"She can extinguish.. Cursed techniques?"
Fushiguro ask, referring to Hana Kurusu.
"Yes. The angel's cursed technique can open the back of the prison realm." Tengen says.
"Do you know where she is now?"
"The colony in the east side of Tokyo. The game barriers reject me, so i don't have any more information. I will begin my explanation here."
"There are ten colonies around japan. They are connected by barriers that form a line that sends humans in Japan to the other side."
"So this.. Will end up like this?"
Itadori thought. Tsukumo then ask.
"Is Hokkaido not included because of the Jujutsu society's barrier?"
"Correct. it has already been established as a vast sacred area." Tengen answers her question.
"Well, that's the rugged lands for you." Tsukumo says.
"Conveyance to the other side may sound exaggerated, but a curse fell on everyone in Japan as preparation for a merger."
Everyone? did that include you and your friends? From beside you, Fushiguro then ask.
"How long will it take to complete the ritual?"
"That depends on the game, but two months should suffice."
1. after awakening a cursed
technique, players must declare
their participation in the culling
game at a colony of their choice
within nineteen days.
"Right now, it's nine in the morning. On november nine." Maki says, to which Okkotsu adds,
"The player sorcerers awakened at about midnight on october thirty-one."
You decide to do the rest of the math as Fushiguro seemed to have went silent. His brows were furrowed, as if worried about something.
"Then.. Tsumiki has ten days and fifteen hours to declare her participation." you say.
2. any player who breaks the
previous rule shall be subjected
to cursed technique removal.
"Master Tengen, you said that refusing to participate results in death." Fushiguro ask, to which Tengen replies,
"That is correct."
Maki recalls what Shoko had said; that the removal of a technique isn't achieved through idle transfiguration. It's not proscription, but removal, so there is no binding bow. It meant that if a player's technique were to be removed, something would happen to the brain that would eventually lead to death.
"Shoko was right, but that means sorcerers like me who don't have a cursed technique aren't at risk." Maki then thought,
'What about panda? Does he even have a brain?'
3. nonplayers who enter the colony
become players at the moment
of entry and shall be considered
to have declared participation
in the culling game.
"So.. What about the civilians who are already inside the barrier?" Itadori ask.
"They will be given at least one chance to exit." Tengen says.
You snort. Now that was nice of them.
"There is no rule about entering or exiting colonies. From the start, players receive the clear objective of exiting barriers. I suppose that is for stimulating the game.iIn order to confine the players, the premise that they entered of their own free will is important." Tengen adds.
"So that's the increase or decrease of barrier effectiveness that ino mentioned.." Itadori says.
4. players score points by
ending the lives of other
players.
5. points are determined by
the game master and indicate
the value of a player's life. as a
general rule, sorcerers are worth
five points and non-sorcerers
are worth one point
aAs a general rule, it seems a bit vague, no?" Itadori sweatdrops.
Itadori then glances at the boy beside him.
"Fushiguro?"
"It's nothing. What about this game master?"
Tengen then says, "Each player will receive a shikigami called a Kogane. but a kogane is less game master than interface. you may think of the game master as the culling game's program."
You were confused. What did a shikigami have to do with the game master? this was confusing..
6. excluding the point value of
a player's own life, players may
expend a hundred points to
negotiate with the game master
to add one new rule to the
culling game.
"Add? " Tsukumo questions, "We can't subtract rules that already exist?"
"But maybe there are roundabout ways to counteract rules." Fushiguro says.
7. in accordance with the previous rule,
the game master must accept any
proposed new rule unless it has a
marked and long-lasting effect
on the culling game.
"Is that fair?" Choso ask.
"Yeah." Maki is the one who answers, "It gives the game master a lot of leeway."
"Actually, you may expect an equitable decision. The players are subject to strict rules. Sorcery wise, Kenjaku is due no further bias." Tengen adds.
And lastly..
8. if a players score remains
the same for nineteen days,
that player shall be subjected
to cursed technique removal.
'How can i avoid this?' you sigh, worried about the sorcerers you might have to consume. Just the thought of it was disgusting.
You knew you could just eliminate them by using your hands or a weapon, but neither of them sounded the best way to kill someone.
"I have to.. Kill people again." Itadori mutters.
"No." Fushiguro says, "I have a few ideas."
"Well, that's the info we've got." Maki says, "Now we each have a role to play."
"Yuki and Choso will remain here to gaurd master Tengen. I will return to the Zen'in clan and collect cursed tools." she continues, "Soon after Satoru was sealed, the Kamo and Zen'in clans cleaned out Jujutsu highs cursed warehouse."
"But Megumi's now the Zen'in clan's leader."
Mirroring Itadori's reaction, you turn to Fyhiguro, shocked. The boy, who's apparently now a clan leader, only sweatdrops. He had expected the both of you to react like this.
"What?!"
"I'll explain later." Maki says.
"Thanks to that, it's possible to search the Zen'in warehouse at length, but.." Maki stops, "Master Tengen."
She calls, to which they respond.
"Understood. Juzo Kumiya's workshop, right?" they ask.
"It would be appreciated." Maki then adds, "Afterward, i will find panda and help address the game."
"And you, Yuta?"
"I'm going to enter a colony right away to take part in the game." the second year answers, "Before Tsumiki, Fushiguro, and the others participate, i want to gather information. I'll avoid nearby colonies so we don't end up killing eachother and just in case something happens to Tsumiki, barriers may block phone reception, so we may be out of touch for a while."
Both Okkotsu and Itadori then remembers something.
'If i ever switch to Sukuna again, don't hesitate to kill me.'
You let out a nervous laugh as you also recall itadori's words. Well, how is that going to work out? No reception meant no contact. If itadori loses control of Sukuna, which has a chance of happening, then who'd be there to stop him?
"Don't even think it!" Fushiguro says, "It'll be fine. If that happens and i die, just have him kill you."
Itadori looks at him weirdly.
'The point is.. Not to let that happen, right?'
Fushiguro then turns to his seniors.
"Senpai?"
"Yeah. You guys go to Kinji as planned." Maki says.
"Kinji?" Itadori questions.
"Kinji Hakari, a suspended third year." Okkotsu answers the boys question.
"Anyway, we're shorthanded, so we gotta rope in whoever we can." Maki says.
"Well, he's moody." Okkotsu adds, "But when he gets worked up, he's stronger than i am." he shows a small smile.
"That's not true." Maki mutters, "Now Y/N, on to you. Do you have a plan in mind?"
You nod, "I'll be going back to Kyoto using the directions i got from master Tengen. I should be able to retrieve the two cursed weapons."
Fushiguro turns to you, "Do you need assistance?"
You flash him a smile, "No need. I can handle myself. No one would interfere anyway."
'Because.. Becuase Seikatsu massacred the whole family..' you thought, chuckling nervously.
Though you were curious to see what the clan's house looked like, you were a little sad since you would be all alone once again- seperated from Megumi.
"Be careful when traveling." Fushiguro says, "You are wanted, after all.."
You hum, "Yeah, yeah."
'Damn it.' Fushiguro curses, frustrated that he won't be there to help you or even come with you to Kyoto. He's worried about your safety, and yes he does know that you're strong enough to handle yourself but..
'..But i wanna be with her.'
Okkotsu spares the boy a glance, having a hint on what was going on his mind. He'll have to reassure his kouhai about some stuff.
"Should we go?" you asMaki i before gently grabbinFushiguro's s hand.
"We shall.Maki i says.
As the five of you now began to exit the plain room where tengen resides inItadori i hesitates before looking over his shoulder.
"Choso!"
He calls, grabbing the mans attention.
"Thanks. I appreciate it." Itadori says.
Choso replies with a smile, "Don't die, okay?"
As itadori turns back around, Tsukumo turns to the curse womb. Tengen kept silent.
"Are you crying?"
"Hey.. Hey.. No need to get emotional."
Okkotsu sweatdrops, seeing as you were doing your best to stop your tears from falling. Fushiguro, who held your hand, also looked a bit down.
The five of you had just left Tsukumo and Choso together and is now heading back.
"Sorry." you say, "It's just.. a bit.. You know? like a cliffhanger in stories and books."
Maki raises a brow at the odd comparison. However, she can see it.
"I get a taste of the tiniest bit of happiness," you start, rubbing the back of Fushiguros hand as if you were hinting that he is the happiness you're talking about.
The boy notices this and hides a smile forming on his face.
"Then it's taken away from me in an instant. It's like making me crave more of it. I can never be truly happy until i get to taste happiness, until i get to savor each moment as if it's my last."
You pout, "But that won't happen unless we get this whole situation settled. Save Tsumiki, sensei, and the other players, and then kill Kenjaku."
You then say, "You get my point, senpai?"
Okkotsu chuckles while Maki hums in agreement.
"Yes, we get it."
Though your words may seem to be about the entirety of the Shibuya incident, Itadori knew he's the only one who understood the deeper meaning.
He thought of it like this; you had met Seikatsu and Nanami, but one of them dies. you had met Kugisaki, but she's knocked out not only a few minutes later. Then the last straw- Seikatsu sacrificing his life.
After taking the elevator once again to return above ground, everyone had decided to give you and Fushiguro some time to talk. Maki says she'll wait for you so the two of you should be able to head out together.
"Megumi." you call, grabbing both of his hands and making him face you. You spare the others a glance, seeing that they were keeping their distance.
"Hm?" the boy hums, looking at you.
"Don't worry too much, 'kay?" you say, "I'll be fine. think about Tsumiki first."
He sighs, pulling you into a hug to which you accept. You loosely wrap your hands around his waist.
"How can i not worry?" he ask, "No one would be there to help you."
Oh gosh.. Why do you two always get seperated? a few months ago the both of you were like a two in one package; if you're there, just expect that Fushiguro's coming with you too.
You smile,
"I can handle myself. Plus, Seikatsu already did a lot of the cleaning. I just hoped he didn't left any bodies."
After that, the two of you were silent. You feet happy being in his presence. You then speak once again while pulling away from the embrace.
"You know? Sei's an asshole, but he would've been glad to meet you." you say, eyes meeting his.
Fushiguro then answers, "I would be glad too.."
The boy then raises a hand before placing it on your cheek.
"Don't even think of dying." he mutters.
You chuckle, letting the boy lean in to kiss your cheek. You wondered why the others haven't called the two of you over, but you were glad they were giving you both some time alone.
"I won't." you reassure him, "I still have to take you out on a date after i stole your first kiss, right?"
You say that with the most confident smile and shine in your eyes. You love teasing the boy as much as you liked being with him.
'What the hell is she doing to me?' fushiguro thought, cheeks lightly turning pink as he replays the words you said in his head.
On the other hand..
"She's really happy with him, huh?" Okkotsu says, watching the interaction happen.
Maki says, "She is."
The second year is relived that somehow, you still are the same person before the shibuya incident. Okkotsu, on the other hand, is curious; though the scene from earlier proved that you have feelings for Fushiguro, what are you two exactly?
Damn.. he missed on a lot of things when he left.
"You two ready to go?" Itadori ask with a small smile. Both you and Fushiguro were now walking towards them after your talk together.
You grin.
"Yep!"