Ryomen Sukuna fell from the sky.
Amidst the clouds, Mahito, clad in the Dragon God armor, floated ethereal and indistinct in the high altitude. He slowly sheathed the Mirokuji Kirigiri. The white armor reflected the sunlight, radiating a divine brilliance. Looking down at the falling Sukuna, he emitted a heavy voice like an evening bell.
He spoke slowly to Sukuna:
"The current you is too weak. Weak enough that I can't even muster any interest. I will scatter your fingers into the barriers of the Dream Migration. Go and gnaw on your own fingers like a wild dog... I look forward to you coming before me again. When that time comes, I will grant you the qualification to kneel before me. Do not disappoint me, Sukuna."
"MA—HI—TO—!" Sukuna let out a heart-rending roar of rage. "I'm going to fucking slaughter you—!!!"
But this roar would never reach Mahito's ears. As Sukuna fell, Mahito's figure melted into the sunlight and vanished. Sukuna felt the rage in his heart erupting like a volcano. Massive anger spewed from his entire being, making him tremble with fury. Even the Cursed Energy reinforcement covering his body flickered like a violently burning fireball.
Since his birth, Ryomen Sukuna had never suffered such intense humiliation. Thinking back, the most recent humiliation came from Satoru Gojo. At that time, possessing only the power of one finger, his will surfaced from the vessel only to be thrashed by Gojo.
He had sworn then to kill Satoru Gojo. That was a humiliation he hadn't felt in a thousand years. Yet the humiliation Gojo gave him wasn't even one percent of what Mahito had just inflicted. Gojo was genuinely testing the strength of a one-finger Sukuna. But Mahito, that bastard... was devouring his power, treating him like an amusing toy, and insulting him wantonly!
Just thinking of those heterochromatic eyes looking down from above made Sukuna's rage surge uncontrollably!
Sukuna roared at the top of his lungs, his voice spreading across the entire Sakurajima Colony. Everyone could hear this massive bellow, venomous as a thousand-year-old demon crawling from the Underworld into the living world. His Cursed Energy, carrying endless curses, spread in all directions. The wind announced the arrival of the King of Curses like invisible blades.
Finally, Sukuna crashed into an apartment building.
*BOOM!*
Sukuna smashed into the side of the apartment. The massive impact force nearly snapped the building in half at the waist. Lying inside the semi-crippled building caused by his fall, the rage in Sukuna's heart slowly dissipated. His calm mind began to review the battle with Mahito.
Mahito, clad in the Dragon God armor, possessed physical capabilities exceeding even Sukuna's prime. Furthermore, that god-slaying sword prevented Sukuna from daring to touch it with any of his four arms. Even mimicking Gojo's tactic of striking the flat of the blade to deviate the Cutting Line was impossible; covered by Limitless, the Kirigiri had overcome even that weakness.
The immense mass granted by Star Rage boosted the Dragon God's defense to an exaggerated degree. On top of that, the use of *Inverse* made conventional attacks impossible to penetrate his defense. Sukuna had tried probing with *Dismantle* more than once, but the Dragon God didn't even need to dodge. Even if Sukuna opened Malevolent Shrine, the Dragon God could kill him within 0.002 seconds.
In terms of mobility, the Dragon God possessed Boogie Woogie and Teleportation—speeds Sukuna couldn't hope to match. Because the difference in mobility was so vast, the initiative to fight or flee lay entirely in the Dragon God's hands, leaving Sukuna with strength he couldn't use.
The troubles didn't stop there:
The Limitless technique granted the Dragon God near-invincible offense and defense, as well as supernatural mobility. Divine Authority could prevent Sukuna from using Binding Vows at critical moments, drastically lowering his adaptability and fault tolerance to near zero.
And above all these techniques were the eyes standing at the apex: the Six Eyes.
These eyes of gods and buddhas could maximize the limits of any technique. The combination of any technique with the Six Eyes caused a qualitative change. Before this, the Jujutsu world had never seen chemical reactions between the Six Eyes and techniques other than Limitless. But now, these reactions were occurring countless times within the Dragon God.
Sukuna had to admit that no matter how he looked at it, facing the Dragon God with only his own techniques led to only one path: defeat.
"First, recover my power," Sukuna muttered quietly to himself. "Then, find a body capable of countering that physically infinite technique. I will overwrite that person's body with my consciousness and use my experience to defeat the Lord of Cursed Spirits."
Although Sukuna was arrogant, he was not stubborn to the point of stupidity.
In the original timeline, after facing Gojo for the first time, he keenly realized the terror of Limitless. Later, during the detention center arc, he saw Megumi Fushiguro's Ten Shadows Technique and immediately decided to seize Megumi's body to fight Gojo using the Ten Shadows.
This plotline ran through the entire JJK work, and the foreshadowing was only fully paid off when Gojo was killed by the World Slash.
It was the same now: facing Mahito in the Dragon God armor, knowing he couldn't win with just his own techniques, he immediately thought of seizing a body capable of contending with the Dragon God.
And his choice was—Yuta Okkotsu.
"Although the Zen'in clan's Ten Shadows Technique is also excellent, if it were just to deal with Satoru Gojo, that brat's (Megumi's) body would be enough. But to deal with the Lord of Cursed Spirits, it won't do. The Lord of Cursed Spirits possessing Limitless has too great an advantage over Mahoraga. Unless the battle is dragged out to months or even years, only then might Mahoraga fully adapt to all the Lord of Cursed Spirits' techniques. But that's too slow. Absolutely not."
Unlike the original timeline, where Yuji Itadori didn't know the specifics of Yuta Okkotsu, and by the time Yuji learned Yuta's technique was 'Copy,' Sukuna had already transferred himself to Megumi.
After that, Kenjaku met up with Sukuna, and Sukuna missed all opportunities to learn about Yuta's technique.
No, even knowing Yuta was stronger than Megumi, the Sukuna of the original timeline wouldn't have chosen Yuta. It wasn't that Sukuna lacked confidence in overwriting Yuta's consciousness, but simply that he would think it unnecessary.
*As long as I kill Satoru Gojo, I am invincible under heaven. And to kill Satoru Gojo, Megumi Fushiguro's body is sufficient...* The original Sukuna would definitely have thought so arrogantly.
But the current Sukuna had been crushed to death 19 times by Mahito. With only the power of one finger left, thrown down into the Sakurajima Colony, no matter how arrogant he was, he would wake up.
"Next, utilize the body with the Copy technique to devour techniques capable of countering the Lord of Cursed Spirits. Especially that god-slaying sword—it's too dangerous. I must find a way to counter that weapon. Hmm. What am I saying? The answer is right in front of my eyes. I recall Yorozu has awakened. If it's Yorozu, she can surely create a Cursed Tool comparable to that god-slaying sword with ease."
Tsumiki Fushiguro had once followed Kenjaku in attacking Tokyo High and encountered Yuji Itadori. Although Sukuna hadn't emerged then, the current Sukuna recognized that Tsumiki Fushiguro was the ancient sorcerer Yorozu who followed him.
As for whether Yorozu would create a Cursed Tool for him, he never doubted it for a second—*If it's Yorozu, she will definitely dedicate herself to me wholeheartedly.* Sukuna had no doubts about this.
Sukuna's brain spun at high speed. In this short time, he calmly paved the road to defeating the Lord of Cursed Spirits beneath his feet. Just as after his first contact with Gojo, he began thinking of how to defeat Gojo, and upon seeing the Ten Shadows, immediately found the path and began planning for it.
For this, he was willing to make a Binding Vow with a low-level food (Yuji) and even take the initiative to yield a step in negotiations. Because killing strong enemies was Ryomen Sukuna's supreme pleasure!
"Very good!" Sukuna stood up slowly. "Then first, I'll go collect my fingers."
"Does Master want to collect your fingers?" suddenly, a voice appeared by Sukuna's ear. "Kogane will help you!"
Sukuna glanced to the side with the eyes on his second face. A golden cicada had floated by his ear at some point.
"A barrier shikigami?" Sukuna looked thoughtful. "It seems the Lord of Cursed Spirits really intends to keep this barrier running stably for the long term. This also means that even if he has selfish motives, the fairness within the barrier is guaranteed. In other words, even I can fully utilize this Dream Migration? How arrogant."
*Creak, creak.* Sukuna's fists clenched unknowingly. For a thousand years, he had always been the one standing at the peak, treating all living things with arrogance. But in this era, two people appeared simultaneously treating him with such arrogance: one was Satoru Gojo, the other was Mahito.
This anger welling up from the bottom of his heart was novel to Sukuna, but the novelty was overshadowed by humiliation.
"Very good." Sukuna revealed a twisted, ferocious smile. "Then I will make good use of your barrier, Mahito! Satoru Gojo, and you... When I recover to my full prime, I will tear you both into ten thousand pieces!"
First, recover power.
Next, find Yuta Okkotsu and seize his body.
Then, use Yuta's body to devour useful techniques.
Finally, find Yorozu and order her to manufacture a Cursed Tool comparable to the Mirokuji Kirigiri. The rest is just killing! Kill Gojo first, then kill Mahito!
Just as Sukuna made up his mind, he suddenly sensed something. Right in front of his window, a giant mechanical construct was rising slowly. It was a massive titan. Sukuna looked up slightly. The giant mechanical titan opened its mouth, leaking Cursed Energy like smoke. Its energy increased segment by segment, finally emitting a deep roar. The sound waves visibly distorted the atmosphere.
Sukuna let out a bored sigh. "Is this my first battle?"
"According to the rules, Kogane cannot interfere in battles between Jujutsu Sorcerers!" Kogane emitted a sweet, cheerful AI voice, swaying slightly at Sukuna as if acting cute. "Wishing Master victory. Kogane will appear again after Master finishes combat."
Kogane vanished like smoke. Sukuna easily saw through this method of disappearance. Compared to the mechanical titan right in front of him, he was actually more interested in Kogane.
"I see. Not vanishing, but dissolving into the entire Great Barrier. This shikigami is indeed ingenious. At least..."
*BOOM!* The mechanical titan raised its hand and swung down at Sukuna.
"...Much more interesting than this hunk of iron."
Sukuna finally looked straight at the mechanical titan.
Although the titan exceeded 50 meters, its movements were not sluggish. The fist it raised landed in front of the apartment in an instant. The wind pressure generated by its massive volume and mass shattered the glass before the fist even hit. Looking at this fist, Sukuna raised his hand slightly.
He formed a seal, the corner of his mouth curling into a smile, and said casually:
"—Dismantle."
The entire world seemed to stand still. In this frozen tableau, the fist swung by the titan slowly split into two halves. The severed cross-section didn't just cut the titan's fist; it continued to climb upwards along the direction of the punch—forearm, joint, upper arm, shoulder.
How much difference was there between a Cursed Spirit holding Sukuna's finger and Sukuna himself wielding the finger's power?
In the original timeline, there was a scene: during the Detention Center arc, a Special Grade Cursed Spirit holding Sukuna's finger expanded an innate domain, twisting the entire facility. The protagonist group could only choose to flee from the Special Grade. At that moment, Yuji Itadori was heavily injured, and Sukuna overwrote the consciousness of the injured Yuji.
At that time, Sukuna possessed two fingers.
Facing a Special Grade Curse with the power of one finger, he didn't even use a technique. Merely relying on Cursed Energy reinforcement, he toyed with it easily in the palm of his hand. Afterward, when his interest piqued, he used Malevolent Shrine for a split second, slicing the Special Grade into fragments.
This far exceeded a simple doubling of power levels. This was—a difference between heaven and earth.
And now, Kokichi Muta experienced this personally.
The frozen scene began to flow again. Without the titan or its pilot realizing it, the mechanical arm had been severed into two sections. No sound of wind, no warning, not even a trajectory could be perceived. The mechanical titan's arm was simply partitioned.
The bisected arm fell from mid-air. Its massive mass sliced through the air, creating violent wind pressure, finally crashing to the ground with a deafening roar.
Inside the cockpit, Muta was drenched in cold sweat. He had personally tested the defense of the mechanical titan he was piloting. Even a Grade 1 Sorcerer would struggle to shake it. After all, it was a hunk of iron over 60 meters tall, weighing as much as a skyscraper over a hundred meters high. Coupled with the Cursed Energy link allowing synchronized reinforcement, Muta was confident he could tank artillery fire.
Whether in the original timeline or now, the reason Muta chose to enter the cockpit rather than hide in a secret location to operate the titan lay here: compared to hiding somewhere and being killed without the ability to fight back once found, being inside the cockpit of a mechanical titan with superior defense and powerful combat capability was true safety.
But even with full preparation, the titan's arm was dismantled in a single slash. The gap in strength was desperate.
*What to do? Run?*
Just as he thought this, the smiling faces of the companions he yearned for drifted through his mind.
*Run! My! Ass!*
*I'm going to... stand by my companions' side, fair and square—!!!*
Muta roared in the cockpit. Massive Cursed Energy rose abruptly. Liquid-like Cursed Energy flowed slowly to the titan's other hand. This time, the titan didn't swing directly. Instead, it took a step back, aiming its palm at the motionless Sukuna. The light of Cursed Energy shone in the palm.
—Miracle Cannon!
The blazing Cursed Energy nearly triggered a fierce storm. The cannon blast formed by high-concentration energy resembled the moon in the night sky! In the original timeline, Mechamaru had used this move. Kenjaku, watching from the sidelines, evaluated its power with interest: it reached the baseline output of a Special Grade Sorcerer.
But it wasn't over!
The titan let out a deep roar. Five massive Cursed Energy orbs gradually gathered around it. This was...
—Pigeon Vipera: Quintet!
Muta judged: based on Sukuna's historical actions, since he had determined the enemy before him (the mechanical titan) was no threat, Sukuna's playfulness would arise. At this moment, Sukuna might not even use a technique, fighting only with Cursed Energy reinforced punches and kicks.
Amidst Muta's fanatical emotion, his rationality was functioning synchronously.
*So, take this opportunity, this one and only chance—*
*Explode all Cursed Energy in one breath! No probing, no retreat! Bet everything on the maximum power Cursed Energy output!* Inside the cockpit, Muta let out a silent scream. 17 years of grief, 17 years of loneliness, 17 years of longing.
*All in this one strike!*
"Normally, I might have played with you for a bit," Sukuna said faintly. "Unfortunately, right now I'm filled with rage and have zero interest. This big toy... I'm already bored of it."
—Technique Release: Dismantle.
*Snap.* A light sound.
In the history of the Jujutsu world, Ryomen Sukuna had never explained his abilities. To everyone, it seemed Sukuna possessed two techniques: one was the cutting technique, which was Yuji Itadori's publicly disclosed technique: Slash. The other was the fire technique.
In fact, throughout the entire *Jujutsu Kaisen* work, Sukuna's technique wasn't truly revealed until the final battle, disclosed by the narrator. Yuji, possessing the same technique, didn't know the true name of the technique etched into his body until the end of the decisive battle.
Even at the end, when Sukuna used the full incantation release, the activation word was "Dismantle/Cleave" (Kai), not the true name of the technique.
Therefore, the Jujutsu world always thought these were two different techniques. Having heard the rumor that Sukuna ate his own brother in the womb, they assumed the fire technique belonged to the brother, not him.
The name of a technique is the sorcerer's imagination. Yuji imagined Sukuna's technique as merely 'Slashing.' The Jujutsu Headquarters' explanation deepened this impression, so he used 'Slash' as the foundation and used slashes at this stage.
Not just at this stage, even at the end of the original timeline, Yuji's imagination was 'Scissors cutting.' When Yuji used Dismantle in the manga, phantom scissors and dotted cutting lines explicitly appeared. This was completely different from Sukuna, and due to the difference in imagination, the power was worlds apart.
Now, Sukuna personally demonstrated the true "Slash."
Sukuna turned around.
Behind him, the mechanical titan that had been going full throttle stood motionless, as if charging up. But the Miracle Cannon in its palm and the Pigeon Vipera around it were slowly extinguishing. Then, the mechanical titan suddenly tilted. Muta, sitting in the cockpit, let out a soft *tsk*.
"Still... no good, huh."
In the next instant, the mechanical titan's head abruptly split apart. The cross-section was mirror-smooth. That was the location of the cockpit. Inside, the top of Muta's skull slowly slid off his head.
—Kokichi Muta, Dead.
*Rumble!*
The mechanical titan collapsed to the ground. Sukuna cracked his neck.
"Alright, the entertainment is over," he said. "Next, time to do real business."
Kogane emerged from beside Sukuna's ear, beeping repeatedly.
"Master, there is a new message! Someone sent you a message," Kogane said. "Do you want to open it?"
"Who is it?"
"The sender claims to be: Uraume."
Sukuna froze for a moment. "Uraume? Who is that?"