Chapter 112 – The One Who Got Played: Yorozu's Misfortune
After giving Toji his instructions, Zen'in Shinsuke and Tsumiki set off toward Tokyo's Second Barrier.
At the edge of the pitch-black veil that marked the barrier's entrance, Shinsuke turned to Tsumiki and asked, "So… what does the thing inside you say? Is it willing to join our side?"
If he remembered correctly, once they entered, participants would be randomly teleported to one of several predetermined locations.
He wasn't sure whether that hidden rule would affect him as well, but Tsumiki, being an official player, would definitely be subject to it.
In other words, they'd be separated the moment they crossed the threshold—leaving her to fend for herself inside the barrier until they reunited.
Even with the aid of a support-type special-grade cursed object—and the influence of the ancient sorceress Yorozu within her—Tsumiki was still a complete novice in jujutsu.
Realistically, she probably couldn't even handle a Grade 3 sorcerer alone. For now, her survival would depend entirely on the entity inside her.
Besides, the Culling Game had already been running for several days. Every teleport point inside was likely being watched by players lying in wait.
"She says she'll only help us if we agree to one condition," Tsumiki said quietly.
Clearly, she had spent the past few days conversing with the presence inside her.
"It's about Sukuna, isn't it?" Shinsuke asked with a knowing smirk.
Of course it was. He already understood Yorozu's intentions. She had been obsessed with Sukuna for over a thousand years—pursuing him relentlessly across time and reincarnations. That kind of persistence was almost admirable… almost.
To prevent her from meeting Sukuna and potentially causing Megumi to lose control of his body to him, Shinsuke had deliberately split up Itadori's team from Tsumiki's.
Because if that hopelessly lovesick woman did cross paths with Sukuna, there would only be one possible outcome—utter disaster.
Yorozu wanted to make Sukuna "understand what love is."
But that was laughable. Sukuna, the King of Curses, didn't care for such meaningless emotions.
So the only possible endings were two:
either Yorozu defeated Sukuna and forced him to understand love—
or Sukuna killed her without hesitation.
Given their vast difference in power, there was never any doubt which result awaited her.
"Miss Yorozu, I'm sure you can hear me," Zen'in Shinsuke said, his tone calm but firm as he stood before the black barrier. "From the moment we enter the barrier, you are to protect Tsumiki at all costs.
In return, I'll consider arranging a meeting between you and Sukuna in the future.
You're free to refuse, of course… but if you do, I can promise you this — you'll never see him again."
When his words fell silent, Shinsuke gave her a moment to think.
If she truly wanted to meet Sukuna, she would have to behave. The only path forward was to play the role of a loyal bodyguard.
After a few seconds of quiet, Tsumiki smiled faintly. "She agreed."
Shinsuke raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected that stubborn ancient sorceress to yield so easily.
"But… she wants to form a binding vow," Tsumiki added, her expression uncertain. She still didn't understand much about the world of jujutsu, let alone the power and restrictions of vows.
"Cautious one, isn't she?" Shinsuke smirked. "Fine. Bring her out. I'll make the vow with her directly."
He didn't trust Yorozu for a second. Better to handle this binding personally — otherwise, the thousand-year-old schemer might find a loophole and trick Tsumiki.
At his signal, Tsumiki relinquished control of her body.
In an instant, her gentle aura shifted — replaced by Yorozu's cold, predatory intensity. Her gaze on Shinsuke was sharp, filled with a familiar kind of hatred.
If not for this man, she wouldn't have to share a body with that woman… and worse, she didn't even have full control of it!
And then there was Kenjaku, that scheming old snake — he'd tricked her too!
Just remembering how she'd been manipulated by both of them the moment she awakened made her blood boil.
"Don't glare at me like that," Shinsuke said dryly. "You're the one who threatened my niece first."
"Hmph! I'll protect this woman when she's in danger," Yorozu said coolly, folding her arms, "but I demand one hour of freedom each day — time I can use this body as I please."
She spoke her terms without hesitation. If she was going to be stuck in this body, she refused to have someone else dictate when she could live.
"No."
Shinsuke's refusal was instant and absolute. "Tsumiki must always maintain full control of her own body. That's non-negotiable."
He didn't even need to think about it — that rule was ironclad.
Sukuna himself was the perfect example of why. If Yorozu ever seized control at the wrong time, the results could be catastrophic.
"Besides," Shinsuke continued thoughtfully, "you could always find a new vessel, couldn't you?"
His tone was casual, but his eyes were sharp. "Just like Sukuna. You're not bound to Tsumiki forever — there must be another body out there that suits you."
Yorozu's expression faltered for a moment — a spark of surprise flickered in her eyes. She hadn't expected him to see through her plan so easily.
Indeed, she had been thinking of it. The moment she lost control of Tsumiki's body, she'd already begun planning to replace her vessel.
And the perfect opportunity was right here, within the Culling Game.
Inside the barrier, there would be countless suitable containers. If she could temporarily seize control of Tsumiki's body, she could perform the transfer ritual herself and regain her freedom.
Still, she hadn't thought he'd be the one to suggest it.
Watching the flicker in her eyes, Shinsuke smiled slightly. "Good. Then this makes things easier."
He stepped closer, voice steady and authoritative. "Here's the deal: inside the barrier, you'll protect Tsumiki whenever she's in danger. In return, I'll help you locate a proper vessel. Once this is all over, you'll be free to transfer and live however you want.
After that, what you do has nothing to do with us."
Yorozu tilted her head, her tone deceptively soft. "Fine. I accept. Let's seal the vow."
She didn't hesitate — she could play along for now. Once she had a new body, the very first thing she'd do… would be to kill this man.
After all, compared to Tsumiki, she was quite fond of this vessel. And this smug bastard had stolen it from her.
Shinsuke, of course, didn't know what she was plotting. All that mattered was that Tsumiki would be safe within the barrier.
A few minutes later, the vow was sealed. Tsumiki regained control of her body, her expression calm again.
"Uncle, is it settled?" she asked.
"Yeah," Shinsuke nodded. "Once we're inside, if you run into trouble, just let her take over. Think of it as live combat training."
Then his tone hardened. "But pay attention to her every move. Don't let her slip free. If you notice anything strange, suppress her immediately."
He couldn't risk Yorozu escaping early. If she found a vessel before they finished their mission, she'd vanish — or worse, attack.
As for the promise he'd made to find her a vessel? He'd never said when.
After all, a little verbal sleight of hand could go a long way.
And just like that, Zen'in Shinsuke had successfully signed a free, permanent bodyguard for Tsumiki — whether Yorozu realized it or not.
Inside Tsumiki's mind, Yorozu frowned. Not allowed to seek my own vessel? she thought bitterly. So he's worried about this woman's safety, huh? Clever bastard.
In her mind, Shinsuke's "precautions" were nothing more than an attempt to keep her from killing Tsumiki once she broke free.
The lovesick ancient sorceress still hadn't realized she'd just been outplayed — tricked into becoming a lifelong protector.
"Alright," Shinsuke said finally, glancing at the shadowy veil ahead. "Let's go have some fun, shall we?"
With that, Zen'in Shinsuke and Tsumiki stepped forward together, vanishing into the darkness of the barrier.