The Butsu Mitama, gripped tightly by the Ape Mask, unleashed a seemingly endless torrent of lightning. Yet instead of scattering, the brilliant current gathered and spiraled around the blade.
As the pressure intensified, the lightning condensed into a near-liquid form, then began spreading outward from the sword's core.
At first glance, it looked as if a massive, vertical eye had opened in the heavens, complemented by the radiant light emitted from the Fox Mask's hand. In that moment, it felt as though a thunder god had descended.
Mahito's Domain Expansion had been isolated—by unknown means. Even his Idle Transfiguration, normally guaranteed to land, was blocked by a thin veil of light. Though he could break through eventually, it was clear his opponents wouldn't give him the time.
The thunder eye fully emerged. A blinding light erupted, engulfing all three masked figures. An overwhelming force compressed the very space inside the Domain Expansion.
Mahito barely managed to apply Idle Transfiguration to himself before the ocean of lightning consumed everything. The Domain collapsed, torn open by the force of the attack.
Shattered and scattered, the Domain Expansion dissolved as stray currents of lightning fizzled into the air. Mahito's mutilated form emerged from the rubble—charred and half-destroyed, a grim testament to the devastation he'd endured.
The three masked fighters were clearly worn down. The move had cost them dearly.
Ape Mask and Fox Mask were visibly drained. Only the White Crow appeared somewhat composed, stepping forward, preparing to strike the final blow.
"I warned you… those three Cursed Tools aren't simple things."
The sudden voice froze them. Still, they'd anticipated this possibility. Ape Mask instinctively re-gripped the Butsu Mitama, ready to fight—no retreat, no hesitation.
But then he appeared—and even through their masks, expressions of disbelief formed on their faces.
"Suguru Geto…"
They recognized him instantly. As a former Special Grade Sorcerer, his information was recorded in the archives. Including his death.
Ape Mask, the de facto leader, processed this rapidly. The Suguru Geto before them was unmistakably real. It was highly unlikely that a Curse User could imitate someone of his caliber so flawlessly.
Setting aside that minuscule possibility, if this was indeed the Suguru Geto who had been killed… then the implications were terrifying.
He'd been killed by Gojo Satoru.
If Suguru Geto was still alive, did that mean… Gojo had helped him?
His mind raced. The three fused Cursed Tools—they were clearly the target. Had this all been an act? A long game?
But why would Gojo's faction, already so powerful, need to collude with Cursed Spirits? Could something even bigger be at play?
Suguru Geto, unconcerned by recognition, gave a passing glance to the masked trio, then looked at Mahito, who was now sloughing off the damaged portions of his body.
"Let me handle it. We're out of time. The situation in Tokyo isn't looking good—you head to Jujutsu High."
The three masked figures caught something ominous in Geto's voice. But before they could react, a shadow fell over them.
It was a massive, cross-legged figure hovering midair. Four hands wrapped in thick prayer beads. Its head was that of an elephant—majestic and brutal at once. Holy, yet menacing.
The cursed aura and swirling energy left no doubt. This was no mere spirit—it was a Shikigami under Suguru Geto's command.
The elephant god raised two hands into a mudra. Ape Mask shouted a warning, while Fox Mask unleashed a wave of white light again—but it was instantly suppressed by an invisible force.
The trio floated helplessly, their Cursed Energy sealed. Still weakened, they could only depend on Fox Mask's ability to hold on.
"Domain Expansion: Womb Profusion."
Suguru Geto's hands folded into a reverse mudra. Behind him, a grotesque "tree" sprouted—its trunk made from blood-red spirits, riddled with twisted faces and corrupted feminine forms.
A warped beauty, horrifying yet seductive, seeped into their minds, rooting itself deeply and refusing to let go.
The darkness spread. The white light surrounding them was torn apart, disintegrating under the creeping blackness.
Bang!
They hit the ground. Hard. Motionless.
Suguru Geto checked them—no pulse, no movement. The Domain still didn't vanish. He glanced toward Mahito, unreadable, then dismissed the thought. The plan had reached this point. No need for unnecessary detours.
The Domain Expansion finally faded. Geto stepped forward, picking up the Butsu Mitama. A flicker of black light swallowed the blade into the void.
"Let's find the others…"
Mahito tilted his head as Geto rummaged through the remains of the fallen. Moments later, Geto stood, bloodied but victorious, holding two artifacts: a dark, ancient mirror, and a palm-sized magatama, white with golden streaks.
"Yata Mirror. Yasakani no Magatama… they're finally mine."
"These things were wasted on you. But thanks anyway."
He tucked them away and turned to Mahito.
"Everything's going smoothly. Head to Jujutsu High. Recover the Sukuna fingers they're guarding."
"As for me… I have an old friend to visit."
---
Meanwhile, the Orochi—unable to copy Yuji's Technique—posed little threat. Kamihara Hajime had now confirmed how its mimicry worked.
It required the final blow to be delivered by the ability's original wielder. In theory, someone could weaken it, and a weaker individual could deliver the finishing strike, preventing Orochi from copying anything.
But that was far-fetched. Orochi's own power made that scenario nearly impossible.
More concerning—Orochi could copy Heavenly Restrictions, using them more terrifyingly than Maki herself.
"Fortunately, this isn't a fundamental evolution. If it mastered his Reverse technique, that'd be a nightmare…"
Yuji Itadori's main strength lay in his enhanced body and raw Cursed Energy. Sukuna's influence offered extra resistance and durability—but Orochi couldn't copy the King of Curses' soul.
Still, the Orochi's movements lagged. Hajime's speed overwhelmed it. Ultimately, it crumbled.
The final blow was delivered by Yuta Okkotsu. As Orochi dissolved, Yuta turned to Hajime.
"That's the fifth time. Optimistically, this was its last life. Worst case—we've only killed its avatars."
Everyone remained tense. No anomalies. Until Itadori, scanning the sky, said:
"The rain's stopped. The clouds are breaking."
No one had noticed until now, but the storm's end had begun.
Hajime looked up, realization dawning.
The sunlight streamed through—gentle, warm. It should've brought relief.
Instead, a figure descended through the rays.
"Maki, take Itadori and go."
He had sensed it. Something was wrong.
The descending figure had a flawless, sculpted body—genderless, ethereal, divine. Naked but exuding purity and power. Its face calm and inhuman.
Maki didn't hesitate. She dragged Itadori and retreated.
Orochi, reborn once more, hovered inches above the ground. His glowing purple eyes betrayed no emotion.
"What the hell… is that?" Yuta whispered.
Hajime knew. He'd seen it too.
A halo floated behind Orochi—barely visible. Within it, something moved.
Orochi raised his hand and pressed it to his chest. His flesh rippled like water, and light escaped from within.
Time Wheel Spin.
Hajime activated his Technique—to interrupt Orochi and test his new state.
Yet Orochi moved inside Time Null. That shouldn't have been possible.
"Time Wheel…"
Orochi's hand fully submerged into his chest, then re-emerged, holding…
A beam of light?
Hajime had no time to analyze it. Totsuka-no-Tsurugi and Onikiri descended upon Orochi.
Clash!
With one clean strike, the cursed blades shattered. Two weapons between Grade 1 and Special Grade—broken effortlessly.
A deep gash tore into Hajime—organs visible. Any deeper, and he'd be dead.
Time Wheel: Reverse.
The injuries vanished. The blades reformed. Hajime had escaped death.
Orochi didn't pursue. He merely hovered, holding that "light."
Yuta moved, copying Hajime's Technique—discovering the same anomaly.
"He copied it…" Hajime murmured grimly. "He's not just copying Techniques now. That light—it's dangerous."
Orochi raised the glowing beam, and from the halo behind him, eight spectral snakes emerged—transparent, divine. They coiled around him, forming a protective ring.
The next moment, light fell from the sky.
---
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