Jogo had indeed grown after the battle at the abandoned multi-story parking garage.
He had doubted Gojo Satoru's strength more than once; before this, he would have sarcastically mocked Gojo Satoru quite rudely, and he had felt no fear toward the title of Special Grade sorcerer.
Now he still had no fear, but he had learned to gather intelligence.
For example—
"Fight me, Kinji Hakari."
Jogo suddenly issued a challenge.
The Q&A was over, and Kenjaku was preparing to arrange accommodations for Kinji Hakari and Kirara Hoshi.
This was a secret base known only to him.
To prevent accidents, everyone had to travel through his portal.
Although only talents trained as professional spies could determine the location through changes in sunlight and temperature, there were no such talents here, so it was very safe.
The reason Kinji Hakari followed them was for the "new human."
After being defeated by Mahito, he had suddenly become very interested in becoming a new human.
Mahito had promised he would let Kinji Hakari become a "new human," but not now.
The battle with Kinji Hakari had heavily depleted Mahito's Cursed Energy, and he needed to rest for a while.
During this time, Kinji Hakari decided to follow Mahito, and Mahito did not object.
"Why do you suddenly want to fight me?"
Kinji Hakari asked.
He cracked his neck and took off his outer coat.
Just by looking at this action, it was clear Kinji Hakari had no intention of avoiding the fight.
Kenjaku revealed an interested smile, stopping in his tracks instead of arranging the accommodations, and looked toward Jogo and Kinji Hakari.
"Are you not going to stop him?"
Hanami asked Mahito.
Mahito thought for a moment but couldn't quite figure out what Jogo was thinking right now.
Jogo's personality as a Cursed Spirit was actually a bit like a bully; this was very obvious in the original work.
Toward Jujutsu Sorcerers weaker than himself, he always carried arrogance and contempt.
Toward Jujutsu Sorcerers stronger than himself, he was overly cautious and didn't want to take any risks.
But at the same time, he was willing to sacrifice himself for his ideals, even if it meant death.
For his ideals, he wouldn't hesitate to face an opponent far beyond him, but unless necessary, he wouldn't waste his life in vain or take action against an opponent stronger than himself.
But now, he had chosen to challenge Kinji Hakari without any warning, which went against his usual personality.
"Kinji Hakari possesses Infinite Cursed Energy. Even I only defeated him by relying on elemental compatibility. I thought you were already very clear about this."
Mahito said.
"You are not his match, Jogo. What are you thinking?"
"I am very clear on that," Jogo said in a deep voice.
"Regarding something like Infinite Cursed Energy, no one should know better than us Cursed Spirits how terrifying it is."
"Because we Cursed Spirits are creatures of Cursed Energy, we have a deep understanding of this."
"What, you didn't want to teach me a lesson, so now you want to fight me?"
Kinji Hakari had just taken off his shirt and now wore a bored expression.
"To be honest, I'm also curious about your strength."
"I'd like to see the power that could push Kirara that far, but it shouldn't be now, right?"
Indeed, it shouldn't.
A new employee suddenly getting into a conflict with an old employee was not good by any measure.
"My fight with you is not directed at you," Jogo said, startling everyone.
"What?"
Kinji Hakari was stunned.
"Who I am targeting... is Gojo Satoru."
Jogo's words caught Mahito off guard.
Before this, although Jogo had doubts about Gojo Satoru's strength, he had always been suppressed by Mahito.
Mahito was certain that Jogo had a rough estimate of Gojo Satoru's power.
Although he would still have doubts, he wouldn't actually go and seek death.
Under Mahito's influence, Jogo shouldn't have taken action against Gojo Satoru anymore, but looking at his current state, he seemed determined to do so.
Mahito couldn't help but ask,
"Jogo, are you sober right now?"
Kirara Hoshi simply asserted,
"You've completely lost your mind."
"I am very sober," Jogo said calmly.
"I know I am not Gojo Satoru's match."
"From the Q&A between you and that human just now, I am also certain that if I am unprepared—no, even if I am prepared—as long as Gojo Satoru is serious, I wouldn't even be able to withstand a single move."
"Even escaping would be a luxury."
"Then why...?"
Mahito asked.
Jogo responded seriously,
"That's why I must fight him."
"Even if I die because of it."
This logic was a bit muddled; Mahito admitted he was confused by Jogo's reasoning.
"Mahito, since you were born, when have you ever truly seen Gojo Satoru?"
Jogo suddenly asked.
"I have never seen him," Mahito frowned.
"Then why are you so afraid of Gojo Satoru?"
Jogo continued.
Mahito was getting a bit impatient.
"Because Gojo Satoru really is that strong."
"He is the strongest in the modern era."
"Even if all the Jujutsu Sorcerers and Cursed Spirits in the world were added together, they wouldn't equal one of his fingers."
"If he wanted to, he could kill all humans on the planet and laugh wildly alone atop a sea of corpses."
"That is exactly why I must fight him," Jogo said.
Mahito was about to scold him, but unexpectedly, Jogo shouted first.
He roared,
"Mahito!"
"You are our King of Curses, the undisputed natural-born king since the birth of Cursed Spirits!"
"You are destined to be the leader of Cursed Spirits and lead us out of the ignorant wilderness!"
"You are destined to ascend to godhood and look down upon the world from a divine throne until the universe perishes!"
"This is not just my expectation of you, but the path you must take, without a doubt!"
These words made Mahito blush a little.
But Jogo wasn't finished.
His single eye widened suddenly, staring at Mahito as if it were a demon-reflecting mirror.
He said in a low voice,
"You can certainly avoid the battle."
"You haven't reached your limit yet."
"Since Gojo Satoru is as powerful as the rumors say, avoiding the battle is not an act of cowardice, and no one will mock your actions in your future bible."
"But all of this must have one prerequisite: that you have truly realized Gojo Satoru's strength."
Although he was concerned about the "bible" Jogo mentioned, Mahito was more concerned about the meaning behind his words.
He fell deep into thought.
Jogo stared at Mahito and slowed his speech.
"Everyone is touting Gojo Satoru's strength."
"Every Jujutsu Sorcerer you meet praises Gojo Satoru boundlessly."
"Even the newly joined Infinite Cursed Energy confidently emphasizes Gojo Satoru's invincibility."
"This apparent truth has made you realize that Gojo Satoru is by no means an opponent for you at this stage, and this has created fear."
"Mahito, can you perceive the fear in your heart?"
Yes, Mahito thought to himself.
Because Gojo Satoru was just that strong.
So strong that anyone who intended to oppose him would inevitably feel fear.
Let alone Mahito himself—even the calculating Kenjaku felt boundless fear toward Gojo Satoru, didn't he?
In the entire Jujutsu Kaisen, only the complete Ryomen Sukuna dared to openly challenge Gojo Satoru.
Before Ryomen Sukuna was complete, even with nineteen fingers, didn't he also not dare to fight Gojo Satoru?
It could be said that if Ryomen Sukuna hadn't rationally utilized Mahoraga's adaptability and used the extended target of Dismantle at the final moment, even a complete Ryomen Sukuna might not have won against Gojo Satoru.
In fact, in the original ending, Ryomen Sukuna without Mahoraga did indeed lose to Yuta Okkotsu, who could only exert a limited portion of Gojo Satoru's strength.
This final battle could be considered a way to save some face for Gojo Satoru.
How could such a Jujutsu Sorcerer not cause fear in Mahito's heart?
How could he not be afraid?
But now Jogo roared loudly,
"Stop joking with me!"
"How can you fear rumors from the mouths of others?!"
"You are the King of Curses who is destined to ascend to godhood!"
"You can certainly avoid the battle, but the prerequisite is that it must be judged by your own eyes!"
"You must go and actually understand, actually make contact, actually compare, and make the judgment yourself!"
"If you listen to rumors everywhere and hesitate to move forward, your capacity ends here!"
"Go and make actual contact!"
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