Even when provoked so blatantly, neither of the two men moved. They weren't fools. If Nosuo were the reckless type, he wouldn't have survived this long.
But since they refused to strike first, James didn't bother being polite. His eyes swept across the battlefield and locked onto Nosuo's face. Without hesitation, he raised his long sword. Cursed energy surged beneath his feet, leaving only an afterimage where he once stood.
Why does he always come straight at me?! Nosuo cursed silently. Yet despite his frustration, his hands didn't slow. He swiftly formed a seal with one hand and rotated it.
A powerful force descended around them, crushing the dust in the air to the ground.
Jujutsu Technique — Anti-Gravity Field!
The technique manipulated gravitational force. Though it wasn't quite on par with pure gravitational manipulation, it still ranked among the top-tier techniques available to Nosuo in his current body.
James, who had just closed the distance, felt his momentum drop dramatically—as though a mountain had dropped onto his shoulders. His speed faltered.
Then, from the side, a massive fist the size of a sandbag exploded through the air toward him.
The force behind it was unmistakable—Fushiguro Shigeki!
Wait… under this gravitational pressure, he's still moving normally?
James frowned. Could it be that Nosuo's gravity technique selectively targeted its victims?
But one glance at Nosuo's surprised expression answered the question—it couldn't.
James reacted just in time, raising his left hand to block the punch. The impact echoed like a muffled explosion. Waves of force rippled out from their clash, cracking the ground beneath them.
For the first time, a hint of emotion flickered in Shigeki's otherwise blank face.
Ever since he began training seriously, he had never met anyone who could match him in raw physical strength.
Then came a flash of silver.
James slashed with his long blade, forcing Shigeki to retreat. As he did, a small, grotesque cursed spirit emerged from his collarbone, opening its mouth to reveal a strange short sword.
Gripping the blade tightly, Shigeki bared his teeth in anticipation. When it came to close combat, there was no one he feared.
Fine then, James narrowed his eyes coldly. But first, Nosuo needs to go.
While Nosuo's physical prowess was lacking, he remained a dangerous interference. His Anti-Gravity Field was proof enough of that. He couldn't physically keep up with the others—but given the chance, he'd take them both out without hesitation.
So James made a choice.
It was time to use his technique.
He formed a seal with his left hand. A blue light spread out across the battlefield like a rising curtain.
Shigeki sensed danger immediately. He tried to retreat, but it was too late—he was too close to James to escape in time.
Thinking quickly, he crossed both hands and slashed at the light curtain with his short sword.
The space ahead of him instantly distorted and vanished.
Tensakiboko — A Special-Grade Cursed Tool!
Its ability: negate any cursed technique it touches.
From a distance, Nosuo saw the wave of blue light surging toward him. Without hesitation, he retreated at full speed. Within moments, he had cleared the immediate battlefield.
Both men possessed razor-sharp danger instincts—far beyond the bumbling sorcerers from Kyushu Island. They weren't just on another level; they were the level others aspired to reach.
Though Nosuo wasn't marked by the spell, James had still achieved his purpose.
With a slight motion, James crooked a finger toward Fushiguro Shigeki.
In the realm of weapon-based combat, James reigned supreme.
Bang!
Both men vanished from their spots in an instant. The thunderous clashing of metal against metal tore through the air, sending fierce gusts spiraling outward. The small courtyard had already been reduced to rubble, and now it looked worse than a landfill.
Only the cursed fetus, suspended in midair, remained untouched.
---
There was no doubt about it—Fushiguro Shigeki was the current king of close-quarters combat in the Jujutsu world.
Even without cursed energy, he had honed his body through relentless training since childhood. From short daggers to long spears, every weapon became an extension of his will.
Unfortunately, his opponent was James, a true swordmaster.
They exchanged dozens of blows in mere seconds.
Dodging another lethal slash, Shigeki spun midair, rolled, and landed hard, putting space between them.
But James wasn't about to let him breathe. Black lightning exploded under his feet. He vanished—and reappeared instantly in front of Shigeki.
Boom!
A punch exploded forward, black lightning trailing behind like a comet.
Shigeki crossed his twin swords to block, but the sheer force launched him backward. He skidded across the ground, leaving a deep trench in his wake.
His strength matches mine. But his technique… it surpasses me. Is this how I die?
Shigeki coughed, still stunned by the impact. "What… a monster…"
James approached slowly. Shigeki stood, shaking the dirt off his body, then quietly reabsorbed the Tensakiboko into the cursed spirit on his neck.
Oh? Want to go hand-to-hand now?
James smiled faintly and sheathed his blade.
Yes, Fushiguro Shigeki was incredibly strong. But just like elemental advantages in Pokémon, James was his natural counter.
More importantly—Shigeki was meticulous.
He never acted without full preparation. Once he committed, he struck only to kill. It was how he'd defeated Gojo Satoru.
But something wasn't right.
Why did Fushiguro Shigeki show up so suddenly? Was it really just because he found me? Or… is something else going on?
Across from him, Shigeki seemed to have come to the same realization.
Both men turned to look up at the suspended cursed fetus.
"I never thought I'd be outplayed… by a cursed spirit that hasn't even been born yet," James muttered.
"It's not just any cursed spirit," came a voice from afar. "That… is the future King of Curses. And only James-kun can fight it."
Nosuo had returned to the battlefield.
His face gleamed with fanaticism—as though his life's work was finally bearing fruit.
He's completely infected by it...
Raising his hands, Nosuo spoke solemnly, "This cursed fetus is extremely important to me. I kindly ask that you two leave."
Neither James nor Shigeki moved.
Nosuo's gaze darkened. He clapped his hands together.
"Domain Expansion!"
A surge of cursed energy erupted from his body.
Behind him, a terrifying shadow rose.
Branches of flesh stretched outward, and countless faces screamed silently in pain, their expressions twisted in agony.
Black eyes blinked from the bleeding trunks. Blood dripped from each branch.
"The Fetus Is Everywhere!"
Nosuo stood quietly between them, unmoving—impossible to read.
No barrier?
This was a barrierless domain—a rare form of Domain Expansion. Unlike standard domains, which formed sealed spaces, barrierless domains traded containment for range and flexibility.
Typically, they offered broader effects at the cost of control—but it all depended on the caster's skill.
Shigeki took out the Tensakiboko again and began retreating. James, however, remained still.
There's nothing Shigeki can do here, James thought. He has no cursed energy. Against a strong domain, his only chance is to locate the caster and strike first. High risk, low reward.
Nosuo grinned. "What's the matter? Scared? Surely you're not afraid of a mere domain?"
James scoffed, "Do you think a simple Domain Expansion is enough to make me run? Who gave you that idea?"
"Oh, I'm not confident," Nosuo said smoothly. "I'm just betting you won't want to open yours."
"Only a domain can counter a domain," James muttered. "Tch… I didn't want to use it so early."
Even James knew that facing a Domain Expansion without one of his own was suicidal—unless the caster was weak.
Yeah… I'm looking at you, Toge.
Nosuo chuckled, his voice twisted. "You better be careful. You won't be in any shape to fight the King of Curses once your spell is burned out."
"He'll be born today?" James asked flatly.
"No," Nosuo replied. "But I can awaken him… whenever I choose."
Oh?
Now that was interesting.
James tightened his grip on his sword and grinned.
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