"The Migrators" Part 15

"Yes or no, what does 'yes' or 'no' mean?"

Mahoraga slammed his fist on the table, Itadori raised his hand.

"No, yes, no, or no?"

"Your Honor, you forgot to lift the restrictions."

It was only after hearing Itadori's voice that Higuruma realized that the Judgeman's only allowed answer was "yes" or "no," which was actually one of his abilities.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

The Judgeman seemed to have accepted its role; its once upright and incorruptible nature became somewhat sluggish, before it struck the hammer platform a few times.

"I don't remember who controlled my body in the fight, but the one who tried to stop Sukuna was a huge, white creature."

"Objection!!!"

"Defendant's lawyer! Please stop pointing fingers at the witnesses!!"

Hiromi Higuruma his hand on the table and then pointed at Mahoraga.

Click.

"I believe the witness's statement completely refutes the defense attorney's claims—therefore, the evidence presented earlier can be considered false."

The Higuruma patted the file folder that had appeared in its hand without its knowledge, then shook its head.

"And what's more! This evidence, no matter what, points to you! Defendant's lawyer Mahoraga!!"

The Higuruma pointed at Mahoraga again. Mahoraga's Dharma Wheel turned, and the sweat that had been beading on his skin instantly dissipated. He cleared his throat and then loosened his tie.

Snap!

"Objection!!!"

"Although I share the same name as the Mahoraga of that time, it's obvious! We are not the same person! The most obvious thing is that I can speak!"

"Oh? Is that so?"

"Isn't that right...?"

Seeing Higuruma shake his head dismissively, Mahoraga broke out in a sweat once more.

"Your Honor, I request that evidence be presented."

When!

"Permit."

"Look, Mahoraga!"

With a wave of his hand, Higuruma sent the file folder flying. Then, the scattered papers held their shape in mid-air, and subtitles popped out from them. After just a moment's observation, Mahoraga knew that this evidence was extremely detrimental to his previous argument.

"This is based on information gathered from the domain regarding Ten Shadows Technique, especially the Mahoraga. It was clearly stated above that—regardless of how many times it is summoned or whether it is successfully subdued, the Shikigami within each person's soul is unique."

"This--"

Click

Fushiguro was suddenly pulled up and walked to the center of the courtroom with a puzzled look on his face, where he was placed in the defendant's seat that had suddenly appeared.

"Fushiguro, what happened here?"

The witness stand was very close to the defendant's stand, so Itadori could whisper directly to Fushiguro. Fushiguro, who had been looking rather gloomy upon seeing Itadori, still looked up when he heard Itadori's question.

"This is... the courtroom for the Shibuya Massacre, that's how I understand it..."

"... No, Fushiguro, don't think like that, it has nothing to do with you—it's all my fault."

"Don't assume you can shoulder everything alone! Me too!!!"

Me too...?

The agitated Fushiguro suddenly fell silent—"Am I an accomplice? Am I a sinner? Am I one of the murderers?—Doesn't that mean I also pushed Itadori into the vortex of so-called murderers?"

"... None of that matters anymore, Fushiguro."

Itadori's expression was quite serious, and even Kusakabe couldn't help but lean closer to listen attentively.

"The Sukuna's Finger within me have been taken away—that person stole all the Sukuna's Finger and then went to Sendai."

"What?!!!!"

The bamboo skewer in Kusakabe's mouth suddenly flew up, and he shouted—startling even Mahoraga, who was pondering a countermeasure.

"Witness Kusakabe! Do not disrupt the court!"

When!

With the strike of the Gavel, Kusakabe felt dizzy and disoriented, unable to tell which way was which.

"Wait, Your Judgment, I still have questions to ask."

Higuruma raised his hand and then looked at Yuji Itadori.

"Witness Yuji Itadori, after the battle, did you see the body of the suspect ' Haruta Shigemo '?"

"Yes, it was cleaved in two in the middle of his body, right there in the hole created after Sukuna caused massive casualties."

"Then, witness Yuji Itadori, is there any memory in your shared recollection of Haruta Shigemo that relates to the battle with Sukuna?"

"No."

"So, Haruta Shigemo died after the actual battle had ended—is that right?"

"... That should be true."

"My questioning is over— Yuji Itadori. This case involves the demon ' Ryomen Sukuna ' sealed within you, but based on the information you just exchanged, ' Ryomen Sukuna ' seems to be no longer inside you—I will inquire about that later."

"The Higuruma prosecutor."

"Yes, Your Honor. Both Yuji Itadori and Ryomen Sukuna are closely connected to this case, which is why we conducted more in-depth questioning. Now that we have information on witness Yuji Itadori, we can proceed to the next stage immediately."

Please speak.

"The defendant, Megumi Fushiguro, is suspected of committing mass murder in Shibuya on October 31, 2018. Multiple pieces of evidence prove that he did not—."

Click.

"Objection!!"

Mahoraga slammed his fist on the table. He had completely adapted to the rules of this field, and therefore, he had found a loophole.

"Prosecutor Higuruma, your description of the case is quite incorrect."

"Oh? Please point out the error."

"We need a more precise time, which is 10:12:24 PM Tokyo time on October 31, 2018. This is the exact time the Shibuya Massacre occurred!"

Exact time?

Wait a minute, could it be?

"My defendant was knocked unconscious by me, the defendant's lawyer Mahoraga, at 10:03:02 PM Tokyo time on October 31, 2018."

That was a clean kill!

The Higuruma slammed its hand on the table.

Clang! Clang!

The Judgeman immediately slammed his fist on the table twice.

"Prosecutor Higuruma, please do not bring up matters unrelated to the case."

Mahoraga raised his head and let out a high-pitched hum.

"I can tell you without hesitation, because it's a two-person subjugation ritual, so no matter how hard I used my hands, Megumi Fushiguro only fainted. This is my little bit of revenge."

"Then, defense attorney, please continue your statement."

"After Megumi Fushiguro fainted on the streets of Shibuya, what happened next was the battle I fought."

"Therefore, Megumi Fushiguro is innocent, because it was not something he did himself. He performed the subjugation ritual, and what he released was a completely unruly and independent individual."

"So, you will submit to the law?"

"On the contrary, Prosecutor Higuruma."

Mahoraga looked at the Higuruma, and as the judge slammed his hammer on the platform, Mahoraga revealed a smile.

"This is the courtroom—not the courtroom. As long as it's proven that Megumi Fushiguro is not the perpetrator—"

"Innocent!! Released!!!"

"Then this lawsuit can be put to rest."

As the domain shattered and the voice of the Judgeman echoed, Mahoraga raised his hand and pointed at the Higuruma.

"You lost, Hiromi Higuruma!"