Zenin Takeshi laughed maniacally as a white cocoon materialized behind him. A slit appeared in its center, revealing Mahoraga's massive, snarling mouth.
Staring at Toji Fushiguro, Zenin Takeshi sneered, "I'll die first. You better give it your all!"
Failing to subdue Mahoraga, he forced Toji into the subjugation ritual. From now on, Mahoraga and Toji would fight until one of them fell.
Boom!
Mahoraga struck Zenin Takeshi with a single punch, shattering bones and pulverizing internal organs. Near death, Zenin Takeshi slumped into a corner, too weak even to summon Round Deer for healing.
"Roar!"
Mahoraga's terrifying roar blasted Toji like a cannonball. His body smashed through several buildings before finally coming to a halt. Clutching the Inverted Spear of Heaven, he glared at the charging Shikigami and muttered, "What kind of monster is this?"
"Roar!"
Mahoraga's enormous greatsword extended suddenly, slashing downward toward Toji. He blocked it with the spear, but the sheer force still cracked the ground beneath him.
Toji had some understanding of Mahoraga through his son, Megumi Fushiguro, whose Cursed Technique was also the Ten Shadows Technique. But comprehension was nothing compared to facing it head-on. This speed, this force—this was like confronting three monsters at once.
Boom!
The ground fractured beneath them, and Toji and Mahoraga fell, weaving through debris midair. Beneath them stretched deep subway tunnels.
As soon as they landed, they charged each other again. No flashy Cursed Techniques—only raw physical combat representing unmatched speed and strength.
Blades flashed and sparks flew, shredding every surface around them. Unlucky Cursed Spirits and transformed humans exploded like bubbles in the chaos.
Bang!
They fought from the underground all the way back to the surface. Toji skillfully entangled Mahoraga with the Heavenly Rope, hacking at its head with the spear. He nearly decapitated it—but in an instant, Mahoraga's head regenerated. Pushing off with both hands, it broke free and kicked Toji away.
Mahoraga's ultimate adaptive ability was in full display. Toji relied solely on his unmatched physical prowess, which was enough at first. But Mahoraga adapted rapidly, matching his speed and power, gaining the upper hand.
The two clashed again, but it was clear Toji was now struggling to keep pace.
Nearby, Zenin Takeshi, dying, watched with a twisted smile. His feet weakened, his head throbbing.
"Ah… this body… destroyed to this extent?"
He gritted his teeth, forcing his eyes open. Memories of Kenjaku's words surfaced.
"That guy wanted me to hold him off… for what again?"
"Oh right! To prevent him from destroying the seal on the Prison Realm with the Inverted Spear of Heaven!"
Pain tore through him as he tried to stand, vomiting blood. Yet his eyes burned with fear and unease.
"Inverted Spear of Heaven! Where is it? He hasn't used it at all!"
Even if it couldn't harm Mahoraga, its ability to disrupt Cursed Techniques would slow the Shikigami's regeneration. If Toji didn't have it… a chilling thought crossed Zenin Takeshi's mind:
"Unless… he doesn't have it at all."
---
Outskirts of Shibuya.
"Divergent Fist!"
Itadori struck a Cursed Spirit with a single punch, dispersing it instantly. He looked toward central Shibuya, worry on his face.
"There are so many Cursed Spirits here… I wonder how the others are holding up."
Nanami adjusted his glasses. "That's not our concern. Focus on doing our jobs properly; that's the best support we can provide."
He looked seriously at Itadori. "Also, there's something important you need to understand. If you intend to look up to a Jujutsu Sorcerer, do not choose Gojo Shion, Satoru Gojo, or Geto Suguru."
Itadori blinked. "Huh? Why?"
Nanami explained, "Cursed Techniques are a system refined over hundreds of years. Jujutsu Sorcerers operate within these rules. But those three? They don't follow the system. They break the rules effortlessly. Almost none of the universal laws apply to them. Idolizing them will only bring frustration, not motivation."
Fushiguro Megumi looked sympathetic, Kugisaki thoughtful, and Itadori utterly bewildered.
Nanami sighed. "Whether you understand or not, just listen. You won't go wrong."
"Yo! Bro!"
Todo Aoi appeared, shirtless and grinning brightly.
"Oh! Todo! Why are you here?" Itadori exclaimed.
"The area I was assigned is clear," Todo said with a thumbs-up, "so I rushed over to help, bro!"
Nanami nodded, "Cleared that fast? Efficient. But I don't approve of unnecessary overtime."
Todo shrugged. "Labor is dog shit."
Everyone went silent.
Haibara scratched his head. "Is this the lingering effect of Nanami being tricked too many times by Gojo Shion?"
"Yuuup," Itadori muttered.
Suddenly, Mahito appeared, grinning while tossing helpless humans like sandbags.
"Save them!"
Haibara and Ino moved immediately, Itadori and Todo helping as well.
Mahito smirked and formed hand seals.
"Multi-Soul: Body Repulsion!"
The humans in their hands swelled and twisted violently.
"Throw them away!" Todo reacted instantly, hurling his human out of the way. Itadori, Haibara, and Ino were just a moment too slow.
Boom!
The distorted bodies collided and exploded in a massive violent blast.
Haibara and Ino were injured, immediately losing the ability to fight, though their injuries were non-lethal.
Itadori, however, stood resilient, only suffering torn clothes and a bloody nose.
"Huh? You're not dead?"
Mahito pouted, disappointed.
Seeing Mahito treat humans as bombs, Itadori's eyes burned with fury.
"Bastard! How dare you treat life like this!"
"Oh? Angry now?" Mahito laughed, enjoying the reaction like a toy.
Though initially interested in Itadori only because he was Sukuna's vessel, Mahito's interactions had gradually bred a strange hatred toward him.