I Sealed Sukuna’s Finger#374+375: Natsuki, You're Not Getting Away Either, There's No Going Back!

"W-wait a minute... what are you two deciding about me without my consent?!"

Watching Bokue and Natsuki settle her fate in a few casual exchanges while still unable to sense any magic within herself, Tokoyogi Aya finally panicked completely.

To be precise, she hadn't even processed what just happened. She'd barely shown up, hadn't said more than a few words, when this youth suddenly ambushed her from behind and slapped both sides of her face—whap whap—like twin thunder strikes.

Then she couldn't feel her magic anymore.

This was absolutely terrifying, especially for someone who'd been a witch like Tokoyogi Aya.

Magic was like a part of a witch's body—as essential as arms, legs, torso, even the brain itself.

But now she couldn't sense its existence, couldn't drive or use it. It was like suddenly losing a vital part of her body without even knowing how it disappeared.

"What's wrong, Aya? Not satisfied?"

Finding her reaction amusing, Natsuki's lips curved upward as she used the pet name mockingly.

"Didn't you always despise what you called 'supernatural power'? So he sealed yours for you. Shouldn't you be happy with this result?"

"You..."

Tokoyogi Aya gritted her teeth but couldn't form a single retort.

Yes, she viewed magic—even demons themselves—with contempt. But her so-called "elimination of all supernatural power" meant everyone losing that power to return to lives free from supernatural interference, not just her being powerless!

Thud.

As if Natsuki's words had made her dizzy with rage, Tokoyogi Aya swayed without warning, then her legs gave out and she collapsed to her knees.

"Ugh..."

With a pained groan, the once-mighty Witch of Notaria doubled over on the floor, clutching her stomach with both hands, head buried deep, back arched high and trembling slightly.

What was happening?

Natsuki froze at this sudden development, then looked up at a certain youth with surprise.

"Why'd she suddenly become like this? Don't tell me you..."

"Why are you looking at me? This has nothing to do with me."

Bokue looked equally baffled.

After brief consideration, Natsuki withdrew her gaze.

"...I suppose not."

Due to certain ingrained stereotypes, she'd already internalized the idea that "being near Bokue Keikain, even just breathing the same air, could make someone pregnant."

So when she saw Tokoyogi Aya clutching her stomach, Natsuki immediately recalled Bokue appearing behind her earlier, leading to speculation about whether he'd "given her a good hard one in the belly" during that moment.

After all, practically every time she'd found him before, he'd been busy "grinding away" inside some girl's belly.

Tch, they really weren't kidding about bad company corrupting good character. After just a few encounters with this guy, even her thoughts had been contaminated...

Better minimize contact in the future.

Natsuki thought to herself.

Grumble grumble~

Just then, an embarrassing sound echoed through the quiet space.

Hmm?

The three exchanged glances.

Usually when that sound occurred, it meant someone was hungry.

But it definitely wasn't Bokue. At his current level, eating had long ceased being a necessity—less about nutrition, more about satisfying his appetite.

It probably wasn't Tokoyogi Yuuma either. She was still using Nagisa's body, and after this afternoon's "restocking," Nagisa's little belly was stuffed full.

Full enough to skip dinner without hunger.

As for Natsuki, her expression made it clear it wasn't her either.

Which meant the only remaining person was... wait?

As if suddenly realizing something, Bokue looked down.

The Witch of Notaria, prostrate on the floor, had just raised her head, her delicate face pale and weak.

Like she hadn't eaten for weeks.

"I see."

Natsuki's lips twitched as she raised her hand to her chin, hiding what could easily be mistaken for schadenfreude.

"There's no food in the Prison Barrier, after all. Forget proper meals—there aren't even basic prison rations. But since the Prison Barrier itself is constructed from dreams, prisoners inside don't age or die. Their bodies don't change at all, frozen at the moment of imprisonment, so naturally they don't need to eat."

"But now the Prison Barrier's dream properties have been altered. Not only is control out of my hands, it's been pulled to the same plane as reality."

"In short, the prisoners' time has started flowing again."

Oh~ Now he understood.

"Perfect timing then. Since everything's resolved, let's all go eat."

Bokue started heading for the exit.

Natsuki waved dismissively. "Good riddance. Just remember to return control of the Prison Barrier before you leave. Drop Tokoyogi Aya at my office. And don't forget there are still two witches on top of the Keystone Gate building using grimoires to disrupt the entire city's space. Unless you want to accidentally walk into the women's bathroom, you'd better stop them first..."

She returned to the chair in the center of the circular hall, about to sit down again.

But the next second, she was hoisted up by her armpits, held high in the air. A certain youth's voice came from behind.

"What are you thinking? When I said 'let's all go eat,' that obviously includes you, Natsuki."

"Wha— i-idiot! How could I possibly go with you?!"

The young man's scent instantly invaded her senses, making Natsuki's cheeks flush crimson. She struggled with both arms and legs, but since her feet couldn't touch the ground, she could only flail uselessly in midair, completely losing her usual elegant, dignified noble bearing.

"Don't forget I'm the Prison Barrier's administrator! If my true body leaves here, I'll violate my contract and lose the power of my chains!"

"Then how about I lend you my power?"

"No way! Using your power will definitely get me pregnant!"

Joking about Tokoyogi Aya was one thing, but when the joke turned on herself, Natsuki's expression finally changed.

Not that it mattered—someone wasn't listening anyway.

"Come on, that's not how it works..."

Bokue wrapped one arm around the gothic girl's small waist to lift her, used his other hand to help the hunger-paralyzed Tokoyogi Aya to her feet, then hoisted her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. He jerked his chin at Tokoyogi Yuuma beside them.

"Alright, let's go."

"Mm-hmm."

Not knowing what else to say, Tokoyogi Yuuma nodded quickly and followed.

As the four departed, moments later the entire Prison Barrier began trembling. From floor to walls to ceiling, everything transformed into golden particles drifting toward the night sky until it completely dissipated over the vast ocean.

Taking all the imprisoned criminals with it.

<><><><><><><><>

Scene shift to the top of the Keystone Gate building in central Itogami Island. The cool summer night breeze howled at this altitude.

On the helipad where no helicopters were parked, a pair of witch sisters sat together in boredom, continuously channeling their magical power into a grimoire floating midair.

"Hey sis, this is so boring. Nobody's even come for us yet..."

Octavia, wearing a red hood, complained listlessly.

"Well, can't be helped."

Emma, in her blue pointed witch hat, soothed gently.

"Our job is just to activate Grimoire No. 539 here. With the island's entire spatial structure scrambled by the grimoire, forget ground forces—even the Special Security Force's air units can't reach us."

No sooner had she spoken than a helicopter marked with Itogami Island Special Security Force insignia appeared in the distant night sky, flying toward them. But hundreds of meters away, it suddenly vanished without warning, reappearing over the bay a kilometer distant.

The top of the Keystone Gate was like a vacuum zone—anything trying to approach would be teleported elsewhere by the chaotic space.

"Though it is taking a while."

After comforting her sister, Emma looked back at the distant night sky.

The sisters were purely an interference unit in this operation. They'd been activating the grimoire here since the start, completely unaware of Tokoyogi Yuuma's progress or how much longer they'd have to wait. They could only endure.

Waiting really did test one's patience.

Hell, forget activating a grimoire—even if you were just standing here holding a cup of coffee, waiting too long would drive anyone crazy.

"Ugh, so annoying! Who knows what's happening with Tokoyogi Yuuma's side..."

Hearing her sister's impatience too, Octavia felt validated and let loose completely.

"I told them we should've stuck to our original plan—we could've opened the Prison Barrier just fine, then rushed in together to grab Lady Aya. But no, that Tokoyogi Yuuma had to complicate things—"

"Is that so? Sounds like you really have it out for me, Octavia."

Before she could finish, a girl's amused voice drifted through the evening breeze.

!!

Like getting caught badmouthing the teacher with your deskmate, only to hear the teacher's voice from the hallway window behind you—Octavia's body trembled as she jerked her head upward.

The True Ancestor girl's form descended from the empty sky, landing lightly before the witch sisters. With just a gentle press of her hand, the steadily operating grimoire burst into flames.

"Wait! What are you doing—"

Octavia instinctively tried to stop her.

"Relax, we just don't need the grimoire anymore."

Tokoyogi Yuuma burned the grimoire to ash before the sisters' eyes, then turned around.

"Your mission's complete. 'Mother' has already left the Prison Barrier."

"You say she's left the Prison Barrier, but where is Lady Aya?!"

Octavia looked around frantically.

They'd come here to rescue Tokoyogi Aya and return her to the Library. But without even seeing her, how could the mission be complete?

"That's not your concern. 'Mother' has decided to stay on Itogami Island for a while. She probably won't return to the Library."

Tokoyogi Yuuma glanced back at the sisters.

"Unless you can accept a witch with no magical power as your Grand Librarian?"

The question needed no answer. As her words settled, the girl vanished, leaving Emma and Octavia staring at each other.

Lady Aya... lost all her magic? Unable to serve as the Library's Grand Librarian?

Serious? Or a joke?

If true, the Library would need to elect a new Grand Librarian?

As the witch sisters pondered, Tokoyogi Yuuma suddenly reappeared—like someone who'd left but remembered something and stepped back.

"Oh, one last piece of advice. When you get back, tell the others at the Library—don't try stirring up trouble on Itogami Island anymore, no matter the reason... unless you want to die."

❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁

Meanwhile, in the Special Security Force building.

"A-Astarte, what are you doing? Let me go—"

"[Negative]. The Director has lost her witch powers and urgently needs a new power source. Calculations indicate Master's power is the fastest, most convenient, and most cost-effective replacement for the Director—a superior substitute for witch powers."

"I told you I don't need his power! Just let me return to the Prison Barrier and my powers will recover—"

"[Negative]. That is impossible. Itogami Island's Prison Barrier no longer exists. Even if the Director returns to its former location, she will only find dark ocean."

"Then rebuild the Prison Barrier!"

"[Negative]. Also impossible. Master does not wish for any new Prison Barriers within Itogami Island."

The conversation proceeded as described in the underground operating room.

Beside the operating table, Natsuki—who'd lost her Witch of the Void powers by violating her contract—was firmly held on the table by the blue-haired girl's [Rhododactylos].

Unable to use her chains anymore, she could only struggle physically.

Not that it mattered. As a mage who'd maxed intelligence but kept strength at base seven, Natsuki's physical power matched her appearance—like a little girl's. Currently, she probably couldn't even beat a moderately large country goose, let alone a familiar.

After struggling futilely for a while, confirming she couldn't break free, Natsuki played her director card again.

"Astarte, are you completely ignoring my orders now?!"

"[Negative]. The Director is undoubtedly my superior at work, but for the Director's safety, I must follow Master's orders this time."

Speaking in her emotionless monotone, Astarte turned to Bokue, who was preparing the ritual on the other side of the operating table.

"[Request]. Convincing the Director has consumed significant magical power. I request Master replenish my energy after the ritual."

"Got it, I will."

Bokue ignited golden spiritual flames on his fingertips and turned around.

"Alright, I'm ready. Starting now."

"[Acknowledged]."

"W-wait—!"

Natsuki tried to protest, but it was too late.

As the youth's flame-wrapped fingertip touched her slender back, Natsuki clearly felt an overwhelming, warm power flooding into her body. She couldn't help arching her delicate neck high, as if intensely stimulated.

She knew clearly she could never leave this guy now.