After a sigh, Ashiya Magon brought the conversation back, continuing: "I've digressed."
"My point is, even if you can use the ability of physical modification to create a physique suitable for swords, the instinct of holding a sword should still rely on time and continuous grinding."
"Could it be that there really are people in this world who can become master swordsmen immediately just by holding a sword?"
Mahito couldn't maintain his composure.
He dropped his Natural Stance, looking at the old man in disbelief: "You dare to look down on Sukuna?"
The old man, instead, raised an eyebrow and asked: "Shouldn't he be looked down upon?"
"I thought all swordsmen would despise him from the bottom of their hearts, even if he could kill that swordsman with a single glance."
Mahito suddenly thought of Atsuya Kusakabe; that famous quote, "Me fight Ryomen Sukuna? Really?" came from him.
He was a pessimist, someone who would not hesitate to escape if he had the chance.
Yet, when he truly faced Ryomen Sukuna, knowing he was no match, he still mustered all his courage and went for it, and actually survived.
He didn't have even a shred of disdain for Sukuna!
On the contrary, he was very clear about his own position, showing no arrogance at all when facing Ryomen Sukuna, being cautious everywhere.
"Why?" Mahito genuinely didn't understand.
Ashiya Magon said coldly: "Why ask why?"
"We swordsmen endure countless hardships, temper ourselves, and abandon everything, just to unleash that one sword strike that transcends time."
"But that bastard Ryomen Sukuna doesn't have to do anything."
"He just needs to lightly utter the word 'Dismantle' from the corner of his mouth, and he surpasses all of us."
"If it were you, would you be convinced? Would you look up to him?"
Mahito was dumbfounded.
Isn't this just jealousy?!
And you're proud of it?!
Kenjaku quickly smoothed things over: "Please don't say that."
"If the Prison Realm and Mahito are both helpless against Satoru Gojo, then only by reviving Ryomen Sukuna can Satoru Gojo be dealt with."
"We might even cooperate with him in the future, so it's better to maintain some decorum."
Unexpectedly, the old man righteously said: "I'm not stupid; how could I say that to Ryomen Sukuna's face?"
"If Ryomen Sukuna really appeared before me, I swear I would be more loyal than Hachiko, making his mood sunny like a summer's high."
"But he hasn't been revived yet, has he? We're all insiders, so let's speak freely."
Hachiko is the loyal dog Hachiko.
Mahito's mouth twitched uncontrollably.
Good, good, "we're all insiders, so let's speak freely."
You consider us insiders, but do you think we'll consider you an insider?
Uraume was amused and said with a chuckle, "Since you know what you're doing, old friend, I won't say more."
Kenjaku then turned to Mahito and added:
"Ashiya-san was also a Jujutsu Sorcerer who participated in the Ryomen Sukuna subjugation battle back then."
"He faked his death to escape, wanting to preserve his useful life for revenge, but he never expected that after that battle, the Jujutsu Higher-Ups would be exposed."
"They took the initiative to sue for peace with Ryomen Sukuna, offering tributes, practically treating Ryomen Sukuna as a Living God."
"From that moment on, Ashiya-san established his ambition to reign over the Jujutsu world and has persisted until now."
So it wasn't just jealousy, but also the hatred of having all his comrades die.
Mahito nodded slightly.
Ashiya Magon, however, said despondently, "Kenjaku, I'm glad you're saving face for me, but there's no need."
"After all these years, I've realized it—I'm just jealous!"
"My talent for Cursed Energy is simply not up to par."
"To keep moving forward, I had no choice but to embrace swordsmanship; swordsmanship is my everything."
"But that battle back then crushed my pride completely."
"The swordsmanship I devoted everything to was inferior to the Innate Techniques others were born with as naturally as breathing."
"How could I not despair?"
"If I were defeated by another Cursed Technique, I would still have a reason to keep going."
"But it just so happened that Ryomen Sukuna's technique is a slashing attack..."
"Ten years of human tempering cannot compare to a single moment of the Dao's favor..."
"How can I not feel despair?"
Talk about the resentment of the hardworking toward the gifted; it was so damn relatable!
Mahito's heart stirred slightly as he asked, "Can you still use Simple Domain?"
Ashiya Magon looked at him in surprise, then suddenly laughed. "Your comprehension ability is indeed astounding."
Mahito sighed and said with rare sincerity, "Ashiya-sensei, if you could face Ryomen Sukuna in battle again, even if you only grazed Ryomen Sukuna's skin, you would surely soar to the heavens like a fish leaping over the Dragon Gate."
"Simple Domain is an extension of the will."
"Its core has no other choice but to move forward with indomitable spirit, which requires an extremely powerful will to sustain."
"But an old man who blames others and harbors hatred—how can he possibly maintain such a powerful willpower?"
He could even say that if he truly faced Ryomen Sukuna, he would be as loyal as a dog—of all those who can learn "Simple Domain," who would be so humble when facing a certain-death situation?
Kasumi Miwa, Atsuya Kusakabe, Yu Haibara, Yuki Tsukumo, Aoi Todo, and even Ui Ui—none of them would.
With Ashiya Magon's current mindset, even if he could use Simple Domain, he wouldn't be able to improve it further; his resolve is broken.
"If I were still the same person who met you yesterday, I would definitely be indifferent to those words."
"Because back then, I lived by absorbing my disciples' lifespans."
"My frail body made living itself a form of pain."
"I lived for my ambition, my heart like stagnant water, motionless."
Ashiya Magon gave Mahito a deep look.
"But now, although I am still old, my lifespan is no longer a concern."
"While I may not be in my prime, I can still swing a sword."
Mahito twitched his mouth.
Great, this old man understands things better than anyone.
As expected of a thousand-year-old ghost like Kenjaku.
It seems he can not only use Simple Domain but even wants to use it to challenge Ryomen Sukuna!
Ashiya said impatiently, "How long have we been off-topic?"
"Quick, quick, tell me how you did it?"
"Could it be that your 'evolution'..."
"...isn't just physical, but also works on concentration and mental aspects?"
"How is that possible?!"
Mahito was about to speak when someone suddenly ran over in a hurry.
"Mahito! We have trouble."
The newcomer was Kinji Hakari; his expression was solemn and his pace hurried.
Ashiya Magon said dissatisfiedly, "I believe I said that training should be in an absolutely quiet place, and absolute concentration should be maintained during instruction."
"During this period, unless Satoru Gojo is attacking, we shouldn't be disturbed."
Kinji Hakari glanced at the old man, his voice cold: "Fortunately, the person coming isn't Mr. Gojo."
Ashiya Magon was stunned.
Uraume also became nervous and quickly asked, "What's going on?"
"Yuki Tsukumo personally called me."
Kinji Hakari took a deep breath.
"She... hopes to meet with Mahito."
Ashiya Magon and Kenjaku said in unison: "Refuse her!"
Kenjaku spoke clearly, but his tone was very urgent: "Mahito, I know your pride."
"You don't refuse anyone who finds your tracks and asks for a meeting, not even the Zenin clan."
"But Yuki Tsukumo is different. She is a Special Grade Sorcerer!"
"Without another Special Grade Sorcerer to stop her, she could sweep the entire Jujutsu world alone if she wanted to!"
"You haven't even figured out your combat system yet; fighting her is certain death!"
"Unless you use the Polymorphic Soul Isomer."
"But that's a trump card meant for Satoru Gojo; you must not use it now!"
"Because you can't guarantee you'll kill Yuki Tsukumo, and she might expose your hidden cards to Satoru Gojo!"
"A Jujutsu battle is an information war."
"When your information is fully exposed, you're not far from death!"
"Everyone in the world knows Satoru Gojo's information—his Six Eyes, his Limitless, and his Unlimited Void."
Mahito asked with a smile, "Who dares to say they can defeat him?"
"That's why he's not far from death," Kenjaku said seriously.
"He can't maintain his dominance for a lifetime."
"He will grow old, he will have bad luck... Just like us, aren't we plotting against him?"
"The unknown brings fear, while the known only stirs up greed."
Mahito performed a sword flourish, slowly sheathing the bamboo sword at his waist, as if performing iaido.
"What time? Where?" he asked.