Expectations

*Flashback*

"How... how are you alive...?"

Kenjaku looked at Arai baffled.

"At least say my name or don't tell me you forgot who I am, Kenjaku." Arai coldly gazed down upon the severed head.

"He... hahahHAAAHAHAA!!" 

Kenjaku laughed maniacally making his face twist and deform inhumanly. His eyes opened as wide as a squid.

"You! You're alive." 

"No thanks to you." Arai said as he squeezed the head in his head tighter.

Though the pain was there, Kenjaku paid no mind to it. It was excruciating but something piqued his interest, so much so that the pain was inconsequential to that interest. 

"How did you survive that?" Kenjaku said referring to Arai's battle against Sukuna in Shibuya. "Was it your technique? But from my information gathering, I only saw you being able to make contracts. Is it the reversal of your technique or is it your Maximum Technique?"

"Stop blabbering. I'm not here to settle your intrigue." 

Although he hadn't seen Sukuna kill him, he knew that Arai was supposed to be dead. A dead man was walking amongst the living. Brazenly at that.

"Sukuna will die by my hands, and I'll use you to accomplish that." 

"You know that won't work." Kenjaku smiled still not scared by the current situation. "I know your technique far more than you think. That technique that links you to others allows you to utilize their technique, it's restricted. I know it isn't an inventory where you can accumulate an enormous amount of cursed techniques like Okkutsu Yuta. I've studied the brain for more than a thousand years so I know the limit of even the most powerful sorcerers is 3 techniques. You can't assimilate me since I already have 3 of my own. You can't enslave me."

Kenjaku could see it, Arai's face darkened as he lowered his head. The exhilaration of the thought of his creation made his face flush in excitement. A cursed spirit that powerful was simply a dream until now.

Although he would have liked to it come to fruition, he accepted his death. Because death is a better fate than to be a slave for all eternity.

Especially to someone like Arai who Kenjaku viewed as lower than himself.

"He..." A small laugh escaped Arai before he began laughing historically. As if he found the situation funny. It was the first time in a while that Arai had laughed like this.

"You keep on making amateurish mistakes Kenjaku." 

"What?"

Arai pulled the head closer. "Did you really think I didn't consider that? I've prepared for this situation the moment I lost to Sukuna. Though not exactly as planned, it has been going very well."

He pointed to his body. "This body... isn't mine to begin with."

Kenjaku's eyes widened.

"Every cell, bone, flesh, and brain matter. It is all created. Not in a lab, but by someone you deemed worthless."

Kenjaku realized who and how Arai was standing before him.

It was his daughter, Mai Isao!

Using creation, she created Arai's new body for him to inhabit. An empty shell with the sole purpose to house Arai's soul! The disconnection between Mai and Maki gave Mai the full unberdened cursed energy that she should have originally had. 

With the pact that Arai enhanced, Mai was able to fully recreate a perfect replication of Arai.

The amount of cursed energy that Arai had was the same as before, but there was one thing that Arai made sure Mai changed about him.

"My technique can not only make contracts but links between a target and me. This link can make the world consider us as the same individuals giving me the ability to use the same technique as the other. Unfortunately, like twins, if I keep the person's ego alive then they will split the techniques and cursed energy with me which is why I always make sure to wipe their ego out. Only Eino was alive because I kept her ego. It's a miracle since that was the reason I was able to be reborn."

Arai looked down at his hands and clenched them. "But I've always felt limited. If only I could link with more people, then I would theoretically be unstoppable. The amount of cursed energy and techniques would increase my repertoire."

He pointed to his head with his thumb and poked it. "And I've figured out the way."

["^_(9^ 1§{€2£¥7$}8%->4@*#'6~'...\!?04@*#'6~'...\!?0]

[Rule: No Domains.]

Immediately, Arai put the rule of his domain to cut off Sukuna's arsenal. Knowing that Sukuna possessed techniques like [Domain Amplification] or a variation of [Simple Domain], Arai knew it was crucial to take off these attacks from Sukuna. And since Sukuna had just used his domain, his technique was currently burnt out.

His body leaned down similar to an athlete about to make a dash for it. With a burst of speed, the ground below him exploded and he reached Sukuna in the blink of an eye.

Sukuna's eyes narrowed. His arms grouped and blocked the blow. 

'His speed and cursed energy output... they're at a higher level than before. His cursed energy output might even surpass mine at the moment.'

"How about it Sukuna? I've done the same thing as before." Arai smiled confidently. 

"Heh, only a fool would do the same scheme against the same opponent when they lost the first time."

"Oh, you're wrong. You see, I'm not only here to win but also to teach you what your parents never did. Humility."

His hand grasped Sukuna's side and he activated his technique. Sukuna's body shook and his eyes turned white for a moment. 

'Did he-'

Sukuna couldn't finish his thought before Arai launched a fist straight into Sukuna's stomach.

[Black Flash!]

The strike sent him tumbling and rolling through the ground. Blood was spilled over each crater made.

"Like that, you old relic." 

'That was similar to that brat.' Sukuna stood back up and wiped the blood coming out of his mouth. 'He attacked the soul? No... this is more like he attacked the link between Megumi Fushiguro and my soul.'

His eyes looked to Arai who smirked. 'Of course, that should be expected from someone who can interact with souls.'

"How fascinating. Your cursed technique is much more diverse than expected."

Arai shrugged. "It is the best technique so be sure to savor it. After all, this is where your life ends."

That was not the only surprise that Arai had. He opened his palm to see black smoke coming out of it. 

Sukuna was familiar with this. He had seen someone use it only moments ago. 

'Cursed Manipulation?!'

["^_(9^ 1§{€2£¥7$}8%->4@*#'6~'...\!?04@*#'6~'...\!?0]

"I didn't just make a body. I modified the brain a bit. The thing about the prefrontal cortex is that it is where the cursed technique is etched which makes it even more important. It is the storage for all Jujutsu knowledge and power yet it is painfully limiting. Only 3 techniques allowed in one body? That is an absurd limit so I had to change it from scratch. Not only did I make the brain bigger but I also made it able to process more and store more information."

"In layman's terms, I made my brain bigger and better which means I can store more techniques inside my body now. Amazing isn't it, my daughter really is the best."

"I would have never thought of using [Construction] like that." Kenjaku chuckled and looked into Arai's eyes.

He felt something seeing them. Those eyes, they felt stuck. Eyes of someone unable to overcome a wall yet he also saw a shimmer in them indicating that soon that wall will be broken.

Unlike the [Six Eyes], they felt like they wouldn't give the user enlightenment, but something else.

Something like acknowledgement. 

The acceptance of their position.

"Hey... Arai." Kenjaku called him out.

"Yeah?"

"You need my help, don't you? No, that's not quite right. You need me to accept my fate, right?"

Although these words could be thought of as an insult, Arai felt no mocking in his voice. Instead, it felt more like he was trying to appease his needs.

"Even if you can make that link and gain my techniques, it will take some time since I'll resist. Instead, make a contract with me to be your underling."

"And why should I do that." Arai frowned.

"Because it will save you some time, you'd be able to fight Sukuna faster and beat him. Take too much time and too many people will die. Plus we'd be deceiving Sukuna so that's even better for you."

"Tell me the reason as to why you are doing this."

Arai knew who Kenjaku was, a monster hiding behind his "acquaintance" face. A creature that took advantage of people's weakness.

If one would ever show any sign of it, then this being would definitely use it against you.

Kenjaku smiled as if knowing what Arai was thinking. "Because that is what will be the most interesting. I know you'll make things interesting. I can see it in your eyes. You'll reach farther than even Sukuna."

What Kenjaku saw in his eyes, was purpose: a rage that could not be satiated.

And that fascinated him. He knew that Arai had the potential, potential to make things far more interesting than Sukuna.

And that is all that matters.

Make the world an interesting place.

Let chaos take over the world.

"In exchange, I just want one thing."

"What's that?"

"Show me, the pinnacle jujutsu. Something that dwarfs even the Heian era."

["^_(9^ 1§{€2£¥7$}8%->4@*#'6~'...\!?04@*#'6~'...\!?0]

[Maximum: Uzumaki!]

The conjoined cursed spirits combined into one and struck Sukuna head-on. In his weakened state and without [Domain Amplification], Sukuna was vulnerable and was pushed back. His four arms blocked the attack but visible marks and wounds were slowly being revealed.

Even his wrists started turning purple due to overexertion, his reverse-cursed technique was slowly lowering.

'So he can now use Kenjaku's techniques?' The taste of victory was slowly fleeting away.

A loud clap parted the smoke apart and revealed Arai charging towards him. His foot slammed to the ground throwing rocks and debris in the air. Arai punched them using them as projectiles.

Sukuna easily blocked the rocks and debris but found cursed spirits crawling up his arm.

'He was using the debris to hide cursed spirits.' Sukuna thought before crushing them.

And just as Arai was about to clash again with Sukuna, Sukuna felt something. 

The return of his cursed technique.

Slashes were sent forward cutting apart any projectile sent towards Sukuna. Anything in his path was cut to pieces.

All but one.

Arai quickly recognized that Sukuna had regained his technique and easily dodged all the slashes. He knew how fast and strong they were. Plus he got stronger, his senses were sharper and he was faster.

They were not going to hit him, not that easily.

Sukuna's two arms attacked Arai but he blocked it with his right arm and used his left hand to hit Sukuna with his backhand. He then proceeded to shove it into Sukuna's lower mouth and ripped off the tongue.

At that moment, just as one would feel a spark from a powerful attack, Arai felt the same spark coming out of Sukuna. 

A premonition of a [Black Flash].

Arai tried to gain some distance by jumping back but Sukuna grabbed hold of his leg and charged his two arms back before unleashing a deadly blowdown.

[Black Flash!]

But Arai did not simply take the attack, right before him a small bundle of cursed spirits formed.

A mini Uzumaki.

The attack hit Sukuna right in the face sending his head back in an arc, he stumbled before regaining balance and threw slashes towards Arai who had yet to recover. The [Dismantles] hit him and cut him deep.

Though the attack hit him, he could feel it. Sukuna's attack was getting lower even after hitting the [Black Flash]. Sukuna was getting weaker and weaker.

Both blows dealt massive damage. The two coughed up blood. Sukuna had to hold the right part of his face from breaking down and Arai touched his stomach which had sunkened due to Sukuna's blow.

Using [Reverse Cursed Technique], both wounds were visibly being healed.

Throughout the fight, Sukuna could feel the deep-rooted anger aimed at him. A rage that craved vengeance and karma. To deal the same blow that was dealt to him. Yet the rage had yet to consume Arai, a calm storm that was not overly dramatic like the brat.

This was a rage that was used calmly and smartly.

Deep down, Sukuna was starting to feel something that he had buddled up and hid deep within start rising up once more.

A rage that he felt.

A rage aimed towards the Jujutsu world.

Veins popped out of Sukuna's face and eyes. The anger he felt for the injustice done to him. 

One born out of vengeance.

A sense of familiarity in the rage within Arai.

[Dragon Scale! Recoil! Twin Meteors!]

[World Dismantle!!]

The world dismantling attack aimed straight at Arai with the intention of killing him. Arai having anticipated the attack was about to dodge out of the way but stopped. He stopped himself from jumping to safety.

A thought, an idea kept him from doing so.

A hypothesis he wanted to test out.

His hand reached into his ear and he pulled out an item.

A sword made by a blacksmith who desired to create the ultimate weapon.

A katana.

Its length was shorter than most as its purpose was not in cutting the opponent with the blade but the result in swinging that very blade. Cracks were apparent in the blade as the bright red hot sword was damaged.

It was a blade made with the life of the user.

A blade with a purpose similar to Sukuna's attack.

To cut through the world.

Arai unsheathed the sword making the red flames from within burst out like a flare. He grabbed the handle with both arms and lifted it upwards. His focus is always on the tip of the blade.

After a deep inhale, he exhaled all the oxygen in his lungs and swung downwards with all his might towards the incoming slash.

The sword broke the moment Arai unleashed the attack.

The two attacks clashed creating a blinding white light that engulfed both Arai and Sukuna. Their 

*Kkzwoofsh!*

An unworldly sound echoed throughout the domain ringing deep within their ears. It felt as if it was vibrating the very core of their bodies making them cover their ears due to the uncomfortable sound.

But as the lights dimmed, a new phenomenon appeared before the two.

"... what?" Sukuna muttered but Arai was as equally as stunned as he was.

A gate.

That was the only thing that could describe what was before them.

A darkness in an oval shape that seemed as if it was 2 dimensional. A blackness that had nothing and couldn't even reflect light.

The closest thing Arai could compare it to was that of a black hole. But this one had no gravitational field, it didn't pull him. It just sat there.

Aimlessly.

Purposely. 

Waiting for someone to approach.

Waiting for someone to contact it.

Calling anyone.

To fulfill its purpose.

Arai and Sukuna looked at each other for a moment. Their eyes filled with the same glint of light.

The desire to obtain whatever was in front of them. 

They didn't know what power it held, nor what it truly was.

But what they knew was that it was something that no one had ever obtained. Something that was beyond their world.

The looks on their faces showed what they wanted.

Greed.

Greed for power.

Instantly, both sorcerers rushed to the portal with all their speed. The speed at which we were going made it anonymous who was going to reach it first. They were only a dozen meters away from it.

Sukuna threw slashes at Arai. Normally Arai would dodge it but knowing even the little bit of second spent on that would make him lose, he took the brunt of the damage and prepared his attack. 

The only attack that could reach Sukuna was a Uzumuaki.

[Maximum: Uzumaki!]

The combined cursed spirits shot at Sukuna and exploded creating a ravine. The attack was powerful enough to rival Gojo [Red], but...

'He tanked it?' Arai saw Sukuna rushing out of the dust. His bruises were now deep and his blood was covering his arms. 

Both didn't bother healing as it would impede their speed. They needed rapid and constant attacks. 

In that category, Sukuna had the advantage. His slashes were fast and could be used repeatedly without much problem.

While Arai, only had Uzumaki. The cursed spirits were slower than him and Uzumaki could not be used so repeatedly.

Which meant that Sukuna was getting closer to it than he did. Sukuna was going to reach it first.

At least that was what it looked like from the outside.

Sukuna had arrived before the gate and was about to reach it with his hand. 

"You were just a tad bit too slow. Just a bit."

Words that mirrored what happened in Shibuya.

"Wear a face of despair, Isao Arai."

Words that reminded Arai of his failure.

"You've pushed me quite far, be proud of that achievement."

Sukuna expected despair, anger, or disappointment when he looked at Arai. 

That was not what he found.

Instead, he found a man filled with conviction and cunningness.

Sukuna who was about to touch the gate found himself floating. His feet were no longer touching the ground. Not only that, his arms started dangling and the weight he felt pushing him down was now inversed. 

'This is!'

[Anti Gravity System.]

Sukuna, who had thought Arai could only use it at close range, made the mistake of comparing him to Kenjaku. Kenjaku's limit was not his own. 

Sukuna quickly broke free, but that moment he lost gave Arai all he needed to catch up and arrive at the gate.

A smile crept up.

"Tad bit too slow."

"You damn brat!"

Arai leisurely entered the portal walking through it without hesitation.

He felt that was what he needed to do.

His destiny awaited him here.

What that was, he couldn't know. 

Though what awaited him there did.