Sukuna's Finger, Curse of Yasohachi Bridge

"This is..."

Yuta Okkotsu picked up the finger from the ground and examined it closely.

Though he had no idea what it was, he could sense the immense cursed energy hidden within this finger, along with an extreme evil lurking deep inside.

Yuta Okkotsu furrowed his brow, lost in thought.

He was currently in Tomakomai City, Hokkaido, a sparsely populated area.

By all logic, cursed spirits formed from the cursed energy leaked by humans, so generally speaking, the more populated a place, the more and stronger the cursed spirits.

Clearly, the Snow Woman, as a spirit with intelligence and strength far exceeding ordinary special-grade cursed spirits, appearing here was quite incongruous.

"It seems the Snow Woman absorbed this finger to become this strong. Something this dangerous must be sealed away!"

Yuta wrapped the finger in cursed talismans and rushed back to Tokyo at top speed.

When he handed the finger to Gojo Sawa, the latter was visibly taken aback.

"Sukuna's finger?"

Yuta was puzzled. "Sukuna? Who's that?"

Gojo Sawa explained, "Ryomen Sukuna was known as the King of Curses a thousand years ago. Actually, that wasn't his real name—it's just that his appearance, with four arms and two faces, was too similar to the demon called Ryomen Sukuna in legend, so the world gave him that title."

Yuta was stunned. "Is he strong?"

Gojo Sawa nodded. "Yeah, strong. Very strong!"

"With four arms and two faces, he could fight with cursed tools while forming hand seals, and the mouth on his stomach could continuously chant techniques."

"He possessed nearly infinite cursed energy and a powerful slashing technique, could use Domain Expansion, and was called the strongest in history."

"A thousand years ago, it was the peak era of sorcerer power, but even when the sorcerers threw everything they had into fighting him, they still suffered a crushing defeat."

"From then on, Sukuna became the god worshipped by all humanity in that era, and even the jujutsu world bowed to him in submission—until his lifespan ran out."

As he spoke, Gojo Sawa grinned. "But even after his death, sorcerers were horrified to discover that the twenty fingers Sukuna left behind, containing his power, couldn't be destroyed by any method. They could only use seals to delay the King of Curses' return."

"A god in life, and after death, still the nightmare of the entire jujutsu world!"

This wasn't Gojo Sawa flattering Sukuna—it was the plain truth.

What could he do? That damn Gege had to pile so many traits onto Sukuna.

Especially Gojo Satoru's post-mortem flashback, where he admitted that even without the Ten Shadows Technique's boost, he probably couldn't beat the original Sukuna.

That had unknowingly elevated Sukuna's strength to infinite heights.

After Gojo Sawa finished speaking, Yuta was completely stunned and shocked.

He never imagined that a finger he'd casually brought back held such a massive secret, even tying into a thousand years of history.

"Then... Master? If the twenty-fingered Sukuna revived, who would be stronger—you or him?"

Yuta suddenly asked.

Eight years had passed, and Yuta was no longer a jujutsu novice. He had a basic understanding of his master, Gojo Sawa.

Six Eyes, nearly infinite cursed energy, the terrifying Limitless technique, master-level physical combat, Domain Expansion...

Without a doubt, the strongest of the current era, bar none!

Even the other three special grades were far from matching him.

In Yuta's eyes, Master Gojo Sawa had no weaknesses—he couldn't even imagine the possibility of defeat!

"Well... who knows..."

Gojo Sawa gave a helpless, wry smile and offered an ambiguous answer.

What could he do? This scene was practically a rehash of Yuji asking Gojo Satoru the same question!

Except Gojo Sawa didn't have his cheap younger brother's reckless arrogance.

If he blurted out something like "I'll win" or "Don't worry, I've got this" in front of Yuta now, and then ended up getting ground into the dirt by Sukuna, he'd be the real clown!

Play it safe. Play it safe.

"Master will win, right?!"

Yuta's eyes sparkled as he stared at Gojo Sawa, who broke into a cold sweat.

Damn it! Don't make me set up a flag like that! People die!

Fushiguro Household.

Tsumiki, now a third-year middle schooler, hurried to Toji's room.

She pushed open the door to find Toji lounging on the couch watching TV, while Megumi Fushiguro, who had fallen behind on his studies due to cursed energy training, was frantically trying to catch up.

"Dad!"

Tsumiki called out, and Toji immediately sat up. "Daughter's back? How was it? Any stress from the midterms? Want some fruit? Oh right, I bought you new clothes..."

Beside him, Megumi rolled his eyes.

Who's really your flesh and blood here, you bastard?!

So one's a "little padded jacket" and the other's just a "dog of a son," huh?!

Tsumiki smiled sweetly. "Um... Dad, about that Yasohachi Bridge you mentioned before, someone in my class is actually going!"

Toji Fushiguro's smile froze instantly. "And you? Did they try to drag you along?"

Tsumiki shook her head. "They did invite me to go together after school tomorrow, said it was for an adventure. But I know cursed spirits exist, and I suspect it's dangerous there. Plus, you've told me so many times, so I refused."

"But I tried to talk them out of it—they wouldn't listen, insisted on going. And I couldn't exactly explain the cursed spirit problem to them."

"Dad, you know people who deal with this, right? Could you contact someone and have them check out Yasohachi Bridge?"

Seeing his daughter so obedient, Toji let out a relieved sigh, then ruffled her hair. "Don't worry, I will. Go do your homework now!"

"Mm, okay!"

Watching his daughter's retreating back, Toji Fushiguro sighed.

"Gojo Sawa, you actually called it... Can you see the future or something?"

Then Toji's gaze turned cold. The murderous aura was so sharp that even Megumi beside him shivered twice.

"Daring to set your sights on my daughter—courting death!"

Toji spat a small ball from his mouth, which rapidly swelled into a cursed spirit, then coiled around his body.

Megumi froze. He knew this cursed spirit was one Toji kept as a combat aid, named Choubou.

"What are you summoning Choubou for?"

Toji cracked his joints, saying jokingly, "Exorcising curses, protecting world peace."

But the moment Megumi heard that, he shot up excitedly.

"I'm going too!"

"You?"

Megumi lifted his chin, cursed energy surging wildly around him. "Don't underestimate me! I've been a Grade 3 sorcerer for a while now, almost Grade 2. Maybe I'm even stronger than you!"

"..."

Toji Fushiguro scratched his head. Figuring that with him around, the kid probably wouldn't run into any trouble, he reluctantly nodded.

"Fine, I'll take you to see the world."