Chapter 24: Ryomen Sukuna
Yaga Masamichi stood at the edge of the Training Ground, watching Toho Hiroshi and Satoru Gojo, who had almost turned into two streaks of light constantly colliding and separating, his brows tightly furrowed.
He had witnessed all of Toho Hiroshi's changes over the past year. It was a kind of frantic training, almost like burning his life force, and the intensity secretly startled even him.
The speed of his strength increase was terrifying. There were even moments when Yaga felt that the oppressive aura Toho Hiroshi emitted subtly surpassed Satoru Gojo—the true monster he had originally believed no one would rival for a hundred years.
Was he relieved? Of course.
What teacher doesn't want their student to be strong and motivated?
But mostly, there was confusion and an unspeakable pang of heartache.
Toho Hiroshi's gaze was calmer than before, yet also deeper, as if burdened by a thousand jin weight.
He seemed to be preparing for some imminent, utterly terrifying disaster; a sense of urgency had almost materialized.
"What exactly is this kid worried about?"
Yaga muttered softly.
However, before Yaga could dwell on it, an order from The Higher-Ups was delivered directly to his office.
"Recover the Special Grade Cursed Object 'Sukuna's Finger.' A Special Grade Cursed Womb reaction has been confirmed at the location, preliminarily judged to be caused by a Cursed Spirit swallowing and incubating the Cursed Object. Mission Level: Special Grade. Designated Executor: Toho Hiroshi."
Yaga looked at the Official Document, his expression solemn.
A Special Grade mission, executed solo, targeting a piece of the King of Curses.
This wasn't just a test; it was practically pushing someone into a fire pit! Had those Higher-Ups finally lost patience and decided to use the most dangerous method to test, or even "dispose of," this overly powerful genius?
He immediately argued vehemently, but received only a cold reply: "This is a necessary procedure for evaluating his Special Grade qualifications. Upon success, Toho Hiroshi will formally be promoted as the Second Modern Special Grade Sorcerer."
Left with no choice, Yaga could only summon Toho Hiroshi.
"Toho, this is an extremely dangerous mission."
Yaga handed over the Mission File, his tone heavy.
"The target is Sukuna's Finger, and it has already been consumed by a Cursed Spirit, forming a Special Grade Cursed Womb. Its danger level far exceeds any opponent you've faced before. The Higher-Ups' meaning is clear: succeed, and you become Special Grade. Fail..."
The consequences were self-evident.
Toho Hiroshi took the file and quickly scanned it. There was no expression of surprise or fear on his face; instead, he looked as if he had finally been waiting for something.
"I understand, Principal Yaga."
He answered calmly, "I accept this mission."
His reaction was so calm that it made Yaga even more worried: "Toho, you don't need to feel pressured, if you feel..."
"Please rest assured, Principal Yaga."
Toho Hiroshi looked up, a reassuring light flashing in his eyes.
"I will complete the mission and return safely."
...The mission location was a Shrine abandoned for many years. The eerie Cursed Energy had almost materialized into a black fog, enveloping the entire area. The air was filled with nauseating resentment and cursed aura.
Toho Hiroshi stepped without hindrance into the densest center of the black fog—the Shrine's Main Hall.
The moment he stepped through the hall entrance, the surrounding scenery twisted and changed. The interior space of the decaying Shrine was greatly expanded and distorted. The walls and pillars were covered in wriggling, vascular-patterned Flesh Membranes, and the ground became soft and sticky, as if stepping on the inner lining of some creature.
An incomplete Innate Domain.
In the center of the domain, a giant, dark red Flesh Cocoon, beating like a heart, was continuously contracting and expanding, emitting extremely ominous Special Grade Cursed Energy.
On the surface of the Flesh Cocoon, the faint outline of a twisted, pained human face was visible.
And standing before that Flesh Cocoon, a human-shaped Cursed Spirit, barely condensed from Cursed Energy and with an unstable form, let out a hoarse roar.
Its abdomen was abnormally bloated, emitting a specific Cursed Energy that made Toho Hiroshi look grave—it was the power of Sukuna's Finger.
The Cursed Womb was about to finish hatching.
Without further ado, the Three Tomoe instantly appeared in Toho Hiroshi's eyes, then transformed into the complex Mangekyo pattern.
He had to deal with this vessel first.
His figure moved like a phantom, charging straight toward the human-shaped Cursed Spirit, his palm, wrapped in massive Cursed Energy, aiming directly for its core.
The Cursed Spirit seemed to sense a fatal threat, letting out a sharp screech, and its bloated abdomen suddenly split open.
This was not an attack, but rather a form of sacrifice.
A terrifying surge of Cursed Energy—far exceeding the Cursed Spirit's own, tyrannical, violent, and filled with destructive intent—suddenly erupted from its abdomen.
"Pfft—"
The Cursed Spirit's body shattered and vanished instantly like a fragile ceramic jar.
In its place, a dark red, condensed-to-the-extreme cursed power hovered in mid-air, quickly outlining a phantom yet oppressive silhouette.
The upper body was human, resting on a base of surging Cursed Energy. Four eyes on the face snapped open, and the curled lips held endless malice and arrogance.
Although the form was illusory and the power far from complete, the aura of looking down upon the world and viewing all beings as ants was undeniably real.
The King of Curses—Ryomen Sukuna.
Using the power instantly overflowing from the shattered Cursed Spirit and the finger as a base point, a wisp of his consciousness and soul temporarily took control!
"Hmph."
Sukuna's four eyes simultaneously locked onto Toho Hiroshi, filled with the cruel amusement of finding an interesting toy.
"A nice scent the moment I wake up. A Jujutsu Sorcerer? Those eyes seem quite interesting."
Before he finished speaking, he casually waved his hand.
[Dismantle]
The invisible slash instantly traversed space, appearing before Toho Hiroshi with a speed that surpassed neurological reaction.
However, just as the slash was about to touch Toho Hiroshi's body, his figure blurred and twisted slightly, like a reflection in water.
Whoosh—
The incomparably sharp slash, powerful enough to easily cut through steel floors, simply passed through his body, striking the Flesh Membrane wall behind him, carving a deep fissure, scattering Cursed Energy.
Meanwhile, Toho Hiroshi was completely unharmed, not even the corner of his clothes stirred.
"Hmm?"
The arrogance on Sukuna's face paused slightly, and a flicker of surprise simultaneously crossed his four eyes.
Was his slash dodged?
No, it wasn't dodged; it seemed to have passed straight through.
Toho Hiroshi slowly raised his head, his Mangekyo Sharingan calmly observing the legendary King of Curses, and spoke lightly: "Is this the extent of just one finger? It seems you don't even qualify to make me serious."
The understated words contained extreme provocation.
"Arrogant brat!"
Sukuna's fury was instantly ignited. Although he was only in an incomplete state, the King's dignity could not be defiled.
He waved both hands continuously.
[Dismantle]! [Dismantle]! [Dismantle]!
Dozens, even hundreds, of invisible slashes instantly burst forth, forming a dense net of death, cutting toward Toho Hiroshi from every direction and every angle, sealing off all his space for evasion. Their power was enough to shred everything within the domain.
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