"How should I put it? Even though the Death Painting Wombs are something from one hundred and fifty years ago, you really are blood-related, real brothers."
While Yuji and everyone else were still completely stunned, Mukuro stepped in and explained it himself.
Kenjaku's existence was nothing worth making a big deal out of.
In Mukuro's eyes, he was nothing more than a thousand-year-old turtle hiding in a shell. If that thing had ever shown his face in front of him, Mukuro would have torn the stitches open by force, dug out that sharp-toothed brain, and kept it as a toy.
"Death Painting Wombs? One hundred and fifty years ago? Don't tell me it's that disgraceful criminal the Kamo clan once…?"
Noritoshi's expression turned ugly. Mukuro's words brought back some memories he didn't want to face.
What made his childhood lonely wasn't just his status as an illegitimate child. It was also the name his mother gave him, the one he refused to abandon.
Because the creator of the Death Painting Wombs was named Noritoshi Kamo, the most disgraceful and vile sorcerer in the entire Kamo clan's history.
(In Japanese, both the past and present Noritoshi's names are pronounced the same, but spelt differently. His mother gave him that name on purpose, just to disgust the Kamo clan that rejected her.)
"That's right, Noritoshi Kamo. That bastard…"
Choso's voice tightened, teeth grinding as he spoke.
If it weren't for that man, his brothers wouldn't have ended up like this. They should have been normal human children, living happily for their whole lives.
"So it really is…"
Noritoshi looked at the three brothers standing in front of him, who were technically his elders, and lowered his head without thinking.
"I don't really get it, but I'm Yuji Itadori!"
As one of the people involved, Yuji pointed at his own face. He looked completely lost.
The moment he heard the Kamo clan was involved again, his brain almost shut down.
"Simply put, Itadori's mom is basically the Death Paintings' dad, and then it goes like this and that…"
Mukuro tried to explain the relationship in what he thought was the easiest way to understand.
But the hall fell completely silent.
"Wait… are you saying Noritoshi Kamo was actually a curse user who can keep switching bodies, and he's been alive for over one hundred and fifty years?!"
The first one to react was Masamichi. His face was filled with disbelief.
"It's more than a thousand years. His real name should be Kenjaku," Mukuro added even more detail, then looked at Yuji, who was surrounded by his three brothers.
"Am I right, Sukuna?"
"Who knows?"
A small mouth with sharp teeth suddenly opened on the side of Yuji's face, speaking with a mocking tone.
Inside the innate domain that no one else could see, Sukuna rested his cheek on one hand and answered lazily.
He really had known Kenjaku a thousand years ago, and the two of them did share certain secrets. But deep down, he didn't care if that plan succeeded or failed. To him, it was just a game that was slightly interesting.
He answered only because he was surprised Mukuro knew about it, and because he appreciated him.
"You're Ryomen Sukuna? I'll never let you hurt my little brother!"
Choso snapped like a frightened cat. The second he saw that mouth, he shouted at it.
He didn't know what Noritoshi Kamo was planning, but no matter what happened, he would always stand in front of his brothers.
That was what it meant to be the older brother.
"How boring. Family love, friendship, romance, all of it. Those are emotions only weaklings cling to. Mukuro Fushiguro and Satoru Gojo, just wait for me!"
The little mouth scoffed at Choso, tossed out one last taunt, then vanished.
But inside the innate domain, Sukuna's expression had gone blank, as if he was thinking about something else.
"How do you even know all that?"
Utahime looked at Mukuro, her junior, now also her colleague, with a frown.
"I have my ways."
He didn't satisfy her curiosity at all, only earning an irritated glare in return.
"So that means... they really are my... onii-chans?!" Yuji murmured to himself.
He never judged people by how they looked. That was just how he was. As long as they weren't bad people, it was fine.
And now, they even seemed to share blood.
"Yuji... what did you just call us...?"
Choso froze in place, his voice trembling.
(What follows is a memory that never existed for Choso.)
* * *
A bright, peaceful morning.
Out in the open air, a small square table was covered with all kinds of delicious food.
"Wah, I wanna eat that!"
Kechizu, still acting like a little kid, leaned over the table and pointed at a dish that smelled amazing. He was practically drooling.
"Here, I'll feed you."
Sitting beside him, Yuji picked up some food with his chopsticks and placed it into Kechizu's big mouth. He even wiped his mouth afterward with a napkin.
"So good!"
Kechizu swayed with happiness, hands holding his cheeks like a child eating his favorite candy. That dark green face even showed a blush of joy.
Eso wore a suit and ate pasta with a knife and fork, calm and refined, like a mature working adult.
Only Choso sat there with his cheek resting on one hand, watching the warm scene between his three little brothers with gentle eyes.
On the table, there were also small bottles holding the remains of their other six brothers.
This was a family moment meant only for the ten brothers.
"Big brother, you eat some too."
Suddenly, Yuji picked up another bite and offered it to Choso.
"Ah."
Choso opened his mouth without hesitation.
* * *
The scene changed again.
Inside a home with four people.
"Big brother, I got an emergency mission from Jujutsu High. I probably won't be back for dinner." Yuji looked at the message on his phone and spoke with an apologetic tone.
"Then we'll go with you."
Eso spoke up immediately. Kechizu's face was full of excitement too.
"Fighting side by side is our fate as brothers." Choso agreed with them.
The reason he was the big brother was to walk ahead of them.
If the path was right, he would guide them forward. If it was wrong, he would stop them before they fell into it as well.
"Let's go!"
The four brothers, each completely different, charged toward the future together.
**
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