If I run to where Yuji and others were, then I won't be there in time. And from what Jogo told me, it seems that the Cures are already awake at Yuji's position.
When I thought I untied a knot, another one took its place.
Since I know about the Eishu Juvenile Detention Center incident, I meticulously work hard and remove Sukuna's finger from there, hoping to avoid a massacre at that place. Even though they are criminal, some do deserve a chance for redemption.
But who would have thought Kanjaku would have a backup this twisted? If I had known it, I would have let it go like in the canon; it's better for criminals to die than innocent children. Call me a hypocrite; no matter what anyone says, if the choice came down to choosing between an innocent child and a criminal, I would pick the child.
But I can't go back in time, can I? So I will need to live with this. Haa, my hand is once again smelling like blood. Where do I even wash all of this off?
"This will be your grave, Jogo," I said calmly. I wasn't worried about Yuji and others being safe, as I had already arranged some shadow behind Yuji. Being a Zenin did give me benefits like this, and there is also Mei Mei; though she won't risk her life, she will somehow help Yuji and others.
I hope nothing extreme happens, and I also hope in my heart none of the children come to any harm.
Hearing my threat, Jogo's expression didn't change. "I know," he said. "It was within my knowledge that this would be my final stand; I became bait. I only want my dream to live on, and as long as Geto achieves his objective, my dream will also come true. Even if I am not there to witness it, I believe I already won if such a future passes."
"I see, then there is no time to waste," I said as I took my position. "Domain Expansion: "Final Frame: Court of Predetermined Fate."
---
In kindergarten
The sound of collapsing concrete echoed behind them as the group rushed through the kindergarten corridors. Dust drifted through the air while distant tremors shook the building's foundation, serving as a grim reminder of the monster that had been born only moments ago.
Megumi led the way at the front of the group with his two dogs showing the way; his expression was tense as his eyes constantly scanned their surroundings for any signs of danger. Beside him, Nobara maintained the rear while ensuring none of the children fell behind or separated from the group.
Behind them, twenty-six frightened children ran as fast as their small legs could manage. The distant roar coming from deeper within the kindergarten made several of them flinch. Some of them were even a step close to crying. The truly stubborn one, who was throwing a tantrum, was picked up by Nobara.
Nobara clicked her tongue. "Was it really wise to leave Yuji alone with that thing?" Her voice carried frustration, but beneath it was genuine concern for the welfare of Yuji, whom they just left behind; they also chose to save the children instead of fighting with Yuji to the bitter end.
Megumi remained silent for several moments before answering. "We would only be a burden."
Nobara frowned. "What? "If anything, numbers matter in a fight; that's what she believes. If she and Megumi were present, Yuji's chance to survive would rise dramatically.
Megumi tightened his fists. "That curse...it isn't something we can handle. We will only die along with all these children; if we didn't make that choice, then our hands will be dipped in the blood of these children." Even though he said that impassively, his heart was itching due to leaving Yuji behind.
The memory of the overwhelming presence still lingered in his mind, even standing before it had been suffocating. "The only one capable of defeating that curse right now is Sukuna."
Nobara's expression darkened immediately. "...That's not exactly comforting."
"It doesn't need to be." Megumi glanced behind him briefly. "If we're within Sukuna's radius when he takes over...he'll kill us all." Silence followed his explanation as Nobara couldn't argue against that logic.
Unlike Yuji, Sukuna had no reason to spare them; if anything, their deaths would simply amuse him.
Beside them, Mei Mei nodded thoughtfully. "He's right." Mei only came into contact with the Yuji group after they entered the kindergarten. Before leaving, Naoya did mention keeping an eye on Yuji, as the higher-ups would pull some shit stunt to get rid of Yuji. And just like Naoya guessed, they did pull their stunt.
Despite the dire nature of the situation, Mei's expression remained remarkably calm. "We need to clear the premises immediately," she stated, casting a sharp gaze toward the exhausted children struggling to keep pace. She sensed the creeping dread paralyzing them; their faces were pale, eyes brimming with tears, and several looked on the verge of collapsing from sheer terror.
Mei Mei offered a gentle, calculating smile that seemed almost entirely at odds with the gravity of the crumbling structure around them. "Children," she called out; her voice was melodic and composed, drawing the immediate, wide-eyed attention of every small face currently struggling to keep pace. "Whoever reaches the school gate first will receive a box of chocolate as a reward for their hard work."
The atmosphere shifted instantly; the raw, primal fear that had been lingering on the children's faces vanished as if someone had flipped a metaphorical switch in their minds.
"Really?!"
"A whole box?!"
"I want the one with the nuts!"
"Chocolate!"
"Yay!"
Their exhaustion, which had been slowing them to a crawl mere moments ago, was seemingly forgotten in an instant. The children suddenly surged forward, picking up their pace with a desperate, newfound vigor that defied their physical limits.
Nobara stared at the sudden spectacle, completely bewildered by the transition from a life-or-death retreat to a competitive sprint, with an awkward smile. "...Wasn't this supposed to be an emergency evacuation?" she muttered, watching the mob of toddlers charge ahead with unbridled, sugar-fueled enthusiasm.
Mei Mei merely shrugged elegantly, not even breaking her stride as she kept a watchful eye on the perimeter. "Motivation is important, Nobara. Besides, in a crisis, a small incentive is far more effective than trying to explain the complexities of cursed energy to a group of crying preschoolers. Efficiency is the key to survival, and right now, speed is our only currency."
The group continued moving through the hallways, the sounds of excited children discussing their preferred chocolate flavors creating an almost surreal contrast against the chaos surrounding them.
"Milk chocolate is the best!"
"No! Strawberry chocolate!"
"I want both!"
Mei Mei chuckled softly. "How ambitious."
Nobara sighed. "Are you actually going to buy twenty-six boxes?"
Mei Mei's smile immediately vanished. "I said a box. Only one."
Nobara blinked. "You were planning to make them share?"
"Do you know how expensive twenty-six boxes would be? And sharing is caring." Then she turned back toward the children. "Almost there." Her voice remained steady. "Don't stop now."
The school entrance finally came into view. The children surged forward with renewed energy.
"Chocolate!"
"Race you!"
"I'm going to win!"
Nobara couldn't help smiling slightly. "...Kids really are simple."
"They should be unlike someone I know, who I haven't even seen blush once." Megumi replied quietly, and just as she was about to exit the curtain, Mei saw the silhouette. "Naoya,"
~~~
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