---
In a mist-filled space.
Sukuna's consciousness had just awakened, and he was thrilled. He could sense the host's immense potential.
If he could seize this body, he would become even more powerful than his prime a thousand years ago.
Sukuna laughed maniacally, his wild laughter echoing through the dark space.
However...
As time passed, Sukuna gradually noticed something was amiss.
He couldn't manipulate this space at will as he should have. By all rights, he ought to be the master here.
Yet, the mysterious space did not seem to belong to the host's consciousness...
Suddenly, the surrounding mist dispersed.
A majestic palace stood tall before Sukuna.
He stared in stunned silence.
The grandeur of the palace surpassed anything he had ever known.
Unconsciously, Sukuna stepped onto the stairs leading up to the palace.
In front of the palace doors stood a figure.
Sukuna recognized him—it was the host of this body.
"Is this a world you've created?"
Sukuna marveled at the other's imagination.
"No, but honestly, I'm surprised to see you here."
Chu Yang stood at the top of the steps, twin blades in hand, gazing down imperiously.
"You have many secrets. Killing you will make all of them mine."
Sukuna formed a seal with his hands, and cursed energy burst forth. Behind him, a colossal shrine materialized, facing the palace behind Chu Yang.
"Domain Expansion: Malevolent Shrine!"
Sukuna's domain expanded endlessly, as if to engulf everything around it.
But when it reached Chu Yang's feet, it abruptly halted, unable to advance even an inch further.
Sukuna's expression changed drastically.
"This is our world. Your domain is powerless here."
Voices came from all directions.
Sukuna looked around and saw countless figures dressed in distinct attire, yet all bearing an uncanny resemblance to Chu Yang.
"Their souls feel identical… They're the same person!"
As the King of Curses, Sukuna was highly sensitive to souls. He immediately uncovered Chu Yang's secret.
How could one person's soul split into so many powerful entities? It was completely impossible.
"How did you do this?! Is this your innate technique?!"
Sukuna stared in shock, his gaze gradually turning feverish. This ability—he had to have it!
"Hey, he still doesn't seem to grasp how bad the situation is," Magic Chu Yang remarked with amusement, thinking that Sukuna's arrogant demeanor truly suited his reputation.
"I'll finish him quickly," Jujutsu Chu Yang said as he prepared to act but was stopped by Shinigami Chu Yang.
"I'll handle it," Shinigami Chu Yang said as he descended the stairs.
"After all, this is my specialty."
Pirate Chu Yang crossed his arms and watched with an amused expression.
Sukuna warily observed Shinigami Chu Yang, whose black-robed figure exuded an oppressive aura that subtly suppressed Sukuna's own.
The closer Shinigami Chu Yang approached, the more suffocating the sense of unease became, driving Sukuna to the brink of madness.
Like a cornered beast, Sukuna launched a reckless attack.
Shinigami Chu Yang responded with Kidō.
A circular light array suddenly appeared beneath Sukuna's feet.
A second later, golden lightning erupted, engulfing Sukuna within the array.
"AAAAHHHHH!"
Sukuna let out a blood-curdling scream.
Kidō had a unique effect on beings like him.
Even in his full power, the complete Sukuna would stand no chance against Shinigami Chu Yang.
With his domain suppressed, this fragment of Sukuna's power quickly fell into a near-death state.
Though he wouldn't truly die with nineteen fingers still intact, the humiliation he endured now was far worse than death.
As he was destroyed, Sukuna cast one last crazed look at Chu Yang, as if declaring:
"The next time we meet, I will kill you!"
---
After dealing with this unwanted guest, the Chu Yangs reconvened in the Soul Palace, sharing their experiences and abilities.
Demon Slayer Chu Yang finally got the swordsmanship skills he had been longing for and immediately began meditating to comprehend advanced techniques.
Although the martial arts from his world weren't highly ranked in power, their profound philosophies perfectly complemented his needs.
However, the one most affected was Shinigami Chu Yang.
When the concept of Taiji Fist arose in his mind, it felt like a thunderclap shook the depths of his soul.
"My Zanpakutō… it's stirring!" Shinigami Chu Yang said, his expression serious. His Zanpakutō had long been on the verge of awakening but had been stuck at a critical juncture.
The principles of yin and yang from Taiji Fist, combined with the solar and lunar forces of Breath of the Sun, fused into a ceaseless river that surged through his soul, breaking the bottleneck.
Sun, moon, yin, and yang—four powers united, flowing into his twin Zanpakutō.
Blinding light illuminated the palace.
A faint blue glow appeared above the palace, shining in harmony with the brilliance.
Upon closer inspection, it was the previously missing Hōgyoku.
"I thought the palace swallowed it…" Pirate Chu Yang exclaimed, staring at the floating Hōgyoku as it absorbed the light from the Zanpakutō.
"Is it drawing energy from the Zanpakutō?" Naruto Chu Yang asked, frowning as he glanced at Shinigami Chu Yang. "Will this affect your Zanpakutō?"
Shinigami Chu Yang shook his head, indicating no issue.
"This Hōgyoku was incomplete. It seems to be becoming whole."
Magic Chu Yang rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"If only we had instruments to analyze the energies emitted by the Zanpakutō and Hōgyoku," Marvel Chu Yang lamented.
As they discussed, Demon Slayer Chu Yang remained entirely focused on his swordsmanship.
---
Ten minutes later.
The Hōgyoku appeared "sated," its size doubling. No longer glowing, it floated silently in the air.
Meanwhile, the Zanpakutō's light dimmed, revealing their true forms.
The Zanpakutō's design shocked everyone.
They resembled neither katana nor Western swords, nor were they bizarrely shaped.
They were…
Ancient swords!
Shinigami Chu Yang's Zanpakutō consisted of one black sword etched with golden patterns forming a river filled with bones and a palace in its depths.
The other was a white sword with cyan engravings of a sea of clouds, above which the sun, moon, and stars shone brightly. A similar palace could be glimpsed within the clouds.
Both palaces bore a striking resemblance to the Soul Palace beneath their feet.
"The final form of a Zanpakutō reflects its wielder's essence," Pirate Chu Yang remarked.
"What do these swords represent?" he asked, looking at Shinigami Chu Yang.
"Soul," Shinigami Chu Yang answered succinctly.
Soul.
Everyone pondered the word.
In essence, their souls were one and the same. They were both individual entities and parts of a whole, linked by the magnificent Soul Palace.
"What are the Zanpakutō's names?" Jujutsu Chu Yang suddenly asked.
"Fengdu… Tianque," Shinigami Chu Yang replied, gripping the two swords with eyes shining brightly.
"The highest palace in the heavens and the deepest palace in the underworld? Looks like palaces are our destiny," Naruto Chu Yang quipped.
As the mist returned, the Chu Yangs began to return to their respective worlds.
---
Back in the Jujutsu World.
After swallowing Sukuna's finger, Chu Yang's raging cursed energy swept outward but quickly calmed.
He lay still, as if dead.
Gojo Satoru removed his black blindfold, prepared for the worst.
"Even though it's just one of twenty fingers, and he hasn't regained his full strength, the real problem is that he's in Yang's body," Gojo muttered, stretching slightly as if loosening up.
A genius whose raw cursed energy alone rivaled a special-grade sorcerer, despite never showcasing an innate technique—Gojo considered Chu Yang a perfect host for Sukuna.
Megumi Fushiguro rarely saw Gojo wear such an expression. No matter the crisis, Gojo was usually nonchalant and composed.
But this time, Megumi Fushiguro saw worry in his eyes.
"Is Yang-sensei's potential really that terrifying? Could he become as strong as you in the future?" Megumi Fushiguro couldn't help but ask.
"Not could. Will."
"Not a possibility, but a certainty!"
"From the first day I met Yang, I felt that this kid was different from everyone else. It's rare to find a sorcerer who consistently surpasses my predictions."
"Yang is that kind of person. His talent is visibly overwhelming—in a sense, no less than my Limitless Technique."
"To this day, I still don't know what his innate technique is. Perhaps he doesn't have one, but my instincts tell me that can't be true."
"Without factoring in his innate technique, I once tried to predict a fight against Yang."
"My conclusion was..."
"He has a 1% chance of defeating me."
Hearing this, Fushiguro Megumi's pupils contracted in shock.
In his heart—and in the hearts of most sorcerers—Gojo Satoru's name had always represented two words: invincible.