CHAPTER 8: ALLY

The impact of Megumi's body smashing into the back wall echoed across the empty arcade. Dust scattered from the broken plaster, and Megumi collapsed to his knees, breath ragged, his shikigami fading into shadows.

Hakari stood tall in the center, untouched, his shirt torn but his grin still sharp.

"Too soft," he said. "Too slow. You think that'll win a war?"

He turned—and froze.

Itadori was walking toward him, fists clenched, his eyes no longer just determined—they burned.

"Hmm?" Hakari raised a brow. "What's with that look? You mad, little man?"

"I don't have time," Itadori said, his voice trembling with fury. "Not for jokes. Not for games. I don't have time to convince people like you."

Hakari's smile widened. "Now that's the tone I like—"

But Itadori was already in motion.

His fist slammed into Hakari's face so hard it cracked the tiled floor under his feet. Hakari flew backward, smashing into a vintage crane machine. Glass and gears exploded around him.

He tried to stand—only for Itadori to reappear instantly, landing a follow-up punch in his stomach and sending him bouncing off the ceiling.

Hakari caught himself midair, eyes gleaming. "You're actually fun now."

But Itadori wasn't letting up. With an animalistic growl, he launched a flurry of attacks, forcing Hakari to parry each blow as if his life depended on it.

Every strike of Itadori's now carried more than cursed energy. It carried desperation, weight, resolve.

Megumi slowly stood back up, watching the chaos unfold. He didn't step in this time—he didn't need to.

Hakari finally crashed to the ground, rolling backward across the arcade floor. He groaned… then began to laugh.

"Haha… oh, man…" He wiped blood from his mouth and sat up. "You got me. Alright. That's enough."

Itadori didn't move, fists still trembling.

Hakari raised both hands. "I'm in."

Megumi blinked. "…What?"

Hakari stood, stretching his back. "I said I'm in. You got guts, both of you. I like that. Welcome me as your ally," he said with a grin, brushing debris from his shoulders. "You're lucky. Not everyone gets to team up with a jackpot."

Itadori and Megumi exchanged a glance.

Then Megumi said flatly, "…You're the weirdest guy I've ever met."

Hakari winked. "You'll thank me later."