The smile on Gojo Satoru's face gradually faded.
Although he still wore a smile, it had turned into a sneer.
"You're quite confident, Mahito."
"The battle hasn't even begun, yet you're already acting as though you've ascended to godhood."
"Aren't you looking down on me a little too much?"
"Don't forget."
"A few months ago, you were almost killed by me."
"I don't believe you don't understand [Heaven's Will]."
Mahito looked directly at Gojo Satoru.
"You've already lost, Satoru."
"I'm willing to give you one final chance."
"Bow your head to me now, and I'll let bygones be bygones."
The words were filled with arrogance.
Yet, looking at Mahito's expression, Gojo Satoru realized he was completely serious.
Gojo Satoru understood.
This was the final opportunity Mahito was offering him.
Since the battle was being livestreamed, every move he made was visible to the world.
If he truly surrendered now, Mahito would genuinely let him go.
This was Mahito's Apotheosis Ritual.
He would never joke about something like this here.
Gojo Satoru thought:
This wasn't the first time.
Ever since learning the truth behind the Apotheosis Ritual, almost everyone had tried to persuade him, either directly or indirectly.
His best friend, Geto Suguru, had even spoken to him plainly that night.
And now, even the final boss, Mahito, was willing to let him walk away.
Surrendering now...
...would probably be the best opportunity, wouldn't it?
Gojo Satoru was certain of that.
The smile completely disappeared from his face.
"I thought we were friends."
"At least for now."
"That's right."
Mahito nodded.
"I do regard you as a friend."
"In that case..."
Gojo Satoru said calmly,
"Why must you insult me?"
Mahito fell silent.
He merely looked at Gojo Satoru.
Gojo Satoru was dressed in priestly robes and held a staff in his hand.
He had long since removed his blindfold.
Standing there, he resembled a high-spirited monk.
There wasn't the slightest trace of fear in his heart.
He is seeking death.
Mahito was certain.
Mahito smiled.
He thought:
Even though I admired Gojo Satoru before, my killing intent toward him only grew stronger alongside that admiration.
I never wanted Gojo Satoru to survive because I clearly understood the influence he possessed over this world.
He would obstruct my rule over this planet.
He would never obey my commands.
Therefore, no matter how much I admired him, I would kill him without hesitation.
But why...
At this very moment...
Did I still want to persuade him to live?
The answer was actually simple.
Before, Mahito and Gojo Satoru had been evenly matched in strength.
Mahito had even been slightly weaker.
Under those circumstances, regardless of any personal feelings, Mahito would have killed Gojo Satoru without mercy.
But now...
Everything was different.
Because godhood had already been inscribed into [Heaven's Will].
Now, viewing Gojo Satoru from a god's perspective, Mahito could finally appreciate all of Gojo's virtues.
Although he possessed overwhelming power, he always acted according to the rules.
Although he wielded immense influence, he never fully exercised it because of the fairness and morality in his heart.
He had the ability to overthrow the rule of a god.
Yet once that rule truly brought hope to humanity...
...he would hesitate.
He would waver.
And if he ultimately concluded that the rule of that god benefited human development...
...he might even unconsciously become one of its guardians.
Gojo Satoru's only weakness...
...was his personality.
Conversely, aside from that...
...he was perfect.
Including his sense of morality.
After recognizing his own thoughts, Mahito apologized to Gojo Satoru.
"I'm sorry."
"I underestimated you."
A smile returned to Gojo Satoru's face.
"Now that's more like it..."
Suddenly, an ear-piercing screech echoed from behind Gojo Satoru.
Immediately afterward came a thunderous roar as a slash from afar struck the space behind him.
Gojo Satoru slowly turned his head.
Ryomen Sukuna yawned lazily.
"Are you done whispering yet?"
"I thought we came here to fight."
The slight warmth and sense of kinship Gojo Satoru had just felt disappeared completely beneath that slash.
He took a deep breath, looked back at Mahito, and forced out a polite smile.
"Sorry."
"Can you wait a moment?"
Mahito extended a hand in a welcoming gesture.
"Please."
The next instant—
Gojo Satoru disappeared.
Ryomen Sukuna reacted at the last possible moment, crossing all four arms into a defensive stance.
The staff slammed into all four arms.
Ryomen Sukuna shot backward like a cannonball.
The tremendous impact even produced a series of vapor cones.
Mahito whistled and looked toward the remaining two people.
Like a martial arts grandmaster, he raised one hand and beckoned with his fingers.
"Come."
"While Satoru is dealing with Sukuna..."
"I'll play with the two of you for a while."
Okkotsu Yuta was about to step forward.
But Geto Suguru stopped him.
Geto Suguru took one step forward.
At this moment, Geto Suguru still wore that mysterious smile.
The shadow beneath his feet spread like flowing water.
Then—
countless Cursed Spirits emerged from the darkness.
One after another.
In only a few seconds, more than fifty Special Grade Cursed Spirits appeared behind Geto Suguru.
He raised one hand in a Buddhist salute.
"Special Grade Curse User."
"Geto Suguru."
"—Please advise!"
Snap.
Mahito snapped his fingers.
His shadow suddenly stretched.
A pair of rabbit ears emerged from within it.
Then came a young girl's face...
...her neck...
...and finally her body.
A rabbit-eared girl dressed in a maid outfit slowly rose from Mahito's shadow.
She suddenly opened her eyes.
Like Mahito's, they were heterochromatic.
She bent down and drew an unusually straight-bladed greatsword from the shadow.
[Mirokuji Kirigiri].
Mahito asked,
"Are you used to it yet, Kirigiri?"
The rabbit-eared girl nodded slightly.
She stepped forward and slowly drew [Mirokuji Kirigiri] from its scabbard.
A clear metallic ring echoed through the air.
Bathed in the moonlight overhead, Kirigiri's blade gleamed with silver light.
Only then did the rabbit-eared girl speak:
"Under Mahito."
"Ancient Blade Tsukumogami."
"Mirokuji Kirigiri."
"—Please advise!"
⭐ Enjoying the story?
You can read ahead and support the translations by joining my Patreon! Your support helps me update faster and take on more projects. Thank you for reading!
This story has been completed on Patreon.
patreon.com/AminaSim
Next Bonus Chapter at 700 Powerstones.