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This chapter can be count as sequel from chapter 4. I hope you guys like it!

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"I thought for a moment that he might have sensed Sukuna's finger in the storeroom," Sota breathed a sigh of relief, his hand resting on his chest. "Almost gave me a heart attack."

"No one can sense Sukuna's finger, Sota," grandpa reassured him, "at least, not for sorcerers."

'Except for you maybe, grandpa.' Kagome thought. Recalling the peculiar detour her grandfather had requested earlier, she remembered how it had led them to a remote area outside the city. Without warning, they were ambushed by a cursed spirit – one grade, according to her grandfather's keen observation. In a matter of seconds, Kagome wielded her bow and warded off the cursed creature, her heart racing as she realized the danger they had narrowly avoided.

But then she just noticed that her grandfather had vanished in the chaos, leaving her momentarily bewildered. Yet just as anxiety threatened to overwhelm her, her grandfather reappeared moments later with a wave of his hand, seemingly unfazed by Kagome worried for him. As he got closer to her, she realized he brought something that had foul stench on and the aura that made her skin crawl.

That's how she knows that his penchant to pick up the cursed objects extended to even the dreaded Sukuna finger. How he managed it remained a mystery.

"Now that Gojo has already left. Bring out the box that you bought earlier from the storeroom Sota," Grandpa's voice broke through Kagome' reverie, pulling her back to the present moment.

"What will you do with it, Grandpa?" Sota's curiosity was palpable as he prepared to carry out his task.

"You'll see soon enough," Grandpa replied cryptically, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

Sota glanced at his sister for insight, but she merely shrugged, signaling him to follow their grandfather's instructions. With a resigned nod, Sota set off to retrieve the box, leaving Kagome with her grandpa.

It only took a moment for Sota to return with the box, his brow furrowed in concentration, and Grandpa stepped forward. With a flourish of his hand, he revealed the contents to be a simple wooden box, its surface darkened with age. As Sota cautiously lifted the lid, a putrid stench wafted out, causing Kagome to recoil.

Inside the box, nestled among layers of ragged cloth, was Sukuna's finger. It was grotesque, a twisted length of bone and sinew, glistening with a glittering slime. Kagome felt her stomach churn, but her gaze was fixed on the cursed object. She had heard legends of Sukuna's finger, of its power and the madness it could inspire, but seeing it in person was a whole different matter.

Grandpa watched her reaction, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Quite the sight, isn't it, Kagome?" he murmured. "It's not everyday one gets to see something so… unique."

Kagome shook her head, trying to clear the images from her mind. Yet, even as revulsion coursed through her, a strange sense of fascination held her in place. She reached out with a trembling hand, the finger was colder than anything she had ever touched, a bone-chilling coldness that seeped through her skin. It felt wrong, unnatural, and yet, a part of her was compelled to examine it closer.

As Kagome turned the finger over in her hands, she was struck by its intricate details. The bone was irregular, resembling the texture of weathered stone. Despite its grotesque appearance, a strange sense of awe washed over Kagome. She had seen the results of curses, demons, and even possessed spirits, but this… this was something different, something older and more primal.

Sota stood by, watching his sister in silence. He too was caught under Sukuna's spell, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and fascination. Grandpa merely watched, a satisfied smile on his face.

Kagome finally looked up, meeting her grandfather's gaze. "I think I kind of understand why that boy… I don't remember his name…. ate this."

Sota recoiled in disgust, his expression contorted in revulsion. "Eww… really? Someone ate that thing? I don't know how he can stomach that." he exclaimed, shuddering at the thought of consuming something so foul.

Kagome's lips curved into a subtle smile as she observed Sota's reaction, but her attention quickly returned to her grandfather. "Do you think I can do this, grandpa?" she inquired.

Her grandfather met her gaze with a confident smile. "The best judge of your abilities, Kagome, is ultimately yourself," he replied, his eyes locking with hers. "As the wielder, you possess the deepest understanding of your own power. Do you have the confidence to cleanse this cursed object?"

Kagome felt a flutter of doubt gnawing at her resolve. She had faced down curses, possessed creatures, and demons countless times, always relying on her own strength and skill. But Sukuna's finger… that was different. It wasn't a creature to be fought, but a force to be reckoned with. Uncertainty crept into her thoughts, causing her to bite her lip in contemplation.

Meanwhile, Sota who had been somewhat oblivious to the ongoing discussion, finally caught on and chimed in with a mix of surprise and concern. "Cleanse… the Sukuna finger? Is that why you asked me to search for it, Grandpa?" his brow furrowed as he tried to grasp the gravity of the situation.

His grandfather nodded solemnly, "indeed, my boy. The Sukuna finger is a powerful artifact, imbued with dark energy. But with great power comes great responsibility. Would you like to attempt purifying it?"

Sota hesitated, feeling a mixture of uncertain and trepidation. "I… I don't think my spiritual energy is as potent as nee-chan," he admitted reluctantly, glancing at his sister who had been in deep thought. "She's always had a strong connection to the spiritual realm."

Grandpa offered Sota an encouraging smile, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "That might be true. But remember, your power is growing, and you were able to find this finger in such a short time," he remarked with a hint of pride. "That's quite impressive."

"Thanks grandpa."

"Okay," Kagome murmured, then took a deep breath, gaining attention from the two. Kagome met her grandfather's gaze once more, "I think I can do it, grandpa," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil within.

Grandpa's smile widened, and there was a spark of pure pride in his eyes. It was the same look he had given her the first time she came back from the Sengoku period, the same look that told her she was capable of more than she ever imagined. And in that moment, Kagome knew that her grandfather believed in her, truly believing that she could do this.

"Take your time Kagome," he said, his voice soft but firm. "You don't have to do it alone. Sota will help you when you need it."

Kagome put the cursed finger in both of her palms. She took a breath once more then closed both of her eyes for easier concentration. Then she summoned forth her spiritual energy, feeling it surge within her like a tempest waiting to be unleashed. In her mind's eye, she envisioned a brilliant light, pure and radiant, surrounding the twisted form of Sukuna's finger.

With a whispered incantation, Kagome directed her energy towards the cursed object, channeling it with precision and determination. As she concentrated, the air crackled with power, and the atmosphere seemed to tremble with anticipation, slowly, but steadily, the dark aura surrounding the finger began to waver, its malevolent presence weakening under Kagome's energy.

Beads of sweat formed on her brow as she poured every ounce of her being into the purification process, her entire being ablaze with spiritual energy. And then, with a final surge of power, a blinding flash of light erupted from the cursed finger, engulfing the room in a dazzling display of divine energy.

When the brilliance faded, all that remained was a pile of dust where Sukuna's finger once lay, purified and rendered harmless by Kagome abilities. As the last remnants of darkness dissipated into the ether, Kagome released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, her heart swelling with a sense of triumph and relief.

Beside her, Sota and their grandfather looked in awe, their faces illuminated by the radiant glow of Kagome's achievement.

"Well done, Kagome," grandpa said, smile widened as he stared at Kagome, a glimmer of pride shining in his eyes. "I know that you can do it."

Kagome returned her grandfather's smile with one of her own, a mixture of relief and satisfaction playing across her feature, "Thank you, Grandpa," she replied, her voice soft but tinged with pride. "I couldn't have done it without your guidance and support."

As the moment of triumph settled upon them, Sota couldn't contain his curiosity any longer. "So, does this mean our next mission will be hunting down more of Sukuna's fingers?" he asked, his eyes alight with anticipation.

Grandpa shook his head, his smile taking on a more somber tone. "No, Sota," he answered. "While it's true that Sukuna's fingers pose a great danger, we must proceed with caution. Hunting them down recklessly could alert other jujutsu sorcerers and expose both of you to unnecessary risk. We've achieved what we set out to do for now. Besides, I'm curious to see Itadori Yuuji's capabilities with Sukuna's power. Whether he can control it or not is a question that still needs answering."

Kagome perks up at the mention of Itadori Yuuji, "oh that boy! I've been wanting to ask about him," she interjects. "Grandpa, what's the significance of me destroying a Sukuna finger when you intended to use it for him?"

Grandpa gives Kagome a knowing smile. "For assurance, Kagome," he replied. "You see, while we had considered offering Itadori Yuuji the opportunity to harness Sukuna's power, it's equally important for us to be prepared to confront any challenges that might arise from Sukuna's influence. We can't simply trust that Itadori Yuuji will be able to suppress Sukuna's power as he consumes more fingers."

"Moreover," Grandpa continued, his expression growing solemn, "Sukuna's power is vast and unpredictable. Even if Itadori Yuuji proves capable of containing it for now, there's no guarantee that he won't succumb to its influence in the future. By purifying the finger, you've demonstrated not only your strength, Kagome, but also our readiness to face whatever challenges may come our way. It's a reminder that we must remain vigilant and prepared, no matter what path lies ahead."

Kagome listened intently, her mind racing with thoughts about the implications of her grandfather's words. But before she could fully grasp the gravity of their situation, Sota eagerly interrupted them.

"Wait, wait… who's this Itadori Yuuji? And why would he need to harness Sukuna's power?" his eyes shifted between Kagome and his grandfather. "Can you guys fill me in on what happened before we delve any deeper? I want to help, but clearly, I can't if I don't know the context."

Grandpa stared at Sota for seconds before he chuckled, "sorry about that, Sota. We didn't mean to leave you out," he took a glance at Kagome. "Why don't you take a rest, Kagome? You may feel tired after purifying Sukuna's finger. I will fill Sota in on what we discussed before we come home."

Kagome nodded, "Thanks, Grandpa," she said with a small smile, rising from her seat. "I'll go get some rest then, let me know if you need anything."

With that, Kagome made her way to her room with thought still swirling with the events of the day.

…

The next day, the grandfather walked briskly across the corridor. His expression was fuming, his step making a thunderous echo that gave the impression he was in a rush and upset. His brow was deeply furrowed, eyes blazing with intensity, and his mouth set in a hard, thin line.

The corridor was long and dimly lit, with high ceilings and walls adorned with plain walls. The air was thick with a musty smell, and the wooden floor creaked under his hurried steps.

With a final, resounding echo, he reached his destination. Without hesitation, he slammed the door open, the heavy wood crashing against the wall with a reverberating bang. Inside, the elders, who were gathered in solemn discussion, looked up in shock as the door flew open, their conversations abruptly silenced by his dramatic entrance.

Grandfather's eyes burned with anger as he took a step forward. "Who assigned the first-class mission?" he demanded, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade.

The room fell silent, the air thick with tension. The elders exchanged uneasy glances, clearly taken aback by the Higurashi elder's sudden and aggressive intrusion. A few of them shifted uncomfortably in their seats. While others straightened their backs, trying to maintain their composure.

At the head of the table, one of the elders, with a long white beard and a stern expression, rose to his feet. His eyes narrowed as he met the grandfather's fiery gaze. "Master Higurashi, this is highly irregular," he said calmly, though there was an undeniable edge in his voice. "We were in the middle of a critical discussion."

"The discussion that I'm not aware of?" grandfather fists clenched at his sides, the knuckles whitening. His voice was a low, dangerous growl. "I asked a question, Zenin," he growled. "Who assigned the first-class mission?"

Elder Zenin sighed, glancing around the room at his fellow elders. After a moment, he turned back to face grandfather, his expression hardening. "It was a collective decision," he replied evenly. "The mission required urgent attention, and we believed it was necessary."

Grandfather's eyes blazed with an intensity that seemed to scorch the very air around him. "It was a suicide mission!" he roared, his voice echoing off the dimly lit walls. "Are you really that scared of a mere child? Is that why you send Gojo far away? So that you could freely manipulate the students in his absence?" His voice dripped with accusation. "Because their best defender is not here?"

Elder Zenin remained impassive, even with accusation. "You may have forgotten that this child bore Sukuna's soul."

Grandfather fury did not abate. Instead, it seemed to grow, fueled by a mixture of protectiveness. "Itadori Yuuji is not just a vessel for Sukuna's soul," he spat, his voice quivering with anger. "He is a human being, a sorcerer with his own will and strength. You had no right to send him and his classmate on such a dangerous mission without supervision!"

Elder Zenin held his ground, it felt like he was unaffected by grandfather's words. "We did what we believed was necessary for the safety of our people," he said quietly. "Itadori Yuuji's abilities are unparalleled. He was the best choice for the mission."

Grandfather felt a wave of futility wash over him. Arguing with the elders seemed to be getting him nowhere. His fists unclenched, and he took a deep, steadying breath. It was clear that he would not get the answers or the satisfaction he sought from this confrontation.

"Very well," he said, his voice lower but no less intense. "But mark my words, this is not over. You have made a grave mistake, and I will not stand by and watch as you endanger the lives of our young sorcerers."

With that, he turned on his heel and strode out of the room, slamming the door behind him with a force that made the walls tremble. He paused for a moment in the dimly lit corridor, his mind racing back to the phone class he had received earlier. His advisor had informed him that the first-class students had been sent on a mission without Gojo's supervision. He had immediately asked who had accompanied them to the location and called Ijichi for confirmation.

Upon hearing the truth from Ijichi, his anger had surged anew. The thought of his students being sent into such danger without adequate protection was intolerable. That fury had driven him to confront the elders, but it seemed he was back to square one.

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. Without further ado, he dialed a number, Kagome was busy. So he called his other grandchildren.

The phone rang twice before a familiar voice answered. "Hello?"

"Sota," Grandfather said, his voice filled with urgency. "I need your help. Please bring Kagome's shikigami with you."

…

"It seemed the plan worked quite marvelously." he said as soon as the door closed loudly behind him. His voice carried a tone of triumph, echoing in the dimly lit room. "It was truly a good decision to tell Ijichi the truth about this mission."

The other elders, seated around the large, ornate table, nodded in agreement. The room, with its high ceilings and flickering candle lights, exuded an air of secrecy and power. There is no curtain that hides their expression.

"Itadori Yuuji is dangerous to keep around," one elder murmured, his eyes narrowing. "Eliminating him will be a significant step forward."

"And with the Higurashi elder bringing his grandchildren to the designated place," another elder added, "we can capture them and finally uncover the secrets of their unique abilities."

The Higurashi family was shrouded in mystery, their powers whispered about but never fully understood. Their abilities were rumored to be unlike anything the council had encountered, making them both valuable and dangerous. The elders had long sought to control or eliminate such threats to maintain their dominance.

"Elder Higurashi is clever," the elder Zenin continued, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "He has kept the true extent of their abilities hidden even from us. But once we have his grandchildren in our grasp, we can force him to reveal everything."

"Indeed," the elder who had spoken earlier agreed, his tone laced with anticipation. "The grandchildren are the key, with them, we can leverage their knowledge and power."

A murmur of approval rippled through the room

"But we must proceed with caution," an elder warned, his voice cutting through the agreement. "The Higurashi family's powers are unknown and potentially formidable. Any miscalculation could be disastrous."

"Yes," elder Zenin said, his eyes cold and calculating. "We must ensure that every step is executed flawlessly. Failure is not an option."

As the elders continued to discuss the finer points of their plan, a sense of foreboding hung in the air. The stakes were high, and the outcome uncertain. Each of them knew that their grip on power depended on the success of this mission.

Meanwhile, in the shadows beyond the council chamber, a figure listened intently. The weight of the conspiracy settled heavily on his shoulders. He knew that what he had overheard could change everything. With a determined glint in his eyes, he slipped away, ready to warn those who were unwittingly walking into a trap.

"Kagome needs to hear this."

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NOTE : I'm really sorry for the late update. I've been really busy with my job and I still don't have enough time to write fic even a little bit. But I will try to update even if it took longer. Stay healthy everyone And don't forget to rest!