At that moment, the Harmony Box received its wearer's intent and automatically entered Cursed Speech Mode.
"Click."
With a faint mechanical sound, the dark patterns on the mask flashed. Silver-blue light flowed along the grooves, like blood suddenly filling veins.
Daily Mode deactivated.
Cursed Speech Mode activated.
Inumaki's breathing was steady, but his gaze never left the hunched old man.
Suishi.
Inumaki did not know how to describe the sensation. It was like standing before a weathering stone statue, watching its surface flake away bit by bit.
Aging.
He could feel it. This curse's power was making everything around it grow old.
The grass beneath his feet was withering, turning from green to yellow, then gray, and finally powder.
The trees' roots were shriveling, their bark was cracking, and even the air had grown heavy.
"Inumaki."
Itadori's voice came from beside him, carrying a tightly strained casualness.
"This old man feels like even more trouble than Mahito. Be careful."
Inumaki did not turn around. He gave only a single word in reply.
"Yeah."
Aoi Todo stood beside Itadori, rolling his shoulders, his joints cracking.
A strange smile hung on his face. It was not excitement, but more like the satisfaction of finding a worthy opponent.
"Itadori."
"Yeah?"
"Leave the white-skinned plant type to us."
Aoi Todo tilted his head toward Itadori, something deeply serious in his eyes.
"Let Inumaki handle the one with the scythe."
Itadori froze for a moment.
"Leave Inumaki on his own?"
"He isn't alone." Aoi Todo's voice was low, but every word was clear. "Teacher Wangchuan made that mask."
He glanced at Toge Inumaki's back, then turned back to Itadori.
"Teacher Wangchuan wouldn't make something useless."
Itadori fell silent for a beat.
Then he clenched his fists and nodded.
"All right."
He stepped forward to stand