Jujutsu Kaisen: I Have A Gardevoir

The phone call transitioned into a video conference.

The location shifted from an old city park in Kyoto to a nearby luxury hotel.

This arrangement was courtesy of the old butler. A steward of the Three Great Families would never lack such resources.

Given that he had earlier spoken up for Hayami and bought time for Swablu, Akira didn't reject the offer and even allowed him to attend as an observer.

First, this let the butler act as a mouthpiece to the higher-ups in the Jujutsu Alliance. Seeing the most overpowered individuals in the jujutsu world gather—even if they said nothing—would be enough to unsettle many.

Akira estimated that once Naoya Zen'in relayed part of what had transpired to the Zen'in family, countless people would have sleepless nights.

Second, it was a subtle display of strength.

Not only could Akira exchange blows evenly with Suguru Geto, but he could also take the lead in calling for a meeting of Special Grades.

After tonight, anyone with a shred of insight or access to intelligence wouldn't dare provoke Akira again.

If the Jujutsu Alliance leadership were smart, they'd add Akira to the Special Grade roster instead of trying to suppress or control him.

Ironically, the meeting itself lacked much substance.

"Geto, you bastard! What kind of mess are you stirring up now?"

Masamichi Yaga, the oldest participant, was the first to erupt in anger.

That's right—he was also a Special Grade.

However, his "Special Grade" designation was different from the others. It wasn't based on combat ability but on his technical prowess.

Cursed corpses had a glaring flaw compared to curse spirits and sorcerers: they couldn't regenerate their own cursed energy. They required a puppet master to replenish their energy.

No matter how powerful a cursed corpse was, it was limited by the master's reserves—until Panda was born.

Panda was the first cursed corpse in history capable of regenerating its own cursed energy, eliminating its main disadvantage.

This unique classification, termed "completely autonomous cursed corpse," signified a truly independent entity.

If mass-produced, such cursed corpses could form an army.

Realizing Panda's revolutionary potential, the Jujutsu Alliance had immediately detained Yaga and reclassified him as Special Grade. They intended to imprison him indefinitely.

In their pragmatic view, such game-breaking technology had to be controlled—or, failing that, destroyed to ensure no one else could utilize it.

But Yaga wasn't so easily subdued. No matter what questions they asked, he maintained that Panda's creation was a fluke, a spontaneous mutation.

Given the inherent unpredictability of jujutsu, his explanation was plausible enough to leave the higher-ups without a pretext.

Moreover, when Satoru Gojo heard of his mentor's detainment, he personally intervened.

Reluctantly, the leadership declared Panda a "spontaneous mutation" and released Yaga, while quietly stripping him of his Special Grade designation.

Because all of this happened behind closed doors, the public never learned the truth. Otherwise, Yuta Okkotsu wouldn't have been recognized as the fourth Special Grade.

Akira's strategy of flexing his muscles stemmed from this history. Pokémon shared all the strengths of cursed corpses and surpassed them in many ways. Unless he firmly established his dominance here and now, future troubles would only multiply—even Gojo might not be able to suppress them.

It's worth noting that Akira's approach wouldn't expose Yaga's past.

His more public identity was well-known: he was Suguru Geto's mentor during his student years. Yaga had once placed great hopes in Geto, even favoring him over Gojo and Ieiri due to his good character and strong principles.

Yet, Geto had strayed from the path, leaving Yaga heartbroken.

"If I could, I would've dealt with you myself long ago."

Ironically, Geto harbored no resentment and responded gently: "You're still as passionate as ever, my dear teacher."

"Don't call me that. I have no student like you." Yaga's anger only intensified.

Gojo stepped in to mediate: "Now, now. Let's all calm down. Principal, no need to get so worked up. And Geto—what a surprise to see you again under these circumstances."

"It's mutual, Gojo. And Ieiri—it's been a while."

"Long time no see."

Shoko Ieiri idly moved her index and middle fingers.

Though she'd quit smoking four years ago, moments like this always made her crave a cigarette.

Even if she didn't light one, just the smell of nicotine was enough to stir nostalgic memories.

"What are you doing with Akira? And that's Yuki Tsukumo in the background, isn't it?"

**"Isn't it obvious?" Yaga snorted. "He's set his sights on Akira's Pokémon and tried to pull something shady. But Tsukumo saw through him."

"No." Gojo shook his head. "Yuki's not the altruistic type. Geto, did you fail to 'convince' Akira?"

Geto's pupils contracted slightly before his face shifted into a mix of resignation and admiration. "Nothing escapes you, Gojo."

"It's rude to talk about a woman like that." Yuki interjected, mock-indignant. "Geto, is that really how you see me?"

Both Gojo and Geto silently stared at her, their expressions unreadable.

Understanding their silence, Yuki admitted with a smirk: "Fine, I'll admit it—I'm not exactly the most compassionate person. Unless, of course, I'm intrigued by something."

"And the Pokémon?" Gojo asked.

"I was intrigued before seeing them. Afterward? Not so much." Yuki was frank. "Akira's Pokémon are quite different from the usual, but unfortunately, they're not useful for my research. Maybe when I'm done with my current project on 'liberating humanity from cursed energy' or if I need a break, I'll revisit it. What do you think, Akira?"

"As long as they're willing." Akira nodded.

He welcomed researchers like Professor Oak and trusted Yuki wouldn't take extreme measures.

"And you, Geto?"

"You know me—I won't give up."

Gojo and Geto's candid exchange didn't surprise Akira.

**"Didn't succeed this time?" Gojo pressed.

"There were unexpected complications." Geto maintained, though he didn't believe he would've lost.

"Akira, care to comment?"

"He won't get another chance. If he couldn't take me this time, his chances will only diminish in the future." Akira replied with equal frankness.

"I see." Gojo nodded knowingly. "Yuki, may I trouble you with something?"

"Stop them from fighting again, right?" Yuki grinned. "You're right—letting two summoners battle in the middle of the city is far too destructive. So, Geto, will you give me face and back down?"

"And if I refuse?"

"Then I'll have to team up with Akira and beat you down."

Yuki cracked her knuckles, her demeanor uncannily reminiscent of Todo Aoi.