Inside Jujutsu High.
After reading the message on his phone, Kokichi Muta, better known as Mechamaru, crushed the device in his hand the next second.
Plastic fragments scattered across the floor.
Immediately afterward, he pulled out two voice recorders he had prepared long ago. After carefully packing them, he made his way to the Jujutsu High courier station.
He filled out the sender information with steady hands.
When he reached the recipient section, he hesitated for a moment.
Then he wrote a name.
Kasumi Miwa.
He selected scheduled delivery.
Once everything was complete, Kokichi left the courier station without another word.
A few minutes later, a certain suspicious white haired figure quietly slipped into the courier station.
Meanwhile.
Inside an unknown underground base.
Kenjaku and Mahito had just entered when they heard a loud complaint.
"You two are late!"
Kokichi lay inside a nutrient tank. His body was wrapped almost entirely in bandages, leaving only part of his hair and face visible.
Countless wires and IV tubes surrounded him, coiling around his body like chains. The entire scene looked less like a medical chamber and more like some twisted biological experiment.
Mahito pinched his nose in disgust.
"It still smells like mildew in here."
He glanced at Kokichi and sneered.
"Well, if you spend half your life soaking in water and struggle just to stand up, growing mushrooms sounds about right."
Kokichi ignored the insult.
He had endured humiliation like this for more than ten years already.
Kokichi Muta, the sorcerer behind the puppet known as Ultimate Mechamaru, had been born with a Heavenly Restriction.
Unlike the Heavenly Restriction possessed by Toji Fushiguro or Maki Zenin, Kokichi did not lose his Cursed Energy or Cursed Technique.
Instead, he gained something different.
He awakened the powerful Puppet Manipulation Technique and possessed an extraordinary output of Cursed Energy. His technique also had an extremely wide operating range that far exceeded his own physical limits.
But the price was severe.
He was born without a right hand. Everything below his knees lacked flesh.
From the waist down, he had no sensation at all.
His skin was so fragile that even moonlight could burn it. Constant pain accompanied him every day, as if countless needles were stabbing every pore in his body.
Because of this suffering, Kokichi eventually chose to betray Jujutsu High.
In exchange for information about the school, Kenjaku promised him a healthy body.
The key to that promise was Mahito's Cursed Technique.
Idle Transfiguration.
A technique capable of reshaping the soul itself, which would also alter the physical body.
Mahito rolled his eyes when Kokichi remained silent.
"How boring."
He crossed his arms.
"If it wasn't for the Binding Vow, I'd kill you right now."
Kokichi gave a cold snort.
"The agreement also included not harming anyone from Kyoto Jujutsu High. You've already broken that rule."
Mahito spread his hands lazily.
"That was Hanami, not me."
Kokichi glared at him.
"I don't waste time arguing with cursed spirits. Restore my body already, trash."
Mahito rubbed his chin slowly.
"Oh my."
He spoke with mock innocence.
"I'm starting to feel like I might accidentally use too much force and turn you into a woodlouse."
Even as he said it, Mahito knew he could not actually do that.
Binding Vows were dangerous things.
When a sorcerer formed a Binding Vow with themselves, it could grant additional strength beyond their normal limits.
A well known example was Kento Nanami's overtime vow, which increased his Cursed Energy output after working hours.
But a Binding Vow formed with another party was far more unpredictable.
Breaking it could cause unknown consequences.
It could damage one's life.
Or even destroy one's Cursed Technique.
Mahito had no intention of taking that risk.
Besides, he could always kill Kokichi after restoring his body. That would not violate the agreement.
Soon after, Mahito activated Idle Transfiguration.
His hand glowed faintly as the technique began reshaping Kokichi's soul.
"Be grateful, you piece of trash."
Gradually, Kokichi's body began to change.
After some time, Mahito stepped back.
The nutrient tank opened.
A completely naked young man slowly stood up from inside.
Kokichi stared at his own body in disbelief.
For the first time in his life, he could feel everything.
Mahito clicked his tongue.
"That's disappointing."
He tilted his head.
"You finally got what you wanted. Shouldn't you look happier?"
Kokichi turned to face him calmly.
"We can talk about celebration after the battle."
Mahito's lips twisted into a cruel grin.
"That sounds reasonable."
"Breaking a toy I just fixed would be even more fun."
"Mechamaru."
Kokichi spread his arms.
Countless small mechanical puppets burst out from hidden compartments behind him.
They rushed toward Mahito like a swarm.
Unfortunately, these mass produced machines were no match for a special grade cursed spirit.
Mahito twisted the shape of his soul, enlarging his arm into a grotesque mass.
He swung his fist.
Bang.
All the puppets were destroyed instantly.
But Kokichi was already gone.
Mahito frowned slightly.
"He ran?"
Kenjaku spoke calmly from the side.
"Fighting us directly is unnecessary for him. Escaping is the optimal strategy."
Mahito pouted.
"That's boring. I wanted a proper fight, not a rat running away."
Kenjaku narrowed his eyes.
"No."
"He hasn't escaped."
The ground suddenly trembled.
Metal groaned beneath the earth.
Then something massive rose from below.
Ultimate Mechamaru, Unit 0.
This colossal machine contained the Cursed Energy Kokichi had accumulated for seventeen years.
Its total output was enough to rival a Special Grade.
Inside the cockpit, Kokichi sat at the control console with a grim expression.
Kenjaku had already erected a Veil before the battle began.
Electronic signals could not escape.
That meant Kokichi could not contact Jujutsu High.
For now, he had to rely entirely on himself.
If he defeated the two enemies before him, he planned to seek help from Gojo Shion. The information he possessed about the curse users' plans might be enough to offset the consequences of his betrayal.
He believed that information would be valuable enough to earn forgiveness.
Even if he failed, the package he sent earlier would reach Kasumi Miwa in a few days. One of the voice recorders inside contained the same information.
If he survived, the package would simply become unnecessary.
Kokichi clenched his teeth.
No.
It will not be necessary.
I will survive.
I will return to everyone.
And return to her side.
His eyes turned red with determination.
"Burn everything."
"Mechamaru!"
"Great Exorcism Cannon!"
Mahito charged forward with a twisted grin.
"Let me crush your hope!"
Moments later.
Mahito's right hand hovered in front of Kokichi's helpless body.
Just one step closer and he could touch Kokichi's face.
With a single use of Idle Transfiguration, Kokichi would die instantly.
But something stopped him.
His hand would not move forward.
Mahito swallowed.
Cold sweat slowly ran down from his forehead, sliding along his cheek before dripping to the ground.
A hand rested lightly on his shoulder.
Gojo Shion stood behind him.
His sunglasses had slid slightly down his nose, revealing a pair of calm blue eyes.
"Go ahead."
Shion spoke casually.
"Try moving one more inch."
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