"I can't believe it." Hakari says putting his head in his hand leaning on his leg.
"Yeah. I know." I say wiping away a tear that finally decided to fall.
"Man, I haven't been this bummed since an arrow stuck Yakul in the butt." Hakari says.
"Who?" Itadori asks.
"Not important. The important thing is how to finish this culling game once and for all." Hashi says.
"Well, I have a lead. The first step is getting Satoru back to us." I tell them.
"Well, what is it?" Itadori asks smiling.
"Actually that's why i'm here. I figured Hakari might help. Know a sorcerer that can disable a cursed objects ability or energy completely? Goes by the name 'Angel'." I ask.
He shakes his head, "no, never heard of anything like that. Only on people, like you." He says.
I sigh and slam my fist into the side of the table and stand up, "Fuck!!" I yell.
Hakari and Hashi are quiet for a moment before Hakari stands, "look, I'm sorry. I wish I could help. But we meant what we said. You were always good to us and we respect the hell out of you. Maybe I can help you track her down" he offers.
"Great idea Kin. Your fever'll get real hot helping them." Hashi says lovingly.
"Yeah, and I'll tell ya, my fever hasn't burned as hot as it did when I was at Jujutsu High fighting curses. Helping people." Hakari says smirking at Hashi.
"Yeah, I love when you're hot Kin." Hashi says using the nickname she gave him.
"Yo what?" Itadori says looking at me grossed out.
"Honestly, just ignore them." I tell him.
Hakari nods and looks to me, "alright, fine. I'll help you end this culling game and get Gojo back." Hakari says.
Just then, Panda bursts into the room followed by Megumi yelling and ready to take on anyone willing to challenge them.
"Sensei?" Panda says when he sees me.
"Naomi?" Megumi says walking up to me.
I grab him by the shoulder and hug him tightly.
"Oh no you two don't. I'm getting a hug." Panda says wrapping his furry arms around both of us and picking us off the floor and hugging tightly.
We both groan as we're crushed by his strength. Panda is a freak of nature. He's always been strong, even stronger than me at times. I just have better technique.
"Alright alright." Megumi says.
"Panda, too much." I tell him tapping his arm.
"Right, sorry." He says setting us down.
We both wipe the hair off of us and I let out a breath, "what are you doing here?" I ask Megumi.
"Hakari here is a powerful Sorcerer as you know. Tengen told us he's be a huge asset in the fight to come." He says.
"Yeah, well, don't get the wrong idea. After we help with the culling game, you guys gotta help me." Hakari says.
"You want the Jujutsu regulations revised right? Now that the existence of curse spirits is out, change of some sort is inevitable. What exactly do you want?" Panda asks.
"Whatever it is, I'm sure it can't be too crazy." Megumi adds.
"Huh?! What would you know sea urchin head?!" Hakari says outraged.
"I'm the head of the Zenin clan." Megumi says casually.
"What?!" Hakari, Hashi, and I all say in unison.
"When did this happen?" I ask.
"Not long ago. I'll explain later." He says.
"Whoa really?" Hashi says with wide eyes.
Hakari is silent for a moment before it looks like a lightbulb goes off above his head. No doubt he'll probably try to wear him down and get on his good side so the head of a major clan will back him on whatever scheme he's up to. Probably something to do with gambling knowing him.
"Sea urchin head!" He yells.
Megumi groans, "the name's Fushiguro."
"Fine, Fushiguro!" He says standing putting his hands together and smiling almost too innocently, "let's be buds."
I roll my eyes "You've been hanging around Todo too much."
"Oh no." Itadori groans. He must be worried Hakari will follow him around like Todo used to.
Suddenly, Kogane, the rule keeper of the culling game, comes out of nowhere.
"What the-" Itadori says.
"A player has added a new rule! Rule 9, Players shall have access to information on other players such as name, points, number of rules added, and current colony!" Kogane announces.
So now there are nine rules in total with ten 'colonies' the game takes place in all around Japan. The rules go like this.
Rule 1: Once a player has awakened their cursed technique, they must declare their participation in the Culling Game at the colony of their choice within 19 days.
Rule 2: Any player who breaks the previous rule will be subject to cursed technique removal.
Rule 3: Non-players who enter a colony become players at the moment of entry and will be considered to have declared participation in the Culling Game.
Rule 4: Players score points by ending the lives of other players.
Rule 5: The point value of a player's life is decided by the game master. As a general rule, sorcerers are worth 5 points and non-sorcerers are worth one point.
Rule 6: Excluding the point value of the player's own life, a player can expend 100 points to negotiate with the game master and add a new rule to the game.
Rule 7: In accordance with rule 6, the game master must accept any proposed new rule as long as it doesn't have a long-lasting effect on the game.
Rule 8: If a player's score remains the same for 19 days, they will be subject to cursed technique removal.
And now, there's rule 9. It's a sick, twisted ritual the cursed user I now know as Kenjaku is playing. His goal? To forcefully evolve the entirety of Japan's population.
I declared myself a player in the game a few days after Shibuya after my Kogane showed up. It was the only way i'd keep my cursed technique and greater strength. It was the only way I'd be able to get Satoru back to me. Like I've said before, I don't care what happens to me.
"What is that?" Megumi asks.
"I'm a Kogane! A liaison between the players and the game!" The shikigami says.
"Ugh, I hate these things." I say looking away.
"Right now, I am the liaison for Yugi Itadori." It says.
"Wait what? Itadori, you declared yourself a player?" I say looking at him quickly.
"What no I didn't. If I had to guess, I think Sukuna has something to do with this." He says.
"Possibly. He could have made it a part of his contract or a vow or something at some point." Megumi says.
"Yeah, maybe it has something to do with me ingesting the fingers. Probably to get back at me knowing him." Itadori says.
"Either way, somehow they've voluntold you to be in this game. Tell your Kogane to give us a list of players." I tell him.
"Yep!" Kogane says as it expands like a scroll revealing a digital list of names.
We look at the list and Megumi points out the player who just added the new rule. Hajime Kashimo.
"Wonder why they added that rule?" Itadori asks.
"Don't know." Megumi says thinking.
"Tell him to show players with 100 or more points. We may be able to add one or 'entice' someone to." I tell Itadori.
"Yeah, one that could make it possible to transfer points maybe? To bypass rule 8, maybe even by Tsumiki more time." Megumi says.
"Good thinking." I say.
"Okay, do that Kogane." Itadori says.
"As you wish." Kogane says showing three names.
Hajime Kashimo, Hiromi Higurama, and myself.
I'm at the top with 170 points.
"Sensei..." Itadori says.
"Leave it alone Itadori." Megumi whispers to him elbowing him in the side.
I don't look at him. I don't care what he thinks. They needed to die. They were scum. I promised to kill them all...
"Naomi, you have over 100 points." Panda says.
"Yeah, right." I say snapping out of my thoughts. "Kogane!" I yell as my Kogane comes into view.
"Yes!" It says.
"I want to add a rule." I say.
"Very well." It says.
"I want to add a rule allowing other players to transfer points to other players at will." I say.
It sits for a moment processing the request.
"Request accepted. The announcement will be made to all other players." It says.
"Alright, good. Now we just need to track down one of the other two players with 100 points or more and press them to add the rule for Tsumiki. Maybe one where you can spend points to get out of the game?" Megumi says.
"Unless that interfere's with the long lasting change to the game rule." Panda says.
"Yeah, you're right." Megumi says.
"We can work the details out later. Don't write that idea off completely though. First thing's first, let's ask Kogane where Angel is. If Satoru's back, then he can end the games for good." I say.
"Kogane, are there any players named Angel?" Itadori asks.
Kogane opens up and searches for a moment before showing up with nothing.
"I probably will only show her real name." Panda says.
"Master Tengen told us about her too. He said something about the Tokyo colony number 2 as the location." Megumi says.
"You know what she looks like?" Hakari asks.
"Supposedly, we'll know her when we see her." Megumi answers.
"Alright, Panda, Sensei Suzuki and I will head to Tokyo number 2. I'll take on this Kashimo player since I'm stronger. Panda, you have a strong nose. You focus on finding Angel. Of course I figured Sensei Suzuki will be going with you." Hakari says.
"She's a Gojo now." Panda corrects him.
"Oh no shit? Finally got with him after all this time. My apologies, and congratulations." He says bowing.
"It's fine Hakari." I say indifferently. All I can focus on is finding Angel. We have a lead. Panda can help. We have a chance at finding her and getting Satoru back. I miss him so much...
"Hashi, you stay on the outside of the barrier to keep an eye on things yeah?" Hakari says.
"Fine!" She whines.
"Alright, with that settled, Megumi and Itadori, you take Tokyo number one. Take on the other player while I'm busy with the other one. Whoever wins them over first can add the rule to save Tsumiki. Sound good Sensei?" Hakari asks looking to me for approval.
"Sounds solid to me." I say.
"Wait, maybe Fushiguro and I shouldn't be together. You know, cause of Sukuna?" Itadori says nervously.
"What?! Shut up." Megumi says rolling his eyes, "No one else can change their roles. Don't be so self centered."
"Self centered?! I'm just worried!" Itadori says.
"Well are you going to say that every time? It's annoying and a waste of time." Megumi says annoyed.
"Hey! No fighting!" Panda says.
"Alright, enough." I say seriously as both of them straighten up.
"Sorry Sensei." Itadori says.
"It's fine. Everyone know the plan?" I ask.
They all nod and look at each other confidently.
"Alright then. Let's head to my camp to rest up. Then tomorrow morning we'll go to the colonies." I say.
We head back to the house i've been staying in with Shoko and Niko. Finally we're close to finding Angel. So close to Satoru. So close...