Our hope

As Hiro's fingers brushed against the fragment, a tidal wave of memories crashed over him. Shibuya, his relationship with Maki, Kenjaku, the Culling Game – it all came flooding back in vivid, overwhelming detail. He staggered back, clutching his head as the flood of information threatened to overwhelm him.

"Are you alright?" Hana asked, concern etched on her face.

Hiro took a deep breath, steadying himself. "Yeah, I think I'm okay."

Hana extended her hand once more, her eyes filled with hope and urgency. "Take my hand. Let's go back to the real world."

Hiro stared at her outstretched hand for several long seconds, his mind racing. Finally, he spoke, his voice quiet but firm. "I'm sorry, but... I don't think I want to do that."

Hana blinked, confusion replacing the hope in her eyes. "What? What do you mean?"

Hiro ran a hand through his hair, his expression torn. "It's true, I remember everything now. But... thirteen years have passed here, you know? I'm married. I have a son."

"You know perfectly well that none of that is real," Hana countered, her voice gentle but insistent.

"How much time has passed in the real world?" Hiro asked suddenly.

Hana hesitated before answering. "About a day, approximately."

Hiro's eyes widened. "For you, it's been a day. For me, it's been a lifetime."

"If you die here, you'll die out there too," Hana warned, a note of desperation creeping into her voice.

Hiro's gaze drifted towards the school building, where he knew his students were waiting. "What you're estimating as a week outside would be 80 years here, where my family is."

Hana sighed, running a hand through her short blonde hair. "I'll come back tomorrow. Think about it, please."

Hiro shook his head, a sad smile playing on his lips. "I don't think there's much to think about." He turned, starting to walk back towards the classroom.

"Just remember, Hiro," Hana called after him, her voice carrying across the garden. "The real Nobara is out there. Your true friends. Satoru won't have any chance of being born. And Maki, your real partner – don't you miss her?"

Hiro paused mid-step, the words hitting him like a physical blow. For a moment, he stood frozen, torn between two worlds, two lives. Then, with a barely perceptible shake of his head, he continued walking.

Hana watched him go, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "I hope he makes the right decision," she murmured to herself.

The hours passed in a blur for Hiro. He went through the motions of teaching his classes, but his mind was elsewhere, grappling with the weight of his newfound memories and the impossible choice before him. As the final bell rang, he made a sudden decision. Instead of staying late or going out with Kokichi as planned, he headed home early.

The familiar streets of his neighborhood seemed different now, tinged with an air of unreality. Each step towards his house felt both right and wrong, comforting and unsettling. As he approached the front door, he paused, taking a deep breath to steady himself before entering.

"Oh, it's rare for you to come home so early," Nobara's voice greeted him, surprise and pleasure evident in her tone.

Before Hiro could respond, a small blur of motion caught his eye. Satoru came running, throwing his arms around Hiro's legs. "Dad! Let's play!"

Hiro felt his heart constrict, a bittersweet smile spreading across his face. "I wanted to spend time with you both," he said, ruffling Satoru's hair.

Nobara's expression softened, and she leaned in to plant a kiss on Hiro's cheek. "Thank you," she murmured, her eyes shining with love.

The evening passed in a whirlwind of domestic bliss. Hiro threw himself into every moment, acutely aware that each second might be his last in this world. He helped Nobara in the kitchen, laughing as they playfully bumped hips and stole kisses between chopping vegetables. He played with Satoru, marveling at his son's imagination and energy, treasuring each giggle and excited exclamation.

As they sat down to dinner, Hiro found himself studying his family's faces, committing every detail to memory. The way Nobara's nose crinkled when she laughed, the dimple in Satoru's left cheek, the warmth in both their eyes when they looked at him – he wanted to remember it all.

"Is everything okay?" Nobara asked, noticing his intense gaze. "You seem... different today."

Hiro smiled, reaching out to squeeze her hand. "Everything's perfect. I just... I want to remember this. All of it."

Nobara's brow furrowed slightly, but she returned his smile. "Okay, weirdo. Just don't forget to eat your dinner while you're busy being sentimental."

After dinner, as Satoru was getting ready for bed, Hiro pulled him into a tight hug. "I love you, kiddo. You know that, right?"

Satoru squirmed in his embrace, more interested in getting back to his toys. "I know, Dad. Love you too."

Hiro held on for a moment longer before releasing him. "Sweet dreams, Satoru."

As he watched his son bounce off to bed, Hiro felt a lump form in his throat. Was this the last time he'd tuck Satoru in? The thought was almost unbearable.

Later, as Hiro and Nobara prepared for bed themselves, an air of tension hung between them. Nobara kept shooting him concerned glances, clearly sensing that something was off.

"Hiro," she began as they settled under the covers. "What's going on? You've been acting strange all evening."

Hiro turned to face her, drinking in the sight of her face in the soft lamplight. "Nothing's wrong," he assured her. "I just... I love you. I love our life together. I want you to know that."

Nobara's expression softened, though a hint of worry remained in her eyes. "I love you too," she said, leaning in to kiss him softly. As she pulled away, she added, "You'd tell me if something was wrong, wouldn't you?"

"Of course," Hiro lied, hating himself for the deception but knowing it was necessary. "Everything's fine. I promise."

Nobara studied his face for a moment longer before nodding. She reached out to switch off the lamp, plunging the room into darkness. "Goodnight," she murmured. "I love you."

Hiro was silent for a beat, his throat tight with emotion. "I love you too," he finally managed, his voice barely above a whisper.

In the darkness, Hiro reached out, pulling Nobara into his arms. She made a small sound of surprise before settling against him, her body fitting perfectly against his as it always had. As Nobara's breathing evened out in sleep, Hiro remained awake, memorizing the feel of her in his arms, the scent of her hair, the steady rhythm of her heartbeat.

Hours passed, and still sleep eluded him. As the first hints of dawn began to lighten the sky, Hiro made his decision. Carefully, moving with agonizing slowness to avoid waking Nobara, he extricated himself from her embrace. He dressed quickly and silently, pausing only to place a gentle kiss on Nobara's forehead and whisper a final "I love you."

He crept down the hallway, stopping at Satoru's room. The boy was sprawled across his bed, one arm dangling off the edge, his mouth slightly open as he snored softly. Hiro's vision blurred with unshed tears as he leaned down to kiss his son's forehead. "Be good for your mom," he whispered. "I love you, Satoru."

With a final, lingering look at his sleeping family, Hiro slipped out of the house and into the pre-dawn darkness.

The park was shrouded in mist as Hiro arrived, the world around him seeming appropriately dreamlike. He didn't have to wait long before Hana materialized out of the fog, her expression a mixture of hope and apprehension.

"Are you ready?" she asked simply.

Hiro nodded, his jaw set with determination. "Yes, I've decided. I'm going to protect what I have here by protecting what's real."

Hana's face broke into a relieved smile. "You've made the right choice."

She extended her hand once more, and this time, Hiro took it without hesitation. The world around them began to blur and fade, the mist swirling faster and faster until everything went white.

Suddenly, Hiro's eyes snapped open. He was lying in a bed, in a room he didn't recognize. His body felt weak, unused, but his mind was sharper than it had been in years. As his vision cleared, he saw familiar faces surrounding him – Hana, Itadori, and Megumi, all looking impossibly young, as if no time had passed at all.

Hiro raised a hand to his head, wincing at the lingering disorientation.

Itadori's face broke into a wide grin. "Welcome back, Hiro-senpai!"

A small smile tugged at Hiro's lips, despite the ache in his heart for the family he'd left behind. "I'm back," he said, his voice hoarse from disuse.

As Hiro's vision cleared, he noticed an unusual man standing among the group. The stranger wore a peculiar outfit, with the left side of his body completely exposed. Curiosity piqued, Hiro asked, "Who's that?"

The man burst into an enthusiastic introduction, his energy almost palpable. "Hello! I'm Fumihiko Takaba, and I want to be a comedian!" Without missing a beat, he launched into a joke. "Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything!"

The room fell into an awkward silence, broken only by Takaba's expectant grin. Hiro found himself more intrigued by the man's exuberant presentation than the lackluster punchline. "Nice to meet you," he said, politely suppressing a grimace at the joke.

Shifting his focus, Hiro addressed the group. "So, what happened exactly?"

Hana stepped forward, her expression serious. "Itadori found you unconscious on the street. It appears you were the victim of some kind of cursed ritual that trapped you in an alternate reality, all within your mind. My technique allows me to undo any ritual, so I was able to save you."

Hiro scratched his head, processing the information. "And who could have done something like that?"

Suddenly, a mouth emerged from Hana's cheek, startling Hiro. The disembodied voice spoke, "I have no idea, but if someone possesses such a powerful technique, we'd best be cautious."

The sight of the mouth reminded Hiro of Sukuna's manifestation within Itadori. He glanced at Yuji, who quickly made a gesture urging him to keep quiet about it. Hiro sighed, deciding to play along for now.

Hana, noticing Hiro's surprise, explained, "This is Angel. She lives within me."

The mouth moved again, Angel's voice correcting, "We coexist."

"Angel?" Hiro echoed, his brow furrowed in confusion.

Fushiguro nodded, adding context to the situation. "Yes, she's the one we've been searching for. She's agreed to release Gojo from the Prison Realm."

A wave of relief washed over Hiro. "That's good news," he said, a small smile forming on his lips.

Standing up, Hiro stretched his limbs, surprised by how energized he felt. "I feel like my body is more powerful than ever," he remarked.

Angel's voice chimed in, "That's because the power you had in your subconscious was much less than what you actually possess."

Hiro chuckled, a sudden craving hitting him. "Man, I could really use a bottle of rum right now."

Hana's eyes widened in alarm. "Don't even think about it! You're only 17 years old, far too young to drink."

The revelation of his true age hit Hiro like a bucket of cold water. "17, huh? Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing."

Hana's expression softened, understanding the disorientation Hiro must be feeling. "At the end of the day, those 13 years were merely a dream. The memories are fresh now, but as time passes, you'll forget the details and stop giving them importance."

Hiro felt a pang of melancholy, thinking of the family he'd left behind in that dream world. "Well, mentally I still feel like I'm 30," he mused.

Hana tried to reassure him. "As the hours pass, you'll return to your usual mental age."

Angel's voice interjected, more pragmatic in her assessment. "He was trapped in that world for a long time. I doubt he'll return to normal just like that. He might settle at a mental age of around 25."

Hiro shook his head, pushing aside the existential questions for now. "That's not important right now. Fushiguro, what about your sister?"

Megumi's expression shifted, a mix of relief and lingering concern. "I went to get her a little while ago. She said she wanted some air, so she's probably on the building's rooftop."

"Did you transfer the points?" Hiro asked, his mind already working on their next steps.

Fushiguro nodded. "Yes, she has them. So we have some time before they run out."

"That's good," Hiro said, a plan forming in his mind. "Let's go see her. I want to say hello."

As they made their way to the rooftop, Hana's thoughts raced with excitement. 'I'm going to meet Megumi's sister! This must be a dream.'

Itadori chimed in, his usual enthusiasm shining through. "Yeah, I want to meet her too!"

Fushiguro nodded, a small smile gracing his usually stoic features. "Alright, let's head up."

As they walked in silence, Hiro's curiosity got the better of him. "What happened with the others?" he asked, trying to piece together the events he'd missed.

Fushiguro filled him in as they climbed the stairs. "Okkotsu-senpai is leading in points in his colony. We found Hakari-senpai, and he's also leading in points. Zenin-senpai can enter and exit the colonies freely due to her Heavenly Restriction."

Hiro nodded, taking in the information. Then, trying to sound casual, he asked, "And... Kugisaki?"

Itadori answered, "Oh, she's back at the school. She stayed there."

Hana couldn't resist teasing, "Hmm, missing your fictional wife already?"

Hiro playfully tapped Hana's nose with his finger. "Don't be ridiculous. As their senpai, it's natural for me to be concerned about my kohais."

They reached the rooftop, the wind whipping at their faces as they stepped out into the overcast day. A slender, fragile-looking girl stood near the edge, her gaze fixed on the horizon.

Fushiguro approached her, his voice gentle. "How are you feeling?"

She turned, a soft smile lighting up her face. "Much better, thank you, Megumi."

Her gaze shifted to Hiro and Itadori, curiosity and gratitude in her eyes. "You must be his friends. Thank you so much for taking care of him."

Itadori stepped forward, his usual warmth radiating from him. "It's nice to meet you too!"

Fushiguro made the introductions. "This is Tsumiki."

As Itadori looked at the girl, a sense of hope welled up inside him. 'We saved Fushiguro's sister, we're going to rescue Gojo-sensei... everything's going to go back to normal.'

Tsumiki's smile widened, an odd glint in her eyes. "Well then, it's time. Kogane, add a new rule to the game: participants can now enter and exit any colony as they wish."

The sudden declaration caught Fushiguro, Itadori, and Hiro off guard, their eyes widening in shock.

Tsumiki continued, her voice taking on a playful, almost mocking tone. "After all, it's more fun when you can choose your rivals, isn't it?"

Fushiguro's face paled, his voice barely above a whisper. "Who... who are you?"

Tsumiki's laughter rang out, sharp and cold. "I'M YOUR BIG SISTER, FUSHIGURO MEGUMI!"

In the confusion that followed, no one noticed the subtle shift in Itadori's demeanor. Sukuna, seizing the opportunity, activated his binding vow and took control of Itadori's body. The King of Curses mused to himself, 'The deal was not to harm anyone, but there's nothing stopping me from harming himself.'

With lightning speed, Sukuna ripped off one of Itadori's fingers and forced it into Fushiguro's mouth. Hiro, finally noticing the commotion, cried out, "Fushiguro!"

Megumi's body convulsed, his eyes rolling back in his head as Sukuna's cursed technique took hold. When he straightened up, his posture had changed, an aura of menace emanating from him that hadn't been there before.

As Sukuna's presence settled into Megumi's body, a sinister grin spread across his face. The air around him crackled with malevolent energy, causing Hiro to instinctively take a defensive stance.

"It's been a while, Hiro Miller," Sukuna drawled, his voice a twisted version of Megumi's. "Thirteen years trapped in your own mind? How... convenient."

Hiro's eyes narrowed, his body tensing as he prepared for the inevitable confrontation. "Get out of Fushiguro's body, Sukuna," he growled, electricity beginning to spark at his fingertips.

As the two squared off, Tsumiki took advantage of the chaos to make her escape. Hana, noticing the girl's attempt to flee, moved to intercept her. "Wait! You can't-"

Her words were cut short as Sukuna, without even looking, extended his arm. A burst of cursed energy sliced through the air, cleanly severing Hana's arm at the shoulder. She screamed in agony, collapsing to the ground as blood poured from the wound.

"Hana!" Hiro shouted, his attention momentarily divided.

Sukuna capitalized on the distraction, launching forward with inhuman speed. His fist connected with Hiro's jaw, sending him staggering backward.

Hiro quickly regained his footing, shaking off the blow. Electricity enveloped his body, creating a protective barrier that buzzed and sparked. With a burst of speed, he charged at Sukuna, his fist cocked back for a devastating punch.

Sukuna met the attack head-on, their fists colliding in a thunderous explosion of cursed energy and electricity. The force of the impact sent both fighters skidding backward.

Itadori joined the fray, his eyes blazing with determination. "I won't let you use he's body to hurt my friends!" he roared, launching a flurry of punches at Sukuna.

The King of Curses effortlessly dodged and parried Itadori's attacks, his movements fluid and graceful despite inhabiting an unfamiliar body. "You're still too weak, brat," Sukuna sneered, countering with a vicious kick that sent Itadori flying.

As Itadori struggled to his feet, Hiro pressed the attack. His body crackled with energy as he unleashed a barrage of lightning-fast strikes. Sukuna was forced on the defensive, using Megumi's shikigami techniques to create barriers and distractions.

The rooftop became a battlefield of flashing lights and thunderous explosions. Hiro's lightning arced through the air, leaving scorch marks wherever it struck. Sukuna's cursed energy manifested as dark, writhing shadows that lashed out with deadly precision.

Itadori rejoined the fight, his raw strength and determination pushing Sukuna to his limits. The three combatants moved in a deadly dance, each looking for an opening to land a decisive blow.

Hiro saw his chance. Concentrating his power, he formed a crackling sphere of red-tinged electricity between his palms. "Red Lightning!" he roared, launching the attack directly at Sukuna's chest.

The King of Curses' eyes widened in surprise, recognizing the technique as a variation of Gojo's Red. The impact sent Sukuna flying off the rooftop, plummeting towards the street below.

Hiro and Itadori rushed to the edge, peering down to see where their opponent had landed. As the dust settled, they saw Sukuna struggling to his feet in the middle of the now-damaged street.

Before they could follow up on their advantage, a new figure appeared on the scene. Maki Zenin landed gracefully next to Sukuna, her eyes scanning the chaotic scene before locking onto the King of Curses. There was something different about her - an aura of raw power that seemed to radiate from every pore.

"Maki?" Hiro called out, surprised by her sudden appearance and the change in her presence.

Maki nodded curtly, her gaze never leaving Sukuna. "I'll handle this," she shouted back, her voice filled with a new level of confidence and power.

As Maki engaged Sukuna in close combat, the battle reached a new level of intensity. Her movements were blindingly fast, each strike carrying enough force to shatter concrete. Sukuna found himself truly challenged for the first time since possessing Megumi's body.

The street became a warzone as Maki and Sukuna traded blows. Buildings shook, windows shattered, and the ground cracked beneath their feet. Hiro and Itadori watched in awe from above, stunned by the display of raw power.

Just as it seemed Maki might gain the upper hand, a wall of ice suddenly materialized between her and Sukuna. Uraume appeared at Sukuna's side, their face as impassive as ever.

"My lord," Uraume intoned, "we should retreat for now."

Sukuna scowled, clearly reluctant to abandon the fight. But even he could see the wisdom in a tactical withdrawal. With a snarl of frustration, he summoned one of Megumi's flying shikigami.

As he and Uraume mounted the creature, Sukuna turned to face his opponents one last time. His eyes locked onto Itadori, a cruel smile playing on his lips.

"Until next time, brat," he called out. "Try not to get any weaker while I'm gone."

With that parting shot, Sukuna and Uraume soared away on the back of the shikigami, quickly disappearing into the distance.

Hiro's electrical aura faded as he slumped to his knees, exhaustion finally catching up with him. The rooftop was in ruins, scorch marks and debris everywhere. In the corner, Hana lay unconscious, her severed arm a stark reminder of the battle's cost.

As Sukuna's form disappeared into the distance, Hiro clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white. He cursed under his breath, frustration and anger etched across his face. Looking down at his hands, he flexed his fingers, feeling the residual electricity crackling beneath his skin.

"Damn it," Hiro muttered, his voice laced with disappointment. "Even though I feel more powerful than ever, I still couldn't stop him. It's like... it's like I've been controlling a character for so long that now that I need to use the real thing, I can't quite get it right."

Maki, who had just rejoined them on the rooftop, furrowed her brow in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

Itadori, his face still pale from the intense battle, spoke up. "Hana said that mentally, Hiro-senpai was unconscious for 13 years, even though for us it was only a day or so."

Hiro took a deep breath, straightening his posture as he pushed aside his self-recrimination. "It doesn't matter now. We don't have time for regrets. We can still free Gojo and end this, but first, we need to get Hana to Shoko."

Itadori's shoulders slumped, his eyes downcast as the weight of recent events settled upon him. Hiro noticed the young sorcerer's dejected demeanor and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"Don't worry, Itadori. I'll save Fushiguro, no matter what it takes."

A small smile tugged at Itadori's lips, hope rekindling in his eyes. "Thank you, Hiro-senpai."

As they began to make their way back to the building, Itadori's gaze shifted to Maki. He couldn't help but notice the change in her presence, the raw power that seemed to emanate from her very being.

"Maki-senpai," Itadori ventured, his voice tinged with curiosity and concern, "what happened to you?"

Maki's expression hardened, her eyes fixed on the path ahead. "Mai died," she said simply, her voice devoid of emotion.

A heavy silence fell over the group, the weight of her words hanging in the air. Hiro's eyes widened in shock, his mind struggling to process the implications of her statement.

"I'm so sorry," Hiro said softly, his voice filled with genuine empathy.

Maki nodded, acknowledging his condolences. "But she left me a gift," she added, her hand moving to the hilt of the sword at her side. She drew the blade partially, revealing the gleaming edge of her replica of the cursed spirit slaying sword.

"Moreover," Maki continued, her voice taking on a hint of pride, "my Heavenly Restriction is complete, so to speak."

Hiro's eyes narrowed as he studied Maki more closely. "You know, you remind me of that guy I fought during my trip to New York. Toji Zenin."

Maki's eyes widened in surprise. "You fought him? How? He was dead. I thought he had possessed someone's body in Shibuya due to a cursed ritual."

Hiro nodded, his mind drifting back to that intense battle. "My grandfather had a ritual for bringing back the dead. It was... quite the experience."

"And?" Maki pressed, curiosity evident in her voice. "How was he?"

Hiro shrugged, a small smirk playing on his lips. "Hmm, he was strong, but not that big of a deal."

Maki let out a sigh, a mixture of frustration and amusement in her voice. "Seriously? And here I thought I had finally caught up to you, only to find out you're still too powerful?"

Hiro chuckled, his smirk widening into a genuine smile. "Well, in the Miller clan, we prioritize quality over quantity."

Maki playfully punched his arm, rolling her eyes at his boast. "You're insufferable, you know that?"

As they continued their walk, the conversation drifted to lighter topics, the group finding moments of levity amidst the gravity of their situation. Itadori peppered Hiro with questions about his time in the illusory world, while Maki occasionally interjected with dry comments or pointed observations.

A couple of hours passed, and they found themselves back at the Jujutsu Tech school. Hiro sat alone in the common room, his gaze fixed on nothing in particular as he dissociated, lost in memories of his illusory family – Nobara, Satoru, the life he had built over thirteen years that never truly existed.

He brought a hand to his face, studying his reflection in the window. Young, with long hair and no trace of wrinkles – a far cry from the 30-year-old body he had inhabited in his mind. The disconnect between his mental age and physical appearance was jarring, to say the least.

Maki entered the room, a can of coffee in each hand. She sat down beside Hiro, offering him one of the drinks. "Shoko said Hana will be fine," she reported. "She's closed the wound. Now we just need to wait for her to wake up."

Hiro took a sip of his coffee before setting it on the floor. Maki leaned against his shoulder, her voice softening. "It's been tough these last few days, you know?"

Silence stretched between them, Hiro seemingly lost in his own thoughts. Maki nudged him gently. "What's wrong? Normally, you'd have already hugged me and asked me to pamper you."

Hiro's voice was distant when he finally spoke. "It's nothing."

Maki hesitated before continuing, her voice careful. "Itadori told me... about the life you lived. Nobara, your son. Thirteen years is a long time, Hiro."

The tension in the air was palpable as Maki steeled herself for what she was about to say next. "You know, I'd understand if you wanted to end things with me and try something with Nobara. After all, thirteen years is..."

Her voice trailed off, the seconds of silence that followed feeling like an eternity. She watched Hiro anxiously, waiting for his response.

Finally, Hiro turned to her, a small smile on his face. "That Nobara was completely different from our Kugisaki. She was just a dream. My heart is with you, you know that, right?"

A faint blush colored Maki's cheeks. "Idiot," she muttered, "I hate it when you're sappy."

Hiro laughed, the sound warming the room. "Alright, I promise not to be so cheesy in the future. It's just... how do I put this? During those thirteen years, I never felt like I truly fit in. It's as if my head was constantly telling me that none of it was real. But now, I'm here. With you."

Maki's expression softened, a rare, genuine smile gracing her features. "By the way, I have something for you."

She reached under the sofa, pulling out a box. Curiosity piqued, Hiro opened it to reveal his sansetsukon – the three-sectioned staff his late cousin Momo had gifted him.

"You found it?" Hiro exclaimed, his eyes wide with surprise and gratitude. "I went back to Shibuya and couldn't find it anywhere. I thought it had been destroyed."

Maki's smile widened, a teasing glint in her eye. "You're hopeless at finding things, you know that?"

Hiro grinned, clutching the weapon close to his chest. The familiar weight of it in his hands felt right, like a piece of himself had been returned.

They leaned forward, resting their foreheads against each other, taking a moment to simply exist in each other's presence. The comfortable silence was broken by the sound of the door opening.

Kokichi stepped into the room, his eyebrows raising at the intimate scene before him. "Sorry to interrupt this sickeningly sweet moment," he drawled, "but Hana's awake."

Hiro and Maki jerked apart, both sporting varying shades of red on their faces.

"We weren't – I mean, it's not –" Hiro stammered, uncharacteristically flustered.

Maki cleared her throat, attempting to regain her composure. "It's about time. We were just discussing strategy."

Kokichi's skeptical look made it clear he wasn't buying their excuses, but he chose not to comment further.

Hiro stood up, his expression shifting to one of determination. "Right. Let's go see Hana. It's time we freed Professor Gojo and put an end to this madness."

As they made their way to the infirmary, Hiro couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. The weight of recent events, the lingering disorientation from his time in the illusory world, and the looming battles ahead all pressed down on him. But with Maki by his side and his friends around him, he felt a spark of hope.

Whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together. And maybe, just maybe, they could bring this nightmare to an end and save not just Fushiguro, but the entire jujutsu world.

The infirmary was enveloped in a deathly silence, the air thick with tension and unspoken fears. The room was crowded with familiar faces, each bearing the weight of recent events on their shoulders. Kugisaki, Maki, Itadori, Choso, Kokichi, Hakari, Yuta, Shoko, Hana, Inumaki, Panda, Kusakabe, and Mei Mei had all gathered, their expressions a mix of determination and apprehension.

Kusakabe broke the silence, his voice grave as he summarized their dire situation. "So, to recap: Hiro eliminated the big players after the Shibuya incident, Sukuna now possesses Megumi Fushiguro's body, Tengen was kidnapped by Kenjaku, and Yuki was killed by Kenjaku. This is beyond bad."

Hiro, his blue eyes shimmering with a glimmer of hope, interjected, "But thanks to Hana, we can now free Professor Gojo. That's our silver lining."

Panda's mechanical voice carried a hint of relief as he spoke, "I never thought I'd be so glad to see Gojo again."

"Salmon," Inumaki added cryptically, his cursed speech as enigmatic as ever.

Mei Mei's lips curled into a sly smile. "It's always good to have someone so charming on our side," she purred, her tone ambiguous as to whether she meant Gojo or was referring to someone else entirely.

Hiro's voice grew more animated as he continued, his hands gesticulating emphatically. "With Professor Gojo, the balance will be restored. He'll defeat Kenjaku and Sukuna, and everything will return to normal."

Kusakabe's brow furrowed, skepticism evident in his voice. "Do you really believe it'll be that easy? Gojo is strong, but Sukuna is the most powerful sorcerer in history."

Itadori's eyes lit up with fierce determination as he recalled a past conversation. "Professor Gojo once told me he could defeat Sukuna."

Hiro nodded in agreement, his confidence bolstering the group's morale. "Besides, if Professor Gojo falls, Yuta and I are still here. I doubt Sukuna could defeat all three of us."

Kokichi's analytical mind was already picking apart the plan. "It sounds too simple," he mused, his tone cautious.

Hiro conceded the point with a nod. "Obviously, we need to plan our battles against Kenjaku and Sukuna carefully. This is just the broad strokes."

Yuta, his usual calm demeanor tinged with excitement, offered a suggestion. "You and I could go after Kenjaku while Professor Gojo fights Sukuna."

Kugisaki, her impatience finally bubbling to the surface, interjected with a dramatic sigh. "Do whatever you want, but please return Tokyo to normal soon. Do you know how hard it is for a pretty girl like me not to be able to go shopping, Hiro?"

Without thinking, Hiro responded instinctively, "I know, honey. Just give me some time."

A moment of stunned silence fell over the room. Hiro's eyes widened in horror as he realized his mistake, the blood draining from his face.

Kugisaki arched an eyebrow, her voice a mix of confusion and amusement. "Honey?"

Kokichi, Yuta, and Itadori were barely containing their laughter, their shoulders shaking with suppressed mirth. Maki, on the other hand, fixed Hiro with a glare that could have frozen hell itself. Her eyes seemed to say, "I'll let you live for now because we need you, but if Kenjaku doesn't finish you off, I will."

Hiro swallowed hard, his adam's apple bobbing nervously. "I'm sorry, my mistake," he stammered, desperately trying to backpedal.

Itadori, sensing the need to diffuse the tension, turned to Kugisaki with a mischievous grin. "I'll explain later. It's quite a funny story."

Eager to change the subject, Hiro clapped his hands together. "Right, let's free Gojo now. No time to waste."

Hana, her brow furrowed in concentration, voiced a concern. "Here? I'm not sure if it might explode or something. It might be better to do it outside."

Hiro nodded in agreement, relieved for the distraction. "You're right. Let's move this operation outdoors."

The group made their way to an isolated area of the school grounds, a rocky outcropping that provided both space and cover. They huddled behind a large boulder, anticipation thick in the air.

Inumaki raised his megaphone, his cursed speech echoing across the clearing. "Kelp!" The strange word was a signal to Hana that they were ready to proceed.

Hana stepped forward, the Prison Realm cube cradled in her hands. Her face was a mask of concentration as she focused her technique on the artifact. Seconds ticked by, each moment stretching into an eternity as the group held their collective breath.

They were about to bring Gojo back – their greatest hope, their trump card against the chaos that had engulfed their world. Everything was going to be alright. Or so they thought.

Hana's voice, small and uncertain, shattered their expectations. "Nothing... nothing happened."

Hiro's head snapped up, disbelief etched across his features. "What do you mean?"

Hana's hands trembled slightly as she lowered the cube. "I can't release him."

Itadori's voice cracked with desperation. "What do you mean? Your ritual doesn't work?"

Hana shook her head slowly, her eyes wide with shock. "No, I can't release him because... Gojo Satoru isn't inside the Prison Realm."

A collective gasp rippled through the group, their eyes widening in shock. Hiro's voice was barely above a whisper, laden with disbelief. "What? How is that possible?"

Hana's voice was small, almost apologetic. "It seems someone released him a while ago."

Hiro's mind raced, trying to make sense of this new information. "But how? Then why haven't we seen him? Where has he been all this time?"

A heavy silence settled over the group, each person grappling with the implications of this revelation. It was Kokichi who finally broke the silence, his analytical mind already piecing together a theory.

"Perhaps," he began, his voice measured and calm, "the one who released him was Kenjaku himself."

Hiro's head whipped around to face Kokichi, his expression a mix of confusion and dawning horror. "Why would he do that?"

Kokichi's eyes narrowed as he considered the possibilities. "Undoubtedly for some plan of his own. Whatever the reason, this is very bad news."

The gravity of the situation settled over the group like a heavy blanket. Their trump card, their beacon of hope, had just been snatched away. Worse still, they now had to contend with the possibility that Gojo might be under Kenjaku's control.

Hiro's mind raced, trying to process this new development. He paced back and forth, his hands running through his hair in frustration. "If Kenjaku released Gojo, where is he keeping him? And why haven't we heard anything about it?"

Yuta's calm voice cut through the rising panic. "We need to consider all possibilities. Gojo-sensei might be under some kind of control, or he could be incapacitated in some way."

Maki nodded in agreement, her tactical mind already shifting gears. "We need to reassess our entire strategy. Without Gojo, we're at a significant disadvantage against both Sukuna and Kenjaku."

Itadori's face was a mask of determination, his fists clenched at his sides. "We can't give up. We'll find a way to save Gojo-sensei and stop Sukuna and Kenjaku."

Kugisaki, her earlier levity gone, spoke up. "But how? We're already stretched thin as it is. How are we supposed to fight two of the most powerful sorcerers in history and try to rescue Gojo-sensei at the same time?"

The group fell into a tense silence, the weight of their predicament pressing down on them. The rocky outcropping suddenly felt exposed, vulnerable. The wind whistled through the stones, a mournful sound that seemed to echo their despair.

Hiro took a deep breath, forcing himself to think rationally. "Okay, let's break this down. We need information. We need to find out where Gojo is being held, what condition he's in, and what Kenjaku's plan is."

Author's Note:

Hi guys, I wanted to apologize for my absence during these weeks, I had a creative block and just couldn't come up with ideas. But I'm back and I finally got out of that block, I hope you like the direction the story will take. Thanks for your support!