On the outskirts of Tokyo. An open-air hot spring.
A short, volcano-headed curse sat on a rock by the water's edge. The green fur-collared cape draped over its body was slightly damp from the steam. It held a cigar in one hand, puffing out smoke in imitation of a human.
"Phew—"
Jogo exhaled a mouthful of white smoke.
"Have you thought about it, Jogo?"
Kenjaku's voice came from behind. Jogo turned to see Kenjaku in a black trench coat, hands in his pockets, walking slowly toward it.
Kenjaku stopped beside Jogo, his gaze sweeping across the hot spring's surface before landing on a blue figure crouched in the corner of the water.
"..."
Mahito had his head buried in his knees, curled into a ball. His long blue hair floated on the surface like abandoned seaweed.
Ever since Hanami brought him back, he'd maintained this withdrawn state. Not a single word.
He was probably completely depressed.
"Our goal is to create a new world ruled by cursed spirits," Jogo said slowly, cigar pinched between its fingers. "Since Mahito has experienced Sukuna's terrifying power firsthand, as long as Sukuna is fully resurrected, the era of curses will arrive. Correct?"
"Therefore, I've decided to execute your plan: collect Sukuna's fingers and feed them to Yuji Itadori."
Kenjaku smiled and nodded. "That makes sense. Although Sukuna seems close to that vessel, someone with tastes that twisted probably just wants to deceive the naive child. Sukuna doesn't seem like the type who makes friends."
"Geto, what's our next move?" Jogo asked.
"First, we need to retrieve all six fingers stored in Jujutsu High's vault."
Kenjaku raised a finger.
"According to the intelligence Mechamaru sent back, Jujutsu High is holding an exchange event tomorrow. The sorcerers will be focused on the competition, and there will definitely be gaps in their defense."
He glanced at Mahito. "I originally wanted Mahito to handle it, but given his current state, he probably can't. Jogo, you'll have to go instead."
"Is that really necessary? Aren't the sorcerers keeping Yuji Itadori specifically to make him consume Sukuna's fingers?" Jogo was puzzled.
"The higher-ups at Jujutsu High can't measure Yuji Itadori's limit as a vessel. They don't know how many fingers he can consume before losing control, so they won't risk it."
"Alright. Leave it to me."
Jogo nodded.
"Remember to avoid combat as much as possible. I'll arrange for Hanami and the curse users under my command to provide cover. Grab Sukuna's fingers and get out immediately."
Knowing Jogo's short temper, Kenjaku added that warning specifically.
"Run away? Why don't I just kill everyone who finds out?"
"Satoru Gojo is at Jujutsu High. That man is the strongest modern sorcerer. Unfortunately, you can't beat him right now."
"What did you say?!"
Jogo's eyes widened. Anger flared across its face.
"I can't beat that brat? Are you kidding me!"
Kenjaku spread his hands helplessly, unsure where Jogo got its confidence.
Mahito had been confident once too.
He'd said: "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!"
Then he got the living daylights beaten out of him and was now completely withdrawn.
Jogo was just like Mahito. Without being personally educated by Satoru Gojo, it wouldn't be convinced.
However, Kenjaku wouldn't give it that chance. Jogo was the strongest combat asset he had on hand. He had to prevent it from serving itself up to Satoru Gojo on a silver platter.
"Alright, alright. Let's set aside whether you can beat him. Even if you could defeat Satoru Gojo, there are many other experts at Jujutsu High. You can't fight a hundred people alone, can you? Be cautious, Jogo."
"..." Jogo pondered for a moment. It made sense. "Fine. There's an old Chinese saying: 'Caution is the parent of safety.'"
"Speaking of which..."
Jogo fell silent, its gaze drifting to Mahito. Looking at that blue head half-submerged in the water, it frowned.
"Ever since Mahito fought Sukuna's vessel, he's been like this. Not a word. What exactly happened?"
Kenjaku replied: "He was probably beaten into depression."
"...Is Sukuna's vessel really that powerful? Mahito doesn't seem like the type to get depressed."
"Yes. So powerful that I've had to redeploy my plans. Truly dangerous."
Jogo shook its head and called out: "Hey, Mahito. Stop sulking. It's just a minor setback. So what if you couldn't beat Sukuna's vessel? After all, he might be a monster capable of containing Sukuna himself. With your talent, you'll definitely surpass him one day. Cheer up."
"..."
Despite clearly hearing Jogo's words, Mahito remained motionless.
"Mahito."
Jogo called again. No response.
"Mahito!"
"..."
Only steam drifted across the water's surface. The blue figure remained still, as if dead.
"Mahito, you bastard!"
A wisp of black smoke rose from Jogo's volcanic head. It stood, walked over to Mahito, and violently yanked him out of the water. Splashes flew everywhere as the lifeless curse dangled in mid-air like a drowned rat.
"We are going to create a new world and a new humanity! How can you be crushed by one or two setbacks!"
It hurled Mahito onto the ground—but he still showed no intention of struggling.
Jogo crouched down. "Mahito, no matter what happened between you and Sukuna's vessel, don't forget. We are curses!"
"Curses born from humanity's negative emotions. We will never bow our heads to humans!"
"..."
A slight flicker finally crossed Mahito's face. He looked up at Jogo, who tossed the cigar aside and turned to leave.
"If you can't do it, then I'll take over. Let me go meet Sukuna's vessel."
Kenjaku reminded him: "Fighting Sukuna's vessel isn't your mission. Don't let your guard down."
Currently, Yuji Itadori was no match for Jogo.
Excluding the four Special Grade sorcerers, Jogo was one of the strongest existences in the current jujutsu world.
However...
Yuji Itadori had achieved such astonishing results after only four days of enrollment. Surpassing Jogo was probably only a matter of time.
How truly troublesome...
Kenjaku sighed.
Back at Tokyo Jujutsu High.
"So, you're Sukuna's vessel? That genius who killed a Special Grade curse right after enrolling?"
Naoya Zenin tilted his head, voice dripping with disdain.
His cursed energy is thin—not even Grade 1 level. However, his cursed energy manipulation is quite precise, and his physical strength is impressive. I can see some similarities with Toji.
But he's inferior to Toji. And inferior to me.
Toji Fushiguro, known as the Sorcerer Killer. He possessed the physical talent granted by Heavenly Restriction. Due to his formidable physique, he'd earned that infamous title. When Satoru Gojo was still a student at Jujutsu High, Toji Fushiguro had almost strangled the modern strongest sorcerer in the cradle. After heavily injuring Satoru Gojo, he'd even defeated Suguru Geto—one of the two strongest students at Jujutsu High at the time.
In Naoya's eyes, Toji Fushiguro was a powerhouse on the same level as Satoru Gojo.
Yuji looked at him coldly. "Do you lack upbringing? I was asking you a question. Who told you to answer with a question?"
Earlier, Naoya had used that exact line to mock Junpei Yoshino. Now Yuji returned those same words on Junpei's behalf.
"You—!"
Naoya frowned. He violently shook off Yuji's hand and stepped back.
Projection Sorcery activated. The blonde man's figure instantly vanished from his spot.
Naoya Zenin was the legitimate son of the Zenin Clan. His innate technique was the same as the current clan head's: Projection Sorcery.
Projection Sorcery divided one second into twenty-four frames, allowing the user to trace a predetermined set of movements within their field of vision.
Simply put, Naoya could execute twenty-four movements per second using Projection Sorcery.
Every time he completed a set of movements, Naoya gained a layer of acceleration. If the technique stacked continuously, his speed could reach terrifying supersonic levels.
Because the predetermined movements were mandatory, failing to complete them would not only negate the acceleration but also freeze the caster for one second. The technique heavily relied on calculation and operational ability.
But as the genius of the Zenin Clan, Naoya utilized its performance to the extreme.
Whoosh—!
In an instant, Naoya became an afterimage, circling behind Yuji. Yuji didn't even have time to turn his head.
What incredible speed...
Naoya grinned. He threw a heavy punch, smashing toward Yuji's lower back—
CRACK—!
But the expected sensation didn't arrive. Naoya froze. His fist felt like it had struck solid metal. The sound of something shattering reached all three present.
"?!"
Yuji's body hadn't moved an inch. The moment Naoya disappeared, he'd mobilized his cursed energy to condense a layer of blood armor across his torso. Projection Sorcery granted Naoya unparalleled speed—his punch could turn an ordinary Grade 1 curse to mush.
But against Yuji Itadori, he'd only managed to crack a small section. His fist itself was forcibly stopped.
SMACK!
While Naoya was stunned, Yuji grabbed his arm.
"You—!"
Before he could finish, tremendous force traveled through Naoya's arm. Using sheer brute strength, Yuji lifted Naoya into the air—
—and executed a shoulder throw, smashing him toward the ground.
Whoosh—!
At the last moment, Naoya activated Projection Sorcery again. Just before his body hit the ground, he broke free from Yuji's grip. He executed a sharp mid-air turn, forcibly adjusting his unbalanced posture—
Naoya's feet landed steadily. Though he stumbled back a few steps from momentum, he managed to stabilize.
He can adjust mid-air... This guy... No wonder my eldest brother had trouble dealing with him.
Yuji lowered his arm, evaluating internally.
Naoya Zenin. A Supreme Grade 1 sorcerer. Probably the strongest in the Zenin Clan aside from the clan head. Significantly stronger than Mahito—even stronger than Nanami.
Naoya stood in place, rolling his reddened wrist. The expression on his face shifted from contempt to surprise.
"Was that... Blood Manipulation just now? No wonder you could kill a Special Grade curse right after enrolling. You've got some skills."
Yuji didn't respond. He only watched Naoya coldly.
Naoya stared at him for several seconds. Then he suddenly waved his hand dismissively.
After that brief clash, both sides recognized the other wasn't to be trifled with.
"The exchange event is tomorrow. I don't want to waste the energy I specifically saved for the competition on a fight tonight." He shrugged, tone flippant. "How about we part ways here?"
"...Fine by me."
Yuji also didn't want to keep tangling with Naoya. After all, Junpei was beside him. If he was taken hostage, things would get ugly.
"But at tomorrow's exchange event, I'll show you what I'm made of. I'll make sure that arrogant, smug face of yours can never smile again."
This was truly the first time Yuji had met someone more insufferable than Mahito.
He normally didn't insult people—except for guys who bullied his friends.
"Tch. Then let's wait and see. We'll find out who's really stronger."
Naoya snorted coldly, turned, and left the area, finally disappearing into the forest path.
Junpei Yoshino stood to the side, gripping his cracked phone tightly. He'd clearly been stunned by what he'd just witnessed.
So amazing... Both of them...
"Itadori-kun... That person just now..."
"Ignore him." Yuji shook his head. "That guy isn't from Jujutsu High. He came here specifically for the exchange event. You don't have to worry about him bullying you again."
"Just a self-righteous prick. Come on, I'll take you to the dorms."
"Okay." Junpei looked at Yuji's back, feeling a sudden surge of security wash over him. He nodded and smiled. "You saved me again, Itadori-kun."
"...It was nothing. Just happened to be there."
"Then... can I become as strong as you someday, Itadori-kun?"
Junpei scratched the back of his head.
"Being a jujutsu sorcerer depends on talent, but..." Yuji dropped the cold expression from earlier and smiled at Junpei. "As long as you work hard enough—maybe."
"Okay! I'll work hard!"
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