The tachi user declared coldy
"'Hei' Squad Member. Special Grade 1 Sorcerer. Zen'in Ogi."
"Please guide me!"
Special Grade 1 Sorcerer. This is a rank that stands above a Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer but is inferior to a Special Grade Sorcerer. The original work once clearly stated that so-called Special Grade Sorcerers are unique in the entire jujutsu world; only Grade 1 Sorcerers can be considered the pillars of the sorcerers. A Special Grade 1 Sorcerer is a rank above that, representing the "limit of mortals" in a true sense.
And now, the "limit of mortals" appeared before Mahito's eyes.
Mahito abruptly raised his blade, but before he could strike, Zen'in Ogi leaned back like a breeze; Kirigiri grazed Zen'in Ogi's sideburns, but failed to harm him in the slightest.
Mahito took a sudden step forward and switched his Cursed Technique—Tool Manipulation Technique!
Kirigiri let out a sharp, piercing cry, and a silver glow flashed between heaven and earth like a meteor streaking through the night.
Zen'in Ogi's expression was solemn. He stood rooted to the spot, his tachi moving like an antelope hanging its horns as it lightly struck Kirigiri's blade. In the next instant, the forceful glow that could have sliced his entire body diagonally passed by his side, leaving a distinct jagged gash in the Zen'in courtyard as a bright spark flew out in the rain.
Five consecutive strikes, five consecutive parries. Mahito and Zen'in Ogi crossed blades at point-blank range, sparks flying around them. They were like sword-fighting actors on a stage; though their blades were aimed directly at each other's vitals, they were parried at the critical moment with perfect synchronization.
Mahito's heterochromatic eyes grew brighter and brighter, shining like a demonic god in the night rain. Zen'in Ogi's tachi burst into flames, a flow of fire completely enveloping the blade. The flames evaporated the raindrops, and clouds of mist surrounded them both. Though they fought in a downpour, the temperature between them rose higher and higher until finally, waves of fire surged outward.
Cursed Technique Release: Blazing Flames!
Zen'in Ogi's Cursed Technique release is a release of flames; he can wrap his blade in fire to increase the power of his slashes and extend his attack range. He could have originally released the flames to burn Mahito to death directly, but he didn't dare. The fate of Zen'in Chojuro using a direct attack-type technique was clearly laid out before him; he feared that the moment he released the flames, they would reflect back onto himself.
But being unable to attack directly did not mean he couldn't enhance the power of his slashes.
Zen'in Ogi swung his tachi with all his might, the flames on the tip of the blade dancing like spirits. Mahito swung Kirigiri in wide and sweeping motions. Kirigiri was originally a long-bladed greatsword far beyond imagination, with an attack range comparable to a spear. Zen'in Ogi could initially advance into his tachi's range, but as time went on, his footsteps retreated step by step. He was being pushed back; Mahito's high-speed growth was overtaking his technique, forcing him to retreat and parry.
Mahito initially swung his blade with one hand, but later he used both. Several times, the tip of the blade pursued Zen'in Ogi's vitals. In the silver light and flames, their figures intertwined rapidly, their movements growing faster and faster. As a bolt of lightning flashed, only two intertwined lines of light remained in the rain—Mahito's Kirigiri and Zen'in Ogi's tachi.
After one final clash of blades, Mahito and Zen'in Ogi both retreated significantly, disengaging from the close-quarters combat.
Mahito said loudly, "Impressive! Zen'in Ogi, I'll admit it—your skill in close-quarters combat is superior to mine."
These words were sincere. Before this, he had never seen a swordsman as powerful as Zen'in Ogi. Kirigiri's attack range far exceeded the tachi in Zen'in Ogi's hand, and Kirigiri possessed the property of cutting through anything. Anyone looking at this gap would know Zen'in Ogi was at an overwhelming disadvantage, yet even now, Zen'in Ogi still maintained his composure.
This was the weight of a Special Grade 1 Sorcerer, and Mahito truly felt it.
Zen'in Ogi slowly sheathed his tachi, bending his waist, one hand gripping the scabbard and the other on the hilt. He lowered his head and closed his eyes, his bangs fluttering in the wind and rain as he assumed an iaijutsu stance.
A drop of blood suddenly dispersed, and a bloody slit appeared on Zen'in Ogi's cheek, quickly buried by the raindrops. Mahito's high-speed growth was genuinely threatening his life.
Too fast. Mahito's growth rate was too fast, Zen'in Ogi thought in shock.
Zen'in Ogi knew that he was actually the one who lost in the previous clash. It wasn't that the opponent's growth had already crushed him, but for a more practical reason—the opponent's physical attributes were too high.
Ultimately, technique exists to compensate for one's own strength, but the opponent's physical attributes had already far exceeded the point where they could be compensated for. He could often predict Mahito's movement trajectory and even the final landing point of Kirigiri's tip, but the result was that he was the first to be unable to hold on.
When Mahito's neural reflexes exceeded his own swing speed, how could he possibly fight him?
Mahito's physical attributes were already higher than his, and his growth rate far exceeded his imagination. If this continued, he would only be worn down.
He had to be faster, faster, faster!
With absolute speed, he would strike the decisive blow.
"You too," Zen'in Ogi said coldly with his eyes closed. "I didn't expect a mere Cursed Spirit to be able to master such exquisite swordsmanship. I thought that by simply sealing the tsukumogami in your hand, I could easily slay you. I didn't expect you to be able to fight me to this extent."
Mahito truly felt like he was fighting a boss. He recognized Zen'in Ogi; Zen'in Ogi had appeared in the original work, but the role he played was that of a genuine clown. Because of this, he had never taken Zen'in Ogi seriously.
His gaze was always on the head of the Zen'in family; he thought he wouldn't encounter any obstacles other than the head. It turned out that those treated as clowns in the original work were not necessarily clowns here. If one relies solely on impressions to face an enemy, they will eventually stumble.
Fortunately, it's not too late to realize it now.
Mahito watched Zen'in Ogi's movements. He keenly sensed that Zen'in Ogi's expanded Cursed Energy perception was slowly retracting, with a thin layer of Cursed Energy flowing on the surface of his body.
Mahito actually knew this move. It was a secret technique that only the Three Great Families of the jujutsu world were eligible to learn, called Falling Blossom Emotion. This was a technique to counter Domains, allowing the Cursed Energy wrapped around the body to counterattack anything it touched. Zen'in Ogi used this move for iaijutsu, making full preparations to deliver a strike with all his might.
This was the ultimate sen no sen; before any attack could land on him, it would be struck down by his slash. Whether it was Cursed Energy or a blade, as long as it was within this range, he was invincible.
Mahito instinctively realized that victory or defeat would be decided in the next clash. As for how to break this ultimate sen no sen, the original work already had a solution: brute-force it with even greater speed and strength.
Mahito breathed slowly, his Cursed Energy perception retracting with his breath. His Cursed Energy perception swept across all the terrain of the Zen'in estate in an instant and then retracted back around him. Mimicking Zen'in Ogi, he slowly lowered his body and placed Kirigiri at his waist.
He had long since thrown away the scabbard, yet at this moment, it was as if he had truly sheathed Kirigiri. He lowered his head and closed his demonic heterochromatic eyes. Everything in the world receded from him, leaving only Zen'in Ogi directly in front of him.
"You misunderstood one thing," Mahito suddenly said amidst his breathing. "I never learned swordsmanship. The reason you think my swordsmanship is exquisite is... because I just learned it from the Kukuru squad and you."
Zen'in Ogi's heart skipped a beat, and in that instant, his mind wavered.
At that very moment, Mahito struck.
Mahito moved silently with his lips pressed tight, but the Kirigiri in his hand let out a crisp ringing sound. Kirigiri burst into an arched blade light as it swung, and Mahito and Kirigiri entered the range of Zen'in Ogi's Falling Blossom Emotion.
If this were a sword match without any Cursed Energy, Zen'in Ogi would have already lost.
But at this moment, the surroundings were filled with Cursed Energy.
When Mahito moved, Zen'in Ogi moved simultaneously.
Zen'in Ogi himself hadn't even reacted, but the Cursed Energy deployed around him did; his automatic counterattack technique forced his hand to move.
—Secret Art of the Three Great Families: Falling Blossom Emotion!
Both sides stepped off the ground simultaneously.
Iaijutsu! Slash!
When both sides move at the same time, the test is who moves faster.
Iaijutsu slash is a swordsmanship with no retreat; it has no follow-up moves or defense. When released, it only goes forward.
Just as Mahito said, this single strike would decide life and death.
And the faster side was, naturally—Mahito.
I won—!
Mahito roared in his heart.
"Cursed Spirit, where do you think you are? You've been tricked!" someone suddenly shouted.
Both blades had already been swung, but suddenly one side was frozen.
Mahito was frozen in the middle of his critical swing.
He had clearly swung his hand, but it was as if it were wrapped in countless threads, and his blood felt as if it had been infused with mercury. His body was motionless, like a statue at this moment.
—Divine Might!
This was a Cursed Technique composed of sight. Any target stared at by this gaze would fall into a fixed state, unable to move, as if suppressed by the pressure of a great being—a truly deserved name of Divine Might.
Though simple and straightforward, it was very practical. Just by staring at the enemy with one's eyes, a period of stiffness would be produced depending on the enemy's strength. Even an enemy with monstrous strength would be frozen for at least an instant.
"In this moment where both are using iaijutsu, just this single instant can decide life and death. Don't blame me for being despicable, King of Curses," Zen'in Ogi sighed softly.
Zen'in Ogi and Mahito brushed past each other.
A flow of fire streaked by, and a crack silently appeared on Mahito's neck, suddenly widening and finally spraying blood like a fountain.
Mahito's neck was cut halfway through—an undoubtedly fatal wound.
"Well done, Ranta," someone praised loudly.
Zen'in Ranta confirmed that half of Mahito's neck had indeed been cut off before closing his eyes to cancel the technique, unable to help but grin.
"No, I didn't do anything, it was Lord Naoya—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Zen'in Ogi's head fell silently.
Mahito, whose neck was half-cut, swung the remainder of his iaijutsu slash.
Kirigiri accurately severed Zen'in Ogi's neck.
Zen'in Ogi's body remained standing as his head slowly slid off. The cross-section of his neck was as smooth as a mirror, remaining calm and flat for half a second before a massive mist of blood finally sprayed out.
The rain hammered down as Zen'in Ogi's head hit the ground.
To the end, his eyes remained closed, as if savoring the insights from the iaijutsu duel just now.
Zen'in Ogi was dead.
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