Satoshi had used Bakudō #81: Dankū to block Satoru's Cursed Technique Reversal: Red. This moment wasn't just witnessed by Kamo Kenshin and his group—it was also seen by Shoko and her group, who were flying on Minazuki's back.
However, unlike those on the ground, the airborne trio didn't have a clear view and couldn't determine Satoshi's exact condition.
From the sky, all they could see was Red slamming into the transparent barrier before rebounding like a crashing wave.
The massive impact caused a violent gust of air that shook Minazuki's flight. The three clung tightly to her skin, trying not to be flung off by the turbulent winds.
"What the hell was that just now?!"
Suguru's previously narrowed eyes widened in disbelief.
He had full confidence in Satoru's Cursed Technique Reversal: Red. He had expected Satoshi to dodge clumsily, further showcasing the destructive force of Red.
But never did he expect Red to slam into a massive transparent wall mid-air, detonating upon contact.
The raging gusts of wind. The scorching black flames consuming everything in their path. Yet against that wall, they were rendered completely ineffective?
Shoko was just as shaken. Her internal shock matched Suguru's.
Satoshi had never demonstrated a defensive technique like this before. For him to suddenly use it like this—out of nowhere—was beyond anything they had imagined.
To her, Satoshi was always an offensive-type fighter. He overwhelmed opponents with raw force, not defense.
Now, it was like a warrior suddenly declared he had mastered a shield stronger than any guard. Who would believe such a thing?
After all, the previous binding technique he used—Hainawa—seemed far more simplistic. Shoko never imagined that Dankū was from the same Kidō system.
Only Satoru, using his Six Eyes, was able to see the difference in this transparent wall.
This giant wall wasn't composed of Cursed Energy. That meant it wasn't a normal Cursed Technique. It wasn't a result of any jujutsu.
Satoru's expression was serious, filled with competitive spirit.
He had predicted Red might not work against Satoshi, but he never expected it to be stopped this easily.
Just as Satoru finished speaking, the transparent square wall that had blocked Red began to crack. Then, like shattered glass, it broke apart before everyone's eyes.
...
As the wall collapsed, the forest behind it was revealed—devastated and charred.
Scorched trees stood like blackened skeletons, and the ground had been carved apart by destructive force. The viewers watching the broadcast were stunned.
But what shocked them more than the aftermath was that Satoshi had blocked Satoru's Cursed Technique Reversal: Red with Bakudō #81: Dankū.
The power of Red was already terrifying. So what kind of existence was Satoshi, that he could completely nullify it?
...
At the site of the goodwill event.
Satoshi stopped moving when he reached within thirty meters of Mei Mei's group, looking at them with casual interest as they stood in defensive positions.
At the same time, he turned his gaze skyward. Through the perspective of Senbonzakura, Hōzukimaru, and Minazuki, Satoshi locked onto the location of Satoru's group.
All he had to do now was wait for Satoru and his companions to arrive. Then, he could wipe out both teams at once.
He hadn't expected Satoru to already use Cursed Technique Reversal: Red after only recently mastering the Cursed Technique Lapse: Blue.
After all, the energy used in Reverse Cursed Techniques wasn't something Satoru could easily generate on his own. His understanding of reverse flow was still shallow, so mastering Hollow Technique: Purple shouldn't be possible just yet.
If Satoru had truly mastered Hollow Technique: Purple, then Satoshi would take the fight much more seriously.
After all, that was Satoru's ultimate move.
...
However, from Satoshi's perspective, Satoru's progress was astonishing.
While his version of Red still felt somewhat incomplete and borrowed—developed through collaboration with Shoko—it was a significant leap forward.
Satoshi firmly believed that now that Satoru had cracked the reverse technique, the countdown had already begun to his full mastery of it.
Because Gojo Satoru… was a true genius.
...
As Minazuki descended and Satoru landed with his teammates, Mei Mei, Utahime, and Kamo Kenshin all turned toward Satoshi.
They remembered what he'd said before—that he would face both Tokyo and Kyoto's teams at once in this goodwill event.
Back then, Kamo Kenshin thought Satoshi was just trying to stir hype. But now, seeing how he had casually walked through Satoru's Red, it was clear—he wasn't joking.
Satoshi really intended to take on the elite students of both schools… at the same time.
Kamo Kenshin's face flushed red, then pale. It felt like Satoshi was looking down on them. Yet, recalling the way Satoshi had calmly walked through that attack, he couldn't deny it anymore.
If I had that kind of power… wouldn't I be just as arrogant?
He reached behind and gripped the replica of the Inverted Spear of Heaven tightly, frowning.
If Satoshi wanted to build his reputation by defeating all six of them from both schools, then they had no choice but to overwhelm him with numbers.
Satoshi was overwhelmingly strong, but if six top-grade students attacked him at once, surely they had a chance—didn't they?
As Satoru and his team landed from Minazuki, Kamo Kenshin and the other two stepped out from the protective barrier and moved behind Satoshi.
The six of them—Mei Mei, Utahime, Kamo Kenshin, Satoru, Shoko, and Suguru—stood as the top young sorcerers of the modern age. They represented the future of the entire jujutsu world.
Now, they were facing the uncrowned king of jujutsu.
Satoshi. Not officially a Special Grade sorcerer, but in every sense, a Special Grade.
Who would win?
The audience had their own favorites. But for the Directorate General of the Spellcasters Association…
The ending already seemed decided.
(To be continued.)