Jujutsu Kaisen: Yearning to Become an Immortal God

Done. Mahito let out a soft laugh and nodded in agreement.

"Of course," he said. "If that is your request." Clap. Kenjaku clapped his hands.

"The questions are over. The Binding Vow has been lifted." He said with a smile, "It seems both sides are satisfied. Now that is a true Binding Vow."

This was the 27 seconds that got my blood boiling!

After the battle at the abandoned Multi-story Parking Lot, Jogo had indeed grown.

More than once, he had doubted Satoru Gojo's strength. Before this, he had mocked Satoru Gojo without reservation and held no fear whatsoever for the title of Special Grade Sorcerer.

He still felt no fear now, but he had learned to gather intelligence. For example—

"Fight me, Kinji Hakari." Jogo suddenly challenged him.

With the questions over, Kenjaku had been about to arrange accommodations for Kinji Hakari and Kirara Hoshi. This was a secret base known only to him. To prevent accidents, everyone had to use his portals to enter and leave. Although someone with professional spy training could determine this place's location through sunlight and temperature changes, there was no one like that here. It was very safe.

Kinji Hakari had come along because of the "New Humans."

After being defeated by Mahito, he had suddenly become extremely interested in becoming a New Human. Mahito had promised to turn Kinji Hakari into one, but not now. His battle with Kinji Hakari had greatly depleted Mahito's Cursed Energy, and he needed time to rest. During that time, Kinji Hakari had decided to follow Mahito, and Mahito had not objected.

"Why do you suddenly want to fight me?" Kinji Hakari asked. He rolled his neck and removed his jacket.

That gesture alone made it clear that Kinji Hakari had no intention of avoiding the fight.

Kenjaku wore an interested smile. He stopped on his way to arrange the rooms and looked toward Jogo and Kinji Hakari. Aren't you going to stop them? Hanami asked Mahito.

Mahito thought about it, but he could not figure out what Jogo was thinking now.

Jogo's personality was, in truth, somewhat cowardly before the strong and ruthless before the weak. This had been obvious in the original work. Toward sorcerers weaker than himself, he had always been arrogant and contemptuous. Toward sorcerers stronger than himself, he was overly cautious and unwilling to take even the slightest risk. Yet at the same time, he was willing to sacrifice himself for his ideals, even if it meant death.

For his ideals, he would not hesitate to face an opponent far stronger than himself. But unless necessary, he would not throw away his life for nothing, nor would he attack an opponent stronger than himself.

Yet now, without warning, he had chosen to challenge Kinji Hakari. It went against his usual character.

"Kinji Hakari possesses Infinite Cursed Energy. Even I could only defeat him through a favorable matchup. I thought you understood that clearly already," Mahito said. "You are not his opponent, Jogo. What are you thinking?"

"I understand that very well." Jogo spoke in a deep voice. "No one understands how terrifying infinite power is better than us Cursed Spirits, because we are creatures of Cursed Energy. We know it intimately."

"What, you didn't want to fight me just to teach me a lesson?" Kinji Hakari had just taken off his shirt, but now he looked bored. "Is it just a spar? To be honest, I am curious about your strength too. I would like to see the power that pushed Kirara that far, but shouldn't this wait until later?"

It really should have waited. A newly joined employee suddenly clashing with an old employee was not a good look no matter how one saw it.

"My fight with you is not aimed at you." Jogo said something astonishing. "What?" Kinji Hakari froze.

"The one I am targeting... is Satoru Gojo," Jogo said.

That caught Mahito off guard. Jogo had doubted Satoru Gojo's strength before, but Mahito had suppressed him every time. Mahito was certain that Jogo had already formed a rough estimate of Satoru Gojo's strength. He might still have doubts, but he would not truly go throw his life away.

Under Mahito's influence, Jogo should no longer have wanted to attack Satoru Gojo. Yet judging by his current state, he was determined to do exactly that.

Mahito could not help asking, "Jogo, are you conscious right now?" Kirara Hoshi bluntly declared, "You have completely lost your mind."

"I am very conscious." Jogo spoke calmly. "I know I am no match for Satoru Gojo. During your exchange with that human just now, I became certain that if I faced him unprepared—no, even if I were prepared—as long as Satoru Gojo was serious, I would not be able to withstand even one move. Escaping would be nothing but a fantasy."

"Then why...?" Mahito asked.

Jogo answered seriously, "That is why I must fight him. Even if it kills me." The logic was a little muddled. Mahito admitted that Jogo had confused him.

"Mahito, since you were born, when have you ever truly seen Satoru Gojo?" Jogo suddenly asked. "I have never seen him," Mahito replied with a frown.

"Then why do you fear Satoru Gojo so much?" Jogo continued.

Mahito grew impatient. "Because Satoru Gojo truly is that strong. He is the strongest of the modern era. Even all the sorcerers and Cursed Spirits in the world combined would not equal one of his fingers. If he wished, he could slaughter all humanity across the globe and laugh freely amid a sea of corpses by himself."

"That is exactly why I must fight him," Jogo said. Mahito was about to curse him out, but Jogo beat him to it.

He shouted, "Mahito! You are the king of us Cursed Spirits, the unquestionable born king since Cursed Spirits first came into being! You are destined to lead us out of this desolate wilderness as the leader of Cursed Spirits! You are destined to ascend to godhood, sit upon a divine throne, and look down upon the world until the universe itself falls silent! This is not my expectation of you. It is the path you are fated to walk, without question!"

That made Mahito blush a little. But Jogo was not finished.

His single eye widened sharply, studying Mahito as closely as a demon-revealing mirror.

He said in a deep voice, "Of course, you can avoid battle. You have not yet reached your limit. If Satoru Gojo is truly as powerful as the rumors say, avoiding him is not cowardice. No one will mock your actions in the scripture written for you in the future—but all of that depends on one condition: you must truly understand Satoru Gojo's strength."

Mahito was very curious about the scripture Jogo mentioned, but Jogo's other meaning concerned him more. He fell into thought.

Jogo stared at Mahito and slowed his speech. "Everyone keeps talking about Satoru Gojo's strength. Every sorcerer you have encountered praises Satoru Gojo without end. Even the newly joined Infinite Cursed Energy keeps confidently emphasizing Satoru Gojo's invincibility. This obvious truth has made you realize that Satoru Gojo is absolutely not an opponent you can face at this stage, and it has made you afraid—Mahito, can you sense the fear in your own heart?"

I can, Mahito silently thought.

Because Satoru Gojo was just that powerful. So powerful that anyone who opposed him would inevitably feel fear. Forget Mahito himself—even Kenjaku, so calculating and seasoned, feared Satoru Gojo immensely. In all of Jujutsu Kaisen, only the complete Ryomen Sukuna had dared to openly challenge Satoru Gojo.

Before Ryomen Sukuna was complete, even with nineteen fingers, did he not still dare to fight Satoru Gojo?

It could be said that if Ryomen Sukuna had not properly exploited Mahoraga's adaptability, expanded his technique's target at the final moment, and used the World-Cutting Slash, even complete Ryomen Sukuna might not have been able to defeat Satoru Gojo.

In fact, at the end of the original work, Ryomen Sukuna without Mahoraga had indeed lost to Yuta Okkotsu, who could only wield a limited portion of Satoru Gojo's power. That final battle had at least restored a little of Satoru Gojo's dignity.

How could a sorcerer like that not make Mahito afraid? How could he possibly not fear him?

But Jogo now roared, "Do not joke with me! How can you fear nothing but rumors from other people's mouths?!

"You are the King of Curses destined to ascend to godhood. Of course, you can avoid battle—but only if you make that judgment with your own eyes!

"You must investigate him yourself, make contact yourself, compare yourself against him yourself, and make the judgment yourself! If you let other people's rumors bind your feet everywhere you go, then this is the limit of your capacity!"

Go see him for yourself! Jogo roared. Mahito was stunned.

He wanted to say that direct contact would mean death, but the words would not come. Jogo naturally knew that contact could kill him, which was why he had chosen to use his own life to test the rumors.

In the world of Cursed Energy, fear in one's heart truly affected one's strength. That was why nearly every sorcerer was brimming with confidence. Even if they were afraid, they charged forward without hesitation. Once they lost the confidence to press onward, their lifetime achievements would end there.

After Jogo's death, Ryomen Sukuna had once said this to him in the Soul Corridor:

You should burn everything you can reach. To hell with plans and schemes—burn wherever you go. Cast aside the future and the roots of it all, until you meet Satoru Gojo.

Those words could also be said to Mahito.

Mahito could certainly feel fear, and he could certainly choose to avoid battle. But that influence could never be imposed upon him by others. Mere rumors could never make him hesitate.

He had to see it with his own eyes!

Even if it cost him his life, Jogo had resolved to shatter Mahito's confusion.

Jogo shifted his gaze to Kinji Hakari. Kinji Hakari had already taken off his jacket and handed it to Kirara Hoshi, listening blankly to Jogo's words.

Jogo's words had overturned Kinji Hakari's prejudice against this group of Cursed Spirits.

Curses could not sacrifice themselves for others, but Jogo's actions had already shattered Kinji Hakari's impression of curses—what Jogo was doing had surpassed the nature of a curse. The current Jogo could no longer be called a mere Cursed Spirit.

If Mahito's desire for godhood had barely allowed Kinji Hakari to retain his impression of him as a curse—after all, a curse desiring to ascend to godhood was immense in scale, but could still barely be called a curse's desire—then Jogo wishing to use his own life to shatter Mahito's cognitive barrier had

completely surpassed the temperament of a curse.

A human. This intelligent Special Grade Cursed Spirit named Jogo was human. Kinji Hakari came to that realization.

"Hey, Infinite Cursed Energy. If you fought Satoru Gojo, how many exchanges could you last?" Jogo asked.

"That depends on whether my Infinite Cursed Energy can adapt to Mr. Gojo's Unlimited Void," Kinji Hakari replied seriously.

"If it cannot adapt, I will be killed in one blow. I understand." Jogo slowly inhaled and prepared for battle. "What if it can adapt?" "Four minutes and eleven seconds," Kinji Hakari said. "In my Infinite Cursed Energy state, even someone as strong as Mr. Gojo cannot defeat me. But once the Infinite Cursed Energy state ends, at the very instant it disappears, Mr. Gojo will kill me. Without exception."

Other sorcerers might not be able to do it, but Satoru Gojo was different. He possessed the Six Eyes and could accurately determine the moment Kinji Hakari left the Infinite Cursed Energy state. He also had methods to directly destroy Kinji Hakari's brain and abdomen the instant he lost Infinite Cursed Energy.

A sorcerer's brain was used to activate techniques, while the abdomen refined Cursed Energy. Once both were destroyed, even Kinji Hakari would die.

Jogo nodded. "I understand—then what I need to do has been decided." Kinji Hakari and Jogo walked toward each other.

Step by step, Cursed Energy ripples appeared across the beach beneath their feet. It was as though two storms were drawing closer, ready to collide, erupt, and spread at any moment.

Kinji Hakari had already formed a hand sign with both hands, while Jogo formed one with a single hand. Both sides were ready to fight. "Four minutes and eleven seconds," Jogo said.

He glared at Kinji Hakari. The power throughout his body became heat waves that spread in all directions, and everyone consciously moved back to clear the field.

"As long as I can last four minutes and eleven seconds, that proves I can threaten Satoru Gojo too. Is that right?" Jogo asked. It was not right at all, Mahito thought.

Even if Jogo lasted four minutes and eleven seconds, it would only mean his strength was close to Kinji Hakari's. The gap between Kinji Hakari and Satoru Gojo could not be described with words. Claiming that surviving four minutes and eleven seconds meant he could threaten Satoru Gojo was simply a fool's dream.

But no one spoke those words aloud. This was Jogo's resolve to die.

Kinji Hakari grinned and tilted his head toward Mahito. "What do you say? Should I hold back?"

"Cursed Spirits are pretty tough." Mahito shrugged. "Go all out. If Jogo cannot even last four minutes and eleven seconds, then going to Satoru Gojo would just be courting death and wasting his life. If you can make Jogo shut up with your strength, I will thank you."

"So you owe me a favor?" Kinji Hakari asked. "I owe you a favor," Mahito answered.

Before this, Kinji Hakari had not valued a Cursed Spirit's favor at all. He believed Cursed Spirits were Cursed Spirits. Even a special one like Mahito could not change its nature. In a Cursed Spirit's heart, a favor was likely worth less than the view of the sea before them.

But now it was different. Kinji Hakari had realized that this group of Cursed Spirits truly was special. Special enough that—a favor was genuinely useful.

Jogo's mouth twitched. "I really am being underestimated. You have already seen Mahito's Maximum Technique, haven't you?

"Let me tell you something. I can use a Maximum Technique as well. In terms of destructive power alone, mine easily surpasses Mahito's Body Repel. I am not sure whether you can withstand it in your Infinite Cursed Energy state. But if you could not endure Mahito's Body Repel, you certainly cannot endure my Meteor."

"That really makes me look forward to it," Kinji Hakari said. "Then let us test it, Cursed Spirit."

Jogo had made up his mind. Even in this mock battle, he would risk his life. He had to shatter Satoru Gojo's illusion of invincibility and give Mahito the heart to keep moving forward.

So, so! So—

The Cursed Energy throughout his body boiled as he roared with the resolve to burn his life away:

"Come at me—Infinite Cursed Energy!" Twenty-seven seconds later.

Kinji Hakari sat astride Jogo, pounding Jogo's face with his fists. Jogo was like a rag doll as Kinji Hakari battered him wildly, his limbs twitching now and then like dead insects.

Burn marks still remained on Kinji Hakari's body, but they lasted less than a second before vanishing. From an ordinary person's perspective, they would probably only see smoke inexplicably rising from Kinji Hakari's body. They would not even be able to notice the injuries.

The battle had been utterly dull.

Jogo activated Domain Expansion! Jogo activated his fire technique! Jogo roared and unleashed an even hotter fire technique!

Kinji Hakari rushed forward. Kinji Hakari threw a punch. Jogo fell!

The remaining time consisted of Kinji Hakari repeatedly punching Jogo until Jogo dispelled his Domain Expansion. During that time, Jogo had actually lasted twenty-seven seconds. That was really impressive. Monotone.

Mahito clapped hard and loudly mocked him.

"Excellent, Jogo! You actually lasted twenty-seven seconds. You have truly opened my eyes! Do you still want to box with Satoru Gojo?" Jogo had been beaten senseless and could not say a word.

Kinji Hakari landed one last punch on Jogo's face. Jogo's volcano head had been knocked crooked. He stared blankly with his single eye, his face black and blue as he questioned his life, unable to say a word.

"Whew, that felt great. Just as you said, Cursed Spirits really are tough." Kinji Hakari rose with a satisfied expression. "The only pity is that I did not get to see this Cursed Spirit use his Maximum Technique. What a shame. Hey, is your Maximum Technique's destructive power really greater than Mahito's?"

Had Jogo not used it because he did not want to?

He had not even had the chance to use it before being slammed to the ground and beaten senseless!

"Jogo's Maximum Technique forms a massive meteor over fifty meters in diameter and sends it crashing down. In terms of pure destructive power, it is much stronger than mine," Mahito generously explained. "My current strength is actually inferior to Jogo's, but I counter you heavily, which is why I could defeat you. Jogo is different. He only has straightforward attacks. Once those fail, he is finished."

Kinji Hakari suddenly understood. In other words, Jogo simply had high stats, so high that even Mahito could not match him. But Mahito's mechanics were absurd. His stats might not be as high, but his abilities were simply too strong. A single touch could seal a sorcerer's five senses, and he could transform into a Dragon to conduct aerial bombardment from high above. Who could stand that?

Kirara Hoshi handed over his jacket, and Kinji Hakari casually took it and draped it over his shoulders.

"Honestly, lasting twenty-seven seconds in a direct clash with Akin is already incredible." Kirara Hoshi was not being sarcastic; he genuinely thought Jogo was strong. "Normally, when Akin has Infinite Cursed Energy, he can deal with Special Grade Cursed Spirits in seconds. You are stronger than every Special Grade Cursed Spirit I have ever seen."

Jogo's lips trembled, his face full of humiliation. In the end, he closed his single eye without making a sound. Even his volcano head seemed dim.

Kenjaku sighed, looking unsurprised. "Please come with me, Kinji. I will prepare your accommodations." Hanami slowly walked over to Jogo and lifted him up.

He had spoken so righteously, like a hero resolved to die, yet he had not even lasted half a minute, let alone four minutes and eleven seconds, before being beaten mercilessly. It was hard to know what to say.

Mahito rubbed his chin and suddenly said, "I have decided. Before the final battle, I will fight Satoru Gojo." Everyone froze.

"Are you serious?" Kenjaku frowned deeply.

"Of course not now." Mahito spoke unhurriedly. "Once I am prepared, I will take action." "Prepared?" Kinji Hakari asked.

"You still do not understand my Reverse Cursed Technique, do you?" Mahito smiled. "As long as I prepare properly, even Satoru Gojo cannot kill me." Mahito was not lying. Before subduing Kinji Hakari, even if Mahito used every ability he had to its fullest, he could not possibly escape alive from beneath Satoru Gojo's feet. If Satoru Gojo became even slightly serious, Mahito would inevitably be beaten helplessly.

But now things were different. He had already subdued Kinji Hakari, which meant he possessed the template of a Special Grade Sorcerer—and one with Infinite Cursed Energy at that.

The upper limit of his abilities had been vastly raised. He could even take a seat upon the throne of infinity. The Gojo Clan's Limitless technique was not unique to Satoru Gojo, so why was Satoru Gojo alone so terrifying?

It was because Satoru Gojo possessed the Six Eyes. Beyond being eyes of observation, the Six Eyes could greatly optimize Cursed Energy output efficiency. An ordinary sorcerer could use one unit of Cursed Energy to produce one unit of technique power, while Satoru Gojo could use that same one unit of Cursed Energy to produce a technique worth one thousand or even ten thousand units. If he landed a Black Flash, he could optimize it even further.

Yuta Okkotsu possessed the greatest normal reserves in Jujutsu Society, but he had once plainly said that his power far surpassed Satoru Gojo's. Yet because Satoru Gojo possessed the Six Eyes, Yuta himself might suffer Cursed Energy exhaustion if their endurance were truly compared, while Satoru Gojo never would.

How terrifying was Limitless paired with nearly constant Infinite Cursed Energy? Satoru Gojo himself was the answer. The same now applied to Mahito.

Mahito was eagerly awaiting the answer he would get when he completely digested Kinji Hakari's template and clashed with Satoru Gojo.

Having solved the energy problem, all that remained were the methods. Once his methods were complete—