Three brothers?
Yuji Itadori looked around in confusion, thinking he might have missed seeing Choso.
But no matter how he searched, he couldn't find any trace of Choso, nor could he sense his presence.
Looking into Choso's eyes filled with concern and affection, Yuji Itadori was stunned for a moment. A strange suspicion crept into his mind.
"Me?" Yuji pointed to himself. "Three brothers... does that include me?"
"Yes, that's right. You're my younger brother."
Choso gripped his shoulder and said solemnly, "I can feel the blood connection between us. The Blood Manipulation technique doesn't lie."
"Ah…"
Yuji brain couldn't process it for a moment. He had no idea what Choso was talking about.
If he remembered correctly, these two older guys had been alive for over a hundred years.
What made him worthy of being their little brother?
"You actually came back? I really can't understand what's going on in your minds."
Previously hidden in the shadows, Nightmare reappeared, speaking with interest, "But it doesn't matter. Now that you've gathered together, it just saves me some effort."
"Nightmare, I won't let you lay a finger on Yuji!"
Choso's expression turned firm as he took a battle stance. "If you want him, you'll have to step over my dead body!"
"I will."
Nightmare responded with a faint smile, unfazed by Choso's words.
It was to be expected.
In her eyes, this was nothing more than a mantis trying to stop a chariot—completely overestimating themselves.
Yuji Itadori understood this as well.
After enduring betrayal from allies, the torment of conscience, and facing imminent death—all within a short period—this once-naive boy had grown more mentally mature.
So, unlike the protectiveness that overwhelmed Choso, he clearly understood that they didn't stand a chance.
Choso and Eso obviously wouldn't be using domain expansion, and Sukuna had already used his domain expansion just moments ago.
And now, standing before them, was a fully intact Nightmare.
A being even Satoru Gojo found troublesome.
"Run!"
Yuji Itadori growled softly and immediately handed full control of his body over to Sukuna.
But this time, it wasn't to have Sukuna fight—it was to have Sukuna escape more effectively.
Yuji decisive action caught both Choso and Eso off guard, as well as Nightmare.
But with the intention to retreat already in their hearts, Choso and Eso didn't hesitate. They followed closely behind Yuji as he fled from Nightmare.
"You really love playing cat and mouse, don't you?"
Nightmare sighed helplessly, not rushing as she said, "But do you really think you can escape from the palm of my hand?"
Of course not.
Yuji knew that well.
He had never planned on escaping from Nightmare grasp entirely.
But if they could just get out of the forest, they might have a sliver of hope!
Soon, the trio—running at full speed—reached the location of Choso and Kurumi Tokisaki.
"Sukuna!"
"I know!"
Sukuna swiftly picked up Kurumi Tokisaki.
Then, with a smooth motion, he kicked the dying Choso away.
Choso's eyes widened at the scene and was about to question Sukuna actions.
But then he saw that Choso, who had been kicked, was rapidly healing before his eyes.
Sukuna had imbued the power of the Reverse Cursed Technique into that kick!
"Uh, what's going on?"
Choso still hadn't figured out what had just happened.
Just a moment ago, he had been on the verge of death. But after taking a kick, not only did he not die, his wounds were healing.
"Choso, follow us and don't fall behind!"
There was no time for explanations. Nightmare was still pursuing them. Choso could only shout to bring the stunned Choso back to his senses.
Although confused, Choso could sense that the one who had severely wounded him was now chasing after the others.
So, without further question, he obediently joined the fleeing group and completed the rendezvous.
Sukuna wore a gloomy expression, Kurumi Tokisaki slung over his shoulder, harboring a strange and irritated mood in his heart.
Tonight, he had helped more people than he had in his entire life.
But he had no choice.
If he had just left Kurumi Tokisaki and Choso behind, Yuji Itadori would've likely started a struggle for control over the body again.
And right now, they were still being hunted by Nightmare. One slip, and she'd catch them.
Much to his annoyance, the only person who could potentially save them now was Satoru Gojo.
To contact Gojo, they had to make it out of this uninhabited forest and back near the small town.
Sukuna, Choso, Eso, and Choso—four Special Grades—ran at full speed, exiting the forest in just ten minutes.
"There's signal!"
Finally, they reached an area with phone reception. Sukuna immediately stopped and tossed Kurumi Tokisaki down.
Because now, this place was the new battlefield.
"We have to hold Nightmare off here and buy time for her."
Sukuna calmly issued orders to the others.
Hearing this, the three brothers of the Cursed Womb: Death Painting nodded without complaint.
But just then, a loud bird cry echoed from the sky.
The next moment, Megumi Fushiguro descended from above, landing beside Kurumi Tokisaki.
"What the hell happened?"
Fushiguro protected Kurumi Tokisaki behind him and looked warily at Sukuna and the three unknown figures, asking in a low voice, "Why is Sukuna controlling Yuji body, and who are those three?"
Not long ago, he and Nobara Kugisaki had found a family willing to take them in for the night, and had tried to call Yuji and Kurumi Tokisaki to inform them.
But the calls never went through.
This filled both of them with a sense of dread.
So they split up and searched in different directions.
With his many shikigami, Fushiguro tracking was far superior to Nobara's, and he had followed the lingering traces of their presence all the way here.
Just as he was about to enter the forest, Yuji and Kurumi suddenly burst out.
Yuji body was still controlled by Sukuna, and he was accompanied by three people who didn't look friendly at all. Fushiguro had to stay on guard.
"Don't worry. Yuji gave Sukuna control of his body voluntarily," Kurumi Tokisaki immediately explained. "Those three are our temporary allies—fighting Nightmare with us."
"Nightmare? You encountered her again?!"
Hearing the name, Fushiguro felt a headache coming on.
Just as he was about to ask more, a familiar cold aura from the forest made him swallow his next words.
Because he saw Nightmare walking out of the forest, appearing before them.
At that moment, Fushiguro heart sank to rock bottom.
"Yuji Itadori, for the sake of your teacher and the deal between us, I'll do you a favor."
Nightmare scanned everyone present and said calmly, "Leave the three from the Cursed Womb: Death Painting behind, and I'll let you and your friends go."
"I refuse."
Sukuna used his ability to open a mouth on his face, allowing Yuji to speak. "I've already made the decision to save them, and I won't go back on it!"
Once Gojo arrives, they'll have the upper hand.
Even if Gojo can't defeat Nightmare, neither can Nightmare defeat him.
Worst case, if Gojo doesn't answer the phone, Megumi could summon a flying shikigami and carry Kurumi away.
Right now, Yuji Itadori felt no pressure at all.
"Truly, I can't understand."
Nightmare repeated herself, looking at Yuji in confusion. "They have no relation to you. Why would you risk your life to save them?"
"Nonsense! Yuji is my younger brother!"
Choso was the first to protest, rebuking angrily, "He shares the same blood as me—my real brother! What do you mean no relation?"
"…Is… is that so?"
Upon hearing this for the first time, Choso scratched his head and looked at Yuji Itadori. "So you're… the tenth brother?"
"I don't really know," Yuji replied.
Eso also looked a little hesitant and said uncertainly, "But since Big Brother said so, then it's probably true."
"I have nothing to do with any of you. I'm an only child," Yuji Itadori stated firmly. "My parents only had me. Besides, you're people from over a hundred years ago. How could we possibly be brothers?"
Despite the looming threat, they began arguing noisily among themselves.
"If you think this kind of chatter can buy you some time, then you're underestimating me," Nightmare said coldly.
A long and a short flintlock pistol appeared in her hands. Her tone carried a hint of murderous intent. "Whether you're a family or not, all of you—stay here!"
As soon as she spoke, the two pitch-black barrels were aimed at the group.
Bang! Bang! Bang—!
Without needing to reload, the flintlock pistols, fueled by spiritual energy, fired several bullets toward the four of them.
Having their stalling tactic exposed, the four immediately shifted into combat mode.
"My cursed technique is Blood Manipulation! I can control blood to fight!"
"Our technique is Corrosive Rot! Our blood has a corrosive effect. If you get touched by even a drop, your body will dissolve down to the bone!"
As soon as the battle began, the three Cursed Womb brothers chose to reveal their techniques.
This was a form of binding vow—one of the most basic forms—used even by newly incarnated beings like them.
In exchange for disclosing their techniques, they gained increased power.
At the same time, it also meant that they were fully resolved to fight to the death here.
Sukuna and Choso, who were skilled in close combat, immediately closed the distance, while Eso and Kechizu, better suited to mid- and long-range combat, provided support from the sides.
The battle between Special Grades was so intense that in an instant, the area was turned into a battlefield.
Dust flew, and the ground erupted with force. In order to stall Nightmare, everyone was fighting with everything they had.
Especially the three Cursed Womb brothers.
To support Sukuna, they had even rehearsed combination attacks before with him, trying to match their fighting rhythms.
Now, even with the bonus granted by the binding vow, they were still squeezing every last drop of their physical potential to fight Nightmare.
"The so-called King of Curses and the Cursed Womb: Death Paintings… you're not much," Nightmare sneered.
Though she was outnumbered, she relied on the resilience of her freeform domain and her ability to slip into shadows at will, allowing her to stay composed even while on the defensive.
"Release!"
Targeting the Nightmare emerging from the shadows, Sukuna unleashed several slashing attacks.
However, they still weren't strong enough to break through the protective barrier—only managing to dim its glow slightly.
"Buy me some time!" Sukuna shouted to Choso.
Although he had been severely wounded by Nightmare before, Choso was simple-minded. His only thought now was to protect his brothers. He immediately stepped forward and took Sukuna place.
Seizing the opportunity, Sukuna began forming hand signs with both hands, gathering cursed energy for an even more powerful technique.
"Heh… if you think this level of distraction can stop me…"
With Sukuna no longer suppressing her, Nightmare regained the upper hand.
Her physical strength already surpassed that of a typical Special Grade. Choso lasted less than five moves before his arm was torn clean off.
"Ahhhhhhhh—!"
Choso let out a pained scream, tears streaming uncontrollably from his pitch-black eyes.
His cries pierced through Eso's nerves, sharpening his focus to an incredible degree.
"Blood Manipulation: Piercing Blood – Hundredfold Compression!"
Eso pressed his palms together, his fingertips forming barrel-like shapes aimed at Nightmare.
But this time, the projectile didn't come from his own blood.
Under his control, Choso's blood condensed into a dark purple toxic blood sphere.
Whoosh—!
The corrosive blood splattered onto Nightmare barrier.
"Corrosive Rot: Blood Invasion!"
Kechizu also seized the moment. By rapidly burning through the blood's internal energy, he increased the rate of erosion several times over.
Surprise flashed in Nightmare eyes. She hadn't expected Eso to be able to control his brothers' blood as well.
With Blood Manipulation and Corrosive Rot combined, the resulting power wasn't just a simple one plus one.
"Release!"
At that moment, Sukuna also finished preparing the strongest attack currently within his capabilities.
Ding——!
With the cooperation of all four, Nightmare protective barrier finally shattered under the overwhelming force.
Without hesitation, Sukuna dashed forward, right fist clenched tightly and swung with such speed that it left afterimages.
A jet-black light erupted between his fist and Nightmare face—
Black Flash!
Boom————!
Nightmare was sent flying by the blow, crashing heavily into a towering tree and snapping it clean in half despite its massive girth.
"I take back what I said. I underestimated you all."
Drops of blood dripped from Nightmare forehead, falling along with fragments of her shattered mask onto the grass.
Now revealing her true face, Nightmare lips curled into a faint, excited smile.
"That's good. Because after I devour you… the nutrients you provide will be far more than I expected."