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

The disaster and miracle that occurred in Heian-kyo city became widespread tales passed from mouth to mouth among the people, casual conversation over tea.

Among them, the most shocking major event was that the infamously evil King of Curses was finally sealed by jujutsu sorcerers mobilized from all directions.

"Sealed? Meaning they didn't succeed in killing him?" People hearing the news chatted casually. "Wasn't it rumored that they mobilized very many people, and specifically set up traps targeting the King of Curses, plus various cursed tools?"

"After all, that guy was really too strong." Another person drank from his cup, speaking of the [King of Curses] with subconscious trembling and fear still mixed in his words, his voice lowering.

"I heard his twenty fingers simply cannot be destroyed...! Each one contains massive cursed energy, they're legendary special grade cursed objects."

"Sounds very troublesome. I hope these special grade cursed objects can be properly kept, mustn't let the King of Curses reappear in the world. Previously, to prevent him from going on killing sprees, we were forced to hold several festivals for him... Well, but now that he's sealed, we can finally rest easy and not worry anymore, thanks to that Six Eyes lord being present."

"Yes, that Six Eyes lord has been quite famous lately. Moreover, that Six Eyes lord is no one to mess with. I heard at a recent meeting he dealt with those jujutsu world higher-ups..."

"Shh!! Stop discussing this." Another person hurriedly stopped the topic, raising his small wine cup. "Let's not talk about this anymore, drink, drink!"

The person who had just spoken also realized his slip of tongue, hastily laughing it off to skip the previous topic, raising cups with his friend to drink heartily: "Yes yes yes, drink, come come come!"

Several people shifted the topic to trivial daily matters around them, no longer discussing what happened in Heian-kyo city.

Not far away, a person wearing a bamboo hat and long cloak stood up, lifting the curtain to walk out of this small tavern.

Under the bamboo hat were naturally tousled black spikes of hair pressed down. Shuuki stepped out of the small tavern, walking alone through the bustling street.

His blue-green eyes naturally fell on the path ahead, his mind unconsciously following those people's earlier discussion, recalling the spectacular Heian-kyo incident.

Initially, everything happened too suddenly.

Cursed spirits emerging from the city at incredible speed caught the quietly guarding defenders completely off guard.

No one expected that Heian-kyo, protected by defensive barriers, would still be attacked by cursed spirits. Even more unexpected was that barriers originally meant for protection became transparent prisons trapping them, confining everyone within the city where cursed spirits rampaged.

What followed was a chaotic mess with no solution.

In that seemingly endless battle, in the final second before his strength was exhausted, he had held the incredibly insane thought of summoning the untamed Mahoraga, planning to self-destruct to kill the enemy before him.

However, the next moment, that long-absent figure descended once again.

Just like back then, appearing like divine intervention, steadily blocking in front of him.

Over ten years had flowed through time's gates. That meeting with that person was merely a fragment in the years, but he hadn't forgotten.

He wasn't good at expressing too much inner emotion, but actually always remembered past events. He had once been saved, and in the future if possible, he would also save others within his capabilities. Something like that.

This time, he personally witnessed and experienced that miraculous power, his bodily wounds and cursed energy recovering in moments.

That person asked him what had happened, then said he was going to the most dangerous [door].

He hadn't thought much at the time, just felt a relieved exhale, thoughts unconsciously emerging in his heart: with Mist-san here, everything would be fine.

His constantly taut nerves finally relaxed peacefully after that navy-blue figure arrived.

He led the other toward the shrine altar, then left that area with Kugisaki following the other's instructions.

After running a few steps away from the shrine area, like a fire starter suddenly sparking a flame, he suddenly remembered something small, maybe it was small, he hadn't had time to tell the other his real name.

Yes, [Shuuki] wasn't his real name. When he was still young, he had puppy-like wariness, his real name rolling in his throat for a long time, but what finally emerged was still a fabricated false name.

Actually, he had a real name from his father, [Megumi].

Probably because of his complete break with the Zenin family, his father who had wandered outside never revealed Zenin family information, changing his surname to call him [Fushiguro Megumi].

But the thought "haven't told my real name yet" emerged only for an instant. He hadn't turned back because of this one small matter.

The situation in Heian-kyo remained severe, the shrine battle was tremendous, countless cursed spirits still rampaged in the city. Sounds of cursed energy explosions and building collapses rang out one after another in his ears, occupying all his attention.

After the battle ended, he would make a proper self-introduction with the other. He thought. After the major crisis was resolved, then discuss small personal matters.

The specific details of the battle that followed, he couldn't remember clearly, nothing more than exorcising cursed spirits.

The only thing that left a deep impression on him was a brilliant meteor shower that almost turned night into day.

First one or two burning stars drew white tails across the sky, then immediately after, countless bright lights hanging overhead began pouring down like heavy rain.

In this dreamlike strange scene, time became an immeasurable unit.

At that time, he was only shocked by such magnificent beauty, amazed at these stars fallen by nature.

Later he learned this was that person's final curtain call before leaving.

After the Heian-kyo incident ended, he heard about that person from Gojo-sensei. At that time, he opened his mouth, the first words that unconsciously murmured out were:

"...Name."

I still haven't told him the real name [Fushiguro Megumi].

However, the Gojo-sensei before him seemed to understand it in another direction, pausing for a moment before speaking in a tone with slightly rising inflection that sounded as usual:

"I don't know that guy's name either~ Mm, anyway, next time we meet, let's ask him first."

Fushiguro Megumi raised his eyes. Only then did he realize: apparently not only he had, but the teacher also had unspoken words surrounding names.

If placed in ordinary times, this might be a trivial matter. But placed at a parting where it was unknown if they could meet again, it was infinitely magnified.

He gazed at the white long-haired person before him. After half a second, he said in a calm voice: "Will there be a chance to meet again?"

Gojo-sensei didn't immediately reply. He had black and gold cloth wrapped around his eyes, concealing half his facial expressions. He said: "Time is so long, there's definitely a chance."

The teacher said time was long, not life was long. Fushiguro Megumi didn't say anything more, just silently lowered his eyelids.

Kugisaki Nobara beside him also exhaled, speaking: "What's this, I just got to know such a somewhat magical person, still had lots of questions I wanted to ask... A bit regrettable."

A bit regretful, a bit unfortunate. Like a perfect circle that ultimately lacked a corner.

Recalling past events in his mind, his steps on the Edo road didn't slow.

Fushiguro Megumi came to Edo this time on a mission. This era still had very many cursed spirits needing exorcism, and he still had much to learn.

Past regrets remained in memory, but wouldn't become ropes binding his steps.

Though uncertain if they could meet again, having expectations might bring echoes.

Before that, he would continue walking without stopping, so that next time he could face the other in better condition, then:

Loudly say his own name.

Gojo Satoru sat at a wooden-textured desk, browsing through documents delivered to him one by one.

Ink fragrance and wood scent lingered at his nose tip, the room slowly wafting with light fragrance from burning incense in a small furnace.

His temperament really wasn't one that could sit steadily to read documents. Though he was the family head, in ordinary times he usually dumped this work on the elder council or his trusted subordinates.

What made him sit down now was content related to the Heian-kyo shrine, of course, now it should be called the Gojo family's shrine.

After the incident concluded, Gojo Satoru learned from his two students about that person's words: "Ryomen Sukuna came here because of a deal."

Due to his strength, he rarely paid attention to schemes. But this didn't mean he didn't understand them.

Almost instantly, Gojo Satoru connected the entire incident. The details Geto Suguru told him after waking made his speculation even more certain.

Previously, Gojo Satoru, due to aristocratic culture's influence since childhood, hadn't shown his violent side too much in front of others.

His usual casual arrogance was nothing more than being late, leaving early, skipping meetings, beating people up, damaging buildings with pranks, and such.

At the jujutsu world meeting after the Heian-kyo incident, he released his cursed energy pressure for the first time in the entire assembly, crushing several people who kept clamoring and distorting facts like squashing bugs!

The excessively powerful force left no corpses at the scene, only small pools of blood.

The white-haired youth rested his chin on one hand, saying in a careless tone: "I've never been someone with a good temper. What gave you the courage to scheme against me?"

"What...?!"

"Are you trying to rebel!"

"Oh my, I don't mind, but are you sure you want to pin such a title on me?" Gojo Satoru smiled in response, while the people across from him stammered without daring to continue.

No one dared really push Six Eyes to the opposing position.

"Alright, intermission over, let's continue," Gojo Satoru dramatically clapped lightly, then said, "That was just the opening warm-up, right?"

Though his lip corners were raised, Gojo Satoru's exposed azure eyes were ice-cold without a trace of smile.

"......" Under the suffocating pressure like an iceberg pressing down, the scene was silent as death.

The white-haired youth's slender fingers interlaced as he continued in a cheerful tone:

"No problem, no problem~~ I have plenty of time today, we can slowly settle accounts."

This "settling accounts meeting" didn't last very long, but ultimately fewer people walked out than went in.

The reason Gojo Satoru let some people go was that killing them all at once would be too troublesome, keeping some to continue working. For the vacant positions, he had his good friends and cultivated forces fill them.

If he really wanted to overthrow the rotten tangerines' rules, working within their designated rules wouldn't work. Only by first smashing their rules as judges could he integrate his own ideas.

Besides settling accounts, at this meeting Gojo Satoru also redistributed ownership of some areas in Heian-kyo city.

The rear mountain shrine area was directly incorporated into Gojo family territory by Gojo Satoru, claiming it as compensation and reward.

The reason was very proper, and no remaining rotten tangerines dared object. Those with objections had already disappeared on the spot.

However, though they couldn't stop Gojo Satoru from incorporating the shrine area into Gojo family territory, they could cause delays and add trouble during the process and surroundings.

The jujutsu world's rotten tangerines learned to be clever this time. They didn't directly voice opposition, but secretly instructed people without family backing or from small families to handle these procedural matters, knowing Gojo Satoru wouldn't really make things difficult for these people.

Gojo Satoru disdained going back and forth on these matters. He lazily chose to ignore those clowns, then seriously planned the newly incorporated shrine area thick with forests.

This was why he now sat at his desk personally handling these documents.

Even without truly seeing that person's final farewell, he knew the other must be in that forest where the shrine had risen, resting quietly with light and moon.

...Then let's protectively circle off that area first. Long-haired Gojo thought. Then relocate the Gojo family shrine there.

This way, on one hand there would be reasonable grounds to protect that forest by setting conditions for climbing the mountain; on the other hand, perhaps the other sleeping there could also absorb some of the incense offerings.

Thoughts flowing between ink and brush strokes, Gojo Satoru finally planned out the shrine's layout through days and nights of reading books and documents.

Hearing of this matter, his two good friends Suguru and Shoko also helped Gojo Satoru within their capabilities.

After that area was completely settled for the Gojo family and the shrine relocation construction was completed, Gojo Satoru invited his two friends to a small drinking gathering among friends, warming wine and chatting casually under moonlight.

"Aren't you someone who gets drunk on one cup, Satoru?" Geto Suguru half-jokingly said, shaking the slender-necked porcelain bottle, smelling the drifting wine fragrance. "Not bad, this wine."

"Of course, everything from my family is naturally top-notch." Gojo Satoru reached for the sweets on the small table, stuffing them in his mouth. "What one cup drunk, I'm the strongest."

"Who drinks alcohol with sweets?" Ieiri Shoko openly poured wine into the cup before her. "Also, being a one-cup drunk is also 'strongest' in some sense."

"What's that, Shoko?" Gojo Satoru drew out his tone, then casually said, "Speaking of which, I wonder if that guy can drink. Maybe he's a half-cup drunk."

The two people before him knew who long-haired Gojo was referring to.

Gojo Satoru filled his cup with wine, turning toward the shrine's direction and elegantly spilling it on the ground.

Somewhat ceremonial, but not serious, like interaction among friends.

Geto Suguru paused for a second, his fingertips rubbing the porcelain cup as he said: "Though I had no consciousness at that time... or perhaps had already died once, in that hazy state, I seemed to feel someone pull me out, dragging me from that swamp."

"Logically I should thank him in person, but unfortunately so far there's been no chance." The topknot youth smiled gently, his words warm. "Then let's toast him for now."

He raised his small wine cup, distantly toasting toward where the shrine was located.

The bright moon hung overhead, twinkling stars surrounding it.

Gojo Satoru's beautiful blue eyes lifted as he gazed at the starry night sky, feeling this scene wasn't as eternally unchanging as books described, or perhaps what changed was him, not the starry sky.

"A thousand years... is one reincarnation cycle, right?" After drinking the wine in his cup, long-haired Gojo's neck to face visibly flushed red. He was still the so-called one-cup drunk, but his words remained quite clear even when intoxicated.

"There are such legends." Ieiri Shoko replied. "But who knows if they're true?"

"I hope they're true." Geto Suguru smiled. "Being able to meet you all again and become friends after a thousand years would be wonderful. Besides, maybe by then I could thank him in person."

"Though it's a bit troublesome, someone has to watch you two idiots." Ieiri Shoko shook her wine cup. "Same goes for a thousand years later."

"Then it's agreed," Gojo Satoru's lip corners curved into a perfect arc as he raised his voice: "After reincarnating for a thousand years, we must meet again."

Under moonlight, they raised their cups and drank together.

Later, much more time passed. Many stories happened in the long years.

The original Zenin family head accidentally died in battle with curse users. The Zenin family had no suitable heir to shoulder responsibilities.

So after going in circles, they again sought out Fushiguro Megumi, who had originally left the Zenin family, fawning over the Ten Shadows Technique master to return to inherit the family position.

Fushiguro Megumi initially wasn't very interested in the family head position, but after consideration, he ultimately returned to the Zenin family, becoming family head Zenin Megumi.

Kugisaki Nobara dragged him along saying such a major event definitely needed proper celebration.

However, neither wanted to stay in the Zenin family, so they simply found an ordinary restaurant in Heian-kyo city and requested a small private room.

After growing up, they each had their own busy affairs. It had been a long time since they gathered together like now to eat peacefully and chat simply.

Kugisaki Nobara rested one hand under her chin, her gaze flowing as she casually said: "Speaking of which, sensei and the others are often three people, our seniors were also trios, but when it comes to us two, we're a duo? Always feels like we're missing one."

Fushiguro Megumi showed no particular expression, saying flatly: "Actually most are solo acts."

"Hey, what's that? You should feel honored to have studied with this young lady! A touch of red among jujutsu sorcerers in this era is quite rare!"

Kugisaki Nobara made a show of slapping the table, her tone quite bold and free.

Fushiguro Megumi smiled almost imperceptibly, then picked up the previous question: "Maybe so. There does seem to be a feeling of missing one person."

"I told you so," Kugisaki Nobara leaned back, sighing. "When can we also form a trio? Preferably someone lively, enthusiastic and attentive like a puppy."

"Agreed." Dog-loving Fushiguro Megumi silently nodded. In his heart, [puppy] was the highest compliment.

"Hopefully in the next life, if there is a next life," Kugisaki Nobara joked, "let's have a spirited trio."

"Maybe." Fushiguro Megumi said. "Perhaps in a thousand years."

"Eh?! A thousand years??"

"I heard from Gojo-sensei that a thousand years is one reincarnation cycle."

"Hah?" Kugisaki Nobara pursed her lips. "Is what that guy says really reliable? Feels like something from storybooks meant to fool people."

"But if there really is such a thousand-year reincarnation," she showed a smile like a brilliantly blooming flower, "you, me, and that missing future teammate definitely have to become the best trio."

Fushiguro Megumi nodded slightly, his blue-green eyes showing serious expression as he said calmly: "Of course."

After two or three seconds, Kugisaki Nobara began fantasizing: "Then you two can carry my bags and be my bodyguards, this young lady will become a famous figure in the jujutsu world."

"...No, I refuse."

"I say..."

"I refuse."

Friends' banter went back and forth.

Outside the window, a gentle breeze stirred the decorative flower bouquets piled by the wall. A small cluster of knotweed flowers gently fell to the empty spot beside them.

...

Much later, time passed for a very long while. But no one carefully counted how many years had flowed away.

Gojo Satoru, still wearing kimono with family crests and seven-star gold trim, stood in the forest near the shrine. When bothered by those elders in daily life, he would come here to walk around.

The jujutsu world's rotten tangerines were deeply entrenched, but Gojo Satoru had also used his own methods to change some rules. Those jujutsu higher-ups could no longer act as recklessly as before.

The quiet forest was a good place for long-haired Gojo to relax his mind.

Sometimes he would ramble about scattered matters to the empty forest. Just simple talking to himself, he didn't need replies.

Occasionally, he would recall the past.

A person experiences many missed connections in life. Some missed connections lead to better reunions after long separation, some missed connections linger in the heart, becoming lifelong obsessions that can't be released.

Gojo Satoru felt he wasn't someone who would dwell on "missed connections" for long or indulge too much in emotions.

He rationally knew what he should grasp, and definitely would grasp, was everything in the present.

However, at certain moments, he felt this lifetime still had regrets, like a moon that could never be completely full.

Well well, regrets are normal. Who in the world doesn't have regrets? Even the strongest has regrets. After all, even the strongest is human. These things are no big deal.

He would tell himself this.

Then the next second, a certain phrase that had swayed in his heart for a long time would surface again.

But he still owes me several stories, and I still haven't asked his name.

The white long-haired person's beautiful blue eyes gazed distantly at this vast forest. He knew his friend was here.

In the leaves swaying among the trees, in dewdrops illuminated by sunlight, on fluffy seeds swaying in the wind. Someday, the other would appear here again, waving that ancient book with a smile full of joy.

But perhaps he couldn't wait for that in this lifetime.

Then let's wait for a thousand-year reincarnation. Long-haired Gojo thought. After such a long time, you should wake up, right?

Then, all the regrets left from this life and this world would definitely be made up.

So years changed, seas transformed into mulberry fields, and after a thousand years of long flowing sun and moon brilliance.

That day, young Six Eyes who came to the shrine to escape crowds gazed at that figure and unconsciously asked:

"Who are you?"

That day, the black-haired brown-eyed youth held an ancient book against his lips, his smile gentle, saying softly:

"Let me tell you some stories."