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Before setting out to start a revolution, I had a few loose ends to tie up. So, a bit later, after I finally convinced Kokichi to get at least four hours of sleep, I set off to find Nanami and Shoko. I was "lucky" enough to catch them together: Nanami had sustained another injury during the ongoing efforts to cleanse Tokyo of curses, so he had come to Shoko for treatment. Well... at least I wouldn't have to explain everything twice.
Walking through the narrow corridors of the Tokyo School of Magic, which once served merely as an educational institution for future sorcerers, I could feel the tension and gravity in the air, as if the very atmosphere was steeped in the spirit of war. The sounds of studying and training that once filled these walls had been replaced by heavy silence and hushed voices. Every corner of the school now breathed with anticipation, as if the building itself had become a living entity, ready to fight alongside us. And there were good reasons for this: the school had transformed into a veritable stronghold, from which all the sorcerers' operations were coordinated.
This marked the first major deviation from the original storyline. Thanks to the fact that none of the sorcerers had died during the Shibuya incident, and due to Mechamaru's and my timely response with a pre-prepared plan, we were able to quickly regain our footing and develop an effective strategy to combat the ongoing crisis. While special-grade sorcerers were traveling across Japan, trying to understand what exactly had happened, a full-fledged "war machine" was created under the leadership of four first-grade sorcerers — Masamichi Yaga, Kento Nanami, Mei Mei, and Atsuya Kusakabe — with its headquarters at the Tokyo School of Magic. This structure combined all the necessary elements: from logistics and intelligence gathering to the organization of direct combat operations.
Masamichi Yaga, with his command abilities, took on the task of organizing and coordinating actions, ensuring that every step was meticulously planned. Nanami, with his analytical mind and iron will, oversaw the operational tasks, not allowing emotions to interfere with the calculations. Mei Mei, with her extensive connections and financial resources, provided logistical support and gathered intelligence. Atsuya Kusakabe, despite his modesty, turned out to be an unparalleled strategist, capable of anticipating the course of events several steps ahead. As a result, with the large personnel reserve and support from Kokichi and me, a structure was established that could withstand any threats and provide stability in such challenging times.
Of course, this centralization of sorcerer forces was a double-edged sword. On one hand, it allowed for the efficient use of resources and the sorcerers' combat power, enabling quick responses to any threats. But on the other hand, it was an unprecedented move: never before had so many powerful sorcerers been united into a single group, especially under the aegis of the Tokyo School of Magic rather than the officially recognized governing body. It's a strange concept, isn't it? To put it bluntly, we didn't really have the formal authority to do what we were doing here.
To be honest, I didn't give a damn. But certain individuals and even entire groups were already starting to raise questions, driven by hidden currents controlled by the sorcerers' council. As the saying goes, in any war, politics often clashes with military interests. That's exactly why the execution of the director and Yuji is on the agenda, and why Satoru Gojo isn't being hailed as a martyr but labeled a criminal... Those damn hypocrites on the council! I had hoped that our swift and decisive actions would make them hesitate with such decisions, but it seems the only thing that held them back all this time — the only one who held them back — was Satoru. Now that he's gone, they feel free to act as they please, without regard for the consequences. Then again… maybe that's for the best.
I think it's time to remind them why Satoru invited me to Tokyo Jujutsu High in the first place. And it certainly wasn't because I couldn't control my power like Yuta…
It's been a while since I've felt this kind of anger. Not even during the battle with Sukuna did I feel this way. Maybe it's because now, with the lives of those I swore to protect at stake, the behavior of these bastards has disappointed me so much that I no longer see them as worthy opponents. They're more like obstacles that need to be removed.
"These senile assholes have forgotten who they're dealing with. Well, I'll be happy to remind them…"
But before I go off to handle business, I need to bother Nanami and Shoko to keep an eye on the school in my absence. After all, there are now two critically important "points" here: the Star Tomb and the "resistance army base"...
"I did warn you not to overexert yourself," Shoko "greeted" me, shaking her head as I walked into her office — if you could even call this place that.
"And now I can't even take a walk?" I looked at her skeptically.
"I can tell by the look on your face that you're planning something," she huffed, giving me her usual emotionless stare. "And why else would you be walking around here?"
"Even if I did have something in mind, I'd still listen and not overexert myself… at least not too much," I replied.
"I'm against this," Nanami unexpectedly cut into the conversation as he buttoned his shirt, covering his bandaged torso.
"I didn't say anything specific," I said, feigning ignorance as I looked at him.
"The mere mention of 'something' is enough for me to be against any idea that's popped into your head," Nanami said sternly. "However, even so, I've known you long enough to understand what's bothering you and where you're headed."
"You know, even Satoru wouldn't be against this, especially given the current circumstances," I stated confidently.
"Especially if it involves Satoru!" Nanami retorted, his voice tense.
"Do we really need to start this conversation?" I asked tiredly, knowing that arguing with Nanami was like banging my head against a brick wall.
"I think I'll be going now," Shoko muttered, lighting a cigarette, clearly trying to make a quiet exit.
"No, stay. You're the only adult in this room who officially bears responsibility for the students of Tokyo Jujutsu High," Nanami shook his head, firmly putting an end to her attempt to leave.
"I'm not even a teacher," Shoko grumbled but stayed.
"What will change if I uproot the problem that's preventing sorcerers from living as they should?" I ignored Shoko's antics and addressed Nanami directly.
"Who decided how they should live?" Nanami's gaze was serious and piercing.
"Circumstances," I replied curtly.
"Even Satoru didn't go that far..."
"And he had his reasons," I cut him off before he could finish. "But in these times, when we're facing an enemy the jujutsu world has never seen before, we've got 'holdout rats' at our backs, ready to sink our ship over their so-called 'traditions,' which are really just veiled attempts to hold onto power."
"The final verdict on Yuji hasn't been passed yet," Nanami countered, but his tone was calmer, as if he was starting to understand the weight of my words.
"Don't forget about the director," I pointed out.
"He's right about that," Shoko unexpectedly chimed in. Noticing Nanami's intense stare, she just shrugged. "What? You asked me to stay. Besides, the fact that they raised the issue with Principal Yaga alongside Yuji's execution is a clear sign that those at the top have already made up their minds. The only question is why they're delaying the final decision."
"They can't find an executioner," I smirked, feeling the absurdity of the situation in those words.
"Makes sense," Shoko nodded. "Especially in the director's case..."
"Even so, killing the members of the jujutsu council won't solve the problem," Nanami shook his head again. "That's precisely why even Satoru didn't take that step."
"You're mistaken about something," I responded.
"And what might that be?" Nanami looked at me skeptically.
"The situation I'm in is different from the one Satoru was in," I began to explain, trying to be as clear as possible. "Times are far from peaceful now, and that changes a lot."
"I'd like to say that it will have an impact on our plans," Shoko said, glancing around the room, subtly hinting at everything we'd set up here. "But even without them, things will continue as they are."
"You're supporting him?" Nanami stared at Shoko in disbelief, his confusion clearly evident.
"No, I'm just saying that what he's saying makes sense," Shoko shook her head. "I would never support Satoru's student in committing murder…"
"So, if someone else did it, that would be fine?" Nanami looked at Shoko up and down, his expression becoming even more puzzled.
"I told you, she's far more ruthless than she lets on," I "whispered" to Nanami through gritted teeth, earning a raised eyebrow and an irritated glare from Shoko.
"In any case, I wasn't asking for advice," I cleared my throat, deciding to shift the topic. "I'm simply asking you to protect this place while I'm gone."
"So, you think you've been our 'guardian' until now?" Shoko smirked, accidentally choking on her cigarette smoke.
"I've been a deterrent for any reckless fool," I calmly replied, then turned my gaze to Nanami, who had suddenly gone quiet. "If you think this will turn me into another criminal on Suguru's level, you're mistaken. I'll have the backing of two great families. Besides, even if I do become a criminal, it won't change the fact that I'll still be fighting on your side."
"Killing changes people, especially when you do it to assert your power," Nanami said grimly, his voice tense.
"In that case, I'm willing to take that risk to secure us 'from one of the sides,'" I replied confidently, mentally returning to my recent metaphor about the 'holdout rats.'