27 Offer

"Permanent Detainment?" Shuichi asked in disbelief.

'What in the actual hell?' He thought.

"At first, some of them proposed immediate execution. They were completely convinced that you were the one causing the unrest in the Jujutsu world." Yaga spoke "However, it was quickly opposed by the Zenin family. Exiled as you may be, you are still a member of the Zenin clan, they said."

"So, the zenin clan helped me?" Shuichi asked, even more shocked than he was previously.

'Why would that be? It would seem logical if they heard about my fight with Gojo and thought of using me to better their standing against the Gojo clan, but that would only be true if I was still a part of the clan. Having been exiled, I have no strings attached woth them.'Shuichi theorized. 'Except for a connection of blood, that is.' He cringed inwardly.

"That seems to be the case." Yaga nodded in affirmation.

"And although the sentence is for you to be detained here for a lifetime, it would seem that it would also be lifted because of insistence from the Zenin clan."

'They seem to be helping me a lot...' Shuichi narrowed his eyes.

Zenin clan valued strength yes, but there was one thing that it valued more than strength. It was blood. The direct descendents of the clan were always given more priority over any matter that involved the clan.

It was because through the continuation of the bloodline, there was a chance for the ten shadows technique to be preserved.

Even for someone that marries into the clan, they would only be given second priority over a direct descendent. Even if they were a special grade sorcerer. It was a surreal system that bordered on hypocrisy.

But even so, it had now helped Shuichi, so he was not going to complain.

It was not that he was unable to escape here by himself. Hard to Kill would render the seals ineffective in something about 3 hours, give or take.

And with his newfound control over cursed energy and the enlightenment about the nature of cursed energy through black flash, he was fairly confident in his abilities.

Aside from the three special grades and a few special grade 1 sorcerers, Shuichi was confident he could take on any opponent.

However, if there was one thing that Shuichi hated, it was trouble.

In the world, there were two kinds of troublesome things. The first was the kind of trouble one would enjoy solving. The other, however, was not at all pleasant. And he knew that if he escaped from here like that, the troubles he would encounter would be the not so pleasant kind.

"So? What are you here for?" He asked the middle aged man in front of him, gazing at his quiet form with interest.

"I read the reports about the fight you had with Satoru." He spoke "It surpassed my expectations completely. To think that the exiled son of the Zenin clan would pack such a punch."

Shuichi continued to look at him, an indication for him to continue.

"In the report, Satoru provided an analysis of your powers. Some of which proved to be increasingly intriguing." He continued. "An acute healing factor, one that stems not from positive energy, but from a curse. Ability to make constructs out of cursed energy and finally..." He paused slightly, most likely to add to the dramatic effect.

"The ability to refine mundane Objects into cursed weaponry. A power so potent that it can turn even the air itself into cursed tools..." his face looked up at Shuichi, the dark irises probing deep into Shuichi's soul.

"What exactly is your Cursed Technique?" He asked.

"And why would you assume I would tell you?" He reasoned.

"I've got no reason to believe so. However, some of the zenin elders are demanding an inquiry about your Cursed Technique." Yaga sighed as he spoke. His tone revealing the extent of his tiredness.

"They seem to be getting restless. They want an in depth analysis of your abilities, which up until now had never been seen to be exhibited by you while in the Zenin family compound.

"As such, there is no real reason for them to push the matters of your release, at least not until they can be given a full report of your abilities. And possibly, a reestablishment of your relationship with the great family."

Shuichi scowled upon hearing his words.

'Of course.' He thought.

There was no way for the Zenin family to be so generous with him solely because he was a holder of the zenin blood. The execution part could be understood.

They would absolutely hate it for a man with zenin blood to be executed with fostering any children at all, yet actually trying to have his detainment sentence revoked was just a whole another level of bullshit mind games.

Shuichi thought of escaping from the place and running off to another country for a while.

That is if he could actually fight his way through the multitude of sorcerers in the area.

As per his current situation, he was sure the place was crawling with sorcerers.

That, or they might all be out on missions; which honestly sounds like the more plausible option.

"So what you're trying to say, is that I'm basically going to be held prisoner here until and unless I join back into the zenin clan. Without any chance to prove my innocence in the entire matter." Shuichi reasone.

"That would be correct, it is something that extends to all curse users; you, being a particularly special case." Yaga agreed. "But..." his voice then deepen, carrying a hint of power behind it.

"That entire thing can indeed be circumvent." He said.

Shuichi didn't speak, prompting Yaga to continue.

"The higher ups released an order to detain all the curse users that refuse to become a sorcerer.

"And although you are in a special spot, your status as someone from one of the great families provides some... privileges. If you agree to become a sorcerer, your sentence will be automatically revoked, even though you have been deemed 'guilty' by the higher ups."

Shuichi quieted down hearing his words.

'I see.'He thought, glancing downwards towards his neck to find his necklace missing.

Of course it had to turn out like this. Honestly speaking, Shuichi wasn't feeling good with either offer. The zenin clan was already a big nono, he was not willing to go back there although that would give him many benefits.

The strong were respected in the clan after all. But even if it was the more logical option he was simply too petty to overlook everything that had transpired with him within those walls.

As for the second option, becoming a jujutsu sorcerer.... Well, he wasn't exactly opposed to the idea. It was just that he would have accepted the offer with some thought if it was offered under different conditions.

As of right now, he didn't exactly trust this individual 'Yaga'. It would be different if he had his necklace. He could gather some information based on his current state and come to a decision, but it wasn't a available as of right now; mostly likely having been confiscated just before being detained.

And that left him with the third alternative. Breaking out and hiding away in some remote corner of the country or going to another country altogether.

'Thinking about it, that doesn't seem so bad.'He thought. But...

'I quite enjoy my freedom though.'

As much as Shuichi was willing to escape, he wasn't willing to become an outlaw and constantly have to watch his back from jujutsu sorcerers. It wasn't because of some moral reasoning.

It was just that it would be too troublesome. The Zenin clan would probably put a bounty on his head which would lead to him being chased around over the world by some elaborate mastermind...

That... sounds weirdly concerning.

"Giving your offer the benefit of doubt," Shuichi spoke "What will you be gaining by it?"

"It is not a matter of whether or not I will be gaining through that. I only serve my role." Yaga spoke.

"People are broken. Emotions, morals, stress of life, fear of death... it all serves to make a lasting impression.

"Living life as we do, it only makes for a death full of regrets." He continued "In my own experience, I've watched several young and old souls perish in front of curses. And in your form, there is a way to reduce that and increase the overall power of jujutsu sorcerers. I simply want to seize the opportunity selfishly."

Shuichi quieted down, adjusting to the weight of his words.

"How exactly do you think me becoming a sorcerer changes all that?"

"Your Cursed tools." Yaga replied simply. "The ability to make cursed tools with such frightening ease as you do is a talent worth treasuring. Aided by a cursed tool suited for themselves can greatly boost the survival rate of sorcerers."

"And why would I agree to make cursed tools for you?"

"I will not be asking for it for free. You will be given the appropriate compensation for it. Even the simplest of cursed tools can go for a hefty sum.

"Not to mention you don't seem particularly averse to the sorcerer life. If that were the case, you wouldn't have met Satoru and Suguru."

Yaga quieted down after speaking, intently gazing at Shuichi's contemplating figure.

"Take some time if you will." He said and got off the chair.

As we walked outside, Shuichi didn't bother to stop him.

Click*

As the door closed down, Shuichi sighed.

'Well, now I can quietly adapt to these talismans.'

Shuichi had contemplated the offer in his mind. The thinking process of jujutsu sorcerers was naturally boosted by cursed energy.

Depending on the natural talent of the user, the time dilation they might go through varies. And while Shuichi's predecessor didn't have enough talent, the current Shuichi had loads of it. Not to mention his Hard to Kill had now molded his brain anew.

In the entire conversation that spanned only a few minutes, he had already thought over the pros and cons of accepting his offer.

He also took into account the situations that he could possibly encounter if he were to go with the third route of escaping after adapting to the talismans.

And finally, after hearing his last bit of words, he had come to a conclusion.

Being a jujutsu sorcerer might not be so bad. Although the constant missions would be a pain in the ass to deal with, along with his movements being slightly limited; he could roam around without any trouble coming his way.

Besides, he was sure he could work something out with Yaga.

The reason he hadn't accepted on the spot was because he wanted to adapt to the sealing talismans, and in the process of adaptation, highlight and train his cursed energy control.

Even though he was imprisoned, was it a reason to stop his improvement?

After all...

'The grind never stops...'

~~~

A/N: Relatively short chapter.

Anyway, the story will start to pick up some pace from now on. I will try to add in some elements from my own imagination, such as shikigamis and new characters.

As for the people unhappy with this message, first of all, do keep in mind that the world has adapted to Shuichi. It wouldn't be far fetched to have more powerful sorcerers appearing in the story.

Second of all, let me cook. If a story doesn't go the way you want it to, why would you care to throw a tantrum? If everything goes the way you want it to, isn't that just a day dream?

And lastly, to the people complaining why he isn't overpowered as having been advertised in the tags, I do admit I made a mistake. I should have explicitly stated that this was a sort of weak to strong story.

If you want thus story to just be another power wank, this isn't for you.

I saw a couple of comments complaining about the adaptation and how it's disappointing, I wish I could tell you the further plans but that would be a spoiler.

Cheers~