The training grounds of Tokyo Jujutsu High buzzed with quiet energy.
It had been a while since they'd all been together like this—
Yuji stretching lazily, Nobara complaining about something trivial, Megumi standing off to the side in his usual calm silence…
And Takeru, leaning slightly against a pillar, sunglasses back on, Six Eyes hidden—but always watching.
"Oi," Nobara snapped, tossing a small pebble at Yuji. "You're slacking. Again."
"I'm warming up!" Yuji shot back.
"You've been 'warming up' for ten minutes!"
A sharp crack interrupted them.
Wood splintered.
Maki stepped forward, spinning her weapon effortlessly over her shoulder.
"You're all slow," she said bluntly. "If that was a real fight, you'd already be dead."
Yuji grinned. "Maki! Long time no see!"
Nobara smirked. "Yeah, yeah. Show-off."
Megumi nodded slightly. "…Good timing. We were about to start training."
Takeru pushed himself off the pillar, adjusting his sunglasses. "…This is the second time we've all met like this, huh."
Maki glanced at him, eyes sharp. "You've gotten stronger."
"…So have you."
For a brief moment—
It felt normal.
Then the air changed.
Subtle.
Wrong.
Takeru froze.
"…Wait."
His hand lifted slightly toward his glasses.
"Something's here."
Megumi's expression darkened instantly. "…I feel it too."
A slow clap echoed from behind them.
Clap… clap… clap…
"Wow," a voice chimed, playful, curious… wrong. "You all got stronger."
They turned.
Standing casually at the edge of the training grounds—
A patchwork figure.
A smile too wide.
Eyes filled with curiosity and cruelty.
Mahito.
Yuji's body tensed instantly. "You—"
Mahito tilted his head, grinning. "Me."
The atmosphere snapped.
From casual…
To lethal.
Takeru slowly removed his sunglasses.
His Six Eyes glowed.
"…Everyone," he said quietly, voice sharp. "Don't let him touch you."
Mahito's grin widened. "Aww… you figured it out already? That's no fun."
Maki stepped forward, weapon ready. "We don't need fun. We need him dead."
Megumi's shadows began to shift.
Nobara readied her hammer and nails.
Yuji clenched his fists.
Five against one.
Mahito laughed.
"Perfect."
The Fight Begins
Mahito lunged first—faster than expected—his arm stretching unnaturally toward Nobara.
"Too slow!" she snapped—
—but Takeru moved first.
He intercepted, deflecting the strike with precise cursed energy control.
"Don't let him make contact!"
Yuji rushed in immediately, throwing a powerful punch—
Mahito twisted his body mid-hit, the blow landing but warping his form grotesquely.
"Wow… that hurt!" Mahito giggled.
"But not enough."
Maki charged next—fast, brutal, precise—her weapon slicing through Mahito's torso.
For a moment—
Silence.
Then—
Mahito reformed.
"Physical attacks alone won't do it," Megumi said sharply. "He manipulates the soul itself."
Takeru's eyes narrowed. "…Then we overwhelm him before he can adapt."
Yuji and Takeru moved together—
Instinct.
Brotherhood.
Yuji struck high—
Takeru low—
Mahito dodged one—
—but not both.
The hit landed.
A ripple spread through Mahito's body.
Mahito paused.
Then smiled wider.
"Oh…"
He looked directly at Takeru.
"…you're interesting."
Sukuna's mouth formed on Takeru's cheek.
"…Careful."
For once—
There was no amusement.
Mahito's expression shifted—just slightly.
"…Oh?"
He leaned closer, fascinated.
"…You're carrying something… familiar."
Takeru stepped forward.
Yuji beside him.
Maki ready.
Megumi focused.
Nobara steady.
Five sorcerers.
One curse.
Mahito spread his arms.
"Let's see…"
His voice dropped, darker now—
"…how much you've grown."
The air exploded with cursed energy.
And the real fight—
Was about to begin.