Chapter 143: Deal Or No Deal

" He's right you know. If I wanted to kill any of you. I wouldn't have given a warning. " Instantly after Hakari heard this voice. Off pure instinct his arm shot back, throwing a backfist at Mute. The fist traveled through the air, until a sudden high pitch scream, stopped Hakari's fists in its track. 

"Wait! Don't attack him. I have him under a binding vow. But if you attack him first, the vow will become meaningless. " Yelled out Mai with sweat covering her face. 

" Tsk, you get on my nerves, you know that, Mai. " Said Mute, staring at Hakari's knuckles. Hakari slowly dropped his fist turning around before backpedaling while glaring at Mute. The two of them locked eyes before Hakari spoke angrily. 

" What the hell do you want? "

" I'm here to discuss something with you all. Everyone except Sukuna's vessel, I need him to leave. " Responded Mute. Shoko turned confused before speaking. 

" If you think we're going to give up Yuji and join you- " 

" Yeah, Yeah. I don't care about him. He can live or die for all I care. I just need him to leave, so Sukuna doesn't hear what I'm about to say. " Said Mute in a bland voice cutting off Shoko. Shoko bit her lips before speaking.

" Alright. Itadori, walk far away. Come back in ten minutes, unless you hear fighting, in that case. Sprint back here. " Yuji quickly nodded and started to walkway. Yuji felt the gazes on his back, as he walked deeper into the dense forest, until finally. The sorcerers glanced back at Mute. Mute just smirked, before speaking. 

" The upcoming next big battle is coming shortly, and to put things short. Even I will struggle, to survive it. Mainly because I believe that Sukuna and Kenjaku are working together in some sort of way- " Before Mute could finish his sentence. Hakari suddenly interrupted him. " So, you want us to save your skin because you're afraid that you might die? " 

The sudden action of Hakari interrupting Mute, caused Mute to let out a scoff until he spoke with his fists tightly balled. " Dying is something that I'm not concerned about. It's a road I've been down before. I'm concerned about Kenjaku's plan...But for the recorded, if you cut me off again. I'll have you seeing Yuta and Yuki again. " 

As soon as Mute said this, veins began to pop out of Hakari's body. He bent his knees and was about to lunge at Mute until Shoko spoke, stopping him. " Hakari calm down. He wants you to attack him. So, the binding vow he created with Mai is useless. Remember Mute, isn't some hot head. Everything he does is for a reason. " 

" Thank you for the compliment Shoko. But I wouldn't focus on my personality too much. This meeting is more important to you than anyone else here. " Said Mute. Shoko looked at him confused before he spoke again. 

" Before you ask. I can't tell you why. I have my tongue-tied if you get what I mean. But back to my main point. Kenjaku and Sukuna are working together, and Uraume is also with them. That's three special grade sorcerers, versus little old me. They know, I'm the biggest threat and will target me first. That's something, I can't happen. " 

" So you want to weasel your way out of the battle. " Said Hakari.

" Not exactly, I want the climax to my story. To be a little more luxurious. I want Gojo to be present in our battle. The Strongest against each other. I can't exactly free him, but I believe he will be able to break out of the seal on his own soon. But until that happens, I'll need all of you to not attack me. Stay out of my way and I'll stay out of yours type deal." Responded Mute while shrugging ignorantly. 

" Your cocky as ever. But what is the benefit for us? " Asked Shoko. 

" You won't have to worry about me attacking you and I'll tell you Kenjaku's plan. I'm probably the only one outside of Uraume and Sukuna that knows it. Or at least a part of it. " After Mute said this, Shoko grew quiet, as her mind raced. Before finally, she nodded and spoke. 

" Give us time to reconsider. Come back to this forest at noon, and we will finish this meeting. " Mute could only nod and speak while waving his hand. 

" Fine. Make sure to tell Sukuna's vessel none of this. Goodbye. "... 

Five hours later. Back inside the penthouse, Mute could be seen watching TV, in the same cushioned chair. Mai could be seen leaning on the wall with her arms crossed, her face was bland. Her eyes were staring at the marble tile floor, until the noise coming from the TV stopped and she looked up, to see Mute standing up from the chair. 

" Where are you going? " Asked Mai. 

" To sleep. Wake me up, two hours before noon. " Mai nodded before she asked another question while uncrossing her arms. 

" Do you think they will accept the deal? "

" They will. It's too good of an opportunity to pass up, they will learn Kenjaku's plan. And where the setting of the battle is going to be. And they won't have to worry about me. They will be foolish to not accept it. " Responded Mute walking past Mai, Mai grew quiet, until she let out a sigh and murmured only loud enough for her to hear. 

" For their sake. I hope they do. "...