Chapter 357: 357 Jujutsu Kaisen 22
During the day, I researched the techniques I had acquired; in the evenings, I trained Amanai. Occasionally, I enjoyed bike rides with Tsukumo. In the midst of all this, a sudden alert appeared in the Leisure Life system.
Ding~!
[Divine Power has exceeded 10,000. The ’God’s Shop’ is now open. ’God’s Shop’ is linked to Leisure Life.]
"Huh? This existed?"
To be honest, I had somewhat forgotten about Divine Power. That was because I didn’t know its exact functions, and I was hesitant to use it recklessly. But seeing it appear as a shop interface was intuitive and convenient. So I immediately opened the Leisure Life system and checked ’God’s Shop.’
[Increase Believer’s Health – 1000 Divine Power]
[Increase Believer’s Strength – 1000 Divine Power]
[Increase Believer’s Stamina – 1000 Divine Power]
[Increase Believer’s Agility – 1000 Divine Power]
[Increase Believer’s Intelligence – 1000 Divine Power]
[Increase Believer’s Vitality – 1000 Divine Power]
[Increase Believer’s Success Rate – 1000 Divine Power]
[Increase Believer’s Harmony – 1000 Divine Power]
[...]
[...]
[Increase Believer’s Bowel Movement Comfort – 1000 Divine Power]
Almost everything in the shop was related to believers. I understood why. If good things happen to those who believe in the god, their faith deepens, and Divine Power accumulates faster. But since it showed only believer-related items, I scrolled further down.
[Appoint High Priest – 10,000 Divine Power]
[Create Angel – 10,000 Divine Power]
[Grant Believer Divine Authority – 100,000 Divine Power]
[Appoint Hero – 100,000 Divine Power]
[Birth of Saintess – 100,000 Divine Power]
[Create Sacred Artifact – 100,000 Divine Power]
[Raise Divine Rank – 100,000 Divine Power]
[Create Living Being – 100,000 Divine Power]
[Create Dimension – 10,000,000 Divine Power]
[Create World – 100,000,000 Divine Power]
’It’s nice that the numbers are rounded and easy to see, but... Appoint High Priest? Can’t I just appoint someone myself?’
Curious, I clicked on it for more details. Fortunately, a description appeared.
[Appoint High Priest – 10,000 Divine Power]
Appoint a High Priest to serve as the conveyer of the god’s will. He will use the powerful divine authority to unite believers, spread faith, and strengthen the order.
(The appointed High Priest can be dismissed, and another person can be newly appointed.)
Reading the description, it seemed that appointing a High Priest would allow that person to use stronger divine authority to act as a leader for the believers. It was clearly different from just naming someone.
I looked around a bit more.
’Hmm... the only thing that can strengthen me right now is ’Raise Divine Rank’.’
[Raise Divine Rank – 100,000 Divine Power]
The divine rank expands, allowing greater influence over believers and allowing the god to observe the world through them.
(Influence varies depending on faith.)
In summary, it seemed I could either use accumulated Divine Power to strengthen my abilities or spend it in the shop. For now, I planned to save up and purchase ’Raise Divine Rank’ first. As for other things, I could try them when I create worlds.
While I was sitting in the living room, pondering over Divine Power, Tsukumo sat down heavily on the sofa in front of me, wearing an expression of grave determination.
"I want to talk!"
"Huh? What’s wrong?"
"Are you impotent? I’ve been giving you signals, so why haven’t you made a move? You only pay attention to your disciples like Utahime and Amanai. Don’t tell me... you don’t even see me as a woman?"
It seemed the day had finally come. To be honest, I had been torn between Tsukumo and Utahime, so I was waiting to see how things would develop. Right now, everyone else was either at school or out working, leaving just the two of us. Seizing the opportunity, Tsukumo brought this up.
"Since you brought it up, I’ll be honest. As the head of the family, I need to have many children to lead the future of the Hisakawa clan, so I may need to take concubines. To be blunt, I can’t focus on just one woman. That might be why I kept my distance from you."
The reason I was saying this was obvious: I wanted to keep them both. But I couldn’t force them to stay.
"So even if we dated or married, you’d openly cheat?"
"Well, that’s a harsh way to put it, but it’s not wrong. So if you don’t like it, you could find a good man and just stay friends with me. Wouldn’t that be fine?"
Tsukumo frowned and asked.
"Were you never interested in me at all? Why are you being so cold?"
"No, I do have feelings for you. Being with you is comfortable, and you have the appearance closest to my ideal type. But given the situation, it can’t be helped."
At that, Tsukumo scratched her head and sighed.
"Haah... how did I end up liking you in the first place... Fine, fine! I’ll give in."
Seeing her like this, it seemed she didn’t want to lose me even if she had to give up everything. That was another way of saying she loved me that much, which made me feel a bit guilty.
I stood up, scooped Tsukumo up in my arms, and lifted her. Her face turned red, flustered.
"Ah! What are you doing!"
"I need to show you whether I’m impotent or not."
"Wh-what? W-wait a minute..."
Ignoring her protests, I carried her to my room, threw her on the bed, and enjoyed myself until evening.
"Haah, haah... you’re so mean... I was a virgin..."
"Who was it that called me impotent first?"
"Well, I was just saying! I didn’t tell you to prove it like this! But... doing this... won’t I get pregnant?"
"Don’t worry. I took care of it with cursed energy, so that won’t happen."
"Ha... seriously... you’re so thorough about the most ridiculous things."
"Well, I can’t get you pregnant if we’re not married. So, shall we go again?"
"Oh, really! The kids might come home soon."
Even as she said that, she didn’t refuse. Anyway, we enjoyed ourselves once more and then showered together.
Another year passed after that. Now the children were in second grade. Gojo Satoru, Ieiri Shoko, Geto Suguru, and Hisakawa Uraume all graduated from the school. The school, despite being called a high school, had an unusual four-year program. In my opinion, because there were so few sorcerers, they probably extended it by a year to get more work out of them.
Tsukumo, Utahime, and I arrived at the school carrying bouquets and presents.
"Congratulations on your graduation."
"Congratulations."
Tsukumo and I congratulated Satoru, Suguru, and Uraume. Utahime, treating Satoru as if he didn’t exist, handed her bouquet and present to Ieiri, congratulating her on graduation.
"Congratulations, Shoko. Unlike some people, I’m glad you graduated without any major problems."
"Hahaha, of course I wouldn’t cause trouble."
"So what are you going to do now that you’ve graduated?"
"I’m planning to get a medical license. The Association said doctors are rare among sorcerers and offered to support me."
"Really? Then you’ll be busy studying, right?"
"Well, probably. Still, I’ll come visit sometimes."
Ieiri Shoko seemed likely to follow the original story, becoming a doctor and working at the school.
"I’m thinking of just becoming a teacher at the school."
Satoru suddenly stuck his head between Ieiri and Utahime as he said that. Utahime frowned.
"Nobody asked you! And who would hire someone with such a rotten personality?!"
"I’ve already talked it over with the school."
"Wh-what!?"
"It’s not like I’m hired immediately. I still have various preparations, studying, and exams to take."
It seemed Satoru would also follow the original story and become a teacher at the school.
"What about you two, Suguru and Uraume?"
Curious, Tsukumo asked Suguru and Uraume.
"I still can’t use Domain Expansion, so I’ll continue exorcising cursed spirits for a while. I haven’t seen the end of my own sorcery yet."
Suguru, due to the nature of his Cursed Spirit Manipulation, seemed to want to stay active longer.
"I just want to stay at home watching anime and playing games that I haven’t gotten to yet."
As expected, a very Uraume-like answer.
"Don’t stay cooped up at home too much, Uraume."
Then Satoru suddenly took Uraume’s hand as he said that.
"Still, I’ve graduated now, so for the time being, I want to do what I want to do."
Uraume didn’t refuse Satoru’s hand, blushing as she held it back. At that, Tsukumo, Utahime, and even I were greatly shocked.
"You two... when did you become like that?"
"Oh, it’s been a while. I guess Uraume didn’t tell you?"
I desperately wanted to shout, ’Satoru, you’re walking into hell!’ But since it had been a while, it seemed already too late. As you know, Uraume was originally male before being gender-swapped. And from what I heard, Uraume had hidden this from me. Not that I could call it rebellion, since I had just let her do whatever she wanted.
’I never thought it would turn out like this... things are seriously messed up.’
"This is good timing. Head Priest, give me Uraume."
"Wh-what?!"
While I was dumbfounded, Tsukumo and Utahime actually congratulated them.
"Bold. I didn’t see this coming. But maybe it’s for the best. Without a man, Uraume would probably stay cooped up at home forever."
"I agree. It’s surprising, but maybe it’s a good thing."
So I thought about it for a moment.
’Uraume has accepted being a woman, so having a boyfriend wouldn’t be a problem, but what about Satoru?’
As I silently deliberated, everyone held their breath. Although Satoru had spoken confidently, he seemed worried I might not allow it, gripping Uraume’s hand tighter. Watching them, I felt like a narrow-minded in-law in a daytime drama.
"I don’t know. Just... do whatever you want."
At my words, everyone’s faces brightened. It was a bit annoying that they had kept it from me, but they clearly liked each other, and thinking about how Satoru died a bachelor in the original story, I decided to let it go.
"That’s a relief. If you hadn’t agreed, I was thinking of just running away with Uraume."
As if he could ever escape from me. What a ridiculous notion.
Anyway, we went to a yakiniku restaurant and grilled meat while having some beer.
"So, how far have you two gone?"
Curious, Tsukumo asked. Embarrassed, Satoru scratched his head and said.
"Well... I don’t know if I should say this, but we’ve pretty much done everything."
At that, I silently wiped my face. Even if I hadn’t given permission, it seemed they had already gone all the way. Meanwhile, Suguru was fidgeting restlessly, as if he had something to tell me too.
"What about you?"
"Well... about Amanai Riko... I heard she became your disciple..."
At that, everyone was surprised again. I had no idea when those two had developed that kind of relationship.
"Amanai Riko is under my protection, but she’s not a member of our family, so whom she dates isn’t my concern."
"Really? That’s a relief."
I didn’t know when these guys had become so interested in romance. In the original story, they never showed any interest at all.
"It must be spring."
"It’s spring, alright."
Utahime and Ieiri raised their glasses and said that.
Amanai’s training had progressed considerably. She had mastered not only Reverse Cursed Technique but also the Dantian Storage Technique. I had also modified the ’Water Breathing’ from the Demon Slayer universe using martial arts principles just for her, allowing her to channel cursed energy into her sword using the Dantian Storage Technique to deliver powerful strikes. Simply put, it combined cursed energy with Total Concentration Breathing.
However, because she had only focused on training, Amanai lacked real combat experience and didn’t know how strong she had become. Like Utahime, Amanai had also formed a binding with me. The terms were the same as Utahime’s: if she failed to keep the secrets, she would become my concubine. I didn’t know if Suguru was aware of that.
After graduation, Uraume returned to the mansion and holed up in her room, watching anime and playing games. Meanwhile, Tsukumo and I were on the road.
"A sudden ride? What’s the occasion? You’ve been busy training Amanai."
"Sometimes I just want to get some fresh air like this."
"You don’t have to say it—it’s because of your sister, isn’t it? It must have been quite a shock. Well, it was shocking for me too, but for a family member, it must be worse."
Tsukumo mistakenly thought I had suggested the ride because I was shocked about Uraume and Satoru dating. That wasn’t entirely wrong, but my shock came not from jealousy over Uraume but from the sense of dissonance from the original story.
While continuing our ride, we spotted a group of high school students fighting with a young boy under a bridge. We stopped our bikes. At first, Tsukumo started to approach to stop them, but then she paused and simply watched the fight.
"That kid... he’s using cursed energy while fighting? At such a young age, that’s not easy... he’s got talent."
As Tsukumo said, despite his small size, the boy was using cursed energy to beat the high school students. But due to the physical difference and his still-clumsy use of cursed energy, he was also taking a few hits.
"I’ve decided."
"Decided what?"
"I’m going to raise that kid."
