A Bizarre Adventure That Begins in Jujutsu Kaisen

As the new organization gradually got on track, Theo, as the new Director of Spellcasting, began to gain considerable credibility among sorcerers and even some non-spellcasters who knew the inside story. His image of being upright, keeping his word, and using tough methods while adhering to the rules was gradually established.

This change is clearly reflected in his internal cognitive picture of the element of "severity"—the reverse-growing tree of "imitation".

The nodes representing "severity" are being lit up slowly but steadily, and so far, half of the progress has been completed.

This growth stems primarily from his rigorous practices as a rule-maker and defender:

The uncompromising implementation of all new rules and regulations, the swift and decisive measures against those who violate them, and the day-to-day portrayal of the "absolutely impartial and ruthless ruler" who embodies the ironclad law.

However, once the node lighting process crosses the midpoint, its speed becomes noticeably sluggish and sticky.

Continuing to play the role of a "just philosopher-king" in the same way as before seems to be no longer effective in promoting the "severity" element to grow to a deeper level.

One night, Theo thoughtfully flipped through a yellowed ancient book in his hand, his fingertips finally stopping on the annotation of the word "severe".

In the interpretation of traditional mystics, "strictness" represents the purification of disorder through rules and self-discipline, serving as a dam to prevent chaos.

Theo believed he had done this quite well.

Whether it's the tempering of his own body, the precise control over curses, or the restraint and supervision of the world of sorcery, he has reached an almost obsessive extreme.

But in the blank space of the page, there is another line of annotation written in faded red ink, as if added by someone later:

"The other side of severity is anger. Severity without anger will eventually become a cold, rigid machine of order."

Theo slowly closed the book, got up and walked to the window, looking out at the dazzling Tokyo night view.

Are you angry?

He recalled his conversation with Yuki, and the "forgotten" twin cursed spirits.

Aren't they a manifestation of the collective unconscious of humanity's anger at being "unseen" and "unaccepted"?

He himself hadn't let that anger truly burn for a long time.

Perhaps it's time to let the long-suppressed side of "severity" truly awaken.

So, every day thereafter, Theo would set aside a fixed hour to disguise himself and wander through the streets and alleys of Tokyo, beneath its glamorous facade.

He wore inconspicuous casual clothes, mimicking the aimless wandering of an unemployed person, but his gaze never wavered.

Theo was searching for classic scenes that were frequently depicted in detail in novels and films:

Gangsters openly extort protection money; illegal powder transactions are conducted furtively in the streets and alleys; innocent people are forced into prostitution...

However, reality is often far more dull than the imagination of works of art.

In contemporary Japan, where the economy is in a slump and social classes are becoming increasingly rigid, the operating model of violent gangs is no longer like that of traditional criminal organizations.

Describing them as "jack-of-all-trades" or "gray area integrated service contractors" might be more accurate.

Not to mention that under the continuous crackdown and strict restrictions of the "Anti-Organized Crime Law" and a series of exclusionary regulations, the living space of traditional gangs has been greatly compressed, and overt violence and economic coercion are becoming increasingly rare.

Tokyo is, after all, the capital of Japan, with relatively strict security control. Most of the remaining yakuza organizations have long been forced or voluntarily "transformed".

Some invested in opening milk tea shops and restaurants, some ventured into construction, logistics and other industries, and some even entered the entertainment industry, running idol management or film and television production companies.

The group members and leaders often have their own "legitimate" or borderline legal businesses.

In any case, obtaining stable income through various channels is the primary goal for maintaining the organization's survival.

As for traditional practices such as extorting protection money on the streets, openly selling contraband, and forcing prostitution?

These high-risk illegal activities are often a last resort, an alternative only considered when all other shady methods have failed to generate profit.

Even if a very small number still operate in the shadows, they are often hidden deeper within the network, secretly run by an extremely cautious minority, and would never easily leave obvious traces on the streets.

Anger seems to lack a clear and appropriate "traditional" target.

One day, in the depths of an alley in Shinjuku, Theo saw a group of young men with flamboyant, puffy hairstyles gathered in the shadows, smoking.

Brightly colored hair, ripped jeans, and full-sleeve tattoos—the standard attire of a "gangster."

But they didn't threaten passersby or extort money from shops; they just casually gathered in a circle, smoking and chatting, occasionally bursting into unrestrained laughter.

Without hesitation, Theo walked straight forward.

The group stopped talking, and several pairs of eyes, a mixture of wariness and curiosity, fell on him.

"Excuse me, I'm conducting a social survey on contemporary urban subcultures."

Theo pulled out a slightly worn press pass from the inside pocket of his jacket and waved it in front of them.

"I've heard that many traditional... well, 'energetic groups' are seeking transformation recently. For example, they've started running bubble tea shops, or even getting involved in the idol industry."

Could you please share what your team's main "business focus" or "profit-generating projects" have been recently?

The group of young men with flamboyant, unconventional hairstyles paused for a second, exchanging glances.

Theo remained calm and pulled out a brand-new Fukuzawa Yukichi (10,000 yen) from another pocket, held it between two fingers, waved it steadily in front of them, then slowly folded it and put it back in his pocket.

The entire process was unhurried and the implications were clear.

Finally, he leaned slightly forward and quietly activated a "spell," his voice low yet carrying an undeniable and strange sense of authority:

"Tell the truth, and this is your reward for your hard work."

Non-magicians are completely unable to resist the coercive force of incantations.

The voice was like a drop of ink falling into clear water, instantly seeping into the depths of the listener's consciousness and temporarily erasing the instinctive urge to fabricate lies.

The young man with colorful hair and a lip piercing took a deep drag of his cigarette, slowly exhaling a gray-blue smoke ring, and spoke first:

"Indeed, the group opened a milk tea shop on a few streets nearby, and the business is doing alright, making more money than expected."

Another thing is helping some regular customers move items that are not explicitly prohibited by law but are not convenient to sell openly.

You know, those... little things in the gray area.

If you're a reporter, you should understand.