"Whoosh!"
The long sword, carrying a sharp whistling sound as it cut through the air, shot toward the Matador like an arrow released from a bowstring.
Maki's throw was incredibly precise; the blade aimed directly for the wound on the Cursed Spirit's back, without the slightest hesitation or guilt.
To save Rin, she didn't care if the "sneak attack" was honorable.
The Matador was entirely focused on delivering the final blow to Rin, only realizing the danger the instant the long sword pierced his back.
Intense pain erupted. Although the long sword failed to completely pierce his body, it accurately struck the area previously heavily damaged by Rin, causing his movements to instantly freeze.
"Ugh!"
The Cursed Spirit let out a muffled groan, and his body uncontrollably stumbled.
This momentary weakness became the final straw that broke him.
Rin's Sharingan instantly captured this fleeting opportunity.
The frenzy of the Domain had not subsided, but he instantly converted it into the power to counterattack.
He sidestepped and spun, moving so quickly he was a blur, narrowly avoiding the red-glowing long sword.
The tip of the sword grazed his chest, leaving a streak of blood, but failed to pierce his heart.
At the same time, Rin's right fist gathered a tempestuous power.
Black lightning crackled on his fist, and thunder boomed inside the Arena, drowning out all other sounds.
Without the slightest pause, he used the momentum of his spin to smash his fist violently into the Matador's chest.
"Bang!"
Black Flash!
The muffled, tremendous impact shook the entire Arena slightly.
The savage force directly pierced the Cursed Spirit's chest. Black Cursed Energy mist surged from the wound like a fountain, mixing with dark red blood and splashing onto the stone slabs.
The Matador's eyes instantly widened, his face still etched with an expression of disbelief.
He lowered his head to look at the bloody hole in his chest, then looked up at Rin, a relieved smile slowly forming at the corner of his mouth. Even though it was interrupted by a sneak attack, the brilliance of this battle far exceeded his expectations.
"As expected... I wasn't wrong about you..."
His voice was so faint it was almost inaudible, and his body slowly began to turn transparent.
The long sword in his hand lost the support of Cursed Energy and clattered to the ground. The red light gradually faded, and the stored power of the accumulated wounds finally dissipated with his demise.
Rin withdrew his fist, and the black lightning slowly faded away.
He watched the Matador's body turn into countless black specks of light and completely vanish into the air. The frenzy on his face slowly receded, replaced by a complex emotion that included the joy of victory and respect for his opponent.
Just as Rin uttered, "Thank you," his consciousness suddenly blurred.
The Stadium, the bloody turf, and the exhausted Maki instantly vanished, replaced by a boundless expanse of pure white.
There was no sound, no light or shadow; even time seemed to have lost its trace of flow.
He looked down at his hands. The pain from the abdominal wound was gone, and the bloodstains on his body were nowhere to be seen, as if the fierce battle before had only been an illusion.
Just then, a familiar figure appeared not far away.
The Matador Cursed Spirit was wearing an immaculate golden formal suit; his bright red cloak was particularly conspicuous in the pure white space, and the long sword in his hand glowed softly, completely devoid of the previous distress and wounds.
He stood there, a calm smile on his face, his eyes devoid of killing intent, leaving only relief.
This is... his Consciousness Space?
Rin quickly realized that Cursed Energy is born from emotion. During their life-and-death duel just now, the collision of extreme fighting will and emotion had briefly established a Consciousness Link, forming this final space, much like a dying flashback.
"I apologize."
Rin was the first to speak, his tone tinged with guilt:
"I didn't expect my companion to intervene. This victory was indeed dishonorable."
He looked at the Matador, recalling Maki's sneak attack and how the Cursed Spirit had fought until the very end for honor, feeling an inescapable sense of discomfort.
If it hadn't been for Maki's intervention, he might have taken that final blow. Even if he had risked his life, the battle should have been given a more "honorable" conclusion.
The Matador, however, laughed heartily, his voice echoing in the pure white space, carrying complete ease:
"It doesn't matter. From the very beginning, I knew you were hiding a killing move that you hadn't used. I was never facing you in your full, peak state."
Rin's expression shifted. The Cursed Spirit had indeed noticed the Sharingan's Illusion Technique.
From beginning to end, he had kept a trump card, but due to the Domain's frenzy and his obsession with honor, he chose to clash head-on. This intention had been completely seen through by his opponent.
He offered no further explanation, just silently watched the Matador. An unspoken understanding permeated the air.
The Matador took two steps forward, straightened the lapel of his golden formal suit, and then solemnly performed a standard Matador Salute toward Rin. His movements were elegant, his eyes respectful, as if facing the most distinguished opponent.
"Thank you for the hospitality."
He straightened up, his smile full of contentment:
"To have met an opponent like you, and to have completed such a satisfying battle, I have no regrets left."
He paused, his gaze resting on Rin, offering a sincere blessing:
"I wish you great fortune in martial endeavors and hope you meet many more worthy opponents in the future."
As his voice faded, the pure white space began to ripple, and the Matador's figure gradually became transparent.
Rin watched him, opening his mouth but failing to speak. All the apology and respect seemed to find their best destination within this final blessing.
"Farewell, great warrior."
The Matador's voice slowly faded, and the pure white space completely collapsed.
Rin suddenly snapped back to reality, his consciousness returning to the Stadium.
The intense pain in his abdomen instantly struck him. The wound tore open again, and blood surged out, soaking his damaged clothes. He stumbled back a step but remained standing upright in the center of the battlefield.
The sunlight was dazzling. Maki's anxious shouts reached his ears, and the scattered corpses and bloodstains around them were clearly visible.
The pure white space just now felt like a brief, illusory dream.
Only then did he fully regain his rationality.
The scenes from before flashed through his mind.
The insane charge despite his injuries, the stubborn refusal to use Illusion Techniques, the failure to dodge the fatal blow... The frenzy he was swept up in due to the Domain's effect now made him feel a sense of dread upon reflection.
Just now, he had genuinely almost gambled his life away.
The scene of the Arena began to twist and shatter. The figures of the surrounding spectators vanished like foam, and the Domain completely collapsed with the death of the Cursed Spirit.
Sunlight once again bathed the Stadium. The bloody turf and scattered corpses were still visible, but the previous eerie atmosphere was gone.
Maki was leaning against the railing, her body swaying precariously, her face covered in exhaustion, yet bearing a slightly relieved smile.
She looked at Rin, her lips moving as if to speak, but she couldn't utter a sound due to exhaustion.
Inside the Divine Tree Space, Sukuna's angry shouts echoed:
"Damn it! It was destroyed by that brat! Rin, you coward! Don't you dare face the final blow head-on?!"
Rin ignored Sukuna's ranting. He looked at Maki, at the wounds covering her body, and at the worry and relief in her eyes, a faint curve slowly lifting the corner of his mouth.
This girl, who always stubbornly wanted to get close to him, had ultimately helped him in her own way.
"Thank you."
Rin's voice was hoarse, but it clearly reached Maki's ears.
Maki's eyes instantly reddened, and tears streamed down uncontrollably.
She knew what that single "Thank you" meant. She had finally stepped into his world, even if it was just a tiny step.
Finally, Maki's vision went black, and she fainted.