Moreover, even if he could actually make contact, Idle Transfiguration would be completely unnecessary; a single punch would kill the person outright, rendering Idle Transfiguration useless. Idle Transfiguration was by no means an invincible ability, and Mahito truly understood this point during this battle.
Thus, Mahito continued, "I hope to receive guidance from a master of the New Shadow Style. Of course, I will pay the price. I wonder if the people of the 'New Shadow Style' are interested in immortality? I can exchange 'immortality' for the 'kyoden' of the New Shadow Style."
In swordsmanship, "kyoden" refers to a certificate proving that a student has mastered all the techniques of that school and passed tests in all aspects.
The next level is "menkyo kaiden," but "menkyo kaiden" is not just about learning; it is a qualification certificate. Mahito had no interest in the license; what he wanted to learn were all the techniques of the New Shadow Style, and "kyoden" was enough.
Incidentally, although the New Shadow Style uses swords as its medium, it is actually a combination of swordsmanship and Cursed Techniques. Any sorcerer can learn it; it is a universal Cursed Technique. In the original work, Tsukumo Yuki, Todo Aoi, and Miwa Kasumi were not sword users, yet they still mastered the Simple Domain of the New Shadow Style. Even if one does not use a sword, learning the New Shadow Style has no drawbacks.
Kenjaku asked curiously, "You already possess Tsukumogami Manipulation. As long as you continue to train in Tsukumogami Manipulation, you can still stand at the pinnacle of close-quarters combat without learning these techniques. What is driving you to decide to cultivate these techniques?"
"I have a premonition… my growth is about to hit a bottleneck," Mahito said. "If there were still time, I would, of course, prefer to continue researching Idle Transfiguration. For other things, understanding them as knowledge reserves would suffice. That might be the normal path of my growth."
At this point, Mahito said self-deprecatingly, "Unfortunately, the world won't give me enough time… and neither will you, right?"
Kenjaku avoided Mahito's direct gaze and shrugged his shoulders. "Well, it just so happens I know the founder of the New Shadow Style. It will take some time to find him, but I can guarantee it within a week. I can't guarantee your request will be fully realized because that guy also has a strange temper. However, I can introduce him to you, provided you guarantee the safety of both parties."
Mahito remembered; it seemed there was indeed such a scene before the original work concluded. The head of the New Shadow Style sustained himself by absorbing the lifespan of his disciples, waiting for the moment when the New Shadow Style would reign supreme.
Mahito sighed sincerely. "I thought my 'immortality' was precious, but if you really go looking, it seems immortality has never been severed in the jujutsu world. Tengen, you, the founder of the New Shadow Style… I really don't know if there are others. If there were, I wouldn't be surprised either."
Kenjaku could not agree with this point. He said seriously, "Mahito, don't belittle yourself. The jujutsu world indeed has various forms of immortality. Whether it's me, Tengen, or the founder of the New Shadow Style, our immortality is all about extending life as long as certain conditions are met.
"But each and every one of our forms of immortality comes with enormous restrictions and costs, without exception.
"Yet your 'immortality' is the genuine 'as long as heaven and earth endure' kind. As long as the Cursed Energy of this world continues to cycle, your 'immortality' can persist indefinitely.
"This is the most flawless immortality since the birth of the jujutsu world. Any Jujutsu Sorcerer who pursues this path cannot help but be interested in your immortality."
"Hearing you say that puts me at ease," Mahito said. "Then I'll leave it to you, Teacher Kenjaku."
"The more you grow, the more reassured I am, because it means you will become a trump card to kill Gojo Satoru," Kenjaku smiled. "I will do my utmost to run around for you, all for the sake of overturning the modern jujutsu world and fulfilling our long-cherished wish."
The focus is on your long-cherished wish, right?
Mahito once again confirmed that he must never let his guard down against Kenjaku, this thousand-year-old Curse User. The moment the contract is fulfilled will likely be the moment of their split.
Mahito also revealed a smile. "Then I'll leave everything to Teacher Kenjaku."
"Leave it to me, Mahito."
Kenjaku opened the door, and Mahito walked in.
But Kenjaku did not leave immediately. He glanced at the bald man lying on the ground and smiled.
"Hmm… I remember you're also a barrier master, right? Perhaps you still have some use. I can't let you die here." He finished speaking, opened another spatial gate, and threw the bald man inside.
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