"Hmm? Ah..."
Roy pondered deeply for a moment upon hearing this.
"That's how it is. After all, I have close ties with both the Zenin and Gojo clans. It wouldn't be right to ask them for help, so I figured I'd call the Kamo clan instead. I'm not close with them, so even if they die, I won't feel bad!"
"Won't feel bad even if they die..."
Yaga Masamichi rubbed his temples, his usually calm face now filled with exasperation.
Half an hour earlier, the higher-ups had issued an order requesting Roy to head to Shibuya Avenue to resolve the current cursed terrorist attack.
The barrier surrounding Shibuya only trapped ordinary people inside, allowing sorcerers to enter and exit freely. However, all communication signals within the barrier were blocked—clearly a trap set by the enemy, likely aimed at hunting Roy.
According to the higher-ups' plan, Roy would enter first to scout the situation inside the barrier while other sorcerers remained outside, ready to provide backup.
Roy agreed to the plan but set one condition.
He wanted the Kamo clan's sorcerers to gather here and be responsible for providing support.
After some deliberation, the higher-ups quickly agreed and relayed the order to the Kamo clan.
Roy was currently the pillar of the Gojo faction. His presence alone kept the faction from collapsing. As for the Zenin clan, given his ties with the twin sisters, calling on either side would feel like exploiting his own people.
The Kamo clan, however, posed no such problem. Even if they were all wiped out, Roy wouldn't bat an eye.
"That mindset of yours is problematic, but let's set that aside for now. Did you just come up with that reasoning on the spot?"
Yaga's face scrunched up in frustration.
What was going on?
Even though they were completely different people, why did he keep seeing traces of that other white-haired guy in this one?
Was fate really this balanced? What a cruel joke.
"Ah, don't overthink it. Even the Kamo clan members themselves don't care!"
Roy laughed heartily, waving his hand dismissively as he bluntly—and rather unskillfully—changed the subject.
Below the building, the Kamo clan's sorcerers had already gathered around the barrier, preparing to provide support.
Roy watched them, his smile unwavering as his eyes narrowed slightly.
The Kamo clan was the backbone of the conservative faction.
Moreover, this clan still harbored remnants of Kenjaku's schemes.
Roy couldn't allow this family to thrive in his era.
"Sensei, let us help too!"
From behind the rooftop, several figures gathered.
Yuji frowned, clearly dissatisfied with the situation.
"This is so unfair. Why is the sensei the only one going into the barrier?"
"That's just how the higher-ups operate."
Megumi kept one eye half-closed, his calm words laced with sarcasm.
Nobara and Bocchi-chan stood with them, all visibly eager to act.
"You four, stick to the plan and act within your limits!"
Roy glanced back at the four of them, hesitating for a moment before ultimately not rejecting their goodwill.
Even if he told them not to go, they wouldn't be able to stay out of it. If they didn't act, the enemy would come for them anyway.
"Maki and Okkotsu... I probably don't need to say much to you two. Just be careful."
"Got it!"
"We understand."
Everyone nodded in agreement, and Yuta obediently relinquished the command position to Roy.
"Alright, it's about time for me to head out."
Roy opened his imaginary pocket and pulled out dozens of brass bird familiars. After activating them, he scattered them in all directions.
Before long, the brass birds reached their designated standby points, projecting transparent images in front of the numerous sorcerers summoned by the Kamo family and the higher-ups.
Upon closer inspection, many familiar faces could be seen among them—such as Nanami Kento and Mei Mei.
"Does this surveillance ability affect your combat performance?"
Yaga Masamichi frowned as he watched the transparent images unfolding in midair, clearly disapproving of Roy's decision.
The barrier blocked all radio waves, making it impossible to relay information via phones or other conventional means. Only special cursed techniques could facilitate communication. To grasp the battlefield situation in real time, Roy and Mei Mei's surveillance abilities were crucial.
But if this hindered Roy's combat effectiveness, Yaga would rather smash the surveillance devices altogether.
"All you need to do is trust me!"
Roy snorted lightly, his carefree smile like a breeze, somehow putting everyone at ease.
He swept his gaze over the group, his expression turning serious.
"I'm heading out!"
With those words, he took a step forward—right off the rooftop of the skyscraper.
His figure hovered midair for a moment before plummeting like a hammer, the fierce winds whipping at his white hair and clothes without budging him an inch.
Still airborne, he kicked off violently, his body shooting toward the massive barrier like an arrow. In the blink of an eye, he vanished inside.
The brass birds followed closely behind, soaring into the barrier and transmitting the chaotic battleground of Shibuya to every corner.
"It's all up to you now."
Yaga's heart was heavy as he silently prayed.
The higher-ups' approach was undoubtedly the most efficient—sending Roy in alone was indeed the safest option at the moment.
But it also showed far too little regard for Roy's life.
If anything happened to him, the Gojo faction would collapse in an instant!
It was hard not to suspect that the higher-ups were aiming for two birds with one stone—resolving the cursed terrorist attack while also eliminating Roy, letting them reap the benefits of the conflict.
The higher-ups' methods… perhaps they really needed to be reformed.
Behind Yaga, Maki and the other students of Jujutsu High turned their attention to the transparent images in the air, their expressions a mix of tension and worry.
...
Inside the barrier—Shibuya Skyscraper.
At that moment, Kenjaku suddenly lifted his head, his sharp gaze piercing southward, malice swirling in his eyes.
"He's here—to the south, near Uro's position!"
"Let's move!"
The moment the words left his mouth, Jogo roared furiously, leaping from the building first. Flames erupted from his palms, propelling him forward at top speed.
The octopus curse crouched low, the wings on its back flapping as it followed closely behind Jogo.
Okita glanced at Kenjaku and Uraume beside her, noticing their complete lack of reaction or intention to move. Her eyes flickered slightly.
Yet immediately after, she still leaped off the building, vanishing into the night.
"The ancient sorcerers from the other three sides have also begun to move."
Uraume's cold, emotionless eyes swept across the surroundings.
The three incarnated vessels from the east, west, and north, as if receiving a signal, also started moving, all heading toward the southern direction where Takako Uro was located.
"With seven special-grade combatants converging there, surely that guy should die this time, right?"
"Who knows."
Kenjaku smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying Uraume's speculation.
"After all, our target isn't Roy, but Sukuna's vessel. Whether he lives or dies doesn't matter much. What we should focus on now is luring the wandering sorcerers outside into the barrier!"
"Leave that to me!"
Upon hearing this, Uraume's eyes immediately lit up, their previously flat expression transforming into one of vibrant excitement.
Patting the sling bag at their waist, Uraume's face radiated pure anticipation.
"I shall be the one to resurrect Lord Sukuna!"
Without waiting another moment, they impatiently leaped away.
"Such impatience."
Kenjaku shrugged helplessly, flicking their sleeve to summon a flying cursed spirit. Mounting it, they soared into the sky.
Inside the barrier, southern sector.
Roy entered the barrier, adjusted his breathing, and his body suddenly became as light as willow catkins, drifting gently to the ground.
He landed on a street at a traffic intersection.
Over a hundred pedestrians had gathered there, scattering in fright at Roy's sudden descent from the sky. They watched him warily from a distance after he landed.
Not far away, a building stood twisted like a pretzel, severed into two halves.
"You actually came?"
A voice thick with astonishment rang out from midair.
Roy looked up to see a completely naked pink-haired woman descending slowly from above. Her private parts were obscured as if painted by the sky itself, her sensual curves exposed in a strangely captivating manner.
The woman's face was cold, but her bizarre black-and-white eyes locked onto Roy with intense focus.
"When Kenjaku mentioned this operation, I didn't take it seriously. I thought no fool would actually risk their safety for mere ordinary people and walk into such an obvious trap."
"To think you actually came. Do all modern sorcerers possess such self-sacrificing nobility?"
"I've barged in so blatantly, and you still want to lecture me about morality?"
Roy spread his arms as if to embrace the woman, but his smile was full of indifference.
"This will determine my attitude toward you and how seriously I take this."
Takako Uro's expression remained unchanged as she coldly regarded Roy.
"Sorcerers are beings above ordinary humans. From the moment one gains power, those with power and those without become entirely different species. Sorcerers shouldn't live for ordinary people but for themselves. Don't you agree?"
"Too much talk."
Roy closed his eyes, his lips twisting impatiently.
"With just you small fries, even if I killed all of you, it wouldn't take much effort. Or are you trying to stall for time, waiting for others to come gang up on me? Either way is fine—trash is trash whether it's one or ten."
"Not bad. I like your arrogance!"
The coldness around Takako Uro gradually faded, replaced by a murderous intent that seeped from her entire being.
"As a reward, I'll kill you with everything I've got!"
As soon as the words left her mouth—
She kicked off the ground, launching a flying kick straight at Roy!
Her cursed energy was immense, and true to her declaration, she poured everything into this first strike, maximizing her cursed energy output. The force of her kick split the air like an explosion.
Roy smirked.
Hand-to-hand combat with me?
Facing a kick powerful enough to shatter reinforced concrete, Roy didn't retreat—instead, he stepped forward, lightning-fast, and grabbed Takako Uro's exposed ankle mid-air.
Takako Uro's eyes widened slightly.
Before she could even question how Roy dared to catch her flying kick with one hand, he took another step forward, raised his arm high, and brought his elbow crashing down like a meteor onto her bare abdomen.
"Guh—?!"
Takako Uro curled up like a boiled shrimp.
The intense pain from her abdomen sent violent spasms through her body, draining her strength like a floodgate had been opened.
Her kick had felt like nothing more than a tickle to him—effortlessly caught barehanded.
Meanwhile, just one elbow strike to her abdomen had nearly knocked her unconscious.
This guy—!
So this was the caliber of the opponent Kenjaku had gathered so many people to eliminate first?!
"Ah—!"
"Run!"
The surrounding pedestrians screamed, scattering in all directions, terrified of being caught in the battle between monsters.
Roy's elbow strike left Takako Uro convulsing. Without pause, he stepped forward again, releasing her ankle and forming his hand into a blade, thrusting straight for her heart!
Gritting her teeth, Takako Uro mustered all her strength and grabbed at the air in front of her.
Suddenly, the scenery before Roy twisted violently.
Within that distortion, Takako Uro's figure abruptly shifted sideways, evading Roy's thrust. His hand blade, caught in the warped space, veered off in a completely different direction, allowing her to retreat while clutching her stomach.
"This technique..."
After a brief moment of thought, Roy understood.
This woman—she must be one of the Four Heavenly Kings of Sendai from the original story, right?
Her technique was a two-dimensional spatial manipulation, capable of flattening space into a plane. She excelled at defense.
Just like before—by reducing the space around an incoming attack into a plane and redirecting it, she could defend against almost anything.
Even attacks far beyond her capacity to withstand could be deflected this way, as long as they weren't omnidirectional barrages.
Theoretically, she could even block Gojo Satoru's Hollow Purple.
"But no matter how strong your technique is, the gap between us as sorcerers is an insurmountable chasm!"
Roy pivoted on his foot, his figure gliding forward without a sound.
In the eyes of Takako Uro, who was fully on guard, Roy's figure abruptly vanished without warning.
She froze for a brief moment.
By the time she realized what was happening, Roy's silhouette had appeared right in front of her without any prior indication.
"Damn—!"
A chill ran down Takako Uro's spine.
She channeled cursed energy throughout her body and reached out at lightning speed, grasping at the space before her.
"Shhhrrk!"
Suddenly, a hand chop descended from nowhere.
The strike, wrapped in cursed energy, was as sharp as a blade forged from alloy, cleanly severing the hand Takako Uro had extended.
"Guh—!"
Takako Uro let out a muffled groan, her face turning deathly pale.
She glanced at her severed right wrist, her expression twisting in fury, and immediately retreated backward at full speed.
Her cursed technique allowed her to grasp the sky—or even her opponent—into a two-dimensional plane. Whether used for offense or defense, it was lethally precise, often enabling her to overcome stronger foes by disregarding the gap in their abilities.
But this man before her seemed to surpass the limits of what she could overcome through sheer technique.
Roy's gaze lingered on her severed hand, a faint sneer curling on his lips.
"You said your level of seriousness depended on my answer… and this is it? Can you try harder, or is this already your limit?"
Meeting Roy's mocking eyes, Takako Uro's pupils dilated in rage.