Mahito was silent for a moment, then said respectfully,
"Satoru, I never knew the righteousness in your heart."
In the early and middle stages of the original work, Gojo Satoru could still demonstrate his righteousness for humanity, but when he fought Ryomen Sukuna, his statements directly overturned his previous beliefs.
Because when faced with the future of humanity and the future of his disciple Fushiguro Megumi, he chose Fushiguro Megumi's future.
Of course, from a reader's perspective, his choice was not wrong, but from the perspective of righteousness, he hesitated due to sentimentality, casting a shadow over the future of humanity.
When he had the greatest chance to kill Ryomen Sukuna, he chose to challenge him rather than attack immediately!
In the afterlife scene following Gojo Satoru's death in the original work, he even uttered the famous line, "I didn't make Sukuna use his full power. I didn't let him have his fill," completely destroying his earlier characterization.
Of course, Mahito and Gojo Satoru had exchanged blows, and knowing this was his arrogance could barely be excused.
But in the very end, he didn't even mention his disciple once before dying like that, which was the most broken part.
From this perspective, his righteousness seemed to be merely superficial pretense.
It was even difficult to find what he truly cared about in his death.
Although he himself also trained disciples and had clearly stated his intention to reform the Jujutsu World, he never brought up this topic in the afterlife, as if everything he had strived for his entire life was meaningless.
It was only at this moment that Mahito realized what he truly cared about.
"The balance of the Jujutsu World."
Mahito sighed.
"I never thought that a man as invincible as you would care so much about this."
Gojo Satoru heard Mahito's concession and smiled easily.
"You should care too. No matter how strong we are, even if I could spend some time making all humans on Earth disappear, we still want to eat good food, have fun, hope that the people around us are kind and sincere, hope that someone can understand our thoughts, and hope that someone can accompany us forward."
"Ordinary people are not unnecessary to us, because ordinary people are the perfect soil for the birth of Jujutsu Sorcerers. Because a massive ordinary population allows us to truly enjoy ourselves."
"Therefore, we must protect ordinary people. As strong individuals, we must not act recklessly."
"The balance between the Jujutsu World and ordinary society must not be broken!"
"Mahito, I believe you understand this principle."
Mahito suddenly remembered Utahime Iori's loud accusation when she was captured here by Kenjaku.
No wonder Utahime Iori believed in Gojo Satoru so much; even as a weak individual, Utahime Iori never worried that Gojo Satoru would resort to violence against the world.
Because Utahime Iori and Gojo Satoru were the same kind of people.
Although their strength differed greatly and their personalities were poles apart, they were true comrades, true fellow travelers.
"Of course I understand."
Mahito laughed.
"Then when are you coming to the Star Corridor?" Gojo Satoru said cheerfully, without a hint of worry that this matter might lead to his death in the future.
Mahito fully understood and admired this resolve from the bottom of his heart.
So, he said,
"Satoru, you're good at everything, except your brain isn't quite right."
Gojo Satoru on the other end of the phone was stunned.
"Late October, early November, Tengen must leave Japan, otherwise America will start a war. This is absolutely true."
Mahito said calmly,
"After that, I will launch a grand Apotheosis Ritual."
"I will turn the great Japanese barrier into the foundation of my Apotheosis Ritual."
"As long as Tengen is not in Japan, I have the ability to do this."
"You're crazy!"
Gojo Satoru's voice was filled with killing intent.
"I thought you inherited the spirit of Swordmaster Ashiya, at least being friendly to ordinary people. But now you're going to disregard the lives of ordinary people across Japan and rule the world with the tyranny of curses?!"
Normally, Gojo Satoru's judgment was correct.
He himself had just stated that even he could not truly replace Tengen as the overseer of the great Japanese barrier.
In fact, the very end of the original work also revealed a future without the great Japanese barrier.
The Itadori Yuji trio, almost the top team in the Jujutsu World, were frequently sent out to deal with insignificant minor Cursed Spirit incidents. Some weren't even Cursed Spirit incidents at all.
Why?
The great Japanese barrier no longer had a qualified overseer and had completely failed!
Post-ending Japan would inevitably become a cohabitation of Cursed Spirits, sorcerers, and ordinary people.
Everyone would be susceptible to Cursed Spirit attacks, new sorcerers would emerge endlessly, and ambitious individuals would no longer hide their intentions, plunging the entire Japanese society into unprecedented chaos.
Although the final chapter of the ending seemed warm, just from the events themselves and the people handling them, one could tell how dangerous future Japan would be.
This danger would continue until the great Japanese barrier completely shattered, the Cursed Energy cycle was broken, and ordinary people's Cursed Energy no longer dissipated into the atmospheric cycle.
In that future, hundreds or thousands of years from now, sorcerers would completely become legends.
Before then, Japan would inevitably suffer endless destruction from Cursed Energy.
That's why Gojo Satoru said Mahito was crazy, and that Mahito intended to rule the world with the tyranny of curses.
Because this future was entirely predictable.
Gojo Satoru didn't even need to use the Six Eyes; he could deduce it purely through his own reasoning.
"Do you think I'm crazy?" Mahito asked with a smile.
After a silence of about a second or two, Gojo Satoru's voice replied with complexity,
"I thought you were very calm and possessed the aura of invincible benevolence."
"If you weren't a Cursed Spirit, I think we would have been fellow travelers who shared everything. It's the gap between our races that forced us to face each other as enemies."
"You shouldn't be someone who disregards the innocent; you should be a benevolent monarch. Even your reign over the world would make it a better place."
Mahito could tell Gojo Satoru was sincere and had made a firm judgment. Such high praise had never come even from those around him. If he didn't know Gojo Satoru wasn't that kind of person, he would have thought it was flattery.
"You really have a high opinion of me."
"You are worthy of such an evaluation," Gojo Satoru said solemnly. "You shouldn't be a madman."
Mahito looked around, and everyone was looking at him with absolute trust.
Unknowingly, Mahito felt a heavy pressure—a pressure called responsibility.
Gojo Satoru bore the future of Japan on his shoulders; wasn't Mahito now also bearing the trust of everyone present?
Jogo, Hanami, Dagon, and the Cursed Womb: Death Painting trio hoped to walk proudly on the main road in the new world.
Kinji Hakari hoped to sweep away corruption in the new world.
Ashiya Magon hoped that from then on, no one would ever look down on swordsmanship in the new world.
Tsumiki Fushiguro hoped to have a final reckoning with Ryomen Sukuna.
Although Toji Fushiguro didn't say it, Mahito could see that he also harbored certain expectations for the new world, presumably wanting to never encounter the mess of the Zenin Family again.
The five second-generation Intelligent Cursed Spirits also hoped to find their place in the new world.
Even the madman Kenjaku, didn't he also look forward to that future of jujutsu prosperity in the new world?
Mahito's heart stirred slightly, and he made a decision.
"Make a Binding Vow with me, Satoru," Mahito said solemnly. "In our future battle, regardless of who wins or loses, the subordinates and friends of both sides will become the other's strength. This way, no matter what, the current Jujutsu World will be overturned."
Mahito judged that Gojo Satoru would inevitably agree to this condition, because by Mahito's side there were not only Cursed Spirits and Curse Users, but also Kinji Hakari and Tsumiki Fushiguro!
Both Kinji Hakari and Tsumiki Fushiguro had deep connections with Gojo Satoru. Even without a Binding Vow, Gojo Satoru could never abandon these two if possible.
This condition was also beneficial for Gojo Satoru.
On the other hand, Mahito believed Gojo Satoru would also run simulations of defeat for their future battle.
Although he knew Mahito's personality wouldn't lead to a massacre, he would also worry that his friends and disciples might create a rift with the victor, Mahito, to the point that Mahito might eventually kill them.
If there were no conditions, that would be one thing, but now that there were, Gojo Satoru would certainly consider this.
As Mahito expected, Gojo Satoru didn't hesitate for a moment and immediately said:
"I promise you. Including the Intelligent Cursed Spirits by your side, as long as I live, I will never allow anyone to move against them in the name of a greater cause!"
"Furthermore, you have my disciple Kinji Hakari by your side, as well as Tsumiki Fushiguro, the sister of my other disciple Megumi. Even if you didn't say it, I would still protect them."
It worked!
"Then I also promise that even if you are killed by me in the future, I will protect your friends and disciples, including your mentor, your friends, your disciples, and your family," Mahito said without hesitation.
"In the future where I win, I will never treat your core circle with prejudice. I will show mercy, kindness, and trust. No matter what they choose in the future, I will not obstruct them."
At this very moment, both Mahito and Gojo Satoru suddenly had a sense of realization.
The words spoken and the resolutions made were heard by the heavens.
The Binding Vow was established.
At the same time, Kenjaku's expression changed drastically.
Gojo Satoru could be clearly heard letting out a breath on the other end, and he laughed.
"This way, you can be at peace, right? Can you tell me the reason for your 'madness' now?"
"Ah, this way I don't have to worry about triggering the Binding Vow either," Mahito replied with a chuckle. "Then let me tell you why I did this. Well, actually, if you were calmer, you could have guessed it."
"What?"
"Do you think I'm really a madman?"
This was the second time Mahito asked, but while the last time was solemn and like an interrogation, this time it was full of playfulness, like a prank between friends.
Gojo Satoru frowned deeply.
"I already answered that once; of course you aren't."
"So, what are you still doubting?" Mahito asked.
"Why don't you believe that I can truly manage the great Japanese barrier after losing Tengen?"
Gojo Satoru's thoughts raced, and he suddenly realized.
"You have a Barrier Master by your side who can rival Tengen! He can ensure the great Japanese barrier continues to operate stably! Who is it?"
"Who?"
Kenjaku kept a dark face and didn't say a word.
"The subversion of the Jujutsu World has become a reality," Mahito said with a smile.
"You personally helped me release my shackles."
"Get ready, Satoru, because of you, I have completely broken free."
"My Apotheosis Ritual will surely be more intense and far-reaching than you imagine..."
"Satoru, your Binding Vow has allowed the Hidden Dragon to Ascend to Heaven!"
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