Chapter 104 — The Death Sentence of Itadori Yuji
"The matter with my niece is settled for now," Zen'in Shinsuke said, dusting off his coat. "Time to get back to work. Toji, make sure Tsumiki doesn't get herself caught up in any danger."
He waved a hand casually, then turned and left.
Tokyo had become a living hell — the streets empty of people, but crawling with countless curses.
It was the perfect opportunity for him to sharpen his blade and test his strength before Culling Game officially began. He didn't like the idea of stepping into Kenjaku's grand scheme without feeling completely prepared.
That old fox definitely took me into account when he made his plan, Shinsuke thought. So I'd better be ready to ruin every last one of his tricks.
Once Shinsuke left, Toji and Fushiguro Megumi didn't bother Tsumiki further. She needed rest.
Toji poured himself a cup of water and leaned against the wall, his tone casual.
"So, Megumi. What's your next move?"
Right now, most sorcerers were busy evacuating civilians from danger zones. Jujutsu High was likely deserted — there was no point returning.
"I'm going to find Itadori Yuji," Megumi said after a long pause.
Since the Shibuya Incident, Yuji hadn't left with them — instead, he'd gone off with the man claiming to be his brother. Megumi knew what kind of disaster the incident had caused, and Yuji would definitely be blamed for it.
The higher-ups would never let someone like him live.
And that was precisely why he had to find him — to tell him that, no matter what the elders decided, he'd never see him as an enemy.
They were partners. Always had been.
I'm sure Nobara's looking for him too, Megumi thought. Even if she acts cold, she's soft inside.
"Itadori Yuji?" Toji raised a brow. "You mean Sukuna's vessel?"
Of course, Toji knew the name Sukuna. Everyone in the jujutsu world did.
"If that's what you've decided, go," he said simply. "I'll keep an eye on Tsumiki. If you run into trouble, contact me — or your uncle."
He didn't question Megumi's resolve. Whether Yuji was a danger or not didn't matter.
People like Toji didn't live by rules — they followed their gut, their own truth.
"Got it."
Megumi nodded, glanced once more at his sister's room, then quietly left.
---
At the same time —
Somewhere in Tokyo's ruins, Okkotsu Yuta, the special-grade sorcerer assigned to carry out Yuji's death sentence, had finally located his target.
Yuji and Choso were busy exorcising curses when a suffocating wave of cursed energy swept over them like a tidal wave.
The sheer pressure froze them in place.
"Who's there?!"
Choso's expression hardened instantly, his body dropping into a defensive stance. Cold sweat trickled down his temple as he sensed the monstrous energy surging toward them.
This cursed energy… it's like an ocean. No, deeper.
"You're Itadori Yuji, right?"
Yuta leapt down from a high ledge. The ground trembled beneath his landing, a crater forming from nothing but the weight of his cursed energy.
Unsheathing his katana, Yuta ignored Choso completely, his sharp gaze locking onto Yuji.
"I'm the one the higher-ups sent to execute you," he said evenly. "I'm also your senior — Okkotsu Yuta."
Yuji froze, eyes widening.
"Yuji, run! I'll hold him off!"
Choso's tone was deadly serious now. The moment he realized the stranger's intent, he stepped forward, arms spread protectively. He'd lost too many brothers — he wasn't about to let this one die.
But Yuta's calm voice cut through his resolve like a blade.
"Sorry, but I'll have to ask you to sit this one out."
Before Choso could react, Yuta's figure blurred — vanishing and reappearing right in front of him.
That faint, polite smile never left his face.
Choso's pupils constricted.
Fast—!
He barely raised his arm before an overwhelming force slammed into his chest.
"BOOM!"
The impact sent him flying like a cannonball, smashing through a wall and disappearing into the rubble.
"Choso!!"
Yuji's cry echoed through the ruins, panic twisting his face. But before he could rush to help, Yuta's blade was already swinging toward him — clean, efficient, merciless.
He barely managed to raise his arms in time, the strike colliding with his guard like a thunderclap.
Even after all he'd been through — even after exorcising special-grade curses — Yuji felt it immediately:
this man was on a different level.
A special-grade sorcerer… was nothing like a special-grade curse.
The pressure he radiated wasn't just power — it was finality.
The intent of someone who killed not out of hate or duty, but out of pure conviction.
And that was what terrified Yuji most of all.
In less than a minute, Itadori was utterly overpowered — and this was Yuta Okkotsu holding back.
"You're too focused on my sword, Itadori," Yuta said calmly, his tone almost instructional, as their blades clashed — Yuji's short dagger against Yuta's long katana.
Yuji blinked in confusion, about to retort — when a surge of malevolent cursed energy flared behind him.
Two massive spectral claws shot out from the shadows, seizing him by the torso and pinning him in place.
"What the—?!"
Yuji's eyes widened. When did a curse get behind me?!
"Rika," Yuta said softly, stepping closer, "I told you, I'm only playing with him. Don't get too serious."
His voice, though calm, carried the weight of finality.
"But I suppose," he continued, raising his blade, "it's about time we finished this."
His gaze locked with Yuji's. "You can rest now, Itadori."
Without hesitation, Yuta thrust his sword straight through Yuji's chest.
The blade pierced his heart. Blood spilled freely.
Yuji's eyes widened — confusion, then disbelief — and then, slowly, the light began to fade. His heartbeat weakened… and stopped.
Inside him, Sukuna stirred.
The King of Curses opened his eyes lazily, watching the scene with disinterest. He was about to take over — to "pay his rent" — when something caught his attention.
"Oh?" He smirked faintly. "So that's how you want to play it… interesting."
He chuckled, then shut his eyes again, sinking back into silence.
Kenjaku's great game had already begun. Sukuna had to prepare as well — but if possible, he had no desire to reappear using this body.
His true, ideal vessel… was Fushiguro Megumi.
Claiming that body, however, would not be easy — not yet. He would need to wait, plan, and strike when the time was perfect.
Not only did he intend to return at full strength…
He wanted to erase that man — the one who had dared to humiliate him.
The King of Curses never forgets.
---
Hours later, after Yuji's execution, Yuta reported back to headquarters, informing them that the mission was complete.
But instead of leaving the body behind, he quietly carried it away himself.
As night fell, darkness swallowed the ruined city. Curses crept through the streets, whispering and wailing in the wind.
And by the flickering light of a small fire… Yuji's eyes opened.
He sat up slowly, blinking at the familiar face sitting across from him.
Yuta Okkotsu smiled warmly.
"Good," Yuta said, exhaling in relief. "You're finally awake."
"Huh?" Yuji blinked in confusion. "Wait—am I dreaming? You… you killed me!"
He rubbed his head, dazed. Just hours ago, this same man had driven a sword through his heart.
And now he was acting like a friendly senior.
Also—
Wasn't I dead?!
"You were," Yuta replied matter-of-factly. "But I brought you back."
Seeing Yuji's bewildered expression, he added, "Months ago, Gojo-sensei told me this might happen. He said if the higher-ups ever ordered your execution, I should be the one to carry it out."
Yuta smiled faintly. "The elders told me to kill you — but they never said I couldn't revive you afterward."
"Kill first, save later." He shrugged. "Technically fulfills the contract. Two birds, one stone."
Yuji just stared, speechless.
"Your death's been reported to the higher-ups," Yuta continued. "That should buy us some time."
He poked the campfire with a stick, watching the sparks rise.
"Gojo-sensei said even if I didn't show up, you probably wouldn't die for real. Still, I thought it'd be better if I handled it personally."
He glanced at the firelight, his tone softening.
"I didn't want Zen'in-sensei dragged into it. His relationship with the elders is already bad enough. If he sheltered you, it'd turn into open war."
Yuta's expression darkened slightly. "They'd exile him from the jujutsu world like they did Gojo."
Then he smirked faintly. "Not that he'd care much anyway."
The two sat in silence for a while — the crackling of the flames the only sound between them — until Yuji finally sighed.
"Guess I really am dead to the world now, huh?"
Yuta nodded, smiling wryly. "Yeah. But that just means you're free."