—AGH! —I screamed as I delivered a final slash to one of the curses before me. Yamikiri's blade tore through its body, dissolving it into a pool of darkness. Sweat dripped down my forehead, mixing with the blood of the creatures, and I allowed myself to collapse against the cold wall, my body trembling with exhaustion.
I looked around: the underground corridor was smeared with blood, claw marks etched into the walls, and scattered among them were the dismembered remains of people I hadn't been able to save. The stench of iron and decay clung to the air, pressing down on me like a weight.
A weary sigh escaped my lips as I closed my eyes, trying to catch my breath.
After separating from Gojo-sensei, I had tried to climb back to the surface, but the upper floors were swarming with curses and twisted humans. They had been placed there deliberately, to trap anyone who slipped past the barrier… and to turn them into prey.
I had no choice but to fight them. Even with Yamikiri's growing power, there were too many.
—Heh… not even when I worked in the ER last New Year's Eve did I fight this hard… not even with the ward overflowing. —I pushed myself up, my body stiff and aching. —Alright… time to find a way out of this madhouse.
I studied one of the maps on the wall, tracing possible routes. But after analyzing the paths, I realized the truth: I was lost.
I retraced my steps, this time paying closer attention to every turn and staircase. My terrible sense of direction, combined with curses chasing me, made escape nearly impossible.
More enemies appeared along the way. Some were vicious, and though I managed to fend them off, I emerged battered, my arms covered in bruises and scratches. At last, with sheer effort, I reached the surface.
But the streets were no better. Curses and modified humans roamed freely, while terrified civilians fled in panic.
I charged forward, cutting down the creatures that hunted them.
—Head to that store! You can hide there while I finish this! —I shouted, as several curses surrounded me.
Once I was sure the civilians were safe, I spun Yamikiri and struck. The monsters shrieked, their blood splattering across my face and clothes. My strength waned with every swing, my body growing heavier, until even moving felt unbearable.
Then I noticed: the curses and twisted humans had vanished. I approached the convenience store, but the people who had hidden inside were gone as well.
—Uhm… well, I guess something happened… —I muttered, stepping inside.
In the pharmacy section, I found intravenous meds, fluids, bandages, gauze, and other supplies. I packed them carefully into a backpack, slung it over my shoulder, and set out to find survivors.
I soon came across several wounded—supervisors and assistants—stabbed in the back.
—You'll be fine. —I told one, tearing his clothes to examine the wound. Thankfully, it wasn't deep. I sealed the edges with medical tape. —This will hold… but where can I take you to be safe?
—There's… an outpost… someone with reverse cursed technique… we need to reach it… —he whispered.
—Alright. I'll stabilize the others first.
I found a clothing store nearby, cleared the floor, and laid garments down as makeshift bedding. I treated the injured, gave them fluids and painkillers, and ensured they were stable. Then I lifted the only conscious one, letting him lean on me as we walked.
A loud crash startled me. I hid him behind a dumpster and slipped into the shadows. That's when I saw it: a small white rabbit with red eyes. It looked at me, twitched its nose, and darted away. Not normal.
I pressed deeper into the shadows and froze at the sight ahead: a towering, muscular man with empty eyes stood facing a young sorcerer. My heart clenched—Megumi Fushiguro. And if he was facing that man… it had to be Toji Fushiguro.
Our eyes met. I swallowed hard as Yamikiri trembled, demanding release. My body tensed under his cold, assessing gaze. Relief washed over me when he turned away, focusing on Megumi, and lunged.
I knew better than to stay. I hoisted the wounded man onto my shoulder and hurried away.
—We need to reach the outpost quickly. We can't stay here. —I urged. He nodded, forcing himself to keep pace.
We had gone far when a crushing presence descended upon us.
—This must be… a finger? Just what I needed… —I muttered, shifting him onto my back. —Come on, let's go… damn, you're heavy…
I pushed forward, faster now, following the supervisor's directions, while the oppressive energy loomed over us like a storm ready to break.
As soon as I turned into the alley, I felt the weight on my back lighten… and a warm liquid trickled down, soaking my already filthy blouse.
—Ah… —I glanced over my shoulder, and a terrified scream tore from my throat as I dropped the headless body I had been carrying. I stumbled, falling to the ground, and crawled frantically away from the scene.
I covered my mouth with bloodstained hands, fighting the urge to vomit. Cold sweat ran down my forehead as my eyes locked on the lifeless corpse.
—That was quite an amusing reaction, brat. —The voice behind me froze my blood. I swallowed hard and looked up. My face drained of color, the air grew heavy, and every breath felt like a struggle. —Looks like you've seen death… stand up.
Clumsily, I rose to my feet. He watched me intently, nodding in approval at my obedience. He circled me like a predator, evaluating his prey with unnerving precision.
—You're definitely different from the others. —His tone was serious, analytical. —Your power… it doesn't seem to have a common explanation in this world.
His words cut deep. I straightened my back, forcing the mask of indifference—Kuroha Mizuki.
—My power has a foundation, like any sorcerer's. —My voice carried a faint threat, though inside I trembled.
—Not entirely. —He stepped closer, studying every microexpression. —Through the boy, I see that sometimes you seem like someone else… someone completely different from the Kuroha I met that first day.
I froze, instinctively retreating from his proximity.
—What is your true name? Tell me, brat.
My mind raced, searching for an answer, but his gaze pinned me in place, leaving no escape.
—Now. —His voice pressed, offering no choice.
—My name is… —I tried to speak, but a knot tightened in my throat, strangling the words. I forced my voice, but only a pained whimper escaped. I looked up at him in terror, afraid he would think I was refusing.
—A binding…? No, it feels stronger than that. —He touched his chin thoughtfully, his eyes filled with genuine curiosity.
—I… my name is… ugh… —My hand clutched my throat as I trembled, fear consuming me, unable to speak the truth he demanded.
He let out a low laugh, his eyes gleaming with amusement, as if my fear entertained him.
—Looks like you've got some kind of binding, and you can't speak, girl. But don't be afraid… I won't hurt you. You interest me far too much to kill.
My heart lurched. Part of me thrilled at the thought—the infamous Sukuna speaking to me (the dream of any fan, right?). Yet another part of me was consumed by genuine fear, a chill that spread through my body.
—What is that world you're trying to protect? —he asked softly, his tone deceptively gentle. His gaze pierced me, and I stared back with suspicion.
—No… —I hesitated, wondering if it was wise to reveal more. Something in his eyes urged me not to hide anything, as if he could strip the truth from me with a glance. —It's not so different from yours… but for someone like you, it would definitely be boring.
A thought struck me like lightning: what if someone with his strength entered our world? Great powers would crumble in days, weaker nations would vanish in an instant… and if my mysterious ability wasn't limited to crossing worlds…
I pressed my lips together tightly. Sukuna seemed satisfied with my answer, his expression unreadable.
—Good, girl… the humans who catch my interest always love to get into trouble. I've got things to take care of. Don't die.
I blinked, and he was gone. My legs gave out, and I collapsed to my knees, my body finally surrendering to exhaustion.
I turned toward the supervisor's body—the one I had fought so hard to keep alive. A weary sigh escaped me as I searched for something to cover him. In his wallet, I found a photo of his family and his ID card.
—Even if he's just a secondary character… it's still horrible to see this. —I rose to my feet, a sick feeling twisting in my stomach.
I kept moving through the shadows. The night, deceptively calm, was filled with alarming sounds: screams of terror, shattering glass, the ground trembling beneath me. I lifted my gaze—and froze. Sukuna's small figure was locked in battle with a pale, monstrous being.
—Ah, shit… —I ran as fast as I could, my heart pounding violently.
Flashes of what was about to unfold danced through my weary mind. I knew I'd be crushed if I didn't move quickly. I had to find Megumi—he was surely gravely wounded.
Guided by fragments of memory, I finally found him: his body sprawled in a sea of blood.
—Alright… he should be safe here… there's nothing more I can do… —I whispered, lowering my backpack and pulling out medical supplies. My trembling hands worked frantically, patching his wounds, forcing myself to focus on saving him while shutting out the chaos that was about to consume Shibuya.
Suddenly, all the chaotic sounds vanished, as if someone had flipped a cruel switch. What followed was a sepulchral silence, heavier and more terrifying than the noise before. I held Megumi carefully, making sure his wounds didn't touch the filthy ground.
I don't know how much time passed beneath that suffocating silence. I stayed by his side until someone—faces blurred, indistinguishable—lifted him onto a stretcher. Strong arms raised me from the floor, and I caught fragments of voices.
—She's fine… just in shock…
I felt as though I were floating inside a glass of water, suspended between currents. My mind drifted between two consciousnesses, two worlds, a cruel dance reminding me of how small I truly was.
—What do sedated patients dream of? —
The thought echoed again, a whisper from the past, from a time I now longed for.
I opened my eyes slightly. Through the blur, I saw a ventilator tube helping me breathe. My mother held my hand, murmuring a prayer I couldn't understand. My father and brother spoke quietly with the doctor.
—Who knows. They say sedated patients can't dream…
My mind wandered before snapping back. I heard furious footsteps pacing the room. I lifted my head weakly and saw Ren Mizuki. He stopped when he noticed I was awake. His face was a mask of stone, devoid of concern. If anything, he seemed to despise seeing his eldest daughter in a hospital bed.
—So, you finally decided to wake up, brat. —His voice was sharp as he approached. —The chaos in Japan is the perfect chance for the Mizuki house to rise again. Now that the strongest clan has fallen, it's our opportunity.
I knew exactly what he meant. With effort, I sat up, refusing to break eye contact.
—Good morning. —I replied with sarcasm. —Can't believe the first thing you say to me is that I have to work.
—You need to pave the way for your younger brother. Now, while the chaos reigns.
—We don't even know if he'll have a Domain like mine.
—The Master of Cracks says his Domain will surpass yours. —I looked at him with disdain, and a bitter laugh escaped me.
—Hahaha… sure, whatever you say. —I stood, stretching slowly, testing my muscles. Luckily, Kuroha's body was stronger, more athletic than my original one.
—What are you planning? —His voice dropped to a whisper, suspicious. I laughed at his furious expression.
—Come on, don't be so distrustful of your own daughter. —I summoned Yamikiri, its blade gleaming menacingly under the pale moonlight filtering through the curtains. —Tell me, what's happened since I collapsed?
—Everything's gone to hell. —He scratched his head in frustration. —The existence of curses has gone public. Japan is drowning in political and social chaos. The top priorities are freeing Gojo Satoru and killing Itadori Yuji. Do you understand now what our priorities are?
—But they'll assign executioners, won't they?
He laughed cruelly at my question.
—Yes, they will. But as long as the chaos is resolved… it doesn't matter who kills him.
—Fine. —I opened the window.
We were in a building, probably a hospital, six stories high. We were on the top floor. Outside, silence reigned. The city lights that should have illuminated the night were extinguished. Distant explosions and screams echoed through the darkness. Low-grade curses drifted across the sky like twisted birds.
—Will you follow my orders without complaint?
—Yes. Because when this is over, I'll claim my place in the main family. I won't be the ladder for my brothers to climb to the top.
I smiled arrogantly, watching his face twist into pure fury. Just as he prepared to summon his shikigami, I leapt through the window. I landed on a bird-shaped curse, severed its head, and plummeted with it. The fall was brutal, but I emerged unharmed.
The moment I hit the ground, I ran—without direction, without pause—into the night.
Unfortunately, I had stopped just one episode short of finishing the second season… and the movie hadn't been released yet. From here on, I had no idea what awaited me.