CHAPTER 6: HAKARI

The train station near the outskirts of Tokyo was empty, save for the humming of electric signs and the distant rhythm of tracks beneath the ground.

Itadori and Megumi stood outside an abandoned arcade building, graffiti-covered and dimly lit. A neon sign flickered above them, spelling "FIGHT PARADISE" in crooked lettering.

"This is the place?" Itadori asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yup," Megumi nodded. "This is Hakari's current hideout."

They stepped inside, only to be greeted by two massive figures, bodyguards standing tall like cursed stone statues. Both had cursed energy flaring faintly around them.

"No visitors," the taller one said, cracking his knuckles.

"Yeah? Sorry," Itadori grinned. "We don't really do well with closed doors."

Without another word, the bodyguards lunged.

Itadori and Megumi sprang into action.

The fight was short but brutal. One bodyguard launched a roundhouse kick at Megumi, only to be intercepted mid-air by Nue, summoned in a flash of cursed shadows. The other threw a punch at Itadori—only to be flipped over by a clean judo toss and smashed into an arcade cabinet.

Megumi swept under the last attacker's legs with shikigami assistance, while Itadori finished it with a brutal knee to the ribs.

Both guards collapsed.

"Let's hope he respects the effort," Megumi muttered, brushing off his jacket.

They entered the next chamber—dimly lit, smoky, with half-broken screens and old fighting game machines stacked against the walls.

Hakari Kinji sat in the back, wearing his signature jacket, legs propped up on a mahjong table, reading a manga while chewing a toothpick.

"Well, well. The 'Itadori Yuji' and 'Fushiguro Megumi.'" He didn't stand up. "Didn't expect you two to show up like street punks crashing a casino."

"We need you," Megumi said bluntly.

Hakari raised an eyebrow. "Need me for what?"

"The Death Devil Game," Itadori said. "We're fighting Kenjaku."

A slow smirk grew on Hakari's face. "Fighting Kenjaku, huh? Must be a hell of a party if you're coming to me."

"It's not just a fight. It's a war," Megumi added. "And you're one of the strongest. We need you."

Hakari leaned forward. "Okay. But what's in it for me?"

"We save the world?" Itadori offered.

Hakari laughed. "Yeah, that's cute. But not good enough."

"What do you want?" Megumi asked.

Hakari's smile widened. "Easy. If you want me to join this circus... Itadori has to beat me in a fight."

Itadori blinked. "What?"

"Let's see how strong the kid Gojo risked everything for really is." Hakari stood up, cracking his neck. "If you beat me fair and square... I'll fight with you. But if you can't handle me, you sure as hell can't handle Kenjaku."

He cracked his knuckles.

"Round one. Ready?"

Itadori stepped forward, eyes sharp.

"Bring it."