A Bizarre Adventure That Begins in Jujutsu Kaisen

"So, Miss Tsukumo, have you made any specific contributions to the world of sorcery recently?"

Alternatively, you could consider submitting a sufficiently compelling "political donation" to sway me.

Seeing Tsukumo Yuki frown, Theo immediately smiled and waved his hand: "Haha, don't take it seriously, it's just a joke. I personally don't accept bribes."

He suppressed his smile and looked at her seriously.

"But to be honest, a special-grade soldier is a huge fighting force in itself. Even if they don't have a specific job for the time being, it's worthwhile to just keep them around for a rainy day."

Deputy Director, or Assistant Director—you can choose whichever you prefer.

Seeing Yuki begin to think, Theo paused, then added meaningfully:

"In theory... the deputy director needs to be responsible for a specific area of ​​affairs, while the director's assistant only needs to be responsible for me."

However, just as depicted in "Yes, Minister" and "Yes, Prime Minister," the actual number and importance of the matters that the director's assistant has to handle and coordinate are often more numerous and important than those of the director himself.

All the chores and tiring tasks that I want to do or don't want to do will be handled by my assistant.

The original plan was to recruit Nanami Kento as a conscript to temporarily fill the "firefighter" position...

But that guy just left a message saying, "No work-related disturbances during my vacation," and then went off on a date with some bakery clerk without looking back.

Sigh, I'm still a kind-hearted person.

Seeing how relieved he looked, it was really hard to drag him back into this mess.

After Theo finished speaking, Tsukumo Yuki narrowed his eyes slightly, as if he were rapidly weighing the invisible pros and cons in his mind.

But that moment of contemplation lasted only a very brief instant before it vanished.

Clearly, she didn't intend to waste her energy on such complicated comparisons.

Yuki opened his eyes wide and asked without any beating around the bush, "Let's start with the most practical question."

Salary and working hours—are these two positions the same in terms of these conditions?

"The specific details of the salary haven't been finalized yet, but the benefits can be on par with others at the same level," Theo replied readily.

"As for working hours... after all, everything in the new director's department is still in its infancy, and there are no very fixed rules yet."

The two existing deputy directors, Gojo Satoru and Natsuyu Suguru, are basically "task-driven".

Work for as long as you have urgent tasks to handle.

Jie is primarily responsible for the overall planning and response to domestic curse spirits, while Wu focuses on the management and coordination of domestic sorcerers.

In theory, they could simply pull more staff from the secretariat to share the detailed work...

However, both of them still prefer to do things themselves, and they handle a considerable portion of the work themselves.

Theo pondered for a moment, then continued his description: "If a third deputy director were added..."

You might be able to take charge of intelligence, negotiations, and special operations related to curses overseas, somewhat like a "cursed diplomacy ambassador" and "overseas special envoy."

There are relatively fewer public incidents caused directly by cursed spirits over there, and the environment might be more suitable for your usual style.

"Is that even a question?" Yuki Tsukumo made her decision almost the instant he finished speaking, her smile turning sly and pleased. "Of course, we'll choose the director's assistant."

"Huh?" Now it was Theo's turn to be surprised. "I thought you would be more inclined to go along with me and choose to be the overseas deputy director, which sounds more free and has a relatively relaxed scope of responsibility."

"Hmph~" She put her hands on her hips, raised her chin, and smugly smiled, as if she had just pulled off a prank. "One of the things I, Tsukumo Yuki, love to do most is to give those guys who think they've got everything planned out a resounding 'NO'!"

"Alright then." Theo chuckled, accepting the outcome. "In that case, when do you plan to start work?"

"Right now," Yuki Tsukumo answered crisply, pointing in the direction Theo had originally headed. "Are you going to the General Manager's office?"

Theo answered meticulously, "Yes, I plan to make an appearance and encourage everyone who is busy cleaning up the mess."

Afterwards, there will be a brief meeting with the Gojo family's architectural team to exchange preliminary opinions on key matters such as the architectural style, functional zoning, and integration of defensive barriers for the new headquarters building.

Finally, I need to find a suitable place to practice the new techniques I've acquired.

"Sounds like the trip won't be easy." Yuki Tsukumo remounted her stylish motorcycle, turned the key, and the engine immediately roared with a deep, powerful sound.

She patted the back seat and turned to look at Theo: "If you're not in a hurry, after you've finished these 'important matters'... how about we go for a drink? It's on me."

"Oh? Of course. Postponing the spell practice to tonight is fine too." Theo nodded in agreement. "So, besides drinking... do you have any other questions you'd like to discuss over drinks later?"

"Nothing special~" Yuki Tsukumo put on her helmet, her voice tinged with laughter coming through the mask, "I'm just curious about you and want to take this opportunity to learn more about you~ Get on, I'll give you a ride."

"...Then I shall respectfully comply."

Theo readily agreed and sat sideways on the back of the motorcycle.

He sat upright, with his hands naturally hanging at his sides. He did not wrap his arms around the driver's waist, relying entirely on his strong core and abdominal muscles to maintain a stable balance at high speed, as steady as a rock.

After Dio appeared at the former headquarters, he first made a brief tour of the site, and then announced in public the appointment of Tsukumo Yuki as "Assistant to the Director," which caused a small commotion and whispers among the staff present.

The base station was half a step behind him, its back straight, its face expressionless, calmly accepting the various gazes directed at it.

After the brief public appearance, Theo didn't linger and immediately moved on to the next item on his agenda.

The meeting with the architect was arranged in a meeting room that had not yet been demolished.

The team of seven sent by the Gojo family was already waiting here.

They were all dressed in neat black kimonos.

The leader was an elderly man whose silver hair was meticulously braided into a ponytail and tied behind his head—Gojo Terunobu.

He is one of the few members of the Gojo family who is proficient in both architectural design and barrier techniques, and is known as a "barrier craftsman".

"Lord Theo, Lord Ninety-Nine." Zhao Xin bowed slightly, and without much pleasantries, went straight to the point.

He unfolded a scroll of parchment paper, its edges slightly yellowed, tanned using ancient methods. At the same time, he gestured to his assistant to project the 3D model from the fifth-generation iPad onto the blank screen in the conference room using a portable projector.

"I dare to offer three preliminary plans for your review and decision-making."

Theo nodded, but did not sit down. Instead, he walked straight to the window and stood with his hands behind his back.

It's an old building after all, and the ventilation is poor, but the air here is relatively better.

"The first set, the traditional family style." Zhao Xin opened the first modeling file, picked up the laser pointer, and the red light moved on the screen, outlining the shape of the building.

"Based on the former site of Gojōin in Kyoto, it adopts a form that combines the Shinden-zukuri and Shoin-zukuri styles, and also incorporates some traditional architectural features of the Masakuni."

The main structure is made of wood and stone, with white walls, black tiles, and flying eaves and brackets.

The courtyard design incorporates the aesthetics of a dry landscape garden and a strolling pond, striving for a harmonious blend of Zen and vitality.

The laser pointer's light spot moved to the area indicated by the barrier.

"Regarding the barrier, the existing terrain can be utilized—with mountains to the north and water to the south—to set up the 'Four Gods Corresponding' formation."

With all four symbols of the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise present, it can draw upon the power of nature to achieve exceptional stability.

The advantage is that this style is in line with the old traditions of the Kyoto magic world, has excellent compatibility with other barriers, and the flow of magical power within it is exceptionally smooth and peaceful.

However, the drawbacks are also obvious…

The laser pointer's light stopped at four flashing nodes.

"If such traditional barrier arrays are targeted and concentrated by a special-grade curse, key nodes can be easily 'destroyed at a specific point,' and the defense system is at risk of being quickly torn apart."

After listening patiently, Theo said with slight dissatisfaction, "I remember saying that I don't want the traditional style."

We are not building a tourist attraction; we don't need to exude "antique charm" to showcase our historical significance.

Zhao Xin nodded slightly, showing no surprise on his face, clearly having expected it.

"Yes, I understand."

He immediately operated the tablet and switched to the next option.

"Now, please look at the second set, which is the modern style you expected."