Mahito's twisted face was painted in absolute panic.
He had never known fear until now.
And yet, here it was—
Itadori Yuji—relentless, unmerciful, and terrifyingly composed.
BANG!
Another Black Flash rocked Mahito's ribs.
CRACK!
One to the jaw.
THUD!
One to the stomach that lifted him off the ground.
Blood sprayed from Mahito's mouth as he tumbled back across the concrete, flailing.
He tried to shape his limbs. Failed.
He tried to crawl. Shaking.
He backed up slowly on all fours, gasping—
"W-Wait… please… I'm sorry… I-I didn't mean to—"
Yuji's footsteps echoed closer.
Each one heavier. Final.
"You think a sorry can bring Nanami back?" Yuji said coldly.
"You think a sorry can fix Nobara's bleeding heart?"
Mahito shook his head, eyes wild.
He looked barely recognizable from the smug monster he used to be.
Yuji stood over him now, casting a long shadow.
"Your biggest mistake…" Yuji's voice was steady.
"Was thinking human lives are toys."
He raised a fist. Mahito flinched.
"And your second biggest mistake…"
Yuji slammed his foot down next to Mahito's face.
"Was turning against me."
He raised his arm again—
"I'll send you to hell—make sure you never come back."
Mahito crawled backwards in terror—
—Until he bumped into a leg.
He looked up.
Black boots. A long coat. Cold eyes.
A hand on his shoulder.
"K-Kenjaku…! You… you came to save me, right?" Mahito stuttered.
Yuji paused.
His eyes narrowed.
"So you're Kenjaku."
Kenjaku didn't look at Mahito. His gaze locked with Itadori's.
"That's right. I'm the one who trapped Gojo Satoru."
Yuji's voice hardened.
"Then give me the key."
Kenjaku laughed, soft and mocking.
"Why would I do that so early, man?"
Mahito turned, desperately clinging to Kenjaku's sleeve—
"P-Please, let's get out of here—he's insane, he's not normal—"
But then—
Kenjaku's expression changed.
Cold.
Flat.
And he looked at Mahito—
"You were useful."
"But you're not needed anymore."
Mahito's eyes widened in horror.
"W-What…?"
Kenjaku placed one palm on Mahito's forehead.
"Cursed Spirit Manipulation."
And in a flash—
Mahito's body twitched violently.
"No—NO, NO, PLEASE—!!"
His form distorted—warped—sucked inward into a tight black sphere of cursed energy.
Then—
POP.
The orb dissipated in Kenjaku's hand.
Mahito was no more.
Gone.
Yuji stood frozen.
Even he didn't expect that.
Kenjaku smiled.
"Well, now that he's out of the picture… shall we dance, Itadori Yuji?"
Yuji clenched his fists. The air trembled around him.
"You'll regret that."
Kenjaku grinned wider.
"Good."