I, in a Jujutsu Kaisen Manga, Take the Detective Conan World by Storm

At the moment the accident happened just now, Jiang Lai actually hadn't had time to make a move yet. It was Fushiguro Toji who reached the scene fastest and forcibly stopped the cursed spirit's shot arrow claws.

Immediately after, Jiang Lai followed up, once again visually entering his code world, editing and manipulating code with incredible brain and hand speed to reverse the arrow claws, and entangling that guy to lift and heavily slam him down!

After completing this series of operations, Jiang Lai's brain finally had time to process and think about the scene just now.

Fushiguro Toji, who had just made a move, could actually forcibly stop the cursed spirit's attack!!

Could spirit forms also interfere with cursed spirits? Although cursed spirits are indeed non-living entities in a sense, this is still a bit...

Jiang Lai can't help but glance at Fushiguro Toji floating to one side, only to find the other party half-closing his eyes, floating all the way back to the wall edge.

It's a very tired appearance, looking like he's in poor condition.

The ghost gentleman recovers his composure, then turns his head, looking up at Jiang Lai at the alley entrance, his voice hoarse: "...Don't relax, this isn't the end. There's bigger trouble by the alley wall."

Bigger trouble? Jiang Lai's heart pauses. Something called bigger trouble in this situation... could it be a special grade cursed spirit!?

But Jiang Lai doesn't sense anything, and obviously Fushiguro Megumi doesn't either. Maybe it's because the cursed energy from the one-eyed six-armed cursed spirit just defeated is too thick, interfering with their judgment, or perhaps because the cursed spirit on the alley wall can hide its existence.

Obviously, the latter who actively hides its existence is harder to deal with.

Generally speaking, passing cursed spirits would silently flee if they sense jujutsu sorcerers stronger than themselves. They wouldn't lurk by the alley wall like now, seemingly watching the entire process with great interest... or perhaps waiting for them to exhaust their cursed energy before attacking.

Currently Jiang Lai has just mastered his abilities not long ago and isn't fully proficient yet, so he definitely can't directly battle with special grade.

And with Fushiguro Megumi's current state, plus an unconscious child, it probably won't be easy either.

Thoughts flow in just an instant. Jiang Lai quickly makes a decision. Outside the alley entrance, he adjusts his outer clothing with one hand while very naturally brushing past the necklace in front, adjusting his state to somewhere between human and cursed spirit with an imperceptible movement.

The ambiguous chaotic stance state is most suitable for performing some acts.

Watching Fushiguro Megumi use his shikigami to exorcise the one-eyed six-armed cursed spirit from afar, Jiang Lai slowly steps into the alley. He has already constructed a barrier layer around himself with code, so the rain and snow can't fall on him.

Although he really wants to give his unnecessary umbrella to the rain-soaked Fushiguro Megumi and unconscious child, the current scene obviously isn't suitable for some friendly caring actions.

Jiang Lai stands firmly in place, adjusting his expression and posture.

Based on the floating ghost gentleman's hint, the existence on the alley wall has no intention of leaving and seems to still be watching them like a hunter eyeing prey.

Since that's the case, actively attacking in this situation and pointing out the other party's existence can occupy a more advantageous position.

Showing that he has long seen through the other party's hiding. This will make the other party somewhat wary.

So he maintains vigilance internally while preparing, raising his umbrella tip toward the place Fushiguro Toji mentioned earlier, smiling: "The friend over there... won't you come out for a moment?"

The word "friend" deliberately changes tone, containing traces of mockery toward the hidden one.

After these words are spoken, Fushiguro Megumi beside stares wide-eyed in shock, then suddenly looks toward the direction Jiang Lai pointed, both hands ready for battle again!

...He hadn't detected anything there at all just now!!

Fushiguro Megumi's body tenses like a bowstring.

But after the reminder, and as the cursed energy residue from the one-eyed six-armed cursed spirit gradually disperses, his focused attention can sense some existence over there.

The pattering rain and snow keeps falling, the air full of damp smell. Dark clouds obscure the sky, creating a half-dim scene in the world. The quiet street only occasionally hears the sounds of cars speeding by.

At this moment in the alley, no one speaks.

The wound at Fushiguro Megumi's temple is still bleeding, sliding down his cheek. He can't spare time to wipe it, only maintaining his hand movements while his eyes deadly stare at the position Jiang Lai's umbrella tip points to.

...Something dark and deep is crouching there.

After brief quiet, wet splashing sounds come from the alley wall.

At the same time, white fog suddenly rises in the alley, slowly occupying the entire space and obscuring people's vision.

Jiang Lai tenses up mentally while maintaining his calm smiling expression, only slightly drawing back his long-handled umbrella to change to a single-hand supporting posture on the ground.

Logically, Fushiguro Megumi should have summoned shikigami by now. But there's no activity beside him, even too quiet.

"..." Jiang Lai's heart sinks. Did something happen?

Fushiguro Toji floats over from the white fog. He's still in that poor tired state from before, but his voice remains clear: "Passed out, but temporarily fine... should be."

That cursed spirit made a move!? Is it some kind of hard-to-detect mental attack? Jiang Lai is slightly shocked, quickly making judgments in his mind.

Fushiguro Toji floats around, his voice hoarse. He approaches Jiang Lai, half-lowering his head: "...I'm a bit tired, going to rest first."

His words fall, and without lingering further, he quickly returns to the locust wood pendant in Jiang Lai's shirt pocket.

Although Jiang Lai really wants to care about his ghost roommate's condition, the current scene obviously doesn't give him time and energy to be distracted.

He maintains vigilance, manipulating surrounding floating code to orderly circle around himself, forming a flexible defense like Limitless.

Don't know if he can defend against that kind of attack...

In the white fog, the splashing sounds gradually approach. Jiang Lai's gaze is sharp, steadily falling on the front.

Penetrating the mist, in the damp air, a puddle of black unknown liquid with thick cursed energy appears swaying.

This puddle of black unknown liquid gathers and transforms, finally becoming something with the appearance of a pointed-ear fox, its body flowing like waves. The deep red eyes on its face have spiral mosquito coil patterns, bringing a certain dizzying feeling when stared at.

It opens its mouth, the sharp large mouth's edge extending all the way to its ears, terrifying like a huge crack.

For cursed spirits' general appearance, this one looks relatively acceptable (meaning you can tell what it is).

"..." Jiang Lai doesn't speak first. He just maintains his smiling expression, watching this unknown cursed spirit that has revealed itself.

"Hungry..." The flowing liquid fox cursed spirit gurgles when speaking, but its voice is like a child's, creating an eerie feeling at this moment. "You look very tasty..."

Very tasty? As Jiang Lai becomes alert, he randomly associates for a second: this liquid animal must have a lot in common with the man-eating Sukuna.

But on the surface, he only tilts his head slightly, saying softly: "Oh?"

That puddle of black liquid fox circles around Jiang Lai for two steps, gurgling: "Not affected by my ability. Not human, not cursed spirit. Also not vessel state."

This means... the cursed spirit in front has abilities that target specific categories? After determining if it's a cursed spirit or human?

Jiang Lai narrows his eyes, thinking.

It seems ineffective against him. Looks like choosing a state between human and cursed spirit is very useful.

"You can consider me your kind." Jiang Lai curves his eyes with a smile, placing one hand under his chin. "Don't you think the game of mixing among humans is very fun?"

The liquid fox tilts its head, gurgling repeatedly: "Fun?"

"Very interesting." Jiang Lai continues smiling. He raises his umbrella tip again, pointing at the position beside him, saying lightly: "I haven't finished playing with this human yet, so don't break my toy."

"Toy." The liquid fox repeats, tilting its head at an even greater angle, the entire head twisting to an impossible degree. "Didn't play with your toy."

Jiang Lai asks one more question: "They'll wake up later, right?"

"Yes." It's quiet for two seconds, opening its mouth that reaches to its ears: "Hungry..."

Jiang Lai narrows his eyes, watching it.

This puddle of liquid in front seems to be a powerful cursed spirit with intelligence, but its personality and mentality are more like a young child?

The surrounding white fog becomes thicker, and sounds from the outside street seem separated by a thin membrane.

This cursed spirit in front seems to have no intention of attacking, but also no intention of leaving. Its mosquito coil red eyes stare at Jiang Lai.

"Hungry..." The liquid fox sits damply on the ground.

Jiang Lai: "..." Seems like it won't leave without solving this problem. The current appearance is somewhat similar to the slit-mouthed woman's question-and-answer game.

Jiang Lai doesn't know what the success rate of trying direct confrontation would be, but in the current situation, force against force is the worst strategy.

He still maintains his indifferent smile, not rushing to say anything, thinking and analyzing in his heart.

This guy keeps shouting hungry... logically cursed spirits don't have feeding needs. Is it habitually repeating the negative emotion keywords from its birth, or does it really want to eat something?

Also, why did it say "you look very tasty" to him just now?

If the feeding need is simply humans, then it should have attacked the unconscious Fushiguro Megumi and child by the wall earlier.

Jiang Lai ponders in his heart, not rushing to reply to the other party, planning to probe first. He turns the umbrella handle, then casually throws the long-handled umbrella forward.

The liquid fox crouching in place suddenly stretches and distorts, magnificent cursed energy rising. Its pointed mouth opens to an incredible degree, swallowing the long-handled umbrella in one bite!

Witnessing this terrifying transformation scene, Jiang Lai can still have divergent thoughts for a second: the umbrella is gone, looks like he'll have to pay the shop when he goes back.

The black liquid's distorted form that swallowed the long-handled umbrella in one bite gradually calms down, returning to its previous appearance, smacking its lips: "Not enough, not enough, hungry..."

Jiang Lai's brown eyes slowly blink, calmly analyzing in his heart. It ate the umbrella, so the target isn't people. Does this thing eat everything?

He waves his hand, shaking off the rain and snow intercepted by surrounding code, saying calmly: "You can find food yourself."

Jiang Lai originally wanted to directly say "you can go rummage through trash cans for food," but this doesn't seem to match his character. And thinking about it, there are almost no trash cans on Japanese streets...

The liquid fox cursed spirit gurgles: "You, tasty. Hungry."

Why is it still obsessing over me? Jiang Lai's heart pauses slightly, his lowered fingers moving. Although the cursed spirit in front has shown no attack intention toward him, he hasn't relaxed his guard.

Seeming to see that Jiang Lai hasn't moved for a while, the liquid fox cursed spirit stretches and transforms in place, pulling into a black unknown object and darting in front of Jiang Lai through the white fog!

Jiang Lai: "!"

The wall composed of code automatically triggers within range, quickly blocking the approaching unknown black liquid!

However, this puddle of black liquid itself has no intention of attacking. It just gets very close, then gathers into a fox head, gurgling: "Hungry. Want to eat. Please give me you."

"You want to eat me?" Jiang Lai raises an eyebrow slightly, directly clarifying the topic to probe.

Hearing this, that puddle of black liquid fox once again tilts its head 180 degrees. The red mosquito coil eyes slowly rotate a few times like a detector that sees through everything. It twitches its nose, then slowly answers: "Not edible. Clock."

Clock! Jiang Lai keenly catches a very strange word. What does this mean?

Puzzled in his heart, but Jiang Lai doesn't speak. The cursed spirit in front isn't a suitable communication partner.

Moreover, this thing doesn't look very smart. He probably can't get much from it.

"Then what do you want to eat?" Jiang Lai maintains patience, continuing to ask.

"Your things." The liquid fox cursed spirit finally says more words. "Your things, tasty."

Jiang Lai: Stolen from others just tastes better, right.jpg

A meme automatically refreshes in his mind. Jiang Lai decides to probe once more to see what this cursed spirit's intention really is.

So he takes out the advertising booklet he grabbed when leaving the shop from his pocket and tosses it aside to the spirit.

The liquid fox twists and transforms, opening its mouth wide, and without hesitation swallows it in one bite! After eating, it smacks its lips, looking quite satisfied.

...Very good. Jiang Lai calmly analyzes. Seems the cursed spirit in front is interested in things he has briefly touched.

Why?

At this moment, Jiang Lai's rapidly operating mind connects the current scene with previous encounters with cursed spirits.

Although he's always jokingly said things like "pervert attraction halo" super-evolving into "cursed spirit attraction halo," Jiang Lai actually understands that there must be reasonable setting reasons in this world behind these events.

The approach of the gecko-like Donogo at the sukiyaki restaurant, the frequent encounters with various strange cursed spirits when going out...

Overall analysis: they can't be gathering for no reason. There must be something attracting them. Just like certain special grade cursed objects (like the Curse King's fingers) attract cursed spirits.

But the reason cursed spirits are attracted to cursed objects is wanting to devour them to gain power. From this cursed spirit's behavior, he seems to be "inedible" (though this description is somewhat strange).

So cursed spirits approaching is instinctive searching followed by discovering he's inedible (?), so they stayed there? And the reason he attracts them is the [clock] factor it mentioned?

Anyway, the liquid fox cursed spirit in front seems quite interested in things he has briefly touched. This is a usable point.

After devouring the small booklet just now, the liquid fox is quiet for less than a few seconds before opening its mouth to shout hungry again.

Jiang Lai has finished analyzing the information in his mind. He wears a faint smile, glancing sideways at the black liquid beside him: "I gave you food... since that's the case, what will you give me in return?"

That puddle of liquid transforms and reorganizes in the air, forming a fox head then tilting to the other side: "Return?"

"That is to say, if you want to take food from me, you also have to give me something I want." Jiang Lai smiles. "I don't want to give you any now, unless you can offer some exchange."

Speaking these words actually carries risk. Jiang Lai isn't sure if refusing words would anger the unknown cursed spirit in front, causing battle between them.

But fighting for his own interests at the right time is a smart approach.

Jiang Lai maintains calm and vigilance, surrounding floating code arranged and edited into forms just one step away from triggering...

"Nightmare Fox, where did you run off to again?"

Another new voice suddenly joins from the other end, making Jiang Lai's heart jolt!

Hearing the call, the pitch-black liquid fox beside Jiang Lai leaves, dispersing and gathering, returning to wander on the ground.

The black liquid cursed spirit called Nightmare Fox shakes its body, its childish voice answering back: "Looking for food. Hungry."

Jiang Lai's gaze stares intently ahead. In the damp white fog, another figure slowly steps out.

Wearing black and gold kasaya robes, a man with a bun and semi-long hair holds an umbrella with one hand, slowly walking out from the fog...

...Geto Suguru!?

The moment he sees the person's appearance, Jiang Lai's pupils suddenly contract, but he quickly adjusts his state, only his gaze unconsciously focusing on the other's forehead!

The visitor's forehead is wrapped with a circle of white bandages, completely covering the front of his head, making it impossible to see if there's a suture line there.

Therefore, Jiang Lai also can't judge whether this is the real Geto or Brain occupying Geto Suguru's body.

"..."

The visitor smiles with narrowed eyes, wide black sleeves naturally hanging down. When the liquid fox approaches, he raises his other free hand, patting its head: "Don't run around."

That liquid-form cursed spirit nuzzles his palm, its form twisting as it wanders up his sleeve, becoming an appropriately sized ink-colored fox lying on the visitor's shoulder.

Only then does the visitor look up at Jiang Lai.

Across the half-blurred misty white fog, separated by a not-close, not-far distance in the alley, their gazes meet.

"..." Jiang Lai maintains his perfectly appropriate smiling expression, revealing nothing.

His heart tenses into a line stretched to the extreme.

Whether it's the real Geto or fake Geto in front, both are absolutely dangerous characters! Jiang Lai didn't expect to encounter him here.

It can't be because of that key, like some RPG game where possessing special items triggers key character plots...

Divergent complaining thoughts last only an instant. Jiang Lai's fingers move slightly, maintaining the surrounding code chains in a ready-to-strike state in case the other party suddenly attacks.

Although according to the original work, whether the other party is real Geto or fake Geto, there's no reason for random attacks, but who knows what the specific situation is in this new series? Better to be prepared anyway.

His eyes focus, brown and deep.

However, the visitor in front seems to really have no other intentions. He touches the fox head on his shoulder, holding an umbrella with one hand, chuckling lightly. After their gazes meet, he casually looks away.

They don't communicate at all.

The visitor just stands in place. The surrounding white fog becomes increasingly thick, gradually obscuring the figure in black and gold kasaya. Everything is like a dream, disappearing remotely in silence.

Jiang Lai blinks lightly. In the space of a breath, the white fog in the alley recedes like a tide just as it came, leaving only the touch of cold, damp air.

The sounds of cars speeding by on the street, splashing water, return to his ears after a few seconds.

As if turning from illusion back to the human world.

In the alley, there are no other standing figures besides him. Jiang Lai is silent for two seconds, his gaze keenly scanning the surroundings. After confirming there really are no other existences, he slowly relaxes his straight spine.

The sea urchin-haired youth leaning by the wall is still unconscious, and the child beside him is in the same state. The previous rain and snow wet their hair and clothes, sticking to their bodies.

Fortunately, the rain and snow has diminished by now, leaving only scattered falling snowflakes. It looks like it will stop soon.

Jiang Lai walks over in a few steps. Under the influence of Detective Conan habits, he unconsciously puts on the gloves he carries first, then bends down to take Fushiguro Megumi's phone from his pocket.

In this situation, an ambulance isn't convenient. Better to contact people from Jujutsu High. He thinks. Although that fox seems not to have attacked, in case there are remaining curses, they can be cleared in time.

Fortunately, Fushiguro Megumi hasn't set a lock screen password, or Jiang Lai would need to spend time cracking it.

At this moment, he opens the other's phone and directly finds the contacts page. Sending texts or emails might not be seen immediately. For the safety of Fushiguro Megumi and the child, Jiang Lai plans to call directly.

There aren't many names in the contacts. He immediately spots those familiar names.

Hesitating for only a second, Jiang Lai selects Itadori Yuji's entry and presses the call button.

"Ring... ring..."

"Mm, Fushiguro?" After just a moment of waiting, the call connects and a young voice full of energy quickly comes from the other side. "You finished putting things away at home? We're still at the same place."

Jiang Lai turns his head to check the signage outside the alley entrance, confirming the precise location, then speaks calmly: "Sanmura Town, small alley across from Haruta Bookstore."

The other side of the phone is quiet for two seconds, then the tone suddenly changes: "Is that you?! Why do you have Fushiguro's phone..."

Jiang Lai is somewhat surprised that Itadori Yuji still remembers his voice and could recognize him instantly. But he still maintains calm, planning to say one more sentence to get them here quickly.

However, before he can speak, someone else takes the phone on the other side.

There's another frivolous voice saying "give it to me," and the conversation partner changes completely.

Hearing the sounds in the phone, Jiang Lai's body pauses. He naturally realizes who took over the phone: Gojo Satoru!!

"..."

"..."

The person who took the phone doesn't speak first, and Jiang Lai also unconsciously maintains quiet.

So for a moment, there's only silence. Only their light, steady breathing passes through the communication.

Breaking the quiet are background sounds from the other side. Itadori Yuji and Kugisaki Nobara don't know Jiang Lai hasn't spoken. They're urgently asking what happened and whether Fushiguro is okay.

Maybe there's no need for more words. Jiang Lai thinks. They'll definitely come.

In the silence with no one speaking, he hangs up the phone.