As Hiroshi announced the Kyoto team's win, he noticed a peculiar sight outside, Standing up, he addressed everyone in the room, "I'll be back. An interesting situation is happening outside. There are curse users preparing to open a curtain over us. I suggest you all move now." Hiroshi's words alarmed everyone.
"I'll stand by Master Tengen," Satoru Gojo said.
"I'll call back the students," Suguru Geto stated.
"All available sorcerers, eliminate every curse user in the vicinity," Masamichi Yaga commanded.
Juzo Kamiya hammered the curtain nail into the ground and chanted, raising the curtain. "Juzo, are you sure trusting those curses is right? There's this guy called Yuta leading them, but seriously, we are going up against the Big 3. The sorcerers standing at the pinnacle of the world, they can look in our general direction and we'd die," one of the curse users said to Juzo.
"It's fine. They paid us big bucks, and you shouldn't believe hearsay. Big 3, my ass. I reckon the SBI is just gassing them up for deterrence. You know, governments like those shady stuff," Juzo replied.
"Well, you should really believe in those hearsays. Who knows if they are all true," a voice said from behind them.
"What?" everyone turned around and saw Suguru Geto.
"Fuck! It's the Lord of Pandemonium!" one of them exclaimed.
"Lord of Pandemonium, eh? Wouldn't be a lord if you become a rack now? RACK RACK RACK!" Juzo charged at Suguru Geto, intending to kill.
"Curse users never change," Suguru said as he summoned his cursed spirits. To say it was a slaughter was an understatement. Blood and guts were all that was left of the curse users. Juzo Kamiya floated in the air, gazing in horror at his obliterated contingent. He looked at the elephant-faced cursed spirit behind Suguru Geto, keeping him afloat. "You will be interrogated and executed," Suguru said.
The rest of the team arrived, led by Principal Gakuganji and Utahime. "We will take this one into custody," Gakuganji said to Suguru Geto.
"Take him," Suguru replied as the sorcerers behind Gakuganji restrained Juzo and took him away.
Meanwhile, inside the curtain, the Jujutsu students looked up in confusion.
"A curtain?" Yuji exclaimed.
"Why now?" Todo added.
Just before the curtain dropped, Hiroshi had already made his way inside. Walking through the forest, it did not take him long to arrive at the source. Hiroshi immediately recognized the cursed spirit before him.
"Hanami," Hiroshi thought.
"Why?" was the first word Hanami uttered.
"Why what, cursed spirit?" Hiroshi asked, folded his arms.
"The world, it's contradicting itself. It's angry at humans but at the same time gave birth to you, the embodiment of its will. Why?" Hanami said, baffled, all the while keeping her head down.
But then Hanami did something that baffled Hiroshi even more.
"Why are you kneeling to me? Raise your head," Hiroshi demanded.
"I kneel to you not out of respect for you sorcerer, but for the meaning of your existence, the Lord of the World," Hanami replied, raising her head. Though she had no eyes, she could see the massive tree that held the world together, reaching from the skies to the earth. To her, it was the sight of the most holy. The cursed spirit born out of nature's wrath paid its respect to the embodiment of the world and the one who wielded its power—the Lord of the World.
"Are you still going to fight?" Hiroshi asked.
"I shall, for it is my sole purpose to eliminate Humans. Contrary to my comrades' beliefs, I was already aware of who you are from the moment of my birth. Born from humanity's fear of the land, I knew we would ultimately fail because of you. But I will fight. If I die, I die fighting against the world because we are the true humans, I am nature's wrath, and Mother is angry," Hanami said.
Hanami immediately attacked Hiroshi with roots from beneath him, but the attempt failed. Hanami realized that when fighting Senju Hiroshi, one was ultimately battling the very essence of the world. As a cursed spirit specializing in controlling nature, she was stunned to find the world around her had turned hostile. The plants that were supposed to be under her command refused to obey, signifying her complete defeat.
She tore the sheet covering her left hand, glaring at Hiroshi who stood there, waiting for her next move. His lack of seriousness infuriated her, but she knew her anger was futile. Placing her hand on the ground, she absorbed all the life force around her and launched an attack. Flowers bloomed around Hiroshi, a technique meant to sap the target's desire to fight.
"Blooming flowers? I'll show you something far grander. Shinboku no Jumon: Deep Forest Bloom," Hiroshi said as he slowly placed his hands together. Instantly, the entire island's trees began to bloom and release pollen.
Hanami realized she could only rely on her own cursed technique against Hiroshi. Wooden balls appeared around her, launching sharp appendages at Hiroshi. In response, giant wooden hands manifested around Hiroshi, intercepting the appendages and attempting to capture Hanami.
"Shinoboku no Jumon: Laughing Buddha Jutsu," Hiroshi intoned.
Hanami danced around the giant hands, summoning massive, sharp roots to destroy them. However, each time she did, even larger wooden hands emerged.
This cycle repeated endlessly.
While this intense battle unfolded, Suguru Geto finally breached the curtain and found Utahime had gathered both Kyoto and Tokyo Jujutsu Sorcerers.
"It's like an apocalypse. The island is shaking, and there are giant hands!" Yuji exclaimed, witnessing the distant clash between Hiroshi and Hanami.
"That's Hiroshi's cursed technique, the Spell of the Divine Tree," Suguru explained.
"It's my first time seeing it on such a scale," Mai observed, and the Kyoto sorcerers nodded in agreement.
"It's just another Tuesday," Suguru said nonchalantly. "Come, let's get you all to safety," he added, leading them out.
Amidst the chaos, Mahito had snuck into the warehouse where all the cursed objects were stored, including Sukuna's fingers collected over the years and the Death Painting Wombs: Choso, Eso, and Kechizu. Mahito's presence was unnoticed in the confusion, allowing him to proceed with his nefarious plans.
Hanami was affected by the pollen being released. Dizziness and drowsiness overwhelmed her; she hadn't even realized she could become sleepy, and yet she was. "This pollen... is terrible," she muttered.
Pushed to her brink, Hanami finally used her Domain Expansion.
"Domain Expansion: Shining Sea of Glowing Branches!"
"Domain Expansion: Divine Tree Emergence!" Hiroshi countered.
Hanami's domain manifested a world of glowing branches, with the sure-hit effect centered on the flower on her shoulder. But as quickly as she expanded her domain, it was destroyed by the sheer force of Hiroshi's domain.
Hanami's back touched the ground. She stared at the sky in disbelief, feeling the sting of defeat. Though she knew she would lose, to lose with such ease was devastating.
"I'm not going to exorcise you, spirit. However, I've got better uses for you. Though I defeated you with ease, not everyone has my strength," Hiroshi said as he turned to the sky, watching as the Rainbow Dragon descended with Suguru Geto aboard.
"Thanks, Hiroshi," Suguru said, absorbing the incapacitated Hanami into a black orb and swallowing it.
At the moment Suguru absorbed Hanami, Hiroshi felt something. Closing his eyes, he entered his innate domain.
The God Tree, and beside it, the strange space Hiroshi found earlier. He entered it and found the soul of Hanami. "I get it now. This is the Cursed Realm, the space between reality and dreams," Hiroshi thought as he gazed at Hanami.
"So this means that if Suguru absorbs a cursed spirit, it is exorcised, and the shell is what's left? I'll have to test that out," Hiroshi mused.
"Good fight. Although you could've done better, let's chalk it up to my abilities suppressing yours. Reincarnate with pride, knowing that you at least stood your ground against the strongest," Hiroshi said.
"I cannot leave... I have to wait for them," Hanami said as she faded into the white background.
"Then wait," Hiroshi said, opening his eyes once again to see Suguru looking at him, baffled.
"You stood there for like five minutes," Suguru said.
"I thought it was longer. Let's go," Hiroshi replied, gesturing to move on.
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Meanwhile, back at Tokyo Jujutsu High, Ijichi was meticulously counting the casualties caused by Mahito.
"Three Grade 2 Jujutsu Sorcerers, one Semi-Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer, five supervisors, and two treasury guards," Ijichi recited. "They are the Jujutsu Sorcerers on standby," he continued, his tone somber. "Although we're still waiting for Ms. Ieiri's report, we're positive that it's done by the Cursed Spirit that Mr. Nanami and Mr. Haibara encountered previously."
"Did the Curse User say anything?" Masamichi Yaga asked, his voice edged with concern.
"Well… although he can't keep a secret, he didn't provide any useful information," Ijichi replied. "Regarding this attack, he said he was just following orders. From a kid with a bob cut and white hair. A monk child with an unknown gender and a bob cut?"
The trio—Hiroshi, Satoru, and Suguru—immediately recognized who Ijichi was referring to.
"We know who these guys are," Hiroshi said, his eyes narrowing. "And I think it's time we let the Principals in on this plan."
Hiroshi summed up the situation for the Principals: "The millennia-old sorcerer named Kenjaku has hijacked Yuta Okkotsu's body because of his Cursed Technique. Given Kenjaku's own Cursed Technique of body-hopping, his objective seems to be to plunge the Sorcerer Society into chaos, attempting to return it to the Heian Era."
"That's a crazy son of a bitch," Masamichi Yaga cursed.
"Well, apparently he is," Hiroshi replied. "Although I don't know why he wants to return the world to the Heian Era, one thing is for sure: as long as the three of us are alive and kicking, Kenjaku cannot make waves." He gestured to his friends, Satoru and Suguru, standing to his left and right, respectively.
"So let's begin preparations for Halloween," Masamichi Yaga said. "Sensei, only position rescue personnel. Let us be careful of the Curse Users. I believe these guys will erect multiple Curtains in Shibuya, so position the Sorcerers to dismantle the Curtains."
"What about the feud between the Higher-ups and Gojo and Senju?" Masamichi Yaga asked.
"The Senju-Gojo Alliance will deal with the Higher-ups. We just need the opportunity," Hiroshi said confidently.
The room listened attentively. "Although the Senju and Gojo Clans will be occupied, we cannot send extra personnel. I reckon the Zenin and Kamo Clans would rather watch the world burn than help, so I will take care of the incident with Suguru and Satoru positioned near Master Tengen. We need all sorcerers below Special Grade stationed outside to hunt down the Curse Users maintaining the Curtains. The SBI, as the public face of sorcerers, will be tasked with evacuating civilians during that time," Hiroshi explained.
The Principals nodded, understanding the gravity and complexity of the plan. Yaga leaned forward, his gaze serious. "This will require precision and coordination. We can't afford any mistakes."
"So the event continues," Masamichi Yaga announced, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. He reached into a box and pulled out a lot. "Go ahead, pick one," he said, extending the box towards Hiroshi.
Hiroshi reached in, drew a lot, and unfolded it. "Basketball," he read aloud.
Masamichi Yaga nodded. "The team event will be basketball," he confirmed.
--------------
Kyoto Team Room
Hiroshi opened the door with a big smile on his face. "Good job!" he praised.
"So, the team event is basketball, which will happen two days from now. In the meantime, you can go around Tokyo," Hiroshi said as he handed each of the girls a credit card.
Upon hearing this, Nishimiya cheered and dragged Miwa and Mai out. "See you later, Sensei," were the last words heard before they disappeared into the horizon.
"Ladies sure like shopping..." Hiroshi remarked, watching the girls speed off. "Anyways, for doing an excellent job, Todo! I give you this." Hiroshi handed Aoi Todo a special meet-and-greet pass for Takada Chan.
"THANK YOU, SENSEI!" Todo bowed 90 degrees and immediately headed to the showers, as the date was scheduled for 6 pm tonight.
"Sensei, about my mother," Noritoshi Kamo said. "Your mother can be welcomed to the Kamo Clan with my help, however, she already has another family," Hiroshi replied.
Noritoshi Kamo went silent for a bit. His mother was the center of his life, and he regretted being separated from her by the clan. She was not welcomed into the family like he was, and his goal had always been to build a home for her so they could reunite. Now that he was facing reality, he suddenly realized that he had nowhere to go.
Hiroshi placed his arm around him. "If you don't have a place to go, you have us," Hiroshi said warmly. This brought a smile to Noritoshi Kamo's face. "Thanks, Sensei."
Hiroshi then approached the reassembled Mechamaru. "Kokichi, the time is nearing," he said.
"Preparations are ready, Sensei," Kokichi Muta replied. He would soon regain a body.
"That's good," Hiroshi said. "In the meantime, I've sent more resources to your warehouse. Make some more of those cursed corpses and puppets to replenish," he instructed.
"Thanks, Sensei," Kokichi said gratefully.
A few hours later, Suguru was assisting Hiroshi with his theory on his cursed technique. Suguru summoned Hanami and posed the question, "Who are you?"
"I am Hanami, born from the fear of humanity towards the land," Hanami replied.
"That's rather robotic, or is it a new soul?" Hiroshi remarked. "Try asking her if she remembers Jogo or Mahito, maybe even Dagon," he suggested.
"Do you remember Jogo and Mahito?" Suguru inquired.
"Yes, they were my comrades," Hanami replied.
"She replied with 'were'," Hiroshi concluded. "Are you still Hanami, the Special Grade cursed spirit, or are you a new soul?" he asked.
"I am Hanami, what do you mean?" she asked.
"Yeah, that part of the soul that makes them human is gone," Hiroshi concluded.
"So, that means what exactly?" Suguru asked.
"It means that these cursed spirits you absorbed operate like perfect killing machines. They are sentient yet will follow every order. The plus side is that they can follow complex orders," Hiroshi explained.
"That makes for more versatility," Suguru remarked.
Satoru then kicked open the door. "What are you guys doing?" he asked, while eating a sundae.
"Just testing out Suguru's cursed technique," Hiroshi replied. Suguru approached Satoru and asked, "Where's mine?"
Satoru responded, "There's a lot in the cafeteria." This prompted Suguru to chomp off a sizable chunk from Satoru's cone and quickly run away, leading to a goose chase all over the campus.