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Chapter 13 - [13] Through the Glass: Questions and Ghosts of the Past. Behind One-Way Mirrors and Broken Hearts

It was the quiet before the storm. Aiura Mikako stood in stunned silence as Saiki Kusuo recounted everything—the multiverse distortions, the chaotic group of stranded individuals, the rift he'd sealed (and worsened), and now, the growing breach threatening to collapse their reality.

"So you're saying there are more of them?" Aiura said, trying to comprehend the gravity of it all.

Saiki nodded, tapping his temple. "They're scattered throughout Japan. I need your help finding them."

Without hesitation, Aiura straightened her hat. "Then let's go."

Before Saiki set off, he looked at the glass for the interrogation room. "Lloyd, fix that. One way, remember."

---

Hours later, a lineup of new arrivals stood within the secure white interrogation hall on the private island—a facility Kusuke designed with 18 backup exits, reality anchor fields, and a reinforced one-way mirror so thick it could stop Gojo's Hollow Purple.

Team Interrogation: Saiki, Saitama, and Shadow stood inside the room, their mere presence enough to prevent any funny business. Rudeus stood by the door, arms folded, the official escort. Outside, Gojo and Javier and Jinwoo guarded the perimeter.

Observers: Behind the mirror, Makima, Denji, Yuji, Subaru, and Kazuma watched from a plush observation chamber. Lloyd was on a video call with Kusuke, giving updates as the interrogation progressed.

---

Interrogation 1: Power

"WHAT IS THIS PLACE? WHO DARES LOCK UP THE MIGHTY POWER?!"

Saiki sighed.

Shadow blinked. "Why was she chosen to go first?"

"Because she tried to steal Rudeus' staff," said Saiki flatly.

"Just tell us your name and abilities," Shadow said coolly.

"I am Power, Blood Fiend, genius extraordinaire!" she declared. "I can control blood, mold it into weapons, and I smell better than all of you combined!"

Makima behind the glass gave a look. Denji beamed.

"She's the real deal," Denji whispered. "Annoying, but real."

2 voices came back at each other.

Lloyd smirked. "She's more of brawn than smarts."

Kusuke trying to hold back laughter. "Y- yeah."

Everyone had connected thoughts. "Of course, both of the assholes got along."

---

Interrogation 2: Choso

"I'm not a threat," Choso said calmly, sitting with hands folded. "My brother... Yuji Itadori... Is he here? I can feel him."

Yuji, watching, tensed. Subaru patted his shoulder.

"I'm Choso. I manipulate blood, and I have no ill intent. I only wish to protect my family."

Saiki glanced toward the mirror. Yuji nodded.

"You'll be placed under supervision," Saiki said, voice neutral. "You'll have your chance."

---

Interrogation 3: Toji Fushiguro

Toji leaned back in the chair, arms crossed.

"Name?"

"Toji Fushiguro. Former assassin. Cursed tool specialist."

Gojo, outside, narrowed his eyes.

"Why are you here?" Shadow asked.

"No idea. Last thing I remember was going for Gojo's throat," Toji admitted.

Toji thought. "Well, the other time was when i saw my son."

Saiki's eyes glowed briefly as he read Toji's memory—slicing through time and death.

---

Interrogation 4: Light Yagami

He sat still, expression unreadable.

"Name?"

"Yagami Light."

"Occupation?"

"High school student," he answered too quickly.

"Liar," Saiki thought.

"Special skills?" Shadow asked.

Light smirked. "I'm just... intelligent."

Behind the glass, Makima raised an eyebrow.

"He's hiding something," she muttered.

Saiki focused harder. Light's thoughts were murky, layered—he was resisting.

"I'll keep an eye on him personally," Saiki said flatly.

Makima's eye twitched. "He's hiding something."

Also mentioned by Kusuke

Lloyd replied back. "Classic narcissist."

---

Interrogation 5: Megumi Fushiguro

The four sat in a semi-circle.

Megumi kept his distance, posture guarded, a shadow of weariness under his eyes.

"I don't know how I got here," he admitted. "But I don't plan to stay long."

"Any memories before arrival?" Saiki asked.

A brief respond. "Not at all."

Interrogation 6: Aki Hayakawa

"Name, occupation, abilities, how did you got here and what do you remember."

"Aki Hayakawa. Contracted with the future and fox devil. I don't know, all I remember is fighting Denji in a snow fight."

Interrogation 7: Nobara Kugisaki

Nobara leaned back with a sharp gaze. "Let's get this over with. I've got things to do."

"Like what?" Shadow asked.

"Shopping, maybe flirt if I'm bored."

Nobara rolled her eyes. "Ignore him. I'm Nobara Kugisaki. Cursed user. I use voodoo dolls."

Interrogation 8: Aoi Todo

Todo is sitting crossed legged. "I will fully cooperate, but first."

Yuji flinched. "Saiki's type, HE DOESN'T HAVE ONE."

Todo with a straight face. "What's your type in women?"

Saiki answered after reading Yuji's mind. "Je- Good grief. Jennifer Lawre-"

Before Saiki could finish, Shadow's slime weapon morphed into restraints.

Todo tried to hug Saiki. "MY BROTHER. YOU CERTAINLY REMEMBER OUR BROTHER YUJI!"

Interrogation 9: Suguru Geto

"Geto," the final spoke with quiet certainty. "Suguru Geto. I collect cursed spirits."

Behind the glass, Gojo stood frozen.

His voice cracked. "Suguru...?"

Saiki closed his eyes and, in a moment, absorbed their tangled past. Pain. Loss. Ideals.

---

Interrogation 10: Shadow Garden

Beta, Gamma, and Epsilon stood at attention.

"We serve Lord Shadow," Gamma said, bowing.

"What are your intentions?" Saiki asked.

"Eradicating the Cult of Diablos," Beta said confidently.

Saiki nodded. "Shadow trusts you. That's enough."

Shadow, in the corner, gave a rare grin.

---

Interrogation 11: Frieren

Rudeus escorting her in. An elf, she's strong.

She said little.

"I'm Frieren. Mage. That's all."

Rudeus, standing near, shuddered. He could feel it—she was hiding her mana. On purpose.

He leaned toward Saiki. "She's beyond powerful. She's suppressing it all."

Frieren met his eyes briefly. She knew.

---

Interrogation 12: Reze

She entered, cautious.

"Reze," she said. "Former Soviet assassin. Bomb Devil hybrid."

Denji, behind the mirror, practically fell out of his chair.

Saiki, speaking telepathically to Makima, said, "I altered her memory. She thinks she left on her own terms."

Makima gave the smallest smile. "Thank you."

Reze's eyes flicked toward the mirror. "Is... he here?"

Saiki nodded. "He's watching."

"I'm sorry."

Denji just stared.

Then—

To the next and last one.

Rudeus opened the door, sensing something was wrong. Out of pure experience, he increased the mana and time his demon eyes could see into the future.

Rudeus made a face. He shielded himself with the strongest spell he knew and shouted. "EVERYONE RUN-"

CRASH.

---

Final Interrogation. Interrogation 13: Asa Mitaka and Yoru

Before Saiki could process her entrance, Rudeus tensed. His staff twitched.

"Everyone back!" Rudeus shouted, casting a defensive barrier.

A sharp wave of dark energy exploded from Asa's body. The mirror cracked. Everyone staggered.

Frieren and Choso aim at her, planning to attack.

Megumi about to summon Mahoraga, thinking everyone should be able to handle everything.

Gojo casting 200% Hollow Purple incantations.

Shadow Garden surrounds her.

Todo clapped . "You're one hell of a dangerous woman."

Yoru pointed. "Die."

Not even a second passed, Todo, Shadow Garden, Rudeus, Kazuma, and Subaru.. Had their torso dissipated.

Tojj rushes in. "I've died twice, not this time."

Saitama behind Yoru about to punch.

Yoru avoided it but loses an arm.

Aki Hayakawa gestured. "Kon"

Subaru gasped—blood spilling from his chest. "A breach... is happening..."

He collapsed.

He gasped, screamed. "SAIKI, RUDEUS THE NEXT ONE WILL KILL-."

"Return by Death..." Saiki whispered, catching Subaru's fleeting thought. "They're breaching."

As Rudeus is about to open the door.

Saiki has removed his glasses.

Asa, or rather Yoru, turned to stone in an instant—Saiki's eyes locking her in place.

The room froze.

Senku witnesses it. "Woah, just like the Medusa artifact, this is exhilarating."

Gojo burst into the chamber. "EVERYONE OUT. NOW."

As everyone is evacuating, Makima stares at the petrified Yoru and whispers. "A horsemen of calamity, huh?"

Kusuke unfazed. "A buy 1 get 1 free."

---

Post-Breach Discussions

Yuji stood facing Choso.

"You're really my brother?"

Choso nodded, tears falling. "I thought I'd lost you."

Yuji stepped forward, and they hugged.

Todo slammed into them. "WAIT. What's your type of woman?!"

Choso blinked. "I... had someone. As a sorcerer, you might have heard of her, Yuki Tsukomo."

Todo's eyes flashed. A false memory bloomed.

"I REMEMBER HER. OUR SISTER. MY BROTHERS!" He wept, pulling both into a crushing embrace.

Todo asks. "Where's our other brother, Saiki?"

---

Gojo faced Geto.

"You're alive... or something like it. Seeing you for the 2nd time coming back from the dead."

Geto smiled. "This is the world I envisioned, Satoru. No curses. No hatred."

Gojo lowered his head. "Then maybe we can rest... just a little."

Pan to Saiki.

"Escort him to the southern exit," Saiki said. "Saitama, handle it."

Saitama smiled. "Sure thing."

Toji eyed his arm. "You work out?"

"A little."

---

Reze and Denji

She entered the lounge area quietly.

"Well," Denji said awkwardly, "Look who it is. Someone who tried to kill me. Twice."

"I had to," Reze replied. "But I really did mean it when I said I loved you."

Makima stepped from the shadows.

Makima stepped forward. Saiki's voice echoed in her mind.

("I replaced her memory.")

Makima smiled. "Thank you."

Saiki thought to himself. She killed her.

"Play nice," Makima said.

Reze turned, confused. Denji scratched his head. "Y'know what? Screw it. I missed you."

Power crashed in. "DENJI, WHO IS THIS WOMAN?!"

"You got yourself a chick Denji?" Aki smoking a cigarette.

---

Frieren & Rudeus

Megumin sidled up to Rudeus. "Cool staff."

"Gift from one of my wife when I was younger on my birthday," he replied.

Megumin became more enthusiastic. "Tell me more! Tell me more!"

Rudues smiled smugly. "Aqua Heartia (also known as the "Arrogant Water Dragon King"), can amplify magic. Water Magic: 5x efficiency boost

Earth and Wind Magic: 3x efficiency boost

Fire Magic: 2x efficiency boost "

"WOW! Let me try my explosion spell with it please!." Megumin practically trying to reach for Rudeus's staff.

Rudeus said nervously. "Um, we, we better not."

She glanced toward Frieren.

"She's interesting. Ancient, but hiding it."

Frieren only looked away, examining the unfamiliar surroundings.

---

Toji & Gojo

They stood ten feet apart.

"Relax," Toji said. "Thanks for raising Megumi."

Gojo smiled, tense. "You can pat yourself on the back starting now. No more killing people. We have money now."

Toji squinted. "You don't trust me."

Gojo with maximum output of infinity and a hand gesture of hollow purple. "I'm just being cautious, just saying."

---

Saiki's Ending

The group dispersed. Peace, for a fleeting moment.

Saiki entered the kitchen, seeking comfort. A single bowl of coffee jelly waited.

He took a bite.

His eyes widened.

"…Hot sauce?"

He sighed.

"I'm the only one who got the bad ending."

---

End.

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