"Don't worry."
"By the time I return, it will be the moment Gojo-sensei is unsealed."
The voice was as calm as a stagnant pool.
Through Mechamaru's only remaining micro-communication device, it reached everyone's ears clearly.
No fear, no despair.
There was even a faint hint of a smile.
As if the person about to be exiled to the end of time wasn't him.
But a traveler about to embark on a long journey, bidding a final farewell to friends.
The outskirts of Shibuya.
Yuji Itadori, Megumi Fushiguro, and Nobara Kugisaki, who were waiting anxiously, along with Kento Nanami, Mei Mei, and the others.
Everyone's movements froze at that instant.
That was Yoru's voice.
The voice of the young man who was usually gently smiling, yet as reliable as a god in critical moments.
But at this moment.
His voice carried a tone of finality.
Before they could even react, the communication was completely cut off in a burst of harsh static.
The boy's presence also vanished entirely at that moment.
As if he had been erased from this world by some irresistible force.
Meanwhile, at the Shibuya Station B5F platform.
With the disappearance of Yoru and the Prison Realm, the originally violent space-time vortex finally subsided.
Leaving behind only a mess on the ground and the Shiranui, still stuck in the floor, burning with a faint flame.
Kenjaku (the Brain) struggled to crawl up from the ground.
Though he had lost an arm and half his body was scorched, his mood at this moment was more joyful than ever before.
"Hahahaha!"
"Finally..."
"The two biggest nuisances are both dealt with!"
He looked at the spot where Yoru had disappeared, the madness in his eyes no longer hidden.
Although the result was somewhat unexpected—the Prison Realm along with Satoru Gojo had been swept into the space-time turbulence instead of falling into his hands.
But perhaps this was a better outcome.
"The seal of the Prison Realm is powerful, but there's always a possibility it could be broken."
"But being exiled to the end of time..."
"That is an eternal death sentence!"
A cruel smile curled at the corner of Kenjaku's mouth.
Without the Prison Realm, it meant no one could find Satoru Gojo's coordinates.
Even that monster with the Six Eyes could never break through the space-time barrier on his own.
"Goodbye, Satoru Gojo."
"And that annoying brat."
"Still, those last words were truly irritating."
Kenjaku narrowed his eyes, recalling Yoru's "wait for my return" before he vanished.
Although logic told him that those exiled by the Sands of Time could never return, that boy had performed too many miracles, leaving a thorn in his heart.
"Uraume, we need to accelerate the next phase."
Kenjaku turned his head, his tone turning cold.
"We cannot give those people at Jujutsu High any room to breathe."
"Understood."
Uraume nodded. Although he didn't think the boy could ever return, he was always obedient to Kenjaku's caution.
"Additionally, it's time to start collecting the fingers of Lord Sukuna."
"Before that..."
Kenjaku suddenly stopped, a malicious smile appearing on his lips.
He pulled several Special Grade Cursed Objects from his wide sleeves.
"Since the stage is set, how can we go on without an audience and supporting actors?"
"Let's make this feast even more lively."
Pop!
As he crushed the cursed objects in his hand, a massive wave of cursed energy instantly spread.
Countless black portals opened in every corner of Shibuya.
Roar!!!
Thousands of cursed spirits he had hidden away swarmed out like beasts from a cage.
"Go wild to your hearts' content."
"Turn this place into a literal living hell."
After finishing this, Kenjaku turned around with satisfaction.
"Let's go, Uraume."
Although heavily injured, his presence was steadily rising.
"Take my arm and these Special Grade Cursed Objects."
"We're leaving!"
"The Culling Game..."
"It's time to pull back the curtain!"
Uraume stepped out from the shadows, his expression looking somewhat grim.
Yoru's strike from earlier hadn't hit him directly, but the terrifying heat had still caused significant internal damage.
But now that the monster had disappeared, things would be much simpler from here on.
"Yes."
Uraume nodded, picked up the severed arm and the Special Grade Cursed Objects, and supported Kenjaku as they prepared to depart.
However, just as they were about to step into the teleportation array.
Kenjaku suddenly stopped, his gaze falling on the Shiranui stuck in the ground.
That blade.
Although it had lost its master's control.
The flames on it had never extinguished; instead, they grew more intense as time passed.
As if mocking his incompetence.
"Hmph!"
Kenjaku snorted coldly, wariness flickering in his eyes.
"This blade..."
"Leaving it here would be a nuisance."
He raised his hand, intending to destroy the Special Grade Cursed Tool.
But at that moment, a terrifying killing intent suddenly erupted from the blade.
Boom!
Crimson flames soared into the sky, forcing Kenjaku back several steps.
That was the will left behind by Yoru, as well as the divine pressure inherent to the Yoriichi Tsugikuni template.
Even if its master was gone.
This blade would never allow any evil thing to touch it!
"Dammit!"
Kenjaku's expression changed.
He could feel that without paying a heavy price, he couldn't destroy this sword.
And right now, he had no power to spare.
"Forget it."
"It's just a sword without a master."
"It won't amount to anything."
Kenjaku grit his teeth and finally abandoned the idea of destroying the blade.
He took one last look at the place still burning and then turned away.
He and Uraume completely vanished from the B5F level.
Leaving behind only the lonely Shiranui, standing silently in the ruins, waiting for its master's return.
Above Shibuya.
The originally pitch-black night sky suddenly split open.
A beam of golden sunlight spilled down through the clouds.
Though it only lasted an instant, it illuminated the entirety of Tokyo.
It was the light before dawn, the prologue to a new era.
Though Satoru Gojo was sealed, and though Yoru had vanished.
Just as the young man had said at the end.
"Don't worry."
"By the time I return..."
The story has only just begun.
Meanwhile, at the Jujutsu General Headquarters in Kyoto.
Those Rotten Oranges who usually acted high and mighty were currently staring fixedly at the latest intelligence on the monitors.
"Satoru Gojo has been sealed?!"
"Yoru... has also disappeared?"
After a brief silence, the meeting room didn't erupt in panic; instead, it was filled with a weird, oppressive ecstasy.
"What an opportunity!"
An elderly voice spoke with a tremble.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance!"
"Without Satoru Gojo's suppression, and without that rule-breaking variable Yoru..."
"The jujutsu world can finally return to its proper path!"