The next day.
Jogo strode forward with large steps, followed by Hanami and Dagon. He was furious, but he suppressed all his anger within himself.
Previously, he had not been by Mahito's side because Mahito had assigned him, Hanami, and Dagon other tasks. He had thought that even if he wasn't there, Mahito still had Kenjaku and Kinji Hakari, so nothing could go wrong. But he hadn't expected that after being away for just one day, Mahito had arranged another battle!
And the opponent was even a Special Grade Jujutsu Sorcerer!
Kinji Hakari, with his Infinite Cursed Energy, wasn't even officially recognized as a Special Grade Jujutsu Sorcerer yet. Jogo couldn't imagine how strong a true Special Grade Jujutsu Sorcerer was. In any case, in his view, Mahito's current level should not be challenging such an opponent. It was far too dangerous.
No matter what, he had to stop Mahito. This was Jogo's firm resolve.
"Mah—" Jogo was about to shout when a hand suddenly covered his mouth. It was Hanami.
Hanami stepped forward and covered Jogo's mouth, silencing him immediately. Because at this moment, anyone could see that Mahito was at a critical stage. Including the three Cursed Spirits, everyone stood still with serious expressions.
Mahito lowered his head, eyes closed, with a bamboo sword hanging at his waist. His hand rested lightly on it in an iaijutsu stance. The Cursed Energy around him did not erupt outward, but burned quietly, like a calm lake that only rippled when the wind passed over it.
Opposite him stood an old man.
Ashiya Magon stood across from Mahito in the same iaijutsu stance. But unlike Mahito, the Cursed Energy around him was almost imperceptible. The energy that would normally overflow was compressed into a perfectly fitted "garment," with almost no visible fluctuations. When the wind blew, only the hem of his clothes fluttered, while his Cursed Energy remained as still as a mountain.
A leaf drifted past—and suddenly split in two.
At the same moment, Mahito and the old man drew their bamboo swords simultaneously. The rushing wind was split apart, and both of their Cursed Energy erupted instantly, like a raging dragon roaring toward the heavens! A massive surge of energy burst outward from the tips of their blades.
The wind howled violently, forcing everyone to shut their eyes as the overwhelming Cursed Energy spread outward with it! But it lasted only an instant.
In the next moment, the sound of bamboo swords clashing rang out.
Supersonic iaijutsu! In that instant, their draw speed exceeded the speed of sound, yet all the power was released in that single moment. That instant contained everything. The bamboo swords should have shattered under such speed, but the Cursed Energy wrapped around them protected them. This required extreme control, as the energy followed the strike forward.
But it wasn't over.
The bamboo swords continued to collide as both stepped forward simultaneously. They searched for openings as their blades crossed, their strength igniting into flames alongside their Cursed Energy.
Mahito was on the offensive. Each swing of his bamboo sword carried immense pressure, spreading outward like a tsunami. Even from a distance, one could sense his overwhelming strength. Yet this power was not wasted—it was concentrated entirely on the blade.
The old man was on the defensive. His bamboo sword showed no outward force because all of his Cursed Energy was perfectly absorbed into it. He did not meet Mahito's attacks head-on, but instead moved fluidly around him. Each movement lasted only an instant, and in the next moment, he would reappear like a ghost.
After dozens of exchanges, both sides suddenly retreated simultaneously.
Mahito smiled. "Thank you for the match, Teacher Ashiya."
Ashiya tried to maintain a stern expression, but upon hearing this, he couldn't help showing a trace of irritation.
"The amount of Cursed Energy truly forms a natural barrier for Jujutsu Sorcerers. My control is clearly superior to yours, yet it was my bamboo sword that failed first. This was only a clash of bamboo swords—if it had been a real duel, I would not have been able to fight you at all. At the moment of contact, both my sword and my body would have been cut in two!"
Kinji Hakari, watching from the side, was puzzled. "The winner's already decided? Didn't Senior Ashiya defend quite well?"
Kenjaku pointed with a smile at the bamboo sword in Ashiya Magon's hand. "Look."
Hakari looked closely and noticed splinter-like fibers protruding from the bamboo sword.
He suddenly understood. "Both used the same quality bamboo sword, but the old man's is already damaged. It's only been a few dozen seconds. If this continued, his sword would shatter completely. This isn't about quality—it's about the distribution of power in offense and defense. His Cursed Energy couldn't keep up."
(T/N: Jujutsu is very unfair, talent really is almost everything. The only power systems that are actually fair in anime are One Piece's Haki and HunterxHunter's nen.)
Ashiya Magon looked somewhat anxious. "I still have many things to teach you, but I can no longer teach them in the most direct way. My body can't keep up with my own knowledge! Mahito, you are too talented—so talented that I can't even fully pass on my techniques."
"No, Teacher Ashiya has already taught me a great deal," Mahito sheathed his bamboo sword and said sincerely. "Sarutobi, Monkey Return, San'in, Getsuei, Ukifune—I've seen them all."
"Seeing them is not enough—you must experience them personally!" Ashiya Magon said helplessly. "I… have once again felt the despair of facing Ryomen Sukuna a thousand years ago. I even doubt whether what I've taught you can truly help."
"If Teacher Ashiya wishes, I can restore you to your youth," Mahito said.
Mahito was not lying. He was no longer the same as when he first transmigrated. Through experiments on Sorcerers, his understanding of the human body had become increasingly refined. He had examined enough bodies that he could even use his abilities to create a perfectly compatible incarnation for himself. Now, with a simple touch, he could restore a human body to its youthful state.
The deeper he explored the potential of Idle Transfiguration, the more Mahito felt that his original self had taken the wrong path.
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