Far from Jujutsu High, where cursed energy still lingered like heat after a fire, the world felt quieter.
Not peaceful—just unaware.
In a dim space layered with barriers and stitched cursed techniques, two presences stood apart from the noise of the modern world.
One smiled like he always had.
The other didn't need to.
Kenjaku, inhabiting Geto Suguru's body, watched something invisible unfold in the air like a replay only he could see.
"…So it progressed further than expected."
A faint ripple of cursed energy shifted beside him.
Mahito leaned casually against nothing, like the concept of space itself was optional.
"…He was fun to watch break."
A pause.
"…That Takeru thing."
Kenjaku's expression remained calm.
"…Yes."
A slight tilt of the head.
"…More variables than anticipated."
Mahito grinned.
"…He got how many arms again? Ten? That was ridiculous."
Kenjaku hummed softly.
"…Not the interesting part."
Mahito blinked."…Oh?"
Kenjaku raised a hand slightly, as if adjusting the idea itself.
"…What matters is not the manifestation."
"…It is the compatibility."
A pause.
The air tightened slightly as cursed energy responded to his tone.
Mahito's smile widened."…Compatibility with what?"
Kenjaku finally looked toward him.
"…With Sukuna."
Silence.
Even Mahito didn't interrupt immediately.
Kenjaku continued.
"…Sukuna allowed a temporary reversion of control."
"…Which means he evaluated the vessel as… unstable, but usable."
Mahito tilted his head.
"…So he didn't finish him?"
Kenjaku shook his head slightly.
"…No."
A pause.
"…He chose not to."
Mahito laughed softly.
"…That's rare."
Kenjaku's tone remained even.
"…It is strategic."
"…If Sukuna fully eliminates the vessel too early, he risks losing the environment that produces these anomalies."
Mahito leaned forward slightly.
"…So Sukuna is basically farming him?"
Kenjaku's eyes narrowed faintly.
"…In a sense."
A long silence followed.
Then—
Mahito spoke again, quieter now.
"…And Gojo?"
At that name, Kenjaku's expression sharpened just slightly.
"…Interference increased."
A pause.
"…As expected."
Mahito smiled again.
"…He's always like that."
Kenjaku stepped forward slowly, as if walking through an invisible diagram only he could see.
"…The interesting outcome is not Sukuna."
He stopped.
"…It is what the vessel is becoming under pressure."
Mahito tilted his head.
"…Becoming?"
Kenjaku's voice remained calm.
"…Adaptation stacking."
"…Technique retention beyond normal limits."
"…And structural cursed energy partitioning."
A pause.
"…That level of instability normally collapses."
Mahito grinned wider.
"…But he didn't."
Kenjaku nodded once.
"…Exactly."
Silence again.
The space around them felt slightly thinner, like reality was listening too closely.
Mahito spoke lightly.
"…So what's the plan now?"
Kenjaku turned slightly, as if already several steps ahead of the conversation.
"…We observe."
A pause.
"…And wait for Sukuna's next adjustment."
Mahito frowned slightly.
"…That's it?"
Kenjaku's expression softened into something unreadable.
"…No."
A beat.
"…We wait for everyone else to believe it is over."
The air shifted.
Not aggressively.
But knowingly.
Mahito smiled again.
"…Ah."
"…That kind of plan."
Kenjaku nodded.
"…Yes."
"…Because the most dangerous moment…"
A pause.
"…Is when they assume recovery means safety."
Far away, unseen, the aftermath of Takeru's battle continued inside Jujutsu High.
Resting.
Repairing.
Stabilizing.
But in the quiet between disasters—
something else was already being arranged.
And this time…
it wasn't reacting to the fight.
It was preparing the next one.