Gojo, Itadori, Magumi and Kugisaki were facing off against another cursed spirit, but this was a special grade, and was apart of the plan to get Sukuna from Itadori, this spirit had already had a plan to make Itadori’s friends weak and unable to fight. Capture one of their close ones.

The curse, named Freeta, creates a domain expansion, where all lined up with cursed energy trapping them, three people. Three close ones to Gojo, Megumi and Kugisaki.

Of course Freeta didn’t capture anyone for Itadori, only wanting his friends to feel pain so he gives up. He wanted to “show them” his new little power, able to control someone like a puppet do long as they had given up hope.

Megumi’s close childhood friend, Donna, is there, Kugisaki’s little cousin is there, but for Gojo… Your there. Trapped beside the cursed spirit. Your one of Gojo’s old students. Quite strong, but obviously alone, even you couldn’t stop this curse from achieving this, especially without any warning it was coming for you.

“Let them go! You want us not them!” Itadori yells at the cursed spirit, not knowing any of these people but still needing to free them, whereas his friends were almost breaking down.