Chapter 243

Foolish Survivor —Laughing It Up— (バカサバイバー！！〜さんざめけ〜) is the two hundred and forty-third chapter of Gege Akutami's Jujutsu Kaisen.

Summary
As Takaba and Kenjaku continue the comedy routine, Takaba is at the peak of his joy, realizing the show has to end, but doesn't want to. Ultimately satisfied, Takaba succumbs, with Kenjaku admitting it was fun, before being swiftly decapitated by Yuta. Kenjaku laments the outcome, but believes his will, will be carried.

Plot Details
Inside an imaginary scenario created by Fumihiko Takaba's innate technique Comedian, Takaba and Kenjaku walk on stage and prepare to begin their comedy routine. After greeting the audience and briefly bantering, Kenjaku introduces their comedy duo as Pinchan (ピンチャン). Beginning their performance, Takaba asks if Kenjaku knows the tale of Momotarō, to which the latter responds that he doesn't. Takaba doubts that claim, as all parents tell that story to their children. Kenjaku tearfully reveals that he was raised by a single mother who was always busy. After Takaba apologizes for his insensitivity, Kenjaku reveals that his mother loved him nonetheless and always read him stories, such as Momotarō. Angry that Kenjaku lied to him, Takaba asks him why he lied earlier, to which he reveals that he always wanted attention due to his busy mother.

Takaba then calls out Kenjaku for his harsh mood, citing him clicking his tongue earlier during their banter, which Kenjaku denies happening after clicking his tongue again. Kenjaku then starts arguing with Takaba, asking him what is his problem. Takaba claims that he is mood-sensitive, so he tried defusing the tension by retelling old stories. Kenjaku claims he is too dumb to understand that and asks if Takaba would prefer a dog, a monkey, and a pheasant for friends instead. When Takaba explains that he was using pillow words and didn't mean it literally, Kenjaku repeats his statement that he is too dumb to understand literary conventions. Kenjaku then wonders if Momotarō was born from the old couple after they ate the magic peach and were rejuvenated, rather than being born from the peach itself. Takaba is surprised by the vulgar theory but agrees that it is plausible.

The two then begin performing a skit, with Kenjaku acting as Momotarō and Takaba as his grandmother. Kenjaku bids Takaba farewell as he leaves to fight demons, but Takaba stops him and tries to give him millet dumplings before he leaves. When Kenjaku refuses due to disliking food made by hand, Takaba angrily demands he take them. Noticing how good the dumplings look, Kenjaku passive-aggressively thanks his "grandmother" for spending a lot of time making them due to living easy on a pension paid for by the younger generation. He expresses his joy for not having to see his "grandmother" anymore and insults her age as he leaves, but not before wishing her longevity. Takaba, initially angered by his insult, immediately forgives him due to his final comment, remarking the strangeness of the Japanese language.

Kenjaku then acts out the scene in the folk tale where Momotarō encounters a dog, noting that it is a Golden Retriever. Takaba asks Kenjaku to change the dog to a Japanese breed, otherwise it would be too jarring. Kenjaku then acts as if he is eating the dumplings, commenting on their deliciousness and how they can win a gold prize. Takaba notes how every fried chicken joint wins that, and it would be surprising to find one that hasn't. Kenjaku then asks if it is ok to feed a dog millet dumplings, causing Takaba to remark that he is caring about realism too late. Believing that the dumplings may have onions, which are poisonous to dogs, Kenjaku decides to not feed them to it, which Takaba agrees.

Kenjaku then acts as if he found a phone number on the dog's collar and calls its owner. He then begins chatting with the owner, revealing that the dog is in fact a Labrador, much to Takaba's chagrin. Finishing the call, Kenjaku says that the owner lives in Nerima, which is a 30-minute walk away, and prepares to return the dog. When Takaba asks about his initial plans to fight demons, Kenjaku decides to call the Demon Island to cancel his reservation. When looking up the location's phone number, he notes how it is rated 2.1 stars on Tabelog.

Upon hearing that he needs to pay a cancellation fee, Kenjaku decides to send the monkey and pheasant to attack the Demon Island. Takaba stops him, advising him that the monkey and pheasant will definitely lose. Kenjaku notes that the pheasant has air supremacy, though Takaba retorts that the pheasant can do nothing in the air but defecate on the demons, leading Kenjaku to exclaim how awesome "poop bombs" are. Kenjaku ponders whether he should return the dog, who he named "John", to its owner or spare the monkey and pheasant's lives, with Takaba chiming in that the latter choice is the obvious answer. Kenjaku then announces that he is disposing of the pheasant, and when asked why by Takaba, he answers that it is to appease the dog's owner, in the form of a pun.

Abruptly, Kenjaku asks Takaba if something is wrong. Takaba, who realizes that his dream performance is about to end, expresses his wish to continue the performance and begins to cry. Kenjaku tells him not to cry, as it will kill the mood. As Takaba touches Kenjaku, the imaginary scenario ends. Back in the forest, Kenjaku looks over Takaba, who is laying on the ground dressed like a corpse. Takaba thanks Kenjaku, who in turn commends Takaba for his humor.

Suddenly, Kenjaku senses Yuta Okkotsu behind him. Before he is able to activate the cursed technique reversal of Antigravity System, Yuta decapitates him with his katana. As Kenjaku's head falls to the ground, he wonders why he didn't notice Yuta's immense cursed energy. Upon seeing the seemingly deceased Takaba, he realizes that the comedian didn't want anyone interrupting the show and thus prevented him from sensing Yuta.

Still alive, Kenjaku asks if this was the jujutsu sorcerers' plan all along. Yuta confirms it is, as they knew Takaba wouldn't kill anyone. Despite voicing regret for his unfinished business, Kenjaku ominously declares that his "will" shall be inherited.

Character in Order of Appearances

 * Kenjaku
 * Fumihiko Takaba
 * Yuta Okkotsu

Battles & Events

 * Fumihiko Takaba vs. Kenjaku (Concluded)

Locations

 * Lake Gosho Colony, Iwate Prefecture

Jujutsu
Fumihiko Takaba's Techniques
 * Comedian

Kenjaku's Techniques
 * Antigravity System

Trivia

 * Continuing the theme from Chapter 239, the chapter's title is a reference to the lyrics of Baka Survivor by Ulfuls, the second opening theme to Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo anime series.
 * When talking about the gold prize, Kenjaku and Takaba are referencing the Karaage Grand Prix, an annual competition hosted by the Japan Karaage Association that determines the best karaage (Japanese fried chicken) in the country. The 12th Karaage Grand Prix is notorious for having several gold prize winners, hence Takaba's comment.