Chapter 25 -Sachiko VS Choso
"What happened?"
"The first victim's family is dead. Although it's not confirmed whether it was done by the same cursed spirit or not, it was most likely targeted to all the victims' families. So, we need to exorcise the curse before it kills everyone else but that is not the main problem." Sachiko said.
"Then what?" Itadori asked.
"They are splitting us up. To be precise, they want to separate me from you guys." Sachiko replied with a sigh.
"Wait, they?" Junpei frowned. "I thought you said a curse."
"It's probably the same group from Goodwill event. The curse responsible for the deaths might not necessarily be from their group but they might just be taking advantage of the situation. As for why I think they want to split me up, the incident of family death only started after I joined the mission and lead you guys here." Sachiko said.
"Those are guesses, right?" Nobara raised her eyebrows.
"Yes. But it explains it, isn't it?" Sachiko replied with a question.
Megumi was silent as he was thinking about something.
"So, what do we do now?" Junpei asked.
"Let's split up and see what they want." Sachiko replied with a grin.
"But If they are the same group, what if they are after you again?" Megumi asked, concerned.
"No. I would say it's probability is less than 5 percent. They are after someone else today and I just happened to be in their way." Sachiko shook her head. It wouldn't make sense for them to plan an attack on her when they weren't expecting her to be here in the first place. That didn't leave the possibility of trying to kill her for getting in their way , of course, and that was the reason she didn't say zero percent.
"Who?" Junpei asked and she replied ,
"Itadori."
"What? Me?"
"Yeah, or should I say Sukuna? Either way, their goal is you this time so good luck? I guess." Sachiko said.
"....."
"Why?"
Itadori looked like he wanted to cry.
"Because you're about to go and face them. I'm going alone so the rest of you should go and check the other barrier." Sachiko said as she showed them the location and route to take to get there.
"It should be less dangerous but be careful, there might be a trick." She said.
Megumi nodded and Sachiko said with a smile, "Alright, if anything is seriously wrong and there is no way you can handle, send me a signal. I'll come over to help."
"Alright. " The group said.
"Okay. Then, I'll go now." Sachiko walked towards the barrier casually.
After a few steps, she turned around and said, "Right, I almost forgot, Itadori, if you happen to be forced into a binding vow, don't agree any of Sukuna's conditions. I mean just in case.." Sachiko warned before Itadori left with the group.
"That's strange but okay?" Itadori agreed.
'It's extremely risky to let them go into that barrier but this is something they have to face sooner or later...Although I couldn't see all those possibilities, I could see more families being attacked to make us split up or they would even use worse ways. So, it's pointless to stick around. Besides, it would be more interesting if I go and confront them directly.' Sachiko thought to herself.
----------------------
When Sachiko got to the barrier, she stopped walking and stood in front of it.
"I wonder what they are up to now. Guess I'll find out when I go in."
Sachiko then walked into the barrier.
"So, you actually came here even after knowing your classmates would be in danger if you do so."
The death paintings brother Choso said.
"Why not. I'm curious what you are up to." Sachiko replied casually.
"So, what're you suppposed to do? Distract me? Or kill me? Either way, you're not strong enough to do either of them." Sachiko asked.
"I'm only here to keep you away from my brothers." Choso said as he charged towards Sachiko.
Sachiko reinforced her legs with cursed energy as she dodged and kicked Choso. Although the kick landed, Choso didn't seem to be affected by it.
"You're not that weak then. Nice." Sachiko said as she made a cursed energy katana. Sachiko aimed for Choso's chest but Choso managed to slip away and sent a handchop towards Sachiko's neck.
Sachiko chuckled as she saw through Choso's attacks by activating her cursed technique.
"You have fast reflexes too." Sachiko commented.
Choso used Slicing Exorcism to try to slice through Sachiko's body. Sachiko used her cursed energy to neutralize the attack then reinforced her legs with more cursed energy for speed and pierced Choso's chest with her cursed energy katana.
Blood flowed out of Choso's chest but using the close distance between them as an advantage, Choso activated Piercing Blood to inject his poisonous blood into Sachiko. But, Sachiko expected this and used cursed energy manipulation technique to misdirect the piercing blood shots.
Seeing that his attacks not working, Choso used Supernova to shoot out small orbs of blood in every direction.
"Let's get a little violent then." Sachiko's lips curled up as she manipulated a huge wave of cursed energy to destroy every single orb and the impact pushed Choso back by several meters. Blood kept gushing out of his mouth as the result.
"Should I kill you now? Or should I ask you about your plans first?" Sachiko said.
"I don't know any of the plans you're talking about." Choso said.
"Hm? Interesting. Aren't you from the same group with Mahito?" Sachiko asked.
"I don't see why I should tell you." Choso said.
"Then, you can go and die."
However, before Sachiko could land the final blow, a blast of cursed energy was shot towards her.
"You really were here this whole time. I could sense you, you know." Sachiko broke into a smile when she saw the figure.
It was the same curse user who she met during her battle with Mahito. Although she couldn't see the face, she was sure it was the same curse user judging by his cursed energy.
"We meet again, Nakamura Sachiko."
He smiled.
"So, what do you want this time?" She asked, "I assume it's not to kill me because this is nowhere enough."
"Kill you? No... In fact, I would ask you to join us. Higher ups..You hate them, right?" The curse user stated.
"Well, they want me dead." Sachiko chuckled, "But what makes you think I'll join you? If my memory serves right, you guys tried to kill me last time we met. So, what changed?"
"It was my mistake. I had no idea those rotten higher ups were trying to kill you. I always thought strong Jujutsu sorcerers would be allies with higher ups. But, apparently , I was wrong. You must be upset." He stated, "So, why don't we team up and kill all those higher ups? We would change the Jujutsu world after that. Think about it."
Sachiko laughed at that, "You're quite the manipulator, aren't you? I'm sorry to disappoint you but I don't care about changing the world or whatever. So, quit that."
"That's a pity then. I could see great potential in you. You might as well surpass Gojo Satoru in the future. But it's a waste if you die early." He said.
"We'll see about that." Sachiko replied as she shot cursed energy arrows towards the curse user.
The curse user's lips curled up. He might as well change some plans because he found an interesting power he could get access to. He didn't notice it the first time he met her but witnessing her fight with Choso now, he could see the seemingly endless amount of cursed energy and her ability to predict the opponent's movements.
'What exactly was her cursed technique to allow her to predict things and even destroy Mahito's soul?' He thought.
-------------------------
When Itadori's group got to the barrier, Itadori went in first.
"Let's go." The rest followed him but just after Nobara and Junpei entered, Megumi was pushed back by the barrier.
"Why...? Why can't I get in?" Megumi mumbled. After a few seconds, realization dawned upon him.
"Don't tell me this is an advanced barrier....that restricts the people who can enter.. Or is it the amount of people?"
"Regardless of it, I can't go in. Should I send a signal to Nakamura or try to force my way in?" He shook his head, "I don't know much about destroying these kind of barriers. It's not realistic to do so. I should call for backup."