Based on the geographical coordinates provided by Master Tengen, Yuji Itadori, Nobara Kugisaki, Panda, and Toge Inumaki arrived at an abandoned underground parking garage on the outskirts of Tokyo.
The garage was shrouded in a faint barrier. In addition to an astronomically expensive entry ticket, one also needed a known associate to lead them inside. With the help of Inumaki's Cursed Speech, they bypassed the sweating, heavily armed bodyguards and stepped through the barrier.
The moment they entered, the room was filled with excited roars and frenzied cheers! There were frequent arguments, insults, and the clinking of chips.
This was the underground casino controlled by Kinji Hakari. It was an illegal fight club where Sorcerers fought in hand-to-hand combat to make money.
Ordinary people cannot see Cursed Energy or understand the mechanics of innate techniques. Therefore, the wealthy audience viewed the Sorcerers fighting in the cage as real-life movie superheroes. What could be more thrilling than watching superpowered individuals clash in a blood-soaked arena?
The audience members who had bought VIP tickets and placed massive bets on the second-floor balcony were even more excited. The thrill of money and bloodshed caused their hormones to surge uncontrollably.
"I think the Higher-Ups firing that guy was the right thing to do," Nobara swept her gaze across the crowd consumed by desire, speaking with utter disgust. "Legalizing gambling for non-Sorcerers wouldn't be any better than destroying Japan."
Gambling addiction leads to an abyss. Countless people had their families destroyed and lives ruined by it. Moreover, fostering this kind of desperate greed among ordinary people would undoubtedly spawn terrifying, gambling-obsessed Cursed Spirits.
"Alright, Kugisaki, that's enough," Panda leaned closer and whispered. "We've come here seeking help. Having Hakari join us will greatly increase our chances of winning the war."
"Tch!" Nobara gave a cold snort, but didn't say anything more to provoke a fight.
"Go back where you came from."
The door on the second-floor balcony opened. A cross-dressing Sorcerer looked down at the group with a cold, protective gaze.
Medium-length hair, crop top, and starry-eyed pupils. Despite being biologically male, he possessed a delicate appearance that rivaled that of a beautiful woman.
It was Kirara Hoshi, Hakari's girlfriend and partner in crime.
"Kin-chan knows why you've come," Kirara yelled down over the noise of the crowd. "But he won't get involved in Jujutsu High's messy politics anymore!"
"Kirara-senpai, please listen to us," Yuji stepped forward, but Kirara interrupted him impatiently.
"Shibuya is destroyed. Gojo Satoru is sealed away! And the Higher-Ups are all dead!" Kirara glared at them. "Even if Kin-chan is strong... are you trying to send him to his death? Even Gojo Satoru couldn't handle Zenin Mirai! Asking Kin-chan to fight that monster is suicide!"
Although Kirara had never seen Mirai fight, the news of his god-like power was enough to terrify anyone.
"Since we're already here, at least let us meet the boss," Panda strode forward, dangling the bait. "We've prepared a very, very generous reward for this trip."
Panda had a fairly good understanding of Hakari's character. Hakari wasn't a coward; he was a fanatic. As long as there was enough compensation, he was the kind of person who would throw his entire life onto the table as a gambling chip.
Now that the conservative Higher-Ups had been slaughtered by White Zetsu, the Big Three Families existed in name only. Principal Yaga and Principal Gakuganji were now the absolute representatives of the Jujutsu world. In order to persuade Kinji Hakari to come out of retirement and fight Kenjaku, the two principals had authorized an official, verbal promise.
"Jujutsu gambling..." Panda smiled. "...will be officially legalized throughout Japan."
...
Deep beneath Jujutsu High, outside the main hall of the Tomb of the Star.
CRACK—!
The massive barrier protecting the entrance shattered with a deafening roar, leaving only traces of dissipating Cursed Energy in the air.
Principal Masamichi Yaga.
Grade 1 Sorcerer Nanami Kento.
Semi-Grade 1 Sorcerer Takuma Ino.
The Special Grade Death Painting Womb, Choso.
The four Sorcerers who had been waiting for a long time drew their weapons.
"Is this some kind of special welcoming ceremony?"
The intruder stepped casually through the shattered gates. Kenjaku, possessing the body of Suguru Geto, smiled mockingly at the defense team.
"Tengen doesn't dare to see me, so he's sending out this bunch of cannon fodder?"
Nanami raised his blunt short-sword, his Cursed Energy beginning to boil. "When an unwelcome guest comes to our door, we can't be expected to greet them with a smile."
Principal Yaga looked at the monster wearing the face of his former student. Yaga's clenched fists silently released a long-suppressed rage at the desecration of Geto's body.
"Keep trying, cannon fodder," Kenjaku laughed, strange Cursed Energy rising from his robes. "If you fail to stop me today... this country is finished."
"NORITOSHI KAMO!!!" Choso roared.
"Piercing Blood!"
As Choso unleashed a supersonic beam of condensed blood, Nanami and the others swarmed forward instantly!
This was not a heroic one-on-one duel. It was a brutal, desperate war that determined the survival of a nation.
Takuma Ino suddenly ripped off his beanie, pulling a black ski mask down over his entire face. The mask made him look exactly like a bank robber.
Ino's innate technique was Auspicious Beasts Summon. By concealing his true identity, he became a physical medium, thereby summoning and utilizing the abilities of four spiritual beasts.
"Auspicious Beast Number One: Xiezhi!"
A homing projectile shaped like a sharp, long horn shot out from between Ino's palms!
From the left, Choso fired another volley of blood arrows. From behind, Principal Yaga darted forward, his fist imbued with dense Cursed Energy aimed fiercely at Kenjaku's spine. And from the front, Nanami launched a devastating attack, his short sword unleashing a burst of azure flames!
The coordinated assault was flawless.
But Kenjaku merely smiled.
"Anti-Gravity System."
BOOM!
The crushing gravitational pressure slammed down on the battlefield!
Yaga and Nanami, who were in close range, were instantly crushed face-first into the ground by the reversed gravity! Two deep craters formed around them, spiderweb-like cracks bursting open layer by layer, completely neutralizing their close-combat strikes.
"Not bad. You've got a knack for this," Kenjaku hummed, looking up.
The bloodlines on Choso's face had deepened. Two pairs of blood-red wings made of highly compressed blood grew from his back! It was the Wing King technique, inherited from his deceased brother, Eso. The wings increased his movement speed and allowed him to stay airborne, avoiding the gravity trap on the floor.
Ino had also avoided the trap. He was lifted into the air by a stream of cursed water.
"Auspicious Beast Number Two: Reiki!"
The defense team had planned for this. Nanami and Yaga were the vanguard, meant to take the gravitational hit, while Choso and Ino remained airborne to rain down long-range attacks and force Kenjaku into a corner.
As the gravity eventually dissipated, Nanami and Yaga rose to their feet. Without the slightest pause, they launched a second full-scale attack, coordinating perfectly with the aerial bombardment from Choso and Ino.
Despite the relentless pressure, Kenjaku easily dodged the attacks. However, he remained cautious.
He hadn't forgotten that Yuki Tsukumo, a Special Grade Sorcerer, was hiding somewhere within the Tomb of the Star. He was waiting for her to show her hand.
Suddenly, a tiny, microscopic Cursed Spirit conveyed a message to Kenjaku through the dimensional cracks: *Zenin Mirai is currently engaged in battle inside the Sendai Colony.*
Kenjaku hesitated for a microsecond, and then a cruel smile broke across his face.
Time waited for no one. Hesitation led to defeat. Since Mirai was occupied and Yuki Tsukumo was still hiding, it was time to end this.
"Uzumaki."
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