Amid the shattered, collapsing battlefield.
Araki Itsuki and Rhaast laughed without restraint, their deranged, savage cackling sending birds and beasts fleeing from the distant mountain woods.
Suguru Geto and the others stood grim-faced, shielding the trembling Dagon.
The Mount Fuji atop Jogo's head erupted in bursts of flame, a testament to the depth of his fury.
He stepped forward, his single eye fixed on Araki Itsuki with murderous intent.
Dense, terrifying cursed energy gradually spread over his body. He was already preparing to expand his domain and fight Araki Itsuki to the death.
Just then.
Suguru Geto spoke. His hands tucked inside his loose monk's robes, he brought a smile back to his gloomy face.
"Araki Itsuki, your ability isn't defense or absorption, much less something like Satoru Gojo's Limitless.
Jogo's flames and Hanami's charge both landed squarely on you.
What's strange is that neither hurt you, so you must have an ability that absorbs damage.
No, devours would be more accurate."
Suguru Geto narrowed his eyes, rapidly analyzing Araki Itsuki's every move.
"So your ability is a cursed technique that can devour anything, isn't it?
Jogo's flames, Hanami's kinetic energy, even the heat in the air-you devour them all. That's how you withstand all that damage."
At this point, Suguru Geto smiled confidently.
"I have to admit, your ability is terrifying. But if we all attack at once, Araki Itsuki, you might not be able to devour all our cursed energy!"
"What's more, we haven't even expanded our domains yet."
Suguru Geto's plan was not yet complete. He needed Mahito's Idle Transfiguration.
By using the Maximum Technique, "Uzumaki," on cursed spirits of Semi-Grade 1 or higher, he could extract their cursed techniques and transfer them to his own body, giving himself multiple cursed techniques.
However, techniques acquired this way could not be refined further.
Mahito had not yet developed to a level that satisfied him. If Araki Itsuki killed Jogo and the others, there was no telling how Mahito would lose his mind.
If Mahito then sought revenge against Araki Itsuki and got killed, he would never obtain Idle Transfiguration.
He had already spent a thousand years laying his plans. To achieve his goal, he was willing to yield.
After listening, Araki Itsuki gave Suguru Geto a contemptuous look. "A mere grain of sand, not worth a fraction of me, dares talk about a fight to the death?"
"Have you... ever seen me at my peak?!"
Seeing the arrogance and contempt on Araki Itsuki's face, Suguru Geto's brow darkened.
Even with the composure of a thousand-year schemer, he nearly lost his temper and wanted to teach this brat a lesson.
Yet Araki Itsuki suddenly changed his tune.
"But killing you now would be far too boring. Struggle with everything you have to grow stronger, then burn through your lives to entertain me."
"Hahaha!"
The Mount Fuji atop Jogo's head erupted. He could no longer endure Araki Itsuki's mockery.
"Filthy brat, I'll kill you!"
Then, gritting his teeth, he advanced toward Araki Itsuki one step at a time.
Suguru Geto beckoned, his voice icy. "Jogo, come back!"
But Jogo ignored him, keeping his gaze locked on Araki Itsuki.
"You're still approaching me, Jogo?"
Araki Itsuki rubbed his chin, making no attempt to hide his admiration.
"Your courage has earned my recognition. As a reward, I'll give you anguish you'll never forget."
Araki Itsuki suddenly pressed his thumb against his index finger, producing a crisp crack.
"What's 1,000 minus 7?"
Who would answer such an idiotic question?
Jogo ignored Araki Itsuki's strange question. Dense cursed energy burst from his body as his hands formed a seal.
"Domain Expansion: Coffin..."
But before he could finish, Araki Itsuki had somehow appeared right in front of him.
The wicked grin curling his lips stood in stark contrast to Jogo's bewildered expression.
His palm, coated in purple-black Death Omen Star energy, slammed into Jogo's chest.
Splat!
Jogo's single eye widened, filling with dense webs of blood vessels. His entire body bent into an exaggerated shrimp-like curve, and a palm print bulged through his back.
Blood poured from his mouth in torrents.
"So fast!"
As he flew backward, Jogo remained bewildered. How could Araki Itsuki be so fast? He could not even see him move.
Smiling, Araki Itsuki flicked a finger upward.
"Freeze!"
Countless enormous ice spikes gleaming with cold light suddenly rose beneath the hurtling Jogo. If he fell onto them, they would riddle him with holes!
Jogo forcibly twisted in midair until he faced downward, using cursed energy to unleash fierce flames toward the ground and melt the spikes.
But just as he finished clearing the ice spikes below, the sky darkened, and a shadow enveloped him.
He hurriedly turned over and saw Araki Itsuki already above him.
Clasping his hands together and bending his body like a bow, Araki Itsuki hammered down!
"What's 993 minus 7?"
Bam!
Jogo suffered another heavy blow and went hurtling away again, trailing a thin line of blood.
The intense pain scattered his focus, and he found himself involuntarily thinking about Araki Itsuki's question.
993 minus 7 equals 986...
But Araki Itsuki's punches grew faster and faster, his kicks fiercer and fiercer.
His body became a blur. Accompanied by deafening sonic booms, he remained airborne, striking again and again.
He battered and kicked Jogo around like a ball.
"What's 986 minus 7?"
"What's 979 minus 7?"
Seeing this, Hanami tried to intervene, but Suguru Geto stopped them. "You're no match for him. Besides, he said he wouldn't kill Jogo."
Finally.
Bam!
With a thunderous crash, Jogo's mangled body plowed through the earth, leaving an ugly, crumbling furrow before landing in front of Suguru Geto and the others, barely conscious.
Hanami hurriedly helped him up.
By now, Jogo was delirious, his mind a muddled haze, but a sudden flash of understanding struck him.
So 1,000 minus 7 was meant to keep me conscious...
Meanwhile, Suguru Geto was stunned by Araki Itsuki's sudden surge in speed.
"His combat power is still rising!"
Araki Itsuki shook out his hands and looked straight at the gathered cursed spirits with a mocking smile. "All right, that concludes this meeting. I hope you've learned something."
"As for your plan, I want to see a story that's crazier, crueler, and bloodier!"
"If necessary, you can ask me for help."
Suguru Geto began questioning everything. What was wrong with this guy?
He had beaten them up for no apparent reason. They had thought he was another terrifying enemy from Jujutsu High, only for him to suddenly hop over to their side.
What do you mean, we can ask you for help?!
And our plan? If you mean a war between cursed spirits and jujutsu sorcerers, that's laughable.
This brat has only seen the tip of the iceberg. He could never comprehend the perfect plan I've spent a thousand years preparing.
"What exactly are you trying to do?"
Faced with Suguru Geto's demand, Araki Itsuki rubbed his chin and thought for two seconds. "Since you've asked so sincerely, I'll graciously tell you."
Araki Itsuki half-closed his eyes, turning his handsome face toward the boundless sky. His lean, powerful arms spread wide, as though embracing the universe and its emptiness.
"Every universe, every ray of twilight, is destined to go out."
"Trillions of stars are watching intently, awaiting my incomparably beautiful art!"
Araki Itsuki's body trembled slightly. His voice was deranged and terrifying, like that of a mad artist.
"But this world is so boring. Mortals can only entangle themselves in linear time."
"Only you!"
Araki Itsuki jabbed a finger at Suguru Geto, his voice growing even more frenzied.
"Only you!"
"A thousand years of preparation. I hope you can deliver an answer that satisfies me. Embrace utter madness!"
"Just imagine-the entire world will become a sea of fire, and I'll look outrageously handsome in its glow."
Araki Itsuki walked over to Suguru Geto, patted his shoulder, and smiled mysteriously. "Set this world ablaze, and I'll reward you."
"This is a blessing from the Lord of the Death Star."
With that, he turned and left.
Rhaast grinned savagely, sneering as he passed Suguru Geto. "Ant, I hope you know how to smash a world into bloody ruin."
But Suguru Geto gave no response. His eyes widened, and he was too shocked to speak.
A thousand years of preparation... does he know my plan?!
And what does he mean by turning the whole world into a sea of fire and smashing it into bloody ruin?!
All I want is to bring the world back to the golden age of jujutsu in the Heian era. All I want is to optimize cursed energy.
Compared to this brat who talks about destroying the world at the drop of a hat, who the fuck is the villain here?!
Before you continue