Because the function of the Curtain was to completely isolate the environment inside and outside the barrier, the time in the outside world was actually still midday.
And because Yuji deliberately controlled the range of Malevolent Shrine, his battle with Jogo didn't cause any casualties—nor did it cause large-scale destruction to Jujutsu High's training grounds.
Since only a few Semi-Grade 1 and Grade 2 curse users were assigned to fight the other students, aside from a few students including Todo suffering some injuries, everyone else was basically unharmed.
The curse users defeated by Yuji and Aoi Todo were also imprisoned in Jujutsu High's secret room for interrogation.
A cause for celebration.
The afternoon sun shone through the window onto the smooth floor of the hospital room.
The injured students had been treated promptly by Shoko Ieiri. Several Kyoto school students gathered in the room. Perhaps because this incident didn't cause any serious consequences, the young people gathered together, chatting happily.
"So, Yoshino—you really saw a meteor?"
Nobara Kugisaki, with a large bandage on her face, sat on a small stool in the hospital room, resting her chin on her hands, asking with a curious expression.
Because she and Panda were originally at the edge of the barrier and had already been injured in their fight with the Kyoto school members, by the time Yuji and Jogo started fighting, the two had already left the Curtain.
Junpei Yoshino and Panda, arms crossed, leaned against the wall. Megumi Fushiguro and Maki Zenin lay in their respective beds. Toge Inumaki pulled up a chair and sat in the corner, while Yuji sat by Megumi's bed.
"Yeah, I saw it. Originally, I was fighting Kasumi Miwa from the Kyoto school, but halfway through chasing her, I suddenly heard continuous explosions coming from the distance."
"After a while, I saw a giant meteor crashing toward the center of the barrier from afar. At the time, I didn't know what was going on. I thought it was the end of the world."
Junpei scratched the back of his head.
"And then? And then?"
"When that meteor crashed down, it suddenly shattered into pieces. Because the whole ground was shaking at the time, I was standing at the edge of the barrier and couldn't even stand steady—so I didn't see clearly either. But it was Itadori-kun fighting the curse at that time, right?"
Junpei deduced.
"Could it be that Itadori-kun shattered the meteor with one punch?"
"...Seriously?"
Nobara let out a gasp of amazement.
"Probably. Because Itadori had just rescued me and Maki-senpai at that time."
Megumi, lying in bed, chimed in.
"Itadori, were you right under there at the time?"
"...Hey, wait—it wasn't that exaggerated."
Yuji quickly waved his hands.
Although it was the truth.
But in reality, today's battle record was achieved by relying on Sukuna's power—so he was a bit embarrassed to admit it.
"What do you mean not that exaggerated? Didn't you continuously blow up two Special Grade curses? Hurry up and describe the process to satisfy my curiosity! Yoshino said there were meteors and volcanoes where you were—fighting like filming a movie!"
"While we only fought some curse users on our side. No sense of presence at all."
Nobara said excitedly.
"I like stories where the hero fights the villain to protect their companions and ultimately defeats the big bad villain supported by their strong willpower! Don't you guys think that's so cool!"
However, what Nobara didn't expect was...
In reality, Yuji—enhanced by Sukuna's cursed energy in that battle—acted more like the big bad villain than Jogo did.
"...There's really nothing much to describe. Inumaki-senpai and Todo from the Kyoto school also contributed a lot."
"And I also got injured. Just healed with the Reverse Cursed Technique. Anyway, it's good that everyone is safe and sound."
Yuji shook his head.
"Hey, hey, Itadori—has anyone ever told you that you're a very boring person!"
"Salmon."
Yuji sweatdropped slightly. He tried to change the subject. "Although you say that, things weren't easy on your end either, right?"
"It was alright."
Panda answered for Nobara.
"Those curse users were only around Grade 2, and their strength was average. Kugisaki and I coordinated and quickly took care of them. But because we both suffered considerable injuries, we left the barrier first."
"What about the Kyoto school?"
Yuji asked again.
Panda paused, looking toward the door of the hospital room.
"That Kamo guy was injured by Hanami and is still lying in the next room. Todo is also quite badly injured. As for the others, they only suffered minor injuries and have already been treated."
"Oh right—and Kasumi Miwa..."
Panda's expression was a bit subtle.
"She seemed to have been chased by Junpei all the way and eventually fell into the river. She was fished out by the auxiliary manager. She didn't have any injuries—just a bit spooked."
After Panda finished speaking, all eyes in the room turned to Junpei.
"Uh..."
Junpei awkwardly scratched his cheek.
"Um... I just wanted to stop her from going back to support her companions at the time... After seeing the Curtain in the sky, she actually told me about the curse users—but I thought she was using some trick to fool me... It wasn't until later when I saw the meteor that I realized she was telling the truth... I didn't mean to hurt her..."
"Alright. We all know."
Yuji smiled.
"You did well, Junpei. Being able to hold off a Grade 3 sorcerer in your first real combat is already very good."
"Really?"
Junpei's eyes lit up slightly.
"Indeed." Maki, sitting on the outer bed, chimed in. "Having that courage is the most precious thing."
Yuji nodded. "That's right. Keep up the good work, Junpei."
"I will!"
Junpei nodded forcefully. A smile appeared on his face.
The atmosphere in the hospital room became relaxed.
Everyone chatted animatedly, sharing various things that happened during the exchange event.
Click—
At this moment, the door to the hospital room was pushed open from the outside.
"Yo, long time no see, students! Your teacher is here!"
Satoru Gojo strode in, carrying several paper bags in his hands.
"Brought you some care packages. Fruit platters—everyone gets one."
"Ah, Gojo-sensei!"
"Salted roe (Yay)!"
Satoru Gojo placed the paper bags on the table, then casually leaned against the windowsill next to Yuji. Nobara couldn't wait to step forward, pulled out a box of fruit platter from the paper bag, opened the lid, and looked—
"Wow, high-end stuff! Gojo-sensei, you're finally being generous for once!"
"What do you mean finally being generous for once?" Satoru Gojo raised an eyebrow, looking dissatisfied. "Your teacher has always been very generous, okay?"
"Gojo-sensei, if you keep being this generous, we'll love you even more."
Nobara speared a piece of cantaloupe and stuffed it into her mouth, speaking indistinctly.
"Forget it. Your love can't feed me."
"By the way, what were you guys chatting about just now? I heard you chattering like a wet market from the hallway."
Megumi, lying in bed, answered flatly. "Talking about Itadori's battle with that Special Grade curse."
Hearing this, Satoru Gojo chuckled at Yuji.
"That's true. I was blocked outside the Curtain earlier and couldn't witness Yuji's battle."
"Gojo-sensei, you're so useless..." Nobara complained.
"Hahaha, that's because our Yuji is too strong. I didn't even have a chance to show off."
Satoru Gojo didn't mind being talked to like this by his student.
Although he did have a tiny bit of regret.
After all, wasn't the original script supposed to be him finally breaking the Curtain in a moment of crisis, then charging into the grounds like a locomotive, killing five Grade 2 curse users in three seconds? And when the two Special Grade curses tried to run, he would blast them directly with a Purple like a long-range mortar!
How did Yuji steal all his thunder?
But this feeling of regret was only a tiny bit. Satoru Gojo was very gratified by Yuji's growth.
He saw the makings of a great emperor in Yuji Itadori!
"But it seems that besides me, there are still people among the students who can take the lead."
Satoru Gojo's mouth curled up uncontrollably. Someone who truly cares about their students can't hold back a smile.
He raised his hand, showing his palm to Yuji.
This was an all too familiar gesture.
Yuji immediately understood. He got up from beside the bed, then stepped forward—
SMACK!
The teacher and student shared a high-five. In his past life, a high-five was the gesture he and Satoru Gojo used to confirm their mutual understanding.
"You did very well, Yuji."
Satoru Gojo's voice held undisguised pride.
"Yeah..."
At this moment, Yuji was also very happy.
For some reason, compared to the acknowledgment of others, Satoru Gojo's acknowledgment made him even happier.
In his past life, he was too weak. Most of the praise he received was superficial—like how parents give encouragement to strengthen a child's heart even if the child hasn't done anything.
But right now, Yuji could feel that Satoru Gojo's praise for him was genuine.
"But next time you encounter enemies of this level, remember to leave one for your teacher to show off—otherwise your teacher really won't have any presence!"
Satoru Gojo said with a grin.
"Okay, okay. Definitely next time."
Yuji smiled and nodded.
Megumi rolled his eyes at Satoru Gojo. "...Gojo-sensei, the situation is urgent. You should be more serious."
"And the winner of this exchange event hasn't been decided yet. With things turning out like this, the team battle probably can't continue either. What's the higher-ups' plan?"
Hearing this, Satoru Gojo suddenly revealed a meaningful smile.
"Well, about that—your teacher has already thought it through."
"Thought what through?" Megumi asked.
"Since it's a team battle meant to foster team spirit, then any sports involving teamwork can be included... But as for the specific event details, it's a secret."
"Just say it! Don't waste time!" Megumi clearly didn't want to banter with him.
"Not telling."
"Just say it!"
"..."
The sunlight from outside the window spilled in, illuminating the entire hospital room brightly and warmly.
Satoru Gojo leaned against the windowsill, looking at the harmonious students. The corners of his mouth curled up slightly.
Suguru...
Did you see?
My students are all outstanding.
"Mhm. I see, I see."
Kenjaku said with a smile.
On the outskirts of Tokyo. Inside a Japanese-style room.
In a dimly lit Japanese-style room, the sliding paper door was half-open. The afternoon sun seeped in from outside, leaving a sliver of light in the shadows on the floor.
Kenjaku sat cross-legged by a low tea table, resting his chin on one hand and holding a cup of cold tea in the other.
On the wall in front of him sat a color TV screen. The screen was playing footage of the battle between Yuji and Jogo—transmitted back by Mechamaru.
Yuji walked out from the giant tree sliced into pieces. Hanami knelt on the riverbank, its body turning to ashes in the flames.
BANG!
Jogo, sitting across from him, slammed the table violently. The teacup jumped. Tea splashed onto the table.
"Is that your fucking reaction?!"
Veins popped on Jogo's face. A wisp of black smoke rose from its volcano head.
"Hanami is dead!"
"What else?" Kenjaku spread his hands, looking innocent.
"Should I cry? Or should I scold you? Jogo, I warned you long ago not to drag out the fight. Grab the fingers and run."
"You wouldn't listen. You insisted on meeting Sukuna's vessel."
"Now look. Hanami died to save you. Are you satisfied?"
"..."
Jogo was silent. Its teeth grinding audibly.
Because what Kenjaku said was all true. It indeed didn't listen to advice. It indeed underestimated the enemy. It indeed...
Caused Hanami's death.
"That's also because you didn't tell me why Sukuna would choose to cooperate with Yuji Itadori!"
"I didn't expect that brat to be that strong..."
"You didn't expect it?"
Kenjaku put down his teacup, crossed his arms. His tone still calm.
"Indeed. I also didn't expect why an arrogant guy like Sukuna would cooperate with Yuji Itadori."
"But I told you—Yuji Itadori's talent far exceeds your imagination. I also told you that he could master Sukuna's technique at any moment. I even told you not to fight him head-on."
"How many times have I told you? Jogo."
"Three times? Five times? Or ten times?"
"Which time did you listen?"
"..."
"You're right..."
After a moment, Jogo released its clenched fists. Although Kenjaku also had problems, it should bear the main responsibility.
"I caused Hanami's death..."
"Yes. That's right."
Kenjaku nodded. His tone calm.
He didn't care about the curses' lives at all. He only treated them nicely to use them.
"You caused Hanami's death, just like Mahito almost caused his own death."
"You curses always think you're invincible. Think humans are nothing but ants. Think even Satoru Gojo is nothing special."
"And the result?"
"The result is you got beaten to a pulp by a brat who's been enrolled for five days."
"..."
Jogo didn't retort again.
"But this is fine. You should have learned your lesson now, right? Jogo."
"You better not disobey my orders again in the future. Otherwise the next one to die won't be Hanami. Jogo, you understand what I mean, right?"
"..."
Jogo didn't say anything more. It silently got up, then pushed the door open and left the room.
Kenjaku glanced at Jogo's ashen expression, then watched the curse slowly walk toward the setting sun.
"Hehe."
Even a guy like this feels pain from the death of a companion?
A mere curse. Don't make me laugh.
It wasn't until Jogo completely disappeared from his line of sight that Kenjaku unhurriedly got up. He turned off the TV and then closed the door to the room.
Well, at least Sukuna's fingers and the first three Death Painting Wombs were all brought back... Although because Jogo fled in a panic, the scroll used to keep the fingers was accidentally sliced open by Yuji Itadori's Dismantle...
When Kenjaku checked the scroll, he found that one finger was missing due to the damage to the scroll. But he guessed that finger probably fell on the way back—or in Jujutsu High, right?
But it didn't matter. He now had a total of ten Sukuna fingers on hand. Excluding the five that hadn't been found yet, the rest were in his hands.
This way, he could proceed with the next step of his plan.
However, compared to these, there was something he cared about even more.
"That cold-blooded and ruthless Sukuna actually formed a connection with Yuji Itadori..."
This was something he had never anticipated.
"..."
"...Hehe."
Kenjaku sat cross-legged on the tatami, silent for a long time, then...
"Hmph, haha."
"Hahahahahahahaha!!!"
Kenjaku clutched his lower abdomen. He threw his head back, laughing loudly at the ceiling. His laughter grew more and more excited. More and more high-pitched.
"Hahahahahaha! Sukuna! Sukuna! You actually... actually cooperated with a human?!"
BANG! BANG! BANG!
He laughed so hard he rocked back and forth, tears seeping from the corners of his eyes. He laughed until he was sprawled on the tea table, his palms slapping the tabletop. The teacup was jolted over. Tea splashed everywhere.
"You are the King of Curses! Ryomen Sukuna! You actually... hahahahahaha!"
"Hahahahahahahahahaha!!!!"
Kenjaku laughed until he was out of breath. His fingers gripped the edge of the table tightly.
"Hahahahahahahahahaha!!!!"
"Interesting... Too interesting... I've never encountered something so interesting!!!"
Kenjaku was still laughing. He laughed until his stomach started to hurt. He curled up by the tea table, one hand clutching his abdomen, the other hand still slapping the ground.
"Hahahahahahahahahaha!!!!"
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