NOVPUBAre all the people in the Zenin clan blind?
The two most talented individuals were cast out…
If Hakari is a high-level gambler, then the Zenin clan is just a low-level one.
Two SSR-tier geniuses discarded as if they were mere Uncommon tiers…
Had Maki been properly nurtured, the Zenin clan's strength would have skyrocketed.
But the Zenin clan is beyond salvation—it's just waiting to be wiped out.
If Maki doesn't finish them, someone else surely will.
Too bad for Megumi—he might not realize that when he finally takes over as the Zenin clan head, he'll be the last one left…
Setting those thoughts aside, Kazuma moved his foot away from Naoya's face.
"Make sure to tell the higher-ups when you get back—I'm protecting Yuji."
"But before that…"
Kazuma's lips curved slightly, and his scarlet pupils shifted.
"Tsukuyomi."
The instant the technique activated, Naoya's body went stiff.
His blank eyes widened in horror as he convulsed, rolling across the ground in agony.
No death—just a suffering far worse.
If one Tsukuyomi doesn't solve the problem, then two will.
For now, a "three days and three nights" package should be enough to vent Maki's frustration.
"Ahhhhhh!!!"
Not long after, Kazuma and the others left with Choso, who remained unconscious, leaving Naoya to writhe in torment beneath the bridge.
His face contorted in agony, veins bulging as foam gathered at the corners of his mouth.
No one knew the depths of his suffering, and if anyone passed by, they'd likely mistake him for a crazed beggar.
Night
Among the collapsed ruins.
The flickering bonfire cast warm hues against the darkness.
"Kazuma, your fire cursed technique is insanely useful!"
Yuji bit into his roasted meal, giving a thumbs-up with his free hand.
Though Yuji appeared lighthearted, both Yuta and Kazuma saw through the act.
The boy in front of them was forcing a smile. Sukuna, the parasite within him, was an inescapable curse.
A shackle that bound him, branding him as a ticking time bomb.
Yuji turned to Yuta, his voice quiet.
"Senpai, why did you go so far to save me?"
Facing the question, Yuta smiled and said, "Simple. Because the people I care about… care about you."
Yuji stiffened, then dropped his head. There was no mistaking it—Yuta meant Satoru.
Without Gojo's protection, Yuji would have been executed on the spot.
And now, with Gojo sealed away, Yuji was utterly powerless. Yuta understood all too well.
He and Yuji shared something in common—an unbearable past. Both burdened by sins they could never undo. But Yuji's weight was far heavier.
This junior of his had surely suffered more than anyone could imagine.
Yuji suddenly lifted his head, voice steady.
"Yuta. Kazuma. I need you to promise me something."
"If Sukuna takes control again… kill me immediately."
Kazuma's power was undeniable. And this new senior of his, Yuta, was strong enough to challenge him.
Yuta hesitated for a moment before smiling faintly.
"Sure. I won't hesitate."
Kazuma smirked.
"Relax. Sukuna's two eyes got gouged out—he'll stay quiet for a while."
Yuta jolted upright and asked, "What?! Sukuna's eyes… who did that?"
For someone like Sukuna, even with all his strength, Yuta wouldn't have thought to go for such an unorthodox attack.
Yuji nonchalantly pointed a finger at Kazuma.
Yuta's eye twitched. If it was Kazuma, that made sense. He'd love to fight him someday.
Three months of training in Africa had sharpened his blade, but it also fueled his hunger for battle.
Just then, a faint sound echoed from the ruins. Yuji shot to his feet, body tense.
"Who's there?!"
A tall figure stepped into the firelight—his spiky hair and dark sorcerer's uniform unmistakable.
It was Megumi.
"Megumi? What are you doing here?" Yuji asked.
Without looking at Kazuma or Yuta, Megumi simply said, "We should return to Jujutsu High, Yuji."
But Yuji shook his head, voice heavy with guilt.
"I can't go back."
His chest ached with the weight of his choices.
If he hadn't been at Shibuya…
If Sukuna hadn't awoken…
Everything would be different.
Now, as a wanted man, his return would only cause more problems.
"Tch! You're still blaming yourself?"
"This was all part of that wannabe Geto's plan!"
"Why do you always take the blame on yourself?!"
Megumi grabbed Yuji by the collar and yanked him up, his face twisted with frustration.
"Your kindness shouldn't be wasted like this!"
Kazuma and Yuta, sensing the tension, wordlessly took a step back to let them hash it out.
Yuji didn't resist. Megumi's grip was tight, but his words held more weight. Finally, Yuji exhaled shakily.
Yuji said, "I'm sorry. But right now, I'm just a walking disaster—I can't save anyone."
Megumi said, "You can still save me!"
Yuji froze.
"My sister, Fushiguro Tsumiki—is missing."
"I found residual cursed energy in her room. The fake Geto left it there on purpose."
"I don't know what his goal is… but it has to do with this so-called Culling Games!"
No sooner had Megumi finished speaking than a chilling voice echoed across all of Shibuya.
"Spirits rise. Cross the boundary. Die, migrate, be reborn."
"The cycle of struggle begins."
"I am Kenjaku, and I invite you all to participate in my grand game."
"The rules are as follows…"
As his words spread, chaos erupted across Japan.
Thousands of curses were unleashed.
Ten massive barriers sealed the country, allowing entry, but no escape.
Nearly 100 million people were forcibly transported beyond the threshold—dragged into a horrifying death game.
Sorcerers everywhere realized that this was an extinction-level crisis.
A few minutes later, Megumi clenched his fists.
"So that bastard's name is Kenjaku…!"
His sister was taken.
His nails dug into his palm.
Why?
Why drag his sister into this nightmare?
Yuta's voice cut through the tension.
"The Culling Games has begun. We need to prepare now."
"Come with me. The higher-ups are in disarray."
"As long as we don't get caught, we'll be fine."
Kazuma barely registered the words.
Because at that exact moment…
A mechanical voice rang inside his mind.
