A month had passed, and the situation in Japan was rapidly evolving. Thanks to Angel's presence and Tengen's support, the intricate barriers of the Culling Game had been extinguished. The Senju Clan, working in tandem with Jujutsu High's sorcerers, had meticulously analyzed the colony barriers and prepared to dismantle them. Meanwhile, the remaining curse users and curses converged on the Tokyo Colonies, where the final battle was destined to take place. Shinjuku ward, in particular, had become a hotspot for supplies and cursed spirits.
Kenjaku watched silently as the Culling Game barriers were dismantled one by one. Foreign soldiers were annihilated, and the majority of reincarnated sorcerers were either forced into the Tokyo Colonies to survive or captured and subjected to Angel's extinguishment. As the colonies fell, cursed energy concentrated in the Tokyo Colonies, spawning numerous cursed spirits that roamed the abandoned city.
Outside the Tokyo Colonies, Jujutsu High and the Supernatural Bureau of Investigation (SBI) guarded heavily. Japan was slowly recovering, largely due to the trillions of dollars the Senju Clan had poured into its restoration. Despite the immense expenditure, it was only a fraction of their wealth, highlighting the vast riches of the Senju Clan.
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Sukuna and Yorozu faced off. The tension between them was palpable, each one ready to strike at any moment.
"From the look of things, you have a serious advantage over that body. I bet you could switch back if you wanted to," Yorozu said, her eyes fixed on the King of Curses.
"The same could be said for you, Yorozu," Sukuna smirked.
"I take it that we're thinking the same thing. It's much better this way for future circumstances," Yorozu said.
"Future circumstances? You can't possibly think you can survive this, right?" Sukuna retorted, easily parrying Yorozu's liquid metal attacks.
As he dodged the relentless assault, Sukuna moved with an eerie grace. "I bet Angel was there, right? But she couldn't sense your existence. I did. Do you know why?" Yorozu asked, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
"Stop making me answer your questions," Sukuna said blankly.
"It's love! The precepts and the hatred born from them could never surpass the power of love!" Yorozu continued, extending her arm toward Sukuna. "Hey Sukuna, I want to be the one who kills you, and I want you to be the one who kills me. But what if you survived that and I won? What will you give me?" she asked.
"Everything. It's unthinkable that I would lose to you. In my life, I only lost once, but if I do lose to you, then it's no different than death. Do what you will with the corpse," Sukuna declared.
"And that loss will be the only one, and I will take it back," Sukuna thought, recalling his recent utter defeat from the God of Sorcerers. He did not recognize the loss to Senju Hashirama, but Senju Hiroshi's defeat was convincing because it was a true battle of Jujutsu sorcery, not just obliteration by a huge Buddha statue.
Hearing Sukuna's declaration, Yorozu's twisted love intensified. She envisioned herself as Sukuna's only legal wife, with no concubines, and celebrating their wedding by slaughtering three villages and preparing monkey brain porridge.
A fierce battle ensued as Sukuna launched his own version of the Ten Shadows. "Divine Dogs," he muttered. From the shadows emerged a multitude of wolves, merging into one massive dog that smashed the ground where Yorozu stood.
The clash between Sukuna and Yorozu reached a fever pitch. Yorozu, fueled by her twisted love, transformed into a massive insect, her ultimate cursed technique manifesting as formidable insect armor. With a ferocious roar, she sent Sukuna crashing into the stadium walls, her speed and strength overwhelming him momentarily.
Sukuna dodged her relentless attacks, but Yorozu's speed allowed her to weave through the Divine Dogs and land a direct hit, sending Sukuna hurtling outside the stadium. "Even now you're not going to use your shrine? Cut me up, slice me, and rip me to shreds! My love is buried within my flesh! Witness me!" she screamed, filling the entire corridor with liquid metal spikes.
"Tranquil Deer," Sukuna muttered. Trapped inside the liquid metal barbs, he summoned the Tranquil Deer, which healed his wounds and disrupted the control of Yorozu's liquid metal with its reverse cursed technique.
"Piercing Ox," Sukuna called out, summoning the powerful ox Shikigami. The ox charged at Yorozu, ramming her back into the stadium with immense force.
Sukuna had been purposefully keeping the Ten Shadows in an unstable form, allowing for a wider attack range while still keeping them together. This reduced the independent attack capability of the Shikigami but was a minor inconvenience given his vast reserves of cursed energy compared to Megumi.
"Don't underestimate me!" Yorozu snarled, realizing that Piercing Ox could only move in a straight line. She attempted to circumvent its charge, only to be disrupted by a horde of rabbits. "Where are you hiding? Are you feeling guilty?" she exclaimed, her frustration evident.
From above, Sukuna released another Shikigami. "Let's see if this works. Myriad Elephant," he called out. The massive elephant crashed down from above, hitting Yorozu with a thunderous impact. As the smoke cleared, Yorozu emerged, reverting to her previous form.
Sukuna landed gracefully in front of Yorozu. "Looks like I don't really need my shrine after all. Is that all your love amounts to?" he taunted, a mocking smirk playing on his lips.
"Not even close! I'm only getting started on teaching you about love because I know the solidarity that comes with absolute strength," Yorozu declared, her determination unwavering.
Sukuna's response was a mocking laugh. "Pfft," he scoffed, his disdain palpable.
However, their intense standoff was interrupted by the sound of clapping from the stands. Both fighters turned to find Hiroshi applauding.
"You guys didn't really think that fighting here wouldn't attract my attention, did you?" Hiroshi smirked.
"Senju Hiroshi," Sukuna thought, locking eyes with him, as did Yorozu.
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The evening sky over the Senju Palace was painted with hues of orange and pink, the sun dipping below the horizon as the city of Tokyo lay sprawled beneath them. The serene beauty of the scene was a stark contrast to the storm brewing on the balcony. Senju Hiroshi stood alone, his regal figure silhouetted against the backdrop of the setting sun. He looked out over the city, his mind consumed by the weight of recent events.
Behind him, the atmosphere was charged with a palpable tension. Suguru Geto and Satoru Gojo approached, their expressions a mix of anguish and resolve. Geto's usually calm demeanor was marred by deep regret, while Gojo's disappointment was barely contained, his eyes piercing through Hiroshi with a sorrowful intensity.
"Hiroshi, we need to talk," Suguru said, his intense glare burning into Hiroshi's back.
Hiroshi turned slowly, his eyes meeting Geto's. He nodded, understanding why they were here. Both of them had defended Tengen and succeeded, while he, with Megumi, had allowed the King of Curses to take Megumi. Deep inside, Hiroshi had wanted to know what would happen, both out of arrogance and a desire to confront his fated death head-on.
"Suguru, Satoru. I'm aware of why you're here," Hiroshi said calmly, prepared for this storm but knowing that explaining his thought process to his closest friends would seem illogical.
Gojo Satoru's voice was calm but tinged with disappointment. "You know why we're here, but do you understand it?"
Hiroshi took a deep breath, trying to brace himself. "Let's hear it then. What do you have to say?"
Suguru Geto exclaimed, "You were there. You saw everything. Megumi—our disciple. You were so close to him. And yet, you did nothing to stop Sukuna."
Geto's words were a dagger, piercing through Hiroshi's defenses. The pain in Geto's voice was evident, but so was the unspoken accusation that Hiroshi had failed them.
Hiroshi's voice remained calm, but internally, he was doubting himself. "I did what I could—"
Satoru Gojo cut him off. "Enough with the excuses, Hiroshi. You didn't just stand by; you watched as Sukuna possessed Megumi. Do you understand what that means? You had the power to act, but you chose not to. I know your power well. We knew you had the power to even trap them all there."
Hiroshi flinched slightly, his arrogance facing the harsh light of their accusations. He opened his mouth to respond but was met with Gojo's unwavering stare.
Hiroshi said, his voice tinged with confusion and regret, "I thought I could handle it. I underestimated the situation. It was arrogance."
Suguru Geto swung at Hiroshi and hit him squarely on the cheek.
"Arrogance? We all knew the risks. We all knew the stakes. But you were there, Hiroshi. You were the closest to Megumi. It was your responsibility to protect him. Instead, you let Sukuna take him. You let it happen, and for what? Are you so desensitized or do you think this is all a game, Hiroshi?" Suguru's words were a harsh reality check.
Hearing those words, Hiroshi realized, perhaps he did see it as a game. Reincarnated with immense power, did he truly grasp the gravity of his actions?
Hiroshi was now in turmoil. The sting from Suguru's punch was physical, but his mind was blank.
"While we were defending Tengen from Kenjaku, we believed in you. We believed in the Strongest. You confidently said you would deal with the fools that challenged you, and yet, for some odd reason, you let Sukuna take over Megumi's body," Gojo Satoru called out Hiroshi's mistake.
"Get your shit together and fix your mistakes, Hiroshi. Save Megumi," Suguru said. "If you don't, we will, even if it means risking the Merger to happen in order to save Megumi. We have already lost one; we shall not lose another."
Satoru stood face to face with Hiroshi. "What were you thinking?" he asked calmly.
"I had visions that Megumi would kill me," Hiroshi admitted. "I thought it was impossible, so I watched, and I got my answer: Megumi as Sukuna's vessel."
"But that does not excuse the idiocy of it all," Suguru said.
"I know... I know. I will fix it. I will save Megumi," Hiroshi promised.
They had lost one of their students, Yuta Okkotsu, but they did not blame Hiroshi for that since none of them could have anticipated it. But this was different. Hiroshi was there and did nothing.
Both had voiced their frustrations and disappointment, but they knew Hiroshi would do what was right. They would guard Tengen and prevent the Merger while Hiroshi took responsibility for his actions.
Hiroshi touched his cheek, deep in thought.
Hearing Hiroshi's words, Satoru and Suguru were initially skeptical, but they decided to give him a chance. They were the closest to him, and if they didn't understand him, who would?
The height of power can drive men crazy. Sorcerers are no different.
Sometimes, you just need your friends to snap you back to reality.
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Back in the present, the tension in the stadium was palpable as Hiroshi interrupted the fierce battle between Sukuna and Yorozu.
"You guys didn't really think that fighting here wouldn't attract my attention, did you?" Hiroshi smirked.
"Senju Hiroshi," Sukuna thought, locking eyes with him, as did Yorozu.
Sukuna knew he was still in his 15-finger state. His search for the rest of his fingers had been futile, as even Kenjaku had only managed to collect fifteen. He suspected either the Senju Clan or Jujutsu High had the remaining fingers. One was a direct charge to defeat, and the other was the headquarters of all Jujutsu Sorcerers.
"It's not December 24 yet, Senju," Sukuna smirked, even in the face of death.
"Oh no, we still are going to fight on that date. I'm just finding you now for a little chat," Hiroshi said confidently as he strode forward, now face to face with Sukuna.
"Get away from him!" Yorozu attacked, using liquid metal to assault Hiroshi, only for it to be swiped away by massive roots and branches swinging at her, demolishing parts of the stadium. While the environment forced Yorozu to dodge, Sukuna and Hiroshi continued their conversation.
"Sukuna, I could kill you right now, but I won't. Instead, let's make a deal," Hiroshi said calmly. Although he was calm, Sukuna felt as if he could be attacked at any second. "The Great God of Sorcerers? Establishing a deal?" Ryomen Sukuna mocked.
"Enter a binding vow with me. The moment you lose, you will leave Megumi's body and return to Itadori Yuji," Hiroshi stated.
"What makes you think I would do this?" Sukuna asked.
"What makes you think you are walking out of here alive without this binding vow?" Hiroshi said calmly. Suddenly, the rooftop was grabbed by a massive wooden hand, revealing a colossal wooden human gazing down at them—a sight to behold and dread.
Sukuna looked at Hiroshi and knew that the man was not joking. He would be smited here and now if he refused, and he could not have that. "I want the rest of my fingers. I know you have them. I have searched everywhere," Sukuna demanded.
Hiroshi opened a scroll and took out another, unrolling it to reveal the remaining five fingers Sukuna was missing. "A binding vow and an exchange will happen," Hiroshi said.
Sukuna, albeit hesitant to enter this binding vow, knew that the premise was that Senju Hiroshi must win against him first. The King of Curses was confident he would win at full power. Although Senju Hashirama had defeated him before, it was only because he was caught by surprise. Now that he was ready, he would not be caught lacking against that massive Buddha. He had already thought of a way to at least survive it.
Sukuna entered a binding vow with Senju Hiroshi that he would leave Megumi's body and return to Yuji Itadori's body the moment he was defeated.
Hiroshi simultaneously threw the scroll at Sukuna and then said, "Megumi, protect your soul. Give this man full control. Do not worry, I will save you." Hiroshi gestured as a massive hand sealed Yorozu.
"I'll be taking her," Hiroshi said as he left with Yorozu captured.
Sukuna watched it all happen. He felt Megumi give him full control over the body, and killing Yorozu was no longer his aim. His goal had been achieved anyway.
In His Innate Domain
Megumi, who had been watching it all unfold, muttered, "Sensei, I believe you. I'll do my best." He closed his eyes, his soul the only bright spot amidst the dark domain.
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The Tomb of the Star.
"Master Tengen, is there any other way to end the Culling Games?" Suguru Geto asked, his voice tinged with urgency.
Tengen looked up, his eyes wise and weary. "There is another way; however, once this is done, it will undo the Purification Barriers. Since the Culling Games Barriers use a Brahmic Barrier created with the Purification Barriers as the base, this will undo a thousand years of progress in the War of Curses."
Geto's brow furrowed with concern. "What about the Barrier Colonies disabled by the Senju and Jujutsu High?"
Tengen nodded, acknowledging the question. "The Colonies were indeed disabled; however, this automatically transferred the cursed energy that was running the disabled Colonies to the Colonies that are still active, specifically the Tokyo Colony."
Satoru Gojo's eyes widened with realization. "So, all the cursed energy from the disabled Colonies is now concentrated in the Tokyo Colony?"
"Precisely," Tengen confirmed. "This concentration of cursed energy has made the Tokyo Colony an even more dangerous and unstable place. The final battle will likely take place there, as the remaining curse users and cursed spirits gather, and where I believe the God of Sorcerers will fight the decisive battle against the King of Curses."
Geto and Gojo exchanged a worried glance, understanding the gravity of the situation. The disabled Barriers had merely shifted the balance of power, making the Tokyo Colony a focal point for the upcoming conflict.
"But you need not worry. Only I can disable the Purification Barriers, and without me, Kenjaku cannot start the Merger," Tengen said as she sipped her tea.
A/N: Character Development My Friends,
A/N: Everything is going according to Keikaku