"Even if that isn't the real Sukuna, it's still far stronger than a typical special grade cursed spirit!"
"In this situation, what can Satoshi even do? Why doesn't he call for help?"
"Is he... going to die?"
"..."
When Kumaen and Shunichi saw what was happening, their expressions turned pale.
Their hearts were suddenly filled with anxiety.
They both understood just how important the Zanpakutō was to Satoshi. Now that it had been sealed, the consequences could be catastrophic.
"Satoshi's probably going to lose," Kumaen said, shaking his head with a heavy sigh.
After all, the rescue teams were standing by. If he had just called for help, there'd be no issue saving his life.
Nearby, the members of the Zenin clan wore varied expressions.
Zenin Naobito narrowed his eyes, clearly surprised.
It might not have been obvious when Satoru's team had their cursed energy sealed, but Satoshi's Zanpakutō being suppressed as well… it was hard to believe that wasn't intentional.
Still, as the head of the Zenin clan, he couldn't speak on Satoshi's behalf.
But at this point, it seemed clear. Gojo Satoshi was destined to lose.
Zenin Ogi and Zenin Hidetsugu began trembling, not from fear, but excitement.
They had come at the perfect time. Who would've thought they'd get to witness Gojo Satoshi's humiliation today?
However, at that very moment—
On the screen, Satoshi suddenly began to mutter something incomprehensible.
...
Battlefield.
Satoshi stared solemnly at Sukuna and said, "Your Domain Expansion is impressive. It can suppress Zanpakutō for nearly five minutes."
"In other words, if I hold out for five minutes, I can break through it."
"But I've never been the patient type."
As soon as he said that.
Under Sukuna's surprised gaze, Satoshi raised his right hand. The strange power he had sensed upon awakening finally made sense to him. This power didn't belong to this world.
If not for this power, he would have had to survive five full minutes until the suppression over his Zanpakutō ended.
Unfortunately for Sukuna, Satoshi didn't just possess Zanpakutō power.
He had also awakened a new Kido ability granted by the system. Most importantly, this power wasn't sustained by the cursed energy used in this world.
Satoshi now understood why the system had to undergo a full upgrade nine years ago.
Back then, with an incomplete system and no cursed energy or external energy source, he couldn't support the Kido techniques of a Shinigami.
Now, he had awakened and mastered a power that existed outside this world entirely.
Following the incantation the system had provided, Satoshi began to chant softly,
"Ye lord!"
"Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man!"
"Inferno and pandemonium, the sea barrier surges, march on to the south!"
"..."
Ryomen Sukuna narrowed his eyes, watching Satoshi muttering to himself.
Even with only one finger's worth of power, he was still the King of Curses and as strong as any special grade cursed spirit.
He wasn't worried. Satoshi's Zanpakutō had already been sealed, and with a Heavenly Restriction body devoid of cursed energy, he was nothing more than a child whose physique had yet to fully develop.
Relying on hand-to-hand combat alone?
Sukuna thought it laughable. Right now, Satoshi was utterly powerless in his eyes.
He just wanted to see what new trick this boy had up his sleeve.
Clearly, when Sukuna had conversed with the cursed spirit earlier, he hadn't been told about Zenin Toji or the Heavenly Restriction condition with zero cursed energy.
Seeing Satoshi murmuring mysteriously, Sukuna couldn't help but sneer.
...
At Jujutsu High, in front of the screen.
Everyone was stunned as they watched Satoshi mutter to himself.
When Ogi saw that Satoshi's Zanpakutō had been sealed, he sneered and said with mockery, "I never thought I'd see the day Satoshi ended up like this. What a beautiful sight."
"But to not run or ask for help now, and instead just mumble nonsense? Haha, could it be that he's gone mad from fear after seeing Sukuna awaken?"
However, Zenin Naobito and Kamo Shinji, who stood nearby, didn't share their amusement. They frowned and stared seriously at Satoshi's image.
Even if Gojo Satoshi's Zanpakutō has been temporarily sealed, he isn't the type to act recklessly.
He's facing Ryomen Sukuna in such a dire situation and still hasn't retreated. Does he have something else up his sleeve?
In the Gojo clan's seating area.
Gojo Kumaen, who was serving as the representative of the clan, looked visibly tense. Despite Satoshi appearing trapped, his calm demeanor stood out.
Has he already found a way out of this?
Even so, Kumaen couldn't figure out what it was.
With no Zanpakutō and no cursed energy, and with a body not yet restored to its peak state, how could Satoshi possibly contend with a special grade cursed spirit?
What could he possibly be chanting?
It wasn't like reciting Buddhist sutras would pacify Sukuna.
Standing beside him, Shunichi seemed to read Kumaen's thoughts and reassured him.
"Sir, based on what I know about Satoshi, he wouldn't give up so easily.
If he didn't run or call for help, then he definitely has a plan.
Let's just watch."
Kumaen nodded slowly.
"Alright, let's see what happens."
Even so, the hand holding his teacup unconsciously tightened.
Not far away, in the Yorozuya section.
Yuto frowned deeply, his breathing growing heavy.
"Toji, what do you think Satoshi is doing?"
Toji narrowed his eyes as he stared at the screen, then slowly shook his head.
"To be honest, I can't say for sure. But I can tell you this—Satoshi isn't afraid. In fact, he seems… excited.
Even without his Zanpakutō, with that Heavenly Restriction body of his, he's still strong enough to hold out until reinforcements arrive."
"You really don't need to worry about him."
Hearing this, Yuto finally exhaled in relief.
"Is that so? If you say so, then the boss should be fine."
But Jogo clenched his fists in frustration.
"Damn it. That bastard Sukuna didn't even let us see the full power of Ryūjin Jakka again! And he even suppressed it ahead of time?!"
"..."
Of course, not everyone knew Satoshi as well as Toji did.
The rest of the audience simply stared at the screen, holding their breath.
No one dared to make a sound. All eyes were locked on Satoshi's form, and murmurs of disbelief filled the air.
(To be continued.)
***
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