Chapter 111: Losing Authority

Nearby the fast food place, a woman wearing dark clothing could be seen lying on a rooftop with a sniper rifle pinned to her shoulder. She took a deep exhale after firing a bullet. She watched as the bullet shattered the window. She stared at the window before her heart sank, and a massive killing intent engulfed her body.

Sweat started to pour down her face before suddenly, a crouching figure appeared next to her casting his shadow overtop the woman. The figure smirked before speaking in a cocky tone. 

" You really thought a sniper rifle would work? I have fought against special grades and you thought a bullet infused with cursed energy would be the thing that kills me. " 

Said Mute with a grin on his face. The woman stared at him panicking as she quickly rolled onto her feet. Mute gazed at the woman's terrified face trying to remember who she was. The woman in front of him definitely wasn't a stranger, however, her name was escaping Mute's mind. The only thing he knew about her was that she was close to Maki. 

The woman's lips quivered before she spoke in a skittish voice.

" That bullet was meant to send a message to you. If you had opened the shell you would have seen it- " 

Before the woman could finish her sentence, Mute abruptly spoke. 

" Yea, yea, I know. I saw the message about wanting me to meet with the leader of the Zenin Clan, but I can't remember your name and it's bothering me, so who are you? "

The woman looked at Mute confused before she murmured her name. 

" It's Mai Zenin? "

As soon as Mai said this, a flashback entered Mute's brain. The day the tournament was held all those years ago and Mai was sticking up for Maki against Naoya. Mute let out a laugh before speaking. 

" That's right, your Mai, It has been years since the last we met so, as a reunion gift, I'll give you 20 seconds, to explain to me, why I shouldn't kill you right now. "

Mai's eyes quickly widen startled by Mute's threat. Her brain begins to race with thoughts trying to think of a reason. After a few seconds, she lets out a loud and bites her lips before closing her eyes. Mute looks at Mai slightly surprised. 

Inside Mai's mind, she was patiently waiting for her life to be ended. Every single story about Mute or Gen Zenin pictured him as a ruthless maniac, which might not be entirely untrue. However, one thing Mute respects the most out of everything is something that will keep him entertained. 

Mai kept her eyes tightly shut until the sound of cruel laughter could be heard followed by Mute speaking. 

" Really? Come on and open your eyes. "

Mai slowly opened her eyes still waiting for death until she saw Mute standing directly in front of her glaring down at her. She looked at Mute confused before he glanced back and spoke.

" I'm guessing the Zenin Clan sent you here because you're weak. So they entirely expected me to kill you today. Unfortunately, I respect your bravery so I'll let you live for today but I have a question: where does the Zenin head want to meet? He's piqued my interest now. "

Mai stared at the madness in Mute's eyes with her legs shaking until Mute just shook his head and spoke. 

" Relax, I'm really a nice guy when you get to know me. Besides if I wanted you dead, I would have killed you as soon as I appeared next to you. So hurry up and answer my question. " 

Mai nodded before swallowing her saliva. She took one final breath before speaking. 

" He said something about an icy mountain? He said you would know what it means. " 

As soon as Mute heard this, he scoffed. The mountain they were referring to was the same mountain Mute fought the special-grade cursed spirit. The Zenin clan most likely wanted to meet Mute in the dungeon he trained in. Mai stared at Mute's face, still scared until suddenly he spoke. 

" Mai, you're coming with me to this mountain. " 

A bewildered look appeared on Mai's face as she spoke confusedly. 

" Are you using me as a hostage? If you are it wouldn't matter, my life is worthless. " 

Mute grinned before shaking his head and speaking. 

" No, I wouldn't need a hostage to be able to destroy the Zenin Clan, I just want someone to talk to. That mountain is pretty far away you know? And I also want to know how the Zenin Clan is doing. "...

Ten minutes later, Mai and Mute could be seen walking next to each other on a dirt path in the middle of a forest. Mai kept glaring at Mute still scared however Mute never made a move instead he kept casually walking. A few more minutes pass until the awkward silence between Mai and Mute is finally broken when Mute speaks. 

"You're close to Maki correct? "

Mai looked at Mute before nodding at her. Mute locked eyes with Mai before speaking to her once again. 

" Also if you wanted to deliver a message to me, you could have just walked into the fast food place instead of you know shooting at me with a sniper rifle. "

Mai just let out a scoff before quickly responding to Mute. 

" Aren't you the one that slaughtered hundreds of innocent citizens to make a more impressive reappearance? " 

Mute grinned before responding. 

" That was me, but you have to admit that it was a reappearance that caught the attention of the entire Jujutsu World. But you can't act like everything I have done was bad. I killed Naobito and mentally shattered Naoya. So, you can at least praise me for that. "

Mai looked at Mute before shaking her head and speaking. 

" Killing Naoibto wasn't a good thing. The clan's influence had weakened dramatically. "

Mute glared at Mai before shaking his head and speaking.

" So, Ogi Zenin wants to meet me because the clan is losing authority, huh? "...