Chapter 246 : Only One Additional Person May Be Selected
Gojo Kyufuin stood in place, his gentle smile hanging on his face, showing no other emotions.
Beside him, the Detective Conan friends all maintained silence. Their electronic screen faces weren't focused, but a certain targeted pressure constantly fell on Gojo Kyufuin.
Jiang Lai's eyes were steady, not replying immediately.
He inwardly weighed and considered the current situation. After a brief pause, he spoke: "No need. I only need to enter Kyoto."
Jiang Lai chose to refuse. He didn't accept Gojo Kyufuin's meeting proposal.
The other's proposal was indeed tempting, being able to directly meet Brain-kun meant saving search and maneuvering time, allowing direct access to the decisive battle endpoint.
But although Jiang Lai knew this fanatical [Divine Descent Sect] member Gojo Kyufuin wouldn't side with Brain-kun, who knew if there were his own private traps in this proposal?
Gojo Kyufuin wasn't trustworthy. If there was a path he could walk himself, it was better to walk it himself.
Moreover, Jiang Lai wasn't that eager for the real decisive battle. The one-month deadline still had enough time. Rather than seeking speed, it was better to seek stability.
He had Detective Conan friends beside him, and on the periphery were Gojo Satoru, Geto Suguru, Ieiri Shoko, and the first-years. They were all reliable barriers. With their companionship, Jiang Lai wasn't worried about the future.
Hearing Jiang Lai's choice, Gojo Kyufuin showed no particular expression. He just nodded slightly and smiled: "Very well. You chose your own path, I respect that."
He turned slightly aside and said: "If you want to enter this area, please go ahead. Nothing can stop your steps."
But here the words took a slight turn: "However, your other believers probably can't all accompany you inside."
Gojo Kyufuin referred to the Detective Conan friends beside Jiang Lai as "believers."
In this fanatical [Divine Descent Sect] member's eyes, the relationship between the supreme deity and mortals only had the single path of god and believers.
From this tiny detail, Jiang Lai glimpsed Gojo Kyufuin's obsessive side regarding deities.
Beneath surface respect and worship, his own goals and direction were hidden. He would "shape" the deity he hoped for according to his own methods.
Jiang Lai naturally wouldn't go along with him. He lightly passed over the "believer" relationship emphasized in Gojo Kyufuin's words and directly asked: "Why is there a personnel limit?"
"The barrier has surveillance settings. My authority can at most shield a portion, so you can only bring one believer inside." Gojo Kyufuin's voice was clear as he slowly explained, "My understanding is that you probably don't want to alert them?"
Well, this reason of barrier surveillance settings was indeed reasonable, Jiang Lai thought. If this was true, then indeed they couldn't forcibly bring the Detective Conan friends into Kyoto, or they would be quickly exposed, inconveniencing subsequent actions.
After all, he still wasn't clear about the specific situation inside Kyoto or Brain-kun's core layout there.
Although whether Gojo Kyufuin's words were true or false was indiscernible, this gatekeeper had given clear conditions for passage.
Jiang Lai temporarily didn't plan to conflict with the other party, so he nodded slightly as temporary agreement.
"Acceptable." He said, "We need time to discuss."
"Please go ahead." Gojo Kyufuin elegantly bowed, actively yielding his position.
He tilted his head, gesturing for the Detective Conan friends to gather aside to decide who would enter Heian-kyo City together.
For caution's sake, Jiang Lai waved his hand to create a blurred spatial barrier ensuring privacy, guaranteeing their conversation wouldn't be heard or seen by outsiders (more precisely, Gojo Kyufuin beside them).
Matsuda Jinpei complained: "Is that guy really trustworthy? I don't know why, but seeing his gaze makes me want to go up and fight."
He was referring to the look Gojo Kyufuin cast on Jiang Lai. Matsuda Jinpei was a police officer, naturally possessing superior micro-expression analysis skills, able to discern some truth about the person before him.
From Gojo Kyufuin's demeanor, Matsuda Jinpei also saw that the guy seemingly revered but actually harbored his own thoughts.
Regarding perverts, Matsuda Jinpei's attitude had always been [endure for a moment and get angrier, take a step forward and the sea and sky are broad].
"Not necessarily trustworthy, but what he's offering right now is indeed an opportunity." Jiang Lai said, "Currently, the main conflict is still Brain-kun and his rules."
"I agree." Morofushi Hiromitsu nodded, "At least for now, one person can accompany Jiang Lai into Heian-kyo City."
"Alright, alright." Matsuda Jinpei had long passed the age of acting on impulse. Although he felt annoyed with Gojo Kyufuin, he wouldn't delay the bigger picture, "We'll settle the debt later."
A smoking sunglasses emoji appeared on his electronic screen face, looking very cool.
"So who's going to Heian-kyo City with me?" Jiang Lai blinked his brown eyes and asked.
"..." After Kurosawa Akira's silence, a ripple flashed across his screen face. He looked like he wanted to say something.
Kurosawa Akira paused, then finally said slowly: "...My and Hiromitsu's technique abilities lean more toward support. If there's danger inside Heian-kyo City, I think it would be better for Matsuda to accompany you, Big Brother Jiang Lai, as he could help you more."
He really wanted to accompany Jiang Lai, but Kurosawa Akira's rational analysis told him the most reliable plan was having Matsuda Jinpei go to Kyoto.
So he suppressed his inner worry and wishes, analyzing objectively.
Morofushi Hiromitsu nodded: "Akira is right. If only one person can go, Matsuda accompanying you while we guard outside is a more suitable plan."
"Hey, leave it to me~!" Matsuda Jinpei's tone soared, his voice carrying some magnetism, lightning crackling in his hands, "Don't underestimate the lightning wolfhound."
Jiang Lai's face bloomed with a smile as he went along with the Detective Conan friends' suggestion: "Alright, then Matsuda and I will go in. The outside will be left to little Akira and Hiromitsu."
"Mm, don't worry, Big Brother Jiang Lai." Kurosawa Akira's voice lowered, showing some coldness, "Perfect timing, I plan to observe... that Gojo Kyufuin carefully."
Jiang Lai: Suddenly sensing some killing intent, little Akira!
Morofushi Hiromitsu's electronic screen showed a harmless expression, but his posture indicated he shared Kurosawa Akira's attitude.
Jiang Lai coughed and changed the topic: "I don't know what the specific situation inside Heian-kyo City is right now. However, when I made a deal with Lady Zenin before, I promised her that if possible, I would try to protect the family's lives."
"So I plan to visit the Zenin family first."
"Mm." Morofushi Hiromitsu nodded and added, "Moreover, the Zenin family is the last undestroyed [Noble and Base] tower among the Four Guardian Towers. Going there first might help find a way to break the Four Guardian Towers. This would help in the decisive battle."
"Right." Jiang Lai confirmed, then paused as if remembering something, "If we're going to the Zenin family... such a family hiding so many secrets should find a familiar guide."
"Fushiguro Toji? He's from the Zenin family." Matsuda Jinpei named him, "I remember his spirit form is still sleeping in your Locust Wood Pendant."
"...Right." Jiang Lai's voice softened, "He's resting. I promised him I would find freedom for him."
Fushiguro Toji was Jiang Lai's first friend in the jujutsu world. Mentioning him, Jiang Lai's expression inevitably became somewhat complex.
"I originally thought of asking Toji for help, but I'm not sure if he's still conscious. His spirit form is very weary. The world is rejecting him, but because of the Supervisory Committee's binding, he can't truly leave."
Jiang Lai paused slightly and added: "Besides, when Fushiguro Toji was at the Zenin family, he wasn't valued, and he left the Zenin family early. I think he's not very familiar with the Zenin family."
"Fushiguro Toji had no cursed energy. In a family that revered techniques and cursed energy at that time, he had no status or position. So he probably doesn't know the family's secrets." Kurosawa Akira continued, analyzing, "I think if we want to find someone to guide directions, we should choose someone with special status."
He didn't specifically point it out, but Matsuda Jinpei had already guessed.
The curly-haired youth's electronic screen face sunglasses lifted, simulating a raised eyebrow action: "You mean... Zenin Naoya?"
"Right." Kurosawa Akira confirmed.
Morofushi Hiromitsu's screen showed a smiley face: "As the Zenin family's legitimate son, Zenin Naoya should be quite familiar with the family's interior. Moreover, in the new series, he hardly ever left the Zenin family before, so he should know the Zenin family's internal structure like the back of his hand."
Hearing this, Jiang Lai's eyes lit up: "Oh, right. Naoya is a good choice. And the current Zenin Naoya is in cursed corpse state. Cursed corpses are similar to cursed tools, so they shouldn't fall under the barrier's surveillance range, meaning we can bring him in directly."
"Makes sense." Matsuda Jinpei nodded, then asked, "The question is, do we need to go back to Tokyo to find Zenin Naoya?"
"No need." Jiang Lai shook his head, then smiled, "Leave it to Gojo Satoru. I have his teleportation array positioning talisman here, so I can have him send Naoya over."
Gojo Satoru knew some spatial formations. In the original Jujutsu Kaisen Volume 0's Night Parade of a Hundred Demons incident, he used this to send Panda and others back to the high school.
However, spatial formations also had many limitations. The distance couldn't be too far, and the positioning had to be clear. Fortunately, everything here met the conditions.
Having decided on the plan to bring Zenin Naoya, Jiang Lai didn't hesitate. He quickly contacted Gojo Satoru on his phone, briefly explaining the matter.
Gojo Satoru's efficiency was also very high, and the two had perfect understanding.
After Jiang Lai expressed his request, Gojo Satoru readily agreed with an OK, and not long after, the positioning talisman Jiang Lai had placed on the ground with cursed energy burst with ink traces.
After smoke dispersed, a golden Stitch figure appeared in the center of the positioning talisman, accompanied by a raised voice: "What do you want me to do, you bastard Gojo... cough cough, where is this?"
Cursed corpse-appearing Zenin Naoya seemed to have been pulled over unexpectedly, obviously not having reacted yet.
After the smoke cleared, he saw the familiar black-haired young man ahead, his body suddenly stiffening: "Why is it you?! It's you again, this... you lingering demon..."
Zenin Naoya's attitude toward Jiang Lai had always been very complex. Admiration for strength and arrogant pride intertwined, making him somewhat incoherent every time he faced Jiang Lai.
This time, the golden Stitch instinctively stepped back, then bumped into Matsuda Jinpei.
Matsuda Jinpei's electronic screen depicted a smiley face, lightning crackling in his hands, the meaning unmistakable.
Zenin Naoya: "..."
Zenin Naoya, whose soul was confined in a cursed corpse and couldn't even use techniques, naturally couldn't beat Matsuda Jinpei. Faced with such clear threat, he immediately fell silent.
"Long time no see." Jiang Lai's expression was calm as he smiled at Zenin Naoya, "This is Kyoto's outskirts. Want to go home and take a look?"
"...Go home?" Zenin Naoya was first stunned, his gaze falling on the Kyoto barrier not far away, then suddenly reacting and detecting the danger inside, "Hah? I'm not going back! In this situation, there's definitely... inside Kyoto. I'm not stupid, I certainly don't want to go back and die."
He shook his head, trying to retreat, but Matsuda Jinpei was behind him, so he couldn't back up.
"You also heard the current rules. How many rounds do you think you can survive?" Jiang Lai's gaze was calm, "Moreover, do you plan to be trapped in a cursed corpse body forever, not wanting to change back?"
"...Don't pretend to be a good person here, you're the one who stuffed me into this cursed corpse body!" Stitch Naoya widened his eyes, his tone quite aggressive.
"I merely granted your mother's request." Jiang Lai's expression remained calm, "I heard you've been quite happy at Tokyo Jujutsu High, often going out with first and second-year students."
"I, I was forced to go on missions!" Stitch-form Zenin Naoya was stubborn, refusing to admit his happiness after escaping the Zenin cage, "And I get beaten every day!"
Jiang Lai: "Isn't that deserved? An eye for an eye, who told you to bully the Zenin sisters when you were young. Besides, your cursed corpse body doesn't hurt now, so accompanying training is making full use of your value."
Zenin Naoya's eyes narrowed upward, impatiently turning his face away and snorting: "Anyway, you always have your reasons."
"Because I was originally reasonable." Jiang Lai's brows and eyes lifted.
He stepped forward two steps, picked up Stitch Naoya, making him face Kyoto's direction, and said directly: "Look at your home. Are you just going to be a bystander like this, future family head Zenin-kun?"
"..." The picked-up cursed corpse Zenin Naoya rarely didn't resist, facing Kyoto and staying silent for a second.
No one knew what Naoya was thinking in that second, but after a second, he still drawled mockingly: "You want to use emotional cards? It's useless. I don't have that much sense of mission or feelings for the family."
"Moreover, they never planned to let me become family head anyway. I can feel it." Zenin Naoya lowered his eyelids, his voice listless, "So whatever, I won't risk my own life."
Jiang Lai: "So you know how unpopular your personality is. Real self-awareness, very good!"
Zenin Naoya: "...Hey!!"
"Just joking." Jiang Lai composed his expression, "Whether you can become family head shouldn't depend on others, but on yourself."
Jiang Lai's brown eyes blinked lightly as he met Zenin Naoya's gaze, his voice carrying special power: "Don't you want to fight for it at all? Even if not for the family, for yourself, for getting back your original body, for the benefits of being family head, don't you really want them?"
"..." Zenin Naoya didn't reply immediately.
Jiang Lai calmly revealed the potential underlying things: "If you don't have your family behind you, then you're just an ordinary person, right now an ordinary cursed corpse. I think that's nothing special, but you, are you willing to, or can you get used to such a future?"
Zenin Naoya's lowered hands clenched, then relaxed.
After a long while, he asked: "What do you want me to do?"
Zenin Naoya had somewhat loosened and compromised.
"Very simple, just show the way." Jiang Lai said with a smile, also adding, "I can try to guarantee your safety."
"You can guarantee my safety?" Zenin Naoya asked back.
"I promised your mother to try to guarantee your safety." Jiang Lai tilted his head, "I won't make absolute promises. But I can say I never break my word, especially a mother's request."
"..." Stitch-appearing Zenin Naoya stayed silent, his expression somewhat unclear. But in the end, he still nodded.
"Fine." His voice held a reluctant tone as he lifted his head arrogantly: "...Since you've said this much, I can reluctantly agree to you. By the way, this also counts as the future family head's responsibility. If I can go back and look during crisis, there's no reason not to choose me, right?"
Jiang Lai's brows and eyes curved. He didn't compete over words with the other party, placing the Stitch Naoya in his hands on the ground.
Matsuda Jinpei casually put one hand in his pocket, waving stylishly with the other: "Then let's go, our new small team. Off to the unknown Kyoto."