"Have you decided how you want to die?"
Zenin Mirai gripped Hanami's throat with one hand. His eyes glowed crimson.
In his mind, Mirai analyzed the situation.
The window was damaged. The ship destroyed.
The original plan needs adjustment.
"White Zetsu," Mirai said coldly. "Check your belongings."
Mirai realized his mistake. He had been arrogant.
He treated Kenjaku—a sorcerer who had lived for a thousand years—like a simple villain from a storybook.
He trusted the plot too much. He trusted Zetsu's senses too much.
Gojo Satoru and the Higher-ups wouldn't trap him based on a hunch. They needed proof.
And they got it.
"What?" White Zetsu blinked. He checked his pockets.
His senses were sharp. He should have noticed anything unusual.
Unless...
Zetsu took out his phone. He exerted force with his right hand.
CRUNCH.
The phone shattered.
Inside the wreckage, a black instrument the size of a rice grain caught his eye.
Zetsu froze.
The two weeks of training...
The lost memories from the Miracle technique...
They planted it when I forgot.
"Hehe."
Zetsu looked up at Megumi and Nobara. His face was ashen.
"I never expected that I, Master Zetsu... would be taught a lesson by humans first."
Megumi and Nobara couldn't meet his gaze. They opened their mouths, but no words came out.
Mirai glanced at the device. No Cursed Energy. Pure technology.
Mechamaru's work.
He had underestimated them.
They waited for the big fish.
"Good," Mirai's eyes narrowed. "There's still time to adjust."
"White Zetsu. Let Operation Number One begin."
Zetsu's smile faded. "Understood."
His face became even paler, his eyes sunken, acting the part of the victim perfectly.
...
The students watched in bewildered silence.
The Special Grade Cursed Spirit (Hanami) was being held by Mirai like a toy. It didn't dare to resist.
An indescribable pressure weighed on their hearts.
"Brother Mirai... what happened?" Maki stepped forward, clutching her staff.
"Brother Mirai..." Mai forced herself to speak, despite her fear.
Hanami tried to move. But the space around him was heavy and viscous.
Moving a finger took terrifying amounts of energy.
This man... is a monster.
Hanami looked at the students. Hostages!
He flared his Cursed Energy. The flower on his shoulder opened its eye.
Domain Expansion...
"Kamui."
Mirai whispered.
The space around Hanami distorted violently.
CRACK.
It was like a jigsaw puzzle being rearranged.
Hanami's head appeared at his feet. His thick arm flashed to his neck.
The Special Grade Spirit was twisted, warped, and swallowed by the spiral void.
SQUELCH.
Hanami vanished. Absorbed.
The students stared in horror.
Mirai glanced at Maki and Mai indifferently. Then, he floated into the sky.
He needed to vent.
...
"Wow..." Momo Nishimiya patted her chest, terrified. "Is that your brother, Mai? That was... suffocating."
Kasumi Miwa nodded, her face pale. "I couldn't breathe."
Noritoshi Kamo and Aoi Todo watched Mirai fly away. Their thoughts were heavy.
Something is wrong.
Mirai's attitude... the secret communication with the Cursed Spirit...
Ultimate Mechamaru (Kokichi Muta) was panicking.
That listening device... I made that for Gojo.
Did they intercept my communication with Mahito?
Is my betrayal exposed?
Panda crouched down to help White Zetsu up.
"Zetsu... Are you okay?"
"We don't want to interrogate you. But we need an explanation."
"We consider you a comrade."
"Salmon," Inumaki agreed sincerely.
"White Zetsu!" Maki and Mai approached. "What is going on?"
Zetsu looked at them weakly.
"Pink-haired Ape... grow up quickly. You're still too weak."
"Panda, Inumaki... I'll ask Mirai-boy to spare you."
He looked at Megumi and Nobara.
"Delinquent Girl. Hedgehog. I know Gojo forced you. It's not your fault."
"But," Zetsu shook his head at the Zenin twins.
"Unless the College submits now... its collapse is inevitable."
"What nonsense are you spouting?!" Maki yelled, uneasy. "What is Mirai planning?!"
Zetsu looked toward the edge of the barrier.
"No need to explain. You'll see soon enough."
"Mirai-boy... wants to vent his frustrations."
Everyone followed his gaze.
In the distance, a terrifying purple glow began to rise, illuminating the sky.