CHAPTER 20: EXECUTIONER's SWORD

The Executioner's Sword shimmered under the cursed candlelight.

Higuruma dashed forward with practiced precision, blade arcing through the courtroom like the hand of justice itself.

Yuji evaded — barely — the cursed steel slicing air just inches from his chest.

Megumi clenched his fists from above. "Don't lose, Yuji…"

The courthouse rang with footsteps and the sharp, clean sounds of gavel meeting floor.

Yuji wasn't using cursed energy.

He couldn't.

The Ryoiki Tenkai — Idle Death Gamble still nullified it.

But he kept fighting. Punches, dodges, knees, grit.

And Higuruma kept pushing him back with that cold, mechanical precision.

Clang!

The Executioner's Sword sliced Yuji's shoulder — blood painted the floor.

Yuji stumbled, then stood back up.

Again.

Again.

Higuruma's expression twisted. "Why are you still standing?"

Yuji breathed heavily, sweat and blood soaking through his torn uniform.

"I… already told you," he growled.

"I'm not afraid of dying…"

The gavel slammed again.

Another domain trigger.

The courtroom reformed — only this time the Judge Man raised its ghostly hand… and for a second time:

Guilty.

"You're guilty for the Shibuya Incident," Higuruma said, his voice colder than ever.

"You let Sukuna loose. Hundreds died. You deserve this."

Yuji stood motionless.

But then…

He lowered his head.

And nodded.

"I know."

"I'm the reason Sukuna got out."

"I should've died the moment that happened."

Megumi's eyes widened above.

"Yuji…?"

Yuji took a single step forward.

"If you want to kill me for that… then do it. I won't fight back."

The sword in Higuruma's hands trembled.

His grip tightened.

"You… accept the verdict?"

Yuji looked him in the eyes.

"I've already accepted I'm a murderer."

Silence.

The candles flickered. The black walls of the domain shimmered — and then slowly cracked.

The Ryoiki Tenkai collapsed.

The Executioner's Sword faded into nothing.

Higuruma stood there, expression blank.

"…Why didn't you dodge?" he asked.

Yuji exhaled, shoulders slumped.

"Because if you're right… then I deserved to be cut."

For a long second, neither said anything.

Then Higuruma turned around.

"You're not guilty," he said quietly.

"You're just a boy carrying a curse."

He walked to the door of the courthouse and pushed it open.

Daylight spilled in.

"I'm forfeiting," he muttered.

Yuji's eyes widened.

"…What?"

"You don't need to die. You need allies."

Megumi smiled above.

Higuruma left the building, letting the sword of justice dissolve behind him.

Yuji stood alone in the center of the ruined courtroom… quietly clenching his fists.