JJK: Developing my potential

—[4 Years Later]—

Four years had passed since Megumi's last major battle. During this time, he had been studying at a prestigious school in Tokyo alongside Tsumiki, Maki, and Mai. Taking advantage of his exceptional learning ability, a trait stemming from his young age, he focused on pursuing a path different from his past life. This time, he sought to tackle a greater challenge and chose a career distinct from the one he had followed as Woon Gi.

Throughout these years, Megumi didn't let his knowledge of business administration from his previous life go to waste. He used this expertise to strengthen the Zenin Clan politically and financially. Furthermore, with his knowledge of future events, he made strategic investments that further solidified their position.

The Zenin Clan, once marred by controversies and internal disputes, now boasted a robust political, media, and economic presence in Japan. They had even taken control of the illegal sector, significantly reducing the country's crime rate. This was achieved because Megumi chose to invest in those marginalized for lacking talent in sorcery—a group previously ignored and discriminated against.

Within this group were brilliant and disciplined individuals who, with support, completed their studies in record time. Others became exceptional athletes or fighters through training on par with sorcerers and basic mastery of cursed energy, giving them a considerable edge.

However, this growth did not come without challenges. Some members of this group faced threats from criminals and tycoons who viewed them as a threat. Megumi, ever pragmatic, directly dealt with these situations, often taking over their organizations or businesses when necessary.

The best part was that, by aiding a marginalized sector hungry for justice and recognition, Megumi gained loyal and trustworthy allies. Many of them voluntarily made binding vows with him as a gesture of gratitude and commitment.

The success of these policies also brought benefits to the Zenin Clan within the sorcery society. Thanks to their growth and internal changes, many people began expressing interest in joining the clan. Megumi implemented a talent-based selection system: any applicant could undergo physical and mental tests to prove their worth.

Those who passed the tests received full support for their development as both sorcerers and individuals, under the condition that they neither betray nor disclose information about the clan. This approach strengthened the Zenin Clan with impressive human capital, increasing their relevance in the world of sorcery.

But it wasn't just the clan that had grown. Megumi himself had undergone remarkable changes. Despite being only ten years old, his appearance and physique made him look like a fifteen-year-old. His musculature stood out, likely due to Toji's genes, and his strength and control over cursed energy had increased exponentially. He had even developed new and creative techniques for his arsenal.

At present, Megumi was training with Maki and Mai in the training field of their new mansion, while Tsumiki watched them as she worked on her homework. The mansion, located in the mountains and formerly a Yakuza base, had been transformed into their main residence, fortified with multiple barriers.

Training together had become a habit since leaving the Zenin Clan. Tsumiki's curiosity often led her to join as a spectator, watching them with interest from afar. Over time, Megumi's relationship with the three girls had grown stronger, to the point where he occasionally caught them stealing glances at him in casual moments or even after he got out of the shower. "Just puberty things," he thought to himself, brushing it off with little concern.

"HA!" Maki shouted as she tried to strike Megumi in the stomach with an iron staff. However, he swiftly dodged, crouching and knocking her down with a quick spinning kick that struck the lower part of her legs.

But Megumi had no time to celebrate. As soon as Maki hit the ground, Mai charged at him at full speed. She wore chainmail armor she had crafted herself, and in her hands was a butterfly knife, also of her own design. Both pieces, the result of her ingenuity, had been inspired by ideas Megumi had shared with her some time ago.

It had all started after an intense training session. Mai had retreated to a corner of the mansion, her shoulders slumped and her expression somber. She was feeling down, burdened by the thought that, lacking large reserves of cursed energy, she couldn't effectively use her technique, nor did she have Maki's physical strength to compensate. This overwhelming sense of inadequacy crushed her.

Megumi, noticing her sadness, approached her calmly and asked what was wrong. Without a word, Mai threw herself into his arms and began to cry. Between sobs, she confessed her insecurities and frustrations. He remained silent, listening attentively and occasionally offering soft words to soothe her sorrow.

When Mai had finished venting, Megumi spoke to her with a calm voice, "I've been thinking a lot about this too."

For a moment, Mai's heart stopped, afraid of what he might say. But his next words made her heart race more than ever.

"Mai, your technique is incredibly versatile. The only drawback is the limited amount of cursed energy you have, which prevents you from creating larger objects. That's why I've been looking for a solution... and I think I've found it."

In a sweet tone, he explained that during a design course at school, he had learned about 3D printing. He recalled a class where he printed a dinosaur figure that was divided into many small pieces that had to be assembled.

"You can do the same," he said enthusiastically. "If you want to create armor, you could make it chainmail, piece by piece. For weapons, you could design them in software and then use your technique to create small parts to assemble afterward. You can even adjust the density of your creations if you need something larger."

Mai listened intently, and as he finished speaking, her face lit up. Not only had she found a way to improve her technique, but Megumi had also awakened a new passion in her: design. That day, she discovered something new about herself, something that might have gone unnoticed for much longer if not for Megumi.

If there was one thing all her happiest days had in common, it was Megumi's presence. Realizing this, Mai understood with absolute clarity: She loved Megumi.

Back in the training session, Mai attempted to cut Megumi with her knife while Maki got up from her fall and counterattacked. With skill, he dodged the attack and stepped aside just in time for Maki's kick, aimed at his head, to land on her sister instead.

"Ouch!" Mai exclaimed, rubbing the spot where she'd been hit. "Watch where you're aiming!"

"Me? You're the one who got in the way!" Maki shot back, irritated.

"Hey, come on, girls! No one's at fault," Megumi intervened, trying to calm them down.

"Oh, really?" a familiar, playful voice interrupted. "I'd say it's all Megumi's fault."

"Satoru!" Megumi was the first to recognize him, turning around to greet him.

"Huh? Does that idiot not know how to ring a doorbell?" Maki asked sarcastically, crossing her arms.

"Good morning, Gojo-san," Tsumiki and Mai greeted in unison, more politely.

Ignoring Maki, Gojo held up a document and waved it to get their attention.

"Sorry to interrupt your free time, but I've got another mission for you, Megumi."

Megumi, accustomed to such interruptions, let out a sigh. For some time now, he had been undertaking missions, initially as Gojo's companion to gain experience. Over time, however, he had become capable of completing assignments on his own, as well as being the only person, aside from Geto, who could accompany Gojo without becoming a burden to him.

In fact, Megumi's presence often greatly increased the chances of success in missions.

Noticing the large red seal on the document Gojo was holding, Megumi raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"Is that the Sorcerer Council's seal? This must be important."

"You could say that..." Gojo let out a deep sigh, something unusual for him given his typically relaxed demeanor. "Originally, this mission was meant for the two of us."

"Then why aren't we going together?" Megumi asked, intrigued.

"Unfortunately, I have to travel to Africa. There are rumors that Suguru has been spotted there, and the Council wants me present in case things get out of hand." For a brief moment, a shadow of melancholy crossed Gojo's face as he mentioned his old friend.

Megumi, sensing the mood might darken, quickly changed the subject.

"Well, enough beating around the bush. Tell me, what's the problem?"

Gojo, true to his style, instantly regained his energy.

"Of course! As you might've guessed, we've got another alleged special-grade curse roaming Japan, this time in Nara Prefecture."

"And that requires both of us?" Megumi asked skeptically. "Doesn't sound that serious."

"That's what I said too. But this curse is a bit of a headache." Gojo scratched his head, visibly annoyed. "Its cursed technique is infectious in nature, and it's already affected several grandchildren of the higher-ups, as well as some younger siblings of grade-one sorcerers."

Megumi frowned. If it were ordinary people in danger, the Council would likely have just sent multiple grade-one sorcerers or assigned the mission solely to him or Satoru. But since it involved close relatives of Council members and high-profile individuals, it seemed they weren't holding back this time.

"Understood," Megumi replied, narrowing his eyes. "How are we proceeding?"

"Since I can't go with you, the Council decided you'll work with a volunteer. She had already requested to join the team assigned to hunt this curse and has stated she's willing to invest her own resources to help exorcise it."

At that moment, Tsumiki, Mai, and Maki, who had been silently listening until now, decided to chime in.

"For goodness' sake, Gojo-san, because of you, Megumi might fail his classes due to too many absences. Our teacher said there's a limit to unexcused absences," Tsumiki said, visibly worried.

"That's true. With all these missions, his attendance record is full of absences," Mai added.

"Ha! I'd like to see them try to fail him. Even with all his absences, Megumi is the best student in the institution," Maki said proudly, as if she were speaking about her own accomplishments.

Gojo burst into laughter at the girls' concerns and then pulled out a wad of cash, using it to blow his nose.

"Relax, I'll handle those trivialities," he said confidently.

The three girls shot him death glares, all thinking the same thing: 'Idiot.'

Once the girls' worries were eased, Megumi brought the conversation back on track.

"When and where will I meet my partner?"

"Oh, right. You'll meet her at the Tokyo Sorcerer School. She has a private jet that will take you to Nara."

"A private jet?" Megumi repeated, genuinely surprised. "She sounds interesting."

"You'll like her," Gojo said with a mischievous smile before adding, "She's like you in one way—you're both crazy about money."

Megumi raised an eyebrow at Gojo's comment as the white-haired sorcerer checked his watch.

"Well, I'm off. Time to catch my flight." With a snap of his fingers, he vanished.

Megumi stared at the empty space where Gojo had been, a small smile forming on his face.

'Looks like this will be an interesting mission'.

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A/N: If you find any error, please let me know so I can correct it.

A/N: Developing characters is quite a challenge! Spoiler: the mission arc is already complete on Patreon, and the final chapter is packed with 5,000 words of action, emotion, and growth.

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link: [email protected]/Wade69

Next chapter: Time Skip: Plane Talk