I had everything I needed now

The black katana slowly slid from its sheath. Yuta Okkotsu's expression sharpened as he regarded the three of them with interest.

The whole Executioner business was nothing but a cover. He had promised Satoru Gojo long ago that if anything happened to Gojo, he would look after Yuji Itadori and the other younger students.

"I didn't expect you to know about me, Mr. Spider-Man."

With a light push from his toes, Yuta Okkotsu leaped forward, vanishing from the top of the stairwell in an instant and crashing into the asphalt wall. The tremendous force shattered it.

Even Okkotsu couldn't help being curious about Lu Yun, whose reserves of cursed energy rivaled his own.

He seemed to have appeared out of thin air.

Someone that powerful shouldn't have been unknown in the Jujutsu Society. He was even trying to make contact with Sukuna's vessel, Yuji Itadori. It was hard not to question his motives.

Yuta Okkotsu had heard every word of Lu Yun's conversation with Itadori and the others.

Lu Yun had casually blurted out such confidential information as though no one else was around, and had even exposed Okkotsu's identity with a single remark. That only made Yuta Okkotsu more curious about who this man really was.

Jujutsu sorcerers were all a bunch of oddballs, but someone like Lu Yun, who wandered around in a superhero cosplay outfit, was still a rare sight.

Raising his sword, Yuta Okkotsu walked toward Lu Yun at an unhurried pace. His eyes stayed fixed on the spider mask, trying to discern the intentions Lu Yun concealed behind it.

Since he had promised Gojo-sensei he would look after Yuji Itadori, he needed to test this stranger who had wormed his way into Itadori's company on his teacher's behalf.

As Yuta Okkotsu approached, Lu Yun kept facing him while backing toward Itadori and Choso.

With his current strength, he should have been able to hold his own against Yuta Okkotsu, who had yet to defeat the Sendai Four Heavenly Kings. Still, a little extra insurance never hurt.

Only after quietly positioning the two brothers in front of himself did Lu Yun stop.

"Lean in. Let me explain the battle plan."

Itadori had been wondering why Lu Yun was retreating behind them, but the moment he heard they were going to discuss tactics, everything clicked.

So that was it!

Without the slightest suspicion, he leaned toward Lu Yun.

Choso hesitated at first, but when he saw Yuji move closer of his own accord, he followed.

"What battle plan?"

The corners of Lu Yun's mouth lifted. Forming knife-hands, he struck the backs of their necks with lightning speed.

Thud! Thud!

Caught completely off guard, both men instantly lost consciousness and collapsed.

This was bad!

Okkotsu's heart tightened. Drawing on his cursed energy, he appeared in front of Lu Yun in an instant and brought his sword down hard with both hands.

Lu Yun didn't dare catch the blade barehanded. He hurriedly activated his cursed energy, drawing the cursed tool stun baton he had tossed aside straight into his hand.

At the very last moment, Lu Yun caught the baton and swung it up to meet the blade.

Violent waves of cursed energy erupted. The ground beneath them shattered in an instant as the shock wave spread from the point where their cursed tools collided. The unconscious Itadori and Choso were swept away by the impact and slammed into a nearby wall.

"Whew-that was close. Good thing it got here in time."

Having barely blocked Yuta Okkotsu's slash, Lu Yun exclaimed at the close call.

"What's got you so worked up, little Okkotsu?"

"You took advantage of their trust to attack them! I knew you were no good. Do you even deserve to wear that suit?"

Okkotsu spoke in furious alarm.

He had never imagined Lu Yun would act so quickly, choosing to attack Itadori right under his nose. If he watched his junior get hurt, how could he possibly explain himself to Gojo-sensei?

Surely he couldn't say he had gotten so caught up in playing the Jujutsu Higher-Ups' assassin that Itadori had ended up trusting someone else? Gojo-sensei would never let him off for that.

"Easy, easy. They're fine. I'm just doing a little experiment and letting them get some proper rest while I'm at it. These brothers have been busy exorcising cursed spirits for days. They've barely slept.

"And isn't this perfect? You can fulfill the binding vow you made with those damned higher-ups without doing it in front of them. Get it over with while Itadori's unconscious, and you won't have to face him so awkwardly afterward."

Even as they struggled against each other, Lu Yun explained without a hint of urgency.

Once he had fully steadied himself, Lu Yun gradually increased the strength in his baton-wielding hand, forcing Yuta Okkotsu's sword back.

What incredible strength!

With his first strike unsuccessful, Okkotsu retreated, opening up the distance to face Lu Yun again.

It wasn't just his total cursed energy. His output and control were exceptional too, and his cursed energy carried a unique electrical quality.

Feeling a current creep into his body through Lu Yun's attack, Yuta Okkotsu focused.

Unlike Yuta Okkotsu, whose habitual reliance on his enormous reserves had left his cursed energy control rough, Lu Yun maintained delicate, precise control despite possessing comparable reserves.

Quietly checking their breathing, Yuta Okkotsu found that although Itadori and Choso were unconscious, both were breathing steadily and showed no signs of serious injury. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.

But that also reminded him that the man before him was no ordinary opponent.

Holding his sword at his side with both hands, Okkotsu remained wary.

What puzzled him was that the man's attention didn't seem to be on him.

Yuta Okkotsu's impression was correct. Lu Yun really wasn't paying attention to his movements, because reward notifications had appeared before his eyes once again.

[Successfully defeated key story character Yuji Itadori. Reward obtained: "Enhanced physical attributes." Ability obtained: "Blessing of Black Flash."]

Blessing of Black Flash: Greatly increases the probability of landing a Black Flash. If a special body part is used, the probability increases even further. (This ability can also trigger a hidden Easter egg.)

[Successfully defeated important story character Choso. Reward obtained: "Slight increase in total cursed energy." Ability obtained: "Cursed Energy-Electricity Conversion."]

Cursed Energy-Electricity Conversion: Cursed energy no longer merely possesses electrical properties; it can also be converted entirely into electricity. Likewise, the conversion can be reversed, removing the innate electrical properties of your cursed energy.

Hoho, I didn't think this would work too.

Lu Yun had only tried it on a whim. He hadn't expected to actually trigger the defeat rewards, let alone receive an unexpected bonus.

So I can get extra abilities even from someone who isn't special grade? Judging by the notifications, it probably depends on how involved they are in the story.

Lu Yun pondered.

These two new abilities looked pretty powerful too.

Black Flash and Cursed Energy-Electricity Conversion?

An idea flashed through Lu Yun's mind-a bold one.

Naturally, Yuta Okkotsu wasn't about to let such a perfect opportunity slip by.

He instantly advanced with his sword, slashing at Lu Yun's arm.

Sorry, Mr. Lu Yun. If I've misunderstood you, I'll make sure to heal you with Reverse Cursed Technique afterward.

His first priority was to render Lu Yun unable to fight and force him to reveal his true intentions.

The black blade passed through Lu Yun's baton-wielding arm as smoothly as slicing tofu. He didn't offer the slightest resistance.

The blade flashed past, yet not a single drop of blood spilled. Blue-violet sparks danced where it had cut, and the arm remained connected to his torso.

The corners of Lu Yun's mouth rose.

"Just as I thought."