Kenjaku stared at the young—yet ancient—monster sitting across from him, organizing the information in his mind.
Those eyes… and the unknown data behind them—this was an anomaly unseen in a thousand years.
Ten years ago, the upheaval within the Zen'in clan.
A boy with no cursed energy who suddenly rose to prominence.
The "ghost" before him must have seized a body back then and returned in force.
Mirai crossed his legs, his tone calm.
"A barrier technique that can rival Tengen's…"
"I want all the information in your head regarding barrier techniques. No holding back."
Kenjaku fell silent for a moment before lifting his gaze.
"I want Suguru Geto's body."
Mirai nodded and continued:
"Second, I want one of your latest 'test subjects'…"
"All the detailed information you have on Yuji Itadori."
Kenjaku's expression darkened instantly.
A sinister cursed energy gathered around him.
"Don't push your luck."
"I may not enjoy fighting, but if I go all out, killing a Special Grade sorcerer isn't difficult."
His warning was no bluff.
If not for his identity from a thousand years ago—and his incomplete understanding of Mirai's technique—
Kenjaku would have already expanded his domain and fought to the death.
But that was a last resort.
Even after a thousand years…
Kenjaku was still afraid of dying.
"Relax," Mirai said lightly.
"I'm not asking for two in exchange for one. You can make your own demands too."
He smiled faintly.
"A fair and equal deal is what keeps things… pleasant, isn't it?"
The cursed energy around Kenjaku dissipated as he frowned in thought.
At the edge of the crater, twisted branches extended outward, reconstructing the tea table and refilling the tea.
Mirai remained silent, composed as ever.
After a long pause—until the steam from the teacup had nearly faded—Kenjaku finally spoke.
"When necessary, you will act once."
"The target… Satoru Gojo."
Mirai tapped his fingers, feigning hesitation, before replying:
"Add a time limit."
A glint flashed in Kenjaku's eyes.
"Within one year."
Among modern sorcerers, excluding this unfathomable "ghost" before him,
only one and a half individuals were worth Kenjaku's attention.
Satoru Gojo—the Six Eyes sorcerer—counted as one.
Yuki Tsukumo—whose technique remained unknown—counted as half.
Yuji Itadori's secrets were important, yes…
but everything depended on sealing Gojo first.
If this "ghost" dared to agree, then he must possess considerable ability.
That would make the plan to seal Gojo even more reliable.
And perhaps…
This very being might even die in that battle.
And if not…
Well, Kenjaku was still here.
As always—no matter the scheme—
death renders everything meaningless.
"Come," Kenjaku said with a gentle smile masking deep malice.
"Let's form a binding vow."
Mirai's eyes flickered with amusement.
"How about we wait until you switch bodies first?"
In the original records, once Kenjaku took over Geto's body, prior vows became void.
Mirai had not forgotten that detail.
Kenjaku's expression stiffened briefly before he nodded with a smile.
Mirai watched with interest as Kenjaku prepared for the procedure.
After removing the stitches, the exposed brain—pale, with a grotesque set of teeth—
The sight was absurd, grotesque.
Not quite a cursed spirit… yet not truly human either.
What kind of existence was this?
A new species?
Mirai's crimson eyes carefully examined every detail, searching for unknown information.
In his previous life, he had only seen up to the arc of Gojo's past.
Everything beyond—Kenjaku's full plan, the protagonist's final trump card—
All of it remained dangerous unknowns.
Half an hour passed.
After the brain-transfer surgery, Kenjaku immediately began assessing his new, battle-damaged body.
He had already studied the data from the battle at Jujutsu High.
If Geto hadn't dispersed thousands of cursed spirits beforehand during the Night Parade,
Yuta Okkotsu would never have gained the upper hand.
The current damage to the body wasn't the main issue.
What concerned Kenjaku was—
Whether Zen'in Mirai had left any hidden measures inside the corpse.
Cursed energy flowed meticulously through every inch—from toenails to the crown of the head.
Externally—
A severed arm. Displaced internal organs. Multiple fractures.
Fragments of organs in the chest, no larger than fingertips…
Aside from that—
No other abnormalities.
Mirai, who had been waiting, finally spoke:
"Alright. Let's establish the binding vow."
Kenjaku frowned slightly.
If the vow was made with this new body… then he would truly be bound to it.
If not for the fact that Geto's nearly ten thousand cursed spirits had already been exhausted—
Kenjaku might have chosen to fight at this very moment.
"What's wrong?" Mirai said with a smile.
"Thinking about going another round?"
Controlling Geto's body, Kenjaku narrowed his eyes and smiled.
"You jest, Head of the Zen'in clan."
Over the next hour, the two refined the terms of the vow—making them more detailed and complete.
At last, both sides smiled as they formed the binding vow.
Jujutsu Storage — Underground Level Two
Deep darkness. Not a trace of light.
With sharp metallic clashes, brief sparks illuminated several twisted, manic faces.
"Looks like that guy ran into some trouble."
"You're really not going to help him?"
Haruta Shigemo threw his blade at an enemy while hiding in the shadows, letting out a creepy laugh.
Clang!
Naobito Zen'in remained expressionless as he deflected a cursed tool, sparks flying.
The darkness did not hinder his perception of cursed energy.
He had long anticipated this man's restlessness.
"Projection Sorcery!"
Cursed energy surged—his form moved like the wind.
The moment Haruta looked up, a cold flash of steel filled his vision.
Slash!
Naobito frowned.
He had aimed to decapitate—but for some reason, the blade shifted slightly.
"Ahhh! That hurts! It hurts so much!"
"Damn it!"
Clutching his chest, Haruta screamed and cried.
Tears streamed down his face. The pink-purple markings beneath his eyes faded by more than half after that strike.
"Juzo! Help me!"
"This old man's too strong!"
Crying hysterically, Haruta scrambled away in panic.
Naobito knocked aside another autonomous cursed tool and advanced step by step.
"That one-armed brute isn't weak either—figure it out yourself!"
At the other end of the corridor, Juzo Kumiya swung his hammer wildly, sparks flying everywhere.
The "one-armed brute" he referred to—
Jinichi Zen'in.
With one hand on the ground, he poured cursed energy into the earth.
The thick rock layers surged like waves, crashing toward Juzo.
Juzo swung his hammer with all his strength, intercepting the seemingly soft—but overwhelming—stone waves.
His arms went numb, sparks flying endlessly.
Sweat poured down his face as he shouted behind him:
"Hey! Hurry up and help!"
"Do you really want to be locked up here forever?!"
Behind him, a short figure hesitated.
"Hurry!!!"
"If you don't move, I'll turn around and kill you first!"
Juzo shouted as he was forced backward.
"Hold them off—I'm preparing the technique!"
The figure spoke in a hoarse voice, as if finally making up their mind.
Clink, clink—
Chains rattled at their feet.
Hands clasped together, strange cursed energy began to rise.
"How lively."
A sudden flare of light ignited at the entrance, dispelling the darkness.
A familiar voice echoed from the stairs.
The fighters froze mid-motion.
Haruta stared blankly at Mirai, who stood there smiling faintly.
A chill shot from his heels straight to his scalp.
His entire body trembled uncontrollably.