On the highway, Kiyotaka Ijichi drove quietly, glancing at Satoru Gojo in the back seat through the rearview mirror.
The atmosphere was tense.
"Gojo-kun…" Ijichi started.
"No need to say anything," Satoru interrupted, scratching his hair. "Those old fools brought this on themselves. Since my brother, as family head, can't act freely, I'll just slaughter a few of them, kill the chicken, and warn the monkeys."
The Higher-Ups had promised Gojo Shion to spare Yuji Itadori because of his potential as Sukuna's vessel, but secretly, they still plotted behind the scenes.
For instance, shortly after enrollment, Itadori, Megumi, and Nobara were sent on their first mission: a curse incident at a Juvenile Detention Center.
What they didn't expect was a Cursed Womb inside hatching into a Grade 1 Cursed Spirit.
Fortunately, Megumi had undergone Satoru Gojo's grueling training before enrollment. Already a Second-Grade Sorcerer, he was only a step from Grade 1. Combined with the coordinated efforts of Itadori and Nobara, the three barely managed to exorcise the Grade 1 Spirit.
Even so, Satoru was furious.
The Higher-Ups had endangered his students. Did they even respect him as their teacher?
Ijichi wisely kept silent, glancing nervously at the murderous glare in the rearview mirror, silently mourning some of the Higher-Ups.
Suddenly, Satoru sensed immense Cursed Energy, its fluctuations violent and overwhelming.
"A Special Grade Cursed Spirit? Far beyond normal standards."
Could this be the mysterious force his brother, Shion, had mentioned appearing in the shadows?
"Ijichi, stop the car up ahead!"
"Eh?"
"A guest has arrived."
Ijichi obeyed without understanding. Satoru stepped out, telling Ijichi to leave first, then stretched leisurely on the highway.
"Sigh… I have a stomach full of anger with nowhere to vent. Hope you're ready for a beating."
The space above his head darkened suddenly. A figure slammed a fist down with immense force.
Satoru immediately dodged.
BOOM!
Concrete shattered, cracks spreading like spider webs.
Sizing up the newcomer, Satoru noted a head shaped like a volcano, a single eye, short, stout frame, yet radiating terrifying Cursed Energy.
"You look like the real deal…"
A heat wave swept from his side.
"Die!"
Jogo formed a hand seal, flames and magma erupting along the road, engulfing Satoru. He smirked disdainfully.
"What 'strongest trio'? Empty title. Younger brother is trash, so Gojo Shion can't be much better."
"Hey! You can insult my brother, but leave me out!" Satoru walked calmly out of the flames.
Jogo froze, then smirked. "Didn't kill you? Fine, otherwise it'd be boring."
He clapped his hands, sending a dense swarm of flying insects toward Satoru. Exploding like grenades on impact, they failed to hit Satoru, who had leapt to the highway embankment.
"Strange. Not only are you strong beyond normal Cursed Spirits, you can think and communicate like a human…"
"Got you!"
Jogo lunged, flaming palm striking Satoru's face. His entire head was engulfed in fire, then another strike hit his abdomen, overturning ground and forest behind him.
Satisfied, Jogo began to leave. "Nothing more than this."
"Hey, where are you going?"
He paused, turning, shocked to see Satoru emerge from dust completely unscathed.
"How? I hit you!"
Satoru smiled. "You didn't actually hit me—you hit the 'Infinity' between us. Want to try again?"
He extended his palm.
Jogo hesitated, then reached out. No matter what, he couldn't touch Satoru, as if separated by an invisible barrier.
"See? This is Infinity. You can't touch me, but I can touch you."
Satoru interlocked his fingers with Jogo's, making the moment seem almost intimate. Then, with a sudden grip, his free hand rained punches into Jogo's abdomen.
Another punch sent Jogo into the air. Satoru activated his technique.
"Cursed Technique Reversal: Red!"
BOOM!
Jogo flew backward through the forest, skipping like a stone across a lake before sinking.
Satoru's figure had already vanished.
Back at Jujutsu High, Yuji Itadori lay on his bed, staring at a poster before drifting to sleep with a smile.
Suddenly, Satoru appeared in the dormitory.
"Itadori-kun? Itadori-kun?"
Seeing no response, Satoru quietly pulled a high-power flashlight from his coat. Click.
The pitch-black night became as bright as day.
Itadori scrambled awake, bleary-eyed and confused.
Satoru gave a knowing smile. "You're awake!"
He grabbed the dazed Itadori and vanished.
By the lake, Jogo scrambled to his feet, only to see Satoru standing before him, carrying a young boy.
"If it were one-on-one, I might fear you, but bringing a burden? Gift from the heavens!"
Satoru shrugged, teasing wickedly. "Daijoubu. Because… you're weak!"
BOOM!
Jogo erupted in anger. His volcano head flared, magma spewing uncontrollably.
"You brat! Don't get cocky!"
"I'll burn you into a doll and toss you to the dogs!"
"Domain Expansion: Coffin of the Iron Mountain!"