The heavy metal doors of the medical ward clicked shut. Ren slipped his hands into his pockets and turned away from the sterile hallways, heading toward the restricted sub-levels of Tokyo Jujutsu High.
The descent took time. Polished linoleum eventually gave way to ancient, cold stone. The air grew incredibly heavy, buzzing with the dense pressure of a barrier that had stood for centuries.
When Ren finally reached the bottom of the spiraling staircase, the rest of the group was already gathered outside a massive set of wooden doors covered in peeling talismans.
Yuji Itadori paced anxiously across the stone floor. Megumi Fushiguro stood quietly beside Yuta Okkotsu, both of them watching the doors. Leaning against the cold wall, Kento Nanami let out a slow, tired exhale and adjusted his spotted tie. He looked entirely exhausted, but very much alive after surviving the disaster in Shibuya.
Off to the side, Maki stood directly in front of her twin.
"You're staying up here." Maki rested a hand on her cursed tool. "The higher-ups are still making moves. Just wait in the school barriers. We'll go down and take care of this."
Mai crossed her arms. She didn't argue. Her gaze flicked over her sister's shoulder, catching Ren as he silently joined the group.
"Fine." Mai turned back toward the stairs.
Footsteps faded up the stone staircase as Mai retreated toward the surface.
Maki watched her twin disappear into the shadows before turning on her heel. Heavy boots crunched softly against the floor as she walked over, stopping right beside Ren.
The low hum of the barrier vibrated through the ancient stones around them. Leaning in close, Maki dropped her voice to a rough whisper.
"I told her to go stay with the Principal and the others," she murmured, her amber eyes scanning his expression. "She should be fine up there, right?"
Ren pulled a hand from his pocket, resting it lightly against her tense shoulder.
"Obviously."
Maki let out a slow, quiet breath. The rigid tension locking up her spine dropped a fraction. She closed her eyes for a split second, letting the reassurance actually sink in.
"Right." She nodded once, her grip on her cursed tool loosening.
Stepping away from his touch, she turned her attention back to the rest of the group.
Yuki clapped her hands together. The sharp sound echoed off the ancient stone, drawing everyone's focus to the massive wooden doors.
"Alright, listen up." Yuki pointed a thumb over her shoulder. "This is Tengen's Concealing Barrier. There are a thousand doors in here, and they constantly shuffle. Unless you're invited, picking the right one is impossible."
"We don't have time to play a guessing game." Nanami pushed off the wall, adjusting his glasses in the dim light. "Every hour we waste down here gives Noritoshi Kamo more time to advance the Culling Game."
"We don't need to guess."
Choso stepped forward, walking right past them to stand in front of the massive doors. He looked back over his shoulder, his eyes locking directly onto Yuji.
"The cursed warehouse is located on the path to the Tombs of the Star. That is where Jujutsu High keeps its most dangerous cursed objects." Choso pressed a hand flat against his own chest. "Including the remains of my six younger brothers. The Death Paintings are connected by blood. I can sense exactly where they are. I will guide us."
Yuki raised an eyebrow. Yuta and Megumi exchanged a quiet look.
Yuji rubbed the back of his neck and smiled. "Let's count on him, then. As my older brother."
Choso completely froze. His eyes widened, shining with instant, overwhelming joy. He turned sharply back toward the doors, practically vibrating with motivation.
"Leave it to me!"
Choso grabbed the heavy iron rings of a specific door and pulled. The ancient wood groaned loudly, revealing a dark, tunnel-like passage instead of a blank wall.
"Excellent." Nanami walked forward, taking the lead. "Let us proceed."
The group moved inside. They walked through a strange, underground forested path—the cursed warehouse Choso had mentioned—before finally reaching a heavy wooden elevator.
The ride down was completely quiet. When the elevator doors finally slid open, they stepped out into a sprawling, cavernous void. The floor was spotless white stone, stretching endlessly in every direction.
"There's nobody here." Megumi looked around the empty space.
"He's rejecting us." Yuki crossed her arms. "No... he's shutting me out."
Silence hung in the massive room. Nothing changed. No doors appeared.
Yuta turned back toward the elevator. "Let's go back. We can't do anything if he refuses to see us."
They turned around.
"Leaving so soon?"
The voice echoed across the white stone.
"Child of the Zen'in. Descendant of Michizane. Death Painting Womb. The Vessel of Sukuna."
A multi-eyed entity materialized at the center of the void, sitting on a raised platform.
"And you, Yuki Tsukumo." Master Tengen looked down at them. "Welcome."
The silence that followed Master Tengen's greeting was absolute.
For a moment, the group assumed the immortal sorcerer was simply waiting for them to speak. But then Tengen's strange, multi-eyed gaze shifted past Yuki, past Yuji, and locked squarely onto Ren.
He didn't speak. The silence stretched. The heavy, oppressive air of the white void grew suffocating under the weight of the entity's unblinking stare.
Megumi shifted uncomfortably, exchanging a wary glance with Yuta. Yuta's eyes narrowed, his thumb instinctively drifting toward the hilt of his katana. Beside Ren, Maki naturally stepped a half-pace forward, her grip tightening on her cursed tool as her tactical instincts flared.
"Um... what's going on?" Yuji whispered loudly, leaning toward Nanami.