Itadori took a deep breath and poured all his Cursed Energy into his right fist. The black glow of Black Flash burst across his knuckles.
The distance between Mahito and Itadori closed rapidly, and they slammed into each other with world-shattering force.
Defiant madness filled Mahito's eyes as he threw his punch, unleashing a Black Flash of his own.
The shock wave from the clashing Black Flashes exploded instantly, sending standing water and rubble flying everywhere.
The entire building trembled slightly. Centered on the two of them, dense, spiderweb-like cracks spread through the masonry beneath their feet.
Itadori grunted and staggered back three steps. Only by driving his right foot through the ground did he barely steady himself, his right arm numb.
Opposite him, Mahito also retreated two steps, his heels plowing two deep furrows in the ground. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and his right fist trembled slightly.
He had lost by a narrow margin.
Yet his smile grew even more crazed, and a near-manic light burst from his eyes.
"I did it... I landed a Black Flash too!"
He had done it.
As long as he had time, he would definitely become stronger than Itadori. He would definitely carry on with Jogo and the others' wishes.
But that ecstasy lasted only half a second.
A crimson streak of blood tore through the air from the side, so precise it seemed to have been calculated in advance.
Choso had been watching coldly all along. Seizing the instant Mahito reeled from the clash and left himself wide open, he formed a hand sign and fired a Piercing Blood.
He had no concern for fair duels and struck straight at the opening.
Piercing Blood punched through Mahito's right side without resistance.
"Argh!"
The tremendous impact sent Mahito flying