The army moved through Tokyo.
Not quietly.
There were simply too many people for that.
Sorcerers walked through the ruined streets, weapons ready, cursed energy flowing around them. The stronger fighters were spread throughout the formation, while the weaker group stayed farther ahead.
Takeru walked near the back with Yuji and Yuta.
Both Gojo's were a few steps behind them.
For once, Takeru wasn't joking.
He looked over the enormous group.
"Alright, listen up."
Everyone gradually turned their attention toward him while continuing to walk.
"Me, both Gojo's, Yuji, and Yuta are gonna be last support."
Yuji nodded.
Takeru continued.
"Once you guys get down defense, we're gonna step in."
Maki glanced over.
"So we're basically the second wave."
"Exactly."
Takeru pointed toward the distant skyline.
"Now, rogue sorcerers and cursed spirits are forming in his army, so be careful."
That got everyone's attention.
Hakari cracked his knuckles.
"Rogue sorcerers too?"
"Yep."
Takeru nodded.
"Which means some of them might actually know what they're doing."
Nanami adjusted his tie.
"That is considerably more concerning than ordinary curses."
"Exactly."
Takeru looked around.
"Don't assume anything you see is weak just because it isn't a curse."
Todo grinned.
"Then we shall simply defeat everything in our path!"
Yuji sighed.
"Todo, that's not really a strategy."
"It is an excellent strategy!"
"No, it's just punching things."
Todo placed a hand on Yuji's shoulder.
"Sometimes, brother, punching things is strategy."
Yuji thought about it.
"…Fair."
Takeru shook his head.
"You two are impossible."
From behind them, one of the Gojo's spoke.
"So what's our job specifically?"
Takeru glanced backward.
"We wait."
Gojo raised an eyebrow.
"We wait?"
"Yep."
"That sounds incredibly boring."
"It is."
The other Gojo sighed.
"Wonderful."
Takeru smiled.
"But when the defense starts collapsing…"
His smile sharpened.
"…we go in."
Yuta looked toward the horizon.
"And if they don't collapse?"
Takeru shrugged.
"Then we keep walking."
A beat.
"Eventually they'll collapse."
Yuta stared at him.
"…That's your plan?"
"It's a very good plan."
"No, it isn't."
"It is if I'm right."
Up ahead, the first group suddenly stopped.
Maki raised her hand.
Everyone halted.
Takeru immediately looked forward.
"What?"
Maki's eyes narrowed.
"Movement."
The streets ahead were strangely quiet.
Too quiet.
A piece of rubble rolled across the pavement.
Then stopped.
Something moved behind a ruined building.
Then another shape.
Then another.
Takeru's expression became serious.
His Six Eyes activated beneath his sunglasses.
He could see them.
Cursed energy.
Dozens of signatures.
Then hundreds.
And mixed among them...
Human cursed energy.
Takeru slowly exhaled.
"…They're here."
Yuji stepped forward.
"Already?"
Takeru nodded.
"Yep."
He looked across the formation.
"Everyone…"
The distant buildings began filling with silhouettes.
Curses crawled over rooftops.
Rogue sorcerers emerged from alleyways.
Some carried cursed tools.
Others simply stared at the approaching army.
And somewhere far behind them...
A massive amount of cursed energy erupted.
Takeru smiled.
"Sukuna Number Four knows we're coming."
The army tightened its formation.
Takeru stepped backward.
"Remember."
He looked at the first group.
"Don't worry about winning."
Then he glanced toward Yuji, Yuta, and both Gojo's.
"Just survive long enough."
Yuji cracked his knuckles.
"Then we'll finish it."
Takeru nodded.
"Exactly."
A massive curse suddenly leapt from a rooftop.
BOOM!
The first line charged.
Takeru remained at the back.
Watching.
Waiting.
The battle for Tokyo had begun.