MTL NOVEL Chapter 48
Chapter Forty-Three: Take Another Look
It’s out of the question to take a look at the Special Grade Jujutsu Cursed Tool sealing Ryomen Sukuna, but regarding the cooperation matter Lin Qi talked about, the two have already settled it down.
There was no need for Satoru Gojo to worry about what kind of petty scheme he might be up to. Exchanges between powerhouses took place in intense battles, and after battling with Lin Qi, he already had a fair understanding of him.
Lin Qi was likely not the type to engage in devious actions behind others’ backs, but his twisted sense of humor was quite evident.
Most importantly, Satoru Gojo still held significant doubts about Lin Qi’s identity.
From his observation, it appeared that the girl’s body before him was mostly controlled by Ryomen Sukuna rather than Yukinoshita Yukino herself, yet Sukuna did not forcefully occupy her body. Instead, he coexisted harmoniously with her.
This was strange indeed. Was Sukuna acting out some childish game out of a wish to experience a life different from a thousand years ago with the girl?
It was precisely because of these doubts that Satoru Gojo agreed to collaborate with Lin Qi, aiming to observe him closely under his watch.
“Then let’s work together happily.”
Lin Qi extended his hand, and Satoru Gojo came into contact with the Unlimited Technique, shaking hands with him: “Collaborating with a King of Curses is truly a new kind of experience.”
In that instant when Lin Qi firmly grasped Satoru Gojo’s large hand, he used his free left hand to swipe at his face, touching an unperceivable barrier formed by the Unlimited Technique.
“So our cooperation is going to break apart even before it began?” Satoru Gojo boasted confidently as he deflected Lin Qi’s sneaky attack.
“How odd, there’s something about your face that makes my hand move unconsciously without me thinking about it.” Lin Qi punched his face with pure physical movement without even using any Curse Energy.
“Oh, it seems the King of Curses also has moments of pettiness.”
“Your smug face is just begging to be hit.”
“Sorry, sorry.”
The two returned to the police station, and Satoru Gojo put on his black eye-patch again. Fushiguro Megumi and Kiyotaka Ijichi, who were instructed to stay in place, saw their familiar figures and naturally released relief through their smiles upon seeing them.
“Teacher!”
“Mr. Satoru!”
But the next second, they froze in shock when they noticed Lin Qi following behind Satoru Gojo.
What’s going on? Did Teacher Satoru not subdue Sukuna?
“Ding-dong~” Satoru Gojo stepped aside with his arms extended toward Lin Qi, “I have found us a powerful external supporter! The King of Curses from a thousand years ago, Ryomen Sukuna!”
“…Really? Are you serious? You’re joking, right?” Fushiguro Megumi was stunned. Teacher Satoru only chased after Sukuna for a short while around fifteen minutes, and now he was making Sukuna reform?
“… ” Kiyotaka Ijichi silently pushed up his glasses. Whatever this person may do, he would not be surprised anymore as long as it didn’t trouble him too much.
“Says who? Call me Lin Qi.”
“Hear that? Call him Lin Qi.”
Ignoring Satoru Gojo’s antics, Fushiguro Megumi immediately frowned inquiring with doubt, “So, what exactly is going on here? Please let Teacher explain it properly!”
Satoru Gojo briefly explained the collaboration between himself and Lin Qi, but the hedgehog-headed youth still showed signs of disbelief.
“Can we actually trust Ryomen Sukuna?” Fushiguro Megumi was troubled.
“Not necessarily trust. It’s just mutual benefit,” Lin Qi approached Megumi and patted him on the shoulder, “Compared to this white-haired one, you are both relatively more normal. Whenever you have missions to cleanse cursed spirits, come find me.”
His presence was so overwhelming that the thought of resisting never crossed Megumi’s mind.
Just being touched lightly by Lin Qi made Megumi already drenched in sweat.
“Also, Yukinoshita’s parents should be arriving soon; handle it carefully for me. Make sure they don’t learn anything related to the Jujutsu world.”
Lin Qi also turned to speak to Ijichi.
Ijichi instinctively glanced over at Satoru Gojo, standing beside him. Seeing him giving him a thumbs-up with a cheerful smile, Ijichi nodded, “Understood. Houshou—Mr. Lin Qi.”
“It seems you are a reliable social man. I feel pretty good about this friend of yours,” Lin Qi shook hands with him, pleased.
That feeling of being recognized as a reliable social man moved Ijichi deeply. How long had it been since someone praised him like that?
Caught in a dilemma between high school staff and Satoru Gojo, forced to deal with unreasonable demands, Ijichi felt genuinely grateful hearing such a compliment again after so many months.
It felt like he had encountered the best leader.
“I’m on it. This is originally part of my job anyway.” Ijichi affirmed seriously.
However, his response clearly drew displeasure from someone present: “Hey, Ijichi,”
Hearing Gojo drawl out his name, instinctual fear surged, and he twitched nervously.
“Don’t pay attention to him.” Lin Qi patted the slightly slumped social man on the back encouragingly.
“Isn’t it way too fast for you to switch sides so soon?” Satoru Gojo remarked, squinting his eyes as he watched Ijichi straightening his back with renewed confidence thanks to Lin Qi.
“Alright then, looking at the clock, Yukinoshita’s parents should arrive shortly. It’s time for me to leave,” Lin Qi said before returning control of the body to Yukinoshita Yukino.
The black patterns fading away gradually across her face was akin to dissolving.
默默注视着 Yukinoshita Yukino reclaiming dominance of her body, Satoru Gojo pondered Sukuna’s disappearance and the lack of indication of his presence.
With no trace or aura, and if Lin Qi absorbed the cursed tool himself, he and the artifact’s energy should have mixed—but how could there not be any hint?
Sukuna must have absorbed and integrated the curse item. Does he have some sort of unique concealment method?
Could it imply something about his authenticity…?
“Alright, it’s time for us to go home, Megumi.”
Having no intention of sharing thoughts with others, knowing he had nobody to confide in, Satoru Gojo motioned for Megumi to get ready to leave: “There’s nothing more for us here. Ijichi can handle it.”
Taking one last glance at Yukinoshita without the presence of Sukuna, she was speaking with Master Ijichi. Megumi retracted his gaze and followed Satoru Gojo out of the police station.
“Let’s bring some peanuts back when we head home.”
“You’re thinking only about local flavors, Teacher Satoru.”
Shortly after, the snow family parents arrived outside the Chiba Police Station in their vehicle. The couple met their daughter in the reception room.
Yukinoshita Father wore a well-pressed suit, with the cuff of his shirt revealing his Patek Philippe casually. His eyes were deep, and despite being calm, there was a hint of concern etched on his face.
Yukinoshita Mother wore a kimono, her long hair tied up at the back with a silver hairpin, a dignified traditional lady in every way, though she was no longer young. Even so, she looked dignified and refined, wearing her worry on her face as she expressed concern for her daughter.
Never had Yukinoshita Yukino seen her mother show such a panicked expression, which felt surreal almost.
Mainly because the scene was not real; it was projected through a screen, similar to a movie projection, bringing her consciousness into the Realm of Birth.
Like when Lin Qi submerged himself to look at his diving screen.
Originally it was just a random experiment Lin Qi had conducted, but unexpectedly, it succeeded.
Practically, Yukinoshita Yukino herself sat motionless in the chair, as if lost in thought, as if in a trance.
Her forehead hair was messy, looking haggard, with her light in her eyes dimming.
Facing her dispirited daughter, Yukinoshita Mother’s heart felt like it was being seized by an invisible hand. She quickly walked forward to embrace her daughter tenderly, concern evident in her voice, “Are you alright, Yukino?”
“What should I respond?” Yukinoshita Yukino could no longer bear deceiving her mother like this.
“Just exit your consciousness.” Lin Qi hurried to stop her. “No rush. Exiting now will be less effective.”
“But…” Yukinoshita wanted to continue.
“Come on, do you not want to see mom worried for a little while longer?”
“I…”
After a moment’s hesitation, Yukinoshita finally decided not to leave the Realm of Birth and gently bit her lip, struggling to say:
“Just a little longer.”
…
After school, become a Jujutsu Sorcerer