Elsewhere, about a kilometer away from the Kiyomaru residence.
"This presence… a special grade cursed spirit?! Who's behind this, what on earth is happening?!"
A bead of cold sweat slid down Masamichi's temple.
When he had first sensed the aura of two grade 1 cursed spirits, he was already planning to check things out. But now, one of them had suddenly disappeared, and the other had transformed into a special grade. He didn't know the details, but his priorities had to change immediately.
As a semi-grade 1 sorcerer whose cursed technique wasn't suited for direct combat, he didn't have the confidence to believe he could handle a special grade alone.
The most urgent task now was to evacuate civilians before the cursed spirit lost control, and to erect a curtain.
With that in mind, he pulled out his phone.
* * *
On the other side, at Kiyomaru estate.
Clang!
Mukuro had cut through the storm of crows and drove his trident straight into Kunihide's chest. But instead of piercing flesh, the sound was like steel colliding with steel. The weapon didn't sink in at all.
Kunihide tilted his head back and roared, the sound deep and harsh, similar to stone scraping across glass.
A wave of gray cursed energy surged from his body, soaring into the sky with such force that even Mukuro was pushed back several steps.
The tengu mask on his face shattered. His body continued to swell, growing taller and broader until he towered over three meters high.
Cursed energy wrapped his entire form, solidifying into armor. Then, layers of rock piled up across his body, covering him like a fortress. In his hand, he held a massive blade as tall as Toji himself.
"Kill…"
The figure didn't seem to have a will of his own. He just stood there and repeated the word over and over, faster each time.
"He really went that far? A special grade imaginary cursed spirit… and does this lump of stone count as one?" Toji hefted his sword on his shoulder, frowning as he studied the cursed spirit that resembled a living terracotta warrior radiating malice.
The intel hadn't mentioned their target's technique could summon a special grade. And this wasn't even possession anymore; it looked like the curse had completely swallowed him whole.
Without a proper comparison, Toji couldn't be sure if his current strength was enough to cut down a special grade. Still…
"Hey, brat. Call and check. Do they still want him alive like this? I don't think we can capture a special grade cursed spirit."
Fear never existed in his dictionary, no matter the opponent.
"Hello, Kong?"
As Toji finished speaking, he noticed Mukuro had already pulled out his phone, dialing the middleman.
"Tell the old man. The target turned into a special grade cursed spirit. Ask him if he wants it dead or alive."
He said nothing more and didn't hang up, simply waiting for a reply.
"Kill them all!"
The terracotta warrior finally spoke a phrase longer than one word.
Murderous intent erupted from him. The thick stone shell cracked apart, revealing armor like an ancient warrior's. The demon mask on his face glowed with a sinister light.
In his grip, the enormous blade came crashing down toward Mukuro and Toji.
Boom!
The strike split the ground wide open, carving a jagged fissure tens of meters long. But neither assassin had been touched, not even their clothes.
The power behind the attack was immense, forcing them to dodge. Yet the drawback was obvious. His movements were far too slow.
"It's not every day you run into a special grade. How about I chop off all your limbs first?" Toji said and blurred out of sight, moving so fast the soldier hadn't even reacted before several cuts landed.
But unexpectedly, sparks flew where the blade struck. Deep wounds formed, but cursed energy surged and healed them in an instant. The cursed spirit's limbs remained intact.
"Urgh!"
Enraged, the warrior swung his colossal weapon wildly at the afterimages in front of him. Each slash tore apart walls and pillars, turning the entire estate to rubble in seconds.
The building collapsed with a deafening crash, burying him under tons of debris. But Mukuro and Toji had already moved outside to the courtyard, standing unharmed.
"Should I say, as expected of a special grade? His body is ridiculously tough." Toji drove his blade into the earth and stretched his arms back, loosening up as though everything so far had just been warm-up.
"I understand. I'll send photos," Mukuro said into the phone.
Shiu finally replied after speaking with the employer.
"Also, tell the old man this," he added. "Hunting down a special grade was never part of the deal. His intel was incomplete. He'll have to pay extra."
Toji, who was still stretching, stumbled so hard he nearly fell.
But before Mukuro could hear the answer, the signal crackled and began to break. He lifted his head. Above, a curtain was slowly descending from the sky.
Boom!
The ruins exploded as the terracotta warrior surged back into view, scattering rocks in every direction.
"Looks like Jujutsu High's people are coming. We'd better wrap this up quick and clean up the scene for the photos."
Toji ripped his blade from the dirt, cleaving apart a volley of flying stones before stepping forward. His speed turned him into a blur, launching him straight toward the warrior.
"No more time to waste. I'll join too. Besides, it might be good to show those sorcerers something that'll keep them cautious. Though with my body's current state, it might take a toll…" While his brother severed the cursed spirit's weapon arm in a flash, Mukuro muttered calmly, walking toward the battlefield.
The number in his right eye shifted from 1 to 3.
(It didn't mean he couldn't use "1" anymore. The number just represented which of the Six Paths was currently at maximum output.)
"Third Path: Special Grade Imaginary Vengeful Cursed Spirit, Onikiri."
He lifted one finger. Space cracked open behind him.
From the rift stepped a towering figure, around two meters tall, dressed in a tattered kimono. Bloodstained bandages wrapped around his forehead, a scar slashing across his right eye.
He gripped twin blades in his hands. Most terrifying of all was the huge demonic arm looming from his back, clutching a long sword, radiating malevolence.
"Cut him down."
At Mukuro's command, Onikiri's blood-red eyes flared. He charged, twin blades swinging, the giant sword at his back raised high.
"The brat's powers really are full of surprises." Toji grinned, cutting through the cursed spirit's remaining arm.
Special grade or not, in the end, it was just another target.
"Kill… kill!" The armless warrior screamed in madness as blood and flesh burst from his stumps, trying to regrow.
But the attempt was futile. The hands hadn't even taken shape when Onikiri's three swords closed in.
The giant sword cleaved downward. His armor split like paper. Beside him, Toji attacked in unison. Four blades tore through the warrior's body again and again.
Within moments, the so-called special grade cursed spirit was reduced to shreds of meat.
Chunks of flesh scattered across the ground, cursed energy dissolving into ash. Only Kunihide's severed head remained.
As if recognizing strength, Onikiri stood still, locking eyes with Toji. The two stared at one another in silence.
"Done. Take the photos, let's go. I'm not in the mood to fight Jujutsu High tonight."
Mukuro spoke up and dispelled his technique. Onikiri's form slowly faded into the void and vanished.
**
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