Multivers, Leveling Up in the World I Created

Chapter 352: 352 Jujutsu Kaisen 17

Upon arriving at the mansion, I had the maids bathe the Hasaba sisters and assigned them a room. Their room was opposite Maki and Mai’s room. Since all four were the same age, they would likely become friends quickly and be easier to manage.

"You brought more? What’s their story?"

I told Tsukumo about the Hasaba sisters.

"That’s unfortunate. Many sorcerers suffer in daily life because of non-sorcerers. Especially if they have non-sorcerer parents."

As Tsukumo said, if you’re born into a non-sorcerer family and you’re the only one who can see cursed spirits, you’re treated like a weirdo. But being born into a sorcerer family isn’t easy either—if your technique isn’t good and you’re born into the Zenin clan, you end up like Toji, Maki, and Mai. In a way, it’s understandable why there are so many curse users.

Even so, they couldn’t reveal the existence of cursed spirits to the public. Just the awareness that such monsters exist would cause more negative energy to gather, so it was never officially disclosed. In the end, no matter how you look at it, being born as a sorcerer in the Jujutsu Kaisen universe can only be called unfortunate.

The next day, to help the Hasaba sisters and the Zenin sisters become closer, I took them together to a toy store and a bookstore, letting them buy whatever they wanted like last time, and also prepared study supplies. The Hasaba sisters were a bit nervous being in a crowded place for the first time, but seeing Maki and Mai, they were able to buy whatever they wanted freely.

With the increase in family members, I hired more maids, added another limousine, and hired two more drivers. I also changed the Hasaba sisters’ surname to Hisakawa so they wouldn’t feel left out later. Since the tutor had done good work, I hired two more, gave them a bonus, and kept them on.

While taking care of the children, I received word that another accident had happened at Jujutsu High. So Tsukumo and I rode our bikes to the school.

"You kids! How many times do you have to wreck the school before you’ll come to your senses?!"

Once again, the outdoor field was devastated, and Satoru, Suguru, and Uraume were kneeling with their heads down, being scolded by Yaga. This time, not only Satoru but Suguru and Uraume also had bumps on their heads from being thumped.

"Wow... this is déjà vu, isn’t it? Didn’t something similar happen last time?"

Tsukumo also seemed incredulous at the situation.

We went to Yaga and asked what had happened. It turned out that Suguru had succeeded in using ’Maximum: Uzumaki,’ which he had been practicing, with the help of Satoru and Uraume, leading to this disaster. Apparently, rotation was the key.

"Anyway, you three! Using large-scale techniques on school grounds is forbidden from now on!"

Satoru raised his hand and said.

"Sensei! Then where are we supposed to practice techniques?"

Knock!

"Ugh!"

"You brat! After seeing the mess you made, you still say that?!"

But even while being scolded, Suguru had a strange smile on his face. The sense of accomplishment from successfully using his technique seemed more valuable to him than any scolding. Seeing that made me feel good too, because it meant Suguru had made good use of the hint I gave him.

Among the students watching and giggling, one person stood out—Iori Utahime. She seemed to be thoroughly enjoying watching Satoru get scolded by Yaga.

Iori Utahime was a cute woman with long black hair neatly cut in a hime cut, with the sides tied up, dressed cleanly in a shrine maiden outfit. I hadn’t expected to meet Utahime here. She was three years older than Satoru and had already graduated from the school, so I thought I wouldn’t see her until much later unless something big happened. It was unexpected.

I thought about trying to talk to Utahime, but she was at a distance, and the timing never worked out. I would have to find an opportunity later.

Anyway, for this incident, the school agreed to cover half the repair costs for the destroyed outdoor field, and the three would split the remaining half equally. But since they all earned quite a bit, it didn’t seem like a major problem.

"Hmm... it’s true that you don’t have a suitable place to train. But you can’t keep destroying the school, so I’ll report this to the higher-ups."

Yaga didn’t seem to think the problem lay solely with the students.

"Exactly, Sensei!"

"That doesn’t mean you’re blameless. So refrain from using techniques on school grounds."

"Tch, so strict."

Satoru ended up getting another thump on the head from Yaga. Then Uraume came to me and apologized.

"Brother, I’m sorry for worrying you."

"No, it happens."

While that was going on, Utahime came over and was talking with Yaga. From what I overheard, it was about a first-grade recommendation.

"Hmm... Utahime, first grade does pay well, but you know that also means you’ll be assigned to more dangerous missions, right?"

"Yes, I’m prepared."

Then Satoru, who had been listening, spoke up.

"Impossible. Because Utahime is weak. She’ll definitely end up crying and making a fuss."

"Wh-what?! Gojo! When have I ever cried! And I’m your senior! Call me ’Iori-san’!"

Seeing an opportunity, I asked Satoru to introduce her.

"And who is this cute young lady?"

"Ah, you haven’t met Utahime before, Head Priest? This is Iori Utahime, a weak, just-graduated second-grade sorcerer."

Utahime got annoyed again.

"Gojo! Who’s weak?!"

"You two seem close. But ’Utahime’... a nickname from singing well?"

I asked because ’Utahime’ literally means ’song princess.’ Of course, I wasn’t just asking—it was a joke to break the ice.

At my words, Satoru burst out laughing.

"Puhahahaha!!! She thinks Utahime is a nickname!!!"

"Huh? Did I make a mistake?"

Embarrassed, Utahime answered.

"W-well, Utahime is my real name..."

"Ah, sorry about that. I’m Hisakawa Jin, the Head Priest of Taijin-kyo. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too."

But Satoru couldn’t stop laughing even while we were greeting.

"Ahahahaha!!! Song princess!!!"

"Shut up!"

Punch!

"Oof!"

Unable to take it anymore, Utahime punched Satoru in the abdomen.

"So why do you want to become first grade, Utahime? Need money?"

"No, it’s not exactly that... I want to prove my ability, I suppose..."

Utahime glanced at Satoru as she said that. In my opinion, probably because Satoru kept teasing her, she wanted to show that she could do something too. But it didn’t seem like she had feelings for him—in the original, she genuinely disliked Satoru.

I made a suggestion to Utahime.

"If you like children, how would you like to work as a tutor? I’m currently taking care of some children who’ve had a hard time because they were born as sorcerers. I’ll pay you a good salary, and I’ll teach you a few of the Hisakawa family’s techniques so you can become a first-grade sorcerer. Of course, you’d have to form a binding to keep them secret."

At my suggestion, Utahime began thinking seriously.

"Are they really techniques comparable to first grade?"

"I can’t guarantee that. It depends on how you use them, doesn’t it? But I promise that if used well, even if not the strongest, I’ll give you quite useful techniques."

"Hmm... give me some time to think."

"If you decide to take the job, come to the Hisakawa mansion. I’m famous, so it should be easy to find."

"Okay."

Then Satoru, who had been listening, teased Utahime.

"So Utahime is becoming the Head Priest’s disciple? The Head Priest is going to have a hard time. Utahime is clumsy and doesn’t have much cursed energy. But she might be good with kids."

Utahime, furious, ground her teeth and glared at Satoru.

"Gojo! Just wait! I will become first grade someday!"

"Yeah, yeah."

If anything, Satoru had just helped me out. Because now Utahime, annoyed at him, would want to become first grade even faster.

Just then, Haibara and Nanami came over to greet us.

"Head Priest, Tsukumo-san, long time no see."

"Long time no see, Head Priest, Tsukumo-san."

Haibara was as energetic as ever.

"You’re first-year new students. I guess it’s not quite right to call you new students anymore?"

"Yeah. Nanami and I have been going on missions for a while now. We came to pick up another mission today."

After greeting us, they spoke with Yaga about their mission. From what I overheard, this seemed to be the mission where Haibara dies.

"Wait a minute. The place you’re going—is it a boar cursed spirit in Akita City?"

"Yes, that’s right."

The timing matched, and it was far away—it seemed certain.

"That cursed spirit is close to a guardian deity of the Ubusuna-kami faith. If things go wrong, it could be comparable to a special grade! Are you trying to get yourselves killed? Or are you that confident in your abilities?"

At my words, not only the first-years but even the second-years, including Yaga, seemed surprised.

"It was definitely classified as a second-grade mission..."

"What nonsense! Why does the school evaluate cursed spirits so poorly? The damage will ultimately fall back on the students. Don’t tell me they’re grading based solely on appearance?"

Yaga, realizing the seriousness of the situation, sighed and spoke to Suguru.

"Suguru, you go and handle it. First-years, support Suguru. If what the Head Priest says is true, I’ll have to file a complaint with the higher-ups. If we’d gotten it wrong, there could have been casualties."

Haibara was lucky. If the second-years hadn’t caused that accident, he wouldn’t have met me and would have definitely died.

Nanami’s only classmate was Haibara, so in the original, his death left Nanami with deep wounds and regret. That incident made Nanami feel that being a sorcerer was meaningless, eventually leading him to quit and become a salaryman. Moreover, Haibara’s death also greatly affected Suguru, leading him to call it "a marathon of death" and feel deep disillusionment with the current sorcery system.

To be honest, my neglect was partly to blame for not paying attention to this. I’d been busy with the children lately. I guess I’m just not very interested in men.

Anyway, Tsukumo and I chatted with Satoru and the others a bit more, then returned to the mansion.

The next day, someone came to the mansion early in the morning—it was Utahime. I thought she would take more time to think, but she came right away. Satoru’s comments must have been the deciding factor.

"I thought you’d take more time to think."

"Ahahaha... well, if I can learn quickly, I thought it would be better to start as soon as possible..."

Utahime answered sheepishly, probably feeling a bit embarrassed about it herself.

"Well, it’s fine. Your job will be to play with the children and teach them common sense and self-control regarding sorcery—so they can live normally among non-sorcerers. There’s a separate tutor for academic studies."

"I see. That doesn’t seem too difficult."

"Well, we’ll see."

I told Utahime about the Zenin clan and what the Hasaba sisters went through in their village. Her expression gradually hardened.

"Th-that’s..."

"These children carry a lot of pain. It might not be easy. Childhood experiences last a lifetime."

"I see."

"Regarding salary, how does around one million yen per month sound? Of course, meals are provided, and if you don’t have a place to stay or live far away, the room next to the children’s is empty, so you can use that."

When I mentioned the salary, Utahime looked surprised. It was on par with what a high-level academic tutor would earn.

"Eh?! That much?"

"Why? Too little?"

"Ah, no... honestly, I was thinking about half of that..."

As expected, Utahime was kind. Anyone else, even if the salary was higher than expected, would have just kept quiet. But she was honest.

"Now, about techniques. Since I don’t know your skill level yet, I’ll ask a few questions. Answer in detail."

"Yes."

"So, what is your technique?"

"My technique is Solo Forbidden Area. It can temporarily amplify the total cursed energy output of myself and any chosen sorcerers. It’s activated through four elements: incantation, hand signs, dance, and music. Even if I omit some of these elements, I can still activate the technique, but by not omitting any and sublimating the technique into a ritual, I can achieve 120% effectiveness."

"Hmm... so if you can prepare before a fight, it’s a technique that can give you a significant advantage."

"Yes. Because I can prepare in advance."

Simply put, Utahime’s technique was a type of buff.

"Have you ever experienced Black Flash?"

"Well... not yet..."

"Then, can you use Reverse Cursed Technique?"

"Not yet..."

"Then you can’t use Domain Expansion either?"

"No..."

The more I asked, the more Utahime lowered her head and her voice grew smaller.

"Hmm... then what about hand-to-hand combat or weapons?"

"Well... I’m a bit clumsy with physical movement... but compared to ordinary sorcerers, I can do some hand-to-hand combat."

"Almost a blank slate, then."

"Th-that’s true..."

This explained why, in the original story, Utahime ended up with a large scar on her face from fighting cursed spirits and became a teacher at the school. She was pushing herself far beyond her actual abilities. Looking at this, Satoru’s teasing of Utahime might have been his way of trying to stop her from overexerting herself despite her lack of skill.

"Hmm..."

As I was thinking, Utahime hesitantly asked.

"Um... am I hopeless..."

"No, you can definitely learn. But your foundation is weak, so it will take time."

At that, Utahime’s face brightened.

"Really?"

"Yes."

Just then, Tsukumo came out of her room, yawning and scratching her belly.

"Yawn~ slept well. Huh? It’s that graduate from yesterday. Did you decide to take the job?"

"Yes, I did."

"Good choice. The Head Priest doesn’t deceive people. And the kids are cute and kind, so you’ll like them."

Tsukumo welcomed Utahime warmly.

I first set up Utahime’s schedule. The children’s academic studies were four days a week. On those days, she would receive training from me. The other three days, she would watch over the children. Then I called the children and introduced Utahime.

"Hello, teacher!"

When the children gave her a bow, Utahime looked like she was about to die from cuteness.

"This teacher is Iori Utahime. Let’s all get along from now on."

"Yes~!"