WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Episode 23 of Jujutsu Kaisen, "The Origin of Blind Obedience -2-," now streaming on Crunchyroll.
As Itadori, Fushiguro and Kugisaki investigate a recent string of Curse-related deaths, they discover a surprising connection between their target and Tsumiki -- Fushiguro's mysterious sister. Though she hasn't appeared in the series outside of flashback, we know that multiple Curses affect her health, with the preeminent one keeping her unconscious. The trio quickly learns that other forces are at play and find themselves against several powerful enemies -- and Fushiguro needs to step up.
Though we've seen glimpses of Fushiguro's potential and know that Sukuna has a particular interest in him, there are still questions swirling around about how impressive he can become as a Jujutsu Sorcerer. As Gojo puts it, Fushiguro needs to be greedier and envision what a better version of himself could look like -- and we get a sight of that in Episode 23.
Megumi Fushiguro's Rematch of Redemption
The episode opens on Itadori, Fushiguro and Kugisaki inside a Curse's Domain handling the more minor threats with relative ease, but the trio is ultimately split up. Itadori and Kugisaki are drawn outside of the Domain, facing a pair of dangerous Curse brothers. Meanwhile, Fushiguro remains inside, not realizing that a different threat lurks in the shadows -- and they involve Sukuna's fingers.
Fushiguro stares down at a familiar enemy in the same Curse who seemed leagues more powerful than him at the beginning of the series. Manifested from one of Sukuna's fingers, the Curse had power on par with a special-grade. It feels excitingly cyclical that, as Jujutsu Kaisen's first season nears its close, we'd revisit an enemy partially responsible for Itadori's momentary death and that Fushiguro would be given a chance to show his growth.
So, how much has Fushiguro changed, and could the argument be made that he hasn't grown enough? Gojo makes precisely that point in a flashback, explaining that Jujutsu Sorcery may require coordination with other sorcerers, but in the end, you die alone. He also criticizes Fushiguro's resignation to rely on his "trump card" if things get too serious -- though it's implied he'd die in the process. While these sound like intensely pessimistic pointers for a teacher to give, Gojo intended to remind Fushiguro to be greedier, telling him that dying to win and risking death to win are different things.
Domain Expansion: Chimera Shadow Garden
That memory -- and a fierce punch to the head -- seem to flip a switch in Fushiguro. Not only does his entire attitude change, but he throws himself into the fight in a way that we haven't seen. With blood dripping down his head and an invigorated smile, Fushiguro catches the Curse by surprise as he unleashes his Domain Expansion: Chimera Shadow Garden.
While his technique is incomplete, Fushiguro still pours everything he currently can into its execution as a strange, shadowy liquid covers the ground. Chimera Shadow Garden appears to allow Fushiguro to summon an excess of Shikigami and even lets him create doppelgängers of himself to deceive the Curse. Fushiguro is completely drained afterward, but he successfully exorcised the Curse with his Demon Dog Totality.
Even in its incomplete form, Fushiguro's Domain demonstrates a fraction of his potential and begins to uncover why Sukuna rates him so highly. If he masters Chimera Shadow Garden, it could be a devasting move to add to his arsenal. However, if he wants to continue down a path of growth, he'll need to keep visualizing a future where he's more powerful.
Sukuna's Mysterious Intentions
After Fushiguro defeats the Curse and collects the finger it had manifested its power from, we see a glimpse of Sukuna. The King of Curses smiles and expresses excitement over Fushiguro's success and the power he showcased. Still, what are Sukuna's intentions? He's gone out of his way not to kill Fushiguro because he senses something within him. While it could simply be that Sukuna is searching for a worthy opponent, it feels as though there is something more sinister at play.
As Fushiguro passes out, we get more flashbacks from his past that reveal how he first met Gojo. It's already known that Fushiguro is a member of the Zen'in family, but now we see that his father sold him off for money before leaving. Thankfully, Gojo intervened and convinced the Jujutsu elders to allow Fushiguro to train at Jujutsu Tech instead.
Besides being described as one of the three big Jujutsu Sorcery families, little is known about the Zen'in clan -- aside from their cruel treatment of anyone within their ranks they find unsuitable to carry on their name. However, that lineage could be another reason Sukuna is so keen on Fushiguro's development. Maybe there is a secret to Fushiguro's technique he hasn't even scratched the surface of.
