"Domain Expansion, Paradise!"
A blinding flash of white light erupted as an invisible barrier spread outward.
Satoru's eyes widened as he stared ahead.
Everyone could feel it. Beneath the Heavenly Restriction Pillar, a massive open barrier domain was unfolding.
When the remaining cursed spirits on the battlefield were swallowed by it, their bodies immediately began to change.
They swelled like overfilled balloons, twisting and mutating violently.
Moments later, they exploded one after another, scattering into nothing.
High above, Ashiya Doman clicked his tongue.
"Low level cursed spirits cannot even endure Evolution?"
Within seconds, the domain reached Satoru and the others.
Yuta Okkotsu was the first to react.
His left arm twisted grotesquely, flesh writhing as if something inside was forcing its way out.
Without hesitation, he drew Yūun and cut off his own arm in a single strike.
At that instant, Shion stepped forward and formed a hand seal.
"Domain Expansion, Stillborn Stars."
A soft sound echoed, like a droplet falling into a vast ocean.
From Shion's position, a clear space was carved out within Paradise, isolating him and the others.
His domain no longer carried a closed shell. The Throne of Stillborn Stars had evolved into an open barrier domain.
However, its range was limited to about ten meters.
Even so, Ashiya Doman's eyes filled with admiration.
"To evolve a closed domain into an open barrier domain took me ten years."
"And you accomplished it in mere hours."
His gaze sharpened.
"With talent like yours, even Abe no Seimei would hesitate."
"Even I would struggle to defeat you."
"But it no longer matters."
"Paradise has already been deployed. No one can stop its expansion. Even if I die, it will not disappear."
"This domain will spread across the world, forcing all humans and cursed spirits to evolve. You will not be an exception."
Shion remained calm.
"Paradise is still a domain. Even if it cannot be dispelled by killing you, you can still deactivate it yourself."
Doman smiled faintly.
"That is correct. But doing so would cost my life. Why would I choose that?"
"You think words alone can change my mind?"
Shion's expression did not change.
Convincing someone like this was pointless.
"I am not here to persuade you."
His voice turned sharp.
"Satoru, everyone, expand your domains. Slow it down."
"Got it."
Satoru and Geto Suguru immediately formed hand seals.
"Domain Expansion, Unlimited Void."
"Domain Expansion, All-Encompassing Garbhadhatu."
Yuta regenerated his arm using Reverse Cursed Technique and followed up.
"Domain Expansion, True and Mutual Love."
Yuki Tsukumo pressed her hands together, forming a precise seal.
"Domain Expansion, Star Rage Field."
Four domains rose like immovable walls, blocking the spread of Paradise.
But even the combined power of four special grades only slowed it slightly.
As Doman had said, this was the culmination of his life's work.
It would not be stopped so easily.
Meanwhile, Shion sat cross-legged, completely still.
Doman watched him briefly, then looked away.
It no longer mattered.
Unless he chose to end it himself, nothing could halt Paradise.
Exhausted, Doman landed on a branch of the massive tree.
His cursed energy was nearly depleted after expanding such a domain.
Even with Sukuna's power, he had barely managed to activate it.
He looked toward the rising sun.
"Seimei… can you see this?"
"A new era has begun."
"This time, I win."
As Paradise expanded, all of Tokyo was soon swallowed.
Humans and cursed spirits alike began to mutate the moment they entered its range.
Almost all of them failed.
Their bodies broke apart, dissolving into dust.
But among countless failures, a single success emerged.
After enduring intense transformation, one human stabilized.
Its form reshaped into something entirely new.
Its skin was smooth and pale, almost translucent.
Its face retained only eyes and a mouth, glowing faintly.
It no longer resembled a human, nor a cursed spirit.
More astonishingly, immense cursed energy flowed within it, yet none leaked outward.
A perfect being.
A natural jujutsu sorcerer.
It looked around in confusion, like a newborn.
Soon, more began to appear.
Though the success rate was nearly nonexistent, the sheer number of targets allowed a few to survive.
Some were once human.
Others had been cursed spirits.
Doman watched them with satisfaction.
"Born from suffering, we abandon the names of human and cursed spirit."
He smiled faintly.
"From now on, we are Basara."
As if responding, the newly evolved beings spoke together.
"Basara."
The ground trembled.
Mount Fuji erupted once more, flames and ash rising into the sky, glowing under the morning light.
Was this the end of the world, or its rebirth?
At Jujutsu High, the aftermath of the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons had barely settled when disaster struck again.
"Fall back, now!"
Kento Nanami reacted first, shouting as everyone retreated.
He glanced at his mutating hand and cut it off without hesitation.
Yuji Itadori, slower to grasp the danger, reached toward the spreading domain, only for Choso to pull him back.
"It's a domain," Choso said, eyes tense.
"What kind of monstrosity is this?"
Tengen arrived with others, her expression turning grim at the sight.
"So he succeeded… Ashiya Doman…"
But then she remembered Shion.
Inside the Tomb of the Star Corridor, he had mastered her barrier techniques in mere days.
If anyone could stop this, it was him.
She steadied herself.
"We have to trust him."
"Everyone, return inside Jujutsu High."
As everyone regrouped, including Maki and Toji Fushiguro who had just arrived, Tengen raised her hands.
"Barrier Technique, Demon Purification."
A massive barrier enveloped the entire school.
Like a reef standing against a tidal wave, it resisted the spread of Paradise.
Tengen stood firm.
She looked toward the towering pillar in the distance.
"Everything is in your hands now, Shion."