"Mai, do you know why a clan eventually becomes so corrupt?"
Nearly a thousand meters above the ground, Aomori and Mai stood as if on solid earth, floating steadily in the void, looking down at the sprawling architectural complex below.
"Is it the human heart? Their hearts have been corroded by something." Mai's expression was much calmer than before, though her eyes still betrayed a storm of complex emotions.
"Yes, but not entirely," Aomori spoke with composed ease. "I prefer to attribute the cause to their narrowing horizons."
"When a clan is first established, people are constantly looking forward, expanding outward, and striving for growth. But once a clan reaches this scale, those born into it only see the sky within the clan's walls. They don't know what the outside world is like, nor do they care, because they live comfortably.
"Perhaps they yearn for the outside world as children, but they are bound by rules and discouraged by their elders. By the time they have studied, grown, married, and had children there, until they reach old age, they become the new, staunch defenders of the existing rules. Living in an unchanging environment for decades is enough to shape a deep-rooted worldview. They are born for the clan and die for the clan; the clan is everything. In that context, behaviors that seem absurd to the outside world become easy to understand."
"It's a cage," Mai had long since realized this. She envied her sister's courage to break the cage because she knew she couldn't do it herself.
"Indeed. A cage where those inside don't want to leave, and those outside don't want to enter." Aomori smiled and asked, "Mai, do you mind if I say hello to your family first?"
Mai shook her head.
"Very well. For your sake, I'll use a relatively... friendly method."
Aomori raised his right arm, palm open. Light-element energy converged frantically. After two seconds, a massive orb of light exceeding ten meters in diameter appeared above his palm.
The brightness of this great orb eclipsed the orange fireball on the horizon, turning the sky a blinding white. It was instantly noticed by the people below.
"What is that?"
While some were confused, those with experience sensed the colossal Cursed Energy contained within the light.
"Not good! Enemy attack!"
Alarm bells and screams rose in succession.
"What should I call this move? 'God Said Let There Be Light'? A bit cliché. How about..." Even as chaos erupted below, Aomori was preoccupied with naming his technique.
"Great Mercy. Gatling: Holy Light Radiance!"
Countless small light orbs, each the size of a table tennis ball, erupted from the massive sphere. Like bullets from a Gatling gun, they poured down toward the cluster of ancient buildings.
The head of the Zenin clan, Naobito Zenin, the man titled the strongest Grade 1 Sorcerer, was over 70 years old. He was an elderly man with slicked-back hair and a thin mustache.
He usually loved to drink and was often seen with a small sake gourd. He had drunk his fill last night and was sleeping soundly until he was startled awake by the powerful surge of Cursed Energy. Stepping out of his house to see the meteor-like rain of light charging toward him, his eyes nearly split with rage as he stood frozen.
He was powerless against this. He only had time to raise his middle finger and curse half a sentence: "I'll f—"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The sounds of explosions were incessant. After the rain of light scoured the earth, rows of houses collapsed, kicking up clouds of dust that filled the sky. In less than a minute, the giant light orb was exhausted, and the Holy Light Gatling fell silent.
You call this friendly? Watching this scene, Mai couldn't believe her eyes.
"Is it... over?" In the blink of an eye, the Zenin clan had been reduced to ash and smoke. Mai felt hollow, struck by a sense of unreality.
Compared to the destruction of her clan, it was Aomori's power that truly shocked her.
Onee-chan, don't come here.
She regretted leaving those clues now.
"Of course not," Aomori replied. "I said this was a friendly method. It looks grand, but the lethality is actually limited."
He had intentionally split the large orb into smaller ones to reduce killing power and allow for finer control. Most were aimed at structures. The ordinary people below would be impacted, but at most, they would just lose their ability to fight.
"The greeting is over. Let's go pay the host a visit."
Aomori brought Mai down directly in front of Naobito Zenin, who had emerged largely unscathed.
"Mai? And a Cursed Spirit?"
Looking at the spirit that looked exactly like a human and the girl beside him, Naobito's eyelids twitched.
Being attacked out of the blue early in the morning left him fuming, but he was no fool. He didn't rush in blindly. Aside from the fact that Mai was with the spirit, the previous attack was a massive deterrent. It was better not to act rashly until the clan's elites arrived.
As for asking Satoru Gojo for help?
Pardon me, but this was a provocation against the Zenin clan. If they couldn't exorcise it with their own strength and had to ask an outsider for help, the Zenin clan would lose all face. How could they maintain their standing in the Jujutsu world?
Unless it truly became a matter of life or death for the clan.
It shouldn't come to that. That wide-range attack looked strong, but that's about it. If we combine everyone's strength, we have a high chance of winning!
Naobito decided to stall for time, so he asked Mai, "What is the meaning of this? Mai, why are you with a Cursed Spirit?"
"I..." Mai didn't know how to answer. Collaborating with a spirit was destined to be unforgivable by humanity. Although she had prepared herself, and could have shifted all the blame to Aomori, the words wouldn't come out.
"Because the Zenin clan has such a grand reputation, I had a sudden whim to come and meet you all. I happened to run into this little Zenin girl on the way, so I had her lead the path," Aomori said honestly. "Unfortunately, looking at you now, the reputation is undeserved."
Mai looked at Aomori, her heart full of conflict: Is he speaking up for me? Why?
Having grown up in the Zenin clan, her entire education was based on the opposition of humans and spirits. How could she easily and wholeheartedly trust Aomori? She had been wary of him the whole time; leading him here was largely an attempt to make him and the Zenin clan destroy each other.
But...
Looking at Aomori's handsome profile, Mai sighed inwardly. Why do you have to be a Cursed Spirit?
"A highly intelligent Cursed Spirit that can speak fluently?" The Zenin clan had a long history and had naturally encountered such special spirits before, so Naobito wasn't surprised. He stared at Aomori, but before he could speak, someone else beat him to it.
"Mai, were you the one who brought a Cursed Spirit to our Zenin home?"
The rest of the Zenin sorcerers had finished surrounding them. The ordinary people lucky enough not to be injured had been sent to rescue others; they couldn't handle spirits anyway.
The speaker was Mai's father, Naobito's younger brother, Ogi Zenin.
He wore a traditional kimono, his hair in a high bun, his face wrinkled and twisted in a mask of disgust as he looked at Mai. He scolded her mercilessly: "Mai, you and your sister are not only the shame of the clan, but now you want to harm it? I should have sent you both to be humanely disposed of from the start!"
These words not only brought back those traumatic memories, fueling Mai's rage, but also made Naobito frown. "Ogi, deal with Mai later. For now, solve the enemy."
"He's right, Uncle." A handsome man with dyed blonde hair and ear piercings spoke up. He was Naobito's son and the head of the "Hei" unit, Naoya Zenin.
He was notorious for his provocative speech; even his uncle wasn't spared from his sharp tongue. "If you want to lecture your daughter, at least look at the setting. So many people are waiting for the fight to start. Aren't you ruining the atmosphere?"
Ogi lowered his eyes, cast a sideways glance at Naoya's punchable face, took half a step back, and said, "Yes, Brother."
This interruption stabilized Mai's emotions slightly. She glanced at Aomori and lowered her head, remaining silent.
With the small dispute settled, Naobito Zenin looked at Aomori and gave a cold chuckle. "In all these years, this is the first time a Cursed Spirit has specifically sought us out. Since you're here, don't plan on leaving. If you want to witness the Zenin clan's Innate Technique, you'll have to pay with your life!"
"It seems your relationship with Satoru Gojo isn't very good." Aomori flashed a mocking smile, realizing they lacked intel on him. "If you intend to slay a god, I hope you can show some real skill. Otherwise, the Zenin name might be erased today."
"God? Our Zenin clan has slain no small number of 'gods.'" Many spirits were born because people worshiped them as gods; Naoya assumed Aomori was one of those and chimed in with his usual sarcasm.
Usually, because of his status and strength, few dared to truly snap back at his toxic tongue, so he had survived quite comfortably until now. He didn't expect to meet someone who cared nothing for his status.
Boom!
A streak of black lightning flashed. Aomori punched Naoya directly in the face, sending him flying. He spun countless times in the air before crashing into his father's bedroom, his fate unknown.
"Don't compare me to the rest of that dross." Aomori blew on his fist.
"Black Flash?!" Everyone present was struck with shock.
Naobito Zenin retracted his half-extended hand. He was the only one on the field who had reacted, but Aomori's speed was too fast; he hadn't been able to save his son.
"Kuro, check if Naoya is dead. Ogi, Jinichi, we're moving! Everyone else, form the support array. The enemy is powerful, do not be careless!"
"Understood!"
To pin Aomori down, Naobito charged first, and the two were instantly locked in a struggle.
He lived up to his reputation as the "Fastest Man" besides Satoru Gojo. His movement speed was not much slower than Aomori's; even an ordinary Special Grade would be suppressed by his speed.
But Aomori was no ordinary Special Grade. He possessed not only speed but also close-quarters combat skills comparable to a Grandmaster. He wasn't someone an old man like Naobito could casually contend with.
After several rounds of fighting, Naobito hadn't even touched the hem of Aomori's clothes, yet he had taken several punches himself. His heart sank; he had never encountered such a difficult opponent.
The two Zenin experts Naobito had called out, Ogi and Jinichi, joined the fray. However, the situation did not improve; it became worse.
"My Innate Technique is called Projection Sorcery. When in use, moving objects in my field of vision appear slower, divided into 24 frames per second, following a set trajectory. By applying it to myself, I can accelerate with every frame. This is the secret of my speed."
Naobito used the "Revealing One's Hand" Binding Vow, making his speed even faster.
Simultaneously, Aomori felt his body being tugged by something. His movements stiffened. From the corner of his eye, he saw someone hiding in the array coughing up blood.
"Ranta, well done!" The three waiting experts didn't waste the opportunity, all unleashing their techniques.
Naobito slapped his palm directly onto Aomori. His Projection Sorcery had another effect: an enemy touched by his hand must also move at 24 frames per second, or they would be frozen like a photograph for one second. He used this to limit Aomori's subsequent movements.
Ogi Zenin held his katana, flames raging around the blade and his body as he slashed toward Aomori's head: "Blazing Courage!"
Jinichi Zenin instantly threw dozens of punches, which were enlarged by his technique into house-sized fist shadows, all raining down on Aomori's position.
The other sorcerers weren't idle either, showing off their best skills to impress their clan head. Aside from one old man's earth-control technique being somewhat interesting, most were not very powerful.
A series of attacks landed where Aomori stood, kicking up tons of dust.
"Is he dead?" Everyone watched tensely.
Mai clenched her fists. She didn't believe Aomori would go down so easily.
The dust finally settled. Aside from his tracksuit being even more tattered, Aomori stood in place, completely unharmed.
"Is that it? Is this the best you can do? I'm truly disappointed in you." Aomori's voice struck every heart like a heavy hammer.
"How is this possible?"
"This monster..."
Naobito's heart was filled with regret. Was it too late to call Satoru Gojo?
Naturally, it was too late. As per tradition, it was now Aomori's turn.
"Since you've used all your moves, it's my turn." Aomori drifted upward, flying into the air and spreading his arms. "Do you know what it looks like when Heaven is angry?"
His voice echoed throughout the entire Zenin estate.
"Wind, come!" A gale appeared out of nowhere, blinding everyone with sand and soil.
"Rain, come!" The once clear sky was suddenly covered in dark clouds, and rain began to pour.
"Weather control? Command of the laws?" Many people were simply stunned.
"Lightning, come!"
Silver serpents danced in the dark clouds. A bolt of lightning struck down, turning the tallest tree into a torch.
Naobito's heart turned to ash. He hurriedly roared: "Everyone, flee to the basement!"
In mid-air, purple light overflowed from Aomori's eyes as he began to chant:
"How many floors must a sack of rice be carried?
"Which floor must a sack of rice be carried to?
"How much must a sack of rice be given?
"Must a sack of rice be washed by me?
"From this moment on, let the world know pain!
"Divine Decree: World-Ending Thunder!"
He clapped his hands. Dozens of lightning bolts descended from the sky.
Buildings, trees, soil, everything shattered inch by inch, turning into nothingness. The entire Zenin estate was transformed into a lightning purgatory.