Chapter Summaries

Shoichi Kano and the Slit-Mouthed Woman exhausted Suguru Geto and left him unconscious in the Tombs of the Star Corridor. Kano carried the unconscious Riko Amanai toward the exit, where an astonishing sight showed him that the original plot no longer applied.

• The Slit-Mouthed Woman strengthened her technique with binding vows, while Kano trapped Rainbow Dragon and struck Geto from outside her Simple Domain.
• Kano and the Slit-Mouthed Woman repeatedly attacked and drained Geto until he collapsed unconscious and her Simple Domain shattered.
• Kano stopped the Slit-Mouthed Woman from killing Geto, and she drank some of his blood to recover strength.
• Kano knocked Kuroi unconscious, then decided to take Riko Amanai with him to meet Toji.
• Kano carried Riko out of the Tombs of the Star Corridor with the Slit-Mouthed Woman, and they encountered an astonishing sight on the surface.

Satoru Gojo awakened Reverse Cursed Technique and overwhelmed Toji Fushiguro, but an unexpected woman named Kaori Itadori intervened to save Toji from Hollow Purple. Shoichi Kano arrived carrying Riko Amanai and recognized Kaori as Kenjaku, turning the battlefield into a four-way standoff.

• Satoru Gojo healed himself with Reverse Cursed Technique, then used Cursed Technique Reversal: Red to blast Toji Fushiguro through the forest.
• Toji Fushiguro attacked Gojo with the Inverted Spear of Heaven and the Chain of a Thousand Miles, but Gojo evaded him and prepared Hollow Purple.
• Kaori Itadori used Cursed Technique Lapse: Anti-Gravity to divert Hollow Purple into the sky and introduced herself to Gojo and Toji.
• Shoichi Kano emerged carrying Riko Amanai, with the Slit-Mouthed Woman beside him, and recognized Kaori Itadori as Kenjaku in disguise.
• Gojo, Toji, Kaori Itadori, and Shoichi Kano formed a tense standoff at the Tombs of the Star Corridor.

Shoichi Kano, Slit-Mouthed Woman, and the others confronted Kenjaku after Riko Amanai survived the attempted assassination, and Kenjaku proposed a binding vow that would protect and train her. The group accepted the vow, while Gojo resolved to investigate Kenjaku despite agreeing to keep the events under the Curtain secret.

• Shoichi Kano placed the unconscious but living Riko Amanai on the grass as Satoru Gojo and Kenjaku realized the assassination had gone awry.
• Suguru Geto and Kuroi emerged from the Tombs of the Star Corridor, and Geto urged Gojo not to hand Riko over because she had refused to merge with Tengen.
• Kenjaku explained that she had changed her plan and intended to train Riko as a jujutsu sorcerer, citing Yuki Tsukumo as a previous Star Plasma Vessel who escaped the merger.
• Kenjaku raised a Curtain and offered a binding vow to protect and train Riko in exchange for everyone keeping what happened inside secret.
• Satoru Gojo accepted the binding vow and told Geto they could still investigate Kenjaku and reveal their findings; Suguru Geto accepted as well.

After Toji Fushiguro left the Tombs of the Star Corridor, Kenjaku stopped Shoichi Kano and Slit-Mouthed Woman from fleeing and offered them a deal. Slit-Mouthed Woman accepted a future mission to retrieve a cursed tool in China in exchange for Kenjaku’s barrier-technique knowledge and a Sukuna’s Finger.

• Toji Fushiguro reclaimed his pistol, left the Wrongful Death Blade with Slit-Mouthed Woman, and departed without accepting Kenjaku’s promised bounty.
• Kenjaku used Supergravity to stop Shoichi Kano and Slit-Mouthed Woman, then proposed that they help guard a barrier at her future event.
• Shoichi Kano demanded Kenjaku’s knowledge of barrier techniques, but she said it would be more useful to Slit-Mouthed Woman and offered a Sukuna’s Finger as well.
• Slit-Mouthed Woman asked about the task and the safety of absorbing the finger, and Kenjaku said they would need to retrieve a cursed tool in China.
• Slit-Mouthed Woman accepted Kenjaku’s terms, and they established a binding vow.

After the Star Plasma Vessel Incident, Shoichi Kano recovered at home while Slit-Mouthed Woman settled into the role of his mother and struck a deal to absorb Sukuna's Finger and study Barrier Technique theory. By June 2006, Kano had returned to school, where a quiet math lesson ended with Mr. Tanaka catching him and Hiroshi Yamakawa sharing candy.

• Shoichi Kano asked Slit-Mouthed Woman why she had accepted the deal, and she reassured him that absorbing Sukuna's Finger and studying Barrier Technique theory would protect her.
• Mr. Tanaka visited the recovering Shoichi Kano and mistook Slit-Mouthed Woman for his mother, then left unsettled after remembering Kano's records said his mother was dead.
• After recovering, Shoichi Kano returned to school for end-of-term revision and secretly ate Jiayun Fruit Candy during Mr. Tanaka's math lesson.
• Hiroshi Yamakawa asked Shoichi Kano for candy, and Mr. Tanaka caught them when Yamakawa's grape candy fell to the floor.

Shoichi Kano struggled to study Kenjaku’s advanced Barrier Technique notes while the Slit-Mouthed Woman received preparations for their trip to China and swallowed Sukuna’s Finger. The finger’s cursed energy began flowing into her, leaving Kano caught in the blast and her overwhelmed with pleasure.

• Shoichi Kano read Kenjaku’s Barrier Technique notebooks at school, understood the basics, and gave up when the later volumes became too difficult.
• The Slit-Mouthed Woman and Shoichi Kano found a delivery from Kenjaku containing travel documents, a Cursed Tool for making her visible, and instructions for absorbing Sukuna’s Finger.
• Kenjaku’s letter said they would search Huimin District in Hohhot for a time-related Cursed Tool and should travel in July, when Tengen’s barrier would allow the Slit-Mouthed Woman to leave Japan safely.
• The Slit-Mouthed Woman activated the Cursed Tool by merging its pair of eyeballs into her body, then swallowed Sukuna’s Finger with its talisman paper.
• Sukuna’s cursed energy erupted and slammed Shoichi Kano into a wall as it flowed into the Slit-Mouthed Woman, who began enjoying the sensation.

The Slit-Mouthed Woman adjusted to the power of Sukuna’s Finger, then studied Kenjaku’s barrier technique notes and began teaching Shoichi Kano. The chapter left her explaining advanced mathematical concepts to Kano, who fell asleep during the lesson.

• The Slit-Mouthed Woman recovered from absorbing Sukuna’s power and learned how her two cursed energy cores could work together.
• She cut Shoichi Kano’s phone in half after he pretended to have recorded her noises, then secretly replaced it with money taken from street thugs.
• The Slit-Mouthed Woman struggled with the advanced math in Kenjaku’s barrier technique notes and began studying textbooks to understand them.
• She taught Kano about barriers using her Simple Domain as an example, and he followed the first lesson attentively.
• The Slit-Mouthed Woman explained barrier energy paths using vectors and coordinates, but Kano fell asleep, so she covered him with her coat.

Shoichi Kano prepared for a summer trip to China with the Slit-Mouthed Woman, hiding the real purpose from his father and helping her obtain usable identification. After arranging a stop in Beijing, they planned to continue to Hohhot, leaving on a playful, affectionate note.

• Shoichi told Takeshi Kano that he was going on a school-funded study trip to Inner Mongolia, while keeping the true plan secret.
• The Slit-Mouthed Woman returned with identification documents under the name Miyano Yuko and insisted Shoichi call her Mom.
• Shoichi introduced the Slit-Mouthed Woman to Kamen Rider Faiz, and she became interested in its handsome actors and fighting techniques.
• Shoichi and the Slit-Mouthed Woman arranged flights from Narita through Beijing to Hohhot and agreed to spend about a week exploring Beijing.
• The Slit-Mouthed Woman teased Shoichi with a brief kiss on the cheek, leaving him blushing.

Shoichi Kano and the Slit-Mouthed Woman flew from Tokyo to Beijing, where Kano was moved by returning to China in another world. Their arrival appeared to draw the attention of Beijing authorities, who came to their hotel room for an inspection.

• The Slit-Mouthed Woman watched the plane take off and reflected on how human technology let people fly while curses remained bound by their abilities.
• Shoichi Kano and the Slit-Mouthed Woman passed the flight by talking, and she learned a few simple Chinese expressions.
• The aircraft landed in Beijing, and Kano became emotional when an immigration officer welcomed them to China.
• Kano and the Slit-Mouthed Woman collected their luggage, took a taxi to their hotel, and messaged his dad that they had arrived safely.
• That night, someone claiming to be from the Beijing State Security Bureau's Supernatural Phenomena Investigation Section knocked and requested a routine inspection.

Shoichi Kano and the Slit-Mouthed Woman passed a supernatural security inspection in Beijing and were assigned a guide for their sightseeing. The chapter left them about to try fermented mung bean juice after Xiao Zhou misleadingly described it as a kind of soy milk.

• Cheng Shan and Ma Liangdong inspected Shoichi Kano and the Slit-Mouthed Woman, checked their documents, and made them sign an agreement not to use supernatural powers in Beijing.
• The Slit-Mouthed Woman sensed that Ma Liangdong’s aura resembled reverse cursed technique and that Cheng Shan’s was closer to cursed energy.
• Ma Liangdong returned the next morning with Xiao Zhou, who was assigned to guide the pair around Beijing at the bureau’s expense.
• Xiao Zhou offered to take them for fermented mung bean juice, and the Slit-Mouthed Woman insisted on learning what it was despite Kano’s attempt to refuse.

Little Zhou took Shoichi Kano and the Slit-Mouthed Woman to a Beijing restaurant and tricked her into trying Douzhir, which made her violently gag. She retaliated by cutting open Little Zhou’s trousers, and Kano arranged for a patrol officer to fine him.

• Little Zhou brought Shoichi Kano and the Slit-Mouthed Woman to a restaurant and ordered her Douzhir and Jiaoquan.
• The Slit-Mouthed Woman removed her mask and tried the Douzhir, then dry-heaved while Little Zhou hid his amusement.
• Shoichi Kano comforted the Slit-Mouthed Woman, who glared at Little Zhou after recovering and learned he was from Langfang and did not drink Douzhir himself.
• The Slit-Mouthed Woman used her cursed technique to cut open Little Zhou’s trousers, exposing his backside.
• Shoichi Kano pointed out Little Zhou’s split trousers to a patrol officer, who fined him for indecent exposure.

Shoichi Kano and the Slit-Mouthed Woman enjoyed their final days in Beijing before booking a flight to Hohhot, while learning of Yu Haibara’s death deepened Suguru Geto’s doubts about jujutsu sorcery. Just before their departure, Cheng Shan and Ma Liangdong asked the pair to take part in a friendly sparring match, and they agreed.

• Shoichi Kano and the Slit-Mouthed Woman toured Beijing while Yu Haibara was killed on a mission, prompting Suguru Geto to question the purpose of sorcerers and what constituted a proper death.
• Xiao Zhou drove Kano and the Slit-Mouthed Woman to the Old Summer Palace and the Forbidden City, where Kano discussed Chinese history and the Slit-Mouthed Woman absorbed resentment near the Pearl Concubine Well.
• Shoichi Kano booked tickets to Hohhot Baita International Airport for the pair’s departure the next day.
• Cheng Shan and Ma Liangdong visited their hotel and invited Kano and the Slit-Mouthed Woman to a friendly sparring match.
• Shoichi Kano and the Slit-Mouthed Woman agreed to spar, and Ma Liangdong offered to upgrade their flight to first class.

At the Municipal National Security Bureau, Shoichi Kano took part in a friendly match and faced Cheng Shan, whose Cat Ghost Technique transformed her into a catlike fighter. After Cheng Shan attacked him with dangerous force, Kano struck her into a wall and the match ended with her admitting defeat; Ma Liangdong apologized, and the remaining bouts were canceled.

• Ma Liangdong arranged a friendly match at the Bureau, where two recruits demonstrated grappling and hard qigong.
• Cheng Shan challenged Shoichi Kano, and Kano agreed to keep the match from going too far.
• Cheng Shan used her Cat Ghost Technique to transform into a half-human, half-cat form and attacked Kano with a ranged claw strike.
• Kano's cursed-energy-enhanced punch sent Cheng Shan into the perimeter wall, leaving her injured and the wall cracked.
• Cheng Shan admitted defeat, Ma Liangdong apologized to Kano, and Slit-Mouthed Woman called for the matches to stop.

Shoichi Kano, the Slit-Mouthed Woman, and their guide Zhao Qingshan tracked a Western-Style Wall Clock to an antique shop on Hui Muslim Street. Baoruri recognized the clock and agreed to discuss its history after Kano offered him a large share of the money on Toji Fushiguro’s Black Card.

• Shoichi Kano and the Slit-Mouthed Woman arrived in Hohhot and met their guide, Zhao Qingshan.
• Zhao Qingshan led them to an antique shop on Hui Muslim Street where he had seen a clock matching their target.
• The Slit-Mouthed Woman’s presence set off the shop’s wind chimes and broke its Five Emperor Coins charms, drawing out the shopkeeper, Baoruri.
• Baoruri dismissed Shoichi Kano until Kano showed him Toji Fushiguro’s Black Card and proved it held more than nineteen million yen.
• Baoruri recognized the clock in their photographs but refused to reveal its history until Kano offered him half the card’s balance.
• Baoruri accepted the offer and said he was willing to discuss the clock.

Shoichi Kano and Zhao Qingshan learned how Baoruri acquired and sold a clock that could slow time, then discovered the buyer’s contact details in Hailar. They decided to drive there the next day to investigate, and Kano told the Slit-Mouthed Woman about their plans.

• Baoruri told Shoichi Kano and Zhao Qingshan that removing the clock’s talismans caused it to drain his strength and that turning its knob made everything in his shop seem to move slowly.
• Baoruri revealed that he had sold the clock for two million to a man from Hailar who called himself the Mongolian Gentleman and wanted to return to the past.
• Baoruri gave Shoichi Kano the buyer’s address and phone number, which led to a convenience store in Fendou Town owned by Bai Ning.
• Shoichi Kano and Zhao Qingshan agreed to drive to Hailar the next day, and Kano translated their plans for the Slit-Mouthed Woman.

Shoichi Kano, the Slit-Mouthed Woman, and Zhao Qingshan visited Bai Ning’s store in Hailar to find his son, Bai Guangzhi. After a tense misunderstanding, they learned Bai Guangzhi might return for letters and agreed to wait while Shoichi accepted a favor for Bai Ning.

• Bai Ning mistook the group’s Japanese speech for a threat, and he and the Slit-Mouthed Woman nearly fought until Zhao Qingshan and Shoichi Kano stopped them.
• Bai Ning revealed that Bai Guangzhi had avenged the murder of his wife and daughter but had become obsessed with finding a way to return to the past and save them.
• Bai Ning said he could not contact Bai Guangzhi, but showed Shoichi the accumulated letters he was waiting to pass on to his son.
• Shoichi decided the group would wait a few days for Bai Guangzhi to visit, and asked Bai Ning to call Zhao Qingshan when he did.
• Bai Ning asked Shoichi to handle a problem for one of his old customers as a show of sincerity, and Shoichi agreed.

Shoichi Kano and the Slit-Mouthed Woman visited Xiao Xiuying in Chen Barag Banner to investigate her husband Huang Chang’s sudden madness. Xiao Xiuying explained that hospital tests had found no physical cause, while a troubling presence lingered behind the bedroom door.

• Zhao Qingshan left alone to pay his respects to local powers, while Kano and the others agreed Bai Ning would contact him if his son appeared.
• Kano drove the Slit-Mouthed Woman to Chen Barag Banner to meet one of Bai Ning’s longtime customers.
• Kano and the Slit-Mouthed Woman sensed strong negative emotions focused on a tightly shut bedroom door in Xiao Xiuying’s home.
• Xiao Xiuying said her husband, Huang Chang, had suddenly threatened people at work and tried to climb into an electric oven the previous month.
• Xiao Xiuying explained that hospital tests showed Huang Chang was physically normal, so doctors had prescribed sedatives.

Shoichi Kano and the Slit-Mouthed Woman investigated Huang Chang’s madness and found a leech-like cursed spirit attached to his head. After removing and destroying it, they told Huang Chang the threat was gone, though the spirit’s repeated warning about a coming “Khan” remained unexplained.

• Xiao Xiuying explained that she had exhausted medical options and contacted Bai Ning for help, while hiding her husband’s condition from their son.
• Shoichi Kano and the Slit-Mouthed Woman quietly entered Huang Chang’s room and discovered a Grade 2 leech-shaped cursed spirit attached to his scalp.
• Shoichi Kano pulled the cursed spirit off Huang Chang, who silently endured the pain while his mouth was sealed with cursed-energy threads.
• The cursed spirit spoke backward Chinese, repeating that their Khan would soon be born and outsiders must submit or die.
• The Slit-Mouthed Woman split the unintelligent cursed spirit in two, and Shoichi Kano freed Huang Chang’s mouth and told him they had removed the thing afflicting him.

Shoichi Kano and the Slit-Mouthed Woman visited the Morigler River scenic area after hearing rumors of a powerful cursed spirit in the region. At the shuttle ticket checkpoint, Kano spotted two unexpected people among the tourists.

• Shoichi Kano and the Slit-Mouthed Woman discussed a possible high-level cursed spirit born in China and decided to leave the matter to local staff.
• Kano and the Slit-Mouthed Woman ate a large meal in Hailar, and a waiter cut the meat into small pieces to help her eat.
• Zhao Qingshan told Kano he had smoothed things over with local authorities, had no news from Bai Qizhi, and offered sightseeing shuttle tickets for the Morigler River.
• Kano and the Slit-Mouthed Woman drove to the Morigler River scenic area and joined the shuttle ticket line.
• Kano spotted a teenage boy with his hair in a bun and a dark-haired girl with a beauty mark, and recognized that they had no business being there.

Shoichi Kano and the Slit-Mouthed Woman encountered Suguru Geto and Shoko Ieiri while sightseeing on the grassland, and the wary groups joined up under the pretense of vacationing together. The chapter ended with Geto following Kano into a restroom and asking whether jujutsu sorcerers were naturally supposed to protect non-sorcerers.

• Kano confirmed that the people in the other tour line were Geto and Shoko, and the two groups boarded separate sightseeing buses.
• Kano and the Slit-Mouthed Woman got off at Morgen Station, where Geto and Shoko arrived shortly afterward.
• The Slit-Mouthed Woman asked Geto to photograph her and Kano, and the four introduced themselves and agreed to stay together.
• Kano went to the public restroom, and Geto followed him to question him about protecting non-sorcerers.