Chapter 138

The Zenin family assembles to hear the late Naobito's will. Naoya, the clan's most gifted son, taunts his relatives Ogi and Jinichi while they wait, smoothing over the tension he stirs. The attendant Furudate arrives, confirms Naobito's death, and reads the will, which would crown Naoya as the twenty-seventh head with all the family's holdings once either Ogi or Jinichi signs off. The triumph lasts only a moment, because a clause tied to an old agreement with Toji Fushiguro states that if Gojo is dead or mentally broken, Megumi Fushiguro inherits the role instead.

Naoya is incensed, certain his rivals would back anyone over him. Learning that Megumi is searching for Yuji in Tokyo and that Yuji carries Sukuna, he orders an attendant to tell the higher-ups he will kill Yuji himself. He also intends to exploit the city's chaos to murder Megumi and reclaim the seat he believes is his.

A flashback shows Yuki on the phone, apologizing for acting late while she watched events unfold. She hints she may not truly be on anyone's side beyond wanting curses gone, says she and her comrades will answer for the children involved, and reveals she means to confront Tengen. In the present, a despondent Yuji sits on a wide staircase until Choso joins him. Yuji says Sukuna keeps him from injury and is clearly growing stronger, but he refuses to return to Jujutsu High, certain Sukuna has plans for Megumi and weighed down by the lives he has taken, including Eso and Kechizu. Choso forgives the killings as a misunderstanding, and the two set out to exorcise curses while Naoya and Yuta each move to hunt Yuji down.

The chapter launches the Culling Game Arc and was collected in Volume 16, first published in 2021. Its pages span Episodes 47 and 48. Naoya Zenin, Ogi Zenin, Jinichi Zenin, and Furudate all debut. Maki and Mai are mentioned, while Sukuna, Megumi, Eso, and Kechizu appear in flashback or fantasy. Akutami's note apologizes for a recent break.