The atmosphere crackled with tension as Fu Gu and Ayaka faced the rogue spirit. Its form twisted in the shadows, eyes glimmering with malevolence, as it advanced toward them.
"Prepare yourself," Fu Gu said, his voice steady, a thrill of excitement coursing through him. **This is what I've been training for.**
The spirit lunged, unleashing a wave of dark energy that roared toward them. Fu Gu quickly activated *Infinity*, creating a shimmering barrier around them. The dark energy collided with the barrier, causing a shockwave that pushed them back, but Fu Gu held firm, a confident smirk crossing his lips.
"Let's see how well you can handle this," he muttered, channeling cursed energy into his fists. He unleashed a *Black Flash*, striking forward with incredible speed.
The energy surged through his body, and as he punched, a shockwave of energy rippled outward, slamming into the rogue spirit. It staggered, momentarily stunned. "Now's our chance!" Fu Gu shouted, signaling Ayaka to attack.
Ayaka darted forward, her sword gleaming in the dim light as she struck with precision, slicing through the spirit's defenses. "Keep it off balance, Fu Gu!"
Fu Gu nodded, focusing his energy and preparing to unleash more devastating attacks. "Get ready for this!"
He combined his physical strikes with bursts of cursed energy, landing blow after blow. Each hit resonated with a deep thud, the spirit's form flickering as it struggled against their onslaught. But it was relentless, retaliating with waves of dark energy that tore through the air.
"Ayaka, get ready!" Fu Gu called, activating his *Domain Expansion* again. He concentrated, channeling all his cursed energy. The surroundings shifted, colors swirling as his domain materialized—an expansive field of energy that enveloped the rogue spirit.
"**Limitless Domain!**" he declared, the words spilling from his lips with confidence. The spirit roared in defiance, but Fu Gu could feel its power waning against the domain's pressure.
In this space, Fu Gu was untouchable. He felt the essence of Gojo within him surge, guiding his movements. "Now, let's finish this!" he shouted, charging toward the spirit.
As he closed in, the rogue spirit tried to unleash a desperate counterattack, but the domain absorbed the energy, nullifying its effect. Fu Gu struck with a devastating blow, followed by another *Black Flash* that sent the spirit reeling.
With a final, determined roar, he gathered all his energy, condensing it into a brilliant orb of cursed power. "Purple!" he shouted, unleashing the technique.
The orb expanded, swallowing the spirit in a violent explosion of energy. For a moment, time seemed to freeze, and then the force of the attack erupted outward, sending waves of energy rippling through the training grounds.
The spirit screeched, the sound piercing the air before it disintegrated into wisps of dark smoke, leaving behind only silence.
Fu Gu lowered his fists, panting heavily. "Did we… did we win?" he asked, glancing at Ayaka.
She was breathless, her expression a mix of awe and relief. "We did! That was amazing, Fu Gu! You handled that so well!"
His heart raced, adrenaline still pumping through his veins. "It's all thanks to you," he replied, a grin breaking across his face. "Your support made a huge difference."
Ayaka smiled back, her cheeks tinged with color. "I knew you had it in you."
As they took a moment to catch their breath, Fu Gu felt the weight of the battle begin to lift. The thrill of the fight had invigorated him, a reminder of what he was capable of achieving. **If I can keep this up, I'll be ready for anything, even against the Fatui.**
Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted again, and Fu Gu sensed something off in the air. "What's that?" he asked, looking around.
Ayaka frowned, her expression turning serious. "I don't know. But something feels… wrong."
Just then, a chilling wind swept through the training grounds, causing the trees to sway ominously. Fu Gu felt a presence creeping closer, a sense of danger filling the air.
"I think we should—" he began, but before he could finish, a flash of dark energy erupted from the shadows.
Emerging from the darkness was a figure cloaked in a flowing black robe, their face hidden beneath a hood. "You've grown stronger, Fu Gu," the figure spoke, their voice smooth yet cold. "But you are still just a pawn in a much larger game."
Fu Gu's instincts flared. "Who are you?"
The figure stepped closer, revealing a faint glimmer of crimson eyes beneath the hood. "I am merely a harbinger of the chaos that awaits. Prepare yourself for what is to come."
As the figure vanished into the shadows, Fu Gu exchanged a worried glance with Ayaka. "What was that all about?"
"I don't know," Ayaka replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "But we need to be ready. This might just be the beginning."
Fu Gu felt a surge of determination. **Whatever challenges lie ahead, I won't back down. I'll become stronger—strong enough to protect those I care about.**
"Let's train harder, Ayaka," he said, his resolve solidifying. "We'll be ready for whatever comes next."
---
**End of Chapter 9**
---
Nothing to say about this chap.