The Angel had never been fully confident in eliminating the Disgraced One. His technique, while invincible, was also heavily reliant on certain conditions.
The person he chose to possess had to be kind-hearted and pure.
Such individuals were often known by another name: Saints.
Saints shouldn't be ridiculed, but after encountering enough of them, it was hard not to form a stereotype.
They tend to express kindness regardless of the situation—nothing inherently wrong with that—but the real issue is how they often impose expectations on others while doing so, disrupting the bigger picture.
Most people only see such traits portrayed in film or TV and form opinions. He, however, had experienced it firsthand, with full immersion.
The saying "redeeming the villain makes them weaker" means that once your heart softens, your resolve falters.
Saints go even further—they often push villains into a corner, only to give them a chance to strike back.
Unlike the kind of possession that takes over one's consciousness, his form of coexistence was more like Sukuna and Itadori's current state.
That made it difficult to interfere with the host's actions.
Right now, everything was a mess. The density of Cursed Energy was alarming—and there were still nine more like this one?
This breaker really was something else.
Thinking about it, he realized he'd woken up too late. The situation was far from hopeful.
"What do you plan to do?" he asked, voice dry.
Satoru Gojo laid out the plan.
After hearing it, the Angel came to a decision.
Your enemy always knows you best—and he understood Sukuna well.
Absorbing Sukuna's power was a huge risk, but it was doable. There were just some overlooked aspects.
Sukuna wasn't the type to be easily absorbed.
He also didn't understand Itadori as a unique individual.
Still, both sides agreed on the first step: letting Sukuna take physical form again. After all, Special Grade Cursed Objects were indestructible.
To truly destroy it, they had to change its nature.
Which meant everything had to come back to his technique.
He was prepared to use his technique to purify Itadori, who had merged with Sukuna.
The Angel was just about to speak when he suddenly froze, turning to look at Itadori.
Even in this state, Sukuna should still be able to observe the outside world.
No idea why Sukuna hadn't appeared yet, but it was best to keep him out of any upcoming discussions.
Otherwise, they'd be scheming right in front of him.
He shot a look at Satoru Gojo to convey the message.
Satoru understood and turned to Yaga. "Sensei, you guys start preparing. I'll handle Itadori."
"Geto, gather as much Special Grade force from outside as possible."
"Got it!"
With the orders given, everyone got to work. The students, including Itadori, were assigned tasks and left the temporary camp.
...
Inside the mental domain, giant rib-like bones stretched high, and dark red blood spilled across the ground.
The skulls of countless grotesque creatures formed a mountain, with a throne perched at its peak. Sukuna sat slouched on the throne, resting his chin on one hand.
At the base of the mountain, a man's shadow stood silently.
Sukuna lazily glanced his way.
"Already dead?"
"Kenjaku."
He tilted his head slightly, resting it again on his palm.
"Don't be upset with me," Kenjaku said as he casually sat down on a flatter skull, his tone light and carefree. "I've done everything I promised."
"Tch. So, what form are you in now, talking to me like this?"
"Binding Vow, right?"
"You think I didn't see through your tricks? The only reason you're standing here is because I'm letting you."
"I get it, I get it," Kenjaku waved him off. "I won't interfere. Just let me hang around a bit—it won't take long."
Kenjaku was already dead. What stood here was a contingency he had left behind through the Binding Vow he made with Sukuna a thousand years ago.
This was just a fragment of his consciousness, brought into form through the vow.
As he said, he couldn't affect anything. He was like a lingering remnant—soon, he would naturally fade away.
"I can't do anything now," he said with a smile, spreading his hands as if to show he meant no harm.
Even though he'd been killed by Sōjun Minamoto, Kenjaku held no grudge. In fact, he intended to help.
As long as he could stall Sukuna here in the Mental Domain—just for a moment—that would be enough.
"Hmph." Sukuna scoffed. This hidden trick went both ways. He, too, was a veteran of Binding Vows, and knew Kenjaku was on his last legs, barely able to stay afloat.
But he also knew Kenjaku well. The man would risk everything for the sake of amusement.
Was it really just "fun" to show up in his Mental Domain?
There had to be more to it.
Sukuna ignored him and shifted his focus back to the outside world.
Itadori was still with his little friends, and Megumi Fushiguro remained close by.
He looked forward to what was coming, his gaze lingering briefly on Megumi before he closed his eyes and began to meditate.
…
"Bathing?" Satoru Gojo raised an eyebrow in surprise.
The so-called "Bath" was a ritual used by sorcerer families to transform heirloom artifacts into Cursed Tools, protecting them from being defiled. The ritual itself wasn't particularly complex. It involved creating a solution infused with Cursed Energy through various means, then submerging the object in it for ten months and ten days.
The challenge lay in obtaining that "Cursed Energy solution."
And where does Cursed Energy come from? Naturally, from negative emotions. Who harbors the most negativity? Humans. That's why this ritual once triggered a catastrophe so horrific it was eventually banned.
"Yes," the Angel replied calmly. "Bathing was originally a rite to cleanse filth and purify the self. But once it fell into the hands of those with impure motives, the process turned twisted."
"I can create a purification solution. Itadori just needs to soak in it for a while."
"Soak? For what exactly?"
"To draw closer to 'God,'" the Angel stated plainly. "To purify and sublimate Sukuna's soul—refining it into its most fundamental power."
"That aligns with our goal," Gojo responded.
"Is there anything we need to prepare?" he asked.
The Angel looked up at the star-streaked ceiling and gave a self-deprecating smile.
"The ritual used to be incredibly demanding—elaborate preparations, countless conditions. But now... heh, now it's the opposite. The Cursed Energy concentration is so high that making the solution is easier than ever."
"Just find me a suitable place. In two days, bring Itadori to me." He turned to Gojo.
"Oh, and how many pieces of Sukuna are still out there?" he asked.
"Pieces?" Gojo caught on. "There are ten left."
"Give them all to me. Once purified, consuming them will speed up digestion and lower the risk."
"Got it," Gojo nodded.
...
Two days later, everything was ready. All five missing fingers had been retrieved.
Gojo led Itadori to a bathhouse—the site of the ritual.
As they entered, the pools they saw were all empty, except for one. In the corner stood Hana Kurusu, next to the only pool filled with liquid.
The water's surface shimmered—not from reflected light, but from its own glow.
"Get in," came a male voice. The Angel gestured toward Itadori.
Itadori glanced at Gojo.
"Go ahead, it's fine. I'm right here," Gojo reassured him with a smile.
"I was just wondering... do I need to take my clothes off...?"
"Ah, shut it~"
Gojo booted him straight into the pool.
"O light,"
Hana Kurusu bowed her head, hands clasped before her mouth, her expression solemn.
"O light that purifies all—erase sin, fault, and sorrow. Guide that person forward!"
A sacred horn materialized in midair. Hana extended her hands, and the horn gently fell into her grasp.
She raised it to her lips and blew. A blinding pillar of light descended from the sky, piercing through walls and barriers, pouring directly into the pool.
"Throw the rest in," the Angel said tiredly.
Gojo took out the remaining seven fingers, undid the seal binding them with his hair, and tossed them in.
Both of them watched the water closely.
Meanwhile, Itadori floated peacefully, as relaxed as a baby in the womb.
Sukuna, who normally made his presence known inside him, had tried to speak earlier when the Angel appeared. But Itadori ignored him.
Now, the moment he entered the water, it was as if Sukuna's throat had been seized—he went completely silent. Despite calling out several times, there was no response.
Sensing this, Itadori finally felt at ease.