Fumihiko Takaba vs. Kenjaku is a battle fought between comedian-turned-Culling Game player, Fumihiko Takaba and the ancient curse user, Kenjaku. It occurs in the Lake Gosho Colony after Fumihiko is sent by his allies to attack Kenjaku and delay his plans to end the Culling Game.
Prologue
Before the paramount battle between Satoru Gojo and Sukuna, the Angel discusses the need to attack Kenjaku before the duel ends. The Angel gathered Yuta Okkotsu, Atsuya Kusakabe, Mei Mei, and Kinji Hakari to talk about a contingency plan.
The jujutsu sorcerers discuss their plan to attack Kenjaku.
The Angel emphasizes that even if the jujutsu sorcerers defeat Sukuna, it wouldn't matter if Kenjaku achieves his goal of merging the Japanese people with Tengen. Hakari notes that judging from the rules added by Kenjaku, killing all the players participating in the Culling Game might be the condition to end it.
Yuta asks why they should worry about that since he and Hakari are also players, which would prevent Kenjaku from achieving his objective so long as they are fighting Sukuna. The Angel suggests the possibility of Kenjaku ambushing them if Satoru loses, which Hakari admits it would be disadvantageous if they are occupied with fighting Sukuna. The Angel adds that even if Kenjaku doesn't ambush them and they achieve a narrow victory against Sukuna but at the cost of Satoru, they would be too weakened to fight Kenjaku. While the sorcerers deliberate over who to send to fight Kenjaku, the Angel nominates Fumihiko Takaba, much to everyone else's confusion.[1]
On December 24, Kenjaku leaves Sukuna's side to kill all the remaining players participating in the Culling Game in preparation for the merger.[2] Around the time when Satoru and Sukuna's battle concluded, Kenjaku arrives at the Lake Gosho Colony, where he kills an unnamed female player and Iori Hazenoki. He's soon confronted by Takaba, who was transported there by Ui Ui's cursed technique.[3]
Battle
Kenjaku's cursed spirits fail to injure Takaba.
Upon noticing Takaba, Kenjaku questions the jujutsu sorcerers' assassin of choice before attacking him with a swarm of centipede-like cursed spirits. Takaba appears to be crushed and easily dispatched by the attack. However, he crawls out of the crater unharmed, surprising Kenjaku. Kenjaku takes notice of the peculiar effect of Takaba's cursed technique as the comedian expresses his belief that the most thrilling thing in the world is when comedians who are only there to pad out the cast end up stealing the show.[4]
Kenjaku's cursed spirits bite and strike Takaba to no avail, all while the comedian jokes around. Deducing the capabilities of his opponent's cursed technique, Kenjaku tries to uncover its weakness and begins a conversation. This leads to him criticizing Takaba's comedy as someone who understands the art form from a logical standpoint. Takaba's confidence falls and his technique to deactivates as a result. Kenjaku quickly notices this and strikes Takaba with a rushing elbow that sends him crashing through numerous trees in the forest.[5]
Kenjaku wounds both Takaba's body and confidence.
Realizing that Takaba's innate technique requires his confidence and certainty to remain active, Kenjaku piles on the criticism and outdoes Takaba's humor, rendering him increasingly vulnerable to attack. A resigned and injured Takaba attempts to regain confidence by convincing himself that he is funny, only to be devastated upon seeing Hazenoki's corpse. As Kenjaku approaches him, Takaba realizes that the situation isn't funny at all.[6]
As he is chased and attacked by Kenjaku through the forest, Takaba remembers his past, as well as his original motivation for becoming an entertainer: to have people know him better. Realizing that he stopped taking comedy seriously due to being afraid of getting hurt, Takaba regains his confidence as a comedian and resolves to make Kenjaku laugh his guts out. This allows him to reactivate his technique, exciting Kenjaku, who looks forward to what he can do.[7]
Takaba's technique effortlessly exorcises a special grade curse.
Kenjaku summons the special grade rebel spirit Akuro-o Otake, but it is swiftly exorcised by a truck driven by Takaba, created through Comedian. The cursed technique brings Kenjaku and Takaba into imaginary scenarios manifested from the latter's imagination, causing the two to engage in hilarious shenanigans in various simulated environments, such as reviving a dead goldfish at a hospital, participating in a game show in a valley, or playing with water on the beach. As the antics ensue, Kenjaku realizes that any damage incurred to himself will persist, but the damage done to Takaba are nothing but simulations to him. Therefore, if the battle continues, Kenjaku understands he will be defeated. The simulations won't end until Takaba's desire for laughs is satisfied, and Kenjaku prepares to end it by bringing Takaba into a scenario manifested through his thoughts, a stand-up comedy performance starring them as a comedy duo.[8]
Kenjaku satisfies Takaba's desire for laughs.
Walking onto stage, Kenjaku and Takaba engage in a comedy routine revolving around the tale of Momotarō, earning the laughs of the audience. As the performance comes to a close, Takaba's technique ends, and the two reappear in the forest. Satisfied, Takaba lays on the ground dressed as a corpse and thanks Kenjaku for being his partner, and the latter compliments the comedian for his hilarity.[9]
Aftermath
Takaba's diversion allows Yuta to deal the finishing blow.
Takaba is seemingly defeated, but Yuta suddenly appears behind Kenjaku, poised to strike with his katana. Kenjaku attempts to defend himself with the cursed technique reversal of Antigravity System, but due to Aoi Todo's technique their positions are switched, allowing Yuta to decapitate the curse user in one stroke.[10]
As Kenjaku's head falls to the ground, he wonders how he didn't notice Yuta's immense cursed energy. Seeing Takaba, Kenjaku realizes that it was due to the comedian's influence, as he didn't want the show to be interrupted. Falling onto the ground, Kenjaku asks if this was the jujutsu sorcerers' plan all along, which Yuta confirms since they knew Takaba wouldn't kill people. Regretting being unable to finish what he started, Kenjaku nonetheless ominously declares that his will shall be inherited.[11]
References
- ↑ Jujutsu Kaisen Manga: Chapter 240 (p. 3-6).
- ↑ Jujutsu Kaisen Manga: Chapter 222 (p. 12-13).
- ↑ Jujutsu Kaisen Manga: Chapter 239 (p. 1-16).
- ↑ Jujutsu Kaisen Manga: Chapter 239 (p. 17-19).
- ↑ Jujutsu Kaisen Manga: Chapter 240 (p. 7-15).
- ↑ Jujutsu Kaisen Manga: Chapter 240 (p. 15-19).
- ↑ Jujutsu Kaisen Manga: Chapter 241 (p. 1-19).
- ↑ Jujutsu Kaisen Manga: Chapter 242 (p. 1-19).
- ↑ Jujutsu Kaisen Manga: Chapter 243 (p. 1-15).
- ↑ Jujutsu Kaisen Manga: Chapter 269 (p. 5).
- ↑ Jujutsu Kaisen Manga: Chapter 243 (p. 16-19).
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