"If you can hold out for two minutes, we can play again next time. If not... I'll deliver your head to Gojo Satoshi."
Jogo's lips curled up slightly.
Suddenly, a dense fog engulfed the area. The black-haired youth's figure gradually vanished within the mist.
Jogo blinked, slightly stunned. "Is this... a Domain?"
But after just a brief moment, he dismissed the idea.
If this were a Domain Expansion, it would have already been corroded by his own cursed flames. Plus, he didn't feel the forced suppression or complete control that comes with being caught inside one.
This was likely a Cursed Object with domain-like functionality.
Weaker than a full Domain Expansion, even inferior to a Simple Domain.
Still, under these conditions, the opponent clearly held the upper hand.
Realizing escape was impossible, Jogo quickly analyzed the opponent's Cursed Technique.
Understanding the technique's structure and operating style would make combat significantly more efficient.
Since the other side had obviously used black market informants to lure him here, they wouldn't let him go easily.
Jogo was prepared to fight to the death. He immediately drew out a large portion of his Cursed Energy, sending flames roaring skyward.
Fire would clear the fog.
He also didn't have time to waste. Black market duels had to be resolved within three minutes.
That was the Ghost Judge's rule.
The moment he activated his flames, red clouds ignited and bloomed beneath the underground ceiling, lighting up the sky in a sea of fire.
Vendors in the distance looked up. Their expressions immediately changed.
While it was a rule that battles must not harm bystanders, no one who strictly followed the rules lasted long in the black market.
Because accidents were never more than a moment away.
Feeling the sudden spike in temperature, the vendors quickly stepped back and ran without hesitation.
The farther away, the better.
Anyone who survived in the black market had long grown used to these situations.
But the scale of this conflict far surpassed what they could handle.
No one stuck around to watch.
Only a fool would.
Only someone of the Ghost Judge's level could intervene in a clash of this intensity.
The rest could only stay clear.
...
Atop a tall tower overlooking the black market, the Ghost Judge narrowed his eyes as he watched the fight below. Several other administrators stood behind him.
"Boss, the Curse User and Cursed Spirit are already fighting. At this level… should we activate the shelters?"
From their high vantage point, they could tell at a glance that this was a battle between at least Grade 1 sorcerers—possibly even Special Grade.
To minimize losses, it might be best to evacuate people as soon as possible.
"No need," the Ghost Judge said with a smile, shaking his head. "If it gets out of hand, I'll step in."
"Besides… I rather like that Cursed Spirit."
...
Deep within the black market.
The thick white fog gradually dispersed. The figure of the black-haired young man emerged once more.
"Fire-type Cursed Energy? How interesting." Choso looked up at Jogo, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips.
"The Kamo clan's Nine Phases Diagram isn't bad either," Jogo replied calmly, his pressure unshaken.
"I hear Gojo Satoshi's been tracking our movements?" Choso said, keeping one hand in his pocket and manipulating blood with the other.
Jogo smirked. "He doesn't like rats, after all."
"Gojo Satoshi should stay out of things that don't concern him. We are the current of time—the future of the jujutsu world. He can't stop us." Choso's voice was cold, emotionless.
Jogo brushed aside the flames in front of him and replied helplessly, "Really? That's a shame. The boss and Toji are both notoriously stubborn."
"In that case, I'll show him the price of interference." Choso exhaled softly. "Blood Manipulation: Wing King."
The moment he said it—
The back of his black shirt suddenly split open, and a pair of blood-red wings stretched out from within.
In just half a breath, his figure launched forward like a feathered arrow.
Before Jogo could even react, a powerful force surged toward him, carried by Choso's momentum.
What terrifying speed.
His scalp tingled. It had been a long time since a battle made his instincts scream like this. The last time he felt such danger was when sparring with Satoshi. That pressure had been even greater than now—but this wasn't far off.
It's coming.
Driven by instinct, he launched flames toward his rear.
"Good reaction." Choso sidestepped with ease.
With the boost from Wing King, Choso's movements far exceeded Jogo's expectations. All Jogo could see was a blur—he couldn't even properly track the movement.
His scalp tingled.
In the brief moment Choso dodged, the blood in his hand had already transformed into a rapidly spinning blade.
He had heard of this technique.
Blood Blade.
If struck by that, the high-speed spinning blood would instantly tear apart your internal organs.
It was a killing move.
Sure enough, Choso now wore the expression of an executioner, his cold face exuding unmatched dominance.
He looked like he was about to cut through everything.
Jogo didn't dare be careless.
He immediately raised both arms outward.
In an instant, raging flames formed a massive ring of fire, expanding outward in a 360-degree spread.
Choso paused slightly.
There was nowhere to dodge.
Or perhaps—he hadn't intended to.
"Interesting." Choso smiled faintly.
His body might not withstand the flames.
But the blood blade in his hand, formed from dense Cursed Energy, could.
With that in mind, Choso took a firm stance and stared down the oncoming flames.
As the fire ring closed in—
The blade in his hand swept out a half-moon arc and abruptly stabilized in mid-air.
The roaring flames surged toward him, but his blood blade did not waver.
Instead, with a subtle flick of the wrist, he made a precise, rapid strike, slashing directly into the approaching fire ring.
He didn't hesitate.
At the most critical moment, he faced the fire head-on.
In the blink of an eye—
Boom!
Two waves of Cursed Energy collided, erupting in a fierce clash!
Choso's pupils contracted. The moment the blade met the fire, it felt like striking solid steel.
So dense.
Jogo's Cursed Energy was stronger than expected… but still within range.
The next second, Choso's eyes burned with intensity.
He raised his blood blade once again and charged straight into the fire ring.
(To be continued.)
***
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