I'm sorry, I posted the wrong chapter. As an apology, I will post two chapters.
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In front of the Treasure Vault's gates.
"Bang!"
With a dull thud, the iron doors of the Treasure Vault, which had been blasted open, were pushed open once more.
Mahito and Jogo walked out, one after the other.
"Hmph, that was easier than expected."
Jogo glanced at the fallen bodies of the guards around them and snorted disdainfully.
"Those human Jujutsu Sorcerers were too weak."
"Don't get careless, Jogo."
Even though Mahito said that, a smug smile was plastered on his face.
"We've got the goods. Let's retreat quickly. Hanami is still holding the line outside."
However.
Just as they stepped out of the Treasure Vault's shadows, preparing to leave...
Two figures stood before them like two great mountains, blocking their path.
On the left was the "shrewd merchant" Lynn, wearing a suit vest and gold-rimmed glasses.
On the right was a bizarre-looking mechanical puppet—Mechamaru.
"Yo."
Lynn sat by the mahogany tea table that hadn't been packed away yet, twirling a black kunai in his hand.
"Gentlemen of the Special Grade, why the rush?"
"It seems... you haven't paid the toll yet."
"You again!"
Mahito's face contorted instantly.
This man had blown his hand off in the sewers, and just moments ago, he had blocked him at the entrance again.
Old and new grudges surged in his heart.
"Do you really think the two of you can stop us?"
The volcano atop Jogo's head began to smoke, and the surrounding temperature spiked.
"Get out of the way if you don't want to die!!"
"Don't be in such a hurry to fight."
Lynn wasn't intimidated by Jogo's killing intent. He remained seated calmly and even gave Mechamaru a look.
"Kokichi Muta, show them that."
"Understood."
A beam of light shot from Mechamaru's electronic eyes, projecting a holographic image into the air.
In the image, Satoru Gojo's figure was clearly visible.
It was the footage captured by the mechanical bird.
The black Veil enveloping the entire Jujutsu High, the one claimed to "deny entry to Satoru Gojo," was now covered in cracks.
And outside the Veil...
A white-haired man wearing a black blindfold hovered in mid-air, pointing a finger from which a despair-inducing red light was gathering.
That was... the precursor to [Cursed Technique Reversal: Red].
"Go... Gojo Satoru?!"
The moment Jogo saw that figure, his arrogant bravado instantly withered by half.
After being kicked around like a ball by Satoru Gojo last time, he had developed a deep psychological trauma regarding this man.
"I've already had Kokichi Muta inform Satoru Gojo of the situation here. I imagine he'll be arriving any moment now."
Lynn adjusted his glasses, his voice cold and mocking.
"You actually betrayed us? Don't tell me you no longer want your body healed?"
Since things had come to this, Mahito stopped hiding and questioned Mechamaru.
"If there's a better way, naturally I wouldn't associate with the likes of you."
Mechamaru's eyes flickered with light.
"Enough talk! Just kill them all!"
Jogo was already losing his patience, attempting to solve the problem with violence.
Lynn stood up and walked over to Mahito and Jogo.
The distance was less than five meters.
This was a very dangerous distance.
But he showed no fear.
"Now, you have only two paths before you."
Lynn held up two fingers.
"First, fight us and get cornered here by Satoru Gojo, who will arrive in a minute, turning you and the fingers into ash. Or, pray that you two cripples can finish us off within thirty seconds."
Mahito and Jogo exchanged a glance.
Though they didn't want to admit it, Lynn was telling the truth.
This man's methods were bizarre, and with Mechamaru capable of firing large-scale light cannons, stalling for time would be no problem at all.
And once Satoru Gojo arrived... it would be a total wipeout.
"And the second path?" Mahito asked through gritted teeth.
"The second path is a trade."
Lynn pointed his finger at the cloth bag in Mahito's hand.
"Give the fingers to me."
"Hah?!" Jogo roared in fury. "In your dreams! We went through so much trouble to—"