December 23, 2018. Tokyo Jujutsu High.
Only 8 days remaining until December 31st.
Suguru Geto walked briskly through the corridors of Tokyo High. He threw open the doors to the conference room violently. Inside, everyone was already seated; he was the last to arrive.
"Yo. Looks like I'm the latest," Geto smiled.
"How does it feel to get your revenge? Geto," Satoru Gojo, sitting at the head of the table, asked with a grin.
"Worse than I imagined." Geto closed the conference room doors and walked to his seat. Flanking him were Masamichi Yaga and Shoko Ieiri.
"It seems you learned some terrible news from Kenjaku," Masamichi Yaga, seated right next to him, asked in a low voice. "I thought the situation was good. After all, in this God-Ascension Ritual nearing its end, three of the four 'Finalists' are on our side."
The so-called four Finalists had now been fully confirmed:
Ryomen Sukuna in Tokyo No. 1 Colony. Suguru Geto in Tokyo No. 2 Colony. Yuta Okkotsu in Sendai Colony.
And finally, Satoru Gojo in Sakurajima Colony.
Aside from Ryomen Sukuna, all the Key holders were allies. Although Suguru Geto was once a Special Grade Curse User, having been resurrected by the King of Curses, he was undeniably a comrade now. He had even found a way to eliminate Cursed Spirits without killing all non-sorcerers, so he naturally stood on their side.
Geto had no intention of betraying the alliance. Although there was no Binding Vow between him and Gojo, when Gojo declared he would fully support his revenge, Geto had decided to fully support Gojo in return without needing a Vow.
He sat in his seat, turning his head slightly to scan the current members:
Staff: Satoru Gojo, Masamichi Yaga, Shoko Ieiri, Atsuya Kusakabe.
Tokyo High Students: Yuta Okkotsu, Toge Inumaki, Maki Zen'in, Panda, Yuji Itadori, Megumi Fushiguro, Nobara Kugisaki, and Rice Shower.
After two months of the Dream Migration, everyone radiated obvious confidence. It was easy to see how much they had improved in such a short time. Especially Satoru Gojo. He was already powerful before, already the Strongest in the Modern Era. But after these two months, he had ascended to another level.
Even Ryomen Sukuna had developed 'Eleven Lives' and a 'New World-Cutting Slash' in these two months; Satoru Gojo, the Modern Strongest who had prepared to temper himself even earlier, would only be more prepared.
The current Gojo truly had the confidence to face a God. Even if he went back a thousand years, he could likely suppress Ryomen Sukuna in his prime with ease. And the legend of Ryomen Sukuna killing a God would inevitably have Gojo's share in it.
As soon as Geto sat down, Atsuya Kusakabe couldn't help but speak up. "You successfully absorbed the thousand-year-old Curse User Kenjaku, right? How is it? Can he still communicate normally?"
This was a crucial point. The reason Tokyo High helped Geto so diligently was partly due to Geto's conjecture that after absorbing Kenjaku, they could extract information about the God-Ascension Ritual's weakness and everything about Mahito from the absorbed Kenjaku.
True, Satoru Gojo had confidently declared, "Leave Mahito to me!" but no one could just sit back and relax. The intelligence brought by Geto was vital. Even if he was a Special Grade Curse User, it didn't matter as long as they got the intel.
Mentioning this, Geto's expression darkened, and he frowned deeply. "He can, but..."
"Does the spirit you absorbed still have the ability to resist you?" Kusakabe asked in disbelief. "Cursed Spirit Manipulation's commands to spirits are absolute. We analyzed that this should apply even to sapient 'Quasi-Spirits.' Was that wrong?"
"No... Kenjaku was indeed honest with me. But the news isn't good," Geto said.
"What is it? Just say it!"
"Fine." Geto shrugged in resignation and spoke calmly. "To put it simply... Our defeat is destined."
This sentence struck everyone's brain like a bolt from the blue.
"What? You're destroying morale!" Maki Zen'in immediately shouted, unable to accept it. Naturally so—as a Sorcerer Killer with zero Cursed Energy, she originally had no ability to enter the Dream Migration. Even though she managed to get in via point transfers, because she was a zero-Cursed Energy member, any points she had would vanish as a cost. She couldn't use Kogane, couldn't get stronger. It made her feel like an outsider for the past two months.
Yet, she was the one with a grudge against the Lord of Cursed Spirits!
If the Lord of Cursed Spirits hadn't ascended yet, no matter how slim the hope, she had a chance to avenge her clan. But if he truly became a God, she wouldn't even have the chance for revenge! She couldn't find the meaning in becoming a Toji-level fighter anymore. She was the one who could least accept this nonsensical conclusion.
Geto had heard of her. He glanced at her and extended his hand. "Let Kenjaku explain it himself."
A specific Cursed Spirit slowly emerged from his hand.
No, it couldn't even be confirmed if it was a Spirit. It could only be described as something "approximating a Cursed Spirit." Just like Tengen's state in the original work. To achieve immortality, Kenjaku had converted himself into a similar state—a "Quasi-Cursed Spirit."
This was why Kenjaku, despite never having the chance to meet Tengen, was certain that Geto's Cursed Spirit Manipulation would work on Tengen. Because he himself was the same; thus, he could deduce Tengen's nature.
The Kenjaku of the original work hadn't misjudged. Tengen was indeed a "Quasi-Cursed Spirit." Just like him!
And now, facing the genuine Cursed Spirit Manipulation, Kenjaku couldn't resist. He had naturally fallen victim to it himself.
Kenjaku's main body was right here. His entire form was a brain. But below the brain was a mouth, and inside the mouth were teeth. The Millennium Curse User had completely recorded his physical and soul information into this brain, allowing him to easily hijack other bodies via the Body Hopping technique and use them more freely than Yuta Okkotsu could in the late stages of the original work.
Now, this heinous Millennium Curse User finally faced the retribution of the original Tengen.
"Yo. Hello everyone." Kenjaku greeted the room.
Satoru Gojo looked at the talking brain with interest and laughed. "A spirit absorbed by Cursed Spirit Manipulation really has consciousness and can communicate. That's amazing. How do you feel right now, Kenjaku?"
"If I had to say, not much different from usual," Kenjaku said methodically. "My knowledge is intact, my consciousness is intact, and my skills are intact. If you gave me a corpse right now, I could even use Body Hopping to 'revive' immediately. But there is one thing I cannot resist... and that is Suguru Geto's command."
Masamichi Yaga observed Kenjaku closely and sighed. "As expected of Cursed Spirit Manipulation. To think it can do such a thing."
"It's my first time knowing this too," Geto said. "I even learned his original plan from him: He intended to use Mahito to conduct a game called the 'Culling Game,' to forcefully merge all humans in Japan with Tengen via super-redundant assimilation, creating a grotesque existence called a Giant Cursed Spirit. His confidence lay in his certainty that he could control Mahito and absorb Tengen via Cursed Spirit Manipulation."
This was exactly what Kenjaku did in the original work.
Even hearing it from Geto's mouth, everyone felt a chill. Merging all humans in Japan with Tengen via super-redundant assimilation—what a euphemism. Didn't that mean killing every human in Japan?!
Even the Special Grade Curse User Suguru Geto only wanted to kill non-sorcerers back then; at least he wanted to spare sorcerers. Kenjaku, this guy, didn't distinguish between normal humans and sorcerers—he wanted to wipe everyone out!
No wonder Tengen bristled like a provoked beast whenever he heard news of Kenjaku. Before, people were baffled as to why Tengen was so wary of a subordinate of the Cursed Spirit Lord while ignoring the Lord himself. Why?
Now, they all understood.
The King of Curses only wished to [Ascend to Godhood]. This guy... he wanted to [Destroy the World]!
Gojo clicked his tongue. "What, not putting me in your eyes?"
"A sorcerer who displays all his abilities openly to everyone—no matter how powerful—can be dealt with," Kenjaku said meaningfully. "Satoru Gojo, you are indeed extremely powerful. Powerful enough that I suspect even Ryomen Sukuna isn't your match. But your weakness is too obvious. You are too arrogant. That arrogance will eventually become the fatal Gungnir that pierces your heart."
Kenjaku was right again. The Gojo of the original work died of his own arrogance.
Gojo didn't get angry at this. Instead, he asked calmly, "And now?"
This time, Kenjaku didn't act tough. He said with admiration, "The current you... I'm afraid only Mahito in a frontal confrontation could kill you. It's a pity. Your growth over these two months has been too fast. Even though Ryomen Sukuna is stronger than ever, I have no confidence in him. I fear the current Ryomen Sukuna wouldn't last a few exchanges before you."
Masamichi Yaga adjusted his sunglasses. "We learned from Yuji Itadori how strong Ryomen Sukuna is now. The current Sukuna can resurrect via the Binding Vow of the Ten Shadows Technique and possesses a Space-Cutting Slash. He even has the Limitless himself. Why are you so sure of Gojo's victory?"
"Satoru Gojo, if I'm not mistaken, during the Dream Migration, you engraved a new Innate Technique, right?" Kenjaku said with a smile. "If I'm not wrong, that technique is called 'Tool Manipulation'?"
He guessed it!
No, it wasn't as simple as guessing! Gojo's eyes immediately turned dangerous. He instantly thought of his secret meeting.
*Who betrayed me? Who let you know about the Six Perfections' Eastward Journey?!*
Tool Manipulation wasn't a particularly impressive technique. In fact, since its appearance in history, no famous sorcerer had used it. If one wanted a technique that massively boosted oneself, one should learn from Ryomen Sukuna and take the Ten Shadows, or Copy, or—since Gojo was right here—the Limitless.
Furthermore, Hiromi Higuruma's Executioner's Sword had become famous over the last two months, known for its one-hit kill capability. Even Mahoraga could be felled in a single blow. Engraving Higuruma's technique would have been a correct choice.
No matter how you chose, Tool Manipulation wouldn't make the list.
So, how did Kenjaku accurately determine that the technique Gojo chose to engrave was [Tool Manipulation]?
Unless Kenjaku knew about the "Six Perfections' Eastward Journey" and knew that Gojo had been searching for the sensation of using a [Fusion Black Flash]. The current Gojo's abilities were: Six Eyes, Limitless, Tool Manipulation, and in his hand, he held the Six Perfections' Eastward Journey. He had met all the conditions to use Fusion Black Flash. Now, he was just waiting to give Mahito a surprise!
The current Gojo wasn't as arrogant as before. He had set up an Information Lock early on. Unless someone fought him face-to-face and used points to buy his intel post-battle, his Tool Manipulation shouldn't show up—just like Kokichi Muta buying Ryomen Sukuna's intel.
And Gojo was in the Sakurajima Colony, surrounded by his students and Kento Nanami. Unless someone broke through their guard, Gojo hadn't fought anyone other than Ryomen Sukuna in the Dream Migration.
And when he fought Sukuna, he hadn't purchased Tool Manipulation yet.
His intelligence should not have leaked. Unless... there was a traitor among them!
Kenjaku wanted to play coy, but a strange compulsion made him blurt out the secret: "It's... Rice Shower."
Rice Shower jumped in fright, pointing a finger at herself. "Huh? Me?"
Gojo frowned. "I trust Rice Shower."
Kenjaku savored the compulsion he just felt, glanced at Geto, and said helplessly, "This has nothing to do with whether you trust her or not. Rice Shower was modified by Mahito into his half-body long ago. In fact, Rice Shower was Mahito's very first 'Half-Cursed Spirit' experimental subject. Back then, Rice Shower was truly prepared as a vessel for Mahito's incarnation.
"Rice Shower's eyes are Mahito's eyes. Rice Shower's knowledge is Mahito's knowledge. Rice Shower's thoughts are Mahito's thoughts.
"Do you understand? Even if Rice Shower doesn't know it herself, as long as her eyes look at you, all your intelligence naturally flows to Mahito. The more you trust Rice Shower, the more intelligence Mahito gains from you.
"And Rice Shower doesn't need to contact Mahito at all.
"Satoru Gojo, you really should have listened to the Jujutsu Headquarters. When Rice Shower was discovered, if you had immediately subjected her to Cursed Spirit exorcism disposal...
"You didn't. You trusted Rice Shower.
"Rice Shower indeed never contacted us, so you trusted her even more.
"But precisely because of that... your intelligence leaked constantly.
"Your arrogance allowed Mahito to grow to this point.
"You created Mahito."
Satoru Gojo remained silent.
Rice Shower looked left and right, shrank her neck, and quietly stood up, trying to walk out. She didn't even know she had perfectly completed a life of espionage without realizing it. Now that she was exposed, she felt she had no right to sit there anymore, so she wanted to disappear quietly.
Yuji Itadori stood up, unable to bear it. "This isn't Rice Shower's fault!"
Nobara Kugisaki also grabbed Rice Shower, who was trying to leave. "Wait, Rice Shower! We know you're innocent!"
*No, I'm not innocent at all!* Rice Shower was sweating profusely.
Atsuya Kusakabe wanted to scold these youngsters, but before he could speak, Gojo raised his hand and waved. "Let Rice Shower stay. Since Mahito has grown to this extent, Rice Shower is useless to him now. And our intel is already known by Mahito. It doesn't matter if Rice Shower stays here or not."
Kenjaku grinned. "You sure are big-hearted."
Gojo pretended not to hear. He was the man who watched Suguru Geto openly declare his betrayal and walk away without chasing him. How could a man like that watch the innocent Rice Shower get bullied? And he truly thought so: Since the intel was leaked and Rice Shower didn't betray them subjectively, she could still be trusted.
*Haiya, isn't it just sending spies to each other? I sent Utahime to investigate Kyoto High too. This isn't a big deal.* Gojo easily persuaded himself and felt at peace.
He even comforted Rice Shower: "Don't feel pressured, Rice Shower. We still trust you."
*No, don't do this, I'm really not innocent!* Rice Shower was drenched in cold sweat.
"Enough idle chatter," Gojo said, seeing Rice Shower's unease. He dropped the subject and turned serious. "Just now, Geto said we are destined to lose. What does that mean? Just because my intel leaked? With all due respect, even if my intel is fully leaked, battles between sorcerers are full of randomness. I can still fight Mahito. This doesn't constitute a reason for certain defeat."
"What do you think of Mahito's God-Ascension Ritual?" Kenjaku asked.
Masamichi Yaga spoke up. "Using a [Binding Vow]—specifically a massive [Binding Vow] capable of affecting the entire planet. Through the ritual, the King of Cursed Spirits will make a wish to become a God. Once the Vow is fulfilled, Mahito will be pushed to the position of a deity by the Vow."
Kenjaku laughed. "You know the inside details well. But... you underestimated our methods."
Shoko Ieiri frowned. "What do you mean?"
"If I'm not wrong, your method to stop Mahito from ascending is to defeat him again and again during the Dream Migration, right?" Kenjaku asked.
"We know it's hard. After all, Mahito's strength is growing too. But theoretically, as long as we can do that, Mahito can never become a God," Gojo said in a deep voice. "I don't care about the future. As long as I'm alive, I will fight Mahito to the end. This is my responsibility as a human!"
"If I had hands, I'd applaud you!" Kenjaku shook his brain-body, smiling mischievously. "Unfortunately, you guessed wrong. The moment the [Dream Migration] was established, Mahito had already [Ascended]."
Everyone was stunned. Gojo stood up from his chair. "What did you say?"
Kenjaku stopped smiling and spoke plainly. "The current Mahito is already a God. Why haven't you noticed?
"A so-called God is a transcendent, higher-dimensional existence where [One Proof is Eternal Proof]. Back then, why did Tengen choose to give up embracing a Star Plasma Vessel after Riko Amanai died? Because Tengen understood this reason. After the fusion failed, Tengen immediately realized that his ascension was unavoidable.
"The current Mahito is the same. Since the Dream Migration wasn't stopped the moment it opened, [God Mahito] already exists."
Kenjaku said meaningfully, "You have already failed. This isn't present continuous tense; it is past perfect tense. The current Mahito is just going through the motions. Because all the paperwork is done. Now, Mahito just has to wait there casually for you to come to him. Your boiling blood, your firm will, all your efforts... they are just embellishments for Mahito's ascension. Tiny ripples in the river of fate. Insignificant and meaningless."
"Just like... me back then." Kenjaku sighed.
Back then, to stop the fusion of the Star Plasma Vessel and Tengen, Kenjaku made many efforts. Including but not limited to killing the Six Eyes at birth, intercepting the Star Plasma Vessel, and persecuting the Vessel from behind the scenes. But all his efforts were powerless. Every time, the Six Eyes would deliver the Star Plasma Vessel to Tengen on schedule.
He had truly experienced the power of fate. That was why he gave up.
It wasn't until the Sorcerer Killer truly killed the Star Plasma Vessel and stopped Tengen's fusion that he began to plan excitedly. Before that, his spirit had essentially died.
Just like... the atmosphere right now.
The entire conference room sat in their chairs, silent.
***