December 20, 2018.
Dream Walk Migration, Sakurajima Barrier.
Miyuki looked at the riverbed in front of her and asked in confusion:
"It should be here, right?"
As the end of the year approached, most Jujutsu Sorcerers had temporarily given up on killing each other and began to seriously consider the [Key].
According to the rules, only the person holding the [Key] at 00:00:00 on December 24th would be eligible to meet the King of Curses, Mahito.
And only by truly defeating the King of Curses could one obtain a wish through [Infinite Possibilities].
Within this Dream Walk, after nearly two months of death matches, most outcomes had already been decided.
Of course, these outcomes didn't refer to the results of mutual slaughter.
In this Dream Walk Migration, where there was no death, so-called death could be easily overcome; death was not an important criterion for determining victory or defeat.
The truly important criteria were the unquestionably powerful Jujutsu Sorcerers in each barrier.
Whether it was poisoning and assassination, conspiracies and schemes, head-on collisions, or win rates in life-and-death battles, the strongest in their respective barriers were:
Tokyo First Barrier: Ryomen Sukuna.
Tokyo Second Barrier: Hiromi Higuruma, Takaba Fumihiko, Kenjaku.
Sendai Barrier: Okkotsu Yuta.
Sakurajima Barrier: Gojo Satoru.
It could even be asserted that, except for the overly intense competition in the Tokyo Second Barrier, there was no suspense regarding the Key Holders in the other barriers.
In the eyes of most people, even in the Tokyo Second Barrier, Takaba Fumihiko's comprehensive ability was overwhelmingly high.
Takaba Fumihiko's ability is too strong, but even with such a powerful ability, facing Hiromi Higuruma's [Confiscation] and [Executioner's Sword], he would likely be killed in one hit once the conditions are met.
Kenjaku's adaptability also broke through Takaba Fumihiko's Cursed Technique several times, making it so that despite having an almost invincible technique, he just couldn't secure a victory.
Setting aside this exception, in the final countdown, the "strongest" of the other barriers finally decided to take action against the [Key Holder].
In the Sakurajima Barrier, Gojo Satoru's choice was:
"Anyway, within these nine days, get the key from the Key Holder for me."
This was the reason Miyuki was here.
Rather than easily taking the key himself, Gojo Satoru chose to let his students and friends obtain it for him.
Standing beside Miyuki were Nanami Kento, Kugisaki Nobara, Panda, and Inumaki Toge.
Nanami Kento pushed up his glasses.
"Since the points have been spent, it means the location is correct."
"But there's nothing here."
Miyuki looked around and sighed.
"If it's a [Key Holder], they won't resist a Jujutsu Sorcerer's challenge. It's said to be one of the rules of the Dream Walk Migration—they won't hide or run, they'll only face challenges head-on... That's what Kogane said."
"Maybe our [Key Holder] is special?" Panda guessed.
"Look, the Key Holder of the Tokyo First Barrier reportedly made a new Binding Vow with Sukuna personally. The Key Holder of the Tokyo Second Barrier was killed on the first day, and as a result, the key has been circulating between Nishikigi, Takaba, and Kenjaku until now."
"The Key Holder of Sendai and the Key Holder of our Sakurajima have never appeared. Could this be their way of fighting?"
"Possibly." Inumaki Toge nodded.
Originally, due to his Cursed Speech Technique, Inumaki Toge found it difficult to control his speech, as it would unconsciously trigger Cursed Energy.
Thus, he always used various ways to prevent his words from becoming a trigger for Technique Release, giving the impression that he spoke strangely.
But through training in the Dream Walk Migration and purchasing knowledge with points, he could finally speak normally and stabilize his Cursed Speech Technique.
This was at least the mark of a Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer.
Without a doubt, he had surpassed his limits and reached a new realm.
Miyuki pondered—perhaps this was also why Gojo Satoru didn't come to get the key himself but let them do it?
Gojo Satoru wanted to train her and the others.
Many Jujutsu Sorcerers were assigned to the Sakurajima Barrier, but after watching the battle between Gojo Satoru and Ryomen Sukuna, most of them consciously avoided Gojo Satoru.
This meant that although Gojo Satoru held a large number of points, almost all of them were obtained after the death match with Sukuna on the first day.
A small portion was obtained by Gojo Satoru out of boredom by defeating Shell Spirits, and only a tiny fraction came from reckless Jujutsu Sorcerers who took the initiative to provoke him.
Gojo Satoru's strength didn't actually increase significantly during this period.
According to Gojo Satoru, except for the wish of [Infinite Possibilities], points were almost useless to him.
His strength was already at the world's limit; to break through further, he would have to clash with the King of Curses again.
Kugisaki Nobara looked at the other Jujutsu Sorcerers who were still on guard and waved the small hammer in her hand impatiently.
She said loudly, "I say, what's the use of discussing so much? Since Kogane said the [Key Holder] cannot refuse a challenge, let's just call the [Key Holder] out."
"How do we call them?" Nanami Kento frowned.
"Like this!"
Kugisaki Nobara took a deep breath.
Then, she yelled:
"[Key Holder], we're here to challenge you! Come out!"
Kugisaki Nobara's idea was simple, essentially the same logic she used when challenging Fushiguro Tsumiki in the Tokyo First Barrier.
Back then, she used points to buy the Key Holder's location and charged in without hesitation.
It was the same now; since Kogane said the Key Holder couldn't refuse a challenge, she would just shout, "I want to challenge you."
Facing such a clear request, the Key Holder shouldn't be able to refuse no matter what.
The [Key Holder] indeed gave a response.
Nanami Kento instinctively pulled out his blunt sword—a cleaver completely wrapped in bandages.
At this moment, the bandage-wrapped cleaver burst with blue Cursed Energy flames, proof that Nanami Kento had entered a combat state.
He was the most perceptive person present, so he was the first to notice.
"Watch out!" he shouted a warning.
The next moment, countless waves splashed up from the river.
Huge waves crashed against the riverbank, and the spray drenched Miyuki, who was standing at the very front.
Boom!
Something emerged from the waves.
A massive force filled the surrounding space almost instantly.
Everyone could feel the moisture of the ocean tide; it was as if they had suddenly entered the sea, and with every breath, they could smell the scent of the ocean carried by the sea breeze.
This was a Cursed Spirit strongly related to the ocean.
Everyone from a formal background realized this.
The [Key Holder] truly appeared.
Thud.
The Key Holder crashed onto the riverbank, and his appearance was finally revealed to everyone.
"...What on earth is this?" Kugisaki Nobara cried out in shock.
It was a round, cute Cursed Spirit with big round eyes and a face like an octopus.
His whole body was red, with black stripes on his facial tentacles.
He was only half a person tall, looking less than a meter tall, shorter than a middle schooler.
A white cloth was draped over him, making him look like a red dumpling.
Kugisaki Nobara pointed at this seemingly juvenile Cursed Spirit.
"This thing is the Key Holder? The one who is nominally on the same level as Megumi's sister? Are you kidding me?"
"Puu."
Suddenly, the red dumpling made a sound.
Nanami Kento suddenly pulled Kugisaki Nobara behind him and roared:
"Focus on defense!"
"Puu—!"
The red dumpling suddenly let out a terrifying cry.
The octopus tentacles on the lower half of his face all spread open, like a horrific beast opening its mouth.
A hole indeed appeared in the middle of the tentacles.
At the same time...
A flood came raging forth!
Inumaki Toge opened his mouth at top speed.
Circular Cursed Markings appeared near his mouth, and the moment they appeared, Inumaki Toge unleashed Cursed Speech.
—Technique Release:
—Cursed Speech Technique!
"[Stop!]"
The oncoming torrent seemed to hit an invisible wall.
Inumaki Toge's eyes widened, and he felt as if his throat was about to be torn apart!
The Cursed Speech Technique was actually not good at dealing with this kind of continuous attack because a single word from the technique usually takes effect as soon as it's spoken and then disappears with alarming speed.
That is, the moment the words are spoken is when the effect is strongest.
It's useful against one-time attacks, but for continuous attacks, one must use Cursed Speech repeatedly.
But this blast of flood—it just happened to be a nonstop, continuous attack!
"That's enough, Inumaki!"
Nanami Kento shouted, holding his blunt sword high and stepping in front of the flood resisted by the invisible wall.
In the next instant, the effect of the Cursed Speech Technique was canceled, and the endless flood poured toward everyone.
It was at this moment that Nanami Kento swung his blunt sword down with incredible speed.
—Technique Release:
—Ratio Technique!
Nanami Kento's Ratio Technique can divide the length of a target into equal parts and forcibly create a weak point at the 7:3 ratio.
As long as he hits this weak point, he can trigger a [Critical Hit].
He can designate any part as the target of attack, including objects other than living beings, such as this flood!
Accompanied by a huge roar, the entire flood was split in two by the blunt sword in Nanami Kento's hand.
The massive amount of water from the flood parted on both sides of Nanami Kento, just like the legendary parting of the Red Sea by Moses.
This slash continued to extend, finally hitting the red dumpling that had spat out the flood and sending it flying into the sky.
This should have been a killing blow, but Nanami Kento's pupils contracted.
"...Is that molting?"
Rip!
The shell of the red dumpling shattered after it flew into the sky.
Piece after piece of red skin drifted away with the wind, and the white cloth slowly fell.
"What an excellent technique."
Suddenly, someone spoke.
"You are Nanami Kento? I've heard Mahito talk about you."
"He thinks very highly of you, saying your technique can create miracles."
"If others using Black Flash can only produce a power of 2.5 to the power of their current attack, when you use Black Flash in conjunction with your technique, it far exceeds that figure."
"This makes your attack power far beyond common sense, making it possible to end a battle with a miraculous strike no matter what desperate situation you face."
The voice descended from the sky, and everyone looked up.
It was a tall humanoid Cursed Spirit.
Only that face still showed traces of the red dumpling, but those watery big eyes had disappeared, replaced by the cold gaze of a Curse's manifestation.
He had shed his juvenile skin and evolved strong, healthy limbs.
While his main body remained red, his abdomen was black, and a pair of black wings had grown from his back.
These wings looked particularly petite compared to his strong body, but as a Cursed Spirit, as long as they had meaning, they could function.
He used these wings to hover, looking down at the Jujutsu Sorcerers from above.
Nanami Kento glanced at the others, his heart sinking.
It seemed no one had the ability to fly.
With this Cursed Spirit's water manipulation and the river at his back, wasn't this a classic case of high ground versus low ground, air-to-ground combat?
A bomber against small tanks?
"Before you, there were other Jujutsu Sorcerers who came to challenge me."
"Some couldn't find me and vanished silently after cursing Kogane."
"Some clever ones provoked me, but I easily defeated them using only my juvenile form."
"Jujutsu Sorcerers who have provoked me almost never come a second time because they clearly understand the gap between us."
"But you are different..."
"You are true Jujutsu Sorcerers capable of challenging me."
"I will give you my respect."
This Cursed Spirit, who had unceremoniously attacked with a flood, now actually bowed quite elegantly to the Jujutsu Sorcerers in the sky.
He said:
"Key Holder—"
"The manifestation of humanity's curse toward the ocean."
"Dagon."
"Please guide me!"
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Next Bonus Chapter at 700 Powerstones.