. It was not until a recent accident that her family discovered the truth.

Her grandfather apparently knew enough about the old texts in the house to trace the matter back, and after a winding route, they contacted the Gojo family.

The accident in question involved a curse user who seemed to have targeted their family. So Satoru Gojo had sent his dear student to resolve the matter and see whether Tokyo Jujutsu High might gain a new student.

Ren had not even left the airport before he saw someone holding a sign with his name on it. It seemed someone had come to pick him up. Of course they had. Gojo had not told him the exact address at all. He had only given him a phone number and said someone would handle the miscellaneous details once Ren arrived.

The person meeting him was a woman in a black suit. Her appearance was average, though makeup might have added a little. She looked about five foot seven and quite tall.

Ren walked over. His sunglasses slipped slightly down his nose, revealing his eyes.

After thinking for a moment, he said, "You are with the Minamoto family, right? I am Ren Kamishiro."

The woman bowed. "Kamishiro-sama. My name is Riko Sugihara. The car prepared for you is waiting outside. Please come with me."

Outside the airport, Ren saw a long luxury car parked by the curb. It looked expensive at a glance. The logo seemed to be a triangular design, but Ren did not know much about that sort of thing.

Riko Sugihara opened the door for him. White Wolf darted inside while she was still stunned, and Ren followed.

The back was spacious and had only two seats. Ren froze as soon as he entered, because someone was already sitting on the other side.

It was a bright, beautiful teenage girl. She had an oval face, almond-shaped eyes, and neat brows. A short skirt covered her properly crossed legs, which were long, pale, and slender. She looked like the kind of girl talent scouts would keep approaching if she walked down the street.

The girl watched Ren and White Wolf with obvious curiosity. Even with a large dog stuffed into the car, there was still enough space.

Ren took off his sunglasses. "Are you part of the Minamoto family?"

The girl held out her hand. "My name is Naone Minamoto."

Ren shook her hand politely. "Ren Kamishiro. You are the one who awakened a cursed technique, right?"

Naone's eyes lit up. "How did you tell? Are you a jujutsu sorcerer too?"

Of course Ren had not "told." He had guessed. Naone's cursed energy was very well contained. According to the information he had received, that seemed related to her technique.

The reason for the guess was simple. He had come for this matter, and this girl sitting in the car clearly did not look like an employee such as Riko Sugihara.

She was also extremely curious about him. Most likely, she was the Minamoto family member who had only recently learned about jujutsu sorcerers.

The car started smoothly. Ren noticed a partition between the front and back seats. Riko Sugihara sat in the passenger seat up front.

Instead of answering Naone's question directly, Ren leaned back in the comfortable seat and asked, "How much do you know about jujutsu sorcerers now?"

Naone was visibly excited and nodded repeatedly. In the past, she had wondered whether there were other people in the world with supernatural powers like hers.

Then she learned about the existence of jujutsu society. Her own family had once been part of it. The old books her grandfather had dug out from forgotten corners of the ancestral house had opened an entirely new world to her.

When their home had been attacked by something with ill intent, she had relied on her "superpower" - no, on her cursed technique - to drive away the so-called cursed spirit.

"Do you have a cursed technique too? What is it?"

"Is this dog a normal dog? He seems... different."

For a while, the girl asked question after question like a child who had just discovered something wonderful.

Ren quietly listened until she finished rambling. Only then did he speak.

"Most people's cursed techniques are public to some degree, but when you meet someone, try not to ask about their technique right away. For the record, mine is related to speed."

"His name is White Wolf. He looks like a dog, but he is actually a cursed corpse made by our principal."

After that, Ren casually answered some of her questions. From what she asked, Naone had clearly gained a basic understanding of the jujutsu world, but because she was curious and knew only the surface, she had many questions she urgently wanted answered.

The car moved so smoothly that Ren almost forgot they were traveling. It was not until he felt the vehicle slow slightly that Naone smiled.

"We are here."

When the door opened, White Wolf shot out first. Ren got out and saw that the car had stopped in front of an estate. Several other cars sat ahead and behind it, probably carrying bodyguards.

Only then did Ren have time to look around. Most of the surroundings were greenery, with very few houses in sight. They seemed far from the urban center, but the scenery was quite good.

After Ren and Naone got out, a man, a woman, and an elderly man waiting at the gate came over. Naone greeted them. They were her parents and grandfather.

The middle-aged man looked like a successful businessman. He stepped forward with a gentle smile.

"My name is Eiji Minamoto. This is my wife, Misora Minamoto, and this is my father, Masateru Minamoto."

"As for my beloved daughter, Naone, I believe you have already met her. Tea and refreshments have been prepared inside. Please come in so we may speak in detail."

Ren bowed slightly out of politeness and introduced himself. He had never liked those full ninety-degree bows. Maybe Gojo's influence had something to do with that too.

After they entered the gate, Ren realized the old-fashioned courtyard was actually large. The atmosphere was tense. If he looked carefully, he could see many people in black suits patrolling the grounds.

Passing through several gates and courtyards, they arrived at a room where a tea table had been set out. Freshly brewed tea still steamed on it.

Riko Sugihara slid the door shut, leaving only Ren and the four members of the Minamoto family inside.

Eiji spoke first. "First, thank you for your assistance. I will explain our family's situation to you."

Ren picked up a cup of tea and drank it in a few swallows. He had spoken quite a bit in the car and happened to be thirsty.

"You can just call me Ren."

Eiji nodded and continued. "In truth, I know a little about the jujutsu world. Our family is a branch of the Settsu Genji. Only in the last two generations have we made some progress in business."

"Once our position rose, I began to hear certain vague things. Combined with the old books in our family that almost no one cared about anymore, I had some awareness. I simply never expected my daughter to awaken that kind of talent so early. As her father, I was rather unqualified."

Eiji's expression suddenly turned serious.

"A few days ago, when Naone returned to visit her grandfather, she encountered those things. Judging from the clues, they were controlled by someone."

"Fortunately, Naone wounded the invisible thing. That was how we discovered her abnormality. Father was more familiar with the old family texts, and only then did we learn that after all these generations, Naone had become... a jujutsu sorcerer."

"Afterward, I went through many channels and invited a professional. Through our family's connections, I contacted someone in the jujutsu world. Ren, please resolve the person hiding in the shadows. The Minamoto family will be deeply grateful and will repay you properly."

Ren said calmly, "There is no need to be so formal, Mr. Minamoto. That is exactly why I was sent here. I do have one question I would like you to answer."

"This person with bad intentions - what we call a curse user - why did he target your family? Was it money?"

Masateru Minamoto, sitting to the side, spoke. "I will explain. The curse user's target is an ancestral treasure of the Minamoto family. A famous blade - Dojikiri Yasutsuna."

Ren's face filled with question marks. "Sir, if I remember correctly, that antique is kept in a museum."

Masateru braced both hands on his legs. He did not look as if he were joking.

"Not that blade. I mean the Dojikiri of jujutsu history. According to legend, it was the weapon used by our ancestor to slay the famed great yokai Shuten-doji."

"It has always been enshrined here, in the ancestral estate of our branch. I always thought it was only a legend, until..."

Unable to hold herself back, Naone raised a hand and cut in.

"I used that blade to wound that... um... cursed spirit! Then it ran away."

Naone's mother looked both worried and reproachful. Her grandfather smiled kindly. It was obvious Naone was dearly loved at home.

"A cursed tool."

Ren reached that conclusion silently. It seemed this was a case of a curse user trying to steal an ancestral cursed tool. But what interested him more was the old man's mention of Shuten-doji.

When terrifying beings from myths, legends, or urban rumors took shape as curses, they were called Imaginary Vengeful Spirits. Because people's fear of them was specific and vivid, they were often very powerful.

Many of the Special Grade cursed spirits recorded or controlled by jujutsu society belonged to that category. They were Special Grade Imaginary Vengeful Spirits.

Had there once been an Imaginary Vengeful Spirit called Shuten-doji? Or had some curse been called Shuten-doji by humans?

For now, there was another matter.

Ren said, "Aside from the curse user, I came here for one more reason. Jujutsu sorcerers need more than innate techniques. They also need inheritance and training."

"First, let me introduce Tokyo Metropolitan Jujutsu Technical High School."

Using a somewhat formulaic tone, he explained Jujutsu High to them in detail. He also hinted at Satoru Gojo and the reason he had come.

Eiji and the others looked thoughtful. Naone, however, was even more eager. A school that taught supernatural powers was exactly the kind of thing she looked forward to. Such a scene had only appeared in movies, shows, and fantasies before. She had never expected it could become real.

After Ren finished, he stood. "You can take your time considering whether she should enroll. For now, can you show me where the attack happened? I want to see if there are any clues."

Eiji nodded. "Of course. Father, could you take Ren and Naone there? Misora and I will arrange the other matters."

Masateru rose with a nod. "Come with me."

After stepping out, the old man waved away the bodyguards who tried to follow. Only Riko Sugihara accompanied them. They walked until they reached an old wooden hall.

The old man took out a key and opened the heavy doors. Inside were many wooden shelves covered with old books, along with well-maintained armor marked by age.

At the center of the hall stood a long table. On a stand atop it rested an old sheathed blade.

Ren walked around the hall with White Wolf. He could see fallen bookshelves and traces of damage. The books had been collected and put away, but the other traces remained untouched.

The broken window had not been fixed either. The room had been preserved almost exactly as the scene of the incident. Fortunately, not too much time had passed, and the cursed energy residue remaining inside could still be distinguished.

Ren had White Wolf memorize the two cursed energy signatures in the hall. One was probably Naone's. If they encountered the owner of the other, White Wolf would be able to identify them.

Naone asked curiously from the side, "How is it? Did you find anything?"

Ren stood. "A little. The enemy is probably not strong, roughly Grade 2. They were remotely controlling a shikigami. After you wounded it, they fled. It seems they did not want to expose their location."

"This blade..."

Ren looked thoughtfully at the old sword on the wooden table. Suddenly, an aged hand took it down. Ren raised his head and looked at Masateru.

The old man smiled. "This is Dojikiri. That day, Naone used it to wound the invisible enemy."

Naone said quietly from the side, "That thing looked like a huge strange fish. It was really ugly..."

Ren kept that information in mind, then looked at the old blade Masateru held out to him.

Dojikiri.

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