The Culling Game (Rules)
1.After awakening a cursed technique, players must declare their participation in the culling game at a barrier of their choice within 19 days.
2.Any player who breaks the previous rule shall be subject to cursed technique removal.
3.Non-players who enter the barrier become players at the moment of entry and shall be considered to have declared participation in the culling game,
4.Players score points by ending the lives of other players
5.Points are determined by the game master and indicate the value of a player's life. As a general rule, sorcerers are worth 5 points and non-sorcerers are worth 1 point.
6.Excluding the point value of a player's own life, players may expend 100 points to negotiate with the game master to add one new rule to the culling game.
7.In accordance with the previous rule, the game master must accept any proposed new rule unless it has a marked and long-lasting effect on the culling game
8.If a player's score remains the same for 19 days, that player shall be subject to cursed technique removal.
Naoya sat with his father, Naobito, the former drinking tea while the latter drank some booze from a gourd, "Pfft I still can't believe your handicap now." The son chuckled looking where his father's right arm used to be. The older man scoffed, "Shut up brat, I can still kick your ass in a fight." The father argued making the young boy give him a closed eye smile. "Ya know father, I think it's time for me to take the position of new head." Naoya started which made his father chuckle, "Oi I'm still alive and I'm not planning on dying anytime soon." Naobito said finishing his booze and wiping his mouth with his sleeve. "Truth but as you are now, I believe you should step down and let your dear old son take over. Whether you like it or not." The son stated but before the old man could say anything blood started to drip down his nose as he started coughing out blood, "Wha-?" "Finally, it taking effect." Naoya cut his father off as he looked at his son shocked. "H-How?" he asked feeling himself getting weaker and weaker, "Since you like alcohol so much I decided to put some poison in your gourd." The young sorcerer explained with a smirk as his father fell to his side nearing death, Naoya called to the people outside as they rushed in and grabbed the clan head as they went to the doctors in the compound.
The next day Naoya was walking with an older woman behind him, "That girl Mai, is she around?" Naoya asked his escort who kept her face neutral, "Worry about the head of the clan right now. But I believe both her and Maki are still at Jujutsu High." The woman said, making the boy chuckle. "Maki may be pretty but she's unacceptable. She doesn't know how to support a man. Any woman who can't walk three steps behind a man should get stabbed in the back and die." The sorcerer said to which the woman kept quiet to, "In that respect, Mai is great. She's got the same face as Maki and is just as buxom. Though she acts tough, she knows she's a woman." The young man added as he slides the door open and entered a room where two older men were.
"You're late. What have you been doing? As we speak, your father is on deaths door." Ogi said while Jinichi said nothing, the younger on the three chuckled, "Sorry but it doesn't matter if I come or not because the next head of the Zenin clan is me. My older brothers are all losers and you, my uncle, haven't amounted to much despite being his little brother, his daughter is out of the question. As for Jinichi, well your face is no good, too bad you and Toki's places aren't reversed." Naoya said before dodging an uppercut from Jinichi which gave Ogi a chance to put his katana against the boy's neck, "Please, daddy's hovering at death's door. Why can't we all get along?" the young man asked with a smug smile.
"I see everyone is here. Master Naobito Zenin, the head of the Zenin clan has passed away." A short, old man said walking into the room, "I, Furudate, am in possession of his will. According to master Naobito's wishes, I am to read the will when Ogi, Jinichi and Naoya Zenin are all present." Furudate said as he sat on his knees on a pillow on the ground, "If there are no objections, I will now read the will. The 27th head of the Zenin clan is to be Naoya Zenin. Naoya is to inherit all assets, including the cursed tools stored in the Tokyo Prefectural Jujutsu High School and Zenin family cursed warehouse. Upon approval by either Ogi or Jinichi Zenin, Naoya may take over all duties." The old man explained making the young man click his tongue.
"However, if Satoru Gojo has died or become mentally incapacitated for any reason, a written agreement concluded with Toji Fushiguro will welcome Megumi Fushiguro into the Zenin clan whereupon he shall become the head of the Zenin clan and all assets shall pass to him." Furudate added making the grade 1 sorcerer glare at him deadly, "What?" he asked in a voice matching his face. "That was the agreement but as of now, Megumi Fushiguro is incapable of taking the position hence as originally stated, Naoya Zenin is the 27th head of the Zenin clan."
--
Yuji and Yuta opened a hatch door leading to an underground room, inside was Choso, Yuki and Maki who to the surprise of the boys had short hair. "Yuta, long time, no see but not really." Maki said with her hands in her pockets while Yuki waved on the couch, "Choso, you said you had a way to enter Tengen's barrier, right?" Yuji as his older brother who nodded. "Between the doors and the tomb, lies the cursed warehouse where Jujutsu High stores cursed tools and objects. It holds the remains of my younger brothers Noranso, Sho-oso, Tanso, Sanso, Kotsuso and Shoso. Even if they are remains, with the six together, a side effect of my cursed technique should provide some guidance." Choso explained making Yuki nod with a smile, glancing at the cursed spirit.
"That's fine but you still haven't properly introduced him, first year." Maki said looking at Yuji who scratched his head and looked down, "I can't really explain much but you can think of him as my older brother." The boy explained making Choso's eyes widen as he snapped his head to his older brother who gave him a small smile. Without wasting anymore time the group walked up the stairs and went to another room which had a large black door at the end of the room, "There, without a doubt, my brothers sleep beyond those doors. Let's open them." Choso said as he and Yuji opened the door to find a black forested area with large creepy trees with no leaves. "Let's go. Deep in, there's an elevator to the tomb." The curse said as the group followed him, a few minutes later they reached a warehouse where Choso stopped in front of and placed his hand on the door, "I'll return. Wait just a little longer."
The group went down the elevator and stopped at the bottom floor where they continued to walk from passing some blood stains on the ground, "Bloodstains? What happened here?" Yuji asked glancing back at the dry blood. "It was 11 years ago. Now that I think about it, that's when everything began to get distorted." Yuki said making the others confused, "All right, everyone, the main shrine is through here." The girl added before going into the room and cussing under her breath as they found nothing there. "Is this the main shrine? There's nothing here." The first year said looking around the room while Yuki glared forward, "No it's rejecting us. Tengen doesn't interfere with this world but I thought contact was possible now that the six eyes are sealed. I was too optimistic." The special grade woman said leaving a heavy atmosphere on the group. "Let's head back." Yuta suggested as the group got ready to turn around. "Leaving so soon? It's a pleasure to meet you child of the Zenin, Michizane's descendant, death painting womb and descendant of Futsunushi." A humanoid cursed spirit with four eyes said looking at Maki, Yuta, Choso then Yuji.
"Descendant of Futsunushi?" Yuji scratched his head wondering what that meant, "Aren't you gonna say hello to me, Tengen?" Yuki asked the spirit while the others were shocked, seeing as this was the person they were looking for. "This isn't the first time we've met, Yuki Tsukumo." Tengen said their face staying the same, "Why did you close off the tombs of the Star corridor?" the blond asked fully turning to the spirit, "I was afraid you might be in alignment with Kenjaku. After all, I cannot see into the human heart." "Kenjaku?" Yuki asked with a glare. "The sorcerer who was once Noritoshi Kamo and is now inhabiting the body of Suguru Geto." Tengen explained which made Yuki click her tongue, "The name suggests compassion and salvation. Gimme and break." "Master Tengen, why do you look like that?" Yuji interjected making the spirit chuckle, "I maybe immortal but I'm not immune to aging. After 500 years, you'd look like this too. Eleven years ago, after failing to merge with a star plasma vessel my aging accelerated and my self-awareness as an individual diminished. The vert world became me."
"We came to ask about Kenjaku's objectives and how to open the prison realm, will you tell us what you know?" Yuta finally asked making the spirit stay silent for a moment before answering, "I wish I could simply say yes but there is one condition. Yuta Okkotsu, Yuki Tsukumo, the death painting womb and Yuji Itadori. Two of you must remain here to serve as my guards." Tengen explained confusing the group, "Guards? Aren't you immortal?" Yuta questioned, "No fair! You haven't even told us why or for how long we'd have to do it!" Yuki whined but the two were ignored. "So then, shall I speak of Kenjaku? His objective is to force the evolution of all human beings throughout the land of Japan." Tengen explained as the group listened closely, "Why didn't Kenjaku use your barrier that time and turn everyone in Japan into sorcerers via idle transfiguration?" Maki asked curiously.
"He lacks the cursed energy to do that. Cursed energy that has been refined through Uzumaki cannot return to the sorcerer. Triggering an evolution in each individual with a cursed technique is incredibly inefficient. The method of evolution that Kenjaku has chosen is the merging of humankind and me." The spirit dropped the bomb shell leaving everyone shaken, "Is that even possible? Isn't that impossible for anyone but a Star Plasma vessel?" Choso wondered as he rubbed his chin. "Yes, the way I was before. But now that I have evolved for the past 11 years it would not be impossible for me to merge with someone other than a Star Plasma vessel."
"How can you merge with multiple people?" "I am not what you see before you at the moment. My evolved soul exists all around us. As I said, my self is now the world itself. A human who merges with me transforms into something greater than a sorcerer, as a new being that is both there and not there. I possess barrier techniques, so I am able to maintain this form and self-control even after evolving. However, if humankind evolves and even if only one person rages out of control, the world will end. There would be no boundaries between individuals, so evil would spread instantaneously. The impurity of a hundred million people would floor the world, what just happened to Tokyo would happen to the entire world." Tengen look at it's hand with narrow eyes and sighed. "Why would Kenjaku do that?" Yuji's face turned to one of anger. "I do not know. As I said, I cannot read the human heart and I cannot refuse to merge now that I have evolved, I am more cursed spirit than human being. That makes me a target for cursed spirit manipulation." Now this caused everyone's eyes to widen.
"Considering Kenjaku's ability as a sorcerer, he might be able to seize me the moment we encounter each other. That is my main body is rejecting everything at the tombs of the Star corridor which is why I need guards. Kenjaku is the second most powerful barrier user after me, I do not know when he will undo the seal on the tombs." "Why now? Kenjaku prevented a merging with a Star Plasma Vessel and forced your evolution and wants to consume and control you though cursed manipulation. Apparently, he was involved with Sukuna, so he's been a sorcerer for at least 1000 years, so why now!?" Yuki asked as the spirit paused the explanation making it narrow it's eyes at the special grade. "I, the Star Plasma Vessel and the six eyes are all connected by fate. In the past, Kenjaku has twice lost to sorcerers of the six eyes. The second time, he took no chances and killed the Star Plasma Vessel and six eyes less than one month after they were born. Nonetheless, on the day of merging, the six eyes and Star Plasma Vessel appeared. After that, Kenjaku switched to sealing instead of eradicating the six eyes and began searching for the prison realm because two bearers of the six eyes cannot appear at the same time."
"But then the unexpected happened 11 years ago when Toji Zenin intervened. He was physically gifted through heavenly restriction and on top of that, he was an anomaly who had escaped from cursed energy. As a human being who had escaped fate through the power of restriction, he destroyed our destinies. Then came along a boy with cursed spirit manipulation. Suddenly, all the pieces had come together except for the prison realm. Then even that fell into his hands six years ago." Tenge walked around the group, almost lost in their thoughts. "Then what's the point of the culling game?" Maki asked making the spirit stop and look at each of them in the eyes, "It is like breaking I the body prior to merging. It is not impossible to merge with someone other than a Star Plasma Vessel but it is highly unlikely and would be incomplete at present. The Culling Game uses the players' cursed energy and the boundaries binding barriers in a ritual for conveying the human beings of this country to the other side. Through that custom, he will begin the merging with me. However, in order to perform such a ritual, Kenjaku has undertaken certain binding vows."
"One stipulates that he is not the game master, however, this does not work in your favor because the Culling Game will not end even if you kill him. The game will continue until all the players are dead or all the players refuse participation and die. The clause mentioning long-lasting additions to the rules ensures that nothing can interrupt the ritual." Yuta scratched his chin thinking of what the spirit said, "So we have no choice but to participate in the Culling Game and add a rule whereby other unwilling participants can get out. We need to free Gojo sensei, I'm sure he can settle everything." "First, decide who stays." Tengen interjected as the group looked at each other before Choso and Yuki walked forward, "I will stay." The said as the same time surprising the group. "Thank you. This is necessary for freeing Satoru Gojo. It is the back of the prison realm." The spirit said as a portal opened next to it where she pulled out a box that looked like the prison realm. "You mean the back gate?"
"Yes, that is right. Before Kenjaku found it, the prison realm was outside my barrier. I believe it was overseas. By sealing this rear gate, I was hiding the existence of the front nut it was no use. No, the authority to open the gate rests with Kenjaku as the bearer of the front. Breaking it open requires either the Inverted Spear of Heaven that nullifies cursed techniques or the black rope that disrupts and cancels cursed technique effects. But Satoru Gojo sealed or destroyed the Inverted Spear of Heaven 11 years ago and last year he got rid of all the black rope." While the other's complained about the special grade's foolishness, Yuji's eyes widened in realization. "Uh guys.." this caused everyone to look at Yuji who scratched his cheek, "I can confirm that Gojo sensei destroyed the Inverted Spear of Heaven about 3 months ago but before he did... he allowed me to trace it." He said making the group come to the same realization, "You mean..." "Trace on." The first year extended his hand as he materialized his Inverted Spear of Heaven. "Holy shit." Maki said as he grabbed the weapon and examined it, in interest and astonishment. Tengen placed it's hand on it's mouth as they chuckled, "Your cursed technique is truly amazing, as expected of the descendent of Futsunushi." This comment caught more of the boy's curiosity.
"Master Tengen, why do you keep calling that? How am I related to this Futsunushi person and what kind of person was he?" Yuji asked catching the other's attention as they also wondered why he was called that. "Ah yes, I forgot that his name was forgotten throughout the years. Futsunushi also known as Katori Daimyojin, long ago at the peak of Jujutsu he was given the tittle of God of swords and warfare for his incredible strategic mind and his almost Godlike skills of swordsmanship and other weapons. That with the addition of his cursed technique which was said to create a infinite amount varied swords, and his massive pool of cursed energy made him an formidable man. Although alone and without a clan, he possessed a serious threat towards the Kamo, Zenin and Gojo clan with only the Gojo clan being able to at least come close to his power level. During the later years of his life, he fell in love with a girl from a commoner family and eventually grew old with her, he was able to reach his 70's to the surprise of many however that's when he caught wind of a cursed spirit that was a threatened the existence of all human kind. As you all can guess that cursed spirit was the King of Curses, Ryomen Sukuna, so Futsunushi even in his old age challenged the cursed spirit and was almost able to defeat him however during the final moments of the battle his heart gave and he passed before he could finish the job. His children had already moved far away and continued to live on under their mother's surname which was Itadori." Tengen explained leaving the group astonished.
"No wonder you were able to pick up on weapons so fast and easy." Maki commented handing back the dagger to its owner, "Jesus that's a lot of information for one day." Yuji said his mind feeling like it was going to explode from the amount of information he received. "Let's... let's think about that at a later date, we should free Gojo sensei." Yuta said with a sweat drop as the group nodded, "Wait, who's going to open it?" the first year asked as they looked at each other before looking at Yuji who sweat dropped, "Me?" "Hey, you have the best durability out of everyone so if something happens, you'll be fine." Yuki said patting the boy on the shoulder to which he sighed and grabbed the back of the prison realm and walked a bit far from the group. "Here we go." Yuji threw the box in the air before cutting it in half with the Inverted Spear of Heaven as it exploded and blasted the boy crashing into a wall, "Owww" he whined as they looked to where the box was to see nothing.
They stood confused for a second wondering what happened when they felt an earthquake for some seconds before it stopped, "What the-." "Insane, am I right?" a voice cut the group off as they turned around to see Satoru Gojo standing there with his Jujutsu jacket in shreds, "Yo, did you miss me?" Gojo asked with a smile before Maki, Yuta and Yuji engulfed him in a hug making the man laugh. "Sooooo what I miss?" everyone else looked at each other and started explaining the events until now, "I see... Nobara and Megumi huh..." the teacher gave a dissatisfied look before smiling at everyone, "I understand. You guys relax, I'll handle things from here." Gojo said as he was about to teleport away when Yuji stood in front of him with a serious look that surprised the man. "How long are you going to take on the burden of everything alone sensei? When are you going to stop trying to handle things on your own? When are you going to stop the title of being the strongest define you and the actions you take?" Yuji pressed the man who was left stunned as a memory from long ago flashed through his mind, "Tell me, are you the strongest because you're Satoru Gojo or does being the strongest make you Satoru Gojo?"
"Yuji I-." "No sensei, it's time for you to put some of your burdens on the people you trust the most." Yuji continued silencing his teacher who stopped and look at his three students, "He's right sensei... We all relied on you to fix everything without thinking about how you felt or what you wanted. I'm sorry for that sensei." Yuta said feeling and sounding disappointed in himself as he joined the first year in front of their teacher. "Same here... Gojo sensei, it's time for you to take the backseat on this one and let us handle things this time." Maki joined her schoolmates in front and stared at the man who stood there taking in everything his students said. "If you still want to do things alone, then you'll have to get through us." Yuji stated as he summoned Playful Cloud while handing Maki the Inverted Spear of Heaven, Yuta drew his katana and put his ring on ready to call for Rika.
Gojo stood there silent, looking at his students who were ready and willing to fight him for his sake. After a whole minute he chuckled and shook his head, "Jesus how'd I get stubborn students like you?" the teacher asked as he ruffled their heads, "Fiiinnneee, I'll let you guys take this one so don't disappoint me." Gojo said making the students sigh in relief. "So how are we going to deal with the civilians who are inside a barrier and the people who don't want to participate in the Culling Game?" Yuji asked running his chin in wonder, "The is no rule about entering or exiting barrier colonies, from the start, players receive the clear objective of exiting the barriers. I suppose that is for stimulating the game in order to confine the players, the premise that they entered of their own free will is important." Tengen explained, "So that's the 'increase or decrease' of barrier effectiveness that Ino mentioned." Yuji said remembering the explanation the older boy had given during the Shibuya Incident.
"What about the Game Master?" Yuki asked with a hand on her hip, "Each player will receive a shikigami called a Kogane, but a Kogane is less Game Master than interface. You may think of the Game Master as the Culling Game's Program." The group looked over the 6th and 7th rule of the Culling game, "6. Excluding the point value of a player's own life, players may expend 100 points to negotiate with the game master to add one new rule to the culling game." "Add? We can't subtract rules that already exist huh." The blond girl said looking at the rule, "But maybe there are roundabout ways to counteract rules." Gojo suggested making the other think about it. "7. In accordance with the previous rule, the game master must accept any proposed new rule unless it has a marked and long-lasting effect on the culling game" "Is that fair?" Choso asked rhetorically, "Yeah, that gives the Game Master a lot of leeway." Maki added annoyed,
"Actually, you may expect an equitable decision. The players are subjected to strict rules. Sorcery-wise, Kenjaku is due no further bias." Tengen said pointing at the last rule "8. If a player's score remains the same for 19 days, that player shall be subject to cursed technique removal." "I see.." Yuji muttered as he ran his hand through his hair, already preparing himself to kill people. "Well, that's the info we've got, now we each have a role to play. Since Gojo sensei is here, he's going to be the one to remain and guard master Tengen plus this will make sure he doesn't do anything stupid." Maki said making the white-haired man pout, "I have no objections with that." Tengen said since having Satoru Gojo guarding them will ensure that they will be safe no matter what happens. "I'll sneak into the Zenin clan and collect cursed tools. Soon after sensei was sealed the Kamo and Zenin clans cleared out Jujutsu High's cursed warehouse. Since I have no cursed energy, it'll be easier for me to sneak in unnoticed but first, Master Tengen?" the girl continued before looking at the cursed spirit, "A way into the Zenin clan and Juzo Kumiya's workshop, right?" Tengen guessed as the second year nodded.
"Afterwards, I'll find Panda, Todo and Nanami and help address the game. And how about you two?" Maki looked at Yuki and Yuta, "We'll enter a colony right away to take part in the game. Before the others participate, I want to gather information. We're going to avoid nearby colonies so we don't end up killing each other and just in case something happens. Barriers may block phone reception, so we maybe out of touch for a while." Yuta explained making the blond woman wrap her arm the boy smirking. "Alright, Choso and Yuji will go find Kinji." "Kinji?" Yuji asked confused. "Kinji Hakari, a suspended third year. Anyway, we're shorthanded so we gotta rope in whoever we can." Maki finished, the group said their goodbye to the Tokyo teacher before going their separate ways. "What do you have to do here anyways? You have a TV? Games? Movies? Anything to read? Just something to pass the time?" Gojo questioned Tengen who sighed, already regretting their decision.