November 16th – The fifteenth day of the Culling Game.
The key to unsealing Satoru Gojo had already been set into motion. Angel had reunited with Itadori and the others, while the rest of the Kōsen sorcerers stationed within the various barriers began making their way to the Second Tokyo Barrier.
At the Imperial Palace, the entrance to the fourth Culling Game:
"Let me ask you—have you prepared yourselves to die?"
Ranked fifth among Special Grade sorcerers by Kōsen standards, Okkotsu coldly surveyed the group blocking his path.
"By order of the head of the family, any deserters die!"
Even against a Special Grade, even aware of the massive gap between them… the three Zen'in sorcerers guarding this location had no intention of yielding.
Challenging a Special Grade might offer a slim chance of survival, but disobeying Mirai's orders… guaranteed death.
"Rika."
A surge of cursed energy roared! In just a few seconds, the only evidence left at the entrance was a splatter of thick, dark blood on the wall.
Sakurajima – The seventh Culling Game entrance
Compared to Okkotsu's overwhelming power, Zen'in Maki was like a ghost—completely ignored by the Zen'in sorcerers stationed here.
Combat between sorcerers relied more on sensing cursed energy than sight. With no cursed energy at all, Maki was virtually undetectable.
Shikigami and allies like Kinji Hakari, Shikigami Rika, and Panda followed the instructions of the external supervisors and appeared at entrances where no guards were present.
Second Tokyo Barrier – One of the nine random drop points, a rooftop
Itadori, Fushiguro, Nobara, and Angel gathered here.
Even with Kōsen's Idechi acting as a substitute for Fushiguro Megumi's sister, Tsumiki still needed to enter the barrier to comply with General Rule One of the Culling Game:
(General Rule One: All swimmers must enter any barrier to participate in the Deadly Game within 19 days.)
Because the drop points were random, there were nine in total. Takaba and others, after reviewing Tsumiki's photo, headed to the other two locations to wait.
The Zen'in sorcerers guarding the entrance would be dealt with by Okkotsu and Maki.
Nobara lightly patted Fushiguro's shoulder, teasing to ease the tension:
"Your face is already grim enough—try not to be so tense all the time."
"Yeah, Fushiguro."
Itadori stepped forward, smiling awkwardly:
"Don't worry so much—your sister will be fine."
Observing Fushiguro's unease, Kurusu Hana, a swimmer hosting Angel, looked slightly concerned.
Hana had endured a tragic childhood, raised by curses. Treated as reserve food, she and several five- or six-year-old children were crammed into decrepit sewers, eating leftover food mixed with metal scraps. One by one, her companions vanished, swallowed alive by her six-armed, six-faced "mother."
Hana survived in despair and numbness, waiting for the day she too would be devoured. This dark period lasted a year.
On the day she was to be consumed as the final reserve… a pure white jade dog and the recently adopted Fushiguro Megumi became the light that illuminated her dark life.
Years later, Megumi no longer remembered the ragged little girl from back then—but she immediately recognized the grown Megumi.
Gratitude? Secret admiration? Reverence? Hana could not define her feelings, only that Megumi was special and important to her.
Floating in midair, observing the situation, Hana suddenly looked up:
"Here they come."
Bang!
From the sky, Maki descended, carrying Tsumiki in her arms!
Although the drop was random, Maki had no cursed energy, no shikigami, and had not been identified as a swimmer by the barrier. By holding Tsumiki before entering, they landed in the same position.
Inside the barrier were not only deadly-eyed swimmers but also numerous curses.
The Kōsen allowed Maki to act as a temporary guardian because Tsumiki had not had her body stolen. Hana, who had been observing from above, also descended to the rooftop.
Her black ponytail exuded youthful vitality. Seeing the familiar face… Fushiguro's heart inexplicably raced.
Maki gently placed Tsumiki down and stepped aside, awaiting the next procedure.
For a swimmer to exit the Culling Game, they must communicate directly with Kogane. Fushiguro also had to transfer 100 points to Tsumiki before Idechi could step in as her substitute.
"Hello!"
"I'm Itadori. Nice to meet you."
"I'm Nobara."
"I'm Kurusu."
Meeting Fushiguro's sister for the first time, they greeted her politely.
Tsumiki blushed slightly, bowing in return:
"I've already heard about you all from Ijichi-senpai Thank you for taking care of my little Megumi all this time."
Exactly the response an older sister would give. Fushiguro, observing Tsumiki's expression, felt his tense nerves slowly relax.
"No more delays—transfer the points so we can get out of here."
Without hesitation, Fushiguro transferred 1% of the points to his sister.
Nobara muttered, teasing:
"Classic tsundere, huh?"
Kurusu added:
"Pretending to be cold, like a rebellious teenager."
Itadori: "Megumi's fake-serious face is really cute!"
The three covered their mouths with their hands, giggling quietly.
Megumi turned to glare at them but said nothing in rebuttal.
The seemingly warm and lively atmosphere shattered in the next moment.
"Shokunin, add a rule to bind my name with that of Sukuna's," Tsumiki said.
"Oh, and make sure to add a heart in the middle~"
Shokunin (the little golden insect): "Ding! Rule 13 successfully added!"
"What?!!"
Megumi and the others turned their heads in disbelief, staring at the seemingly fragile girl.
Her black ponytail whipped in the wind, but the shy expression on Tsumiki's face had vanished.
Instead, her deep eyes held a hint of triumph and mischief.
Megumi's pupils shrank to pinpoints, and his voice trembled:
"Who… are you?!"
Tsumiki gently tucked her hair behind her ear, her tone soft:
"Megumi, I'm your sister~"
"No… you're not!"
Cold sweat slid down his forehead as Megumi shouted:
"Who are you really?!"
"Oh my, don't be so angry."
Watching the stunned school authorities, Tsumiki could no longer hold back and laughed wildly.
"I'm your good sister. Kind and gentle Fushiguro Tsumiki!"
"Ha, ha, hahaha!"
Megumi finally realized the horrible truth upon seeing her manic expression: the soul hidden beneath this façade did not belong to Tsumiki.
"All right, just kidding. Don't take it seriously."
Playing with her hair, Tsumiki raised an eyebrow and looked at the group:
"My name is Yorozu. A thousand years ago, some of the old folks should still remember me."
"I'm… the bride of Sukuna."
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