The earth-shaking force sent tremors through the entire forest. Yuta Okkotsu blinked and murmured to himself.
"That's Mr. Geto's cursed technique."
Massive branches sprouted beneath Hanami's feet and shot toward Yuta Okkotsu at incredible speed.
"Losing focus will get you killed."
Yuta held the Dragon Spirit Blade sideways and poured an enormous amount of cursed energy into it. The blade rang joyfully under the influx, and he swung the sword straight at the branches Hanami controlled with jujutsu.
Those branches were incredibly tough. Even full-strength blows from Yuji Itadori and Aoi Todo would struggle to shatter them completely.
Yet Hanami watched them get sliced clean through, the smooth cuts making it look as easy as chopping vegetables.
"Sorry. I'll be more careful."
Yuta Okkotsu spoke coolly, but his apology was not sincere.
Hanami pulled back and slowly unwrapped the white cloth around its left arm, then sighed.
"What a sturdy weapon. The time has come to use this move, though I would rather not."
A massive flower bud grew on Hanami's left shoulder. It crouched and pressed its palm against the earth, and Yuta Okkotsu watched the summer woods around them begin to wither.
It was as though their strength was being drained. Plants that should have been incapable of producing cursed energy were now supplying Hanami with enormous quantities of it.
Yuta Okkotsu leaped into Rika's palm and glanced back at Aoi Todo and Yuji Itadori.
"Todo, get Itadori out of here!"
Yuji Itadori shouted at Yuta Okkotsu.
"Okkotsu! The three of us can beat it together! Why are you making us leave?"
Yuta Okkotsu sensed Hanami continuously absorbing cursed energy. It was very likely preparing to expand its domain. Though Aoi Todo and Yuji Itadori were both formidable, neither could expand a domain yet.
He could not be