Smoke and dust filled the air.[1]
Nagi stood in place, panting slightly. The red glow of his Crimson Eyes flickered faintly; his chest was heaving, but his gaze remained as sharp as a knife, locked onto his opponent in the distance.
Geto Suguru clutched his arms, which were throbbing with intense pain and numbness. Looking at the clear marks on his arms, the gentle smile on his face vanished completely for the first time, replaced by a solemnity, shock, and... burning fighting spirit reserved for a worthy rival.
"Amazing... truly amazing..." Geto praised sincerely, his voice carrying a trace of breathlessness.
"The insight and prediction of the Crimson Eyes, the crowd control, interference, and distance suppression of 'Xu', and the explosive power, sustained acceleration, and mobility of 'Shun'... a perfect fusion. Taking a punch fully charged with 'Shun's' acceleration head-on..."
Geto shook his still-numb arms. "I, a Grade 1 Cursed Spirit Manipulator, almost had my arms uselessly broken by one punch. It seems I need to pay more attention to close-quarters combat."
The look he gave Nagi was now filled with genuine, unreserved recognition and respect.
"You let me win."
Nagi adjusted his breathing, suppressing the surging blood and energy within him. The strength of Geto's curses, the intricate variety of his manipulation, as well as his base Cursed Energy reserves and combat wisdom, had brought Nagi significant pressure. During that assault just now, he couldn't relax his Cursed Energy or mental concentration for even a second.
"Wonderful! Too damn wonderful!"
Gojo Satoru's excited roar broke the brief silence. He suddenly leaped down from above, discarding a bag of potato chips as he moved with the lightness of a large cat.
He snatched off his sunglasses. Those Six Eyes, which seemed to contain shattered diamond stars, shone with the pure excitement of a child finding a new toy, locking tightly onto the still-panting Mujin Nagi.
"Hey, hey, hey! Nagi! Suguru! Is it over already? My hands are super—itchy just watching!"
Gojo exaggeratedly rolled his wrists and neck, producing soft clicking sounds. He wore the eager smile of someone who had found an interesting challenge.
The massive Cursed Energy on his body, enough to leave people speechless, began to stir. Like an undercurrent beneath a calm sea, it brought a heavy pressure filled with presence. It wasn't the despairing suffocation of his later years, but rather a declaration of "I'm going to play for real."
"Don't be a killjoy! Again, again! Two on one? Or..."
Gojo grinned, revealing snow-white teeth, his smile brilliant and aggressive.
"...Let Ore-sama test your weight alone? Let's see if your 'Xu' can make my movements a little 'labored' too?"
His tone was frivolous, carrying his characteristic provocativeness, but the inquiring light in his Six Eyes showed he was genuinely interested in this new classmate who could force back Geto Suguru with one punch. He wanted to personally "measure" the other's limits.
Geto Suguru sighed helplessly, but the corner of his mouth hooked up in an amused arc as he retreated further. "Satoru, don't go too far."
Despite his words, he obviously wanted to see Gojo in action and how Nagi would handle this true "anomaly."
Ieiri Shoko also stood a bit straighter, her eyes becoming interested, though nowhere near the point of preparing healing techniques—she had some understanding of Gojo's sense of "propriety."
Mujin Nagi's crimson pupils constricted slightly! In the vision of the Crimson Eyes, Gojo Satoru stood there with a "quantity" of Cursed Energy like a bottomless lake. The Six Eyes acted like the most precise scanner, clearly perceiving the flow of Cursed Energy in himself and the surrounding environment, creating a sharp sensation of being completely seen through with nowhere to hide.
The naturally diffusing Cursed Energy itself contained shocking density and mass. The Crimson Eyes' warning instinct went into overdrive. In his vision, Gojo seemed shrouded in a layer of constantly flowing, flickering deep red halos. This was not a premonition of death, but a strong warning of extremely high energy and unknown variables, indicating that any action from him would be unpredictable and terrifyingly powerful.
Pressure! Heavy and tangible, carrying the undeniable sense of power that came with the title of "The Strongest," and a seriousness beneath the playful mask![2] It was more oppressive than the pressure Geto brought, yet not a breathless despair—more like standing on the edge of a massive waterfall, feeling the tangible challenge of the water's impact.
Under this substantial pressure, Nagi's heart beat forcefully! Not out of fear, but out of the excitement of facing a higher peak and testing his own limits!
The light in the Crimson Eyes did not dim; instead, like refined steel thrown into a furnace, it erupted with a more condensed and blazing red glow! He could feel that a clash with "The Strongest," regardless of the result, would be the best way to temper his own power and break through his cognitive boundaries!
He slowly assumed a fighting stance, forcibly suppressing the churning Cursed Energy in his body and adjusting it to its most precise operating state. The force field of "Xu" shimmered faintly on his body surface, while the power of "Shun" lay dormant in his muscle fibers, ready to strike.
Mujin Nagi looked straight at the unfathomable Gojo Satoru, his voice low but carrying an ironclad determination, clearly responding to the challenge beneath the playfulness.
"I couldn't ask for more."
The atmosphere in the training ground instantly became tense yet filled with a strange excitement! A collision between the strongest problem child and the newcomer monster—a spar destined to be very "lively"—was about to begin! Ieiri Shoko silently pulled a new lollipop from her pocket.
The atmosphere in the training ground became incredibly active the moment Gojo declared his participation; the air itself seemed to tremble slightly from the massive Cursed Energy.
Ieiri Shoko unwrapped the lollipop and stuffed it into her mouth, mumbling indistinctly, "Don't tear down the training ground." Geto Suguru folded his arms and retreated further, wearing a look of anticipation.
Mujin Nagi took a deep breath, the light of his Crimson Eyes locking onto Gojo Satoru.
In his vision, the deep red threat halo flowed around Gojo like a living thing. The pressure of scrutiny from the Six Eyes was like an invisible probe, making him feel that all his Cursed Energy flow and subtle movements were exposed.
However, the Crimson Eyes also keenly captured that the opponent's majestic Cursed Energy was not constant but had subtle fluctuations like breathing—proof that he was not yet in that legendary perfect state where the "Infinity" operated automatically!
"Well then..."
The corners of Gojo's mouth curled into a flamboyant and slightly childish smile. His hands remained in his pockets, his posture as relaxed as if he were taking a walk, yet those Sky Eyes shone with eager light.
"Starting now? Let Ore-sama see how many fingers you can force me to move!"
Without any warning! Gojo Satoru's figure instantly vanished from his spot!
Crimson Eye Warning!
The moment Gojo disappeared, a blinding scarlet point of light erupted violently on the ground at Nagi's three o'clock position in his vision! The speed was inconceivable!
Cursed Technique Reversal: Shun!
Nagi did not hesitate. Reducing his own resistance to the minimum, he unleashed his limit initial velocity, ejecting violently backward to the right!
Boom!!!
The instant he left his spot, a fist wrapped in terrifying Cursed Energy smashed down, grazing his afterimage!
The spot where Mujin Nagi had just stood exploded as if hit by a cannonball. The hard gravel ground instantly blasted open into a crater several meters wide, with crushed stones flying like bullets! Just the wind of the punch grazing him made Nagi's cheek sting!
"Oh? Dodged it?"
Gojo's slightly surprised voice rang out from the dust. His figure appeared at the edge of the crater as if he had never moved, but the interest in his eyes deepened.
"Fast reaction! The Crimson Eyes are indeed no joke!" He shook his hand, seeming a little annoyed that he missed.
He gave Nagi no chance to catch his breath!
Gojo Satoru's figure blurred again! This time, in the Crimson Eyes' vision, fatal scarlet points of light erupted almost simultaneously from the front, top-left, and rear-right! The speed was so fast the points of light nearly overlapped!
Feints? or Multi-teleportation?! Impossible to distinguish!
The Crimson Eyes' warning system felt pressure for the first time! The speed granted by the Six Eyes exceeded the limits of conventional prediction!
Cursed Technique Lapse: Xu! Maximum Range!
Nagi made a prompt decision. An invisible resistance field instantly expanded to the limit with him as the center! Regardless of which direction the attack came from, as long as it entered the range, it would be decelerated!
Simultaneously, maintaining the acceleration state of "Shun," his body moved irregularly at high speed within a small area like a phantom, leaving trails of afterimages!
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
Three fist shadows pierced through the afterimages left by Nagi! Two of them were noticeably delayed for an instant upon entering the "Xu" force field! Although still fast, blasting deep fist prints into the ground, their trajectories were successfully captured and evaded by Nagi! The third one missed entirely!
"Hoh? Using 'Xu' to create a deceleration zone, then using 'Shun' to play high-speed hide-and-seek inside it?"
Gojo's voice carried obvious praise as he appeared next to one of the fist prints. He rubbed his chin, looking like a child who had discovered a novel toy.
"Smart tactic! You actually managed to make my fist 'slower' by a tiny bit! Interesting!"
Gojo specifically emphasized "a tiny bit," but the excitement in his tone was genuine. Then, his smile widened, carrying a hint of cunning.
"But, how about this?"
Gojo extended the index finger of his right hand. Cursed Energy began to condense at the fingertip, causing the surrounding air to distort slightly.
"Blue!"
An irresistible, terrifying attractive force erupted instantly! The target was straight at Mujin Nagi! The surrounding air, gravel, and even light frantically collapsed toward the singularity at Gojo's fingertip!
In the Crimson Eyes' vision, a deep dark red vortex that seemed to devour everything appeared in front of Gojo's finger! The immense suction force dragged Nagi's body forward uncontrollably!
At the same time, the Crimson Eyes keenly captured that at the moment "Blue" was activated, the deep red threat halo around Gojo showed an extremely subtle, fleeting fluctuation! This was the computational burden brought by maintaining a powerful technique!
"Opportunity!" The thought flashed through Nagi's mind like lightning!
Cursed Technique Lapse: Xu!
Mujin Nagi repeated his old trick! He applied powerful resistance between himself and the earth beneath his feet! Forcibly increasing the "viscosity" between himself and the ground! His feet were like they were welded to the floor!
Skree—!
Nagi's body leaned forward from the pull of "Blue," but his feet remained deadlocked in place, the ground beneath him tearing open into two deep trenches from the terrifying force! The tearing force was immense, but he gritted his teeth and held on!
Meanwhile, the Crimson Eyes were locked dead onto Gojo Satoru![3] Waiting! Waiting for the next opening that might appear while he maintained "Blue"!
Gojo seemed to find this stalemate boring; his finger twitched slightly, preparing to increase the output of "Blue" or change techniques.
Now!
The instant the Cursed Energy shifted! In the Crimson Eyes' vision, the threat halo on Gojo's body showed a more obvious fluctuation again!
Cursed Technique Reversal: Shun! Limit Burst!
Nagi instantly released the "viscosity" on his feet while simultaneously dropping his own resistance to the minimum!
Boom!
His body, which had been fighting the gravitational pull, acted like a spring compressed to the limit the moment the resistance vanished. Borrowing the remaining suction of "Blue" before it fully dissipated, and stacking the extreme burst speed of "Shun," he transformed into a crimson streak of light! With speed far surpassing anything before, he actively shot toward Gojo Satoru! The speed was so fast the air itself detonated!
"Hm?!"
A flash of genuine surprise passed through Gojo's eyes! He completely hadn't expected Nagi to suddenly give up resistance at the critical moment of opposing "Blue," instead using the suction to counter-charge! This tactic was daring to the extreme!
In the haste of the moment, he immediately terminated "Blue," his hands subconsciously crossing in front of him to block! Cursed Energy instantly covered his arms! The Limitless technique didn't have time to expand perfectly![2]
Black Flash!
Nagi had been waiting for this very moment! Under the lock of the Crimson Eyes, he saw the brief, almost non-existent defensive gap before Gojo's blocking motion formed!
Without any hesitation!
Mujin Nagi condensed all his Cursed Energy, will, and the terrifying kinetic energy brought by "Shun" entirely onto his right fist! The space around his fist distorted and cracked with fine black lightning due to the high concentration of Cursed Energy and friction!
This was the strongest strike he could currently unleash! Aimed straight at the opening in Gojo's chest and abdomen where the block wasn't yet complete!
Time seemed to freeze in this moment!
The smile on Geto Suguru's face froze! The lollipop in Ieiri Shoko's mouth shattered with a "crunch"!
Gojo's Six Eyes operated at high speed, clearly capturing the fist wrapped in black lightning and containing astonishing destructive power! He forcibly poured Cursed Energy into his arms and front, attempting to accelerate the block and the deployment of "Infinity"!
Bang—!!! Crack!
A dull, thunderous roar erupted simultaneously with the faint sound of bone fracturing!
The fist wrapped in Black Flash didn't fully hit Gojo's chest but smashed viciously onto the outer side of his left forearm, which he had hastily crossed in front of his chest to block!
The terrifying impact force erupted instantly! Gojo's body was knocked sliding backward by this immense force! His feet plowed deep trails into the ground!
On his crossed left forearm, the school uniform sleeve was instantly reduced to dust. Clear pain and the shock of bone impact traveled up his arm! Although it wasn't broken, the intense pain and impact were real! More importantly, he had been hurt! By a freshman who had just awakened his technique not long ago!
Black lightning danced and flickered at the point of impact before dissipating unwillingly.
Nagi landed on the ground, staggering a few steps before barely finding his footing. His right arm sent waves of tearing pain and a sensation of exhaustion. The massive consumption of the Black Flash made his vision go dark; the light of the Crimson Eyes flickered violently before dimming. A metallic sweetness surged up his throat, which he forcibly swallowed back down. He gasped for air, staring fixedly at the repelled Gojo Satoru.
Gojo steadied himself, looked down at his slightly numb, faintly throbbing left forearm, and then looked up at Mujin Nagi, who was nearly exhausted yet had stubborn eyes. The playfulness on his face disappeared completely for the first time, replaced by a mix of astonishment, disbelief, and... a nearly fanatical excitement that had been thoroughly ignited!
The training ground was dead silent.
A few seconds later, Gojo Satoru suddenly burst into laughter that resounded through the clouds.
"Hahahahahaha!!! Good! Great hit! Nagi!!!"
He shook his slightly numb arm, his azure Six Eyes staring dead at Nagi, burning with raging fighting spirit and the ecstasy of finding a treasure:
"Black Flash! Using the recoil of 'Blue' to accelerate! And catching that split-second gap when Ore-sama switched techniques! Beautifully done! Too damn beautiful!!"
Gojo was so excited he was gesturing wildly. "You actually managed to hit me! And it was a damn Black Flash! That hurt like hell!"
Gojo rushed in front of Nagi in a few steps, completely ignoring Nagi's exhausted state. He slapped Nagi's shoulder hard enough to make him stumble, shouting excitedly.
"You guy! You're simply a monster! Even more interesting than Suguru! Hahahaha! Next time! We definitely have to fight again next time! I'm going to get serious! I'll definitely let you witness the true 'Infinity'!"
Geto Suguru looked at the charred residue on Gojo's arm and his overly excited state, holding his forehead helplessly, but the look he directed at Nagi was also filled with shock and complexity.
Ieiri Shoko silently pulled out a new lollipop, looking at Nagi as if looking at a rare species.
Mujin Nagi relied on willpower not to be knocked over by Gojo.[4] Looking at "The Strongest" in front of him, excited like a big child, and feeling the severe pain in his right arm and the emptiness of his body, an indescribable emotion welled up in his heart.
The gap... was still massive.
But... he had truly touched him!
That fleeting fluctuation and gap captured by the Crimson Eyes, the tactile sensation of his fist hitting a solid body, and the sight of the opponent being knocked back—it was carved into his mind like a brand. This wasn't a victory, but it was undoubtedly a breakthrough! He slowly straightened his back. Although the Crimson Eyes were dim, his gaze was as sharp as ever, carrying a weary but incredibly bright flame.
"Anytime."
Mujin Nagi's voice was a bit hoarse but carried unquestionable determination, and the corner of his mouth even held a trace of a smile.
Hearing this, Gojo smiled even more brilliantly—it was the pure joy of meeting a worthy rival and finding a new toy. He threw an arm around Nagi's shoulder and shouted to Geto and Shoko.
"Hey! Suguru! Shoko! Did you see that! Ore-sama got knocked back by a freshman! We're holding a celebration banquet tonight! My treat! We're eating the most expensive stuff!"
In the training ground, sunlight poured down. Shoko put the new lollipop into her mouth, looking at Mujin Nagi who was being forcibly dragged away by Gojo—looking utterly done with life yet harboring a faint, imperceptible smile—and sighed softly.
"Troublesome guys... just increased by one."
Shoko shook her head and smiled as well, then walked up, handing a new lollipop to Mujin Nagi.
"But the feeling isn't bad."