"Unbelievable."
Even Gojo Satoru rubbed his chin in surprise.
There was no doubt—that invisible slash was Ryoumen Sukuna's technique. How long had that girl Yukinoshita Yukino been his vessel? Her body already bore the marks of Sukuna's cursed technique?
If Gojo Satoru knew that Hayashizaki had only been inside Yukinoshita Yukino for less than two weeks, he would've been as shocked as Hikigaya Hachiman.
The reason she could use Hayashizaki's technique in such a short time was partly because the system was quietly helping their bodies and souls fuse, but it also had to do with how well they got along. If Yukinoshita Yukino had strongly resisted Hayashizaki's possession, the system wouldn't have achieved this result so quickly.
Finally, that Black Flash had ignited the culmination of Yukinoshita Yukino and Hayashizaki's two weeks together.
The battle continued.
The wound was too shallow.
A flash of surprise crossed the girl's face, but she quickly refocused on the battle in front of her. While Yukinoshita Yukino had managed to use Hayashizaki's slashing technique, it didn't do much damage to the shadow curse spirit. She hadn't even managed to sever its arm completely; it was cut halfway, with a small section still attached at the shoulder. There was no flesh and blood at the cut, just shifting shadows. As the shadows moved, the half-severed arm quickly reattached itself.
Landing on the rooftop, Yukinoshita Yukino watched as the curse spirit recovered from her attack and swung its massive hand down heavily toward her.
She raised her hand again, and an invisible slash array sliced through the spirit's five claws. But the hand still continued downward, shattering the ground beneath it layer by layer. Yukinoshita Yukino fell with the debris into the hallway below as a furious roar echoed from above, causing small fragments of stone to shake and jump on the floor.
She sprinted down the narrow hallway, the shadow outside the window quickly closing in. A sharp claw slashed through the spot she'd just been standing in, splitting the entire building horizontally in two. The orphanage, already heavily damaged and on the verge of collapse, now bore even more scars from the intense battle.
After the curse spirit's attack, Yukinoshita Yukino used her slashing technique to cut open the ceiling and climbed back up through the opening to the rooftop.
"Stop wasting time. Just go for the core of its cursed energy."
Hayashizaki instructed.
He wasn't surprised that Yukinoshita Yukino could use his technique; it was only a matter of time. More than that, he was interested in how many points this near first-grade curse spirit could yield.
"I got it."
As soon as she landed, Yukinoshita Yukino charged at the shadow curse spirit again. Dodging its attacks in quick succession, she positioned herself directly beneath it.
She leapt high, pressing her soft, pale hand against the spirit's chest as she called out softly, "Haaaa!"
A rapid series of slashes, charged with cursed energy, sliced open the spirit's chest instantly, creating a massive hole where its heart would be.
With a chest wide open like a certain prime minister's, the curse spirit froze, then slowly collapsed, crashing onto the rooftop. Unable to bear the impact, the building finally gave way, collapsing in a cloud of dust and rubble.
"Is it over?"
Hikigaya Hachiman squinted, trying to see through the thick dust but couldn't make anything out.
"It's over,"
Gojo Satoru said, stepping forward.
Moments later, Yukinoshita Yukino emerged from the dust, coughing lightly and waving her hand to clear the air.
[Current points: 28,400]
Five thousand points earned—what a great haul.
On this trip, Hayashizaki really hit the jackpot, and Yukinoshita Yukino even pulled off a Black Flash and used her technique. You could say it was like Emperor Qin touching a power line—she won big.
"Well done, well done."
Gojo Satoru clapped for Yukinoshita Yukino with a smile.
"What a fantastic fight."
After praising her, he didn't forget about the dead-eyed young man who had fought hard until his cursed energy was spent. He reached out and patted Hachiman on the shoulder to encourage him.
"You too, you put in some real effort, Hachiman."
"Ah... thanks."
Hikigaya Hachiman muttered his thanks, though his expression was a bit strange.
First time meeting, and he's already calling me by name? This guy sure is comfortable around people. It's not like Saika… calling my name.
"No need to thank me; it's a win-win."
Hayashizaki said happily, sounding as if he'd been the one doing all the hard work.
"Alright, I'll take my leave now. Call me up anytime there's more work like this."
"No need to rush."
Gojo Satoru stepped sideways, blocking Yukinoshita Yukino's path with a smile.
"You can't leave just yet."
"Huh?"
Yukinoshita Yukino's face darkened with black markings, and her eyes shifted from deep blue to bright red.
"What do you mean?"
"One of Sukuna's fingers, a special-grade cursed item, is missing."
Gojo Satoru's mouth curved up in a smile, but the humor was gone from his tone.
"Just to check, did you have anything to do with it?"
"What?"
Hayashizaki was taken aback, responding on instinct.
"Your lost item has nothing to do with me!"
"Maybe not, but right now, you're the main suspect, so could you stay put a little longer? I've already sent Megumi to investigate the site."
Gojo Satoru held his ground, clearly not letting him leave.
"What did you say?"
Hayashizaki's gaze grew cold. Taking the blame for someone else, and now this white-haired guy wanted to detain him—his patience was running out.
"I'll give you one second."
"Move."
What's going on?
Hikigaya Hachiman stood to the side, completely lost. What's with these two? Weren't they getting along just fine a moment ago? Why are they about to fight now?
"My higher-ups are a hassle, always causing trouble… so, unfortunately."
Gojo Satoru shrugged. He still looked calm, but his muscles were tensed, ready to fight at any moment.
"Is that so?"
Hayashizaki lifted his hand, face blank.
Just then, Gojo Satoru's phone buzzed in his pocket.
"Hold on a sec."
He raised his hand to pause, then took out his phone to check the message.
It was a text from Megumi: "I found Sukuna's finger. A student at the school picked it up. I'm getting it back now."
"Oh haha! Turns out it was all a misunderstanding!"
Gojo Satoru laughed awkwardly, scratching his head as he stepped aside and lifted his barrier.
"Please, feel free to go~"
Hayashizaki shot him a disdainful glance, then stepped past him without a word. Hikigaya Hachiman quickly followed, obediently offering up the collar of his shirt.
Hayashizaki grabbed him and was about to leave.
Just then, the curtain lifted slowly, and the group ran into a short-haired girl with a pretty face at the orphanage entrance.
Hayashizaki: "..."
Yukinoshita Yukino: "..."
Yukinoshita Haruno: "..."
Hikigaya Hachiman, still held by Hayashizaki: "..."
Gojo Satoru, poking his head out from behind the three, looking puzzled: "Huh?"
…
…
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