On a skyscraper a kilometer from the detention center.
Kenjaku looked away, a headache brewing.
"Mahito, Jogo failed."
"What? For real?!"
Mahito sprang up with a carp-like flip, his face shocked.
"What about Ophis's Snake? Did Jogo not use it?"
"He did. Still lost."
"???"
Mahito's expression screamed disbelief.
With the snake, Jogo's power rivaled Ultimate-class devils.
To defeat that Jogo, was Roy cheating?
"We need to go."
Kenjaku spoke again. "It's unlikely, but Jogo might've been captured alive."
"This place isn't safe. We need to leave before we're found."
"Fair, but what about the plan?" Mahito asked.
They'd set this trap to lure Roy, aiming to eliminate him before he grew too strong.
Only by removing Roy could they safely target Yuji and Jujutsu High to revive Sukuna.
But now, with the plan failed and Jogo—their top fighter—gone, everything was harder.
Approaching Yuji or infiltrating Jujutsu High would be far tougher.
Worse, Roy's growth rate was downright abnormal.
At this pace, even if they revived Sukuna, they might not beat him.
"No worries. I anticipated this."
Kenjaku turned to leave. "If Jogo couldn't kill him, we'll find someone who can."
…
"So that's the deal."
As Kenjaku and Mahito retreated, Roy finally grasped Jogo's purpose.
Unlike the original story's goal of human extinction and a cursed spirit utopia, Jogo's aim in this world of devils and gods was to elevate cursed spirits to a ruling class.
It sounded daunting, but Jogo and his allies, after much effort, found a way.
Cling to power.
Collecting Sukuna's fingers or joining the Khaos Brigade for Ophis's Snake were steps in their plan to curry favor with the strong.
With a powerful backer, contributing enough could realistically raise cursed spirits' status.
But… this all hinged on Roy not knowing their plan.
"If you dare mess with me, be ready to get slapped back."
Eyeing the unconscious Jogo, Roy swung his sword.
[Congratulations on defeating Jogo. Obtained Purple entry 'Flame Technique.']
Purple entry acquired.
Glancing at Flame Technique's stats, Roy tossed it into storage.
Like immortality, combat entries could be swapped in during fights.
For daily life, Tempered Athlete's training boost was better.
Closing the storage, Roy looked up at the hole in the ceiling.
As his gaze landed, a figure appeared at the edge without warning.
"Whoops, all done already?"
"Teacher Gojo!"
Yuji looked up, waving enthusiastically.
"Too slow."
"Yeah, what took you so long?"
Megumi and Nobara grumbled.
"Even if you say that, I came as fast as I could."
Satoru Gojo hopped down through the hole, his eyes lingering on Yuji's trio before settling on Roy.
"So, what's the situation? Ijichi said there was a crazy strong cursed spirit. Not you, right?"
"Not Roy. A volcano-headed, talking cursed spirit!" Yuji blurted before Roy could reply.
Moments later, Gojo got the full story from Yuji, his face turning thoughtful.
"Talking, stronger than normal Special-Grades, with a power-boosting item… sounds tricky."
"Roy, thanks for this. I owe you one. Need help, just ask."
"Instead of thanks or favors, I want an explanation."
"Explanation? For what?"
"Why Yuji Itadori was sent to face a Special-Grade cursed spirit."
Roy tapped his temple. "Don't play dumb. You know what I mean."
"Someone's pulling strings, deliberately sending Yuji and the others to die."
"Huh? Why would they do that? We haven't pissed anyone off, right?" Yuji, overhearing, looked confused.
Roy glanced at him. "It's not about offending anyone. Your very existence is a threat."
"What's that mean?"
Yuji grew more baffled.
But Megumi, listening quietly, caught Roy's drift.
"Are you saying… the higher-ups are worried Yuji could become Sukuna's vessel, so they want him gone early?"
"Pretty much."
Roy turned to Gojo. "Yuji's just an exchange student at Jujutsu High. Officially, he's still with Kuoh Academy."
"I need an explanation from the sorcerer higher-ups, or I'll pay them a visit myself."
"…Got it."
Gojo nodded.
He'd suspected something was off with Yuji's mission before arriving.
The timing was too perfect.
Right after he was sent on an out-of-town task, Yuji and the others were dispatched to face a Special-Grade.
If Ijichi hadn't called for help, Gojo might've only seen their bodies.
With his students targeted, Gojo wasn't about to stay quiet.
But…
Looking at the seething Roy, Gojo felt a headache coming.
This guy represented devil forces and didn't mince words like Gojo did.
If the higher-ups didn't provide a satisfactory explanation, this wouldn't end quietly.
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