Tokyo Colony 1
As Hiroshi engaged in fierce battles with special grade curse users in the Sendai Colony, the Tokyo Colony saw its own upheaval. Mei Mei and Ui Ui were teleported high into the skies. Megumi and Yuji, who had arrived first, immediately noticed Mei Mei and her brother suspended in the air.
Sakurajima Colony
Yuki Tsukumo fell from the sky, landing gracefully on a rooftop by using her Shikigami, Garuda, to slow her descent.
Tokyo Colony 2
Nanami, Haibara, Kokichi Muta, and Kinji Hakari all plummeted from the sky, their sudden appearance adding to the chaotic landscape of the colony.
Aomori Colony
Panda, Inumaki, and Miwa tumbled from the sky while Kusakabe watched their descent, ready to assist as they landed.
Kyoto Colony
At the Senju Palace, Hiroto Senju was issuing orders with precision. The Senju Clan spread out across Kyoto, hunting down curse users and reincarnated sorcerers.
"The Barrier Teams, I want those colony barriers analyzed and, if possible, neutralized!" Hiroto commanded.
Despite Kyoto being a colony, it served as the stronghold of the Senju Clan, making it difficult for curse users or reincarnated sorcerers to make significant moves.
Kagoshima Colony
Aoi Todo, Mai Zenin, and Noritoshi Kamo found themselves teleported into the midst of the Kagoshima Colony.
In Tokyo Colony 1, Mei Mei and Ui Ui rendezvoused with Yuji Itadori and Fushiguro Megumi. However, as both sorcerers were still airborne, curse users targeted them. Mei Mei glanced at Ui Ui. "Ui Ui, please get us down."
"Yes, Nee-sama," Ui Ui replied with devotion in his voice.
Ui Ui unfurled a sheet from a scroll and wrapped it around both himself and his sister. Instantly, both sorcerers appeared beside Yuji and Megumi.
Due to the randomness of teleportation, Megumi and Yuji had been displaced to different locations than their original ones, finding themselves here now.
The curse users, poised to attack Mei Mei and Ui Ui, were dumbfounded by their sudden disappearance from midair.
Among them were the novice hunters.
"Darling, let's regroup. We've got four targets," the woman said, but before she could finish, she was struck by lightning, and a massive dragon lunged at her, forcing her to dodge using her jet engine-like hair.
"What do you think you're doing to my woman!" A man appeared, his head resembling a helicopter turbine.
"What's the plan, Miss Mei Mei?" Yuji asked. "Curse users, probably around Grade 2," Mei Mei analyzed.
"Wow! Nee-sama, you're amazing!" Ui Ui praised. "Of course," Mei Mei chuckled, fondly ruffling Ui Ui's hair.
Megumi observed Mei Mei and Ui Ui closely, sensing something he couldn't quite pinpoint, but he decided to focus on the immediate threat as another opponent joined the fray.
"Let's take them down first, then eliminate them, alright?" Mei Mei answered Yuji's question. "Okay," Yuji agreed, grabbing rubble and hurling it toward the two curse users.
Megumi summoned his Were-Tiger and Divine Dog Totality for additional support. It was evident that despite being airborne, the male and female curse users lacked aerial attack capabilities, relying solely on standard swooping maneuvers.
Yuji hurled debris at the helicopter-haired man named Haba. Haba dodged it, but Yuji ran swiftly, leaped off a ledge, and grabbed onto Haba's feet. "Ohhh! What the hell? This brat has insane physical prowess!" Haba exclaimed as he was thrown down into the buildings. Briefly disoriented, Haba flew up once again, but Yuji continued to throw debris at him. Haba kept dodging until Yuji managed to get close enough and grab hold of him once more. "Get off me!" Haba exclaimed, trying to kick Yuji away. "No," Yuji fired back. Yuji annoyed Haba so much that he lost focus on his surroundings.
"Bird Strike," Mei Mei commanded, controlling one of her crows. With blinding speed, the crow hit Haba square in the chest and exited out the other side, mortally wounding him.
Meanwhile, Hanyu, the woman with jet engines for hair, was being bitten and torn apart by Megumi's Shikigami.
Seeing both curse users eliminated, Rin Amai, their unwilling accomplice, surrendered.
"Itadori, long time no see," Rin said. Yuji asked him, "Do you know where Higuruma is?"
"Yes, please follow me. Higuruma uses the theatre as his base of operations," Amai replied.
"Wait," Ui Ui interjected. "How do we know we can trust you? You were an accomplice to those two curse users."
"Well," Amai stammered, trying to think of anything to convince Ui Ui.
"It doesn't matter. If he does something shady, we can eliminate him," Megumi said moodily.
"My, why are you so gloomy today, Fushiguro-kun?" Mei Mei asked with a teasing smile.
As Mei Mei led her group to Higuruma, the public was being informed about the sudden appearance of colonies in Japan.
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Official SBI (@Official_SBI) 🗓️ 14 Nov 2018 📢 URGENT: Multiple colonies have appeared across Japan. These colonies are a direct result of a millennia-old sorcerer who has revived and is attempting to throw Japan back to the Heian Era. The SBI, along with skilled sorcerers, is taking swift action to eliminate curse users and curses. Stay safe and avoid these areas. More updates to follow. #SBI #Japan #Sorcery #HeianEra
@Kazuhiro_Ueda This is insane! What do you mean colonies? Are we seriously dealing with ancient sorcery in 2018? 😱 #Japan #SBI
@Miko_Love I just saw footage of sorcerers fighting curses in Tokyo Colony 1. It's like something out of a movie! #SBI #Sorcery
@TrollMaster3000 Yeah right, and I bet the next thing you'll tell me is that dragons are real too. Nice one, SBI. 😂 #FakeNews #Conspiracy
@Sakura_Blossom @TrollMaster3000 This is real! People are getting hurt, and it's not a joke. Have some respect! #Serious
@Takahiro_Sato This feels like we're living in some ancient legend. Can the sorcerers really handle this? #Worried #Japan
@Official_SBI 🗓️ 14 Nov 2018 📷 [Video] Watch our brave sorcerers in action as they confront and eliminate curse users and curses in the Various Colonies. Stay informed and stay safe. #SBI #Sorcery #HeianEra
@Yumi_Chan Wow, seeing the sorcerers in action is both terrifying and incredible. Thank you, SBI! 🙏 #Heroes #SBI
@DoubtfulDan Come on, this has to be some elaborate stunt or PR campaign. No way this is real. #Skeptical
@Hiroshi_Tanaka @DoubtfulDan It's all too real. My cousin works with the SBI, and they've been preparing for something like this for Months. #Truth
@AnimeLover101 It's like my favorite anime has come to life, but way scarier. Stay safe, everyone! #Sorcery #SBI
@ConcernedCitizen If this sorcerer is truly from the Heian Era, does that mean more ancient threats could emerge? What else is out there? #Questions #SBI
@TrollMaster3000 @ConcernedCitizen Next thing you know, they'll say we have to fight off zombie samurais too. 🤣 #Ridiculous
@Kaito_Nakamura Can we focus on supporting the SBI and the sorcerers instead of making jokes? People's lives are at stake. #Support #SBI
@Official_SBI 🗓️ 14 Nov 2018 Thank you for your support. We are committed to ensuring the safety of all citizens. Please continue to follow our updates for the latest information. #SBI #Japan #Sorcery
@Jun_Abe How did we not see this coming? And why isn't the government doing more to help? #Worried
@Miyuki_Arts @Jun_Abe The SBI is part of the government, and it looks like they're doing everything they can. This is just so unexpected. #Support
@RealistRick This just proves how vulnerable we are. Time to prepare for anything, folks. #StayPrepared #RealityCheck
@Official_SBI 🗓️ 14 Nov 2018 🔔 Reminder: Avoid the colonies and stay informed. The SBI and sorcerers are working tirelessly to protect everyone. More updates soon. #SBI #Japan #Sorcery #HeianEra
@Haruto_Kurosaki Seeing those sorcerers fight is mind-blowing. I never believed in this stuff until now. #SBI #Sorcery
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The group entered the theatre, where they saw Higuruma on stage, soaking in a bathtub while wearing a business suit.
"A bathtub?" Yuji blurted out.
"Who are you, and what are you doing here?" Higuruma asked.
"I could ask you the same thing," Yuji replied.
"Have you ever taken a bath with your clothes on?" Higuruma asked.
"No," Yuji said.
"It feels better than you think," Higuruma said and began to blabber about his likes and dislikes from his past, because just recently, he stopped caring about a lot of things.
"I'm well into my mid-30s, but I've become something of a delinquent," Higuruma sighed. "You gonna laugh?" he asked Yuji. Splash
"Well, it is kind of funny," Yuji replied. "You must be Higuruma," Yuji said.
"Indeed."
"I want to talk-"
"Wait, wait, wait... You'll need to pay a consulting fee of 5000 yen for every 30 minutes," Higuruma said.
"Ehhhh...."
"Just kidding... I wanted to try being an asshole of a lawyer," Higuruma said jokingly.
"Oh...." Yuji said.
"Judging from the speech patterns, he is a rather formal and professional man. He does not seem to have any archaic speech, and the moment he asked for 5000 yen per 30-minute consultation, it means he is an awakened sorcerer," Mei Mei analyzed.
"Erm... Frankly, we want to end the Culling Game," Yuji's words made Higuruma take him seriously.
"Ah, hang on, we want to nullify the requirement to kill each other rather than end the game," Yuji corrected himself. "And in order to do that, we need your 100 points."
"Let me be frank as well, I refuse," Higuruma said.
"Is that a joke?" Yuji asked.
"No, it's just that I can sense some possibility from within the Culling Game. Laws are powerless at times, but what about the Culling Games? Since the jujutsu power granted to me is real, then the rules must be real as well. There's no need for accusations, trials, or prosecutions, without arguing who is right and who is wrong, like the laws of physics. It's a wonderful thing. I admit that there are flaws in the game; however, I want to watch over the barrier system which serves as the foundation of the game, so I can't have the Culling Games end immediately," Higuruma said. "Especially the rules 2 and 8, I want to witness the technique removal in action."
"The Culling Game is a ritual. It will kill everyone in Japan," Yuji corrected him.
"You're wrong, the Culling Games will go on forever," Higuruma fired back.
"I'm not even sure about that," Megumi thought.
Seeing that there was a deadlock in the negotiations, Megumi, who was already anxious and slightly mad about the nearing deadline for his sister, went ahead of Yuji. "I'll rephrase the words of my friend: you will let us use those 100 points, Higuruma."
Higuruma rose from the bathtub. "Have you ever killed someone who's pissed you off? It feels better than you think," Higuruma said as his shikigami, the Judgeman, appeared behind him.
"A shikigami?" Mei Mei saw the Judgeman beside Higuruma. From behind Megumi, Were Tiger and Divine Dog rose up from his shadows, the Dharma Wheel on him.
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"Domain Expansion: Deadly Sentencing."
"Domain Expansion: Chimera Shadow Garden."
Hearing Higuruma mutter his Domain Expansion prompted the rest of the sorcerers to prepare anti-domain techniques. In Megumi's case, he expanded his recently completed domain.
Megumi and Higuruma's domains clashed; however, a peculiar reaction occurred when a non-lethal domain meets a lethal domain. If a non-lethal domain manages to expand first, the opponent hit by the domain, despite opening their own domain, will be subject to the rules of the non-lethal domain. In Megumi's case, this happened.
Domains are separated into two parts: lethal and non-lethal domains.
Non-lethal domains only force targets inside to obey the rules of the embedded cursed technique. As more domains were constructed to be lethal, the number of users greatly decreased over time. Hiromi Higuruma's Deadly Sentencing is an example of an old-style, non-lethal domain that forces his opponent into a trial.
Higuruma's non-lethal domain was faster by a few seconds.
This resulted in Megumi and Yuji being trapped in a courtroom with Higuruma. Mei Mei and Ui Ui were fast enough, as well as far enough, to not be hit by the expansion.
Outside the domain, Mei Mei and Ui Ui approached the outer shell.
"Ui Ui, can you be a dear and hand me my axe?" she said.
"Yes, Nee-sama!" Ui Ui replied and unfurled the cloth that was covering Mei Mei's massive axe.
Mei Mei held her axe and smashed it onto the outer shell. This resulted in shocks but no cracks. "It's rather tough, but not tough enough!" Mei Mei thought as she smashed her axe onto the outer shell, resulting in cracks.
Inside the domain.
"Any and all acts of violence are prohibited here," Higuruma said to both Yuji and Megumi.
"I can't overpower his domain?" Megumi thought.
"Megumi Fushiguro is under suspicion of the murder of the Curse User Hanyu, today at 10:07 am," Judgeman announced.
"It's a court trial? Then I will deny this," Megumi thought. "Your Honor, this accusation is false. I have never committed murder in my life," Megumi said. *DONG* The Dharma Wheel behind him turned.
"Judgeman knows everything about the individual in this domain, but that information isn't shared with me, with this evidence as a single exception," Higuruma said, showing a folder in his hand. "This evidence was submitted by Judgeman. It may not necessarily confirm the suspicion against you, and I won't tell you what it says. Make your case clear and win an acquittal of innocence from Judgeman," Higuruma explained before addressing Megumi's answer.
Higuruma opened the folder and took out a single photo. The photo showed a dragon tearing Hanyu apart.
"This is a picture of your shikigami, is it not? This was captured by a nearby security camera," Higuruma stated.
"That could be anyone's shikigami. I have no dragon-like shikigami in my arsenal," Megumi denied the accusation.
DONG The Dharma Wheel had turned a total of four times since the trial began.
Higuruma felt the cracks forming on his outer shell. "That woman...this trial will be over soon," Higuruma thought.
Inside the domain, Megumi continued his defense. "Your Honor, the existence of this photograph does not prove that I am the owner of the shikigami in question. There are many sorcerers with various techniques and shikigami. This could easily belong to someone else."
Higuruma remained composed, though he knew time was running short. "The evidence presented here is a critical piece, but the lack of direct correlation to you makes your argument plausible. However, Judgeman will be the one to decide."
DONG The Dharma Wheel turned again.
Higuruma addressed Judgeman. "Your Honor, the defense has made a valid point about the lack of direct evidence linking the shikigami to the accused. Considering the standard burden of proof in a court of law, the prosecution must establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt."
Megumi, sensing an opportunity, pressed further. "Furthermore, Your Honor, I have always acted in self-defense and have never engaged in wanton violence or murder. My actions have always been to protect myself and others from harm."
DONG The Dharma Wheel turned once more, now totaling six times.
Higuruma knew the trial was nearing its conclusion. "Judgeman, we await your verdict."
"Mahoraga has adapted! It's time," Megumi thought, feeling the surge of confidence that comes with the assurance of a powerful ally. However, before he could summon the Divine General, Judgeman's voice echoed through the courtroom-like space, stopping him in his tracks.
Judgeman weighed the evidence and the arguments presented. Judgeman's verdict was announced. "Not Guilty."
Higuruma's domain dropped, and both sorcerers were back to reality.
Higuruma was lost in thought. Throughout the duration of his Domain Expansion, he remembered where he had heard the name Fushiguro Megumi. "He was one of the Grade 1 Sorcerers involved in evacuating Shibuya...the Jujutsu Sorcerers, SBI," Higuruma realized. He understood that he had been stopping the actual good guys from doing their work. He turned to Megumi, "Why do you need my points?"
Megumi answered directly, "To save my sister and help my mentors end this catastrophe that is affecting the common people of Japan."
Higuruma nodded. "That's a good enough reason. Kogane, make it possible for players to transfer points. Of course, these points will count towards the point change of Rule No. 8," Higuruma said to Kogane.
"Approved. Rule #10: Players can give any amount of points they want to other players," Kogane announced.
Higuruma stood up. "Take care."
"Higuruma, where are you going? We could really use your help," Yuji said.
"I may turn myself in when the barriers go down. In the meantime, I want to think about what I should do. I'd likely end up hating myself if I stayed with you," Higuruma said as he left.
Back to the present, with the Chinese invasion, skirmishes erupted across Japan, involving not only non-sorcerers but also Jujutsu Sorcerers stationed outside the barriers.
Meanwhile, outside the Tokyo Barrier, just before Senju Hiroshi gave orders to allow the Chinese to enter the colony, a skirmish had already broken out. Jujutsu Sorcerers, armed forces, and the SBI were all stationed outside.
The Chinese arrived in military trucks, intercepted by the JSDF. Despite losing two trucks in the crossfire, the convoy pressed on and stopped outside the barricades, 300 meters from the colony.
Takeshi Aoki, a member of the Supernatural Bureau of Investigation, was on guard duty. The primary objective of the SBI was to assist Jujutsu Sorcerers in exorcising lesser-grade cursed spirits or shooting down curse users.
The SBI operated in seven-member squads. Though they lacked cursed techniques, they could control cursed energy, allowing them to wield cursed firearms. By imbuing their firearms with cursed energy, their bullets became effective against cursed entities. They could also use CER (Cursed Energy Reinforcement), enhancing their physical prowess to a degree, though not as effectively as Jujutsu Sorcerers.
SBI personnel took orders from Grade 2 Jujutsu Sorcerers and were deployed where needed. Takeshi Aoki and his squad were now tasked with eliminating the intruders, the Chinese.
Takeshi's squad was positioned at the edge of the military encampment, where they encountered a Chinese company attempting to circumvent the encampment.
"Hostiles east of the camp. They seem to be soldiers?" Takeshi was shocked to see foreign soldiers on Japanese soil. "Can you repeat that? Soldiers? Foreigners in Japanese soil?" the voice from the walkie-talkie asked. "Affirmative," Takeshi confirmed. "Alright, the higher-ups' orders are to eliminate hostiles on sight, including foreigners. Your orders are to eliminate them," came the directive.
"Roger that, General," Takeshi acknowledged, gesturing to his squad.
Gunshots echoed in the distance, signaling the ongoing skirmish between the JSDF and the Chinese invaders.
Takeshi and his squad occupied defensive positions. The edge of the encampment was a park, and their positions in buildings gave them a clear view of the incoming hostiles.
"I thought working as an SBI agent would mean dealing with the supernatural, but instead, I'm dealing with non-sorcerers. Where's the fun in that?" Takeshi thought, ducking for cover as gunshots pelted his location.
Despite being windows (individuals without cursed techniques), they were bulletproof to a certain extent. Standard high-powered rifles would hurt them but not penetrate their cursed energy reinforcements.
With seven people defending a location, they would inevitably be surrounded. This couldn't be truer for what Takeshi and his squad were experiencing.
The Chinese managed to track down Takeshi's squad and reached their building, breaching the doors and windows, taking over the ground floor while Takeshi and his squad were on the upper floors.
Takeshi gestured decisively. "Tanaka and Sato, with me. Close-quarters combat is your expertise," he ordered, before leading them forward. As they advanced, they immediately encountered Chinese soldiers moving up the stairs. Sato sprang into action, absorbing a barrage of bullets that felt like bee stings as he swiftly incapacitated the attackers. Meanwhile, Tanaka followed suit, swiftly dispatching enemies with lethal efficiency—throats were slit, bones were broken.
Takeshi, grappling with the pain of bruised and battered skin that the bullets had caused despite not penetrating, lifted a fallen Chinese soldier as a makeshift shield. He charged into a group of soldiers, using his combat knife to devastating effect, slicing through muscle and bone. "Damn, it hurts," Takeshi muttered through gritted teeth as he sought cover, his skin showing angry purple bruises from the impact of the bullets.
Their battle raged on for a few intense minutes until the Chinese forces were finally overwhelmed by reinforcements from the JSDF, drawn to the firefight. Takeshi's squad had fought fiercely, their combat skills and cursed energy reinforcing their resilience against the onslaught.
"Good work, Captain," the commander praised Takeshi and his squad as they regrouped. "What's the situation? Why are we allowing the Chinese to enter the colony?" he inquired.
"By the orders of Senju Hiroshi, the God of Sorcerers, we are to eliminate foreign soldiers attempting to exit the colony," the commander explained succinctly.
"So, it's a trap," Takeshi remarked, processing the strategic maneuver.
"More or less," the commander confirmed before heading off to oversee other operations.
"Captain, any updates?" Kuroda asked, his body adorned with blue and purple bruises and slight bleeding from bullet impacts.
"We're setting a trap for the foreigners inside. Good thing we have CER. Without it, these bullets would've done a lot more damage," Takeshi responded.
"True, Captain. But if we're this resilient, what about the Grade 1s or the Special Grades? I've heard rumors about the Honored One manipulating space as a weapon, and the Lord of Pandemonium summoning legions of cursed spirits," Kuroda pondered aloud.
"It's chilling to think that there are supernatural entities capable of such devastation," Ishikawa chimed in, the group's sole medic attending to wounds amidst the conversation.
"In Shibuya, the God of Sorcerers clashed with the King of Curses, creating an 800-meter radius crater. It's like Nagasaki and Hiroshima, but on a much larger scale," Tanaka recalled, shaking his head at the memory.
"The King of Curses? I wonder if he has four arms or some terrifying appearance," Tanaka mused, voicing the curiosity shared among them.
A/N: So I liked that Idea to explore the POV of a Common SBI Agent so, cheers to you for giving me the idea😄..