"Can we win?"
Suta Daisuke reached out and pulled up the exhausted Mingli Takekuma, asking what everyone was thinking but afraid to voice.
"We'll win!"
Mingli Wuxiong stood tall, his expression unwavering.
His technique—Shifting Shadows—was formidable. It could forcibly reposition both allies and enemies regardless of conditions. However, the stronger the target, the more cursed energy it demanded. Repeated use would quickly deplete him, which is why he hadn't dared to move Amanojaku directly.
Not far off, an intense hand-to-hand battle had already broken out.
James, Fushiguro Shiji, and Kujuku Yuki served as the vanguard, launching continuous close-quarters attacks. Meanwhile, Gojo Satoru, Geto Suguru, Kamo Katsuhiko, and Gojumaki Sashi provided critical support.
It wasn't that Gojo and Geto weren't powerful—they were already prodigies. But compared to James, Yuki, and Shiji, who had spent years refining their taijutsu and battle instincts, they still had some growing to do.
Explosions of cursed energy and powerful shockwaves rippled across the battlefield. Even the special-grade Cursed Spirits locked in battle elsewhere could sense the fear radiating from the center.
BOOM!
Kujuku Yuki slammed her fist into Amanojaku's skull. The massive head tilted slightly, leaving a small scratch on its blue-skinned face.
It didn't even flinch.
Instead, it headbutted Yuki with tremendous force. She staggered, dazed, but her hands were already forming seals. Seizing the brief opening, a bolt of black lightning surged across the battlefield.
James' sword flashed with blinding energy as it sliced toward Amanojaku's neck, his blade charged with deadly precision.
Fushiguro Shiji followed up from behind, his blood-red blade moving as fast as lightning, aiming for Amanojaku's exposed back. At the same time, a serpentine Shikigami coiled around the demon's limbs, thickening rapidly until it formed a binding mass, locking Amanojaku in place.
It couldn't move.
James' blade closed in—
Then a strange buzz rippled through the air.
It was happening again.
The moment Amanojaku activated its technique, everyone tensed. They knew what was coming.
If it dared to use that reversal technique again, they were ready. Aoi, Uzumaki, Blood Manipulation—every ultimate attack was locked and loaded.
But…
Whoosh!
The attack missed.
James blinked in shock. Amanojaku had completely vanished.
His Ice Lotus Eyes spun rapidly, scanning the battlefield's transparent world.
"How could it teleport? I thought its technique only reversed, not displaced…"
Then he saw it.
A shadow rising—directly behind Kamo Katsuhiko.
Not good!
Mingli Takekuma, watching from the perimeter, recognized the danger and moved instantly.
Hand seals—flash!
Kamo disappeared and reappeared beside him.
But…
Squelch!
Six claws erupted through Mingli Wuxiong's chest from behind.
He looked down, stunned, blood pooling at his lips. He turned his head slowly—Amanojaku's green, fanged face grinned back at him.
"Why…?" he managed to whisper.
A crimson spear of blood shot toward Amanojaku—but the monster didn't dodge.
It let the spear pierce its side.
And then—it ripped Mingli in half.
Upper and lower body, torn apart like paper.
Kamo Katsuhiko's eyes went bloodshot.
His heart pounded as rage consumed him. Without thinking, he formed more hand seals, launching blood spear after blood spear, uncaring of his own injuries. Blood streamed from his nose, ears, fingertips—
"Katsuhiko! RUN!!"
Suta Daisuke's voice roared through the chaos.
But it was too late.
Amanojaku, riddled with holes, rushed forward, faster than sight. James and the others couldn't reach him in time.
The giant claws came crashing down—
BOOM!
At the last second, Gojo Satoru appeared between them in a burst of cursed technique. His hands rose in defense, triggering Cursed Technique: Blue, trying to repel Amanojaku.
But Unlimited Void couldn't hold back the brute strength.
Gojo responded quickly, unleashing a devastating shockwave from his left palm, blasting Amanojaku away.
The monster tumbled midair, flipped, then vanished again.
Behind you—!
Gojo turned just as Kamo Katsuhiko's entire chest cavity erupted with blood.
He stared forward, eyes full of disbelief, before his body collapsed lifelessly.
Silence.
No one moved.
Another fallen comrade.
Only four people on this battlefield could withstand close combat with Amanojaku: James, Fushiguro Shiji, Kujuku Yuki, and Gojo Satoru.
Everyone else was little more than prey.
Gojo clenched his fists, his face twisted with fury. He wanted to destroy Amanojaku then and there.
"Satoru, calm down!"
Geto Suguru rushed over and grabbed his friend, shaking him violently.
Gojo's eyes cleared, like cold water poured over a raging flame.
"Can it affect emotions…?"
"It reversed distance," Suta Daisuke said, breathless but steady. "It reversed the distance between itself and Katsuhiko. The farther away you are from it, the closer it becomes."
"And when Takekuma teleported Katsuhiko, he unknowingly brought him right next to it…"
Suta forced himself to remain calm, his technique—Emotion Lock—allowing him to think clearly even under extreme stress. He had led teams that defeated several Special Grade Cursed Spirits through tactical brilliance alone. He was known throughout the Jujutsu world as The Resourceful General.
"The facts we know so far: it can reverse emotions, distance, space, and techniques."
"In other words… its cursed technique allows it to invert concepts themselves."
The group went silent.
"But," Suta continued, "based on Gojo's Unlimited Technique being reversed once, but working again after that—it seems the reversal has a cooldown. Only one reversal effect can exist at a time."
Everyone nodded grimly.
Even James had to admit—Suta's clarity and deductions were remarkable.
But there was a problem…
Wouldn't someone like Suta—the brain of their strategy—become the next target?
Across the battlefield, Amanojaku's scarlet eyes locked onto him, its long tongue slithering over sharp fangs.
Buzz!
Everyone stiffened.
Amanojaku could now appear anywhere.
It was most likely coming for Suta.
Without hesitation, James, Gojo, Yuki, and the others quickly formed a circle, guarding Suta with their lives.
Gojumaki Sashi was ready to respond at any moment.
CRASH!
Suddenly, a massive unseen force blasted everyone away like bowling pins. Only Suta Daisuke remained at the center, defenseless.
Gojo Satoru tried to teleport toward him using Cursed Technique: Blue, but the more he moved forward, the further he got.
"It reversed our distance again…!" Suta whispered, sweat pouring down his face. Yet, his mind remained steady.
"Mr. Fushiguro! Use your sword!"
Fushiguro Shinobu didn't hesitate. He tossed the Tensei Hoko toward James.
"I'm not confident I can handle this thing alone!"
James caught the weapon midair.
His feet sparked with black lightning—he vanished.
No more elastic barrier. He could move freely now.
James dashed toward Suta with lightning speed. But as he approached, a sharp claw sliced through the air—aimed directly at him.
He saw it coming.
His Transparent World eyes already tracked Amanojaku's approach.
But instead of dodging, he charged straight in.
His sword glowed red-hot—he was ready to deal a fatal blow.
Buzz.
Wait… Why is it faster this time?
SHINK!
The sound of claws tearing flesh.
Where is it?!
Everyone scanned around—
Then their eyes widened.
"Satoru!!!"
Amanojaku stood in front of Gojo Satoru, claws deep inside his waist, slowly tearing upward.
Gojo's icy-blue eyes dimmed.
Blood sprayed violently as his body was ripped apart—into three pieces.
"NOOOO!!"
Geto Suguru screamed in anguish. His hands trembled as his face twisted in horror.
He released every Cursed Spirit in his arsenal—they flooded the battlefield, all charging Amanojaku in a suicidal frenzy.
The demon ghost laughed coldly.
It opened its maw and released a golden sonic wave that vaporized everything in its path.
Dozens of Cursed Spirits were annihilated instantly.
James gritted his teeth. His sword vibrated with the sound of vengeance. His cursed energy spiked wildly.
In just moments, three powerful sorcerers had died—one of them being Gojo Satoru, the strongest of their generation.
Their morale was breaking.
The tides had turned.
Desperate situation.
Desperate situation.
Ãdvåñçé çhàptêr àvàilàble óñ pàtreøn (Gk31)