Bang chuckled, a nostalgic smile appearing on his face.
"There was once a female martial artist from the West. She had a temper as fierce as the desert sun, and her fist techniques were just as relentless."
"She challenged me three times and lost every match. Yet each defeat only strengthened her resolve. The fourth time she came to see me, she didn't bring her gloves. Instead, she brought a jar of strong liquor. She told me that if she won, I had to treat her to a drink. If she lost, the liquor would be mine."
"And then? What happened next?" Metal Bat asked eagerly, completely forgetting about the meat cooking in the pot.
"Then?" Bang slowly took another sip of his drink. "We finished the entire jar together, and she never mentioned sparring again. Early the next morning, she was gone. All she left behind was a note saying she'd return one day for another match. Unfortunately, I never saw her again."
His voice remained calm, though a trace of quiet nostalgia lingered beneath it.
"Haha!" Metal Bat nudged Bang with his elbow, grinning mischievously. "Old man, you've got style. That's what I'd expect from a true martial arts master!"
Tanktop Master nodded in agreement.
"A friendship forged through martial arts is a beautiful thing."
Saitama blinked.
"So... was the liquor any good?"
Genos immediately began recording.
"Master Bang possesses extensive experience interacting with women. This knowledge may prove valuable."
Even Sol turned his head slightly, clearly interested in hearing more about his master's past.
The brief story made the gathering even more lively.
Everyone raised their glasses again, and before long, they had all drunk far more than intended.
Even the usually composed Bang and Tanktop Master had flushed cheeks and spoke far more freely than usual.
Metal Bat, meanwhile, wrapped an arm around Sol's shoulders and, with slurred speech, enthusiastically retold several embarrassing stories from their battles against monsters.
Saitama was already seeing double. He stared at the overlapping slices of meat floating in the broth, trying his best to grab one with his chopsticks.
Genos, whose mechanical body was unaffected by alcohol, continued serving Saitama with unwavering diligence.
Although Sol's expression remained composed, his crimson eyes had noticeably softened, carrying a hint of relaxed laziness.
With his divine body, alcohol no longer had any real effect on him. Still, he enjoyed the atmosphere enough that he made no effort to clear away the pleasant buzz.
As the drinking reached its peak, Metal Bat suddenly slammed his palm onto the table.
"Just sitting here drinking is boring! Sol, can't you travel to other worlds? Take us somewhere! Let's see if there are any strong opponents out there!"
The suggestion immediately received everyone's approval.
"Oh?" Bang's eyes brightened. "Experiencing martial arts from another world would certainly broaden one's horizons."
Tanktop Master said nothing, but the curiosity in his eyes spoke for itself.
Saitama looked up sluggishly.
"Other worlds... do they have good food?"
Genos responded immediately.
"Beginning feasibility analysis of interdimensional exploration."
Sol looked around at his drunken companions, lingering for a moment on the excited Metal Bat and the expectant Bang.
His own interest, dormant until now, was finally stirred.
He calmly set down his wine glass.
"Alright."
The moment the word left his mouth, an invisible yet overwhelming force enveloped everyone at the table.
Space rippled like the surface of water.
Their figures blurred.
An instant later, every one of them vanished from the bustling hot pot restaurant without a trace.
Deep into the night, at Jujutsu High.
A piercing alarm shattered the silence.
The entire campus lit up as emergency systems activated. Barrier techniques were immediately raised to maximum strength, and the jujutsu sorcerers who had already retired for the night rushed to assemble as though a catastrophic threat had appeared.
"Unknown spatial disturbance confirmed!"
"Intensity... immeasurable!"
"Target location, Jujutsu High training grounds!"
"All personnel, Level One combat readiness!"
Masamichi Yaga's expression darkened as he rushed toward the training grounds alongside Maki Zen'in, Toge Inumaki, Panda, and the others.
Yuta Okkotsu also arrived moments later, his expression grave.
Could the being responsible for Gojo Satoru's disappearance have returned?
Ever since Gojo-sensei, Yuji Itadori, and the others had vanished, Yuta had taken on the responsibility of confronting powerful Cursed Spirits.
From the center of the training grounds, he could sense an indescribable vortex of energy. Mixed within it was the unmistakable scent of alcohol and an overwhelming pressure that made even him tense.
"Is that... the one who took Gojo-sensei and Itadori?" Maki asked, gripping her naginata as cold sweat formed on her palms.
"Salmon."
Inumaki lowered his collar, prepared to unleash Cursed Speech at any moment.
Yuta took a slow breath as immense Cursed Energy surged around him.
"Stay alert. Don't attack until we understand what's happening."
The power he sensed surpassed every Cursed Spirit he had ever encountered. It felt even deeper and more terrifying than Sukuna at full strength.
At the center of the training grounds, the distorted space gradually settled.
Thump.
Thump.
Thud.
Several heavy impacts echoed across the field, accompanied by groggy complaints.
"Ow... where are we?" Metal Bat muttered as he climbed to his feet, using his bat for support. His drunken eyes wandered across the unfamiliar surroundings.
"Huh... this place has some pretty old-fashioned architecture."
Bang stood up steadily beside him. Although his face was still flushed from the alcohol, his eyes had regained much of their clarity.
He stroked his beard while surveying the wary jujutsu sorcerers and the powerful barriers surrounding the area.
"Hmm... this appears to be a place where people cultivate their skills. Though I must say, the welcome doesn't seem particularly friendly."