16 Borrowing Money

"Congratulations on your promotion to Special Grade, Eiji-kun."

"The results aren't out yet; it's too early to congratulate me."

"No, you're definitely getting a Special Grade ranking. After watching your fight, I guarantee it."

Suguru displays a confident smile, implying hidden meanings in his words to Eiji.

"Oh."

Eiji's reaction remains quite flat.

"You don't seem surprised that I witnessed your fight. Perhaps you've already noticed?" Suguru asks.

"Well, I was aware that someone was watching me, but there was no hostility, so I was too lazy to care."

"Ha ha ha... As expected of Eiji-kun. You're always indifferent to many things."

His explanation makes Suguru laugh.

"That's a lie. How could you notice us from such a distance?" Mimiko looks incredulous.

It's beyond common sense; a guy a year younger than her is actually much stronger than her. However, the other party realizes they were being observed when they were kilometers away, making it too hard to believe.

"Believe it or not." Eiji glances at Mimiko, who is staring at him, and doesn't offer an explanation.

"Geto-sama, is what he's saying true?" Nanako asks softly. It turns out she's also uncertain about his claim.

"Eiji-kun isn't lying. Six Eyes users can see distances of several kilometers while perceiving Cursed Energy flows. Listen, Eiji-kun might be stronger than me."

Suguru pats the heads of the two twin girls.

"Impossible. There's no way he's stronger than Geto-sama."

"There's no way Geto-sama would lose to him!"

Mimiko and Nanako refuse to believe it.

Seeing their exaggerated reactions, Suguru stops trying to convince them. No matter what he says, the two twin girls refuse to believe it.

"Sorry for the wait. Please enjoy."

The ramen shop owner serves their orders.

"Itadakimasu."

After saying that, Eiji scoops the broth and sips it.

"It's delicious."

"Thank you for the compliment. It's a family recipe passed down from generation to generation."

The ramen shop owner is pleased to hear Eiji's praise. For a chef, having their cooking praised is the best feedback.

Eiji picks up the chopsticks and starts eating the noodles. Besides Mimiko, who takes pictures of the ramen and uploads them to Instagram, Suguru and Nanako are also eating ramen.

"Hey, Eiji-kun. Have you thought about your future?" Suguru suddenly asks without looking up.

"To become stronger." Eiji answers without hesitation.

"You're already strong enough. In my opinion, besides Satoru, there's no one who can defeat you."

This is Suguru's sincere opinion. He might be able to match Eiji, but defeat him? That's impossible.

As Satoru's close friend, he knows about Limitless Technique, including the Six Eyes, which only a few members of the Gojo Family are aware of.

Suguru is shocked to witness Eiji using a Limitless Technique he didn't know. He hasn't even seen Satoru use Scarlet, so he speculates that it's Eiji's creation.

He even doubts Satoru could defeat Eiji.

"Perhaps, but there's a saying that there is always someone stronger than me. For example... The King of Curse Sukuna."

Eiji admits he's not inferior to other Special Grade Jujutsu Sorcerers, including Geto Suguru and Yuki Tsukumo.

"You really know who you're comparing yourself to, Eiji-kun."

Suguru's hand holding the chopsticks pauses for a moment, then continues eating.

"Geto-sama, who is Sukuna?" Mimiko, who has been listening to their conversation, cannot help but ask.

Eiji is the one Suguru acknowledges, so who is Sukuna that makes Eiji admit to being weaker?

"There's no harm in telling you both about this."

Facing their anticipatory gazes, Suguru explains who Sukuna is.

"Ryomen Sukuna, also known as the King of Curse, was one of the strongest Jujutsu Sorcerers during the Heian Era, as well as a Cursed Spirit. However, Sukuna's power comes with a cruel and arrogant nature. He has no qualms about killing and wreaking havoc, often acting according to his own desires."

"Sukuna was feared and admired by everyone in his time as the strongest Jujutsu Sorcerer, defeating and killing thousands of Jujutsu Sorcerers. One of his achievements includes single-handedly slaughtering the Sun-Moon-Stars and the Five Empty Generals, so they couldn't be recognized as corpses."

Mimiko and Nanako are stunned hearing the legend of Sukuna's incredible strength.

"Due to Sukuna's cruel behavior, the cooperation of all the Jujutsu Sorcerer experts of that era succeeded in killing him. However, he was too powerful to be completely destroyed. Therefore, to this day, the remaining indestructible 20 fingers are kept in a grave wax, transcending time as coveted Cursed Objects."

After finishing the explanation, Suguru looks at Eiji and asks, "Because Eiji-kun wants to be stronger than Sukuna, does that mean there's a possibility Sukuna will rise again in the future?"

He's not stupid; he vaguely guesses the reason Eiji wants to surpass Sukuna.

"Yeah. Anyway, there are always crazy people who want to create chaos in the world, and Sukuna is the best medium to achieve that."

"I see."

Suguru doesn't ask why Eiji seems so sure about Sukuna's resurrection. But he feels it makes sense. After all, he's one of those crazy people who want to create chaos in the world, just with different methods.

"If Satoru and I get into a conflict, Eiji-kun will be on his side, right?"

"Not necessarily. As long as Suguru-san doesn't pick a fight with me, I'll remain neutral."

"Oh. That's surprising; I thought you would side with Satoru."

"Satoru Nii-san doesn't need me; he's the strongest."

Eiji's statement relaxes Suguru.

Just Satoru alone gives him a headache when planning. If Eiji joins, the chances of success for his ambitions are very low.

If it's just Satoru, Suguru is confident he has a chance with intrigue and schemes. Moreover, he knows the nature of his close friend.

"Suguru-san, can you lend me some money?" Eiji asks.

"Sure, how much do you need?"

Suguru immediately agrees without asking for reasons.

"Hmm... How about 1 million yen?" Eiji says hesitantly.

As a Special Grade Jujutsu Sorcerer, he will receive a monthly salary of 10 million yen. The problem is, he hasn't officially become a Special Grade yet!

"No problem."

That amount of money isn't too much for Suguru. He reaches into his Buddha robe and hands an envelope containing money to Eiji.

"Take it. No need to return it."

"No, this is a debt. I don't like owing favors."

Accepting the money, Eiji looks at Suguru and says firmly, "Do as you please. You can find me at the Star Religion Group."

After confirming Eiji's neutral stance, Suguru has no qualms about revealing his hiding place.

"Um." Eiji finishes the ramen, places the money on the table, and turns to leave.

At the door, he gives a warning, "By the way, Suguru-san, I quite like the ramen in this shop. So, don't kill the old man."

"Well, because that's Eiji-kun's request, I won't 'monkey' around." Suguru smiles warmly.

The ramen shop owner is shocked to learn that he was almost killed. Initially, he thought their conversation was about a game or something, but the more he listened, the more he felt something was amiss.

He becomes more convinced after seeing a terrifying monster suddenly appear and almost attack him.

Fortunately, the young man saved him from the brink of death.

"Um."

After making sure Suguru's Cursed Spirit disappeared, Eiji leaves the ramen shop. He still trusts the integrity of the other party, so he has no need to worry.