After rescuing the boy, Satoshi ordered Minazuki to continue toward the Gojo estate.
To him, what had just happened was nothing more than a minor detour.
He had simply saved a boy he didn't recognize. It hadn't cost him much effort.
"Satoshi, your technique was really powerful. You took down that Grade 1 cursed spirit in a single strike from such a distance."
Shoko's eyes were wide with surprise.
Although she had already learned that Satoshi had regained the ability to use Kidō after awakening, witnessing it in person gave her a completely different feeling.
Satoshi smiled faintly. "It's alright."
In truth, he was a little surprised himself.
Just now, he had used [Hadō #4 "Byakurai"].
Originally, he had only meant to test it out.
After all, he had only recently unlocked his Kidō proficiency.
And from such a long range, he hadn't expected the technique to kill the Grade 1 cursed spirit in a single shot.
He had been prepared to follow up with all the Kidō spells he had acquired last time if the first failed.
But that turned out to be unnecessary.
It seemed the Reiatsu provided to him by the system was indeed powerful. Judging by the output, it was equivalent to the level of a Special Grade sorcerer.
This surprised Satoshi quite a bit.
Minazuki flew at top speed, and before long, Satoshi and Ieiri Shoko had returned to the Gojo estate.
With his distinctive outfit and the iconic presence of Minazuki, no one stopped him as he entered the compound.
The first to receive the news was Shunichi, who quickly notified Kumaen and arranged for Shoko to be welcomed.
...
Inside a simple guest teahouse.
A servant poured tea for both Shoko and Satoshi.
Satoshi picked up his cup and waited calmly, but before long, hurried footsteps echoed in the corridor.
Suddenly, the sliding door was flung open.
It was Gojo Kumaen.
Kumaen stepped in, his expression full of excitement as he saw Satoshi.
Shunichi followed right behind him.
"Satoshi, you're finally back!" Kumaen said excitedly.
"I didn't expect the first thing you'd do after waking up was to go straight to Jujutsu High without even telling us."
Despite his excitement, Kumaen's words clearly carried a hint of complaint.
Who sleeps for nine years?
And after waking up, goes to school instead of coming home?
Shunichi also added, "That's right, Young Master Satoshi. We've been very worried about you these past nine years."
Satoshi gave a helpless smile. "I really didn't expect to sleep that long. But you didn't need to worry so much. I was safe inside the Tombs of the Star."
Kumaen rolled his eyes. "Sure, with Lord Tengen around we weren't worried about outside danger. We were just afraid you'd never wake up. If you slept for another ten or twenty years, my old bones wouldn't be able to keep acting as head of the family."
Satoshi gave an awkward chuckle.
For him, it had only felt like a long nap. He hadn't expected that nine years had passed in the outside world.
Kumaen patted his shoulder and proposed, "Now that you're back, how about you officially take over as acting head? It's time for me to retire. Shunichi and I discussed this before, and no one had any objections."
Satoshi was caught off guard.
Shoko, who stood beside him, nearly choked on her tea.
She looked between Kumaen and Satoshi with a stunned expression.
Satoshi? Acting head?
As someone from a sorcerer family, Shoko understood well what it meant to become acting head of the Gojo clan.
How old is Satoshi? Isn't this a bit too soon?
Satoshi's reaction wasn't any better. He looked at Kumaen and Shunichi in disbelief.
"You want me… to be acting head now?"
Kumaen nodded firmly. "Of course. Now that you're of age, it's natural for you to take over as the next acting head of the Gojo family. We've all been waiting for this. I'll just consider it an early retirement."
Seeing this, Shunichi also chimed in enthusiastically, "Young Master Satoshi, under your leadership, we're ready to reclaim everything the Zenin and Kamo families took from us."
Shoko's emotions became more complicated. She hadn't expected Satoshi to hold such status within the Gojo clan.
He just woke up, and they're already asking him to take over?
And in a situation like this, no one seems opposed.
After all, this role is second only to the head in the world of jujutsu—a position most would never refuse.
Her eyes were suddenly filled with a mix of awe and reflection.
But under the expectant gazes of Kumaen and Shunichi, Satoshi fell silent for a moment.
Then he said, helplessly, "Sorry, Kumaen, Shunichi. I'm afraid I can't take on the acting head position right now."
Everyone froze.
No one had expected Satoshi to refuse.
Kumaen stared, shocked. "Satoshi… why? Can you give me a reason?"
Shunichi was just as confused. "That's right, Young Master Satoshi. You know we've been preparing for this since nine years ago."
Satoshi let out a soft sigh. "Even so, this is too sudden. I haven't even gotten a full grasp on the current situation. You can't just throw the acting head position at me like this. It's irresponsible."
Kumaen finally realized that they really hadn't taken the time to talk things through with him.
And Satoshi had clearly returned with a mission. It was unlikely he could stay at the Gojo estate for long.
If they handed the title over like this, it would indeed seem careless.
Kumaen coughed awkwardly. "Ahem… alright, Satoshi. I'll continue acting as head for now. Once you finish what you need to do, come back and we'll discuss it again."
Satoshi replied, "I'll find time to mentally prepare myself first."
Kumaen laughed. "Well, I suppose you came back this time to retrieve the Sukuna fingers."
Satoshi nodded. "Correct."
He had explained this before going into stasis.
And with news from Jujutsu High already circulating, Kumaen was likely informed.
So Satoshi didn't feel the need to elaborate.
Kumaen was silent for a moment, then said, "Over the past nine years, we've done everything we could to collect four of Sukuna's fingers. I'll have Shunichi bring them to you now."
"Understood. I'll retrieve them right away." Shunichi received the order and promptly left.
(To be continued.)