The atmosphere at Jujutsu High was charged with anticipation. Sorcerers scurried around, making preparations for the best and worst-case scenarios. Amidst the flurry of activity, Senju Hiroshi sat idle, watching a scene from Naruto, particularly the moment at the Valley of the End where Hashirama used a wood clone to trick and stab Madara.
Yuji Itadori approached Hiroshi. "Sensei."
Hiroshi gazed at Yuji. "Yuji, what is your role in society?"
Yuji responded without hesitation. "I am a cog. My role is to exorcise curses, that's all there is to it."
"I need your help to contain Sukuna once again and rescue Megumi," Hiroshi said.
"It is my duty, Sensei," Yuji replied.
"Good boy. Here's the plan: once Sukuna is defeated, he will leave Megumi's body. That's where you come in," Hiroshi explained.
"Yes, Sensei!" Yuji said. Hiroshi, aware of Yuji's suffering from his previous life up to the Shibuya Incident, patted Yuji's shoulder.
"Be a cog in society and enjoy your life. Fall in love, experience life outside of being a sorcerer. Megumi will too. Fret not about Megumi; I will save him," Hiroshi said.
Yuji listened to Hiroshi's words, sensing a deeper meaning but deciding to simply say, "That's oddly specific, Sensei, but I will."
Hiroshi chuckled and made his way to the school's infirmary.
The Infirmary
Hiroshi found Shoko busy with medical work, her nurse assistants bustling around like busy ants. He grabbed a vase by the side, produced a bundle of roses, and placed it near her desk before quietly leaving.
The Training Area
A few minutes later, Hiroshi arrived at the training area. He observed the bustling activity, seeing everyone from Grade 1 Sorcerers down to Grade 4s.
Nanami, Haibara, Kusakabe, and Utahime were formulating plans. Mei Mei and Ui Ui were sitting in a corner, with Mei Mei setting up a betting game for Hiroshi's upcoming fight with Sukuna.
"Senju Hiroshi versus Ryomen Sukuna's reincarnated body. There have always been underworld arenas where customers on the outskirts of Jujutsu society come for matches that are barely legal. After the rise of Senju Hiroshi, laws were revised, and most of the underworld operates under the closed eye of the Senju Clan, as long as they give a cut of their earnings. Even without betting, I can earn a steady 5 billion. Ah! What a time to be alive! I've never been so grateful for having this ability," Mei Mei exclaimed, flailing her tablet in gleeful joy.
"Nee-sama, let's fatten up the crows with this," Ui Ui said, carrying a sack of feed.
Hiroshi watched various matches unfold:
Yuji vs. Todo
Panda vs. Maki
Mai vs. Kamo
Kokichi vs. Inumaki
Junpei vs. Mai
Nobara vs. Miwa
Hiroshi remembered that Nanami, Haibara, Kokichi, Nobara, and Suguru would not be alive if it weren't for his existence. He smiled, knowing he had changed the course of history. It had been a while since he had done an introspection, and he left feeling content.
Jujutsu Headquarters
Hiroshi traveled to the Jujutsu Headquarters, guarded by the combined force of the Big 4 Clans. He entered the building uninterrupted and arrived above the meeting hall, where a small window provided a view inside.
He saw his uncle, Naobito, Chisuke Kamo, Gojo Takumi, and former principal Gakuganji. The Big 4 Clans, with Gakuganji as a mediator, were making decisions to balance power. Since Gojo Takumi would now serve as a Jujutsu higher-up, Gojo Satoru had been named the Clan head immediately.
Senju Hiroto felt someone watching and looked up, seeing his nephew. Hiroshi gave him a thumbs-up. Contrary to Hiroshi's happy self, Hiroto gave him the middle finger, conveying his annoyance at being dragged back to work.
"I should've been retired now, and you dragged me here to work again?" Hiroto's gestures seemed to say.
Hiroshi chuckled and replied through gestures, "Just for a little while, Oji, while I solve the King of Curses."
Hiroto nodded and gestured for Hiroshi to go away as they continued the meeting.
December 24, 12:00 AM: Senju Palace
Senju Hiroshi stood on the balcony of his palace, bathed in the soft glow of the full moon. The gentle wind caressed his skin, and the trees swayed rhythmically, adding to the serene night. Hiroshi's thoughts were occupied with visions of the impending battle—Mahoraga's potential attack and his immediate defeat. He strategized, contemplating how Sukuna might use Mahoraga against him "As long as Sukuna dares to summon Mahoraga, I will immediately destroy it". Despite Mahoraga's power, Hiroshi knew it couldn't kill him instantly. "There's something more to this," he mused.
As Hiroshi pondered, he felt a warm embrace from behind. Shoko snuggled against him.
"Can't sleep?" she asked softly.
"No, I have a lot on my mind," Hiroshi replied, giving her a gentle kiss on the forehead.
"Get some rest. You have a big day tomorrow. You've beaten him once; you can do it again. Isn't that right, the Strongest?" Shoko gazed at Hiroshi lovingly.
"You're right," Hiroshi said, caressing her long hair.
Morning Came: December 24, Shinjuku
Yuta Okkotsu, Uraume, and Sukuna stood atop a tall building, waiting.
"Well, since you'll be fighting Senju Hiroshi, I'll kill the remaining Culling Game players," Yuta said.
"You couldn't be gone sooner!" Uraume replied, annoyed.
"If I had left Sukuna's side within these days, Senju Hiroshi might target me immediately. If I stayed, I might attract the attention of the Big 3, and we would be in deep trouble," Yuta explained. "But even so, I will make my move today since everyone will be watching this fight, including Suguru Geto and Gojo Satoru. That will be my chance. However, if Senju Hiroshi loses, Suguru Geto, Gojo Satoru, and possibly Yuki Tsukumo will immediately spring into action."
Yuta looked at Ryomen Sukuna, who stood silently but listened intently. If Sukuna defeated Senju Hiroshi, he would have to face the rest of the Special Grade Sorcerers, but for now, his focus was solely on Hiroshi. Yuta left, preparing for his part in the battle.
Jujutsu High Tokyo
Everyone gathered in the lobby of Jujutsu High: Nanami, Haibara, Kusakabe, Shoko, Gakuganji, Naobito, Chisuke Kamo, and the Jujutsu students—Yuji, Nobara, Junpei, Hakari, Kirara, Maki, Panda, Inumaki, Nanako and Mimiko, Todo, Momo, Mai, Noritoshi Kamo, Miwa, and Kokichi.
"Make sure to come back alive?" Panda said.
"Do your best?" Hakari said questioningly. "It doesn't feel right, does it?"
"Winning is a given, right? This is the God of Sorcerers we're talking about," Panda replied.
"I can't muster up the feeling of being worried or cheering him on," Kirara said.
"It doesn't matter. Uncle Senju will win like he always does, right Mimiko?" Nanako said, fiddling with her phone.
"Hmm," Mimiko hummed approvingly.
"Kelp," Inumaki said.
"Kamo, what do you think?" Todo asked.
"Sensei will win. You cannot make me believe otherwise," Noritoshi Kamo replied.
"Kokichi?" Todo asked.
"My calculations say Sensei has a 70% chance of winning. Judging from the aftermath of the Shibuya incident, where Sensei defeated 15-finger Sukuna with ease, a 20-finger Sukuna will be more difficult but overall it is our win. However, if we take into account Megumi's 10 Shadows, then it's 65%," Mechamaru said.
"I like those chances," Hakari said.
While the students gossiped, the veteran Grade 1 Sorcerers—Nanami, Haibara, Kusakabe, Mei Mei, Masamichi Yaga, and Shoko—pondered silently, going over plans for the worst-case scenario.
Footsteps echoed from the stairs as everyone looked up to see Hiroshi, clad in Sengoku-era armor with his haori over it. Behind him was his uncle, Hiroto.
Hiroshi smirked, extending both his arms to the side. The students, one by one, tapped him on the back in encouragement. The gesture, simple yet powerful.
"Good luck, Sensei!" Yuji exclaimed, his face full of determination.
"Don't let us down, Hiroshi-sensei," Junpei added with a nod.
Panda patted Hiroshi on the back. "We'll be waiting for your triumphant return."
Nanako and Mimiko both nodded in unison. "We're counting on you, Uncle."
"Kick his ass, Sensei," Mai said firmly.
"Salmon" Inumaki uttered.
Hiroshi stood at the entrance of the grand hall, his Sengoku-era armor gleaming in the dim light of the palace. His Haori billowed gently behind him, an emblem of his legacy and strength. The students and sorcerers assembled in the lobby were filled with a mix of hope and apprehension, their eyes following him as he prepared to embark on the most crucial battle of his life.
Nanami and Haibara stepped forward from the crowd.
"Senju-san, good luck," Haibara said, his voice steady and sincere.
Nanami nodded, his expression a blend of professionalism and silent support.
"Thank you," Hiroshi replied, offering a grateful smile.
As Shoko approached, she gave Hiroshi a warm, encouraging smile. "A lucky charm," she said softly, pressing a gentle kiss to his cheek.
Hiroshi touched her hand briefly, feeling the strength of her affection. "I'll make sure it works," he said, his voice tinged with both confidence and gratitude.
With that, Hiroshi walked down the aisle toward the waiting entrance, Yuki greeted him with a nod and he returned it. Suguru Geto stood by the doorway, his usual composure mixed with a rare display of heartfelt emotion.
"I just want to say good luck," Suguru said, giving Hiroshi a reassuring tap on the back.
"For a greater tomorrow?" Hiroshi asked, his smirk reflecting both the weight of the moment and his resolve.
"For a greater tomorrow," Suguru replied, a smile of hope and camaraderie on his face as he watched Hiroshi's back recede into the distance.
As Hiroshi approached the threshold, a faint sense of foreboding tugged at him. He activated Sage Mode briefly, and the world around him shifted into a vivid, prophetic vision.
Hiroshi saw Gojo Satoru walking down a similar path. The setting was eerily reminiscent of the present moment, but the atmosphere was laden with a foreboding silence. The room was darker, a stark contrast to the bright, hopeful environment Hiroshi was experiencing. Gojo, confident and resolute, was greeted by a silent but palpable tension. The scene was charged with the same weight of destiny that Hiroshi felt now, as if the very fabric of fate was watching and waiting.
Hiroshi's heart raced as he realized the parallels between his own path and the one that Gojo had walked. "Is this the way it went? Am I walking down the same path as Gojo Satoru in the original timeline?" he wondered. The vision showed Gojo's final moments against Sukuna and his subsequent fall, an image of him lying on his back, staring at the sky, a poignant reminder of the fragility of victory.
"But nevertheless," Hiroshi thought, his resolve hardening, "I will break it. I will break the fated death of the Strongest."
As he approached the exit, By a twist of fate, Gojo Satoru was waiting for him at the end.
Gojo Satoru stood there, his casual demeanor a stark contrast to the gravity of the moment.
"Yo! Hiroshi, nice armor," Gojo smirked, the playful tone in his voice belying the seriousness of the situation.
Hiroshi returned the smirk, feeling the weight of the moment. "Satoru, are you sending me off as well?"
"Well, you know this is the decisive battle," Gojo said, his voice carrying the same familiar tone of camaraderie mixed with the gravity of the task ahead.
A pause hung in the air as Gojo continued, his eyes searching Hiroshi's for the truth. "Sukuna is now at full strength, but who is stronger?"
"Is that even a question?" Hiroshi responded confidently, the conviction in his voice unmistakable. "But would you lose?" Satoru asked.
"Nah, I'd win," Hiroshi declared, his conviction unwavering as he faced the final challenge.
In that moment, the torch of the title 'Strongest' had been passed. Years ago, Hiroshi had surpassed Satoru, and now, in a poignant reflection of the original timeline, it was Gojo who was sending him off to face the battle that had once spelled Satoru's doom.
With one final, shared smile as he watched Hiroshi's back.
The Theatre at Jujutsu High
The theatre at Jujutsu High was abuzz with a unique blend of anticipation and excitement. Students and surviving Culling Game players alike had gathered for a rare event: Mei Mei was hosting a pay-per-view broadcast of the long-anticipated battle between Hiroshi and Sukuna.
In the audience, a notable group had assembled. Hajime Kashimo was seated at the edge of his seat, eager for the outcome of the fight so he could challenge the victor himself. Hiromi Higuruma, having already accepted Hiroshi's offer, was there to witness the clash of titans. Fumihiko Takaba, ever the joker, was in it for the spectacle and the occasional laugh, especially since he had discovered that Hiroto Senju enjoyed his humor.
The atmosphere was charged with a palpable sense of suspense as everyone awaited the start of the broadcast. They sat in abated breath, the gravity of the upcoming battle hanging heavy in the air.
Shoko walked towards the theatre, her thoughts a tumultuous storm centered on Hiroshi, her fiancé, who was about to face Sukuna in a monumental battle. Accompanied by her entourage of nurse assistants, their movements were marked by a practiced efficiency that belied the weight of the moment. Their quiet conversations and light footsteps stood in stark contrast to the charged atmosphere of the event they were about to witness.
As they approached the entrance to the theatre, Shoko was suddenly overtaken by a wave of dizziness. She paused for a moment, her hand instinctively reaching out to steady herself against the arm of one of her assistants. Her usually composed and serene face flickered with a brief moment of discomfort.
She closed her eyes, taking a deep, steadying breath as she waited for the vertigo to pass. Her fingers rested lightly on her abdomen in an unconscious gesture that revealed her new condition to those observant enough to notice.
One of the nurses, noticing the subtle sign of distress, stepped closer with a look of genuine concern. "Are you alright, Shoko-sama?" she asked softly, her eyes glancing towards Shoko's abdomen where the gentle touch had not gone unnoticed.
Shoko opened her eyes slowly, offering a faint, reassuring smile despite the unease that still lingered. "I'm fine," she said, her voice lacking its usual conviction but carrying a gentle warmth. "Just a bit lightheaded. Let's continue."
The nurse and her assistants exchanged worried glances but followed Shoko's lead as she moved towards the entrance. Inside, the theatre was already filling up with the eager crowd, their excitement and anticipation for the battle ahead hanging heavy in the air.
Shoko took her seat among the audience, her eyes scanning the screen for the familiar figure.
On Top of the Building in Shinjuku
High above the ruins of Shinjuku, atop the skeletal remains of a once-majestic building, Sukuna stood with a regal bearing. The wind tugged at his robes as he gazed out over the cityscape, his eyes sharp and focused.
Uraume, ever the loyal companion, approached hesitantly. "Lord Sukuna, the battle was set for today, the 24th, but as far as the time and location go…" Uraume's voice trailed off, uncertainty evident in their tone.
Sukuna's lips curled into a predatory smile as he felt the surge of unique Cursed Energy from the distance. "We do not need to concern ourselves with such details in advance," he said with a low, menacing chuckle. "I already know."
As the overwhelming energy of Hiroshi's presence flared in the distance, Sukuna's eyes gleamed with dark anticipation. "Speak of the Devil, kukuku," he purred, the sound of his laughter resonating with malevolent excitement.
Without another word, Sukuna stood up, his presence a commanding force. He turned and began his descent, eager to engage in the battle that awaited him.
---------------------
The remnants of Shibuya lay in silence, a somber echo of the chaos that had once raged through the streets. Massive trees had invaded the buildings, which now stood as hollowed-out shells, their facades scarred from the battles that had transpired. The sky, typically expected to be veiled in the soft embrace of snowfall on this December day, was instead bright and clear. The sun shone down, casting an almost eerie, unseasonal glow over the city as it had transformed from an urban landscape into a verdant forest with a large crater, due to Hiroshi's cataclysmic battle with the King of Curses.
As Hiroshi wandered through the remains of Shibuya, he gazed at the sky. It was supposed to be snowing today, but instead, the sun blazed down. "You're watching," Hiroshi murmured to the world, greeted by the wind as it responded to its chosen one.
With each step Hiroshi took, the earth rumbled beneath him. A wooden dragon emerged from below the ground, carrying him forward while his oppressive and suffocating Cursed Energy emanated around him.
He stopped amid the debris of a department store in the heart of Shinjuku, his gaze fixed on a tall building in the distance. He settled onto a piece of rubble, his left hand resting on the polearm he held, The Inverted Spear of Heaven. He knew Sukuna was atop that building, waiting for their fated confrontation.
Hiroshi waited, for the roles of Challenger and Challenged had already been decided since the Shibuya Incident.
Sukuna would come for him. It was simply the nature of their duel.
The Enthroned and the Usurper.
The God of Sorcerers versus the King of Curses.
The Strongest Sorcerer in History against the Strongest Sorcerer of Today.
A/N: The End is Near - Thanos