Chapter 130 – Sukuna and Tengen
Sukuna gazed at his own mummified corpse.
That bizarre, inhuman appearance—so similar to Tengen's evolved form—drew a faint, mocking smile to his lips.
"We really do look alike."
Both he and Tengen had once been human… before becoming what they were now.
If Tengen could evolve, so could he.
But the difference lay in the path each had walked.
As Sukuna drifted further toward "curse," his power only grew—until he was crowned the King of Curses.
Tengen, on the other hand, did not gain strength through evolution.
The more he transformed, the more he blended into the world itself.
Sukuna's fate was mortality.
Tengen's fate was immortality.
Observing the faint signs of life still lingering in Tengen's true body, Sukuna couldn't help but feel a spark of curiosity.
If he used Tengen as his new vessel, what interesting things might happen?
Unmatched strength.
Immortality.
Endless evolution.
Would he become the "ultimate lifeform" Kenjaku had always dreamed of?
One month.
That was more than enough time.
"Perhaps… we were the same from the very beginning."
Murmuring the cryptic words, Sukuna began to set his own plan into motion.
Seize Tengen's body.
Complete his reincarnation.
Then use that body to end the Culling Game.
He understood Kenjaku's plan thoroughly.
Only when the Culling Game ended could Tengen finish merging with the non-sorcerers.
But now that Kenjaku was dead, Sukuna had no obligation to help him fulfill his vision of a unified evolution of humanity and Tengen.
However…
the cursed energy of all the non-sorcerers in this country?
That, he fully intended to claim for himself.
As he imagined the possibilities, Sukuna's grin stretched wider.
He didn't know what he would become after absorbing the cursed energy of an entire nation—but he knew one thing:
Whatever it was, it would be something far beyond the realm of sorcerers.
"Look forward to it. Don't disappoint me by being boring."
Taking Tengen's true body and his own preserved corpse, Sukuna disappeared deeper into the cavern.
---
Meanwhile…
At Tokyo Jujutsu High, Zen'in Shinsuke returned with the others.
"Finally back. Everything go smoothly on your end?"
Yuki Tsukumo immediately stood up from the sofa to greet them.
"Yuji! You're okay!"
Choso rushed to Yuji's side, examining him worriedly as though expecting hidden injuries.
"We're all fine," Yuji assured him. "Megumi just needs a bit more time before he comes back."
"Good… wait. That woman—wasn't she the one always following Kenjaku?!"
Choso's eyes narrowed, instantly on guard as he noticed Uraume.
Toji also turned to Shinsuke.
"What happened with Megumi? And this woman… she's the one who stole Tengen, right?"
The familiar scent clinging to Uraume made it easy for him to identify her as the one who'd hidden in the Tombs of the Star Corridor with Kenjaku.
"Whoa, one question at a time.
And also—what do you mean 'stole Tengen'?"
Shinsuke had placed Toji at the Tombs of the Star Corridor to ambush Kenjaku—naturally, the intent had been to eliminate him.
Kenjaku's death was expected.
But Tengen being stolen?
That part was not.
"One thing at a time," Shinsuke said. "Let's start with what happened at the Tombs of the Star."
Yuki Tsukumo stepped forward and explained everything she'd discovered—Kenjaku's contingencies, his death, and the theft of Tengen.
"I see."
Shinsuke's gaze slid toward Uraume.
He hadn't expected Kenjaku to pull a scheme-within-a-scheme, already prepared for what would happen after his death.
But would Sukuna really follow Kenjaku's plan?
Binding vows… for monsters like Kenjaku and Sukuna, breaking one wasn't impossible.
It would simply take some cost.
"Whatever. Tengen's probably already in Sukuna's hands. First, let Shoko take Tsumiki down for treatment. Then let's free Gojo Satoru.
He still needs to fight Sukuna in Shinjuku on December 24th."
"So Gojo-sensei is finally coming out? That's great!"
Okkotsu, who'd returned a day early, couldn't hide his excitement.
"Now all that's left is the final step. Once we finish that… everything will finally be over, right?"
"As long as Sukuna is killed, the jujutsu world can return to peace."
"Uh… isn't that about as hard as killing Gojo?"
Kusakabe blurted out.
The memory of Shinsuke's battle against Sukuna in Shibuya still haunted him.
Yes, Shinsuke won—but he'd been seriously injured.
And that Sukuna hadn't even been complete.
Next time, they would face the true King of Curses.
No tricks. No gaps. No mercy.
Thankfully, with so many monsters on their side, Kusakabe doubted he'd ever be called to the front lines.
He breathed out in relief.
Being a Grade 1 sorcerer had never felt so safe.
"Hey, can I be the first to fight Sukuna on the day of the final battle?"
Kashimo spoke up, expression earnest.
After all that thinking, the warrior in him still desired a proper, honorable duel.
Gang-beating wasn't something he'd stoop to.
Everyone stared at him—silently wondering where this heroic madman came from.
"Do as you like." Shinsuke didn't refuse.
If the man wanted a glorious death in battle, it wasn't a bad way to go.
Shinsuke then explained Megumi's situation briefly.
"Well then—let's call it a day. Relax, enjoy yourselves. There's still about a month before the final battle."
He dismissed them, and the sorcerers dispersed in an orderly fashion.
Most chose to stay at Jujutsu High, just in case something happened.
---
"Say… how good are our chances?"
Yuki slipped her arm into Shinsuke's, blinking playfully.
"Sukuna is the strongest sorcerer in history. He might even be stronger than Gojo."
"Our chances?" Shinsuke chuckled. "Overflowing, of course. Gojo, Okkotsu, you, Kashimo—so many top-tier fighters.
Beating Sukuna will be a breeze."
"And if we somehow lose? I'll grab you and run. Sukuna won't be able to stop me."
He said it lightly, smiling.
He truly couldn't imagine a scenario where Sukuna won.
Gojo alone was already a nightmare for him—and adding Okkotsu, Yuki, and Shinsuke himself on top?
Sukuna's defeat was practically guaranteed.
Yet…
Something about Sukuna's expression lingered in Shinsuke's mind.
The man knew Kenjaku was dead.
He knew Jujutsu High had gathered a terrifying concentration of power.
And still—he hadn't shown the slightest hint of fear.
Almost as if… he had accepted his fate—or was completely unbothered by it.
---
"Brother, you're way too biased!"
Mai puffed her cheeks, glaring at Shinsuke.
"If you're running away, you can't just take Yuki-sis! What about me and Maki?
How can you abandon your sisters?!"
"That won't happen.
Even if we flee, I'll make sure he brings both of you."
Yuki said with a grin, pinching Mai's cheek.
"You really are the best, Yuki-sis! Come give me a hug!"
Mai reached out, trying to yank Yuki away from Shinsuke and claim a hug for herself—
But Yuki waved her hand dismissively, grabbed Shinsuke by the wrist, and headed off.
"We have things to discuss. See you later~"
Watching her brother get pulled away, Mai folded her arms and pouted.
Beside her, Maki fanned the air teasingly.
"Little sis, do you smell that?
Someone's vinegar jar just tipped over."
"W–what are you talking about?! I would never be jealous over my brother!"
"Mm-hm. Sure. Whatever you say~"
"YOU'RE THE WORST! GET BACK HERE!"
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