A Core Ship From The Start
Chapter 2504 - 1675: I’m Sorry (Yan Yun Got Too Into the Game, Surprisingly)
Principal of Tokyo High School of Magic — Yegao Zhengdao is a man with a broad, muscular build. At first glance, with his sunglasses, he seems more like a Yakuza.
And as he walks down the white corridor filled with the smell of disinfectant, his massive figure in a pitch-black uniform becomes even more prominent.
Yegao Zhengdao walked to a patient’s room, then pushed open the door and entered directly.
"You’ve scared the old folks."
These were Yegao Zhengdao’s first words as he gazed at the hospital bed and Gojo Satoru lying on it. The latter, with hands on his head, stared blankly at the ceiling.
"How do you feel now?"
"Feel?"
Gojo Satoru turned his head to look at Yegao Zhengdao.
"I feel guilty."
"Hmm?"
"To be honest, I always thought I was the person most capable of resonating with the loneliness of high places. I love fighting and never felt lonely. But there should be a baseline, defined not by humans, but by distinguishing us as biological entities. Humans can cultivate and appreciate flowers but don’t wish for ’flowers to understand them,’ right?"
"........."
Yegao Zhengdao stared at Gojo Satoru, wanting to say something but ultimately said nothing.
Gojo Satoru spread his hands in front of him.
"I used to think I could never understand how others saw me, but now I get it. I once thought she was a challenger, but it seems that’s not the case."
Gojo Satoru chuckled softly.
"Monster, this wasn’t the first time someone said this to me. Although I understood the term, I couldn’t comprehend the feelings behind the words. But now I realize it’s merely an inability to understand the thing right in front—it’s just that simple."
"Has this failure hit you so hard?"
Yegao Zhengdao stared at Gojo Satoru, feeling he could understand Gojo’s feelings at this moment. He had never experienced defeat; Gojo Satoru was considered the strongest, something all Curse Masters agreed upon. Even those at the top understood this point—they needed Gojo Satoru to keep the Curse Spirits and Curse Masters in check. Thus, as long as Gojo Satoru remained, order would be maintained.
Yet, Gojo Satoru failed.
Fortunately, he was defeated not by a Curse Spirit but by a human. As of now, only the top tier knows, and the information is tightly sealed. It might be fortunate or unfortunate because the news is so absurd that even if leaked, few Curse Masters would believe such an implausible claim.
For all Curse Masters, Gojo Satoru is synonymous with invincibility. It was unimaginable for him to be defeated, especially if crushed.
"So, they sent you to ask about the young lady?"
"Exactly."
Yegao Zhengdao nodded.
"About the technique she used, her combat style, how she accomplished it..."
"I have nothing to say because she’s not a Curse Master at all."
"Eh?"
"Curse Master battles aren’t like this."
Gojo Satoru’s voice deepened significantly.
"You should know, Curse Master battles involve using Curse Techniques against each other, dismantling each other’s spells, executing one’s spells, aiming to neutralize the opponent’s threat, akin to solving a problem. We confront a question and need the correct formula and calculation to reach the right answer."
"Indeed."
"But she isn’t."
Gojo Satoru shook his head.
"She’s a warrior; she focuses only on one thing, which is destruction. And that’s what she does."
Gojo Satoru stared at his hand, his eyes covered by a pitch-black blindfold, yet he watched with intense concentration.
"She only cared about one thing—she didn’t concern herself with my technique, nor how I would fight. From first to last, she focused solely on one thing: defeating me."
Saying this, Gojo Satoru clenched his fist tightly.
"Then, I lost, just like that."
"........."
Yegao Zhengdao didn’t speak; he naturally understood this point because he was watching from the second floor of the school building at that moment. He saw clearly as Duanmu Huai drew his sword and swung it towards Gojo Satoru, who unfolded his domain.
But it didn’t fully unfold.
Because the domain was shattered.
Duanmu Huai merely swung his sword, and that swing met no resistance—whether it was the Limitless Technique that Gojo Satoru prided himself on, or the domain he unfolded. They were all shattered in the face of that swing, and by the time it ended, Gojo Satoru was already lying on the ground, a noticeable bruise on his waist.
After that, Duanmu Huai simply exchanged a few words with Gojo Satoru and then took his leave.
"It’s really ridiculous."
Recalling the scene at that time, Gojo Satoru chuckled bitterly.
"Before truly fighting him, I never expected anyone to be that strong... Compared to him, I am nothing. To be frank, even when facing Two-faced SuNu, I consider myself able to fight him, because he too is a curse, and as long as it’s a curse, there are visible weaknesses. Like a formula, there must be an answer, and I consider myself a capable solver of these complex problems. But... "
Gojo Satoru let out a long sigh.
"He is not an existence of the same level. When humans face opponents far stronger than themselves, like elephants or dinosaurs, as long as they rack their brains and exhaust all their means, they can always find a way to deal with them. Curses are the same. But when you face a volcanic eruption, an earthquake, or a tsunami, all you can do is run away with all your might and then... leave your luck to the heavens."
"...So, what is your opinion?"
"Maintaining a good relationship with him is necessary."
Gojo Satoru said, lowering his voice.
"You are also well aware of the threat of Two-faced SuNu, although I don’t think it will happen, still... it’s always good to have insurance."
"I understand."
Yegao Zhengdao naturally knew what Gojo Satoru meant. In fact, just this year, Tokyo High School of Magic welcomed a slightly special newcomer. His name is Kotetsu Yurei, originally an ordinary high school student, but not long ago, he got involved in a curse incident where he swallowed a Special Grade Curse—Two-faced SuNu’s finger.
Two-faced SuNu was a terrifying king of curses from a thousand years ago, during the peak of magic, when no Curse Master could oppose him. Later, after Two-faced SuNu’s death, his body was sealed away.
At that time, to deal with the attacking curse spirits, Kotetsu Yurei swallowed a sealed finger of Two-faced SuNu. If he had been an ordinary person, he would have died instantly after consuming the finger. However, surprisingly, Kotetsu Yurei had a body exceptionally compatible with Two-faced SuNu, not only surviving but also able to regain control over his body from Two-faced SuNu’s hands.
Originally, after this, the higher-ups of the Curse Masters intended to kill Kotetsu Yurei. However, Gojo Satoru believed he should be kept alive. After all, Kotetsu Yurei is a kind-hearted child, and in Gojo Satoru’s view, with proper nurturing, Kotetsu Yurei would become stronger over time.
Nonetheless, the possibility of Two-faced SuNu reviving through Kotetsu Yurei’s body always exists. Gojo Satoru also considered this, but he still preferred to protect Kotetsu Yurei. After all, he is the strongest Curse Master, and as long as he keeps a watch over Kotetsu Yurei, even if the latter turns into Two-faced SuNu, things won’t become irrecoverable.
Gojo Satoru isn’t hundred percent certain, of course, as he isn’t sure just how powerful the curse king was a thousand years ago. But as the strongest Curse Master, Gojo Satoru must display confidence and assurance—if he himself has no confidence, then the Magic World would be even more doomed.
Now, although the shock of being defeated the first time is undeniably upsetting, deep down, Gojo Satoru was somewhat relieved. After all, Duanmu Huai defeated him with overwhelming superiority, not through a long, hard-fought battle won by luck. This means that even if he isn’t the final line of defense, humanity won’t be destroyed because of it.
The sky will not fall with tall people holding it up.
Now Gojo Satoru also feels the warmth of resting under a big tree.
"Understood, I will report your opinion up. By the way, what do you think is his level?"
"Need you ask?"
Upon hearing Yegao Zhengdao’s inquiry, Gojo Satoru chuckled softly.
"Of course, Special Grade."
After this, Yegao Zhengdao exchanged a few more words with Gojo Satoru, then turned and left. As the hospital room door closed again, the smile on Gojo Satoru’s face gradually faded. He lay back on the hospital bed, silently reminiscing about what happened at that time.
When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was the bright blue sky and Duanmu Huai’s face.
"Interesting, but not much of it, that’s it."
Duanmu Huai stared at Gojo Satoru, casually commenting, and then waved his hand.
"Rest assured, I used the back of the sword."
After saying this, Gojo Satoru watched as the other turned and left. He wanted to call the other to stop, but couldn’t say anything.
Although there is the suspicion of surprise attack, and Gojo Satoru has many other techniques unused, Gojo Satoru knew these were just excuses. For the enemy will not wait until you’ve displayed all your techniques before killing you. He could feel it, Duanmu Huai is a pure warrior. He is not a Curse Master and has no interest in the flamboyant tricks of Curse Masters. He has only one goal in mind: utterly annihilate the opponent, and everything else he does not care about.
For Gojo Satoru, it would be an unforgettable defeat.
Or rather, deeply engraved in his heart.
"I’m sorry, Mr. Duanmu."
Gojo Satoru closed his eyes and spoke softly.
"I’m really sorry I didn’t make you exert your full strength."