January, mid-morning, 2019.
Half a month had passed since the Apotheosis Ritual.
Sakurajima.
Yuta Okkotsu brought his junior classmates here.
Originally, Sakurajima had not been a developed place, but now people came and went, and the lively atmosphere never ceased.
The old houses here had all been renovated within half a month.
These renovations were entrusted to Jujutsu Sorcerers with Earth and Stone Manipulation Techniques, and because most Jujutsu Sorcerers lacked professional construction knowledge, the quality of the renovations varied from person to person. However, the advantage was that they were cheap and convenient.
Jujutsu was no longer prohibited in Sakurajima.
Everyone could freely discuss knowledge related to jujutsu.
Although the Apotheosis Ritual had already been completed, Dream Walk Migration still existed. During these past two weeks, all Jujutsu Sorcerers could continue battling within Dream Walk Migration, accumulating points to exchange for knowledge and Cursed Techniques.
It was difficult to imagine that only a few months ago, jujutsu had been completely concealed, yet now it was openly discussed and accepted.
Many people even eagerly wished to become true Jujutsu Sorcerers themselves, and that was no longer impossible, because among Dream Walk Migration's exchange rewards was the option for ordinary people to purchase the talent of a Jujutsu Sorcerer.
Fushiguro Megumi said, "It is said that the United States has already begun mass-producing American Jujutsu Sorcerers. At this rate, the number of American Sorcerers will probably increase at an astonishing pace. In just a few years, I suspect the total number of American Sorcerers will surpass Japan's."
Kugisaki Nobara frowned.
"Are they crazy? The more Cursed Energy there is, the more Cursed Spirits will be born. Why aren't they properly regulating the Sorcerer industry and diligently exorcising Cursed Spirits instead of simply pursuing greater numbers?"
"Who knows what they're thinking."
Fushiguro shrugged.
"Anyway, Tsukumo-sama is over there. If any powerful Cursed Spirits appear, Tsukumo-sama will probably deal with them."
After saying that, Fushiguro Megumi turned toward Itadori Yuji.
"Are you planning to head to the United States for the next [Infinite Possibilities Wish]? When are you leaving?"
Yuta Okkotsu recalled the conversation between Teacher Gojo and the King of Curses before their battle.
Back then, Itadori Yuji had said he intended to travel to America in search of new possibilities.
Itadori Yuji was an exceptionally talented Jujutsu Sorcerer, and considering that the second event would be held in America, there was a genuine possibility he could become the victor.
No...
The current King of Curses was no longer called the King of Curses.
Mahito had truly become a god.
Now, he should properly be addressed as [His Eminence Mahito]...
It was still difficult to get used to.
"After meeting His Eminence Mahito and saying goodbye to everyone, I'll depart for the United States," Itadori Yuji said.
"They say the atmosphere in America is completely different from Japan's. That's very important for a Jujutsu Sorcerer. I need to adapt to the environment first, and then I'll aim for victory."
Yuta Okkotsu sighed.
"How ambitious."
His thoughts drifted toward the other second-year students.
Maki Zen'in had been invited back to the Zen'in Clan.
The current Zen'in Clan no longer possessed the qualifications of one of the Great Jujutsu Families, and with other Jujutsu Sorcerers watching them closely, Maki Zen'in's Heavenly Restriction combat ability had become extremely important.
The old geezers of the Zen'in Clan had already been wiped out.
Although Maki Zen'in had returned reluctantly, since Fushiguro Megumi strongly refused to become clan head, it was highly likely that she would eventually inherit the position herself.
Panda and Inumaki Toge had decided to remain at Tokyo Jujutsu High.
Neither possessed great ambitions.
In the future, they would become new instructors at Tokyo Jujutsu High, succeeding Teacher Gojo as educators.
Countless thoughts passed through Yuta Okkotsu's mind before Itadori Yuji continued speaking.
"I'm not worried about native American Jujutsu Sorcerers."
"I'm worried about fellow Sorcerers from Japan who'll also head to America, especially Higuruma. His Domain Expansion is incredibly troublesome, and his Cursed Energy manipulation has already reached the pinnacle of jujutsu. People even say his Cursed Energy control is at Ryomen Sukuna's level."
"That guy is obsessed with victory."
"I think there's a very high chance he'll make the same choice I did."
"There's also another wandering Special Grade Sorcerer named Takaba Fumihiko, but he doesn't act like a Jujutsu Sorcerer at all. He treats Dream Walk Migration as his own comedy stage and has absolutely no interest in competing for victory. His personality is completely different from Higuruma Hiromi's."
From that conversation alone, it was obvious that Itadori Yuji was serious.
Not only about traveling to America—
—but about seriously competing to become the winner of the second event.
He was determined to fulfill the promise he had made to Yuta Okkotsu.
That promise was:
"I'll revive Teacher Gojo."
Yuta Okkotsu truly envied someone like Itadori Yuji.
Such people never wavered.
Once they found a goal, they would pursue it relentlessly.
Even if they struck a wall, they would never turn back.
Itadori Yuji clearly understood that reviving Gojo Satoru would be incredibly difficult now that almost everyone acknowledged [His Eminence Mahito], and many people would surely stand in his way.
Yet he still chose to continue down that path without fear.
Nobara Kugisaki sighed.
"So... I guess we're all going our separate ways."
"What about you, Kugisaki?" Itadori Yuji asked.
Nobara looked up at the sky and answered in an unusually complicated tone.
"I don't know either."
"I'll just keep working as a Jujutsu Sorcerer for now."
"Unlike you battle maniacs, I'm not that obsessed with power."
"I'll probably just treat being a Jujutsu Sorcerer like a normal salaried job. As long as I can support myself, that's enough."
Fushiguro Megumi and Itadori Yuji spoke simultaneously.
"How unmotivated!"
"Shut up!" Nobara snapped.
Yuta Okkotsu, who had been leading the group, suddenly stopped.
They had arrived.
The reason Sakurajima had suddenly become so lively lay before them.
A broad mountain staircase stretched upward.
Every five meters stood a vermilion torii gate.
Cherry blossom trees lined both sides of the mountain.
Although it was only January—far from cherry blossom season—the trees bloomed magnificently out of season.
Whenever the wind blew, countless cherry blossom petals drifted gently onto the torii gates and stone steps.
This shrine had been constructed within a single day.
It was created through numerous Cursed Techniques, including Earth and Stone Manipulation, Metal Manipulation, Forest Blessing, Sculpture Technique, Resonance Technique, and Fixed Technique.
Even the mountain itself had been personally created by Mahito.
This was a genuine Divine Mountain.
However, the mountain itself was hidden behind a barrier.
The entire mountain existed within a spatial rift.
Only those who had truly received an invitation could step onto it and witness Mahito's shrine atop the summit.
Even though everyone knew that only invited guests could meet the True God, countless people still came here, unwilling to give up hope.
The once-forgotten land prices of Sakurajima had skyrocketed.
Everyone knew this place would become the safest place in the world.
Every disaster would remain far away.
Yuta Okkotsu couldn't imagine what Sakurajima would become in the future.
But at least for now, rapid development had filled the island with entirely new vitality.
Every local resident wore a smile, as though all the world's disasters had already departed.
Yuta Okkotsu took a deep breath.
"Let's go."
"Let's meet His Eminence Mahito."
Although Mahito had become a god, before that he had been known as the King of Curses.
His followers had been filled with Cursed Spirits and Curse Users—strange, terrifying figures everywhere.
As Yuta Okkotsu led his juniors up the mountain steps and through the torii gates, he couldn't help wondering what sort of future colleagues he would meet.
He had already made up his mind to join His Eminence Mahito's ranks and personally witness the future Mahito intended to create.
He had imagined a chaotic gathering of demons.
Instead...
...there was nothing of the sort.
The scene before him looked almost identical to the peaceful shrines he had visited in the past.
Hundreds of worshippers climbed the mountain in silence.
Some were genuinely devout.
Others merely appeared so.
Resting areas had been built beneath the torii gates, where visitors occasionally sat down to drink water and catch their breath.
Not everyone looked solemn.
Some young men and women climbed with obvious curiosity.
Even so, they only whispered among themselves.
No one spoke loudly.
Some noticed the four of them.
Yet no one approached Yuta Okkotsu.
He even encountered several familiar Jujutsu Sorcerers.
None looked surprised.
They simply exchanged nods.
The atmosphere here was even more sacred than that of an ordinary shrine.
It possessed a solemn divinity.
"Mr. Okkotsu... are you Yuta Okkotsu?"
As they stepped through the final torii gate, a shrine maiden approached.
Yuta Okkotsu recognized her immediately.
She was the eldest sister among the second generation of Intelligent Cursed Spirits.
It was said that her prototype had been a kappa.
Yet nothing about the girl before him reflected that.
She possessed a beautiful face and wore traditional shrine maiden robes.
Instead of the classic red and white, however, her attire was black and white—a white upper robe paired with a long black skirt.
A longsword rested at her waist.
Yuta Okkotsu nodded.
"According to the Binding Vow between His Eminence Mahito and Teacher Gojo, I've come to join His Eminence Mahito's ranks."
"I am Masasa."
She bowed gracefully.
"I'll guide everyone. Please follow me."
The shrine grounds were enormous.
The entire mountaintop had been transformed into shrine grounds.
The corridors were far wider than Yuta had expected.
Lotus ponds and neatly pruned cherry blossom trees lined both sides.
Water flowed gently through the ponds, occasionally producing delicate, ethereal chimes.
Yuta Okkotsu and the others were speechless.
Although they knew the shrine maiden before them was a second-generation Intelligent Cursed Spirit, she radiated an indescribable holiness.
Everyone instinctively softened their breathing.
It felt as though even breathing had to be done properly here before one could stand before the sacred.
An elderly man approached them, accompanied by a girl with long, snow-white hair.
As they passed each other, they exchanged polite nods.
Yuta Okkotsu's breathing faltered.
He recognized the elderly man.
From television.
It was Japan's current Prime Minister.
No...
That wasn't all.
As they continued walking, politician after politician, celebrity after celebrity crossed their path.
Chief Justices.
Members of Parliament.
Association chairmen.
Influential business magnates.
Television personalities, both familiar and unfamiliar.
In only this short walk, more than a dozen of Japan's most influential public figures had passed Yuta Okkotsu.
Some looked sorrowful.
Others looked joyful.
Yet every one of them wore solemn expressions.
Even they walked more carefully than the juniors following behind Yuta.
Suddenly, Yuta Okkotsu froze.
This time, the approaching figures were not politicians.
They were people he knew extremely well.
Principal Yaga Masamichi...
...and Principal Gakuganji Yoshinobu.
The principals of Tokyo Jujutsu High and Kyoto Jujutsu High quietly walked past Yuta Okkotsu.
"...So even Jujutsu society has surrendered."
Yuta couldn't help whispering.
"I never expected Principal Yaga to accept reality as well."
Gakuganji Yoshinobu walked past without even glancing sideways.
Yaga Masamichi, like the politicians before him, simply nodded gently toward Yuta.
Although Yuta Okkotsu was filled with questions, he politely returned the nod.
They were the final group they encountered.
Masasa had already led them to the entrance of the main reception hall.
She gently slid open the crimson door before respectfully stepping back two paces.
Yuta Okkotsu took a deep breath...
...and stepped inside.
The reception room was spacious.
Two orderly rows of low tables and cushions rested upon the tatami floor.
At the very front, a hanging curtain descended from the ceiling, completely concealing the figure seated at the place of honor.
This was an ancient Japanese custom used to display the utmost respect.
Even the honored person's appearance remained hidden.
Their voice, too, was normally relayed through attendants.
The person seated behind that curtain was undoubtedly the one and only True God of Japan—
—and of this world.
The Limited Omnipotent God.
Mahito.