Jujutsu Kaisen: Yearning to Become an Immortal God

Even Jogo was furious at those words. Even the normally good-tempered Hanami wore an enraged expression, as though she might leap up and kill someone the next instant. Kenjaku could not help saying, "You really dared to say that."

"Read? I thought I'd put it quite tactfully," Kokichi Muta said sincerely.

"This bastard—!" Jogo wanted to lose his temper, but a raised hand blocked him. Mahito held up his palm and forced back the words he wanted to say. After taking several deep breaths, Jogo settled back into his chair, his face dark as he sulked.

Kokichi Muta fell into thought. This Lord of Curses had excellent control over his subordinates. That meant these Cursed Spirits had developed social behavior and would not defy their master's orders.

Mahito's expression did not change as he said casually, "Your turn. Continue asking questions." Kokichi Muta asked curiously, "You're not angry?"

"Because you spoke the truth," Mahito said flatly. "To humans, Cursed Spirits truly have no need to exist... No, not merely to humans. As far as this world is concerned, aside from special existences like Hanami, Cursed Spirits have no reason to exist either. Even parasites have their own role in this world, but Cursed Spirits do not. Cursed Spirits only kill people and harm people. They can do nothing else."

Mahito calmly concluded:

"Cursed Spirits—even parasites are better than them. They are genuine garbage, and the most difficult kind of non-burnable garbage at that." Kokichi Muta was stunned.

Questions and Answers (Part Two)

"Y-you... You mean Cursed Spirits are garbage?" Kokichi Muta forced himself to speak. He was genuinely shaken.

Mahito smiled calmly. "What's wrong? Isn't that the truth? Or can you name some benefit Cursed Spirits bring to this world? Though if we have to force an answer... does reducing the human population count?"

Kokichi Muta was speechless. The King of Curses before him felt utterly unfathomable.

Mahito's smile faded, and his face turned solemn. "If one wishes to grow, the first task is to know oneself. If you cannot even acknowledge your own inherent flaws, then even growth will inevitably become distorted. Recognize your mistakes, correct them, overcome them, and finally achieve growth. That is what it means to be upright. Precisely because I am the King of Curses, I must cast aside prejudice and face myself directly. Only then can I ascend."

"Ascend...?" Kokichi Muta murmured in a voice as light as a willow leaf. "Is that your question?" Mahito asked.

Kokichi Muta came back to himself, and the metal disk jolted sharply.

In truth, he had already been prepared to end the questioning. During the exchange just now, he believed he had obtained all the information he wanted and had made up his mind to cooperate with the Cursed Spirits. Cooperating with Cursed Spirits sounded insane, but after this conversation, Kokichi Muta had recognized the extraordinary nature of this King of Curses. His rationality, emotions, social awareness, and control over his subordinates were all enough to put Kokichi Muta at ease.

Only the unknown bred prejudice and fear. Now, the Lord of Curses could be regarded by Kokichi Muta as an alternative kind of sorcerer—one even gentler and more rational than those crazed sorcerers. It was therefore no surprise that Kokichi Muta was prepared to cooperate with him.

—Until this moment.

He no longer understood. Or rather, he had truly become interested in the Lord of Curses' way of thinking. He wanted to understand this King of Curses, who harbored ambitions of godhood, more deeply.

Kokichi Muta took a deep breath and asked solemnly, "Lord of Curses, how do you think humans should regard Cursed Spirits?"

Not how you viewed humans; nor how Cursed Spirits should treat humans; nor even how humans ought to view Cursed Spirits. Rather—you. How did you believe humans should view Cursed Spirits?

Kenjaku, who had been watching all along, could not help laughing. "What a fine question. Mahito, you'd better answer it properly. I think this question will run through your entire life. Even after you truly ascend to godhood, it will remain with you forever."

Mahito nodded lightly. It was indeed a good question. Kokichi Muta's intelligence could be seen from that question alone.

Now he truly understood why Kenjaku had chosen to cooperate with Kokichi Muta. It was not only because Kokichi Muta yearned for a healthy body and had thus been lured in, but also because he truly possessed the potential to become a core figure in Kenjaku's group.

"Extermination," Mahito said.

"Extermination?" Kokichi Muta froze. "You mean... exterminate Cursed Spirits?"

"Whether you realize it or not, humans are actually a very cruel species," Mahito said unhurriedly. "Humans may pity stray dogs and cats they encounter by chance, but that is because neither stray dogs nor stray cats can threaten them. So humans feel pity for them, feed them, pet them, and may even take them home to raise.

"But Cursed Spirits are different.

"I know many sorcerer families choose certain Cursed Spirits to tame. Such Cursed Spirits usually possess extremely special abilities. The most popular are undoubtedly those with abilities similar to spatial storage. As long as they are tamed, they can greatly raise a family's ceiling. For that reason, posts seeking such Cursed Spirits remain pinned year-round on any website related to sorcerers.

"This can give you the illusion that Cursed Spirits may truly be able to coexist with humans.

"But the truth is, every human with true knowledge and foresight must be prepared to make Cursed Spirits disappear from this world—and the sooner, the better. Before Cursed Spirits awaken collectively, exterminating them completely is the most righteous thing humans can do.

"Because Cursed Spirits will inevitably become a superior species to humans. There is no doubt about it."

Kokichi Muta could not hold back any longer. "What kind of joke is that?! Why would Cursed Spirits become a superior species to humans?!"

"Because of my appearance, Muta-san," Mahito said evenly. "You must admit that Cursed Spirits exist in a way that is superior to humans.

"Humans require metabolism; Cursed Spirits do not. Humans become crippled after losing limbs; Cursed Spirits do not. Humans worry about their lifespans; Cursed Spirits are immortal.

"Cursed Spirits are beings of Cursed Energy. They need only one kind of energy: Cursed Energy. Everything else is unnecessary. Humans, meanwhile, are machines both precise and crude, requiring replenishment of all kinds of matter and energy.

"Humans possess sociality. They cooperate, coexist, and pass down knowledge. Before I appeared, Cursed Spirits lacked that ability—but now, I have appeared."

Mahito said meaningfully, "Cursed Spirits can do what humans can do. Cursed Spirits can also do what humans cannot. More than that, things humans desperately desire are merely basic abilities to Cursed Spirits.

"Tell me, why can't Cursed Spirits become a superior species to humans?"

Kokichi Muta was speechless. A wave of panic washed over him as possibilities he had never considered flashed through his mind. Compared to Cursed Spirits, what advantages did humans have?

Before this, he would have said humans possessed mature social structures, clear inheritance, and a civilization that never ceased advancing. But now, he could not say it.

Because the intelligent Cursed Spirit before him was speaking eloquently right in front of him. He could not even find a way to refute it.

The corners of Mahito's lips curled up. He reached out and gently touched the metal disk with one finger, as though a master were stroking a cat or dog. "It seems you've realized it.

"Cursed Spirits as they are now will not do, because most Cursed Spirits are like un-evolved humans: monkeys, beasts, lowly intelligent creatures. You may call them parasites, non-burnable garbage, or even worse things. There would be no problem with that.

"But my appearance has shown you a new possibility for Cursed Spirits.

"Not existing as Cursed Spirits, but existing as a race.

"Tell me, Muta-san—when facing such an existence, as a human, could you possibly have any thought besides wiping it out completely?

"If you do, then it is either ignorance or arrogance.

"The same ignorance and arrogance as a merchant selling the rope that will hang him."

"Unfortunately, I can't deny that such people exist." Mahito could not help chuckling as he spoke.

Kokichi Muta began gasping for breath. At some point, a suffocating sensation had enveloped him. Not as an individual, but as a member of humanity, he feared the future Mahito had described. Killing intent surfaced in his heart—

Kill him. No matter what, kill him.

It had nothing to do with morality, profit, or even fear.

It was a mission. A sacred mission compelled him to kill Mahito, even at the cost of his own life.

He imagined a future where Mahito did not exist, hoping to find even the slightest comfort, but there was none. The boundless fear did not leave him. Instead, it grew deeper. Precisely because Kokichi Muta possessed such an exceptional mind, he could calculate that lightless future at the fastest speed. Even if Mahito were truly killed, only despair would remain in the future.

Why?

Because Mahito was not the only one.

Besides Mahito, Jogo, Hanami, and Dagon were also intelligent Cursed Spirits. They could play the same role as Mahito. In fact, if Mahito's claim that he had been born less than two months ago was true, then Jogo, Hanami, and Dagon must have been born before him. Intelligent Cursed Spirits had already appeared before Mahito, and after them, there would only be more and more.

As long as Cursed Spirits did not disappear at their root, they would eventually form a population capable of impacting human society. In the end, just as modern humans had replaced Homo sapiens, Cursed Spirits would replace humanity as the new masters of this planet. There was no solution.

"What exactly are you trying to do, King of Curses?!" Kokichi Muta's voice trembled. In his terror, he could not help shouting. "The questions and answers aren't over yet, Muta-san," Mahito said casually. "Now it's my turn to ask."

"At a time like this, you still want to continue?" Kokichi Muta asked shakily. "Why not?" Mahito asked. "Are you going to violate the Binding Vow?" "I—"

"Kokichi Muta!" Kinji Hakari suddenly spoke coldly from the side. "A Binding Vow is absolute. Think carefully before you speak." Kokichi Muta froze as if struck over the head.

That was right. In his emotional turmoil, he had almost been willing to disregard everything. He had just thought that no matter what, even if it cost him his life, he had to tell Satoru Gojo the information here and make him prepare for a war between species.

But he could not do it.

He could not do it even at the cost of his life. Because of the Binding Vow.

Unlike a vow made with oneself, no one knew what kind of backlash Heaven would impose for violating a Binding Vow made with another person. If Kokichi Muta violated the vow now, he might die at the very moment he tried to pass on the message. Even if he managed to send it at the cost of his life, it might be distorted along the way—or perhaps the message would be delivered correctly, only to be intercepted.

All kinds of consequences for violating the Binding Vow replayed in Kokichi Muta's mind. In the end, he fell silent. The vow that had originally been meant to protect him had unexpectedly become chains binding his hands and feet at the crucial moment!

Kenjaku glanced at Kinji Hakari, shrugged, and sighed. "Looks like this question-and-answer session is ending. Perhaps we can talk again next time?"

"I only have one last question. Is that all right, Muta-san?" Mahito asked. Kokichi Muta remained silent for a long time without responding.

Mahito did not mind and asked casually, "Muta-san, are you interested in becoming a 'New Human'?" "New Human?" Kokichi Muta asked.

"Muta-san, what do you think is the greatest difference between Cursed Spirits and humans?" Mahito said slowly. "I just listed the ways Cursed Spirits are superior to humans, proving in every respect that Cursed Spirits have the potential to become a higher species and rule this planet. But that is only potential. Humans possess a threshold that Cursed Spirits cannot cross at this stage, no matter what—the threshold my question concerns. Do you know what it is?"

"What is it?" Kokichi Muta asked instinctively.

He did not realize that although the initial exchange had indeed allowed both sides to understand one another, now Kokichi Muta was being completely led by Mahito. He had lost his ability to think properly.

Though Kokichi Muta was a genius, at only a dozen or so years old, he had exposed the most fatal flaw he possessed when speaking with others. He was not composed enough.

He had experienced too little. As long as a sufficiently shocking topic was thrown at him, he would inevitably become at a loss—just as he was now.

He had completely lost control of the conversation and become a puppet in this dialogue.

"The flesh," Mahito said as he looked at the metal disk, his voice like a divine decree.

"Do beings of Cursed Energy need flesh? Shouldn't that only be a burden?" Kokichi Muta said.

"No, flesh is very important—far more important than you can imagine," Mahito answered seriously. "Only flesh can contain Positive Energy. If Cursed Spirits are to become complete beings, they must possess Positive Energy. This is humanity's talent. Cursed Spirits cannot produce Positive Energy on their own."

Indeed, they could not. The original work had proven more than once that Positive Energy was the nemesis of Cursed Spirits. Forget producing it—even touching it would kill a Cursed Spirit.

"I... I don't really understand," Kokichi Muta admitted. This was already beyond a topic he could follow. If he could not confirm that the being before him was a Cursed Spirit, he would have thought he was discussing academic theory with some great master of Jujutsu Society.

"Have you noticed that the stronger a sorcerer is, the more likely something is wrong with their head?" Mahito asked.

No! Kokichi Muta wanted to say it decisively, but he could not speak. Thinking about it carefully, it did seem to be true.

Every powerful sorcerer he knew seemed to have something wrong with their mind to some degree. It was harsh to put it that way, but if they did not possess supernatural energy like Cursed Energy, then every sorcerer he knew—including himself—should have been sent to a mental hospital.

"The first lesson in learning to use Cursed Energy tells you that Cursed Energy originates from the negative emotions deep in your heart: anger, sorrow, fear, pain, despair. These overflowing negative emotions are processed through a sorcerer's body, becoming a force called Cursed Energy, and continuously granting you genuine supernatural abilities. This is the most fundamental chapter of Cursed Energy: Cursed Energy extraction."

Mahito lightly tapped the tabletop with his finger and continued:

"One cost of using Cursed Energy is that you must maintain a minimum level of negative emotion at every moment. Otherwise, your Cursed Energy will dissipate. Therefore, living alongside negative emotions is perfectly normal for sorcerers. If they can control it, they become jujutsu sorcerers. If they cannot, they become curse users.

"Curse users take pleasure in spreading despair. It is not because they are born murderers—though such people certainly exist—but because Cursed Energy drives them to do so in order to gain greater power."

Mahito's finger suddenly stopped. He declared in an absolute tone, "Cursed Energy drives sorcerers to extremes.

"Any kind of extreme is still an extreme.

"Extreme justice, extreme conservatism, extreme radicalism, extreme hobbies, extreme evil, extreme slaughter, extreme destruction, or extreme conviction. Every sorcerer with powerful Cursed Energy possesses such an extreme. Without exception... I'll say it again: without. A. Single. Exception."

Kokichi Muta remained silent. He could not refute it. Even the sorcerers present—

Kenjaku, Kinji Hakari, Kirara Hoshi, and even Kokichi Muta himself—were the same.

Expanding the scope further, every sorcerer he knew, including Satoru Gojo, was the same. Not more or less so, but every one of them possessed extreme emotions, just as Mahito had said—

Without. A. Single. Exception.

"In theory, since all sorcerers have extreme emotions, they should have long since lost all reason and indulged their feelings without restraint. But they haven't. Why?" Mahito asked.

Without waiting for Kokichi Muta to answer, Mahito answered himself. "Because of the flesh.

"The flesh can produce Positive Energy, which is the opposite of negative energy. This Positive Energy can effectively neutralize negative energy, pulling most sorcerers back before they lose control. It allows them to use reason to control instinct, maintain the order of human society, and even become guardians of that order."

Mahito suddenly clenched his fist and held it before his eyes. He stared at it as though staring at fate itself. "But Cursed Spirits have no flesh.

"So when a Cursed Spirit goes to an extreme, there is no possibility of being pulled back.

"Cursed Spirits are born from extremes! From the moment they are born, they are engulfed by extreme emotions, with no possibility of escape.

"Cursed Spirits can only drown in negative emotions, unable to extricate themselves. That is why, apart from those of us who have received excessive Cursed Energy, intelligent Cursed Spirits are almost impossible to produce. Even when I personally alter them, Cursed Spirits still cannot suppress their instinct to harm others. No—even intelligent Cursed Spirits like us cannot suppress it. The only reason we can restrain ourselves now is because we are waiting for a disaster on a greater scale.

"As mere curses, that would be enough. But I do not want to be a mere curse.

"Because I feel regret, shame, and disgust.

"After finally gaining intelligence and reason, using them to deepen the curse further? How is that any different from savages who, after learning to make tools, still rack their brains to hunt stronger creatures?

"Savages are not humans. They are merely higher-level monkeys!

"I absolutely refuse to be a monkey. I want to become human.

"A 'New Human'—one not ruled by any extreme emotion, yet one that does not lose Cursed Energy."

Kokichi Muta was stunned.

This was the second time he had been stunned.

The first was when the King of Curses had personally called Cursed Spirits non-burnable garbage, leaving him astonished and shocked. The second was now—he had actually been drawn in by the King of Curses, who possessed such lofty ideals.

Mahito released his fist and smiled again. "Kokichi Muta, come help me.

"I will become the shared god of Cursed Spirits and humans.

"I will create a world where humans and Cursed Spirits coexist.

"I will make you a true... 'New Human.'"

Kokichi Muta's mind went blank. Suddenly, he thought of why he had become a spy for the Cursed Spirits. If it were Mahito, his Heavenly Restriction could surely be resolved with ease, right? Then he thought of his wish to truly meet his companions face-to-face. If it were Mahito, that could also be accomplished easily, right?

No, that should not have been a question. It should have been a statement. If it were Mahito, he definitely could.

So, as if possessed—no, perhaps it was the voice in his own heart, spoken instinctively while his mind was blank.

He asked, "Can my companions become New Humans too?"