Sol's gaze shifted toward the depths of Shibuya, where an immense and chaotic wave of Cursed Energy was surging. Suguru Geto was clearly releasing countless Cursed Spirits to spread chaos and cover his escape.
"That way!" Nanami said, immediately sensing the disturbance and pointing toward the source. "There's a large-scale release of Cursed Spirits!"
"It's that fake Geto!" Itadori shouted, clenching his fists. "We can't let him get away!"
"Move," Megumi Fushiguro said simply as he summoned Nue, preparing to scout from above.
Nobara tightened her grip on her hammer. "We're catching him this time."
Sol remained silent and walked forward. His pace looked leisurely, yet every step carried him an astonishing distance, forcing the others to jog just to keep up.
As they closed in, the Cursed Energy in the air grew heavier and more polluted. The growls of low-grade Cursed Spirits echoed through the streets, making the area feel like a massive nest.
Cursed Spirits flooded the roads and ruins like an endless tide. They came in every imaginable shape. Most were not especially powerful, but their overwhelming numbers made it obvious they had been released all at once to delay any pursuit.
"So many!" Itadori punched away a flying Cursed Spirit, only for several more to rush at him.
"Don't get tied down," Nanami ordered calmly, his blunt sword cutting down every Cursed Spirit that approached. "Our objective is Suguru Geto. The cleanup teams can handle these weaker spirits. Avoid unnecessary fights and push straight through."
Maki swept her spear in a wide arc, clearing a path ahead. Megumi's Divine Dogs and Nue tore through the horde, opening gaps for the team, while Nobara's nails struck down Cursed Spirits attempting to ambush them from a distance.
Sol stayed near the center of the group without making a move. Every so often, a Cursed Spirit slipped past the others and rushed toward him, only to shatter soundlessly before reaching him, as though it had collided with an invisible barrier.
His attention never left the eerily powerful presence moving farther ahead.
He could clearly sense Kenjaku rapidly retreating, using countless Cursed Spirits and the city's maze-like terrain to shake off anyone chasing him.
The group forced their way through the sea of Cursed Spirits until they reached the entrance of a large subway station. More Cursed Spirits poured out from there than anywhere else, and the Cursed Energy fluctuations were at their most violent.
"He may have escaped through the subway tunnels," Nanami concluded.
Suddenly, an overwhelming burst of Cursed Energy erupted from deep underground.
Several massive Grade 1 Cursed Spirits emerged from the station entrance, blocking the path as they let out deafening roars.
"It's a diversion," Megumi said immediately. "He's using them to buy himself more time."
"We don't have time to clear them all," Nanami replied grimly. "By then, he'll already be gone."
Itadori stared at the blocked entrance with obvious frustration. Even if they defeated the Grade 1 Cursed Spirits as quickly as possible, Kenjaku would already be far beyond their reach.
Sol glanced at the monsters before him, then sensed Kenjaku's presence fading as it rapidly moved beyond even his perception.
"He got away," Sol said evenly.
"What?!" Itadori exclaimed, unable to hide his disappointment.
Nanami adjusted his glasses. Though regret flashed across his face, he remained composed.
"The enemy planned this carefully. He created enough chaos to secure his escape. Chasing him now is unrealistic. Our priority is eliminating the remaining Cursed Spirits and stabilizing Shibuya."
Maki clicked her tongue.
"What a slippery bastard."
Megumi narrowed his eyes at the Grade 1 Cursed Spirits standing in their way.
"Then we'll deal with what's in front of us first."
Nobara had already raised her hammer and prepared another nail.
"Perfect. I could use something to take my frustration out on."
The group's attention shifted completely to the rampaging Cursed Spirits.
Watching them immediately adjust their priorities, Sol gave a faint nod.
The chaos engulfing Shibuya had not completely ended, but one of its greatest threats had temporarily withdrawn.
Over the following hours, the remaining Cursed Spirits and Cursed Users were gradually exorcised or captured by the Jujutsu Sorcerers. The Curtain covering Shibuya also began to weaken before finally collapsing.
The disaster that had shaken the city finally came to an end.
At least on the surface.
Sol knew better.
This was only the beginning.
For now, however, he was content to let everyone enjoy the illusion of victory.
He looked toward Itadori and the others as they worked together to bring down one of the remaining Grade 1 Cursed Spirits.
A faint glimmer flashed through his dark red eyes.
The Shibuya Incident had effectively come to an end.
---
The aftermath of Shibuya took several days to resolve.
When Sol returned to Tokyo Jujutsu High alongside the first-year students, the campus remained cloaked in exhaustion and grief.
Assistant Supervisors hurried from building to building, while the air carried the mixed scent of disinfectant and lingering Cursed Energy.
"We're finally back..." Itadori let out a long sigh as he stretched his aching shoulders. His expression was noticeably calmer than before.
Everything that had happened in Shibuya had left a permanent mark on him.
Megumi walked beside him in silence, dark circles visible beneath his eyes.
Nobara was unusually quiet. Every now and then, she glanced toward Sol, who continued walking ahead as though nothing extraordinary had happened.
His presence remained striking, yet he somehow blended naturally into the surroundings.
Dressed in his dark blue tracksuit, he walked with steady, unhurried steps. His dark red eyes swept across the familiar rooftops of the school without revealing even the slightest trace of the fierce battles he had recently fought.
Not long after everyone settled into the classroom, Gojo Satoru appeared at the doorway.
He still wore his signature round sunglasses, a carefree smile resting on his face as though he had just returned from a pleasant walk.
"Yo! Did everyone miss me?" he called with a grin, striding into the room before casually resting his long legs on the podium.
"I heard you all did pretty well in Shibuya. Even though your amazing teacher was sealed away because of Sol, you didn't embarrass yourselves. That's worth praising."
===
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