"...Mahito, are you okay?"
Hanami's body phased through the barrier, completely vanishing from Yuji Itadori's field of vision. Looking at the dying companion tucked under its arm, it asked with concern.
"Hana... mi..."
The dying Mahito's head drooped lifelessly toward the ground. His skin was deathly pale, and half his body was soaked in blood.
"I... am too weak..."
"As long as I beat you to the ground and drag your broken body in front of those residents, the effect will be the same!"
"Try? It won't be as simple as trying, Yuji Itadori. I will completely destroy your dignity here and toy with you like a maggot!"
Recalling those words he'd said to sound tough, Mahito felt nothing but crushing humiliation.
He was too weak. As a curse born from humanity's hatred toward humanity, Mahito had always believed his talent was unparalleled—that he could toy with everyone from his lofty perch.
But Sukuna's vessel, without even using Sukuna, had ruthlessly trampled his dignity underfoot and ground it into the dirt.
"..."
Mahito sniffled.
He really wanted to cry.
He really wanted to die... really wanted to die... really wanted to die... really wanted to die!
He had been utterly and completely defeated.
I always thought I could look down on everyone from above.
But I was wrong. I'm just a frog in a well...
Mahito sank completely into self-isolation.
Just as Yuji Itadori had intended—even though Mahito managed to escape with his life.
Yuji Itadori's name was carved permanently into his brain.
His nightmare.
On the other side of the battlefield.
Yuji had sensed Kenjaku lying in ambush nearby all along. After deploying the Special Grade curse Shuten Doji, Kenjaku's presence had vanished as well.
"..."
The pink-haired boy looked at the Special Grade blocking his path and frowned slightly. Although he hadn't consumed much cursed energy fighting Mahito—at most fifty percent—this curse had clearly been strengthened by Kenjaku personally.
Exorcising it wouldn't be easy.
"Itadori-kun!"
A familiar voice came from behind.
Yuji turned in surprise and saw a figure in a white suit hurrying over from the end of the street. Blonde hair. Glasses. Prominent cheekbones.
"Nanami-san? You came?"
Kento Nanami stopped beside him, loosened the tie from his chest, wrapped it around his hand, and drew the short sword from his back.
"I figured you'd do something reckless, you—" Nanami paused, swallowing the scolding. "—brat. You left Ijichi in Kanagawa Prefecture to set up a Curtain. The moment I got word, I rushed over."
"Where is the curse named Mahito?"
"He was rescued. There's more than one intelligent Special Grade curse."
"We'll discuss you disobeying orders later."
Yuji froze, instinctively wanting to explain. "Nanami-san, I—"
"Let's solve the problem in front of us first."
"..."
Yuji smiled helplessly. "Alright!"
With two Grade 1 sorcerers working together, dealing with a Special Grade curse wasn't particularly difficult. After killing Shuten Doji, the matter was concluded.
Under Yuji's protection, there were no casualties among the surrounding residents. Only Junpei Yoshino's mother remained unconscious—but she would wake up soon after resting at the hospital.
Witnessing Yuji's astonishing solo performance, even Kento Nanami had to acknowledge him.
"If it were me, I couldn't have done any better. Itadori-kun, you are strong."
"I'm heading back to Jujutsu High next. What are you planning to do?"
Yuji considered for a moment. "I'll probably wait until afternoon to head back. Personal matters."
"Then we'll meet again later."
The midday sun shone down on the street. Kento Nanami climbed into Ijichi's car. Through the rear window, he looked at Yuji standing by the roadside with a meaningful gaze.
"Itadori-kun."
"Hm?"
"Regarding your promotion to Grade 1 sorcerer—I will recommend you alongside Gojo-san."
"...Thank you."
Those words meant Kento Nanami acknowledged his talent as a jujutsu sorcerer. Yuji smiled and watched the car pull away.
"Next..."
He turned and walked toward the hospital behind him.
Yuji pushed open the hospital room door.
Afternoon sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting golden stripes across the floor.
Junpei Yoshino sat by his mother's bed, keeping watch. Hearing the noise, he turned.
"Itadori-kun?"
"Yeah. How's your mom?"
"The doctor said she should wake up this afternoon." Junpei's voice was hoarse. "Nothing serious."
"That's good."
Yuji walked over, his gaze falling on the bruises and scrapes covering Junpei's arms—all from Mahito earlier.
"You're pretty banged up yourself. Go let a nurse treat those, or I can help—"
"No need." Junpei shook his head, cutting him off. "Minor injuries don't matter."
"More importantly—the situation with Mahito... is it resolved?"
Yuji nodded. "It's resolved."
He didn't elaborate, but Junpei understood.
"Itadori-kun is really incredible." Junpei murmured. "Someone as strong and kind as you will definitely save even more people from now on."
Yuji was momentarily surprised. Then he smiled.
"Yeah. I will."
He didn't deflect or downplay it—because that was exactly why he'd come back. To save more people.
Junpei lowered his head, hands on his knees, gripping the hem of his uniform tightly.
"...But I'm so weak."
His teeth clenched. "I'm so weak... I couldn't even save my own mother."
"...Junpei, it's not your fault."
Junpei didn't reply. The hospital room fell silent, leaving only the steady beep, beep of the heart monitor echoing in the stillness.
Then Junpei looked up. A hint of determination flickered in his eyes. This wasn't impulse—it was a decision he'd reached after hours of thinking and struggling.
He stood, turned to face Yuji, leaned forward, and bowed deeply.
"Itadori-kun—please let me join Jujutsu High!"
"...You?"
The smile on Yuji's face faded, replaced by seriousness.
"Junpei, being a jujutsu sorcerer isn't a glamorous profession. Those without ability don't survive many years before they're eliminated."
"I know!"
"You don't know." Yuji shook his head. "For jujutsu sorcerers, there's no such thing as a death without regrets."
"You haven't watched the people around you die—but I have. Some people are talking to you one moment, and the next they're a cold corpse. Some don't even leave a body behind. They're devoured by curses and completely disappear from this world."
"I don't want you to end up like that."
"..."
"Itadori-kun." Junpei looked up, eyes burning with even greater resolve. "I've made up my mind."
"Just now, I tried something on my own—and I found I could summon a small jellyfish-like creature. That should be my cursed technique, right?"
"If I were just an ordinary person, I wouldn't make such a rash decision. But I have the talent to be a jujutsu sorcerer!"
"I don't want to watch my mother fall unconscious again. I don't want to watch you fight alone while I can't do anything, like yesterday."
Junpei clenched his fists. The final words came out almost like a growl.
"I want to become stronger!"
"I want to become as strong as you, Itadori-kun!"
"If I don't get stronger, I won't even be able to protect my mother—let alone myself!"
"So please—let me join Jujutsu High!"
"..."
Yuji remained silent for a moment, seemingly moved by the boy's determination. A small smile tugged at his lips.
"Alright. I really can't argue with you."
"Really...?" Joy flooded Junpei's face. "That's great! Thank you!"
Beep beep beep—beep beep beep—
"Sorry, Junpei. Let me take this call."
Yuji pulled out his phone. The caller ID read "Satoru Gojo."
"Hello, Gojo-sensei?"
"Yuji! I heard from Nanami about your mission today..." The voice on the other end was noticeably excited. "I'll save the praise for when I get back. I'm on a business trip right now."
"I called to tell you—this afternoon, we're picking up a new student."
"A new student?" Yuji was surprised.
"That's right! The third first-year, coming from the countryside! Nobara Kugisaki!"
"..."
So it's Kugisaki.
Yuji's face lit up. Although he'd stayed in touch with Kugisaki in his past life, the thought of seeing his old friend's youthful face again made him genuinely happy.
"Actually, that Kugisaki would be the fourth."
Yuji chuckled.
"Gojo-sensei—I'd like to recommend a student to you..."
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~ Evey 150 PS = Bonus Chapter
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