'Just as that guy Mukuro said, I really do have an advantage when it comes to the functionality of techniques and domains.'
During the brief period when Simple Domain was able to counter the guaranteed-hit effect of Malevolent Shrine, the Reverse Cursed Technique within Satoru's body was operating at full speed.
Earlier, when he sensed Sukuna's intention, he had wanted to abandon the guaranteed-hit effect immediately to strengthen the outer shell of his domain. However, even the slightest difference in timing meant that he might not be able to accomplish both effects at once.
Satoru had already been on guard against this, which was why he was able to activate Reverse Cursed Technique and Simple Domain the moment his domain shattered after his attempt to reinforce it failed.
At the same time, he remembered what Mukuro had told him.
'As long as you can make Unlimited Void hit Sukuna for just a little longer, you'll win.'
Even though he had gained nothing from the first Domain clash, Satoru was now certain about how he would fight the next round.
* * *
"Is that Simple Domain and... Reverse Cursed Technique?!"
Inside the viewing room, Kusakabe was once again shocked. "No, wait. Why can Gojo still operate his normal cursed energy so smoothly while using Reverse Cursed Technique?"
Simple Domain was already not an easy technique to use, while Reverse Cursed Technique required even more precise control. Using both simultaneously was something Kusakabe had never even heard of.
"As expected of Gojo-sensei!"
Yuji, who had almost rushed over to help earlier, raised his arm excitedly after seeing the scene. Breaking the limits of what ordinary people considered possible was exactly what Satoru Gojo did.
"Yuji, this alone isn't enough."
Choso didn't want to pour cold water on his younger brother's excitement, but as his big brother, he felt that he had to tell him the truth. "As our most talented younger brother, you awakened your Domain before any of your brothers did, so you should understand this better than anyone."
He paused before stating something that all the teachers at Jujutsu High knew very well.
"Simple Domain isn't enough against a true Domain."
* * *
As if to prove that point, the circle of light beneath Satoru's feet was rapidly breaking apart.
But the moment Simple Domain completely disappeared, Satoru immediately took up his stance again. While using Reverse Cursed Technique to withstand the endless slashes, he constructed another Simple Domain and connected it to the previous one.
Sukuna's face was filled with displeasure. He seemed to have grown tired of this monotonous resistance as he stared ahead.
"How boring, Satoru Gojo."
Simple Domain was nothing more than a domain for the weak. Using such a method to resist Malevolent Shrine could only buy time. There was no chance of victory.
"Boring? I wouldn't say that."
Unlike before, the bloody scars covering Satoru's body were not being healed by Reverse Cursed Technique as he responded to Sukuna with a provocative grin.
"Looks like you still haven't lost enough scales. How about I smash that mouth of yours first?"
Sukuna scoffed before stepping forward and charging straight into Simple Domain.
The two began fighting at close range once again. Meanwhile, the Simple Domain beneath Satoru's feet was disappearing even faster than before.
* * *
"What do we do? If this keeps going, Gojo-sensei..."
Inside the viewing room, everyone was even more nervous than the two people actually fighting because of the overwhelming difference in strength.
"As soon as Gojo-sensei's technique burnout period ends, he should be able to use the Limitless to teleport away at high speed and escape Sukuna's Domain range. But the problem is how long that will take..."
Hakari gave his opinion, but his forehead was covered in cold sweat.
If it were Hakari, his technique burnout period would roughly correspond to the period when he had an unlimited supply of cursed energy. That was about four minutes and eleven seconds.
As one of the strongest jujutsu sorcerers of the modern era, Satoru would definitely recover faster than him. However, in a battle like this, every minute and even every second could determine victory or defeat.
"But why haven't Gojo-san's injuries been healed? Could it be because he's running out of cursed energy...?"
Ino noticed the strange atmosphere and voiced his doubts to Nanami. If Satoru was suffering from excessive cursed energy consumption, then even after his technique burnout period ended, he might no longer be able to defeat Sukuna.
After all, Sukuna could still use Domain Amplification, and his total amount of cursed energy was far greater than Satoru's.
The viewing room fell silent for a moment.
Defeat.
That word began to linger in everyone's minds.
"With the Six Eyes, Gojo's cursed energy consumption is so low that it's almost negligible. Just based on that alone, there's no way he could have depleted his cursed energy this quickly."
Shoko was still the one who broke the silence.
"So Gojo-sensei didn't stop using Reverse Cursed Technique because of his cursed energy consumption..."
Everyone had just breathed a sigh of relief when a new question immediately appeared.
No matter how they looked at it, being injured could not possibly be better than being in perfect condition.
'You didn't tell the students beforehand because you were worried they might try it themselves out of curiosity or for some other reason... ' Shoko thought to herself as she watched the juniors continue to speculate.
Because she knew what Satoru was trying to do.
* * *
At this moment, Satoru and Sukuna's figures continued to cross each other on the battlefield.
Perhaps because he was no longer using Reverse Cursed Technique to heal his injuries, Satoru could still make large movements, but his close-combat ability had dropped to a certain degree.
Others might not notice it, but there was no way Sukuna could fail to sense it.
'What is he trying to do?'
As someone who stood at the very peak of strength himself, Sukuna could naturally tell that Satoru was still far from his limit.
'Whatever. It doesn't matter what he wants to do. As long as I kill him during this technique burnout period, that's enough.'
That was what he thought, but he suddenly noticed something.
Wait. The technique... burnout period?
Could it be that Satoru had stopped using Reverse Cursed Technique on his external injuries because he was...
An extremely bold and dangerous idea flashed through Sukuna's mind. It was a thought that had never even occurred to him before.
'Is this actually possible...?'
The idea was so absurd that Sukuna instinctively wanted to reject it. Yet, the moment his eyes met Satoru's, that thought was unconsciously reinforced.
Because Satoru was wearing the smile of someone whose scheme had succeeded.
"You figured it out!"
Although Sukuna's shock lasted only an instant, Satoru burst into laughter. Then, at such close range, his speed suddenly surged as his entire body spread out into a large X-shape.
'This is... Cursed Technique Reversal?!'
The sudden increase in speed forced Sukuna to believe his own guess.
Next, under Sukuna's astonished gaze, Satoru's legs clamped around his waist while his upper body leaned backward.
"Don't—"
Snake Eyes and Fangs seal rapidly appeared on Sukuna's cheek and tongue.
But Satoru was faster.
He extended the thumb and index finger of his right hand, forming the shape of a pistol and pointing it at Sukuna's face.
"The mouth I should smash is this one, right?!"
Cursed Technique Reversal: Red!
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