November 19.
One day had passed since Satoru Gojo escaped from the Prison Realm.
The news of his return spread like a seismic shock through the jujutsu world.
Not only the sorcerers—
Even the hidden organizations and cursed spirits across Japan could feel it.
The strongest sorcerer alive had returned.
Jujutsu High — Underground Headquarters
Inside the underground command room of Tokyo Jujutsu High, the atmosphere was unexpectedly relaxed.
Gojo Satoru sat casually on a chair with one leg crossed over the other.
A can of cola spun lazily in his hand.
"So let me get this straight."
He looked at Yuta Okkotsu.
"Sukuna has taken Megumi's body."
"And he killed Yorozu to complete the Ten Shadows ritual."
"Meaning the King of Curses is now fully incarnated?"
"Yes."
Yuta nodded solemnly.
"And Kenjaku has gained control of Tengen."
"He also added a new rule to the Culling Game."
"The game ends only when all players except himself and Megumi are dead."
The room grew quiet.
Even with Gojo back—
The situation was still catastrophic.
Gojo casually tossed the empty can.
Clang.
It landed perfectly inside a trash bin across the room.
"Serious situation?"
Gojo smirked.
"As long as I'm back…"
"…it's manageable."
Then he turned his head.
His gaze fell on Yuji Itadori.
Yuji had remained silent the whole time.
"Yuji."
"Are you holding up?"
Yuji slowly lifted his head.
His eyes were still red.
"Sensei… I failed."
"I couldn't protect Fushiguro."
Gojo stood up and walked over.
He placed a hand on Yuji's head.
"That wasn't your fault."
His voice was unusually gentle.
"Besides…"
"We haven't lost yet."
"Sukuna proposed the final battle on December 24."
Gojo stretched lazily.
"That means he's not confident he can beat me right now."
"So we've got about a month."
"A month?"
Yagami Sora frowned.
"Why wait?"
"Shouldn't we attack immediately?"
From a tactical standpoint, letting Sukuna prepare sounded dangerous.
Gojo sighed.
"I'd love to."
"But Kenjaku still holds Tengen."
"If he gets desperate…"
"He might trigger the human–Tengen forced evolution plan."
That was Kenjaku's ultimate goal.
A catastrophe that would engulf all of Japan.
"And besides…"
Gojo's eyes sharpened slightly.
"I need some time to prepare something too."
"What exactly?" Sora asked.
Gojo smiled mysteriously.
"A secret."
Gojo clapped his hands.
"Anyway."
"No wasting time."
"Everyone starts special training immediately."
The room lit up.
Training under Gojo Satoru was priceless.
"That's right."
Gojo grinned.
"It'd be boring if I was the only strong one."
"Sukuna reached his final form."
"So all of you need to evolve too."
Then he looked directly at Yuji.
"Especially you."
Yuji blinked.
"Me?"
Gojo nodded.
"Sukuna lived inside your body for months."
"That means his cursed technique has likely engraved itself into your body."
Yuji froze.
"You mean…"
Gojo grinned widely.
"You're basically a walking treasure chest."
"With a little training…"
"You should be able to use Sukuna's slashing techniques."
The room gasped.
The techniques of the King of Curses—
Dismantle and Cleave.
If Yuji learned them—
His strength would skyrocket.
Gojo then turned toward another person.
Choso.
"You're Yuji's brother, right?"
"Teach him Blood Manipulation."
Choso nodded immediately.
"Of course."
"I'll do anything for Yuji."
Gojo smiled.
"Perfect."
"Blood Manipulation."
"Sukuna's slashing techniques."
"And Yuji's insane physical strength."
He looked back at Yuji.
"If everything works…"
"You might surpass Special Grade."
Yuji's heart pounded.
Beyond Special Grade.
Hope ignited in his chest.
"If I get stronger…"
"…I can save Megumi."
Then Sora raised his hand.
"What about me?"
"Do I need training?"
Gojo studied him carefully.
"Your vector manipulation is already extremely refined."
"Even I can't find obvious weaknesses."
Sora frowned.
"But?"
Gojo smiled.
"But if you want to go further…"
"You need to expand the concept."
"Concept?"
"Vectors aren't limited to physical motion."
Gojo raised a finger.
"Time."
"Space."
"Causality."
"All of these can be interpreted as vectors."
"If you learn to manipulate those…"
"You might reach…"
He paused.
"…the realm of gods."
Sora's heartbeat skipped.
Time vectors?
Causality vectors?
If those could be manipulated—
The implications were terrifying.
"Alright!"
Gojo clapped loudly.
"Everyone."
"From today onward we enter Level One combat readiness."
"Target."
"December 24."
"The final battle in Shinjuku."
He smiled confidently.
"We'll sweep away Sukuna."
"Crush Kenjaku."
"And throw those rotten old conservatives of the jujutsu world…"
"…into the garbage heap of history."
"OOOOHHHH!!!"
The room erupted in cheers.
The road ahead was still brutal.
But now—
They had direction.
And faith.
Because the strongest sorcerer stood beside them.
Meanwhile…
In a hidden underground chamber somewhere in Japan.
Kenjaku stood before a shriveled body.
The true form of Tengen.
He placed a hand on Tengen's forehead.
"Gojo Satoru…"
"You're still as arrogant as ever."
He smiled faintly.
"But arrogance…"
"…will soon become your grave."
His cursed energy began to flow.
"Let's begin."
"The final stage of assimilation."
"And…"
Kenjaku's smile widened.
"Prepare a wonderful gift for the strongest."
Visit patreon.com/ShiroTL for more chapters.