Ryomen Sukuna let out a low chuckle at her words, stepping down slowly from his throne.
"You think you're something special just because you managed to kill a cursed spirit possessed by a single one of my fingers? Sure, I'll admit it—one finger alone isn't enough to defeat you.
But what if it was two? Or three?"
Sukuna threw his head back and laughed wildly.
"The world thinks I'm dead. They divided my fingers into twenty pieces and sealed them away, scattering them across the globe.
But I am Ryomen Sukuna. Do you really believe your so-called seals can hold me?
Woman, out there in the real world, I might not be able to touch you. But here, inside my domain, you have only one choicesubmit!"
"…Are you done talking?"
"A loser of a bygone era. A pathetic mutt, still barking in the ruins of his own downfall."
"What did you just say?!"
"Sukuna, times have changed. You think you're strong, but there are sorcerers out there far beyond your power.
As long as he still exists in this world, scum like you—the filthy, ugly source of all evil—will never rise again.
Isn't that why you've been hiding like a coward? Waiting, watching, afraid to show yourself until his lifespan runs out?
Sure, I may not be as strong as you now. But one day, you will kneel before me, begging for mercy.
You're just a dog. Tch."
"WOMAN! YOU'VE COMPLETELY INFURIATED ME!! I've changed my mind—I'm going to kill you right here and now!!"
But Zephyr just sneered—and the next moment, her entire figure vanished without a trace.
"AAARRRGHH!! DAMN YOU!!! WOMAN, NEXT TIME WE MEET, I'LL KILL YOU FOR SURE!!!"
———
Though so much had happened in that domain, or perhaps within the depths of her soul, only an instant had passed in the real world.
Zephyr smirked, "So? How was my badass performance?"
Lumine said, "Pretty badass—but you also completely pissed Sukuna off."
"Ahem…"
"But whatever. I hate that guy anyway."
In the room, Gojo Satoru blinked. "Huh? Where did Zephyr go?"
Paimon scratched her head. "Did she get teleported again? Let's check the schoolyard."
Sure enough, Zephyr was standing near the statue.
"Wait, this statue… does it have some kind of spatial ability?"
Paimon replied, "Something like that. But only the Traveler can use it."
"I see…"
The two stepped out of the room and walked toward the field, finding Zephyr standing quietly beside the statue.
Gojo Satoru sensed a change in Zephyr's aura and asked curiously,
"Zephyr, what's wrong?"
Zephyr replied,
"I just saw Ryomen Sukuna."
Gojo's pupils instantly contracted.
"You saw Sukuna? Where?"
Zephyr took out the cursed finger.
"Inside here. In his domain."
"But… there's still a seal on it. Don't tell me Sukuna's power has already grown strong enough to bypass the seal?"
Zephyr shook her head.
"No. I entered it on my own. That was a mistake… Now Sukuna holds a grudge against me."
Paimon threw up her hands.
"Zephyr, can you maybe take a page out of my book and be a bit more cautious when things happen? Stop stirring up so much trouble!"
Zephyr tugged on her cheek.
"Well aren't you impressive, Lady Paimon?"
"Mm-mm…!"
"Anyway, where are Itadori and the others?"
Gojo replied,
"Hmm, probably still training in the back. Let's head over, we can see how they're doing."
Out on the lawn, Panda-senpai was swinging Nobara Kugisaki around by her ankles like she was on a human swing.
Fushiguro Megumi was lying flat on the ground foaming at the mouth.
Only Itadori Yuji seemed somewhat energetic.
Paimon stared in disbelief.
"Uhh… what exactly is going on here?"
Gojo answered,
"Looks like close-combat training."
Panda said,
"Ah, Gojo-sensei! Yep, you guessed it. Just working on their melee skills. Their hand-to-hand is way too weak. Only Itadori's barely passing. The other two? Total fails."
Nobara groaned,
"Big Sis… save me…"
Zephyr added,
"It's common knowledge—if a mage can't fight in close combat, they're not a real archer. So, good luck, everyone."
Itadori wiped his sweat and grinned,
"Big Sis's really strict… good thing I'm a little more talented."
Fushiguro managed to get to his feet, clutching his chest.
"You smug bastard… Just 'cause your close-combat is better doesn't mean you can act like that."
Itadori patted his shoulder.
"Fushiguro, are you a man or not? A real man doesn't say he 'can't'!"
"Ow! That hurts, dammit! Are you holding a grudge or something?!"
Maki shrugged.
"Well, that's how it is, Gojo-sensei. As you can see."
Gojo rubbed his chin.
"Hmm… so Itadori passes, huh? Then, Nobara, Megumi—you two stay here and keep training with your lovely senpais."
"As for Itadori, I'm going to give him some one-on-one coaching."
At that, the Panda–Maki–Inumaki trio immediately shuddered.
"You're giving Itadori private tutoring?"
"Mmhmm. I mean, the guy's still just a melee meathead."
Nobara shouted,
"That's not fair! I want in too—!"
Panda quickly clamped a hand over her mouth.
"Are you nuts? You want in on something like this? Haven't you heard the rumors about the devil teacher, Gojo Satoru?"
"I—I'm gonna faint…"
Fushiguro looked at her with pity.
"Rest in peace, brave warrior."
Itadori Yuji gulped nervously.
"Come on, it can't be that bad… right?"
Gojo Satoru chuckled.
"Haha, don't let them scare you, Itadori. I'm not that terrifying. Besides, you're a beginner—I won't be too strict."
As he spoke, he casually hid the teaching rod he had in his pocket.
"Wait, that's a pointer stick! That's definitely a pointer stick!!"
Itadori panicked and quickly grabbed onto Lumine.
"Big Sis, can you train with me? Please?"
Gojo replied,
"Lumine doesn't need to undergo this kind of training. After all, she's already a powerful Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer.
But if she wants to come and observe, that's fine."
Zephyr said,
"Am I supposed to participate in this tournament too?"
"Of course! You're the core of our team. Anyone else can be missing—but not you."
"Cough, actually… I just remembered something. I might not be able to take part in the tournament."
"We'll see. If I can join, I will. But if I can't, there's nothing I can do."
Gojo sighed,
"Lumine, don't be so vague… that really puts me in a tough spot. If you don't participate, there's no one in our school who can match up to that big boss from the other school—Todo."
"I think Itadori Yuji is pretty solid."
"…Are you serious?"
"Big Sis, are you joking right now?!"
Zephyr shrugged.
"Can't help it—I really might not have the time."
Gojo cast a deep, ominous look at Itadori.
"…Alright. I wanted to go easy on you, but given the situation, I have no choice. Yuji… don't blame me."
"W-Wait, the pressure wraps?!"
//END