"Idle Transfiguration, Instant Spirit Body of Distorted Killing!"
In an instant, Mahito's body twisted and expanded grotesquely. From the writhing mass of flesh, he stepped out in a completely new form.
His entire body was clad in hardened armor. From his arms extended two long, razor-sharp blades, while a lizard-like tail lashed behind him without pause.
"Kenjaku, feel the power I gained back in Shibuya!"
In this form, Mahito's cursed energy underwent a qualitative transformation, and his physical abilities surged dramatically. The durability of his armor even surpassed the Blood Manipulation technique, Blood Meteorite.
"Stubborn and foolish."
Kenjaku's voice was cold, his expression unchanged.
As Mahito's blade slashed horizontally, Kenjaku blocked it with a single hand. Instantly, the two clashed in close combat at a speed invisible to the naked eye. Shockwaves from their blows tore away layers of soil from the ground.
"Kill you, kill you, kill you..."
The more Mahito fought, the more exhilarated he became. His speed increased rapidly, as if he could overwhelm Kenjaku at any moment.
Yet from beginning to end, Kenjaku remained calm and detached, like an adult watching a child throw a tantrum.
"Enough."
His voice sharpened.
A crushing force of gravity suddenly bore down on Mahito's back, like a mountain collapsing onto him. His movements froze mid-strike, and with a thunderous impact, his body was driven deep into the earth.
Kenjaku looked down at him as though observing an insect.
"If not for Idle Transfiguration, something like you would never be worthy of standing before me."
Mahito trembled as he struggled to raise his head. Blood streamed from his mouth and nose, yet a twisted grin remained on his face.
"Oh... is that so..."
Bang!
Mahito burst upward, unleashing a punch fueled by pure rage straight at Kenjaku's face.
Caught off guard by Mahito breaking free from the gravitational pressure, Kenjaku took the hit directly. Though he had already reinforced his soul with cursed energy to guard against Idle Transfiguration, the sheer force of the blow still sent him flying.
After skidding across the ground for dozens of meters, Kenjaku finally regained his footing.
Across from him, Mahito laughed wildly, his voice dripping with mockery.
"Hahaha... Kenjaku, how does it feel to be hurt by an insect?"
Kenjaku's expression darkened. He wiped the blood from his nose, killing intent flooding his gaze.
"Mahito, you have exhausted my patience."
He formed hand seals and activated his cursed technique.
Domain Expansion, Womb Profusion.
Seeing this, Mahito immediately reacted. The small hands within his mouth formed seals as well.
Domain Expansion, Self-Embodiment of Perfection.
Ten seconds later.
Mahito fled in a miserable state, terror written all over his face.
Behind him, Kenjaku followed at a steady pace, his expression indifferent, his killing intent unmistakable.
One fled, the other pursued, like a wolf hunting a rabbit through a frozen forest.
Thud.
Mahito stumbled and fell. Scrambling backward on his hands and feet, he stared in horror at Kenjaku's slow approach.
He tried to summon Transfigured Humans from his mouth, only to realize he had already exhausted his supply.
"Stay back, don't come any closer, go away..."
His voice shook with panic as he grabbed handfuls of dirt and hurled them forward.
"A mere cursed spirit... truly repulsive."
Kenjaku's gaze was cold.
He studied the stitches covering Mahito's body, then raised a hand to touch the stitches on his own forehead. A sinister smile spread across his face.
"I've always wondered why you're covered in stitches. Is there something special about them?"
His tone grew darker.
"So I decided that when it was time to harvest the fruit of Idle Transfiguration, I would cut you open along those seams and find out for myself."
He pulled out a pair of scissors.
"A cursed tool made specifically for you, one that can harm the soul."
His smile widened.
"You've caused me quite a bit of trouble, so I'll make sure to reward you properly."
As Kenjaku approached with the scissors in hand, Mahito's eyes filled with pure terror. His expression twisted beyond recognition.
"No... no... AHHH!"
His scream echoed, loud at first, then gradually weakening into pitiful cries, until only faint, broken gasps remained.
Ten minutes later.
Mahito's figure stood upright. He raised a hand and adjusted the stitches on his forehead.
At his feet lay the body of Shigeomote Shunta, his skull split open, traces of white matter staining the ground.
"This is my first time taking over a cursed spirit's body..."
"Not bad at all."
Mahito, or rather Kenjaku, examined his right hand.
"Idle Transfiguration."
The flesh twisted and reshaped, transforming into a blade, then a spear, then a drill. A satisfied smile appeared on his face.
Moments later, his entire form began to change.
Mahito's appearance faded, replaced by that of a monk dressed in robes, his face calm and gentle.
This was Kenjaku's original form from a thousand years ago.
A monk.
Kenjaku turned toward the Tomb Chamber, a sneer forming on his lips.
"Tengen, I wonder if you still recognize me after a thousand years."
Inside the Tomb Chamber.
"He's here."
Kento Nanami, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them sharply.
Behind him, Dagon and Uro Takako, seated near the shrine, also opened their eyes.
All three looked ahead as the barrier shattered, revealing a figure stepping inside.
"A monk?"
Nanami frowned.
Uro spoke in a low voice, "It's Kenjaku. Look at the stitches on his forehead."
Dagon clenched his fists. "Our mission is to take him down, right?"
Uro rolled her eyes. "Take him down? We're here to stop him and protect Tengen."
Dagon shrugged. "Isn't that basically the same thing?"
"Tch."
Kenjaku let out a mocking laugh.
"Take me down? With just the three of you?"
He spread his hands casually.
"To be honest, I didn't expect you two to side with Jujutsu High."
Dagon spoke bluntly, "I was entrusted by someone."
He thought of Yuta Okkotsu.
Uro's expression darkened. "Kenjaku, you actually dared to deceive me. Yuta Okkotsu is not a descendant of the Fujiwara clan."
Kenjaku smirked. "I said it was only a possibility. Who told you not to listen carefully?"
"You..."
"Enough."
Nanami cut them off, smiling faintly.
"I don't have time for pointless arguments."
He looked directly at Kenjaku.
"Kenjaku, I hope you can provide me with enough... excitement."
Nanami let out a low chuckle.
"I've heard you're on the level of a special grade sorcerer. I'll be going all out from the beginning."
He raised his hands, forming a precise gesture, his right hand facing upward and his left downward.
In an instant, a strange space enveloped the area. The air shifted, accompanied by rhythmic mechanical sounds, like a slot machine beginning to spin.
The domain expanded steadily as Nanami swayed slightly, his movements controlled and deliberate.
He pointed at Kenjaku.
"Let the gamble begin."
Does a child cry every day? Does a gambler lose every day?
Domain Expansion, Idle Transfiguration.
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