"So, where did that Special Grade cursed object go?"
Temporarily setting aside An Xora and Seele's identities, Gojo Satoru began asking about the whereabouts of the cursed object.
Gojo didn't doubt the reason An Xora and Seele had come here. For one, given their strength, neither of them had any reason to covet a cursed object. For another, something like Sukuna's finger was indeed useless to ordinary sorcerers.
As for cursed spirits, Sukuna's finger could certainly be considered a great tonic—but did the curse residing within Seele really need it?
Based on the personality Gojo had observed, he felt there was a high chance she would find it disgusting instead.
"Well, um… if you're talking about that finger with the really long nail, I already ate it."
Judging from Fushiguro's earlier reaction, Itadori Yuji could tell that swallowing the finger had probably caused trouble. Still, that didn't mean he lacked the courage to own up to what he'd done.
"Oh?"
Hearing Yuji's words, Gojo stepped forward and carefully examined the pink-haired boy before nodding.
"They really did mix completely. To think you could even eat something like that—impressive."
It was hard to imagine what kind of mindset a normal person would need to swallow something as viscerally unpleasant as Sukuna's finger.
"Kid, you were the one suppressing Sukuna's consciousness yourself just now, right?"
"Uh… you mean the guy who was fighting me for control of my body earlier?"
"That's right. Can you let him out? Switch with him—and after ten seconds, switch back."
As he spoke, Gojo casually stretched his body on the spot.
"But that guy is really dangerous, isn't he?"
Realizing that Gojo intended to fight the thing inside him, Yuji couldn't help but voice his concern.
"No need to worry. I'm the strongest—"
He instinctively started to say his usual catchphrase, but after glancing at Seele standing nearby, Gojo hesitated.
He was someone who valued facts. Just a few days ago, he'd lost to the girl in front of him. While his own carelessness had played a part, until they fought again, the strongest in the jujutsu world was probably Seele.
With that in mind, Gojo revised his words.
"Don't worry. I'm very strong."
Seeing Gojo's confidence, Yuji could only choose to trust him. He stood still and closed his eyes.
Moments later, black markings began to spread across Yuji's body.
Boom!!!
Under the gaze of An Xora, Seele, and Fushiguro, Ryomen Sukuna—now back in control—immediately attacked Gojo Satoru without a word.
However, anyone could tell that Sukuna, possessing only the power of a single finger, was nothing more than a toy being played with in front of Gojo.
Rather than a battle, this was more like Gojo testing whether Itadori Yuji could truly suppress Sukuna at any time.
"Come to think of it, Special Grade cursed womb incarnations used to be extremely rare. Why does it feel like we've been running into them so often lately?"
While fighting, Gojo even had the leisure to casually chat with An Xora and the others nearby.
"Don't compare the other Seele to this disgusting thing."
Seriously—how could a four-eyed, two-mouthed freak with four arms from its past life possibly compare to Dark Seele? Whether in looks or strength, there was no comparison whatsoever.
"You bastard—!"
Being toyed with in battle was already infuriating enough, but seeing Gojo chatting leisurely with others at the same time made Sukuna's anger boil over.
This white-haired man was completely looking down on him!
He admitted that with only one finger's worth of power, he wasn't a match for Gojo right now. In that case, he'd kill the onlookers first—as revenge before killing this man.
With that thought, after being sent flying once more by Gojo, Sukuna twisted his trajectory and charged straight toward An Xora and the others.
Not good!
Seeing this, Fushiguro instinctively assumed the stance to activate his technique to block the attack. Sukuna, meanwhile, revealed a triumphant grin—completely failing to notice that Gojo hadn't chased after him at all, instead wearing an expression of anticipation, as if watching a show.
The next instant, Seele appeared in front of An Xora, blocking Sukuna's path. White cursed energy infused with the power of creation erupted from her hand.
Boom!!!
In an instant, Sukuna was blasted backward at a speed even faster than his charge. He smashed through the ground below, flying all the way to the athletic field. The shockwave sent everyone's hair and clothes fluttering wildly.
"That one must've hurt. He's not dead, is he?"
Standing at the edge of the rooftop and looking in the direction Sukuna had been sent flying, Gojo spoke in a tone that sounded oddly concerned.
"Seele didn't harm his life. I only took away his ability to resist."
Dispersing the remaining cursed energy in her hand, Seele replied softly.
"Why don't we go take a look?"
An Xora stepped forward from behind her, then looked at Seele beside him.
Understanding his meaning, Seele placed her hand in An Xora's. The next second, the two of them vanished from the spot and reappeared on the athletic field.
"Let's go check it out too."
Patting the still-shocked Fushiguro on the shoulder, Gojo brought him along to Sukuna's landing site.
At that moment, the ten seconds had already elapsed. Itadori Yuji once again suppressed Sukuna's consciousness and regained control of his body.
Immediately afterward, Yuji felt as though his entire body was falling apart from pain.
"What's going on? Why does it feel like every bone in my body is broken?"
"Ever considered the possibility that it's not just a feeling?"
Confirming that Yuji had indeed reclaimed his body at the agreed time, Gojo stood before him with a smile tugging at his lips, his words chilling.
"Huh?! Isn't that a bit too brutal?!"
Sure, he knew that what he'd swallowed was dangerous—but was it really necessary to break every bone in his body after letting it out for just ten seconds?
At this level of injury, could modern medicine even fix him? Was he going to end up bedridden for the rest of his life?
"I didn't do this. Miss Seele over there did. But don't worry—I'll take responsibility and have someone treat you. Until then, please take a little nap."
Ignoring Gojo knocking Itadori Yuji unconscious, An Xora was now hearing the system's notification ringing in his ears.
"Ding! Detection complete: Seele has defeated Ryomen Sukuna in order to protect the host. Reward: 2,500 points."
What was going on? Normally, didn't one only receive points by killing cursed spirits?
"Ding! In response to the host: what matters is the action, not whether the target is killed. As long as the conditions are met, defeating, repelling, or killing all qualify for rewards. However, each target can only grant points once."
"I see."
Hearing this, An Xora nodded.
He hadn't expected that coming here just to confirm whether the plot had begun would end up bringing such an unexpected bonus.
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