Chapter 121 : News About Choso & Before the Plan Begins
Under the perfect understanding between Geto Suguru and Jiang Lai (and perhaps the little fox too), they successfully fooled Mahito.
The two could now stop treating each other as strangers, able to communicate and make further close contact, quietly exchanging more follow-up details.
Since Mahito felt he had established some trust with Jiang Lai, he left most of the interaction time to Geto Suguru. However, he didn't completely let go, still staying on the side to observe their exchange.
Having spent years undercover in the Supervisory Committee within the jujutsu world, and with Jiang Lai's infiltration experience from the Detective Conan world, both could naturally exchange intelligence through seemingly casual conversation right under the enemy's nose.
For example, regarding known special-grade cursed spirit issues within the Supervisory Committee, using Jiang Lai's interest in his own kind as a pretext to gather detailed information.
This conversation began as they rode on a floating cursed spirit summoned by Geto Suguru, soaring through the sky, preparing to leave Kanagawa Prefecture for Chiba Prefecture.
The large manta ray cursed spirit moved forward at just the right speed through the air. The black-haired, brown-eyed youth sitting on its back seemed particularly fond of fellow cursed spirits like the nightmare fox, occasionally picking it up to play with it, not getting annoyed even when the little fox nibbled on his sleeves.
Geto Suguru's black-gold Buddhist robe sleeves fluttered as he lightly stepped to Jiang Lai's side. After simple interaction with the nightmare fox to blend into the scene, he brought up topics about special-grade cursed spirits, seemingly following the black-haired youth's inner interests.
During this time, Jiang Lai controlled his aura skillfully, internally measuring the degree, gradually melting his disguised "ice" bit by bit according to the days and interaction duration.
As the indifferent and distant exterior attitude gradually peeled away, it revealed the instinctive curiosity about everything that came with confused memories.
"We have several other companions of your kind over there, all special-grade cursed spirits." Geto Suguru's narrow eyes lifted at the corners as he smiled. "There's Jogo, born from humanity's fear of the earth with a volcanic head, Hanami with mysterious speech born from humanity's fear of forests, and Dagon, who usually appears in the form of a child cursed womb, born from humanity's fear of the ocean. They're all special-grade cursed spirits in the organization."
When telling Jiang Lai about the mission, Mahito had revealed there was an organization behind them, though he hadn't precisely mentioned the words "Supervisory Committee."
Therefore, Geto Suguru was also careful with his surface conversation vocabulary, only using "organization" without specifying the Supervisory Committee. But this wasn't a problem, because he knew Jiang Lai definitely understood the group lurking behind.
"Because they share common ideas, the relationships between these special-grade cursed spirits are quite good. However, they each have their preferred locations and usually spend most of their time in the places where they were born."
Geto Suguru said, "Mahito, on the other hand, wanted to come out to collect modified humans and conduct some experiments within the organization, so he took on external missions."
Listening to Geto Suguru's narration, Jiang Lai silently thought: From this perspective, the small cursed spirit group formed by these four cursed spirits in the original work seemed somewhat scattered in the new series?
Though their relationships seemed decent, they didn't often gather together.
However, he could guess the reasons behind this.
In this new Jujutsu series, Kenjaku had changed his methods for achieving goals and held greater power in his hands. He didn't need to particularly gather special-grade cursed spirits and borrow their power for future schemes.
Even with cooperation, there was no need for full assembly, individual contact would suffice.
Moreover, from what he heard from the little fox about Geto Suguru losing cursed spirits, the Supervisory Committee's method of replenishing "feed" might include inputting cursed spirits as one pathway.
Because of this, Kenjaku's approach to the special-grade cursed spirits was more about maintaining balance rather than letting them become too close to each other.
Analyzing it this way, the relationship between the cursed spirits Mahito, Jogo, Hanami, and Dagon in the new series was that of companions with similar goals who got along well, but hadn't yet risen to the level of being willing to die for each other as in the original work.
This might be good news for their side. Jiang Lai thought. It could prevent Geto Suguru from facing revenge from the other special-grade cursed spirits after devouring and subduing Mahito.
In the brief pause, countless analyses flashed through Jiang Lai's mind, making him even more determined to turn the tables and counter-scheme against Mahito.
Thinking this, Jiang Lai maintained a light smile on his face, his eyes sparkling with interest. He continued asking: "Are there more? My companions."
"Mm, there was previously an incarnated special-grade cursed spirit with the Blood Manipulation technique, but he left the organization later."
Geto Suguru spoke briefly, pausing as if casually narrating, then adding the following sentence.
"Because he's incarnated, he can be seen by humans like Sukuna's vessel. He has a pair of spiky twin ponytails and a mark across his nose bridge. If you see him, know that he's an enemy."
This conversation was from the Supervisory Committee's standpoint. It was secretly indicating to Jiang Lai that this special-grade cursed spirit could be considered an ally.
Hearing Geto Suguru describe the general outline, Jiang Lai guessed who this was: the eldest of the Cursed Womb: Death Paintings, Choso!
[Good Face Death] Itadori Yuji had been in an unconscious state a thousand years ago, controlled by Kenjaku.
Later, Kenjaku created the Cursed Womb: Death Paintings. Here, as in the original work, Itadori was probably part of them too.
Therefore, besides being brothers with him in the [Existence] conceptual sense, Itadori Yuji was also brothers with Choso as part of the Cursed Womb: Death Paintings.
Jiang Lai: This wave, this wave he and Choso shared little brother Yuji. Speaking of which, in a sense, could they two also be considered brothers without blood relation?
In any case, Choso was an ultimate brother-complex special-grade cursed spirit who upheld his big brother duties. His life goal was to take good care of his younger brothers.
Defecting from the Supervisory Committee was probably because he discovered the Eighty-Eight Bridge incident, where Kenjaku deliberately instigated the brothers to kill each other. Perhaps he also discovered that Kenjaku was "Kamo Noritoshi," the enemy of the Death Paintings' mother.
Regardless, Choso, who opposed Kenjaku and was close to Itadori, was a very reliable and powerful ally.
As thoughts flowed through his mind, Mahito nearby also joined the conversation.
The blue-haired, triple-braided cursed spirit lay back on the wide, flat back of the manta ray cursed spirit, enjoying the breeze as he casually said: "That guy, I still have some impression of him. His name is Choso. Seemed pretty crazy too, especially about the brother aspect."
"But before attacking his former colleagues and leaving the organization, he was severely injured. Don't know where he's recuperating now." Mahito placed one hand on his chin, chuckling. "Maybe he died somewhere? In that state, he could easily be exorcised by sorcerers, right?"
I hope not. Jiang Lai thought. And it probably wouldn't happen.
Choso was a very persistent cursed spirit. Until he found Itadori Yuji and fulfilled his big brother duties, he probably wouldn't simply be exorcised and die.
Being severely injured... Though cursed spirits mastered reverse cursed technique and could self-heal, it still took time.
Choso was probably really badly injured, so he wouldn't appear until he recovered. Jiang Lai thought.
Maybe he could try to randomly look for him. If he encountered him, he could get to know this ally on the same front early.
Moreover, meeting the weakened Choso early would ensure safety (since a weak Choso couldn't hurt him) while also helping him recover early by providing assistance after joining the same camp.
Planning this in his heart, Jiang Lai's expression didn't show anything particular about this. He just frowned slightly, as if feeling uncomfortable hearing about a fellow cursed spirit's plight.
Mahito turned his face, his mismatched eyes curving: "Alright, let's not talk about this. That kind of overly crazy cursed spirit companion is still a minority. Most like you, like me, can communicate normally."
"There are also curse users like Geto-san, all friendly companions." Mahito smiled. "Maybe you two can change the topic, no need to talk about that oddball Choso."
Seemingly also concerned about the black-haired youth's emotions, Geto Suguru verbally shifted, naturally moving the conversation to other aspects with a peaceful voice.
The black-haired youth also pulled himself from his earlier emotions, no longer focusing on that special-grade cursed spirit named Choso. He held the constantly nibbling little fox and listened to Geto Suguru's continued narration.
The atmosphere on the floating manta ray cursed spirit returned to normal.
Mahito was very satisfied with the thawing and gradual harmony between the two. Witnessing the black-haired youth gradually relaxing his attitude toward Geto Suguru and removing his vigilance, a strange smile appeared in his mismatched eyes.
After reaching Chiba Prefecture, when the black-haired youth wasn't paying attention, he deliberately lingered behind, speaking to Geto Suguru in a voice only the two could hear: "Not bad, your deception skills."
Geto Suguru's expression remained unchanged, his lip curve nodding slightly with just the right degree: "Indeed not bad. The other party doesn't seem to have noticed at all."
"Isn't that great? Keep it up. Looks like we'll be able to take him down soon." Mahito hummed a little tune, his face's stitched lines lifting.
"Yes." Geto Suguru also smiled, saying gently: "Looks like we'll be able to take him down soon."
Both their statements were very honest, without a trace of lies. In fact, what they both said was indeed what they thought in their hearts. It's just that the targets they referred to were different.
Their group briefly stayed in Chiba Prefecture for half a day. At evening, the air stirred with strange fluctuations. The perceptive Jiang Lai immediately sensed something.
Mahito also sensed something afterward. He stood steady, raising a smile: "Looks like we're in luck, coincidentally landing where the fragment is."
"You can sense it too, right?" Mahito turned his face to look at Jiang Lai, considerately saying: "There's one in the southwest direction."
Jiang Lai paused before nodding: "Yes."
What Jiang Lai didn't say out loud was that he could sense two. However, the other fluctuation wasn't as strong, very weak, probably a small fragment.
"We'll go over there, drive away other cursed spirits attracted to the area, use this special woven bag to pack up that fragment, and the mission will be successfully completed~" Mahito detached a small woven bag from his waist, his expression bright, his voice sliding like a snake: "Then we can take you to find companions."
As his tone fell, his gray-blue mismatched eyes swept over Geto Suguru standing behind Jiang Lai, carrying some kind of hint.
Geto Suguru returned a squinting smile, stepping forward to say: "Mm, then everyone can get what they wish for."