Even Itadori Yuji couldn't believe that learning Ryomen Sukuna's Cleave Technique had gone so smoothly.
Masamichi Yaga truly lived up to his reputation as a Great Master of the relationship between the body and the Soul.
Upon learning of the relationship between Itadori Yuji and Ryomen Sukuna, he immediately used numerous Cursed Corpses to conduct physical training with Itadori Yuji. He explicitly told Itadori Yuji that this was a method even an idiot could understand.
In fact, the principle was not complex at all.
For cursed objects with a genetic connection, their bodies must be very close to the original.
In other words, since Itadori Yuji had the ability to balance Sukuna within him, his physical quality must also be very close to that of Ryomen Sukuna from a thousand years ago.
Knowing this, it was easy to judge how Itadori Yuji should improve himself.
Simply put, it was to trigger a physical correction to make him closer to the Ryomen Sukuna of a thousand years ago.
In fact, the Itadori Yuji of the original work did the same.
In the original work, the prerequisite for Itadori Yuji being able to use the Cleave Technique at the final moment was obtaining Yuki Tsukumo's notes regarding the Soul.
At that time, while reading Yuki Tsukumo's notes, Itadori Yuji must have discovered the compatibility between his body and Ryomen Sukuna's Soul.
Coupled with Gojo Satoru's previous judgment that Itadori Yuji would definitely learn the Cleave Technique after having his body possessed by Ryomen Sukuna multiple times, he naturally used the Cleave Technique during the final battle of the original work.
This foreshadowing ran through the entire main storyline and finally bore fruit at the last moment.
And now, the method Masamichi Yaga used was extremely similar to the original.
The difference was that in the original, Itadori Yuji had no guidance and figured it out entirely on his own, whereas Masamichi Yaga was an expert in the field and could better guide this result.
"Cleave Technique: Dismantle!"
Jiro Awasaka subconsciously wanted to dive to the side.
He didn't have a shred of confidence in using his body to take the legendary Cleave Technique of Ryomen Sukuna.
But before he could complete the dive, the massive slash had already struck his body.
Jiro Awasaka felt only a slight breeze pass over him. Including his clothes, he was completely unharmed.
He felt only a tiny bit of force.
Technique Release: Inverse!
Jiro Awasaka hurriedly felt his body, breaking into a cold sweat in shock.
"Shit! I almost died!"
The speed was too fast.
Although he had already dived in sync, the slash still hit his body.
The effect of the Inverse technique was exactly as its name suggested: the stronger the attack power landing on his body, the weaker it became.
This proved that if he hadn't reacted quickly and activated his technique while diving, the attack that felt as weak as a breeze just now would have certainly cut him in two.
This was an undeniably powerful offensive technique.
Forget ordinary Jujutsu Sorcerers—even a Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer, if they faced this kid, probably wouldn't even have time for a single breath before being sliced clean in half.
With this move alone, Itadori Yuji was firmly seated in the position of a Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer.
Itadori Yuji also looked at Jiro Awasaka in disbelief.
"Old man, just how tough is your body? I've tested my Cleave Technique; even a ten-meter-thick steel plate can be sliced directly into two sections."
Jiro Awasaka's face twitched.
"You're not mistaken? Ten meters, not ten centimeters?"
"I used a battleship for the experiment," Itadori Yuji said seriously. "A battleship's steel plate is about 20 centimeters thick. During the test, I stacked about fifty of them, and I sliced through them easily."
Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit!
I'm actually still alive!
Fortunately, Mahito improved my Cursed Energy talent, otherwise I would have been sliced in half for sure!
This definitely exceeds the upper limit of my past Inverse!
I take back what I just thought.
This brat isn't a Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer, he's a Special Grade 1 Sorcerer!
The past me would have been killed in an instant!
I often heard old ghost Ashiya Magon say that a lifetime of sword practice isn't as good as Sukuna softly saying the word "Dismantle."
Before this, Jiro Awasaka found it inexplicable, but now he truly understood old ghost Ashiya's sentiment.
Dammit!
To what level must one practice swordsmanship to slice through ten meters of battleship-grade alloy steel in one strike?!
If I were a swordsman, I'd be driven mad with jealousy too!
Jiro Awasaka's face contorted, hesitating for about 0.2 seconds between fleeing and fighting.
And then—
He charged forward with great strides!
"Young and promising, with peerless talent!"
Jiro Awasaka laughed loudly.
"Itadori Yuji, you're amazing! Simply wonderful!"
Jiro Awasaka felt his whole body heating up, as if magma was flowing through his veins.
He had completely entered a state of madness.
He even felt ashamed of himself for thinking of fleeing 0.2 seconds ago.
In this Dream Walk Migration where there is no death, is there any other choice besides fighting when encountering a powerful enemy?
No, there isn't!
Kill when meeting a strong foe!
Kill when meeting a life-or-death crisis!
Kill, kill, kill even more when meeting an enemy worth killing!
Itadori Yuji was a strong foe, a man who could make him feel a life-or-death crisis, an undeniably talented Sorcerer worth killing.
At this moment—
Aside from killing, there could be no other thoughts.
He had to throw away all hesitation and sluggishness, immersing his entire being into this battle.
Until he surpassed himself!
"Come, Itadori Yuji!"
Jiro Awasaka roared loudly.
"Welcome to—Dream Walk Migration!!"
Thud.
Jiro Awasaka trampled the ground, instantly pulling his speed to the maximum.
He ran almost in a leaping posture, faster than a cheetah.
He burned his Cursed Energy amidst his wild roar, and visible Cursed Energy quietly burned on his body like a cloak of fire behind him.
For a moment, Itadori Yuji thought he had encountered a madman, but he soon realized his opponent's thoughts.
What is it?
It's not that hard to understand.
For a Jujutsu Sorcerer, what is the happiest thing?
Most Jujutsu Sorcerers would unhesitatingly say "becoming stronger."
This is because the Jujutsu World is a place where the law of the jungle is nakedly exposed.
And for a Sorcerer, the fastest way to improve oneself is a fight to the death.
As long as one is a Sorcerer—even if they are an Innate Technique holder completely unsuitable for actual combat, or a blank-slate Sorcerer without even an Innate Technique—the fastest way to improve is a fight to the death.
Only a fight to the death, only the maximum stimulation of one's sense of mortal crisis, is the fastest way for a Sorcerer to grow.
And now there was such a place where one could engage in a free-for-all without any concern for death.
In such a melee, a Sorcerer would grow at an alarming rate.
Then is there any place better than this?
No, there isn't.
Dream Walk Migration—it is precisely the paradise for Sorcerers!
A blessing!
Itadori Yuji understood the man before him in an incredible way.
He only felt his chest grow hot, as if his entire heart was burning.
He once again—
Assumed the hand seal, responding to Jiro Awasaka's roar with his full strength:
"Dismantle!!"
The maximum power Cleave Technique: Dismantle!
Itadori Yuji didn't even bother to aim specifically.
A crack, as if swept by a massive laser beam, abruptly appeared on the ground and struck Jiro Awasaka in an instant.
"Ugh!"
With Inverse active, Jiro Awasaka didn't suffer any damage, but the entire ground was directly split by the Cleave Technique.
A massive fissure appeared like a chasm before Jiro Awasaka.
For a moment, his vision was filled with rubble and dust caused by the ground shaking from the force carried by the massive slash.
Jiro Awasaka took it as a matter of course:
Not even a corner of his clothes was messed up!
And amidst the dust, Itadori Yuji appeared in front of Jiro Awasaka.
"Instead of choosing to release the Cleave Technique from a distance, you specifically came to engage in close-quarters combat with me, Itadori?!"
Jiro Awasaka said loudly.
"Ah, since the Cleave Technique can't hurt you anyway, old man, I might as well try with my fists!"
Itadori Yuji also said loudly.
Boom!
The fists of both sides collided, producing a deep and powerful air blast.
Jiro Awasaka pushed his fist forward amidst a roar.
Itadori Yuji's feet sank into the ground, and refusing to be outdone, he also pushed his fist.
The fists of both sides were like two bulls clashing head-to-head, and then, in that instant, they simultaneously struck out with their other fists.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The two men's fists collided repeatedly.
Both Jiro Awasaka and Itadori Yuji sank their full force into their feet, clenching their fists and hammering at each other's faces.
Fist clashed with fist, Cursed Energy clashed with Cursed Energy, and the hearts of both sides clashed together!
Jiro Awasaka became more and more surprised as he fought.
Currently, with Inverse active, the heavier the force of Itadori Yuji's fists, the lighter they felt on his body, while his own fists were truly full of power.
He should have been the one with the overwhelming advantage, yet he was unable to secure victory for a long time.
Because Itadori Yuji's physical reinforcement was too outstanding!
Itadori Yuji was entirely wrapped in Cursed Energy reinforcement.
His fists hitting Itadori Yuji were blocked by at least two or three layers of Cursed Energy.
The remaining force couldn't even make Itadori Yuji step back.
This could only mean that Itadori Yuji not only possessed great physical strength but also had rich combat experience, to the point where his body's instincts would perform physical protection before every one of Jiro Awasaka's punches landed.
Jiro Awasaka guessed right!
Itadori Yuji did nothing during these two months except continuously harass Ryomen Sukuna and undergo endurance training.
That is, Masamichi Yaga used Cursed Corpses to launch inhumane attacks on Itadori Yuji, who couldn't fight back and could only endure passively.
When it comes to Cursed Energy protection, Itadori Yuji is a professional!
Suddenly, a fist appeared before Jiro Awasaka's eyes, striking the side of his face.
For Jiro Awasaka, who had Inverse active, this fist naturally had no power, but his pupils contracted in shock.
Itadori Yuji had been unable to strike back just a moment ago, but now he had truly broken through his defense and planted a fist on his face.
Jiro Awasaka realized it—
This guy was growing at high speed!
There was a scene in the original work during the Kyoto Goodwill Event where Aoi Todo fought Itadori Yuji.
At first, Aoi Todo kept pummeling Itadori Yuji, but Itadori Yuji would immediately realize what not to do after being hit once. He actively learned Aoi Todo's fighting techniques during the battle, to the point where, by the end, Itadori Yuji landed a punch squarely on Aoi Todo's face.
At that time, Aoi Todo was a Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer, one capable of killing a Special Grade Cursed Spirit with his bare hands without using a Cursed Technique.
As for Itadori Yuji...
He was merely a newcomer to the Jujutsu World who had been enrolled for less than half a year.
Itadori Yuji was, without a doubt, a combat genius.
And now, that talent was blooming!
Thud!
This was the second punch Itadori Yuji threw, crashing into Jiro Awasaka's face, just as it had hit Aoi Todo's face in the original work.
The difference was that Aoi Todo had minimized the impact by anticipating the blow, whereas Jiro Awasaka—
—was sent flying by the massive force!
"Guwah...!"
Like a child skipping a flat stone across a lake, Jiro Awasaka bounced off the ground two or three times before finally slamming into the wall of a nearby commercial building with a loud crash.
The entire building rumbled as if it might collapse at any moment.
Itadori Yuji cracked his neck with a loud snap.
He flashed a fierce smile and taunted loudly:
"I've seen through your Cursed Technique! You can turn heavy force into light force, so the more I swing heavy punches, the less you care about defense. Conversely, if I use lighter feint punches or probing punches, you actually have to pay attention to Cursed Energy protection. This is because while you make heavy force light, you also make light attacks heavy, right?!"
Crunch, crunch.
Jiro Awasaka slowly pushed aside the rubble and stood up from the ruins of the commercial building.
His entire face looked caved in, especially his nose bridge, which was completely shattered, making him look particularly wretched.
However, his expression didn't reflect that at all.
He laughed loudly.
"My Cursed Technique is called Inverse."
Cursed Technique Disclosure!
"Just as you said, the stronger the attack, the lighter it is for me. Conversely, the lighter the attack, the heavier it is. I must use this technique cautiously and know exactly when to switch it on or off. That way, I can defend against both heavy and light attacks perfectly. This is an invincible technique if used correctly."
Itadori Yuji suddenly remembered Gojo Satoru saying that when he fought Mahito, the Cursed Spirit's defense could actually ignore Reversal: Red.
That invincible defense led Gojo Satoru to believe it could only be breached through sheer force using Black Flash.
And it was true.
In that battle, only Black Flash truly harmed Mahito.
Every other attack was like a breeze brushing against a hill.
Mahito's invincible defense must be this Inverse!
Thud.
Jiro Awasaka stepped forward.
"There won't be a next time," Jiro Awasaka said coldly. "After Cursed Technique Disclosure, my sensitivity to strength has increased even further. You won't be able to deceive me with those feigned heavy attacks that are actually soft punches anymore... Itadori Yuji, it's just your bad luck to have encountered me, a Sorcerer who specifically counters direct-attack types. I'll be taking your life!"
"That remains to be seen."
Itadori Yuji took a deep breath and took a stance again.
"My Cursed Technique is called the Cleave Technique."
Cursed Technique Disclosure!
"My Cleave Technique is a very simple and clear technique. It can release long-range slashes, and I decide the power of the slashes myself."
"The tricky part is that no one can know the direction or position of the slash before the Cleave Technique is released. Even if they know the direction and position in advance, the speed of the slash is extremely fast and hard to dodge."
"What's even scarier is that the slash itself is invisible; you can't even see its trajectory. Unless someone has the Six Eyes like Gojo-Sensei, only a Jujutsu Sorcerer who has used Black Flash can see through the trajectory of the slash."
Jiro Awasaka spat to the side.
You call this simple and clear?
Long-range attacks, no way to know the direction or position in advance, extremely fast speed, and you can't even see the damn trajectory!
This is only because you, a brat, can only use one slash at a time with your Cleave Technique.
Legend has it that Ryomen Sukuna used the same Cleave Technique and could use as many as he wanted at once, and its range was said to reach a radius of 200 meters.
Jiro Awasaka could be said to have personally experienced a "youth version" of the weight of the title of the strongest Jujutsu Sorcerer in history, the recognized King of Curses.
Both sides entered the Cursed Technique Disclosure state simultaneously!
Jiro Awasaka felt he could clearly sense even the touch of a light breeze.
He slowly tore off his shirt to feel everything in the world more clearly with his bare torso.
His sense of touch became extremely acute, and his eyesight grew sharper after Cursed Technique Disclosure.
The enhancement of his five senses allowed him to more easily distinguish between powerful attacks and weak ones.
Just as Jiro Awasaka said, Inverse is the undeniable natural enemy of direct-attack jujutsu.
As long as the attack doesn't exceed the upper limit of Inverse, he is invincible!
And now, the confidence brought by this invincibility led Jiro Awasaka to choose to attack proactively.
Bang!
Jiro Awasaka dashed toward Itadori Yuji with great strides.
Itadori Yuji breathed slowly and formed a hand seal with one hand.
Is he going to use the Cleave Technique?
Jiro Awasaka cautiously used Inverse, completely covering himself with the technique.
Facing an attack that was extremely fast, with an impossible-to-predict direction and position, and whose trajectory couldn't even be seen, the safest approach was to cover his entire body with the Inverse technique without a second thought.
But Itadori Yuji only formed the seal and did not release the Cleave Technique.
Was it a bluff?
Jiro Awasaka wondered.
Then you've underestimated me!
Jiro Awasaka grinned.
After Cursed Technique Disclosure, he was confident he could see through all heavy attacks and feints.
This body, which had been modified by Mahito, had also raised the ceiling of his Innate Technique. He could switch his technique on and off in an instant without the usual momentary lag.
Come on, Itadori Yuji!
Jiro Awasaka punched with a wild roar.
Then, he saw Itadori Yuji reach out and gently touch Jiro Awasaka's body.
This was... a heavy attack!
Despite it being such a gentle touch, Jiro Awasaka could see the flow of Cursed Energy contained in Itadori Yuji's hand.
This was a touch-based Cleave Technique, and its power likely exceeded that of a normal slash.
Since the Cleave Technique was activated by the technique itself rather than physical force, it was very deceptive in close-quarters combat and easily confused.
Jiro Awasaka saw through this move and kept Inverse active.
He resolved to take this Cleave Technique head-on and then settle the match with an unavoidable heavy punch!
This was his specialty.
Before being recruited by Mahito, he always used this move to deal with Sorcerers.
The more confident they were in their attack, the more unbelievable it was when they were countered.
That face of horror and despair—
—Jiro Awasaka never tired of seeing it!
He would decide the match with this one punch!
Itadori Yuji opened his mouth and whispered:
"Cleave Technique: Cleave."
Not "Dismantle"?
Jiro Awasaka wondered.
In the next instant, while maintaining Inverse, his entire body was sliced in half from his forehead down to his crotch.
"I can only use this move after Cursed Technique Disclosure," Itadori Yuji said quietly. "Because this slash requires extremely precise Cursed Technique manipulation, I can't use it in my normal state yet."
"It's a lethal slash that adjusts according to the difference in strength and toughness between the two sides."
"I apologize; you might have misunderstood what I said earlier. What I used to cut through the ten-meter steel plate of a battleship wasn't the usual long-range Cleave Technique: Dismantle, but the Cleave Technique: Cleave I'm using now."
The bifurcated Jiro Awasaka didn't fall until Itadori Yuji finished speaking, as if satisfied.
He collapsed to either side, hitting the ground with the soft sound of splitting flesh.
Itadori Yuji smiled.
"Uncle Awasaka, you were actually pretty strong."
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