Satoru Gojo had no intention of any so-called "pre-battle warm-up."
From the moment he charged in, he unleashed his full strength at one hundred percent.
In this battle plan, speed was an extremely crucial factor.
His attacks had to rain down like a violent storm, leaving Nightmare too overwhelmed to use Zafkiel. Only then could the scales of victory tip in his favor.
If Nightmare managed to seize the chance to use Zafkiel, it would be acceptable if it were another ability bullet. But if it was the Sixth Bullet, which allowed her consciousness to return to the past—then this ambush would be completely in vain.
Nightmare knew this was a trap he had laid, yet still dared to step into it, precisely because she possessed the Sixth Bullet, which was akin to a save-and-load ability.
No matter what happened, as long as she fired one Sixth Bullet, she could make everything start over.
Therefore, under no circumstances could he let Nightmare find a chance to use the Sixth Bullet!
"This guy… he's really going all out!"
Due to the rules of the coliseum, Nightmare true body, forced out from the shadows, was immediately subjected to an intense close-quarters assault. She was caught off guard.
Ever since arriving in this world, she had almost always stayed hidden in the shadow dimension, faithfully mimicking Tokisaki Kurumi behavior from the original story. No matter what happened, she'd always send a clone ahead to scout.
However, the combat level of this world wasn't very high. Ninety-nine percent of the battles could be resolved with just a single clone. If one wasn't enough, she'd send another. As a result, her true body had almost never appeared and had been slacking off the entire time.
If not for her still maintaining a basic sense of caution and occasionally sparring with her clones in the shadow realm to keep her combat instincts and reflexes intact, she would've already lost the upper hand under this ferocious assault.
Relying on the Domain of Free Will granted by her Angel, she barely managed to stay on even footing with Satoru Gojo.
Of course, what surprised her wasn't that Gojo went all out from the start.
Given the pressure she had applied on him over this period, if he still kept up his usual flippant attitude, then he'd truly be nothing more than a brainless egomaniac.
He and Geto... shared a mutual understanding that in such circumstances, they had to be serious.
Although she couldn't read Geto thoughts completely, Riku's behavioral pattern was something she could mostly predict.
Tokisaki Kurumi had no doubt that compared to Satoru Gojo, Geto was someone even more dangerous to her.
And in this world, the only ones capable of threatening her were either the fully recovered King of Curses—Ryomen Sukuna—or Satoru Gojo.
Therefore, Riku could not afford to let Gojo form an alliance with her.
What truly caught her off guard was the nature of this domain itself. Not only could it prevent her from using clones, it even barred her from remaining in the shadow dimension.
Tokisaki Kurumi two core abilities had been sealed!
The only remaining way to turn the tide of battle was to use Zafkiel.
But the Satoru Gojo in front of her had turned into a mad dog, locking onto her movements with deadly precision and not giving her the slightest chance to use Zafkiel.
"Domain Expansion: City of Devouring Time!"
As Tokisaki Kurumi summoned her ability, everything in both of their visions was dyed in a crimson hue.
"If you think I've lost all my strength just because I can't use clones and the shadow dimension…"
Having gradually regained her battle rhythm, a mocking smile tugged at Tokisaki Kurumi lips. "Then I can only say—my apologies."
"Domain Expansion: Unlimited Void!"
Satoru Gojo formed a hand seal with one hand and deployed his innate domain.
In the next moment, the crimson-shrouded factory was overlaid with a pale gray veil of light.
As both parties activated their respective domains, expressions of shock and seriousness appeared on their faces.
What shocked Tokisaki Kurumi was that his Unlimited Void had evolved from a closed-type domain into an open-type domain.
This meant that she could no longer destroy Gojo domain by launching external attacks through shadows.
Her expression gradually grew grave.
The reason she could still maintain consciousness and mobility within the Unlimited Void was due to her Domain of Free Will.
But in a situation where the Unlimited Void could no longer be destroyed, once Gojo managed to dismantle her Domain of Free Will, Unlimited Void's power would act upon her.
A massive influx of information would flood her mind, freezing her in place, turning her into a helpless target on the chopping block.
If she were a clone, that wouldn't be a problem.
But the one fighting Gojo now was her true body!
Likewise, Satoru Gojo wore an expression that was half shock, half solemn.
Because in his worldview, when two people activated their domains simultaneously, one would always be forcefully destroyed due to insufficient strength.
But now, City of Devouring Time and Unlimited Void had bizarrely stacked upon each other without clashing.
Was this because the outcome of an open-type domain clashing with a closed-type domain differed from the usual?
Gojo wasn't quite sure.
During these past three days, he had learned the technique of the open-type domain under the guidance of the Kamo clan head, intending to use it as a trump card against Nightmare.
But aside from being able to release it, he knew almost nothing else about open-type domains.
Of course, what shocked him the most wasn't that two open-type domains could coexist without one being crushed.
What shocked him the most was that even after activating the Gojo Clan's special simplified domain, "Infinite Space," he still felt his cursed energy and stamina being continuously drained by Tokisaki Kurumi City of Devouring Time.
City of Devouring Time couldn't be blocked by Infinite Space?!
Yet Unlimited Void could be neutralized by Kurumi simplified domain?!
"Damn it!"
Satoru Gojo couldn't help but curse in his mind.
This kind of absurdity—Kurumi hadn't written a single word about it in her letter!
This situation had already exceeded Gojo understanding.
Likewise, it also exceeded the understanding of every onlooker witnessing this battle.
Honestly, in Gojo estimation, once both sides activated their domains, it should've been the beginning of the end.
Either his domain would be overwhelmed and he'd fall into a disadvantage,
Or Nightmare domain would be broken, and within the Unlimited Void, she'd be reduced to a motionless vegetable.
But now, the two domains had weirdly overlapped.
And the strangest part was that Unlimited Void had no effect on Nightmare, while he himself was being rapidly drained of cursed energy and stamina.
And at an incredibly fast pace!
This wasn't Gojo first time experiencing the effects of City of Devouring Time. He had entered it once before in the Juvenile Detention Center.
However, the drain back then was nothing compared to what it was now.
Clearly, that time, Nightmare had held back.
But this time, she was going all out!
Yet Satoru Gojo didn't feel fear—instead, he felt even more exhilarated.
The fact that his opponent was using her full strength meant that Nightmare truly felt that her life was in danger.
"The next step… I have to end this quickly!"
Although the current situation was a bit unexpected, he quickly grasped the only way to win under these conditions.
Within the City of Devouring Time, his cursed energy and stamina were being drained constantly.
At this rate, in two minutes, he would be completely drained of cursed energy and lose all combat ability.
And in less than half a minute, his cursed energy would drop below the threshold needed to maintain domain expansion.
Therefore, the time he had left to deal with Nightmare wasn't two minutes—it was only half a minute!
Even within this half-minute, his stamina would keep being sapped, making him weaker and weaker!
And Satoru Gojo knew this well—his physical strength and Nightmare were on par. In fact, Nightmare might even be stronger.
With the rise of one and the fall of the other, the difference in physical strength between the two would only grow larger, making his chances of winning increasingly slim.
In other words, conservatively estimated, the actual time he had left to deal with the Nightmare was less than ten seconds!
To end the battle within ten seconds, the best method would be to use the clan-secret technique that even within the Gojo family only a few knew about—Cursed Technique Reversal: Hollow Purple!
But to use Hollow Purple, one had to first use Cursed Technique: Blue and Cursed Technique Reversal: Red, then merge both powers to create Hollow Purple.
If he had time to slowly combine them, the Nightmare could easily use the Sixth Bullet of Zafkiel to escape the battle.
If that happened, all previous efforts would be wasted.
Therefore, he was left with only one option.
Break through the Nightmare Simple Domain using sheer physical force!
As long as he could break through her Simple Domain, she would inevitably be affected by Unlimited Void, and the victory would be his!
Satoru Gojo and Tokisaki Kurumi locked eyes—his azure-blue eyes and her gold-crimson eyes reflected each other's figure.
At this moment, both understood what the other intended to do.
Satoru Gojo focused all his power into his legs and burst forth at a speed fast enough to leave afterimages.
Meanwhile, Tokisaki Kurumi abruptly retreated, pouring all her spirit power into her Astral Dress to maintain the strength of her Domain of Free Will.
Satoru Gojo condition for victory: destroy Tokisaki Kurumi Domain of Free Will within ten seconds.
Tokisaki Kurumi condition for victory: prevent Satoru Gojo from breaking her Domain of Free Will within those ten seconds.
This was a race against time.
At this moment, all who were watching the battle could no longer see clearly what was happening in the scene.
Because both had pushed their speed to the absolute limit.
Sand and rocks flew, bricks shattered—the scene displayed nothing more than what looked like the aftermath of a passing tornado.
Very soon, as the City of Devouring Time continued absorbing with full force, Satoru Gojo strength and speed began to inevitably decline bit by bit.
After ten seconds, he could no longer maintain his full-speed pursuit.
After twenty seconds, a hint of weakness began to show.
After thirty seconds, the gray-white light veil covering the factory shattered instantly, and the area was once again completely swallowed by a blood-red hue.
Just as he had predicted, after thirty seconds, no matter how much he tried to push on, he could no longer supply the cursed energy required to maintain his Domain Expansion.
"Seventh Bullet."
Finally, that barrage of storm-like attacks and his Domain faded away together.
Seizing the opportunity, Tokisaki Kurumi summoned Zafkiel and fired the Seventh Bullet, which could pause time.
Just like before in the Juvenile Detention Center, the moment the Seventh Bullet came into contact with Satoru Gojo Infinity, the two powers canceled each other out.
Only this time, the Seventh Bullet came in a double shot.
The first shot canceled out the Infinity protecting Satoru Gojo from harm, while the second shot pierced straight into his body without obstruction.
In an instant, Satoru Gojo movements froze where he stood, as if he had turned into a vividly lifelike statue.
The battle had come to an end.
All who saw this scene could not help but have despair flash in their eyes.
The pillar of the Jujutsu world, the bearer of the Six Eyes, the strongest sorcerer of the modern era—Satoru Gojo—had been defeated.
The only hope, was devoured by a darkness several times deeper than itself.
Looking at the frozen-in-time Satoru Gojo, Tokisaki Kurumi let out a faint sigh in her heart.
To be honest, she didn't really want to kill this guy.
Though undoubtedly an egomaniac, he was also undeniably an excellent sorcerer who had saved many lives.
Killing a good person didn't match the true persona of Tokisaki Kurumi, nor did it align with the girl's personal code of conduct.
But she had no choice.
Satoru Gojo had willingly given the keys to this only possible cage match with no second chances when he entered the battlefield.
If she didn't kill him, she wouldn't be able to get out.
As for simply breaking the barrier by force… for Tokisaki Kurumi, that was far too difficult.
If it were Yatogami Tohka, Itsuka Kotori, or the Yamai sisters—those violently destructive types—it might have been possible.
But for someone like Tokisaki Kurumi, who was more of a support or assassin-type rather than a warrior, breaking through this grand barrier constructed with Tengen's power was simply impossible.
With what, exactly, was she supposed to break it?
Two pistols going pew pew pew?
If she could use Space Quakes, that would be a different matter entirely.
But just like in the previous world, the essence of a Space Quake was the collision between adjacent and current realms. In a world without an adjacent realm, Space Quakes simply couldn't be used.
"What a pity, Mr. Gojo."
Tokisaki Kurumi slowly walked toward Satoru Gojo and said in a tone full of regret, "Looks like… this is your end."
"Tengen, what are you waiting for?"
Looking at the scene unfolding on screen, Geto Suguru's expression darkened as he spoke in a cold voice: "If you don't act now, it'll be too late."
"Sigh…"
In the air, it seemed a faint sigh could be heard.
With a ripple in space, the exquisite wooden box on the table disappeared from Geto sight.
In the next moment—Tokyo Jujutsu High.
The scenery before Yuji Itadori eyes suddenly changed as he was forcibly pulled into a pure white space.
"Time is of the essence, kid, so I won't bother with introductions."
With a voice that sounded familiar, stern, and unwilling to explain much, the person quickly opened the wooden box, revealing what was inside.
Before Yuji could react to what was happening, he looked down and saw that the box was filled to the brim with Sukuna fingers.
"If you want to save your teacher—then swallow them."