Chapter 168 – A New Mission: Exorcising Cursed Spirits
"Kusakabe-senpai? What are you doing here?"
Seeing who it was, Okkotsu Kaguya quickly explained to Zen'in Kaon and Rin:
"This is a second-year senior—Kusakabe Zetsu."
Kusakabe had a toothpick hanging from his mouth, his half-lidded eyes filled with the irritation of being forced into overtime.
"Teacher Itadori got pulled into an urgent assignment," he said flatly.
"So he asked me to inform you. No need to wait for him—I'll brief you on your next mission."
Today was supposed to be his day off.
Yet here he was, dragged in to hand out missions to these monster-like underclassmen.
If it weren't for the fact that Itadori was a special-grade sorcerer, he would've made up an excuse and refused outright.
"That explains it," Kaon said.
"I knew Teacher Itadori wasn't the type to be late for no reason."
"Special-grade sorcerers being busy is normal," she added eagerly.
"So, Kusakabe-senpai—what's our next mission?"
Everyone turned their attention to him, curious about what assignment the school had prepared.
Kusakabe pulled out his phone, glanced at the message, and said,
"In a small town south of Kyoto, there have been a number of disappearances over the past few days."
"According to eyewitness reports, it looks like a tiger from the mountains came down and started attacking people."
"Initial assessment suggests it may be the work of a cursed spirit."
He looked up at them.
"Your mission is to investigate and get to the bottom of it within three days. If it turns out to be a cursed spirit, you are to exorcise it immediately."
With that, Kusakabe waved his hand and turned to leave.
"I've sent the location and details to Kaguya's phone. The mission's yours now."
He still had a precious day off to enjoy—no time to hang around babysitting juniors.
"A cursed spirit?" Kaon's eyes lit up instantly.
"Does that mean we finally get to deal with a strong one?"
She was completely fired up now.
"Let's go! I've never even seen a cursed spirit above Grade 1!"
"If it's just a cursed spirit," Kaguya said while checking the information on his phone,
"we won't need three days. One day should be more than enough."
His confidence was well-founded.
Cursed spirits weren't nearly as cunning as curse users—and with all four of them working together, even a special-grade cursed spirit wouldn't be much of a problem.
"Still…" Kaguya frowned slightly.
"Since the mission is in Kyoto, why didn't they send students from Kyoto Jujutsu High instead?"
"They probably don't have enough people,"
"Most of their students are likely already out on assignments."
"And besides, this mission doesn't seem that difficult."
"Let's move quickly," Kaon said seriously.
"If we're late, more people could get hurt."
The others didn't hesitate either and followed right after.
Before long, the group arrived by car at a small town south of Kyoto. After meeting up with the auxiliary supervisor stationed there, they learned the details of the situation.
Under the supervisor's guidance, they entered a vast mountain range.
"According to the villagers," the supervisor explained, "someone witnessed a tiger eating a person in these mountains. A barrier has already been set up around the area, so you may engage without restraint."
"Got it. Thanks for your hard work," they replied.
Standing before the towering mountain, the four of them sensed nothing particularly powerful.
"Could it really just be an ordinary tiger?"
Zen'in Kaon frowned. "This mountain is huge—how long would it take to search everything?"
"Let's split up," Kaguya suggested.
"If it really is a cursed spirit, it won't be able to escape the barrier anyway."
"I'm fine with that," Gojo Kamui agreed.
For large-area searches like this, splitting up was far more efficient. And given their strength, there was no need for them to stay together just to hunt down a single cursed spirit.
"I'll go with Rin," Kaon said.
"Her situation is special. Unless it's an emergency, she shouldn't use her powers lightly."
She had already learned that Rin's abilities were linked to her exceptionally powerful sister—using them would immediately alert her.
To avoid creating a negative impression of Earth, Rin had to limit herself to observing, or not act at all.
"Sorry, everyone," Rin said apologetically.
"I probably won't be able to help much this time."
She wanted to fight alongside her new friends—but for the sake of Earth's future relations, she could only stand by.
"That's fine," Kamui said casually.
"Rin joined us as an observer anyway."
Kaguya nodded in agreement. With their level of strength, having one more or one fewer fighter didn't change much.
"In that case, let's move," Kaon said.
Kaon and Rin headed deeper into the mountains together.
Kamui and Kaguya exchanged a glance, then departed in different directions.
With their strength, there was no need for them to work together.
Three routes—maximum efficiency.
---
At the same time…
Deep within the mountains, inside a concealed barrier, several figures stood silently, their auras completely hidden.
"The bait has taken the hook," a black-robed figure said in a hoarse, inhuman voice.
"We can begin. Remember—our primary objective."
"Understood," someone replied with a chuckle.
"They're really willing to spend big. After this job, we can live comfortably for the rest of our lives."
The figures scattered in different directions.
At once, faint fluctuations of cursed energy rippled through the forest.
"Hmm?" Kaon paused.
"A cursed spirit? That way."
She immediately sprinted off with Rin.
Kamui and Kaguya, in their own directions, also sensed weak cursed energy in motion and rushed toward its source without hesitation.
"ROAR—!!"
A deafening tiger's roar echoed through the mountains.
Kaon's face lit up with excitement.
"It really is a tiger. Looks like we'll be the first to take it down."
She moved like a shadow through the forest, Rin close behind her, rapidly closing in on the source of the sound.
Moments later, they spotted it—
A massive white-striped tiger, as large as an adult elephant, radiating terrifying cursed energy.
"So it is a cursed spirit," Kaon muttered.
"This thing should be around Grade 1, right?"
She quickly stepped in front of Rin.
"Rin, stay back. I'll take care of this big kitty!"
Without hesitation, Kaon clenched her fist and charged straight at the tiger-shaped cursed spirit.
"ROAR—!!"
"Human… target… kill!"
As the tiger locked onto Kaon, its mission echoed in its mind. It lunged forward, its enormous paw—wide as a washbasin—slamming down.
"It can talk?" Kaon grinned.
"So it's got some brains."
Cursed energy surged through her body. Illusory mass condensed around her fist as she threw a punch straight into the tiger's paw.
BOOM!
The moment fist met claw, the overwhelming mass shattered the tiger's paw instantly. Purple fluid sprayed in every direction.
"ROOOAR—!!"
"That's all you've got?"
Kaon stepped in without mercy, her fists becoming blurs as she hammered the tiger's head again and again.
Under the barrage, the massive cursed spirit collapsed into smoke and ash—
Exorcised on the spot.