Just ten seconds.
In that brief span, Nobara Kugisaki once again forced out her latent potential, smashing the curses on the ground apart with her bare fists.
Two or three drops of tears mixed with large splashes of cursed blood as they fell to the ground.
"Nobara!"
Megumi Fushiguro summoned a toad shikigami, which opened its mouth and swallowed the staggering Nobara inside.
"W-White Zetsu's body…"
Curled up within the shikigami's stomach, Nobara spoke weakly in reminder.
"Yeah, I know."
Fushiguro formed another hand sign. A serpent burst out from the shadows, wrapping White Zetsu's severed body in its tail.
Without time to dwell on grief—or the strange fact that White Zetsu's body hadn't dissipated—Fushiguro leapt onto the serpent's head and sprinted toward the exit of the detention center.
Only by escaping the coverage of this incomplete domain could he signal Yuji to release Sukuna.
Every second now also concerned another comrade's life.
Boom!
The reinforced concrete walls, once solid, now crumbled like foam.
From the gaping hole in the third-floor balcony, Yuji Itadori's body tumbled out like a ragdoll.
In his ears echoed the crisp sounds of bones cracking—along with the curse's mocking laughter.
Blood poured continuously from his mouth. His consciousness began to fade, his eyes rolling back.
Regret—over swallowing Sukuna's finger.
Fear—of a meaningless death.
And finally… hatred for his own weakness.
Lying among the rubble, Yuji hurriedly covered his face with his wrist, trying to hide the tears streaming down.
On the rooftop of the detention center—
The semi-formed domain of the special-grade curse silently tore open a large gap from above.
Standing outside, Kiyotaka Ijichi sensed no disturbance to the barrier.
"My, my~"
"With this move, that delinquent girl must've been completely dazzled by me, huh?"
The corpse of a sorcerer lying on the rooftop suddenly stood up in an eerie manner.
Golden crooked ponytail… a grotesque face…
Gradually, it transformed into Bai Jue's appearance.
Touching the six purple markings beneath his eye, White Zetsu grinned.
"So… bodily-engraved technique signatures can't be hidden after all…"
Standing nearby, Future spoke softly:
"It doesn't matter. No one at Jujutsu High will recognize Haruta's technique markings."
White Zetsu grabbed a caterpillar-like creature from the empty air beside Mirai and grumbled:
"Those old bastards at the higher-ups really deserve to die!"
"Targeting that pink-haired gorilla is one thing—but they won't even leave me alone."
Mirai sat at the edge of the roof, one leg dangling, his crimson gaze piercing through layers of obstruction, looking straight at Yuji in the underground reservoir.
"The conservative faction among the higher-ups is backed by the Kamo family."
"Targeting you and Yuji is also a way to probe my and Satoru Gojo's bottom line."
"They're nothing but jumping clowns."
"Wait a little longer. It's not time to settle accounts yet."
White Zetsu walked over and clicked his tongue.
"Using stupid actions to prove their so-called supreme status in the jujutsu world."
"Provoking you and Gojo is just their way of maintaining that ridiculous pride."
Stretching his newly formed body, White Zetsu's eyes filled with mockery.
"All from the Three Great Families…"
"Because their own clan didn't produce any dazzling talents, they can't stand seeing the Gojo and Zenin families live comfortably."
"Humans really are laughable."
Mirai remained calm.
"The evil of human nature needs no teaching—it's innate."
"Whether human or curse, what drives them is endless desire."
"Even if I have no interest in power, those old men will still fear anyone who might surpass them."
"Whatever. I'm too lazy to think about all that."
White Zetsu looked at Mirai, a hint of chilling killing intent entering his voice.
"But since they dared to scheme against me…"
"When the time comes, let me handle those old bastards personally."
Mirai nodded silently.
From the moment he received the message from the higher-ups, he had already anticipated the situation and made preparations.
The truth behind White Zetsu's origin…
And the fact that Satoru Gojo and Masamichi Yaga had concealed it from the higher-ups—
None of it surprised him.
If those old men ever learned that corpses could be turned into obedient cursed spirits…
The disaster they would cause might surpass curses themselves.
As for whether White Zetsu could deal with them alone—Mirai had no doubt.
"Well then, I'll get going~"
"I'm in a hurry to check on that delinquent girl."
In an instant, White Zetsu switched from murderous intent to his usual carefree, shameless demeanor.
Would that girl be crying over my corpse right now?
Thinking of that, he grew even more eager.
Pulling out a brand-new pair of sunglasses from the caterpillar's mouth, White Zetsu leapt off the rooftop.
Watching him leave, Mirai activated Kamui, his body sinking into the ground.
Cursed energy wrapped around his fists—compressed, condensed.
In Yuji's mind flashed Mirai's teachings from his battle against the volcano-headed curse, along with the jujutsu theory White Zetsu had explained in class.
Calming himself, Yuji's fists began to emit a layer of deep red cursed energy.
Stepping forward, he gritted his teeth and threw a full-force punch!
Bang!
"Hee… hehe!"
The white curse shook its head, letting out mocking laughter.
Yuji's full-powered strike was effortlessly caught in its palm—unable to move.
"Damn it!!"
Yuji cursed, desperately thinking of a way to stall for time.
"ROOOAAARR—!"
The roar of a shikigami echoed from afar!
That sound… Fushiguro's signal!
On the verge of losing consciousness, Yuji immediately released the suppression on Sukuna within him.
"Oh?"
"So that brat really looks down on me, huh?"
Same body.
Only a few black markings appeared on the face—and the change in gaze.
Compared to Yuji's previous battered state, it was like heaven and earth.
Ryomen Sukuna, now in control of Yuji's body, lightly patted the special-grade curse on the shoulder.
Speaking casually, he said:
"Wait a moment. Let me think first."
With just a single glance—
The white curse suddenly staggered back two steps, its face filled with terror.
Rubbing his chin as if in thought, Sukuna subconsciously let his cursed energy spread outward.
"Who?"
Sukuna looked up toward the upper floors, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
"Yuji, are you alright?"
Mirai slowly descended from the air, landing opposite Sukuna, a faint look of concern still on his face.
Caught between Sukuna and Mirai—
The special-grade curse looked left, then right—
Like a little girl trapped on a narrow bridge between two towering figures, trembling uncontrollably.
"Hmph."
"That fake acting of yours might fool these brats—but not me."
Finally getting a chance to come out… and it looks like it's already over.
Sukuna stood there, hands in his pockets, clearly annoyed.
"Kid, switch back."
One second. Two seconds…
Silence.
After a pause, Sukuna's expression darkened.
"Don't piss me off. If you're coming out, do it now."
Still silence.
"Heh!"
A twisted smile spread across Sukuna's face.
"Looks like the brat's consciousness has passed out."
The concern on Mirai's face instantly faded.
"Passed out…"
"Isn't that… perfect?"
"It is."
The malice on Sukuna's face grew wider—
His cursed energy surged violently!