"I am Shoko Ieiri. I like drinking. My ability is Reverse Cursed Technique," Shoko said softly. Her introduction was remarkably concise.
"Reverse Cursed Technique? Later, could I ask for your guidance on how to apply it?" Ming interjected. He had never quite grasped the logic of it; no matter how he tried—even using the Sharingan—he couldn't decipher the process of converting negative energy into positive energy.
"Sure," Shoko said plainly, though a flash of confusion crossed her eyes. Is Reverse Cursed Technique really that hard to understand?
Gojo rolled his eyes at Shoko. He knew all too well what Shoko's "explanation process" was like (mostly "whoosh" and "pfft").
"Alright, next," Yaga said.
"My name is Suguru Geto. I come from a non-sorcerer family. My Innate Technique is Cursed Spirit Manipulation. I can control and exorcise Cursed Spirits. Grade 3 and Grade 4 spirits don't need to be worn down; I can absorb them directly," Geto explained.
"Is there an upper limit?" Ming asked.
"Probably not," Geto replied, sounding uncertain. The group was visibly shocked.
"My name is Ming Uchiha. I don't have any particular hobbies or favorite foods. My Innate Technique is the Sharingan. My abilities are primarily focused on Genjutsu," Ming said calmly.
"Genjutsu? What's that?" Shoko asked curiously.
"Essentially, it's the creation of illusions to make the enemy lose themselves in a false reality," Ming explained.
"Pfft, that's it? You didn't kill a Semi-Grade 1 with just that, did you?" Gojo chirped. Geto's ability had impressed him slightly, but Ming's sounded underwhelming. He had encountered illusionists before; not only could his Six Eyes see through them naturally, but even if they couldn't, his massive Cursed Energy made it nearly impossible for him to fall into a trap.
Ming glanced at Gojo, ignoring the provocation. His Kamui made him just as "invincible" as Gojo's Limitless. He couldn't hit Gojo, but Gojo couldn't touch him either. Furthermore, Kamui could ignore distance, meaning the "Infinity" of the Limitless defense might be useless against him. Of course, actually landing a hit on Gojo was another story—Gojo's teleportation was faster than the Flying Raijin.
"Alright, Satoru, be quiet. Let's see your abilities in action. Shoko, you spar with Ming first," Yaga commanded. Clearly, even Yaga was slightly skeptical of Ming's claims.
"Understood."
"Right."
Although Shoko specialized in healing, her Taijutsu wasn't bad; Yaga's Cursed Corpses were excellent training partners.
"Begin!"
The two stood ready. Ming's eyes flashed red. To the observers, Shoko's Cursed Energy flared as she lunged at Ming. Ming dodged to the side, and a fierce exchange followed. Shoko feigned an opening, Ming took the bait, and Shoko seemingly defeated him.
"Is this the person who took down a Semi-Grade 1?" Shoko muttered. However, she noticed her technique hadn't actually been used yet. She immediately reassumed a defensive stance.
Hearing Gojo cheering in the background, she almost believed that was Ming's full strength.
"No... wait. His ability is illusions!" Shoko's eyes widened.
In reality, from the moment Yaga said "Begin," Shoko had been standing perfectly still. Ming simply walked toward her.
"Shoko! What are you doing?" Yaga shouted.
"No... Shoko's Cursed Energy is in total disarray," Gojo noted, his Six Eyes observing the chaotic flow.
Ming ignored them, walked up to Shoko, and gently tapped her forehead. Shoko's unfocused eyes instantly cleared.
"You lost," Ming said flatly.
Shoko remained dazed, blinking at her surroundings. "Don't worry, this part isn't an illusion," Ming added.
"What happened? When did I fall for it?" Shoko asked, a hint of terror in her voice. Falling into an illusion so seamlessly meant that in a real life-and-death struggle, she would have died without knowing why.
"The moment you looked into my eyes, you were already under my spell." Ming closed his eyes. When he opened them, the deep black pupils were replaced by blood-red eyes with three rotating tomoe, radiating an aura of pure curse. Even without active intent, the sight made Shoko feel like she was falling back in.
"What terrifying eyes," Shoko gasped. If Gojo's Six Eyes were synonymous with beauty and purity, this man's eyes were the embodiment of everything negative in the world.
Gojo looked at Ming with newfound seriousness. The arrogance was gone. When those eyes appeared, he immediately placed Ming on the same level as himself and Geto. In fact, his Six Eyes told him Ming might be even more dangerous.
"Is that your true power? No, there's more to it than that, isn't there, Ming?" Gojo took off his sunglasses for the first time, addressing Ming by name.
"Yeah. Genjutsu is just one part. I have to be a little gentle with the girls, after all." Ming's Three-Tomoe Sharingan locked onto Gojo's flawless Six Eyes. Combat intent flared between them.
"Don't go forgetting about me. That would be quite a headache, Ming, Satoru," Geto said, his Cursed Energy erupting. The entire training field became heavy with the scent of curses.
Ming and Gojo turned to Geto. The three looked at each other and laughed, but the tension didn't fade. With Geto joining in, the situation became even more volatile.
"Sensei, aren't you going to stop them?" Shoko whispered, hiding behind Yaga.
"No. I want to see what the other two are truly capable of," Yaga replied. After all, they would be executing missions together soon.
"Cursed Spirit Manipulation!" Geto summoned a swarm of spirits that lunged at the other two.
"Blue!" Gojo raised his hand, and the spirits were instantly vaporized.
"Chidori Stream!" Ming, cloaked in electricity, cut through the remaining spirits in an instant.
Then: "Lightning Dragon!" Lightning coalesced into two massive dragons, roaring toward Gojo and Geto.
Gojo didn't dodge. Geto summoned a lightning-resistant Cursed Spirit that swallowed the dragon whole.
"Cursed Technique Lapse: Blue!"
Gojo generated a powerful attractive force. Geto's body was pulled uncontrollably toward Gojo. Ming, however, stood perfectly still, unaffected by the gravity. Gojo's eyes widened in surprise.
Gojo threw a punch at Geto. Geto summoned a spirit to block, but it was shattered instantly. Geto crossed his arms to defend but was still sent flying.
What a heavy punch, Geto thought, stunned.
"Blue!" Gojo pulled Geto back in again.
Ming suddenly appeared between the two, sparks flying. Gojo didn't back down; he aimed a strike at Ming, who was immune to the gravitational pull.
"Cursed Spirit Manipulation: Rainbow Dragon!" Geto sent a dragon-shaped spirit crashing toward Ming.
But to everyone's horror, both the Cursed Spirit and Gojo's fist passed right through Ming's body as if he were a ghost. The Rainbow Dragon and Gojo's attack collided with each other instead, sending the dragon spiraling away.