Before Toji Fushiguro could finish thinking, the girl vanished, then slammed into him mercilessly, black lightning coursing over her entire body.
Beautiful move!
Her speed and power were tremendous. Toji Fushiguro could only raise one hand to block, and he almost heard his bones cracking. She had actually inflicted that kind of damage on his body, despite his heavenly restriction. This girl is strong!
Two hundred million is too little to capture her alive. It should at least match the bounty for killing Satoru Gojo. Even three hundred million wouldn't be excessive!
A wild laugh escaped Toji Fushiguro as he flicked his wrist, his katana sweeping right past Miwa Chisei's neck.
Although the blade hadn't touched Miwa Chisei, a cut had already opened across her neck. Fortunately, it wasn't deep and hadn't damaged any blood vessels, merely sending blood spraying.
Miwa Chisei's breath caught. Half a second slower, and my head would have come off!
I can't waste this blood, either. I care too much about myself to cut myself that ruthlessly.
Feeling the girl's attacks grow fiercer, Toji Fushiguro began struggling to keep up. He couldn't help remarking wryly.
"I can't let any more blood spill, or I might lose."
Despite his words, he continued slashing Miwa Chisei mercilessly. She could tell that his attacks were aimed at the tendons in her wrists and ankles. He wanted to immobilize her and take her alive.
A terrifying thought struck Miwa Chisei. If the bounty called for my death, would my head already be gone?
Toji Fushiguro, too, had to fight with everything he had. This girl was clever, refusing to waste a single drop of blood. She had strengthened her body to a terrifying degree; even cutting her with a cursed tool took effort.
Only a bastard would ask for a live capture. I still underestimated her.
The uncertainty of success felt novel to Toji Fushiguro, bringing an indescribable exhilaration.
It reminded him of that brat from the Gojo Clan. When he first met Satoru Gojo, the boy had been only a child, yet had already demonstrated extraordinary perception.
With zero cursed energy, Toji was practically invisible. Yet when he stood behind Satoru Gojo, the boy noticed him. That was the only time in his life anyone had detected him standing behind them.
They're both freaks strong enough to get my blood pumping.
Toji Fushiguro's attacks weakened a little, too. They had already been fighting for fifteen minutes, and Miwa Chisei's Sacrificial Cursed Technique wasn't permanent. With her current abilities, strengthening her body to this degree meant she was already nearing her time limit.
Damn Jujutsu Society. Why is finding a little peace so hard?
Miwa Chisei had already begun wondering whether having the tendons in her wrists and ankles severed would hurt terribly when she heard a familiar voice.
For the first time, she thought the boy's voice was truly lovely, as clear as a mountain spring.
"Miwa Chisei! You're way too weak!"
Along with that voice, a figure in a black uniform swept in and stood in front of her.
Am I saved?
Looking at the unexpected arrival before him, Toji Fushiguro instantly pulled back.
"You're-"
Satoru Gojo looked at the vaguely familiar man before him, but his impression was too faint to recall who he was immediately.
The bounty required a live capture, and that looked impossible now. After all, the Gojo Clan's brat had arrived, too.
After fifteen minutes of intense fighting, Toji Fushiguro wasn't arrogant enough to believe he could kill Satoru Gojo, capture Miwa Chisei alive, and escape unscathed.
He hadn't found "that" cursed tool yet.
With barely a moment's hesitation, Toji Fushiguro turned and left the ruins.
Satoru Gojo was about to give chase, but Miwa Chisei sank to her knees behind him. He turned to look at the girl covered in knife wounds. Through his Six Eyes, he could see her heartbeat beginning to weaken.
He gritted his teeth, then finally turned back, bent down, and scooped Miwa Chisei into his arms.
"Hang in there, you Miwa family brat. Don't you dare fall asleep. I'm taking you to get treated."
Even breathing tugged painfully at Miwa Chisei's wounds. Her voice was faint and soft.
"To that doctor who treats brains?"
"Yeah-damn it, that's not the point! Keep your eyes open! Don't fall asleep!"
Miwa Chisei's eyelids felt heavy. The boy's voice sounded anxious in her ears, and she could feel the wind rushing past. Satoru Gojo was already moving very fast.
But I'm so sleepy.
"Satoru Gojo, I can't. I can't keep them open."
Feeling the girl in his arms grow weaker and weaker, Satoru Gojo gritted his teeth and roared.
"If you dare fall asleep and never wake up, I'll spend every last bit of the money you hid in that pink cloth pouch in your underwear drawer!"
Just before she lost consciousness, Miwa Chisei cursed at him one last time.
"Satoru Gojo, you're such a bastard."
Shoko Ieiri was hauled into the operating room.
When the scenery before her stopped moving, Shoko Ieiri found herself looking at a half-dead girl on the operating table and a disheveled Satoru Gojo.
"Hurry, Shoko. Emergency surgery."
Shoko glanced over and yawned, looking utterly exhausted.
"She's dying. Can't save her."
She didn't recognize the girl at all, though that silver hair did look rather similar to a certain someone's. Her injuries were severe, but more importantly, she looked completely drained from within.
Saving her will probably mean working late into the night again. Will I drop dead first? My cursed energy's going to run dry, damn it.
Shoko Ieiri was about to turn and leave, but Satoru Gojo stopped her.
She swore this was the first time she had ever seen Satoru Gojo look so serious.
"I'll pay for all your cigarettes this year."
Shoko Ieiri fell silent for a few seconds, then gave him a thumbs-up.
"Deal."
Shoko Ieiri was one of the rare people in Jujutsu Society who could heal others with the positive energy generated by Reverse Cursed Technique. The higher-ups considered her the school's treasure.
Although she was still a student at Jujutsu High, she had already demonstrated outstanding healing abilities. As long as someone still had a breath left, Shoko Ieiri could almost always save them.
An irregular heartbeat, excessive blood loss, depleted cursed energy, and backlash from exhausting her body.
None of them was a major problem on its own. Together, they could kill her.
A trace of resignation flickered through Shoko Ieiri's languid eyes. Just this year's cigarettes isn't worth it. I should have made that scumbag cover next year's, too.
At one in the morning, the operating room light finally went out.
Shoko Ieiri pushed the door open, looking half-dead herself. Her eyes were sunken, and she looked utterly exhausted. Weakly, she pulled a cigarette from her pocket and took several deep drags before she had the strength to speak.
"I want two years' worth of cigarettes."
Hearing that firm declaration, Satoru Gojo smiled.
"Sure-"
Shoko waved a hand and left Jujutsu High's medical building on unsteady feet.
When Satoru Gojo entered the operating room, he saw Miwa Chisei lying there quietly. Her breathing had steadied, and the cuts on her body had already scabbed over.
After thinking for a moment, he picked the girl up and returned to his dorm room at Jujutsu High.
Asleep, Miwa Chisei looked much more serene, like a beautiful porcelain doll.
Satoru Gojo couldn't help letting out a soft snort.
Miwa Chisei, never thought I'd see you like this.
Before you continue