The other top sortiums quickly took the hint, just like the Suzuki family, and after a moment of hesitation, they began to leave one by one. As for the smaller sortiums, they didn't pose a threat worth sidering. The Shinomiya family alone could handle all of them if needed.

  "Mom, let's head out too!" Eriri tugged at her mother, eager to leave. Ryuji had already gone, and she felt o lioday, she'd seen a side of him that was undeniably impressive, and she couldn't wait to boast about it the ime she visited the Service Club.

  Humph! She thought to herself. Only I got to see Ryuji like this, none of them did.

  Haruno, standing nearby, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at her own mother. "Still feeling proud of Yukino, huh?" she teased with a smirk.

  Fumino shot her daughter an annoyed lonizing the sarcasm ione. Yes, she'd been a bit over the top about Yukino being a sorcerer, but Haruno didn't o keep rubbing it in.

  "Let's just go," Fumino said, sighing. But inside, she was more subdued. After seeing today's dispy of power, her previous pride had certainly taken a hit.

  Satisfied that her mother had been humbled, Haruno ughed lightly and followed her out.

  As for Ryuji, he didn't spare a sed thought for the banter or alliances f in the ba hall. Even if some people harbored ill iions, it didn't him. If they crossed the line, he'd simply deal with them. o overthink it.

  On the way out, Mei Mei g the bck card in Ryuji's hand, her tone carrying a hint of envy. "An unlimited spending card," she murmured, her eyes gleaming. For someone who loved money as much as she did, it was the ultimate prize.

  "If you want it, take it," Ryuji offered with a nont shrug, pushing the card toward her.

  Mei Mei looked at him, surprised, before chug and pushing the card back. "Nah. If I want something like this, I'll get it myself."

  Besides, she leaned closer to him with a sly smile, "If you're mihen wouldn't everything you have be mine anyway?"

  Ryuji caught her meaning immediately. He grinned and tucked the card bato his pocket.

  He g his watch. "It's still early. Are you free ter?"

  Mei Mei raised an eyebrow, amused. So he was finally aowledging her charms? Reje? Not a ce.

  "For you? I'm free whenever you need me," she replied with a smirk.

  "Good, then be prepared. You might not be able to move tomorrow," he teased.

  "Oh really? I don't believe that," Mei Mei shot back, her face flushed but her eyes defiant. She wasn't about to back down now.

  Ryuji chuckled at her boldness. "Challenge accepted," he said, and they set off, but instead of a hotel, Mei Mei led him to her home. She wahis to be formal, in her own space.

  ---

  Meanwhile, in the shadows, Kenjaku observed Ryuji's every move. But instead of feeling threatened, Nosuke looked... delighted.

  "Yes... magnifit," he murmured. "He even wield Gojo Satoru's domain teique, Infinite Void." To him, this was firmation that Ryuji had the potential to grow far beyond even the legendary Ryomen Sukuna.

  As he watched, Kenjaku began to wonder just how far Ryuji could go. If anyone could surpass the King of Curses, it would be someone like him. The prospect filled him with anticipation.

  But not everyone shared Kenjaku's excitement. Jogo, lurking nearby, gred venomously at Ryuji's retreating figure.

  "That human... he's being stronger and stronger," Jogo spat.

  Hanami heir tone cautious. Even Mahito, usually so full of bluster, seemed subdued whenever Ryuji's name was mentiohe reality of Ryuji's power was hitting them all hard.

  "Damn it!" Jogo growled, standing up abruptly. Despite his usual recklessness, he wasn't foolish enough to challenge Ryuji directly. He valued his life too much for that.

  Turning to Kenjaku, he demanded, "Are you sure Sukuna handle him?"

  This was the story Kenjaku had fed them—to get them to cooperate in resurreg Sukuna, the so-called King of Curses, g Sukuna would be able to eliminate Ryuji.

  Kenjaku fshed an easy smile. "Rex. Sukuna is a thousand-year-old curse, the stro of his kind. Against Ryuji? He's more than enough."

  Jogo's anger subsided slightly, though he still looked troubled. "Then we o focus on reviving Sukuna," he said. His patience was running thin.

  Hanami looked skeptical but held back, watg Kenjaku with wary eyes. Something about him didn't sit right, but they had no choice but to rely on him.

  Kenjaku, meanwhile, was inwardly amused. He khe truth—Sukuna wasn't nearly ready for a full resurre. The cursed fingers currently in Itadori's possession wouldn't bring Sukuna back at his true power. If he were revived now, it'd only be a fragment of his former self. What would be the point?

  "Patience," Kenjaku said smoothly, hiding his true thoughts. "If we rush the resurre now, it'll be meaningless. We o gather at least fifteen or sixteen fingers before we even sider reviving him. Otherwise, he won't stand a ce against Ryuji."

  Jogo ched his fists but eventually nodded. As much as he hated waiting, he knew Kenjaku was right.

  With nothing more to do, the cursed spirits departed, each lost in their own thoughts.

  ---

  Ryuji, oblivious to Kenjaku's schemes, was busy admiring Mei Mei's home. "Nice pce," he ented, impressed by the luxurious decor.

  Mei Mei shrugged, p him a gss of red wine. "I like money, but I'm not oo just hoard it. Gotta enjoy it too."

  She'd ged into a silk robe, her tall, elegant frame drawing Ryuji's eye. He raised an eyebrow, silently appreciating her beauty. Out of all the sorcerers he'd met, Mei Mei was certainly one of the most striking.

  "What are you thinking about?" Mei Mei asked, notig his thoughtful expression as she handed him a gss.

  "I was just thinking about Utahime," he admitted holy.

  Mei Mei rolled her eyes, though she couldn't suppress a small smile. "Really? Thinking about another woman while you're with me?"

  Ryuji chuckled, taking a sip of his wine. "Nothing like that. I was just w—why hasn't Shoko healed the scar on her face? She's got one of the most advanced reversal teiques around."

  "Oh, that." Mei Mei ughed softly. "Utahime got that scar when she romoted to quasi-first-grade. Shoko offered to heal it, but Utahime refused. Said she wao keep it as a reminder, like a badge of honor."