"Impossible! This time was different—I definitely touched you. I killed you!"
"Nope~ What you touched was the Infinity between you and me~"
Volcano Head frowned. Infinity?
"Let me show you—come on, try it."
"Go ahead."
'I don't sense any killing intent, so I'll give it a try.'
Volcano Head cautiously stepped forward and reached out his palm—his eyes suddenly widened.
Between his hand and Gojo's, there was an invisible barrier—an intangible force.
"I can't touch him… it stopped just inches away. So this is Infinity…"
Gojo said calmly, "Rather than saying it stopped, it's more accurate to say… the closer you get to me, the slower you move. So what now? I could just shake your hand like this, you know."
Volcano Head gritted his teeth, using all his strength to try and break free. "I refuse!"
"Aww, don't be shy. You're making me embarrassed now."
And with that, Gojo grasped his hand.
The next second, Gojo landed a punch right into Volcano Head's chest!
Volcano Head coughed up blood. He's fast… This wasn't just a cursed-energy-enhanced punch—it was something else.
Why? He didn't understand. But he had to.
"It's not over yet!"
One punch. Two punches. Three punches...
The blows seemed ordinary, but their power was several times stronger than the fiery punches Volcano Head had delivered earlier!
Infinity exists everywhere. I simply use jujutsu to bring it into reality—compress and release. Now guess, what happens when you touch this void?"
"Cursed Technique Reversal: Red."
It was like a nuclear explosion had erupted. Everything within a one-kilometer radius was obliterated. The blast sent Volcano Head flying hundreds of meters before Gojo caught up and sent him soaring again—with a single kick—into a crystal-clear lake.
…
Volcano Head spat out blood, barely conscious. His vision spun. He recalled what his comrade had told him earlier.
"Heh… So it wasn't exaggerated… I was just too arrogant…"
But if he couldn't hit Gojo, then he'd just have to drag him into his domain.
"Where… where did he go?"
"Sorry, sorry~"
Gojo descended slowly into the lake—carrying Lumine over one shoulder and Itadori Yuji over the other.
Itadori looked completely lost. "What's happening? Who am I? Where is this?"
Only Lumine remained calm and said, "Put me down. I can fly over on my own."
Gojo replied, "Well, Lumine-chan's 'flying' is more like gliding than actual flying. And since the enemy is right in front of us, I can't let you fall into danger."
He gently set the two of them down.
Zephyr grumbled, "This bastard is definitely getting back at me for snacking on sunflower seeds and watching the fight earlier, isn't he!?"
Lumine replied, "I think it's more likely because you didn't offer him any of the seeds."
Volcano Head frowned. "What are these weird little brats?"
"Oh, I wouldn't call them weird. These are my beloved students," Gojo said cheerfully. "They're just here to observe and learn."
Itadori Yuji stared in disbelief. "Fuji… That guy's got Mount Fuji growing out of his head!!"
"What the hell is going on!?"
"Well, you see, it's like this, then like that… so now you understand, right?"
"Ugh, this guy never intended to explain anything at all!"
Itadori's expression suddenly brightened. "Oh! Sis is here too!"
Lumine answered coolly, "I followed on my own. Unlike you, I wasn't dragged here by force."
"Mhm, got it, Sis. Explaining is just covering up, and covering up means it's the truth, and truth is the beginning of all evil!"
Lumine stepped down hard on Itadori's foot.
"OW! That hurts!!"
Paimon chimed in, "That's what you get for talking nonsense."
Volcano Head snarled, "Hey, I'm talking to you—didn't you hear me? What's with those brats? Are they your shields?"
Gojo replied, "Shields? Nah, like I said—this one here came back to school with me, and that one's just here to observe."
"Don't worry about them. Fight however you want."
Volcano Head mocked, "You brought weaklings with you? How stupid can you be."
Gojo smiled. "It's fine. You're weak, after all."
You're weak.
You're weak.
Volcano Head froze in place, as if something inside him had snapped. An overwhelming fury erupted from his entire being!
"Don't underestimate me!! I'll devour that smug smile of yours along with your entire face!!"
Volcano Head exploded in rage, and the night sky seemed to turn blood red.
Itadori stood there in shock. He called this guy weak? He's more of a monster than any cursed spirit I've ever seen…
Gojo gently patted Itadori Yuji on the head and said, "Don't be afraid. Just stay close to me."
"Of course, that goes for these two little ones too."
"Who are you calling little!?"
Domain Expansion – Coffin of the Iron Mountain!
The sky and earth seemed to shift color as everyone was suddenly engulfed in a world of flaming rock and volcanic mountains.
Itadori was stunned, muttering to himself, "Wh-what is this…"
Gojo explained, "This is a Domain Expansion—using cursed energy to construct a territory imbued with a specific technique."
"Ohh, I see… Actually, no I don't! It's hot! It's really hot!!"
Paimon added, "Isn't this the same thing as what that blue cursed spirit used on us last time?"
Zephyr replied, "Exactly. But that one was an incomplete domain. This one… this is a fully-formed domain."
"So, this one is even stronger, right?" Paimon asked.
"Yup."
"Wait, big sis fought that kind of dangerous cursed spirit before!?"
Gojo said, "Expanding a domain consumes a massive amount of cursed energy. But it has its perks. First, a buff from the environmental elements inside the domain."
Itadori nodded enthusiastically. "Oh! Like a buff in a video game!"
"Second," Gojo continued, "any technique cast within the domain that belongs to the domain itself will hit without fail."
"Without fail?"
"Absolutely! But don't worry, there are countermeasures. One way is to use your own cursed technique to oppose it. The other… I don't recommend it—escaping from the domain. Normally impossible. And then—"
Before he could finish, Volcano Head shouted in fury, "By using a domain of higher cursed energy density, I can neutralize your Infinity! That way, my technique will hit you!"
"Mhm, it'll hit," Gojo nodded calmly. "The most effective counter to a domain is… to open one of your own. When both sides expand domains at the same time, the stronger technique will dominate. But of course, that depends on compatibility and cursed energy levels too."
Volcano Head roared, "Are you done talking yet!? Not even your ashes will remain, Gojo Satoru!!"
"Waaah! Gojo-sensei, it's attacking! Hurry up and use your domain!!"
Gojo rubbed the back of his neck and said casually, "Ah, sorry. I'd love to, but… it's that time of the month for me. So I can't."
"EH!?!?"
Gojo smiled and added, "But for a cursed spirit of this level? I don't even need a domain to deal with it."
"Huh?"
"Stop talking Bullshit! Gojo Satoru, are you looking down on me!?"
"No, no, I'd never look down on you. I just don't have to look down… because you're already that weak."
"You bastard!!!"
//END