A Bizarre Adventure That Begins in Jujutsu Kaisen

Not far from the Maki and Mai sisters, Zenin Naoya was surrounded by a group of clan members of similar age and even younger children, who were like stars around the moon.

With great enthusiasm and excitement, he recounted to his wide-eyed companions the legendary "Leading the Troops to Luoyang" incident that he had been fortunate enough to witness, in the proud tone of a firsthand witness.

In Naoya's slightly exaggerated gestures and descriptions, the smooth transition of power is transformed into a heroic adventure story common in Otogizoshi.

Dio was even poetically described by him as "a shadow of innovation descended from the clouds to earth".

After being thoroughly awakened by Theo's new doctrine that combined dominance and benevolence, and after witnessing firsthand the power of true strength to reshape order and bring about change, Naoya seemed to have shed the long-standing fog of arrogance and emptiness that had shrouded his vision overnight.

He finally found the direction in his life that was truly worthy of awe and worth pursuing with all his passion and loyalty, no longer the "troublemaker" who caused trouble everywhere just because of his noble birth and eccentric nature.

Those eyes, which always held a mocking and impatient look, now held a burning thirst for pure power, and a vague yet real understanding of "what responsibilities the strong should bear."

The most noticeable change is that in the past two days, his enthusiasm for participating in exorcising cursed spirits and accumulating practical experience has greatly increased. He has even begun to take the initiative to request more rigorous and systematic physical and magical tool control training, and he often has fresh bruises and abrasions on his body.

This sudden, almost fanatical ambition left many of his clansmen, who were familiar with his past behavior, in disbelief and ironically called it "goodness."

At this moment, after recounting Lord Theo's great achievements to the clan's members, Naoya licked his lips with lingering satisfaction. His gaze unconsciously drifted to the figure on the distant high platform, then quickly returned, straightened his back, and addressed the gathered relatives:

"Listen, the new era has arrived! If you continue to cling to those outdated rules and boring formalities, you'll only be left behind!"

To keep up with that person and see the scenery further... you have to become 'decent' enough first!

In a corner of the venue, Mingming, who had just finished chatting with several investors, turned her gaze to Jiujiu Youji, who was leaning against a pillar alone with an undisguised smile on his face.

Today she wore a well-tailored black silk evening gown, the smooth lines of which accentuated her slender figure, and a string of lustrous pearls adorned her neck.

Each pearl contains a subtle and ingenious protective barrier, making it a practical and unassuming magical artifact.

Theo had just taken this treasure from the treasury yesterday and gave it to Yuki as a token of their love.

So whenever she had the chance, she would wear it to "show off".

Yuki also gathered all her dazzling golden hair back and tied it into a neat high straight ponytail. Coupled with her lightly applied natural makeup, her face appeared exceptionally clear and bright under the light of the auditorium. Compared to her usual casually loose hair and bare face, she had a more carefully crafted and dazzling look.

Mingming walked over slowly and teased in her signature business tone, "Yuki, you look especially radiant today."

What's wrong? Did something really good happen?

He looked radiant, as if he had just closed a huge, incredibly profitable deal.

"Hmm?" Yuki snapped out of her daze, looked at her friend, her smile undiminished, but now tinged with a mischievous glint.

She held up two fingers, making a slightly suggestive gesture towards Mingming, mimicking a "thrusting" motion, and said in a low, meaningful voice:

"It's not money. It's... a man."

"Really!?" Even Mingming, who was well-informed and rarely showed her emotions, couldn't help but widen her eyes slightly and reveal a genuine expression of surprise.

The man who can elicit such an expression from Yuki Tsukumo and speak so frankly is definitely no ordinary person.

"So what if it's fake?" Yuki raised her chin smugly, like a cat guarding its treasure. "I'm not sharing it with you."

After speaking, she looked past Mingming's shoulder and gazed in a certain direction, her smile deepening.

"Look, he's escaped the encirclement. I'm going to find him. Talk to you later~"

"..." Watching Yuki's light and quick steps as he walked away, Mingming narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.

This man's worth truly piqued her curiosity and desire to assess him.

What a blunder! I shouldn't have left the army halfway through the campaign to Luoyang.

"Hey, you guys, what are you chatting about here?"

Dio's voice suddenly rang out.

He had somehow managed to slip away from the crowd of sorcerers who were still trying to discuss the details or express their support for him, and found himself in a relatively quiet corner of the venue.

Here, his new friends—Gojo Satoru, Natsuyu Kei, and Nanami Kento—are gathered together, enjoying a brief moment of peace and quiet.

"We're talking about Wu. He's no longer that lonely figure perched on the altar of 'the strongest in modern times,' and no one will force him to do anything against his conscience anymore."

Xia Youjie patted his close friend on the shoulder, his tone tinged with relief, yet also playfully bringing up the topic.

"He can truly live without worrying about the consequences now. So, regarding the songstress—"

Gojo Satoru scratched his head in slight frustration: "Quick, Theo, help me talk to this increasingly gossipy guy—"

"I'm also curious. What happened after the last 'formal invitation'?" Theo readily joined the conversation.

"I don't know," Xia Youjie said helplessly, shrugging his shoulders and nudging Wutiao Wu with his elbow. "This guy has been keeping it a secret."

Even though we were all urging him, he still progressed slowly, bit by bit, which was frustrating to watch.

"So annoying!" Gojo Satoru said like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "Why have you become so gossipy?"

"Didn't we already officially announce it on social media? What more do you want?!"

Meeting Theo's all-seeing gaze, Gojo Satoru turned his face away, his tone somewhat unnatural:

"Fine, I'll tell you!"

We went to a nice teahouse together and talked to her about you and the conference.

When I called her to make an appointment, she was quite surprised, thinking I was playing a prank or trying to use her technique for some new 'experiment,' and immediately hung up..."

"Senior, so what exactly did you say when you called her last time?" Nanami Kento pressed on relentlessly.

"Well—oh well, it's all in the past, let's not talk about it anymore!" Gojo Satoru waved his hand, his ears turning slightly red.

"So, you just chatted and then you got together?" Theo asked, suppressing a laugh.

"...More or less."

After a few seconds of silence, Gojo Satoru finally revealed the truth.

"I told the songstress... I'm no longer the 'strongest in modern times' who needs to be on call 24/7 and ready to deal with any crisis."

Suddenly there's so much more time... so much that it's a bit overwhelming.

What is "normal life" really like? I don't think I've ever thought about it carefully.

But the first thing that came to mind... was her face.

It was the way the songstress jumped up and down in anger; it was the expression on her face, even though she was clearly weak, that she always wanted to teach me a lesson; it was the trust she had in me that she had never truly given up on.

I sincerely apologized to her.

For all those careless pranks I played on her in the past, for always making her angry...

I went too far.

Then I told her that even though my methods were messy, I really liked her.

I asked her if she would be willing to try dating a troublesome guy like me.

At this point, Gojo Satoru paused for a long time.

When he spoke again, his voice was so soft it seemed to dissipate in the wind, yet it carried a gentle softness, as if struck by something:

After listening, she remained silent for a long time, and then said to me:

I've been waiting for you to say those words for a long time.

She added... even she herself was surprised that she could actually hold back and wait until today.

"Oh~" Nanami Kento and Theo both exclaimed in understanding at the same time, exchanged a glance, and wore good-natured teasing smiles.