Disclaimer: I do not own The World God Only Knows or Jujutsu Kaisen. Both series were owned by respective authors. Support the official release!

Chapter Summary: In the midst of his recovery, Keima met Gojo Satoru. At the same time, a meeting between two people from the supposed same side created a point of origin for the deadly conflict to come.

Intersection of Three Destinies: Prelude to the Parallel Story

Chapter II: The Revelation on That Decisive Day

Tokyo Jujutsu High Current Base, Unused Bedroom [02:33 AM]

It was an awkward silence.

After he saw an eccentric man entering the room, all of Keima's mental preparation suddenly vanished instantly.

Not that because he's scared.

"Yo, Keima-kun." But because he's speechless at this man's casual remark to him.

What in the world? Looking at him as a whole, the way this weird man dressed is like that Hip-Hop Player who is ready to do some kind of breakdance at any moment.

And the weirdest of all, that man also wearing a black blindfold that covered the entirety of his eyes.

It is truly that bizarre.

Who is this guy? If Keima still had some common sense left regarding the rule of reality, he would already be scratching his head right instantly for how a person could see and walk perfectly as if his eyes weren't covered by that blindfold at all. However, knowing that this man was possibly the person who saved his life from that twisted yet terrifying encounter, nothing at this point could make Keima doubt his sense of blindness anymore.

In fact, for some reason, he has this gut feeling that this strange man was on the same level as Haqua, if not, higher in terms of physical strength and intelligence.

Hell, maybe even more powerful than those Jupiter Sisters as well, which is already ridiculous the more he thinks about it.

There's a sense of mystery within him too. Keima pondered one of the main questions in his mind after seeing him in all of his glory. What's his motive? Why did he save me? Question after question, there's already a ton he wanna ask within his skeptical inner realm. And what is his game? Nonetheless, soon enough, he will know the answer to his abyssal curiosity.

As well as other answers that he never thought to receive in his entire life.

One that's devastating and could change his life forever.

Act I: Face to Face

As Keima was in a state of surprise, Gojo continued onward to do what he must do to fulfill his current objective.

"Looks like you've finally regained your consciousness~" He said playfully with a smile. "Feel refreshed from your slumber?"

Deep down, Keima didn't care about his kindness.

All he cares about is one thing only. "Who are you? How did you know my name?" The answer to how this mysterious man knew his name in the first place.

"Hmm..." Hearing his question, the mysterious man can only grin. "Who I am, huh... well, of course! That's very crucial since I'm the one who's saved your life~" He immediately confirmed one of Keima's suspicions; this man was the one who had saved him from that terrible event. "But, did you surely have to care about that matter first? Besides, you've died after all~!"

"H-Huh...?" Keima was dumbfounded when he heard that. "Say that again?"

"Gladly!" Once more, Gojo repeated his words. "You~ Died~ So congrats on beating 99% of the people who couldn't be alive again after they died~!" At this point, the Honored One enjoyed this more than he ever should.

Which drove the God of Conquest to be frozen like a statue because of the shock. "Wh... wha..." It took five seconds for Keima to lose it quite a bit. "WHAAAAATTTTT?"

"Oops... looks like I shouldn't spill the beans~" He tried to brush off what he said earlier. "Oh well, let's forget what I have said earlier and start from the beginning once again, shall we?" At the same time, he's walking toward the right side of the room near Keima's bed, leaning against the wall with both of his arms crossed. "The name's Gojo Satoru, but call me Gojo or even the Almighty One should do just fine too." That attempted joke has already received a hateful gaze from Keima himself. "And as for how I know your name..." Purposely, he did a little bit of pause for some dramatic effect. "Let's say your father was the one who introduced me to you indirectly."

There's an awkward silence after he said that, but that is because Keima got caught off guard since...

What did he just say...? The exact moment that man mentioned his father, Keima's eyes instantly became wide open.

Like that previous meltdown of his was instantly washed away for good.

"Did you say my Dad...?" He asked once again in a frantic tone to confirm what he'd heard earlier. "You know him!? You're his acquaintance!?"

"Yes, I am. Or should I say, I was before he went overseas to deal with his job four years ago." Gojo answered as he mixed in a little bit of lie and truth in his answer. "The last time I saw him was in Kyoto before he departed." A peculiar word of choice at the end. In truth, he always stays in contact with him.

That is before he died.

But of course, he won't tell Keima that.

At least not yet anyway.

Except, he maybe could in this very moment if the boy can discern the truth on his own.

But can he even do such a thing?

"I see..." With quite a heavy heart, Keima can only respond with those words. At the same time, he unintentionally brought up a memory of his father leaving him and his mother overseas for business-related issues. It was a long time ago, I wonder when is he coming home? Seeing his father once more would be his greatest salvation to this reality. At least, that's what he hoped for anyway since he truly misses him.

Which is why he's very curious right now. How did Dad and this guy meet in the first place? He looked at Gojo with concerned eyes. Could it be...? And he noticed a bit of a loophole in that man's words.

Meanwhile, seeing Keima gaze at him like a hawk intrigued Gojo at first. Why is he looking at me like that? But then he realized what he had just said earlier. Shit... Thought fast, he immediately did what must be acted as he looked at Keima straight in the eyes. "I know what you're thinking, but that will come later." Straight away, Keima looked a little bit disappointed after hearing his evaded response.

It's obvious now for Keima that Gojo has made a mistake, which made him reply simply to his words. "Fine." He decided to play along with whatever game he was playing.

"Great! For now, how about we clear up some of those trillion questions on your head first, shall we?" Gojo said cheerfully while rubbing his hands.

However, when he thought Keima would respond immediately after his persuasion, what he got instead was no response and Keima's upper face was covered in darkness.

Noticing such deep depression, Gojo tried to call out by his name in a concerned manner: "Keima?"

This time, there's a response, but not what he hoped for. "Honestly, I don't even know where to begin." His hands were visibly shaken. "Everything seems to happen so suddenly that made me don't know what to say." He said in honesty. Over these past few days, Keima's been through a lot. The Goddesses' search; the conflict of Vintage; the confrontation with many girls from his past conquests; and now, his terrifying encounter with that twisted monster that led up to his tragedy. With everything that has happened to him, it's no wonder his usual pragmatic personality is nowhere to be seen at this moment.

Instead, what Gojo is seeing in front of him is just a boy whose cold façade is about to break at any granted time.

A God of Conquest who seems to lose his own identity.

Thus, because of that, it took a few seconds for him to respond to Keima.

And when he did, he said: "If you don't know where to begin, then I know the perfect point to start!" His right thumbs-up was raised before saying another sentence that made Keima frozen in his bed, with his eyes open wider than the first. "For example, you working together with those New Devils to save the girls whose hearts became a hiding spot for the Weiss to inhabit them."

His heart dropped as he looked at him in horror. "How... did you... know... that?" Keima tried his best to maintain his composure. However, the shock was too great for him to handle.

"To answer that is very simple!" Gojo just grinned at his question. "Because we know everything." Those four words felt like Keima has been struck by lightning. "Starting from your deal with the Devil, who in the end, became your sister. Your many sacrifices and pain after those conquered girls were forgetting about you. And of course, this is my personal favorite, your heroic attempt to reunite the Goddesses, even though their Hosts were thinking that you're six-timing them~"

It was pure silence once more. Wh... what...!? And internally, Keima had another mental meltdown.

After hearing Gojo's answer, he couldn't believe what he just heard.

This man knows everything regarding his actions and connection with the New Devils and the Goddesses.

Even more shocking, it's not just him who knows. There are others. Other people who have the same idea of what he's been through over these past six months of Hell and despair that compelled him to despise this shitty reality for cutting his game time off in absolute.

A revelation that's beyond shocking; unfortunately for him though, this is only the beginning.

The many information that he's about to receive next is about to be heavier than the last. "Seeing your pure intelligence to execute most of the scenarios based on many galge games that you've played to gain those girls' affection sure is admirable and impressive at the same. It feels like I'm watching a very expensive soap opera, hahaha." Gojo laughed a little. "Of course, there are some moments where I just wanted to use my amazing power to destroy those threats that became such hindrance. Like that Vintage Agent who ambushed you and your New Devils at your house a week ago. That's sure was qui—" However, before he could finish, Keima cut him off as he could not control his calm at such revelation anymore.

"Wait, wait, wait! Hold on! This is going too fast! First off, you were there when that incident happened? Moreover, you're spying on me this entire time!? And despite you perceiving the entire context of my situation, you didn't do anything to save our lives back then!?" Keima asked rapidly.

"The term spying was a little bit harsh, don't you agree? I think the word observation is a better term for that~" Gojo said playfully, not even trying to hide the fact that he and his students were indeed stalking him for months. "Besides, at that moment you already got everything within your control, so it's all fine in the end. Plus, you've got Vulcan to back you up and add a finishing touch to your plan. You don't need me to make your life easier for the conflict that's not even my problem to begin with~" He countered Keima's assertion as he reminded him a little bit of his action to deal with the threat in his own house, which would lead to Vintage victory if he loses back then.

He even knew about that too...!? It was one big twist after another for him. If so... Keima could only stare at Gojo hatefully after his response. "Then what is it that you and your people want from me? You said it yourself that it wasn't your business in the first place." Deep down, he already predicted the answer to that question, but he wanted to make sure.

And seeing Keima's reaction, Gojo's expression became serious. "What do we want from you?" Thus, he answered swiftly: "We have a duty to protect you."

Of course, he isn't lying. The matter was more personal for him.

Even so, he didn't want to reveal that fact just yet.

"What kind of duty?" The moment he heard that Keima's fear was about to be realized. If Gojo doesn't care about Keima's involvement with New Hell conspiracies this entire time. The impulse that drove this man to act quickly and saved him from his preeminent demise is strongly linked to his so-called problem. In other words, he is very certain that he has now been deeply involved in another dangerous occurrence, which is far different from his conquest and personal battle against Vintage, with the fate of the girl's lives and the world at stake back then.

"Let's call it, the same as your forced duty to protect those girls from such evil thing called Weiss." Gojo simply answered.

Making Keima pushes onward. "From who?" He didn't stop there; instead, he pushed even further with his questions. "Just who the Hell are you? What did I get myself into that made me a target to those malicious forces from your world? And most importantly..." He stopped for a second to catch his breath. "How did you know about New Hell and the Goddesses?"

Gojo was a little surprised to witness his deep curiosity, causing his expression to shift back to his usual cheerfulness. "My, my, Keima~ those questions were straight to the point~" He responded happily. "I like it!" It's been truly a while since he felt this strong joyous emotion within himself. "Alright! For me to answer all of them, let me start by explaining our contribution to the history of a war you've known very well first." The next words that he uttered gave Keima a sense of familiarity. "The Almage-Machina War that happened on Old Hell centuries ago."

The final war of the Devils that led to the Jupiter Sisters' sacrifice? Now his attention is at its peak, as Keima heeding intently to Gojo's story that will reveal the truth that will change everything in his perception of this reality.

Act II: Concealed Story

Gojo began his private history lesson with Keima.

"Like you've learned from your New Devils friend. Far from this world, two factions of Devils struggled for the control of Hell. Old Devils, the kind of Devils who wanted to nourish evil for their own greed, and New Devils, the opposing Devils yearned for peace as well as prosperity. Those factions were divided because their ideals clashed with one another. After many battles and sacrifices, the end conflict known as Almage-Machina War began at the East Fortress Grada, the final ground of the war. With the help of Jupiter Sisters, the Goddesses from Heaven who sacrifice themselves to seal up all Weiss and Old Hell beings, New Devils victoriously ended the war at the cost of their own world being torn apart. This led to the creation of New Hell, a place where now, New Devils reside." So far, everything that he told was within his knowledge. There are no minor or major changes between the story that was told by Haqua and this man. That is until the point where the real divergence began to show itself.

"However, it's only scratching the surface. It's not just the Goddesses who assisted New Devils back in that war. No, no, no~ in truth, we, the Jujutsu Sorcerers, were also involved~" Unconsciously, Gojo raised a little of his voice because of the excitement. "We covertly fought alongside those New Devils to destroy their main enemy. And they, in turn, aided us in defeating one of our worst adversaries, Ryomen Sukuna, the King of Curses back in the Heian Era. It was because of us that most of the Old Devils who tried to stop the Goddesses from sealing Old Hell have met their end; indirectly, paved the way to the foundation of New Hell and assuredly, the harmony between these three worlds until now." This new information earned a nod from Keima as he's still listening closely to Gojo's lecture.

"For thousands of years, Jujutsu Society has been maintaining association with New Hell by only selecting a few New Devils as Bridger to provide the necessary support and keeping our existence a secret to Surface World, New Hell, and Heaven. However, that's not the case anymore, since that association was severed completely 350 years ago. Thus, not even a new generation of New Devils know about us nowadays." Gojo ended his narrative with a narrowed tone; a little bit of disappointment could be heard in his voice. Maybe it's because history has cleansed off every connection of the Jujutsu Society as possible, or maybe its existence was better off being concealed forever from the ear of those who were involved in such an event that became a turning point in history.

Immediately after his lecture ended, Keima opened his mouth as if he'd been waiting for a long time.

"I guess that's explained how you, and possibly, your people knew about the New Devils and the Goddesses." He said while keeping his composure. "Based on what you said, you're a part of the so-called Jujutsu Society. What is that exactly?"

Listening to his question, Gojo instantly answered: "Hmm~ the answer to that one is quite complex, but to give you a simple rundown: it is a society that's hidden from the eyes of normal people civilization, where a bunch of sorcerers lived and worked together in the shadow to protect them from spiritual beings manifested by negative emotions known as Cursed Spirits." He grinned a little. "Kinda like your typical cliché stuff~"

Keima's expression turned sour right away. Wait a minute... As a certain unpleasant memory suddenly appeared in his mind after he mentioned a particular term that would haunt him forever. "Cursed... Spirits? You mean th—"

"The same one that attacked you last night." Gojo answered as he already had an insight into his recent trauma from hours ago.

And after Keima discerned that, chills were running through his spine as he remembered again a flashback of the monster that chased him to the supposed place where he encountered his demise. "I-I see..."

At the same time, Gojo continued his words in a calm tone. "You may already perceive this. But like Weiss, Cursed Spirits is also invisible to the naked eye. That is, only those with extensive Cursed Energy could see them extremely well."

"Cursed Energy?" Keima asked curiously, another term that he was not familiar with.

"An energy bornt from negative emotions." Gojo raised his index finger. "Every single Human in this modern society has one, including you, Keima. The only difference between those who can see and those who can't is measured by how much limit the Cursed Energy has within them." He reminded of his students when he talked about this. "Of course, there are others who have had a higher Cursed Energy ever since they were born. But, for normal people..." He paused for a second. "They need to be in a certain death situation where their lives were on the line."

Hearing that, Keima thought deeply to himself. Our lives are on the line. That means, what he meant by that... Exactly as he perceived. I see... Every single factor was linked into his mind, as he finally understood the reason behind it all. "So that's why I can see them back at that moment. It all makes sense now..." Having said that however, his hands didn't stop shaking as his brain replayed that same terrifying scene over and over again.

On the other hand, Gojo tries his best to keep his composure after he sees Keima's reaction. If only he knew... Keiichi, forgive me for what I'm to do to your son. He asked for forgiveness, but what is exactly the reason for that cause?

A few seconds of silence have passed, that is until Gojo decided to shatter it without mercy. And along with it, an offensive play started to commence.

"You scared?" He said with no sympathy. His gestures showed a sign of irritation behind it.

"Of course I am!" Keima exclaimed as he was trying to wash away those horrifying memories from his mind. "No sane person would say not to after that experience!"

"Really~? That's not like you, Keima," Gojo countered back derisively. "You've seen a Weiss before, Cursed Spirits isn't any distinct to them."

Making him to exclaim once again: "That's different! Weiss's only targeting the heart of a young girl, and they're harmless until they've reached a certain level! Cursed Spirit, however... they're ready to kill its prey at any time in the darkness!"

"You certain~?" Gojo asked as if he's mocked him, which fueled his anger even more.

"Yes!" Keima said with certainty in his voice. Nothing could change his mind.

That is unless...

"Then answer this," Gojo challenged him head-on. "What makes Cursed Spirits more terrifying than a Weiss?" His question seemed to be focused on him to pierce further at that false mask of his.

"Everything!" Once again, Keima answered confidently. "At the very least, Weiss is not a spiritual creature hungry for Human flesh and more willing to hide in a gap within the heart of a young maiden!"

"Yet, when a woman's pregnant it'll also be the same in the end~" Gojo began to use that cruel fact as his weapon of argument. "Their supposed baby would be eaten from the inside, leaving the only creature to arrive on this world would be the Weiss themselves."

Keima was silent for a bit. He has a point, but...! However, feeling irritated, the God of Conquest refused to back down. "A possibility that seems fail for you to realize Gojo, even that horrible future could be prevented. Unlike a certain present that leaves nothing more than despair after those atrocities descend to anyone who doesn't know anything better." Another good point was addressed effectively by him.

And because of that...

"Hehehe~" Gojo could only chuckle at his argument. "Don't tell me you are trying to defend a role that you despised from the very beginning?"

"What if I am?" Keima answered without delay. "Whatever I did was my choice alone. You have no right to prey on my personal consequences!" His words were powerful enough to leave Gojo stunned.

Leading him to laugh a bit crazy that echoes throughout the room: "Hahahahahahahaha!"

Hence after he heard his contagious laughter, Keima was beyond exasperated. "Hey... what the Hell was so funny about it?" His tone captured his raw emotion from within. "Why are you laughing?" He's lost but for a good reason.

"No, no, no... it's nothing~" Gojo's response to his silence; furious question contradicted his action. He chortled until he gained back his composure. "Keima... looks like I misjudged you so slightly. You're indeed a boy with such a broken value in life than I thought you would be."

"What's that supposed to mean!?" Keima asked in an angry tone after listening to what he had said to his face.

"It means you deserve to live a normal life after everything you've been through." Gojo stated as he shifted his tone from cheerful to serious in a matter of seconds.

Which Keima could only stare blankly following his ambiguous words: "Normal life...? I don't follow."

"I mean exactly what I said," Gojo said while both of his arms were crossed. "You've been through a lot. I know those events of you searching for the Goddesses have broken you a little. You don't need to hide it." Like an open book, he only spoke the truth of Keima's true feelings. "As a matter of fact, you even believe there's no going back in the end, am I right?" His personal question caused Keima's darkness to rise within him. His statement has indeed hit the boy's nerves.

"What do you know about me?" Keima asked scornfully as he gritted his teeth. "DON'T make any claims that you don't kn—" But Gojo decided to brush off his despised words.

"I don't. I will never make a claim if I'm not certain about it. Because I know what it feels like longing for a normal life." He said before asking Keima another question that he had asked his students before. "Do you know what it takes for someone to be crazy?"

Keima looked away from him, ignoring his question.

Yet Gojo continued on. "It's the total disregard of their lives to do something callously, and endlessly, with no value return to them," He explained with an apathetic tone. "And that's what we as Jujutsu Sorcerers do every day. To endanger our lives and fight against those Cursed Spirits, while this pathetic little society keeps running its wheel to the bitter end." He smirked slightly. "Just like you back then."

As his eyes were covered by his bangs, his silence was the only proof Gojo needed that Keima's mentality had been broken slightly.

"Let's be honest here Keima, you are the type of guy that is crazy and plaintive. You sacrificed your happiness and normal life to save those girls, but the only return that you gain from that is just pain, misery, and heartbreak." The more he stated, the more of what he spoke is true. "However, even with all of that nonsense, you still keep that cold mask of yours, talking about acting like a tough guy, am I right?" Like putting gasoline on an ignited fire, Gojo deliberately further pushes the boy's sanity to his limit. "Now that you're free from your hellish contract, you can return to that so-called normal life at any time. But..." His sinister smile was now shown. "Unfortunately for you anyway, it's too late to choose that option now."

For some reason, Keima felt unimaginable fear from hearing his last words. He's talking about what now? It's enough to make him break free from his own temporary darkness. "What..." He spoke in a frightful tone, almost sounding like a whisper. "What did... you... say...?"

"Hmm~?" Gojo saw a sudden change in his reaction and was intrigued. "You don't think I disclosed my identity and these entire narratives to you for nothing, right~? Besides, no Non-Sorcerers should know about the existence of the world of curses~"

"But what do you mean I don't have that option anymore!?" Suddenly, Keima was furious once more. "To make myself clear, I don't want to keep involved myself with anything supernatural or the Real ever again! I'm sick of it!"

"Are you though?" Gojo asked with a grin on his face. "I know you're afraid to admit it, so let me spell it out for you." He pointed his index finger at him. "You're a hypocrite." His words left Keima dumbfounded. "All you ever wanted was nothing more than a freedom to escape from this reality. Yet, even with all of that, you still did your best to take down Vintage and reunited all of the Goddesses with such intention that warmed my lonely heart." He knew the boy could not that cold truth, but he pressed on. "If that isn't a sign of a hypocrite, then I don't know what is~"

Saw through his strategy to provoke him, Keima fought back. "Like I care whatever you said about me! I will not risk my life again for an unknown scenario that I'm surely certain is going to make my life more of a living Hell. Having six girls and the Goddesses is enough for that contribution already. I don't need another!" Not like the last time he was forced to accept a contract that has changed his life forever. This time, he has a chance to step down from the complex equation of no return.

That is until he heard a potential danger that could befall anyone around him.

"Even after knowing you will directly endanger those girls and your family with your presence too?" Gojo asked him this sudden query.

Which led Keima to look at him with a shocked face. "What are you talking about...?"

"Hehehe~ now you're interested~" Gojo chuckled at his confusion. "Looks like you do care about them after all, huh... what an interesting twist~"

"Stop saying that rubbish, and tell me... what in the actual Hell did you mean by that!?" Keima demanded an answer. "How were they got anything to do with this? Answer me!"

"Let's see..." Gojo tilted his head with his index finger at his chin. "For starters, there's a faction that's wanted to kill you, Keima. Such as last night's incident for example. Even though the one that attacked you was an entirely different matter. What do you think will happen if the enemy knows you're truly considerate of those people, hmm~?"

Keima's eyes widen a bit at the exposed revelation. To even think there was another group that wanted to destroy his life after he defeated Vintage was already laughable at this point. However, he must press on with the matter. "A faction that's wanted to kill me? Elaborate, Gojo."

"Why do I need to explain it to you~?" Gojo rejected his query for detailed information. "You just told me a minute ago that you don't want to involve yourself with this unknown scenario anymore~"

Following his counterattack, Keima found himself in a stalemate. Despite he's the one who saved him from his potential end, his skill to annoy someone is way above the charts.

And due to that reason alone...

"Alright... I see where this is going..." He was checkmated by him. "I'll play along for now. In return... give me much information that I need!"

"There we go! Now we're talking~" As Keima gave up his persistence against Gojo's little pressure, he began to listen once again to another story that was unknown to anyone, not even to the Devils or the Goddesses.

A story about two factions that are determined to destroy one another, and his grand involvement within it.

Act III: Realization and Revelation

Gojo started first by explaining the history of the Maijima Jujutsu Sorcerers Alliance and The Clementine Movement, along with their deadly conflict with one another in the shadow.

He mentioned that the Leader of both factions was once a very good friend.

Until a recent tragedy that happened many months ago changed everything for both of them.

"Such a pity for those people."

His reaction to that sorrowful event is nothing more than sympathetic.

Gojo continued further by mentioning that the tragedy also involved the death of one of his closest friends and once a very fundamental member of the MJSA. That's why Maijima Jujutsu Sorcerers Alliance was devastated to hear about that person's murder.

However, with many clues pointing to The Clementine Movement as the source of his death, blinded with rage and a sense of betrayal, six of the MJSA members decided to ignite a vendetta attack against the Non-Sorcerers faction.

Amidst a need to retaliate, The Clementine Movement launched another attack on the MJSA as a sign of revenge.

Killing at least 33 MJSA members but losing 27 members of their own in the process.

That first attack was soon to be known as the Ghastly Dawn in the Jujutsu Society history, and the beginning of a bloody collision between the two infamous Jujutsu factions in the Maijima City.

"...And because of such false conclusion, the factions began their little war against each other. Do you get the picture now, Keima?" Gojo asked him immediately after finishing his own version of the narrative.

"I do," Keima answered simply to his matter. "However, what is my involvement with their conflict that led one of the factions to want to kill me?"

At first, Gojo was ready to answer that question. But soon he realized that would be a terrible mistake. He can't know it just yet. Not until... He tried to calm himself down. His panic must not be disclosed. I guess I must stall that question for now. And with that, a decision was made within himself. "I will answer that later. Do you have any other questions?"

"Fine... I have another." Keima said in an annoyed tone. "Who is the current Leader of the MJSA and The Clementine Movement?" His question switched to that topic because he was also curious about the identities of those factions' figureheads. Although he's disappointed that his main question must wait a little while longer, he seems not to know the true reason behind that man's hesitation.

Seeing how dissatisfied Keima was, Gojo gave his answer right away: "Akimitsu Uemoto and Sanzo Fukuhara." He's already comprehended that Keima has met one of these people before anyway.

And as Gojo predicted, the response made Keima flinched. His eyes showed a picture of pure shock and his hands were shaken a bit. In order to confirm what he had just heard, Keima asked him one more time. "Akimitsu Uemoto? As in the father of Sumire Uemoto?"

"Ding, ding, ding, correct! I kinda forget you've met him before back in your conquest with his daughter~" Gojo excused playfully. Of course, the word forget was only a mirage to his true knowledge. In other words, he and his students were really observing his conquest with Sumire that night.

Anyway, back to Keima's perspective.

"It does feel like a long ago. But for her father to be the Leader of that faction... I still can't believe it..." He said in a low tone. His face looked pale, but he was keeping his composure well.

"The truth can sometimes be hidden in plain sight. Like your sister's existence as a New Devil in this Human society for example~" Gojo said candidly in remark of Elsie's infiltration to company Keima on his conquest to capture those Weiss.

"Elsie was different." He rebutted at his statement. His expression went to normal again. "She's harmless and useless." The flashback of his experience with her was nothing more than Hell. "But even with all of that..." Keima started to admit the truth of his reality when suddenly he realized that his mask began to fracture swiftly. "Never mind." Thus, he held his tongue to avoid his mental weakness to be shown.

But that doesn't mean his escape could go smoothly though. "Hmm~?" Realizing the mistake he was about to make, Gojo teased him into oblivion. "What is it that you wanted to say~?"

And naturally, Keima's personality couldn't handle that type of confrontation. "I said never mind!" That's why he was annoyed for a reason this time.

"Hahahahaha!" However, that annoyance became fuel to Gojo's enjoyment. "Going tsundere now, are we?"

Tsundere!? How dare he...! Feeling hatred at his words, Keima could only exclaim in anguish. "I'm not a tsundere!"

"Yeah right~" Gojo asserted as he knew quite well that Keima does care for his sister. "My point still stands. But enough of that for now." He began to resume the narrative again after giving Keima a chance to fulfill half of his curiosity and tease him a bit. "To continue those factions' history earlier, let's start at another perspective..." Regardless, this was the moment things started to turn for the worst.

And it was all because of one simple notion in both individuals.

A Few Minutes Before

Keima perceived the expression of Gojo was becoming a little different when he brought up his father at the beginning.

Sure it could be seen as sadness to someone that he doesn't have a chance to meet ever again since Keiichi went overseas.

But something strangely suspicious, and Keima realized this.

Especially considering Gojo mentioned the death of his good friend at the hands of an unknown perpetrator and used their death to adduce the dispute between the MJSA and The Clementine Movement.

Gojo is hiding something concerning my Dad. Keima thought in his mind as he ascertained this very assumption he'd been holding recently. Better to stay alert.

Meanwhile at the same time during Keima's monologue, Gojo has his own thoughts regarding all of this as well.

Originally, not revealing his father's death until he was ready was my initial plan. But at this point, I'm very certain, he's unto me. That perception of his when he realized the change in my expression as I mentioned Keiichi in the beginning was astonishing. Particularly, with the combined information of another variable added to the mix, he should be on the verge of suspicions that I'm concealing a very important fact from him. He analyzed internally while complaining. What a pain. It seems I can't delay the inevitable any longer. If he cries or has a mental breakdown, then so be it. That's the price I'm willing to pay after all. He's confident in his choice as he knows there's no going back after this.

All I need is that one perfect moment, and I know when it will be. The gamble has been set.

All that's left is the sound of the fall.

Back to the Present

After Gojo finished his explanation around the once friendship of Akimitsu Uemoto and Sanzo Fukuhara, along with their failed plan to force the marriage of their daughter and son in the future, he became quiet for a little while.

That is before he took off his blindfold and started staring at Keima with his silver eyes, immediately pushing the silent situation between them into an intense one.

"Keima, do you still remember when I mentioned the death of my friend was the source of those factions' bloody conflict?" Gojo asked him without any emotion shown, which in that was quite rare.

"Of course," Keima answered instantly, realizing the situation began to turn more serious unlike before. "Is it time you tell me what is that about?"

Gojo then walked towards the window as his facial expression became unreadable. "You asked me before why you're involved with their conflict. To put it simply, it's because you have a strong connection with him. And since he was a very influential Jujutsu Sorcerer in the MJSA, that's why The Clementine Movement decided to hunt you down as a sign to ignite a full-scale war."

Him? This made Keima widen his eyes in a state of disbelief. "Wait a minute, I have such a connection with that friend of yours?"

"You do. In fact, he's the one who introduced me to you in the first place." He said as he brought back that particular fact from their beginning conversation, signaling the completion of a cycle that was leading up to this moment.

"Introdu—" Keima stopped his own words as he hit a noxious realization.

Like a chess piece that has fallen perfectly.

"No... don't... tell me..." He shuddered with a distressing tone. His heart's thumping fast. "Your friend... the one who died was...!?" Suddenly, a harsh reality dawned on him, and Gojo's next words were the ones that sealed it.

"I'm sorry, Keima." He could only apologize bitterly. "I really am." His will to look at the boy was nonexistent as he regretted deeply from within his heart. Usually, he felt unapologatic towards anything. However, when it comes to someone who close to him, he too could feel sorrow.

At the same time, Keima looked at him with a furious look while two tears dropped from his eyes; still not believing the truth that confronted him unexpectedly. "Do-Don't... you screw with me, Gojo! There's no way that my Dad is...!" He recalled every single moment he had with his father. "My Dad is..."

The moment when he left overseas was the moment Keima started to feel empty inside.

Even though within that time both of them could keep in contact with each other, he would still hope for his return. "I don't believe you!" Or maybe that hope was already gone for good.

Listening to him, he sounded broken from the inside. But that's the consequences Gojo was willing to take. "Believe what you will, but that's the truth." He responded calmly, changing his gaze directly at him. His resolve forced him to do what must be done. "It's not my plan to reveal this early to you. But knowing you've been suspicious of me for a while after I've mentioned Keiichi, you forced my card to be exposed."

Keima's face turned pale. He never expected this man to be extremely observant. "So you've realized about that too." He said emotionally as he gritted his teeth. "That means... what you've said..."

"I mean it. All of it." Gojo said in a serious tone. "He died 10 months ago."

That was the final blow. Deep down, he wanted not to believe his darkest revelation. However, the more he thought about it, the more it all made sense. "I should have... seen that coming..." Keima gave up his resistance to the blow. "Given that a strange man like you and my... Dad were old acquaintances, it also makes sense if he's the so-called... Jujutsu Sorcerer as well..."

So he's indeed already thought up until that point. It was nothing more than a surprise since Keima is one of the most intelligent people out there. "Let me clarify something for you," Gojo said in a very serious tone. "He's nothing like me." His statement gave Keima a confused look. "He's more amazing than I ever could be." For the first time, he admitted there was somebody worthy of his pure respect.

Leading Keima to ask in a deadpan voice: "Is that supposed to be a metaphor?"

"More or less." Gojo complemented in an honest tone. Despite the truth is even closer than that. "He really was incredible, to the point he's one of the very few people that I respected the most in this world." He smiled faintly with a sad expression.

"But how did my Dad... die?" Keima questioned silently as his eyes glared at him with fury. "If he's been dead for months, why my Mom and I weren't informed of his death until now!?" He's truly angry, even when he realizes a tear from his left eye starts to fall. "He's our family! My ONLY father!" His distress caused him to yell out of his lungs. Even though he's very good at hiding his emotions, he's by no means immune to the effects of grief and pain. "And you hid his demise from us!"

Focusing to Keima's ordeal, Gojo decided to embrace the boy's sorrow. "It's not my intention to hide that in the first place." He answered in an honest tone. "That will be another long story. The only thing I can tell you is that it's his wish for both of you and your mother to not be told." It felt like yesterday when Keiichi told him his one wish underneath that tree. "He once mentioned to me that if he's ever going to die, none of his family members should be informed until all of his issues within the Jujutsu Society have been settled completely by the one he trusted."

"The one who my Dad trusted?" Keima wondered after he kept his emotion in check from lashing out earlier. "Wait, is it you!?"

Gojo could only nod to confirm his assumption. "In the end, his last wish was just another obsolete hope. Foremostly, his legacy now has become your dangerous adversary." He then asked him another question that would expose the reason behind his survival. "Keima, do you know why you're still alive even after that fatal wound that you've had?"

"My wound? Why is that have anything to do wi—" Keima's words were quickly cut off by Gojo.

"Just answer my question." He demanded a quick answer from him.

At first, Keima had no clue as to why he was still breathing after that unmerciful stab. Could it be...? But then he had an idea that would explain that anomaly, especially with his new knowledge of curses. "Because you and your other people saved me with such expertise in harnessing Cursed Energy, I presumed?"

"Very perceptive." Once again, he was right in his analysis. "Although it's not just me or my very reliable companions that you need to thank for," Gojo commented while pointing his index finger at Keima's exact heart and ominous soul. "But the enormous Cursed Energy within you as well."

"My... enormous Cursed Energy...?" Keima asked in confusion.

"Exactly as it sounds," Gojo said calmly. "As I said earlier, every normal Human has a Cursed Energy within them, but only a selected few from birth have an enormous Cursed Energy." Expectedly, his next words turned Keima's world upside down once more. "And you are one of them."

"Wh-What!?" When he thought he couldn't be surprised by another revelation, this man proved him wrong. "Wait! That me—"

"You have a very high potential to become a Jujutsu Sorcerer," Gojo affirmed to confirm his conclusion. "Before you even involved with the world of New Devils, you have always been intricated with the world of curses; that means our world. And that's always has been until you breathe your last air in this life."

By far, that was the most shocking information he had gotten besides the death of his father. "So ultimately, no matter how much I deny it, I'm always destined to be on that violent path, is that what you're trying to say...!?"

"Indeed I am," Gojo admitted easily. "That's why it's useless for you to return to your supposed normal life after your contract with New Hell was done."

Keima felt sick when he heard that. Are you... He could only be surrendered from such a cruel fate. Are you kidding me...? At the same time, he pinched his nose bridge and breathed quite heavily as a sign of forced acceptance of his new reality. I don't know what to expect from this anymore...

Within only four minutes, his emotions have been all over the place.

Nevertheless, despair is where he's at now.

On the other hand, Gojo continued what he had said earlier, ignorance of Keima's self-pain. "It's also the reason how your twisted ideal came to be, Keima. A child who is born with an extensive Cursed Energy will have a perceptive contradiction to humanity when they're at their teen." Unfortunately, that revelation is not done yet. "For example, total detachment to reality or hatred of this society as a whole. Were those sounds very familiar to you?"

Hearing his philosophical question, Keima looked up at Gojo again as another bombshell fact was thrown at him casually. Which made the God of Conquest realize that even his ideal had been determined a long time ago. "You're... joking, right?" And he has had enough of it. "First, I received the fact that my Dad is dead. Now you're telling me that my own ideal was just based on these expansive negative emotions that have been dwelled within me all this time!?" Truly, never before had he wanted to run away from anything. For him, this mentally tortured him. This is too much...

"You could say it like that, but that's not what matters anymore." Gojo then walked closer to Keima's bed with both of his hands under his pants socket. "All that counts now is that you were aware of how much danger you're in." He stopped his track with his upper face seemed darkening. "This is not like your little fiasco with those Weiss or Vintage. The one you will face is the consequence of your father's death, and what you experienced yesterday is only a prelude to what's to come." His statement ended with a warning. "So keep that in mind." With a sense of cold from his words, Keima felt conflicted as he realized there was no other option to his current path. Hence, the only future he could see right now is where he'll risk his life to survive in a world of curses.

"But, it's not like that I don't want to acknowledge what you feel right now either." Suddenly, there is a change of tone in his tone. "You've gone through so much and yet there's a torrent of cruel fate that has awaited you at the end of your original journey. Personally, I think that's enough to break someone." Gojo then sat at the edge of the boy's bed. "Listen Keima, I pity you, truly. However, since there will be powerful enemies that gonna hunt yo—"

"I understand," Keima said in a bitter tone. "And I definitely have enough of that crap." From the looks on his face, something has snapped within him. "But despite you saying that what can I do!? By this point, you should realize that I'm only an expert in swaying girls! You can't literally expect me to become one of you, especially since my physical state is very much weaker than most people!" He spoke out frustratingly.

Pushing Gojo to respond quite sinisterly: "We can very much work on that."

"How!?" Keima demanded a comprehensive answer.

Thus he replied that question with another question in a serious tone: "Before I answer that, are you sure you wanted to take this path before you?" In truth, that question was entirely an illusion to give him hope.

But Keima saw through that deception. "I would rather not to, but I don't have a choice as of now. Mainly knowing the truth about my Dad, his death, and a faction planning to take my life away. A better option for me is to keep moving forward." He admitted in honesty. "That's what you wanted to hear, right?"

Seeing his unexpected answer, Gojo was genuinely astonished. Keep moving forward... He was familiar with that phrase. The same phrase that uttered by his closest friend in their darkest time. Keima was the same as you after all, Keiichi. He couldn't believe it at first, but now he's more certain of his choice to bring Keima into this world.

And because of it...

"Of course~" He spoke with a smile, marking his annoying attitude has returned. "Besides you can't refuse anyway~"

Leading Keima to roll his eyes. "That's what you said." He then began complaining about his supposed free life. "And right after I'm..." However, he decided to stop right there and then.

At the same time, he thought to himself in hatred. What's the point anymore? The problem is not this reality, them, or him... He gripped his hands as a new revelation dawned on him, causing the trigger of his darkness to descend on him reiteratively. It's me.

Gojo also noticed that darkness resurgent on him as well. He's embraced his own negativity. This made him attentive in his future endeavors. That's interesting... Although it's two hours left until the Sun rises, he decided that it would be best to leave it for now.

Amidst the darkest dawn of a new day.
 Two fates that shouldn't have crossed paths.
 And the misery within a resolution.
 Temporarily concluded beyond the temptation of no return.
 Truth is exposed due to the drive of perception.
 Pain and sorrow of all that is hollow.
 Once more another stage has been composed.
 Thus began an act of malevolence.
 Created by one person who promised the script of termination.
 In the faraway land of entertainment.

Act IV: From the Distant Shadow

Maijima Seaside Amusement Park Entrance, West Maijima [03:27 AM]

Motionlessly standing in front of an amusement park, two individuals were staring at each other. One is a boy with black hair and brown eyes, the other is a girl with a familiar feature.

By the looks of a boy, he's not around 16 years old. Wearing a black leather jacket, with the back of it has a Japanese word [クレメンタイン] engraved, which is translated to [Clementine] within a yellow patch. He's also wearing a grey fedora and a gold watch on the right side of his hands.

On the opposite side of this mysterious boy is a girl wearing a black tunic-style hoodie, with her beautiful blonde-orange hair covered by that same hoodie. Her blue eyes were filled with calm and bitterness as she stared at the boy.

She's Shiina Kujou.

"This better be important, Kujou." The boy spoke in a calm tone. His eyes also shared the same bitterness as hers.

"I'll make this meeting worth your time, Ino," Shiina assured calmly, revealing the name of a boy she was talking to as Ino Fukuhara, the son of Sanzo Fukuhara. "Imoko's business with his brother to hunt Keima was over last night." Her eyes were as serious as they got. "Your messy faction can now begin to move for the certain kill."

"Hmm... I see." Ino's reaction was calm. "Did Imoko successfully kill Keima?"

"Yes and no," Shiina confirmed coldly. "He believed Keima was still alive, right after Gojo obliterated Okura and brought him to his old friend who mastered the Reverse Curse Technique." She upholds his theory as a basis of the current situation on the other side of the coin.

"Wait, obliterated? His brother's dead? That's overkill." Ino said as he showed his twisted mournful side. "The moment they came face to face with Gojo head-on it was already a suicide mission. Such a foolish decision."

"And so was Imoko predicted that probability," Shiina interjected with a little grin on her face. "He purposely let his brother die for the organization's observation purposes. A faint sacrifice to progress the research of our own making in the name of universal Jujutsu avail."

"How noble of him." He responded, holding high regard for Okura's final moment and Imoko's choice that led his big brother to his death. "I truly wish I could meet Okura one day. But I guess that's not possible anymore." A faint disappointment could be felt in his intonation. "However, with that being said, that means our previous agreement in regards to that boy went up to smoke, yes?" For some reason, there's a sudden change in his forlorn expression, one that could be called demonic."We can start to go crazy with the city manhunt, am I right?"

"Of course, that is with one condition." Shiina's glance at him was sharp.

Her statement made him curious about the requirements. "Condition?"

"Do it discreetly. We need this conflict to be as extensive as possible for a distraction to those Jujutsu Sorcerers, for them to not meddle with our plan in this city." Shiina answered straightforwardly. "I'm confident you know why we can't have them interfere?"

Ino nodded at her question. "Even though my father is still doubting this little savage scheme that was made by ours, I have already taken precautions and made him approve of the plan." He couldn't contain his excitement as both of his eyes got a little crazier. "So you don't have to worry about it."

And obviously, Shiina noticed this sudden change of eye contact with him. Hence, she decided to confront him about it. "Looks like you're enjoying this." She muttered with a fake smile. For her, Ino may maybe one of the most sociopathic people she has ever encountered.

He's like a Devil that was hiding in plain sight.

A boy who is purely crazy and willing to go out vigorously to reach his goal at all costs, even if he needs to sacrifice everything he's ever cared about.

That's just how his mindset works, after experiencing a lot of unfortunate events in the past. He is indeed an invaluable asset to our operation, that's for certain. However... There's a certain risk coming from that reckless behavior of his. But there's something more.

Something that she had decided from the start; one that would push her own organization's agenda.

"Well, what do you expect!?" Ino uttered as he was getting passionate. "After waiting for four years, finally I have the key to be free from my father's obsession with Jujutsu Sorcery!" His pure hatred for his father was shown in all of its glory. "Helping your organization by orchestrating the conflict between my faction and the MJSA is only the beginning. Soon, as chaos rises, the freedom that I've longed for will be in the palm of my hands, and I can get out of this Hell at last!" He ended his statement assertively; revealing the enigmatic man who's pulling the string of the prolonged conflict between two factions in the shadows to be him. "And you better keep your promise at the end of the bargain, Kujou. Don't let these efforts of mine be for nothing. You hear me?"

"Like I said before, I'm a girl of my word. You have nothing to worry about." Shiina reassured confidently, she meant every word.

However, Ino didn't buy that conviction of hers. "That's what you told me before and now." He knew there would be a crack if he let his guard down. "But double-crossed me and there will be fatal consequences for you."

"The same goes for you." Shiina countered apathetically to his threat. "After all, this is business that we're having."

Ino didn't respond to what she said.

Instead, he walked into her, closing the distance between them as he stared at her intently, while she also stared him back sinisterly for several seconds. After confirming his assumption that she was indeed serious with her commitment, he snapped his finger.

And from that action of command, another girl walked out from the darkness, staring intently at both of them without any emotion.

Like Ino, she's wearing a black leather jacket with the Japanese word [クレメンタイン] engraved on the back of her clothes. She has neck-length sky-blue short hair with a pink marble pin on the left side of her bangs, alongside blue eyes on her beautiful face.

Ino turned his back to face her. "Sakurai." He said coldly, revealing the girl's name to be Hiyori Sakurai.

"I'm here." That is all Hiyori could respond to his chilly call.

"Are our members ready?" Ino asked calmly at her, using a tone like a commander to his soldier.

"Yes, Ino-san." Hiyori said with conviction while bowing her head 90 degrees, showing respect to the person in front of her.

"Good, tell them to start the attack in the evening, three days from now," Ino ordered with a little smirk on his face. "Make sure to not leave any stains behind."

"It will be done. But what about Gojo Satoru?" Hiyori asked curiously in regards to that white-haired hair supposed messiah.

Leading him to answer straightforwardly: "Gojo will have a different matter on his own to handle in the upcoming days, now that Hunter of the Abyss fiasco was out of the bag." He replied as he stared and walked toward the Park Entrance a bit, distancing further between himself and the two girls behind him. "That's why we must do this briskly one way or another before the MJSA make their move, and my father started to change his mind completely in regards to all of this."

In truth, Ino's twisted influence on his father is getting weaker and weaker every day.

Based on the internal hierarchy of his faction, others remain assigned as Advisors to the Head, which their power ascendancy over him. Thus, made his job harder than it should be, to the extent that pushing the conflict into the way he hopes to be, killing Keima is imperative. Thereby, he must act first before other advisors who disagree with his brutal method decide to take action and put their convincing ideas into his father's head.

My father is a fool, but at the same time, he's useful. That's why manipulating him is very important to reach the moment that I wanted: the chaos caused by the conflict between the MJSA and our faction. Ino thought to himself with his resolution now stronger than ever. I will have my freedom. This conflict will be my father's downfall anyway. For him, nothing matters anymore except for his will to be freed from his familial cycle of Hell. Besides, his father is the one who pushed him to be the person he is today. After everything is done, I can finally start a fresh life away from this city.

He was reminded of how harsh his life was; how torturing it is to become someone who he doesn't want to be, bearing a burden that shouldn't be his, all because he's a son of the Leader of The Clementine Movement.

And that's eating him day by day, night by night.

Until it broke him from the inside.

The endless insults that were said by his father, because he wasn't competent enough to study the essence of the Cursed Technique.

His mother left him behind after she gave birth to his existence.

His two siblings deeply hated him because they had been jealous ever since he was decided by his father to become his successor by the time he was seven years old, for the reason of his gifted intelligence, even though he was born as a Non-Sorcerer.

But... Even with all of that misery, Ino was reminded of something. I can't leave Ryou's behind. We have to go together. To this day, he only has one friend in his life.

A boy named Ryousuke Nakamura.

No, we have to. I won't accept for him to live in that kind of environment too. To him, he's the only person that he could depend on, ever since he saved him from an accident that happened years ago that almost took Ryou's life away.

When he felt alone, Ryou was there for him, and Ino would be there for Ryou.

Both were childhood friends who became brothers, molded by bitter experiences and tragedies.

That's why...

Even if I have to become the Devil, I would be glad to be one if it means we could be free.

He has taken one path in front of him, a thorn road that led to the light, shimmered with darkness and lies.

For the sake of his own, and the sake of his brother by any means necessary.

At the same time, Shiina is staring at Ino with her blank cold eyes while he's having his thoughts.

It seems he's having his fun. She then glanced at Hiyori, who in turn glanced her back with a determination on her face, showing an understanding between them.

It seemed something was going on behind the scenes right at this very moment.

And the only one who is oblivious to the whole scenario is Ino himself.

Back to the conversation, Hiyori reluctantly approved of his statement concerning Gojo Satoru.

"I see. If that's aligned with your plan, then it is going to be my pleasure to deliver that message of yours to our Clementine Members." She responded with a fake smile on her face.

"That's what I wanted to hear," Ino replied with a nefarious grin following her response. "From here and out, this assault of ours will be the final path to start a war we've been longing for so long." He stated as he turned around and glazed his eyes at both of them. Especially, his eyes locked on Hiyori. "Failure is not an option. Keima's death is very essential for that chaos to happen. Use any tricks necessary. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Ino-san." Hiyori addressed compliantly to his order.

"Excellent." Ino gestured coldly, like a General satisfied after ordering his soldiers to an assassination mission. "You're dismissed, Sakurai." Thus without any more words to utter, Hiyori bowed her head once more before leaving the scene silently.

Leaving Shiina and Ino alone once more in the cold of the dark. "It's done. Do you have anything more to say to me, Kujou?" He asked the calm girl. "If not, then this meeting is over."

Interestingly, Shiina's not done with him just yet. "Actually I do, Ino. And this is the most important part." She grinned as her face darkened a bit. "I've never mentioned that you're the one who will order the attack to kill Keima." At first, her statement didn't make any sense to him.

Causing Ino to be confused: "What do you mean by that?" He asked in a very serious tone.

"By this point, I think you should understand what I meant," Shiina answered grimly. Her facial expression shows a sign of personal victory. "Considering you're a type who loves to manipulate people that you hated the most." Each of her words perceived Ino like a dagger throwing at him. "This should be not much of a hard puzzle for you to solve."

The moment she said that final sentence, Ino had a chilling realization. No way... He just lost a hidden game where his life has been on the line all along.

Kujou, you're a son of a bitch! In the first place, this is not about a meeting between allies.

It's a trick to lure him out, much to his dismay.

"So you're indeed betrayed m—" As he's uttering what was on his mind to an ally-turned-enemy, suddenly from out of nowhere...

A medium-sized sharp bloody fingernail was launched at him from an unknown vicinity at light speed.

Its unexpected event caused turbulence throughout the silent atmosphere at the Park Entrance.

And its projectile went straight through Ino's right shoulder perfectly, making him stagger in pain and agony. "AGHHH!" He screamed as he held his shoulder which was shot by the unmerciful unknown entity. W-What hit me...? There's no sound! What was that!?

He glanced left and right, trying to find the source of his immediate pain.

But what he found was nothing.

Except the girl in front of him who's looking at someone like trash.

"Y-You...!" The blood started to spill out from his shoulder. He knew this girl was responsible for this. Hence, he wanted to kill that nefarious girl himself with his bare hands.

"KUJOOOUUU!" Thus, he ran toward her at full speed, ignoring the pain that was inflicted six seconds before. "I'll make you regret this! I'll kill you with my own ha—" But, those words that mounted nothing of value were cut off once more.

Because lamentably for him...

It didn't stop there.

This is much more entertaining than I thought. Shiina found this situation to be hilarious as she watched those bloody fingernails aimed and shot at Ino mercilessly two more times.

And in those double critical hits, it precisely pierced his stomach and left leg, forcing him to plummet and kiss the cold ground when he dashed in anger toward the cruel girl.

"N-No...! Not... yet...!" That was solely what he could mutter before he began to rise from his knees as his blood started falling from his mouth. He wanted to dash at her again, but unfortunately, his leg had been injured greatly.

Within a few seconds, his condition was on the death's door.

It all happened so quickly that even his thought process couldn't handle what had just occurred.

I can't... believe... this... is... happening... Even though he discerned that Shiina had a slim chance of betraying him someday, he would never think it proceeding this much soon. Is this truly the end... of me...? That question of his would soon be answered shortly. But... I'm so... close...

His eyes started to fade away from this world as his will to kill Kujou began to disappear.

Ryou... I'm sorry... And his determination to bring freedom to himself and his brother has started to crumble significantly.

After the cruel attack had ended, Shiina knew what must been done as she approached him slowly and lowered her body to match Ino's kneeling position.

"Looked what karma that you have brought upon yourself. Despite the obvious fact, you're very close to reaching your goal." She said mockingly in a monotone voice while patting his lowered head. "And regardless of our deal, in the end, it's just good business that we're having."

"You're... a... bitch..." Ino tried his best to raise his head to see her straight in the eyes and finish his cursed words to the girl who suddenly backstabbed him without mercy. "Shiina..." His heart was fueled with anger and regret at the same time.

But even those negative emotions couldn't power him to turn the situation around.

He's only a side character, and that's a fact.

"I think this is the first time you called me by my first name, Ino," Shiina responded with a little smile on her face. She then took out the weapon she'd been carrying while hiding it from the world, Halted Bond, infused with Cursed Energy from her hidden pocket.

And maybe I'm a bitch, but this is how it must be.

The wind that was flowing in his direction began to head east.

Like anger from God themselves to condemn for his sins, the judgment of his action has arrived equally.

Kneeling in front of someone he once trusted, there's nothing more disgusting than that for Ino.

At least that's what he thought at first.

Although he's still furious over the tragedy that has befallen him, his sense of perception is still not rusty.

As he switched his focus to the knife Shiina was holding, it took him a few seconds to comprehend what this was wholly about.

A true scheme behind their meeting in this cold dawn.

"I see... so... that's what..." He muttered in a depressing tone. Everything started to click for him.

It all makes... sense now... Not even one minute has passed his hope to live is diminishing rapidly. If I die that means... The hidden deep-layered puzzle pieces have finally come together.

The best way to trigger an all-out war between the Maijima City shadowy factions that were involved in the world of curses.

Ryou... looks like you could be free after all... He could only close his eyes, accepting of his grim fate.

Meanwhile, Shinna stood up after she acknowledged Ino's pitiful acceptance to finish her job.

"Let's get this over with. Now you're free from this world." She addressed as her eyes crazed at him while her mouth formed a devilish smile. "Enjoy your paradise." Her right hand, which held an infused Halted Bond, quickly moved at high speed to aim at the connection between his head and his body; in a more execution style.

Thus, a clean sound of a glorious murder was resounding in the area with two people bearing to look as a witness.

The blood spilled everywhere on the ground, and Ino was now nothing more than just a part of history.

"That was very easy." Devoid of any guilt, Shiina finished her work without any sense of remorse, with her blade going straight through his neck bloodily.

Leaving nothing more than a headless dead body to abandon behind.

Three Minutes Later

At the scene of a crime, still holding Halted Bond in her right hand, Shiina calls out to the person who made this act of hers triumphant.

"Hiyori," She called to her subordinates who became an audience to Ino's recent downfall. "Enjoyed the show?"

From the darkness once more, appearing out of thin air which is supposed to be impossible for a normal person to do, is the presumed girl who should have left earlier. Her meek voice was replaced with resolution. "Yes, I do," Hiyori answered while holding a gun made out of flesh in her right hand, with two eyes on its sides, revealing her to be the person responsible for his sudden suffering and murder. "His death is something that I've been waiting for quite a while now."

"Hmm... of course you are," Shiina responded expectedly. "Glad to know that your current aim is getting much better than before, even though the factor of darkness has cowered your vision." She complimented Hiyori's marksman skill.

"It all thanks to you, Shiina-san," Hiyori responded with a genuine smile. "I learned all of this from you."

"I just gave you a path to follow," Shiina replied frankly at her humbleness. "You're the one that reluctantly followed it until the end. Be proud of yourself."

Hearing that compliment, Hiyori blushed a bit and spoke in a stuttered tone: "Th-Thank you."

Shiina however, didn't care about her anxious words. Instead, she walked towards her and put her right hand on Hiyori's left shoulder, making Hiyori to look at her curiously. "Although what you did is very well done, I have another job for you. You know what that is?" She asked as she expected the right answer from her mouth.

"I do." Hiyori knew right away what she meant. Her eyes showed determination.

"Then I'll leave this one to you, Hiyori," Shiina said with a smile on her face, an expression that is very rare for her to show to anyone. "You're the only person that I can trust with all of this."

"Of course. I will not be going to let you down for the responsibility that you have given me, Shiina-san!" Hiyori exclaimed while giving her salute.

"I know you won't. You're one of my best agents after all." Shiina reassured her. "For the equality of society, may Gods always be in your favor." She said as she genuinely wished her the best of luck.

At her notion, Hiyori nodded as she stared brightly at Shiina full of perseverance.

She put her faith in her.

Therefore, she will repay that by fulfilling her job flawlessly. Just like any other jobs that she has done in the past for the organization that took her in ever since she was only a little girl with nothing to remember. "You too, Shiina-san. For the equality of society."

After perceiving her words clearly, Shiina then walked away from the scene and headed straight into the darkness beyond, alienating Hiyori to do her task that would ignite much fire and modify the assumed flow of the conflict into a situation of no return.

One of which will drive both factions into a collision course.

Act V: Dawn of a New Day

Near Café Grandpa, Fukawa District, West Maijima [05:11 AM]

Three hours after a destined meeting that has changed everything for the worse, Gojo and Keima were seen walking side by side while talking to each other in a simple conversation as a dead silence surrounded them, with 19 minutes left before the sun rose from the west,

"...So you're telling me, my Dad once defeated a Cursed Spirit that almost massacred a whole townsfolk on Valentine's Day?" Keima asked curiously at the topic of his father's accomplishment.

"Yes~ but to be exact, it was his strategy that led up to our victory," Gojo answered proudly. "Of course, the one who defeated it is me~"

"That makes sense," Keima said without looking at him. "I guess in the end, I never deeply knew about my Dad after all. Unlike you Gojo."

"Don't feel too bad Keima. Ultimately, for everything that he's done, he did it to protect you and your mother from the harm of Jujutsu Society. We do have one rule that states to never reveal your true identity to the Non-Sorcerer or anyone who does not know the world of curses." Gojo comforted him. "Such as yourself when you're doing the capturing process. You never revealed your true intentions to the girls that you've captured, especially the Goddesses' Hosts for the greater good, and for that reason alone, is also the very cause of your greatest pain."

Like an arrow hitting its target perfectly, Gojo's words made Keima flinch to the degree of experiencing nausea a little bit; as if a Poisonous Dagger piercing his heart instantly.

It's true of what he said, but at the same time not quite. One of Keima's greatest pains is not about the girls (except Kanon, Tenri, and Yui) and the Goddesses thinking that he's trash beyond trash. He can take that statement quite nicely because he never cares about their opinion in the first place.

No... the true agony of it all is that he never has a chance to fix what has already been damaged between him and Chihiro. The Goddesses Hosts are already in love with him, but he on the other hand has screwed up his first girl to love for. That's why he concluded it would be best if he distances himself from her and them forever. Besides, what would the value of truth do at this point if only to make his situation more complex than ever before? It's outright pointless in the end.

Pain and betrayal. Those words unlocked his sudden nausea experience that tampered with his vision and thought process. He closed his eyes and then stopped in his walk as he couldn't contain what was in his conflicting mind anymore, making Gojo stop his walk too and look directly at Keima.

"What's the matter?" He asked without a sign of a smile.

"Gojo, you said that the person who almost killed me entirely is not related to The Clementine Movement, nor the conflict between the two factions. Is he... somehow related to my Dad?" That's an unexpected question from Keima.

And hearing that query, Gojo could only respond in honesty: "Yes, but don't worry I have taken care of him."

"Taken care of?" Keima asked confusedly at his answer.

"Exactly what it meant," Gojo replied in the hope of clearing up his confusion. "The person who hunted you down last night was the same person who killed your father." He casually dropped another truth bomb directly at Keima and grinned. "I just returning a favor at him after what he did. Nothing more, nothing less."

Regrettably, Keima didn't grin like him, as he was bewildered by the sudden information. "Wait, hold on. That person is the one who murdered my Dad!?" He demanded a clarification.

"Yep. But he was ordered to. The real culprit is still out there, and I'll bet is one of those damn Higher-Ups." He answered annoyedly as he instantly accused the people who were controlling the Jujutsu Society.

"That group of elders, huh..." Keima instantly remembered one of Gojo's stories right after he finished explaining Keiichi's death, where he described the Higher-Ups as one of those groups that are so useless, that they should be eradicated without any mercy. It's like New Hell all over again. There's no doubt about that similarity. And because of that system, he's additionally engaged in an operation that forced him to do a seemingly impossible act. Why do I keep involved with all of this serious matter? Suddenly, a series of flashbacks hit him.

Why I must experience these painful tragedies? One of which is when he got stabbed by Hunter of the Abyss, causing his doubt to resurface from the depth of his despair. Or maybe. A strong dilemma started to grow within him. Why was I given a second chance in the first place?

Meanwhile, Gojo continued the conservation. "More like a bunch of morons. That's why I intended to investigate them myself." He said in a tone that longed for violence and gore.

"I-I see..." Keima said as he stuttered for a reason; at the same time, looking lowly at the ground.

Gojo, who's been noticing his strange behavior, asked in a concerned tone: "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Keima brushed off his concern to him.

And because of that, Gojo decided to stop walking and pushed the topic forward. "You want to talk about it?" His tone was eerie.

"What the Hell do you mean?" Keima stopped as well. "I told you I'm fine, didn't I?" He tried to convince Gojo, but it was no avail.

"Putting on a brave mask doesn't work on me," Gojo said like an arrow pierced its target. "Your darkness has shown itself."

"My... what...?" Keima was legitimately confused by his words.

"You know what I'm talking about," Gojo said as he stood off against him. "How about you admit that to yourselves right now? The burden that you have carry over all this time."

At that particular word that he spoke to him, something occurred to Keima. My burden... And as the heated pressure from his annoying savior finally cracked him off. "I... I..." He began to unveil a side that he never showed to anyone. "I really am a terrible person, am I...?"

Hearing his crushing confession, Gojo could only smile a little.

All the while, Keima continued to expose his inner dismay. "When I prepared to die back then, I felt so much regret at once." He found his next words to be heavy for him personally. "To engage more, to talk more, to contribute more. I already thought it was too late for me to start all over again." His pain was let out in the open. "But here I was, somehow, to be given a second chance at life. And the very first thing I did is to cling again to my own ideal that this reality is indeed rotten to the core, along with everyone in it." That voice of his started to crack a little bit. "It's truly quite pathetic..."

Gojo decided not to respond at all and chose only to listen, hearing Keima's broken statement reminded him of one of his students before they entered the grim reality of the world of curses.

"My ideal world is always based on the galge games that I've played non-stop. However, ever since my involvement with the girls from my conquests. I noticed they always tried their best to overcome the many challenges in life and became a better version of themselves. And compared to them, my struggle was only child's play when I'm not entangled with that contract." Keima has a sense of nostalgia when he delves again into the many memories he had of his conquests. "By the time Jupiter Sisters were safely reunited, I realized those influences had already shattered my understanding of the ideal world that I wanted to be in. But still, I wanted to run away and distance myself from those girls because of how much I couldn't take it anymore." He confessed from the bottom of his heart, which is very rare for this phenomenon to happen.

"That's why, the moment I discerned that last night was a dedicated hunt to kill me, I thought it was my penance. However, all I felt was fear and a strong will to live that suddenly came within me." Keima looked at the dark sky. "It's laughable. A contradiction at its highest degree. But I already died before, like you said, so maybe this second chance could be a life that I should dedicate myself to. A life that my Dad has walked into." He then stared at Gojo with a faint smile that contained all the mental scars on him. "Which in the end I could finally pay for all those terrible things that I've done in my previous life as a God in the world of games."

As Gojo and Keima were staring at each other, the Six Eyes Sorcerer proceeded to open his mouth after his previous decision to keep silent. "Every single one of us never lived on either the side of black or white, Keima. Deep down, we're all terrible people. All that matters is how we perceived ourselves based on the contexts that were given by the society themselves." With each of the words he spoke, he's closing the distance between himself and Keima to the point it could be measured by pure logic to get the actual value. "I know I pushed you too hard for you to accept that other part of yourselves, but that's also why I will bear the responsibility." He put his left hand on his right shoulder. "For you to become a Jujutsu Sorcerer."

A comment that was uttered by Gojo brought forth a slight positivity to Keima. Even if it's only a little.

Café Grandpa, Keima House Entrance [05:22 AM]

Eight minutes until the sun rises and brightly shines on the city of Maijima from the west, the unlikely duo arrived at the supposed location; to be exact, at the front of Keima's House Front Gate. While Gojo seemed cheerful as usual, that same trait couldn't be applied to Keima's current mood. Especially after his recent mental breakdown a few minutes earlier.

"Here we are. Your home sweet home~" He said frankly in the hope of lighting the mood.

But that action didn't make a difference since Keima didn't reply to him. Instead, he just stared at his house as if it came from a nightmare.

Noticing this, Gojo tried to talk to him again. "You don't want to go in? This is your sanctuary after all."

"I know, but... this... this doesn't... feel right anymore," Keima admitted, much to his despair at the loss that he has faced bravely. "Especially after everything."

"How so?" Gojo asked in confusion.

"You know what I'm talking about." Keima cut to the chase. "After knowing my Dad won't be returned home ever again, I feel like I have done a terrible thing..." Since he knew he had been stalking (or in his terms, observing) him, it would be pointless to explain afresh his past actions and decisions.

And because of that, Gojo realized what he did mean by that. "If you're talking about your mother going to South America because you falsely told her in disguise that your father is on his deathbed, then don't worry!" He gave a thumbs-up. "My connections in that region have covered it all for you~"

This time it's Keima's turn to be confused. "What? How?"

"They have their ways." Gojo ensured with a smug smile on his face. "Let's just say, they're experts in stunt double."

Keima couldn't contain his surprise as both of his eyes were wide open, so much so that it broke off his gloomy attitude for a second.

"I don't want to see your mother to be depressed and all. Although it's still quite funny since she wanted to divorce Keiichi but still cared for him, even after that whole fiasco which your sister has pulled off in order to live with you." Gojo unintentionally dug up a box full of awful memories, because...

That last part made Keima go through a sequence of acidic echoes as if he'd taken part in some violent war years ago. "...Please don't remind me of that crazy thing Elsie has done ever again." He begged him. "It gave me a headache just to think about it."

"Hahaha, okay, okay~" Gojo said playfully as Keima reacted with a grin after he heard of his light response. It seems his positive mind has started to take over his negative emotions right at that time of serenity.

BGM Plays: More Than Words (JJK ED 4 - TV Version) by Hitsujibungaku

There's a moment of tranquility for a few seconds. As the birds began to chirp loudly, Keima opened his mouth, intending to break off the quietness between them for one last time, at least on this present occasion.

"Looks like this is where we part ways." He said without showing much reaction, unlike earlier.

"It seems that way," Gojo said in a gentle tone. "Take care of yourself, alright~?"

"...Sure," Keima responded to him, before muttering another words. "And, uh... thanks."

"A compliment?" Gojo asked confusedly. "For what?"

"For listening to my rambling earlier." Keima turned away his face in embarrassment. "It's just that I've never revealed that part of me to anyone."

"Hohoho~ really~?" Gojo teased him.

Keima didn't say a word as he found himself in a checkmate. "Shut up."

"Hahahahaha, now~ now~ Tsundere Keima-kun~" Gojo teased him. "Sometimes letting yourself loose in the dark is the best way to stay sane in this corrupted world. As long as nobody knows that vulnerability of yours, that is~" He looked at the morning sky. "Besides, that's what you do best, am I right? How else you could keep your sanity in check when you did those conquests of yours, hmm?"

"You have a point." Keima agreed with him, ignoring that he called him a tsundere again. "You observed me through my struggles all this time, so I guess there's no point for me to argue with that."

Gojo put a little bit of a smile when he heard that. "But that's also the reason why my students respected you."

He never told him he had students. "Your students?" Keima asked in a confused tone.

"I'm working as a Teacher," Gojo explained with a smile. "They've put their lives on the line to protect you in the shadow because that's their mission in this city. However, they grew fond of you over your determination to protect someone that doesn't deserve death and cruelty." As he said these words, the Sun started to rise slowly. "For them, you're a boy worthy of respect."

Keima couldn't believe that somebody would respect him. Me? Worthy of respect? Even after I manipulated and lied to everyone, became nothing more than a burden, and most importantly... A particular flashback flashed through his mind. To let my ego destroy Chihiro's pure love for me? Am I still... His heart started to beat faster. Deserve to be respected?

Gojo noticed Keima's darkness started to appear again. "Keima." He fixated his looks at the boy, changing the topic. "In the upcoming days, a terrible war between the MJSA and The Clementine Movement could break out at any moment. For certain when that happens, my students will be there to protect you. But..." He raised his index finger. "What would you do?"

"Me?" Keima asked confusedly, still grasping the weight of his question.

"If your friends or family were targeted by The Clementine Movement or worse. Will you be there to protect them?" Gojo asked in a serious tone.

Keima wanted to refuse that possibility. "I..." But if it comes to that one day, he has to make a choice.

"You don't need to answer that now," Gojo said casually. "You'll find your own answer when the time comes. And when it does, that choice will be your path to become what your father wants you to be." Chose it's the best way to end their final conversation for a day right there, he then began to walk away from Café Grandpa as Keima stared at him from behind.

But a few seconds later, much to his surprise, Gojo stopped walking and turned his back on the boy again. "Oh, and I almost forget!" He put a thumbs-up at the God of Conquest. "Everyone deserved a second chance. The question is: how would you use that chance in your life? Either to revert or improve greatly, it's all in your hands, Keima." The moment Gojo voiced that advice, Keima had no words. He's simply speechless. He could only gaze at him but showed an understanding in his eyes.

Meanwhile feeling satisfied, Gojo turned his back once more while waving his hands. "Well, that's all I wanted to say. See ya later~" Thus, he kept moving forward away from the peaceful scene.

As Keima held his stare at the man until he was out of his sight, that's when he started to show a genuine smile. It's all in my hands, huh...

At the same time, the sunlight began to light up the sky beautifully on the horizon; shining the historic city brightly with its majestic brilliance.

Intersection of Three Destinies: Prelude to the Parallel Story

End of the Arc

Unknown Room, House Beside the Katsuragi Residence [05:30 AM]

Oblivious to both individuals, there's someone who is watching from a window not far away from their location; a familiar shy girl who's stunned by an impossible event unfolding in front of her eyes.

"Keima-kun..." She muttered silently of his name. "Who are you talking to...? Why you're looking so sad...?"

And besides her, a mirror that reflects an existence using her figure is a Goddess who's looking at her worriedly, knowing that this particular girl has just witnessed something she shouldn't have seen.

Confidential Information Disclosure

Ghastly Dawn: The first conflict between the MJSA and The Clementine Movement which took place on a Sunday Dawn back in February 20XX. It took many casualties, and the survivors of that massive battle gained massive hatred for each other faction's existence. The players involved were around 33 Sorcerers and 27 Non-Sorcerers. Yet, for the MJSA and The Clementine Movement at that time, it was a devastating loss for both factions. Ever since then, the conflict has gone underground. Those two factions compiled many strategies to take down each other mercilessly in plain sight.

Halted Bond: A Cursed Tool used by Shiina Kujou to kill her enemy without any regret. Although the blade was small in size, once it was infused with her own Cursed Energy, she could slash anything under a radius of five meters. Its name was based on her feelings toward her little sister.

Umbra Pararius: Loyal soldiers from a certain syndicate organization that has infiltrated many public and private holdings for the benefit of their mission. They only know one absolute truth, and that is victory shall be created from the blood of others, without any exception. They have been trained since they were children and excelled in physical combat and mental strength. These incognito soldiers came from the circle of Non-Sorcerers. However, they were also capable of dealing with threats from the world of curses and the Jujutsu Society. It was managed personally by Shiina Kujou.

Active Characters Disclosed

Hiyori Sakurai (The World God Only Knows)

Keima Katsuragi (The World God Only Knows)

? (The World God Only Knows)

? (The World God Only Knows)

Gojo Satoru (Jujutsu Kaisen)

Ino Fukuhara (OC)

Shiina Kujou (OC)