After Ieiri Shoko left, Hayashi didn't need much time to find Gojo Satoru observing from a rooftop of a building. Gojo casually jumped down and landed in front of Hayashi, as if he knew Hayashi had been looking for him: "You have something to ask?"
Hayashi nodded and said, "Gojo-sensei, I want to go out again."
"You, huh? Not comfortable staying at school? The outside world isn't as peaceful as it seems," Gojo began to scrutinize the student he had brought back halfway through his training. "Two days ago, something happened in Tokyo involving cursed users and cursed spirits. Do you know about it?"
Hayashi was taken aback. Two days ago? Cursed users and cursed spirits? Wasn't that when he encountered them?
"So it was you," Gojo said with a hint of curiosity in his voice as he looked at Hayashi. "You've got some nerve, taking on cursed spirits and cursed users of that level. Weren't you afraid of dying?"
"I happened to be around last time and could save your life, but I won't always be there. If you died, I'd be sad for days, you know," Gojo added, but the last part sounded far from sincere to Hayashi.
"It's hard to hide anything from you, sensei," Hayashi said awkwardly, scratching his black hair.
"The 'windows' found out, and your reaction confirmed it. It wasn't that hard to figure out," Gojo said, amused at Hayashi's awkwardness.
Gojo then briefly asked about Hayashi's encounter with the special grades in Tokyo. Hayashi explained the necessary details, but even though he had given Gojo some important information about Suguru Geto's future actions, there wasn't much Gojo could do at the moment. Gojo had too many other things to deal with.
Hayashi, unaware of the full details about the "Prison Realm" that Suguru Geto and Jogo had discussed, told Gojo only about the appearance and characteristics of the four figures he had encountered. Since Hayashi didn't know everything from the original story, some gaps in his memory left him unsure, which only made future challenges more interesting!
Hayashi frowned and asked, "If the 'windows' are so accurate, why wasn't that extra special-grade cursed spirit in the juvenile detention center detected?"
"I asked about that too, but no one seems to know. They have no idea where that extra special-grade came from. Two special grades, huh? Someone's definitely playing a dangerous game," Gojo said, his voice growing darker.
After looking around and making sure no one else was nearby, Hayashi leaned in and whispered, "Gojo-sensei, I have some snacks for Itadori Yuji. Could you deliver them for me?"
"Burn offerings for him? You're quite thoughtful," Gojo replied with a teasing smile.
"Not burn offerings—just delivery. I know he's not dead. You might be able to fool everyone else, but you can't fool me," Hayashi said quietly.
This time, Gojo was the one surprised. He realized that this student of his was indeed different from the others, far too different.
"How did you figure it out?" Now that Hayashi had revealed he knew the truth, Gojo didn't bother hiding it any longer. "Just don't tell anyone else about it, alright?"
"How I figured it out doesn't matter. I'll keep it secret, don't worry. Now, can you take this to him? I've packed something for you too," Hayashi said, handing over the snacks.
"Not bad, kid. You know how to treat your teacher right," Gojo said, patting Hayashi on the back. "Quick trip and back, alright?"
Hayashi quickly ran back to his dorm room, grabbed two gift bags, and handed them to Gojo. "So, about me going out?"
"Go ahead, just don't die," Gojo replied, taking a peek into the bag before smiling. "Oh, you've got some Kikufuku in here—nice."
"Alright then, I'll be off! Take care, Gojo-sensei!" Hayashi laughed. It felt good to get permission to leave, though he wasn't sure if Gojo was favoring him or if he'd always been allowed to go.
"Just be sure to come back before the exchange event. If you're still alive, that is," Gojo said, waving him off.
"Will do. I'm heading out now," Hayashi said, starting to walk toward his dorm, only to stop and turn back, intending to ask Gojo something else, but he found that Gojo had already vanished.
"That sword on your back—don't lose it," Gojo's voice echoed from nowhere.
Hayashi froze in place, stunned. Gojo was no longer there, but his voice carried over. He could see the sword on Hayashi's back, even though it had been hidden. Hayashi had carried that sword around for so long without anyone noticing it, yet Gojo had seen right through it.
"Is this the power of the Six Eyes?" Hayashi muttered to himself, relieved. If Gojo had been an enemy, how many of Hayashi's secrets would have already been uncovered?
"Better get out of here," Hayashi thought, hurrying back to his dorm, quickly packing a shoulder bag, and leaving the school.
After Hayashi left, Gojo's expression became more serious. From what Hayashi had told him, Gojo was left with a major mystery. The man with the stitched forehead, despite Hayashi's less-than-perfect description, had given Gojo enough to piece things together, though the implications were nearly impossible to believe.
Nevertheless, Gojo had other matters to attend to. Those special grades were hiding too well, and they were clearly targeting him. No matter what, he'd have to prepare for what was coming.
At school, though Hayashi could bond with everyone, it didn't do much to enhance his power. His situation was different. While others could grow stronger through theory and time, Hayashi grew by exorcising curses.
This time, Hayashi needed to find a proper agency. The number of curses out there far exceeded the number of sorcerers, so agencies were always in need of sorcerers.
However, the last time he had tried, he couldn't find any agencies, which led him to take up a part-time job instead. This time, there would be no part-time jobs—only missions.
An hour later, Hayashi found himself in the heart of Tokyo. He decided to search in a different direction this time, hoping for better luck.
The streets were bustling with people and traffic. Tall buildings, colorful signs, and neon lights highlighted the vibrancy of the city.
The weather was also growing warmer, and the clothing of both men and women became lighter. As usual, the girls wore miniskirts and hot pants.
Hayashi knew that even in the dead of winter, girls in Japan would wear skirts with bare legs. It was impressive, but he wondered if they ever considered how they might suffer from rheumatism when they got older.
Setting those thoughts aside, the long, slender legs and pale skin were indeed pleasing to the eye—but for Hayashi, it was only casual appreciation.
After searching for most of the day, it was the hottest part of the afternoon, yet he hadn't found anything.
"Pfft!"
Just then, a man passing by let out a fart. Hayashi shook his head. He'd found a fart but not a single agency.
"Maybe I should grab an ice cream," Hayashi thought as he spotted a cold drink shop ahead that also sold ice cream bars.
After buying an ice cream bar, he continued searching while licking the treat and walking through the streets and alleys.
Girls passing by occasionally glanced at Hayashi, thinking, "This guy's really handsome, even when eating ice cream."
"I wish I were that ice cream bar," one girl shamelessly thought.
Hayashi, unconcerned with what others thought, kept searching for traces of an agency.
Three days passed like this. During those three days, Hayashi nearly covered half of Tokyo. It sounded exaggerated, but he really had put in the effort, and yet he hadn't found a single thing.
"Is there really not a single curse-related agency in all of Tokyo?" Hayashi felt disappointed. If Tokyo didn't have any, would he have to search in other cities?
But what if he didn't find any there either? Would it all be for nothing?
"Damn it, I guess I'll get some ramen first," Hayashi muttered, checking the time. It was already noon, and he decided to eat before continuing his search.
"Boss, one bowl of pork bone spicy beef ramen!" Hayashi said as he approached the ramen shop counter.
"Got it! Please pay over here," the male server gestured toward the payment machine.