Mahito lay sprawled on the warm sand, lazily tracing patterns with his finger while little Dagon snoozed peacefully beside him, soft bubbling sounds escaping the cursed spirit's small form.
"When will Kenjaku come back?" Mahito muttered, glancing toward the distant waves.
"Bwwwp... Bwwwpp!" Dagon replied in his usual bubbly tone, as if dreaming.
-Creak!
The heavy door swung open, revealing Kenjaku stepping inside. His composed demeanor was unchanged, but there was a distinct glint in his eyes.
Mahito tilted his head, one brow raised. "Where were you?"
Kenjaku didn't pause, his voice calm yet brimming with satisfaction. "I was searching for clues about the Prison Realm's location. And suffice to say, my efforts have paid off."
"Prison Realm?" Mahito repeated, curiosity sparking in his voice.
Kenjaku folded his arms. "It's a special-grade cursed object capable of sealing anyone—regardless of their strength."
Mahito's eyes lit up with excitement. "Anyone, huh? That's perfect! Imagine that Kaori girl's look when she sees him locked away."
Kenjaku's lips curved into a faint smile. "Indeed. And I now know where it's located."
"Where is it?" Mahito asked, leaning forward eagerly.
"In South America, deep within the Amazon Rainforest."
Mahito's jaw dropped. "That far? What's it doing over there?"
Kenjaku shrugged. "I can't say for sure, but its location doesn't matter. What matters is that I will retrieve it."
"You'll need more than that to truly stop him," a soft yet sharp voice cut through the air.
Kenjaku, Mahito, and Dagon turned toward the doorway, where a petite woman stood. Her long, tied black hair swayed slightly, framing piercing red eyes. She wore a short pink dress and leaned casually against the doorframe, examining it with an almost childlike curiosity.
"So, this is a Domain Expansion," she murmured, her tone analytical yet laced with intrigue. "Jujutsu sorcery is quite remarkable... different from Reality Marbles."
Kenjaku's eyes narrowed. "Who are you?"
The woman turned her gaze to him, a small, knowing smile on her lips. "Altrouge Brunestud. A pleasure."
Kenjaku's tone sharpened. "How did you get in here?"
Altrouge's smile widened as if amused by the question. "I walked through the door."
Kenjaku's eyes narrowed further. Now that he focused, he could feel the immense energy radiating from her—not cursed energy, but something far greater. It was ancient, boundless, and awe-inspiring. Even Mahito and Dagon had noticed it, their usually flippant expressions now wary.
Mahito, ever irreverent, grinned. "Oh? And what's a pretty little princess like you doing here—"
-Swick!
Mahito's words were cut off as his arm was severed in an instant. The dismembered limb fell to the ground with a dull thud.
"Don't call me little," Altrouge said coldly, her crimson eyes narrowing dangerously.
Mahito raised his remaining hand, a nervous laugh escaping him as his severed arm began regenerating. "Woah, woah, calm down! No need to get all snippy."
Altrouge clicked her tongue and shifted her gaze back to Kenjaku, dismissing Mahito entirely. "I'm here to propose a collaboration."
Kenjaku raised a brow. "A collaboration?"
"Yes," Altrouge said, her voice carrying an edge of regal authority. "A partnership between me, one of the true Ancestors of this planet, and your little... cursed spirit clique."
"True Ancestor?" Kenjaku echoed, intrigued despite himself.
Altrouge smirked faintly. "Before discussing that, let me enlighten you about this planet's history."
Kenjaku glanced at Mahito, who shrugged. Altrouge stepped further into the room, her presence commanding attention.
"This world has long been shaped by forces far beyond human comprehension. At its core, there exists Gaia—the embodiment of the planet itself—and Alaya, the collective unconscious will of humanity. Together, they act as guardians of balance, though their purposes often clash."
Kenjaku's gaze sharpened, but he remained silent, letting her continue.
"Long before humans walked the earth, the Ultimate Ones—the most powerful beings from other celestial bodies—descended upon this planet. They were entities of unparalleled strength, each embodying the peak existence of their respective worlds."
"And where do you fit into this?" Kenjaku asked, his tone measured.
Altrouge's smile grew, revealing a hint of her fangs. "My lineage ties to Crimson Moon Brunestud, the Ultimate One of the Moon. He sought to make Earth his domain and created a vessel—a body he intended to possess and use to manifest his will."
Her voice darkened, carrying a trace of bitterness. "But something unexpected happened. The vessel he created developed its own will... a personality he could not control. That vessel defied him and escaped his grasp."
Kenjaku's eyes narrowed. "What was the vessel's name?"
Altrouge's crimson gaze locked with his, and a sly smile crept across her lips. "Seijuro Gojo."
The room fell silent, the weight of her words sinking in. Even Kenjaku, with his centuries of experience, found himself caught off guard.
"That... all happened?" Kenjaku murmured, disbelief flickering in his eyes. He had lived for centuries, gathering knowledge from every corner of the world, yet this revelation was new to him.
Altrouge nodded, her expression unreadable. "Seijuro Gojo is far more than he appears. If you truly wish to defeat him, you'll need my help. So, Kenjaku... what do you say?"
Kenjaku stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Why would Seijuro Gojo be the head of the Gojo clan then? It doesn't align with the behavior of someone with such immense power."
Altrouge folded her arms, her crimson eyes gleaming with amusement. "Ultimate Ones possess complete knowledge of the planet they inhabit. But that knowledge is merely theoretical—they've never experienced life as the inhabitants do. I reckon Seijuro took that role to immerse himself in human existence, to understand what it truly means to live as one of them."
Kenjaku's eyes narrowed. "I see... Then, why are you after him?"
A dark smile spread across Altrouge's face, her fangs glinting faintly in the dim light. "To kill him. And to claim the title of the 'Ultimate One' for myself."
Kenjaku considered her words, weighing the implications. After a moment, he extended his hand. "I see... then we have a deal."
Altrouge smirked and clasped his hand firmly. The air seemed to thrum with unspoken tension as their alliance was sealed.
"Now," Kenjaku said, his voice measured, "for the first step, let's discuss how to deal with him."
"Oh, I already have two suggestions," Altrouge replied, a glint of excitement in her eyes.
"And that is?"
Altrouge's expression turned serious. "First, you'll need a conceptual weapon. Ultimate Ones have no concept of death—making it nearly impossible to kill them through conventional means."
Kenjaku's breath hitched, and he muttered, "No concept of death..."
The weight of her statement settled over him like a cold wave. For the first time, the sheer impossibility of killing Seijuro Gojo dawned on him fully.
"However," Altrouge continued, a sly smile curling her lips, "there's another way."
Kenjaku's gaze snapped back to her. "Another way?"
"Yes," she said. "Awaken another Ultimate One. There's one currently dormant... in South America."
The revelation sent a shockwave through the room. Even Mahito, usually blasé, stiffened, while Dagon let out an incredulous "Bwwpp!"
Kenjaku's voice was quiet, almost disbelieving. "This Ultimate One... Who is it?"
Altrouge's smirk widened into something feral. "Its name is ORT."
===========
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
There would be a timeskip chapter. Satoru is turning 8. Expect a birthday chapter!