In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed.
During that time, with the special grade sorcerers stepping in, the Culling Game had gradually stabilized. Combined with the new rules that had been previously added, many players who never wanted to kill in the first place were more than happy with the situation.
As for the military forces sent by various countries, not only had they failed to capture the sorcerers they wanted, but every single one of them had been wiped out both inside and outside the barriers. The order had come directly from Mukuro himself.
At that moment, inside Tokyo Jujutsu High, only Mukuro and Satoru were present in one office.
"Have you settled everything?"
They lounged comfortably on separate sofas facing each other. Despite enjoying a rare moment of peace, the topic they discussed would have seemed extremely serious to anyone else.
"More or less. The only thing left is killing everyone." Satoru adjusted his blindfold as he answered casually.
Less than a week remained until the rematch with Sukuna. During this period, the two of them had done everything possible to resolve the current problems.
Using Ui Ui's technique, they helped the students master Simple Domains and various combat skills in the shortest time possible.
As for the nations around the world that coveted cursed energy, Satoru had dealt with them through absolute force.
This was different from the usual threats and political games between countries. A single individual capable of destroying a nation was someone no politician wanted to provoke. After a series of very "friendly" discussions, they had finally removed most outside interference, at least on the surface.
At the very least, things would remain that way as long as the special grade sorcerers were alive and leading the jujutsu world.
Furthermore, the higher-ups of the jujutsu society were now under the leadership of Gakuganji and Noritoshi. With Higuruma acting as both legislator and enforcer, an entirely new system was being established.
"Those monkeys can die for all I care."
Mukuro didn't particularly care. All he wanted was the result. The process itself didn't matter much.
"By the way, Nobara's been hanging around you a lot lately, hasn't she? Aren't you going to help bring Saori-chan back?"
Satoru suddenly changed the subject. His lazy posture vanished as he leaned forward and his expression became serious.
"When she asked me before, I told her we still hadn't found that person. But actually, we found her a long time ago."
Mukuro's expression also became serious. "She's with Sukuna."
Even he didn't know how Yorozu had sensed Sukuna's return. All he knew was that after Sukuna left, she officially entered the Culling Game.
Through the Deva Path, Mukuro had already located her, but through Yorozu, he had also seen Sukuna.
Perhaps because of the binding vow surrounding their promised battle, the two had not fought as expected. For now, however, Mukuro couldn't go and bring her back because of the vow.
The exact terms of the agreement stated that until Christmas, neither Mukuro nor Satoru's side would interfere with Sukuna. In return, Sukuna would refrain from killing anyone.
Under the current circumstances, Yorozu was technically considered part of Sukuna's side. Therefore, if Mukuro wanted to deal with her, he would have to wait until Christmas. Otherwise, it might be considered interference.
Of course, if Yorozu left on her own and crossed paths with them, then fighting her would be fair game.
Still, there was one thing Mukuro couldn't understand. With Yorozu's arrogant personality and extreme possessiveness, how exactly had Sukuna tolerated her this long?
"No wonder. Just keep an eye on her. A teacher who disappoints his students isn't a very good teacher."
Hearing the explanation, Satoru leaned back against the sofa. It wasn't that the problem couldn't be solved. It simply wasn't being solved yet. That was all he needed to know.
"Quit nagging."
Naturally, Mukuro couldn't monitor her every second of every day. However, he had left a mark on Saori's body. The moment her life was in danger, the Deva Path would immediately activate.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Just then, someone knocked on the office door.
"Come in~" Satoru cupped a hand around his mouth like a megaphone and replied in his usual exaggerated tone.
"Gojo-sensei... outside... Fushiguro-san is here too?!"
As the door opened, Yuji started speaking. Then he spotted Mukuro sitting on the other sofa and abruptly stopped.
The next second, he rushed over and, standing in front of Mukuro, blurted out anxiously, "Kugisaki's friend Saori... that Yorozu... she's here!"
"Well, that's perfect. Let's go, Mukuro-chan~"
Before Mukuro could respond, Satoru sprang up from the sofa with both hands in his pockets. His tone was lighthearted, and naturally, he took the chance to tease his old friend.
Even he was surprised that the person they had just been discussing had suddenly appeared. Still, he deliberately acted this way to help Yuji relax. After all, the two strongest sorcerers were here. Their only job now was to make sure the students were satisfied.
"Let's go." Mukuro ignored Satoru's usual nonsense. Standing up beside him, he nodded toward Yuji.
The sense of reassurance he gave was completely different from Satoru's style, yet equally dependable.
* * *
Meanwhile, elsewhere at Jujutsu High.
Yorozu and Nobara stood facing each other.
"Hey~ It's you, Nobara~ Long time no see. Want me to take you out for your favorite desserts?"
Yorozu raised both hands to her cheeks. A faint blush colored her face as she greeted her warmly. Combined with Saori's fair skin and beautiful features, she looked like a shy girl experiencing her first love.
In Saori's memories, the girl before her had been the brightest light in her life, which was exactly why Yorozu wanted to toy with her.
Unfortunately...
"You bastard, stop making that disgusting expression with Saori's face!"
Nobara felt no joy whatsoever. To her, that face belonged to a pure and gentle older sister figure. It should never wear such a lovestruck expression.
"What? You don't like it?" Yorozu's smile disappeared, and disdain appeared in her eyes.
Back in the era a thousand years ago, she often couldn't even be bothered to wear clothes. Men and women alike were nothing more than ants gazing up at her. And when had a human ever cared whether ants saw their body?
Only after inheriting Saori's memories had she gained some understanding of modern values. That was the only reason she was dressed so properly.
"Give Saori's body back!"
Nobara had already drawn out her hammer and nails. Pale blue cursed energy wrapped around them. The Straw Doll Technique was ready.
"Hehe~ You're not my opponent."
Yorozu covered her mouth lightly. She clearly looked down on Nobara.
Then the atmosphere around her suddenly shifted.
"Bring out Satoru Gojo and Mukuro Fushiguro!"
At that moment, cursed energy exploded from her body. The overwhelming presence of a powerhouse from a thousand years ago was revealed without restraint.
Her goal for coming here was simple: the two men known as the strongest.
"What stray dog crawled in here?"
Maki stepped forward from behind Nobara. Beside her stood Megumi.
"We'll help."
As he spoke, Megumi formed a hand sign, and several Wells Unknown Abyss shikigami emerged from the shadows. At the same time, the Fushiguro family's inherited cursed tool, Playful Cloud, flew into Maki's hands.
"Now this feels right."
After having awakened her true power, this was the first time she had handled a special grade cursed tool, and the excitement on her face was obvious.
Gripping one section of Playful Cloud, Maki swung it through the air repeatedly before looking at Yorozu with open provocation.
"How can we let you challenge our king the moment you arrive?"
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