Shout out to Grey089, our latest member. I hope your stay is long and fruitful.
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"This information is too mundane—it doesn't explain how he wields such overwhelming strength," Principal Yaga Masamichi said with a frown, tossing the report onto the table with evident frustration.
Shoko Ieiri crossed her arms and leaned back in her seat, gaze thoughtful. "His parents died in a Curse Spirit incident. Is it possible he awakened a unique ability… something like a 'Living Technique' during the trauma?"
Kento Nanami shook his head. "Even if he did awaken such a technique, that doesn't mean he should be capable of using it at this level. The cursed energy manipulation he displayed—especially the technique that devoured Geto's spirit—was unlike anything recorded in modern jujutsu."
"So, are we suggesting there's a Jujutsu Sorcerer behind Akiyama Ren?" Mei Mei asked, tilting her head, voice calm as ever.
"Highly likely," Nanami replied, pushing up his glasses. "Either that, or something even more terrifying."
Yaga rubbed his temples. "Gojo, why don't you go and make contact with him? Try to feel out his intentions."
"No way," Gojo Satoru said flatly, without even hesitating. "I'm not going anywhere near that monster."
Despite his usual confidence and trademark arrogance, Gojo's voice was unusually serious—laced with something unfamiliar: caution.
He was, after all, known as the strongest Jujutsu Sorcerer alive. Not even Ryomen Sukuna, the infamous King of Curses, could shake Gojo's composure. And yet, last night, the presence he'd felt from Akiyama Ren had left him breathless—crushed under the weight of pressure so dense it felt cosmic.
They weren't even on the same plane of existence.
"I couldn't even move in his presence," Gojo muttered, his gaze distant. "There's no 'fighting' him."
Just then, Maki Zen'in stepped forward from the back of the room, her voice calm and clear. "If Gojo-sensei won't go… then I will."
"No," Yaga said immediately, concern flashing in his eyes. "It's too dangerous."
But Maki didn't back down. "He saved my life. Whether it's Gojo-sensei or me, if he wanted to kill us, he would have done so already. To someone like him, the difference between the two of us is meaningless."
Yaga couldn't argue with that. The room went quiet.
Gojo Satoru gave a light laugh and flashed his usual grin. "Well, he is a teenage boy. Maybe if a beautiful girl like Maki approaches him, it'll go over better than if an old man like Yaga or someone annoying like me shows up."
"…You're ridiculous," Shoko muttered.
Still, Yaga exhaled slowly, then nodded. "Fine. But Maki, be careful. Avoid provoking him at all costs."
"I understand," she said with a small smile.
In truth, Maki was already determined. Last night, she'd been fatally wounded by Suguru Geto, lying on the brink of death. If not for Akiyama Ren's timely appearance—and the incredible healing technique he used—she would've been gone. Not only had he saved her, but he'd also healed her long-standing internal injuries, ones she'd carried since her early years of martial training.
To her, this wasn't just a mission—it was a chance to offer her gratitude.
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The next morning…
Sunlight filtered gently through the blinds of Akiyama Ren's apartment. He yawned softly, rubbing his eyes as he sat up from bed. The silence of the room contrasted the chaos of the world he'd been thrown into.
He shuffled into the bathroom to wash up, only to pause as he caught sight of himself in the mirror.
"…Who the hell is that?"
For a moment, even he didn't recognize the person staring back.
He had inherited his parents' best traits—tall, sharp-featured, and gifted with an undeniably handsome face. But now, after his transformation into a divine existence in the God-Slayer World, his physical form had undergone a divine refinement.
At just sixteen, he stood at a striking 1.8 meters tall. His once lean frame was now sculpted to perfection—defined muscles, elegant proportions, and flawless skin that looked like it had never seen hardship. His body was a masterpiece: smooth muscle lines, an eight-pack of abs, and that distinctive V-line that celebrities worked years to achieve.
His face, once boyish, was now exquisitely carved—stereoscopic features with a divine symmetry that bordered on unnatural. His messy black hair fell lazily over his forehead, accentuating his sword-like brows and star-like eyes. When he stared, it was as if his gaze pierced through the soul—calm, deep, and untouchable.
Handsome, but not delicate. Radiant, but not overbearing. It was as if the gods themselves had sculpted the ideal male protagonist.
"Hmph. I guess it fits the whole 'deity' image," Ren muttered, brushing his teeth with practiced indifference.
Though a part of him was definitely pleased, his expression remained flat, composed.
After brushing his teeth and freshening up, Ren made himself a quick breakfast—nothing fancy, just something light to line his stomach. With that done, he slipped into a new set of clothes. Thankfully, he'd had the foresight to buy outfits a size larger, anticipating his continued growth. They fit perfectly now—like they'd been tailored just for him.
But just as he reached for the doorknob to head out, a presence made him pause. He opened the door and found a girl standing there.
She had long, dark green hair pulled into a high ponytail, her sharp eyes half-hidden behind a pair of rectangular glasses that gave her a calm, studious air. She was pretty, in a cool and confident sort of way—the type of girl who didn't need words to make a statement. The glasses added a touch of elegance to her otherwise assertive presence.
Ren blinked. "Maki Zen'in?"
The girl looked surprised. "You know who I am?"
Ren gave a casual shrug. "Not much. Just that you're part of the Zen'in Clan—one of the Big Three Families in the Jujutsu world. Second-generation 'Heavenly Restriction,' right?"
It wasn't like Ren had memorized her bio from a fan wiki or anything. Back in his old world, he'd only skimmed the surface of Jujutsu lore. Still, Maki's expression stiffened slightly at how casually he dropped insider knowledge. In her mind, that level of awareness wasn't something a civilian—or even most sorcerers—could possess. Someone had to be guiding him.
She fell silent for a moment, assessing him, but Ren was already moving on.
"So?" he asked, folding his arms. "Did you come all this way just to exchange names, or is there something else?"
Maki composed herself and nodded. "First, I wanted to thank you. You saved my life last night. If it weren't for your intervention... I wouldn't be standing here."
Ren didn't interrupt. He simply watched her, waiting.
"Second," she continued, "the Principal—Yaga-sensei—asked me to come speak with you. My mission is to build rapport. Basically, get close to you."
"Oh?" Ren raised a brow, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Jumping straight to the point, are we?"
Maki smirked and pushed up her glasses. "When dealing with someone stronger than Gojo-sensei, sugarcoating things would just be a waste of time. Honesty's faster."
Ren chuckled. "I like that answer. Fine then—mission accomplished. I'm happy to build a good relationship with a beautiful girl."
"Then we're friends from today on." Maki smiled and extended a hand. "I'm Maki Zen'in. You can just call me Maki."
"Akiyama Ren," he replied, shaking her hand. "Ren works."
The handshake lingered for a second longer than necessary, the tension between them fading as Maki finally relaxed. The initial anxiety in her shoulders melted away, replaced by a sense of ease.
"I've got to say, Ren," she said, tilting her head, "I didn't expect you to be stronger than Gojo-sensei. Ever think about enrolling in Jujutsu High?"
Ren raised an eyebrow. "With my current level? Wouldn't that be a step backward?"
"Maybe," she admitted, "but it'd still be smart to register. Jujutsu High handles bounties for exorcising Curse Spirits. It's a way to earn consistent money legally."
Instead of answering, Ren reached into his pocket, pulled out his phone, and tapped the screen. He held it up for her to see.
Maki glanced at the balance displayed—and her jaw nearly dropped.
Nine digits.
She blinked, then let out a resigned sigh and gave him a bitter smile. "Well… that explains a lot."
As the adopted son of the Andagaki family, Ren had originally come to Chiba City as a student. His adoptive parents had transferred a generous sum to help him get started—nearly 100 million yen. That alone was already absurd.
Then came the treasure chests. Rewards from the system he awakened. The real windfall.
Two billion yen. Just like that.
Together, it was more than enough to set him up for life. The idea of chasing Curse bounties for pocket change? Laughable.
Money wasn't a concern.
Not anymore.