Semifinals

As Utahime Iori's voice faded, the two contestants entered from opposite sides of the arena.

Unlike the morning matches, the atmosphere in the stands was noticeably more tense this time.

Although Mechamaru had not faced Dai Li directly in the team event, he had analyzed the information on this Tokyo first-year countless times.

Mechamaru brought his puppet to a halt, its mechanical eyes locking onto the boy before him.

Dai Li rolled his shoulders. After a nap at noon, he felt fully refreshed.

"Mechamaru, right? Those cannon shots of yours this morning nearly ruined my sleep."

"So I'll make short work of your puppet this round."

"I look forward to seeing you try, Dai Li of Tokyo Jujutsu High."

Mechamaru's operator, Kokichi Muta, remained calm, unshaken by Dai Li's words.

"Begin."

As Utahime Iori waved her hand, Mechamaru launched the first attack.

"Ultimate Mechamaru: Load."

The cannon ports on his mechanical arms instantly opened.

A moment later, vast amounts of cursed energy gathered.

Boom!

Several concentrated blasts of cursed energy thundered toward Dai Li. Kokichi Muta considered opening with a rapid barrage his best strategy. Based on his earlier analysis, Dai Li was the type to let his guard down at the start of a fight.

Deafening explosions rang across the arena, throwing up billowing smoke. Yet when the dust cleared...

Dai Li had vanished from his original spot.

Mechamaru quickly turned, scanning his surroundings for him.

But in the next instant, a cold glint flashed toward him from the side.

Clang!

Mechamaru raised a mechanical arm to block the long blade. Even though he stopped the attack, his shell still sustained some damage.

"Pretty much what I expected. I've got a decent idea of this body's limits now."

"Let's settle this with the next blow."

With that, Dai Li raised his right hand.

Several cursed tools of different shapes appeared at once. A massive axe, a flail, a spiked club, and other weapons were projected into existence.

Most were blunt weapons, effective against Mechamaru's metal shell.

Without a moment's pause, they all shot toward Mechamaru.

The launched cursed tools were controlled by Dai Li himself, making evasion impossible. Kokichi Muta calmly assessed the situation:

My best option now is to deploy my defenses immediately, then exploit the opening while Dai Li controls his weapons and finish him with a maximum-output Triple Great Exorcism Cannon.

"Ultimate Mechamaru-Defense-Specialized Form: Armor Reinforcement!"

Mechamaru crossed his arms. As his mechanical components shifted, both arms rapidly transformed and unfolded.

Layers of heavy armor overlapped, forming an enormous metal shield.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

A continuous series of impacts rang out as every incoming cursed tool was blocked.

What's going on? These blunt cursed tools aren't hitting nearly as hard as his earlier attack.

But the plan stays the same.

Yet just as Mechamaru prepared to counterattack...

A dark blur suddenly burst out from behind the swarm of cursed tools.

"What?"

At some point, Dai Li had used his projected cursed tools as cover to close the distance, reaching the space right before him.

An enormous warhammer silently appeared in his hand.

"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm not just a turret that shoots flying swords."

BOOM!!!

The heavy warhammer smashed down.

But that terrifying force still instantly surged through his entire mechanical body.

Crack!

The instant the blow struck, Mechamaru's deployed defensive armor gave a shrill screech of twisting metal. Huge cracks spread across his hard shell.

The tremendous impact sent the mechanical puppet flying backward, slamming into a tree trunk behind him.

"Crack..."

Mechamaru's arms hung limp, a succession of malfunctioning noises coming from within.

Kokichi Muta tried to reactivate his cursed technique, only to discover that the body could no longer move effectively.

He watched Dai Li dispel his projected warhammer in the distance, a trace of disbelief in his eyes.

"Mechamaru is unable to continue. Dai Li wins."

Utahime Iori announced the result. The watching students had expected this outcome, but that did nothing to detract from the splendid fight.

"Sorry, I hit a little too hard. I accidentally broke your robot."

Mechamaru remained silent. Dai Li's hammer blow had destroyed his voice unit as well.

"A little aloof, huh? I'll head off, then."

Dai Li turned and left the arena, handing the stage over to Aoi Todo and Yuta Okkotsu.

After stepping out of the arena, Dai Li casually picked up the drink he had left nearby.

"All done, all done."

He looked at Mechamaru being carried away. In truth, he thought quite highly of this opponent. After all, he was also a jujutsu sorcerer with a heavenly restriction.

After leaving the arena, Dai Li did not go far. Instead, he found a seat in the stands.

Although he appeared nonchalant, his gaze remained fixed on the center of the arena.

"Both contestants, ready."

After confirming that both had entered the arena, Utahime Iori slowly raised her hand.

"Begin."

The fight between Aoi Todo and Yuta Okkotsu had begun.

"Yuta Okkotsu, show me the heights of your soul!"

The instant the words left his mouth, Todo surged forward without any attempt to test his opponent.

Right from the start, he pushed his speed to the limit.

The ground cracked beneath his feet. Powerful gusts swept up the fallen leaves around him as he bore down on Okkotsu with crushing pressure.

Okkotsu's pupils contracted slightly. He instinctively stepped back, raising his sword in front of him.

Boom!

The moment fist met blade, the tremendous force caved in the ground beneath Okkotsu's feet.

A wave of numbness swept through his arms, and the impact sent him sliding several meters backward.

"Such incredible strength..."

Okkotsu murmured.

An ordinary jujutsu sorcerer would probably have been unable to continue after that punch.

But Aoi Todo gave him no chance to recover.

Clap! Clap!

Two sharp claps rang out.

Okkotsu instantly went on alert.

Here it comes! The cursed technique Dai Li told me about-Todo's Boogie Woogie!

In the next instant, Aoi Todo appeared where Okkotsu had originally stood, while a piece of rubble imbued with cursed energy took Okkotsu's place.

Todo used objects carrying cursed energy to swap positions, instantly changing the course of the fight.

Okkotsu adjusted his body in midair and landed steadily.

But Todo had already closed in again, his fist blasting toward Okkotsu's face like a cannonball.

Just then...

"Yuta."

A low voice came from behind him.

An immense surge of cursed energy erupted, and an enormous figure slowly materialized.

"Yeah, Rika."

Okkotsu tightened his grip on his sword.

"Lend me your strength."

At Okkotsu's words, the Special Grade Vengeful Cursed Spirit, Rika Orimoto, manifested.

Terrifying cursed energy instantly enveloped the entire arena.

Even Aoi Todo paused for a moment before breaking into a broad grin.

"So you've come! Rika Orimoto."

The Kyoto Jujutsu High students in the stands looked grim.

Okkotsu did not answer. He merely gripped his sword tighter.