When it comes to close-quarters combat, Suguru is undoubtedly a true genius.
After acquiring Playful Cloud, he sought out his former combat and sanda coaches to learn how to use a three-section staff, but he could not find a suitable teacher.
After all, the three-section staff is a niche weapon, and it is far too easy to hit yourself while practicing.
That pain is very real.
Why does Eichi know?
Because when Suguru came to Eichi for treatment after injuries from Playful Cloud, Eichi tried a few swings himself.
Even so, Suguru still managed to grasp some of the dao.
Relying only on basic moves taught by a martial arts coach and a few scenes from movies, he achieved minor accomplishment with the three-section staff.
He believes that with a few more years of practice, he will reach major accomplishment.
Clink, clink, bang.
Another strike landed on Kuchisake-onna. Suguru's left hand gripped one end of the staff, his right hand held the middle section, and he used both hands to vigorously whip the upper section.
The continuous staff shadows and unpredictable lines made it impossible for her to parry.
He slid his right hand forward to grip the front short section.
Suguru continuously thrust the upper and lower short sections like short spears.
The short staff strikes landed over and over, forcing cries from Kuchisake-onna.
The sustained attacks made Suguru's arms ache. He stepped forward with his right foot, driving power from his legs to his waist, then to his right hand, and thrust with full force.
Kuchisake-onna was sent flying again by the immense power of Playful Cloud.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
A dozen scissors flew out from around her.
Suguru grabbed the middle short staff with both hands and spun it vigorously.
The chain pulled the upper and lower sections into a whirling fan that deflected all the scissors.
"Ah ah ah! Die!"
Kuchisake-onna roared, and a giant pair of scissors, tens of meters long, descended from the sky.
The blades opened, then snapped shut, aiming to cut Suguru in half.
"Good timing."
Suguru showed no fear, even laughing.
Gripping one short staff in his right hand, he swung Playful Cloud with all his might.
Crack.
Metal split. The two blades of the scissors shattered under Playful Cloud.
The giant scissors crashed to the ground, raising a cloud of dust.
Suguru shot out of the dust and attacked again.
Kuchisake-onna plunged her scissors into the ground, and then more scissors emerged one after another.
Sharp blades surrounded her like a forest.
"Oh? I see, a forest of scissors. Indeed, long weapons like spears and three-section staffs are difficult to wield in complex terrain such as a forest."
Suguru expressed his admiration for her choice.
"But these things are useless against Playful Cloud."
He swung upward.
His right hand, gripping the end, smashed Playful Cloud down fiercely.
Bang.
The impact opened a deep pit in the ground.
Playful Cloud's momentum did not slow, carving a wound through earth in the direction of his swing.
Countless shattered stones blasted toward Kuchisake-onna like cannonballs.
She waved her hands, and a dense wall of scissors rose to block the flying stones.
Suguru did not pause to check the result. The instant the stones were launched, he followed in behind them.
Facing the wall of scissors, he swung Playful Cloud with full force again.
Crack.
The wall collapsed.
Reflected in the shards were Kuchisake-onna's terrified face and Suguru's grin.
Boom.
Playful Cloud smashed down, and she no longer had the strength to dodge.
"Is this the end?"
Lying on the ground, utterly drained, she stared in fear at the man who had not yet had his fill.
"Well, that works too. It has been a long time since I had such a satisfying fight."
Suguru gently flicked Playful Cloud.
The three sections folded instantly and rested in his left hand.
His fingers were long, allowing him to hold the folded staff perfectly.
He raised his right hand, and a black vortex appeared. Without resistance, Kuchisake-onna was transformed into a Cursed Spirit Orb.
Eichi even caught a hint of relief in her eyes.
Suguru tilted his head back and swallowed the Cursed Spirit Orb, then covered his mouth tightly with his right hand.
Soon, she was completely digested and absorbed, becoming a Cursed Spirit under his command.
After everything ended, Suguru returned to the convoy.
Waiting there were Qiongqi, the Black Divine Dog, a Special Grade Cursed Spirit, Eichi looking up at the sky, research assistants with envious, adoring eyes, and several old professors deep in discussion.
"It's over. What do we do next?"
Smiling and nodding at the assistants gawking at him, Suguru turned to ask Eichi about the next steps.
"First, go find the Assistant Supervisor to collect the commission, then find that car."
Eichi pointed to a black sedan at the back of the convoy.
"The driver will take you to the food street near your home. Go home after dinner."
"What about you?"
Suguru nodded in understanding.
"I will send these people back first, then have a late-night snack at the institute before going home."
The two had been busy since noon and had not eaten yet.
"I understand. See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow."
They waved.
Soon, the small convoy began its trip back to the institute.
Eichi looked out the window, bored, his thoughts drifting.
Suguru should be nearing his peak now, right?
According to information revealed from various angles in the plot, during the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons he released over six thousand Cursed Spirits.
On the two battlefields, each had a Special Grade Cursed Spirit as the leader and more than ten Grade 1 Cursed Spirits as the main force.
Heading to Tokyo Jujutsu High, he brought a Special Grade imaginary vengeful spirit, the Incarnation of Tamamo-no-Mae, and the remaining four thousand plus Cursed Spirits.
Finally, while clashing with Yuta, he even used Uzumaki to fuse 4461 Cursed Spirits in one go.
This means that at his peak, Suguru had at least three or more Special Grade Cursed Spirits and dozens of Grade 1 Cursed Spirits, right?
Even thinking about it is terrifying.
However, considering the Jujutsu World's lineup, that power still might not be enough.
Todo Aoi alone could take down five Grade 1 Cursed Spirits and one Special Grade.
There is Mei Mei, who can exorcise Special Grades, Kusakabe, suspected to be stronger than Mei Mei, and other excellent Grade 1 and Grade 2 sorcerers like Nanami.
Thinking this way, two Special Grades and twenty to thirty Grade 1s are really not enough.
Right now, Suguru has three high-end combatants, the Special Grade Cursed Spirit, Rainbow Dragon, and Kuchisake-onna.
His number of Grade 1 Cursed Spirits has surpassed ten, and his total Cursed Spirits exceed one thousand.
He can already launch a small-scale Night Parade of a Hundred Demons.
However, I am not weak either, the semi-Special Grade Black Divine Dog, the Special Grade Qiongqi, the Grade 1 White Divine Dog, multiple Grade 1 Shadow Servants, and a second Special Grade Chimera that is about to succeed.
"Tsk, but on paper, my strength seems a bit weaker. No, the subjugation of Mahoraga must be put on the agenda."
Last time, with Toji's help, Eichi successfully probed Mahoraga's strength, and since then he has been planning how to subjugate it.
Eichi believes it will not be long before this strongest Shikigami completely becomes his power.
(To be continued.)