Boom!
Shards of glass scattered across the ground.
With a sudden burst of force from Naobito's punch, Uraume was sent flying.
"You've got some nerve… targeting the Fushiguro family."
He lightly stroked his beard as he spoke, a faint trace of lingering fear and relief hidden in his tone.
Back in Kyoto, when he learned that Mukuro had been sealed, Naobito had originally planned to head over and help. But then he remembered the agreement he had made with Toji.
If both brothers were ever unable to look after the Fushiguro household, Onshin had to be protected immediately.
This was something he had volunteered for himself, a form of atonement for the foolish actions of the Zenin clan in the past.
So when Naobito received news that Toji was heading to Tokyo, he didn't even have time to explain things to Mei Mei and the others before rushing off.
If they failed to retrieve the Prison Realm or deal with the curses and curse users in time, Kyoto might fall into chaos, and many could die.
But if something happened to the Fushiguro household… then it wouldn't just be Kyoto in turmoil.
Even though he believed Mukuro likely had backup plans like during the Zenin massacre years ago, a backup was still just a backup. If anything happened to them now, even if Mukuro chose not to settle accounts, Naobito himself wouldn't be able to face the brothers.
"Who was that?!"
The curse users under Uraume's command were all shocked. Their leader had just been sent flying, and none of them had even seen it happen.
The old man in front of them, casually stroking his beard, was unbelievably fast.
"He's… the head of the Zenin clan?!"
Someone recognized him.
Naobito Zenin, one of the strongest grade 1 sorcerers in the current jujutsu world. When special grades weren't present, he stood at the very top.
At this moment, some of the curse users began to hesitate.
They were nothing more than small-time figures in the curse user world. They had only come because they heard there was a chance to trouble a special grade sorcerer. It didn't matter that it was taking advantage of the situation. If they could capture someone, they would gain fame.
And according to the plan, as long as they didn't harm anyone from the Fushiguro family, having hostages meant even special grades and Toji Fushiguro wouldn't dare act recklessly.
But now, there was a real monster standing in their way.
"Since you've recognized me, just surrender."
From Naobito's perspective, these people were barely worth noticing. He didn't even feel like making a move.
"Old man, aren't you being a bit too arrogant?"
A voice came from behind the group.
Uraume, who had just been sent flying, walked forward again as if nothing had happened, pushing past the others. That neutral voice now carried clear anger.
That earlier attack had been more humiliating than harmful. She had followed Sukuna since a thousand years ago. Her strength was among the very top below special grade. And yet, she had been sent flying by a mere human without even reacting.
It was a complete disgrace.
Thankfully, this wasn't Tokyo. That person hadn't seen her embarrassment.
"All of you, attack."
Uraume didn't move herself. Instead, she gave the order.
Her goal here was simple: capture the two women of the Fushiguro family, and use them as leverage against the two brothers.
Although she wanted to kill that old man right away, just from the speed of that earlier strike, Uraume knew he wasn't someone she could deal with casually.
'Let them hold him off… I'll find a chance to get inside.'
"Damn it…"
The curse users were now stuck in a dilemma.
Advance, and they faced a powerful grade 1 sorcerer. Retreat, and the one behind them was no better.
"Attack!"
One of them finally gritted his teeth and raised his hand.
His ability allowed him to disguise his presence as a curse. With his strength as a grade 2 sorcerer, it was enough to control a group of low-level curses. Those grade 2 and grade 3 curses had all been brought by him. Weak, yes, but they were meant to be disposable.
At his command, the curses surged forward as if they had received orders, rushing straight toward Naobito.
"Missile Fists!"
Suddenly, dozens of fists rained down from the sky, slamming into the ground in front of him.
In an instant, the low-level curses were wiped out, leaving behind only piles of rotting flesh and blood scattered everywhere.
"There's another strong one?!"
The curse users looked toward the source of that cursed energy.
A man with an X-shaped scar on his forehead stood there with his arms crossed, staring at them.
Jinichi Zenin. A member of the Zenin clan's combat unit Hei and leader of the Kukuru Unit.
"Later, remember to have someone fill the ground. If Onshin and the others trip, you'll be the one getting beaten again."
Just as Jinichi stood there coldly admiring his work, Naobito took a sip of alcohol and casually reminded him.
"Shut up."
Jinichi's eye twitched.
Honestly, he didn't want to come. But the thought that his head might end up hanging on the Fushiguro household gate forced him here.
The tragedy of the Zenin clan over a decade ago was still fresh in his memory. Every time he thought about it, the scar on his forehead would ache faintly.
Did he hate those two "brothers" of his?
He couldn't say.
Raised in the Zenin clan, he had always looked down on those without cursed energy. But fear… fear of death and of true strength… made him unable to resist them at all.
To him, hatred required the power to act on it.
And he didn't have that.
He was alive only because of that woman's mercy. How could he even speak of hatred?
"I don't have time to waste on you."
Uraume's impatient voice came from behind.
The curse users, who had been shaken, clenched their teeth and charged forward again.
"There's only two of them!"
Some of them shouted, trying to encourage themselves.
A portion rushed straight at Naobito and Jinichi, hoping to overwhelm them with numbers. Others tried to circle around from the sides.
They all understood one thing. As long as they captured someone, the situation would flip instantly.
And the two women of the Fushiguro household were just ordinary people. If they could get inside, they had a chance.
Yet, Naobito and Jinichi didn't move to stop them.
"If I let you take even one step into the Fushiguro household, where would I put my pride? I'm not about to get laughed at by that failure. Trash should just die already."
From within the Fushiguro residence, a young figure walked out calmly, his face filled with mockery.
The next moment, the few curse users who were about to reach the gate were blasted to the ground.
It was the genius of the Zenin clan, Naoya Zenin.
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