Yuta Okkotsu stepped into the arena with a resolute expression. By now, the center of the field was already battered and scarred from previous matches. Across from him, Noritoshi Kamo walked forward and took his position.
Tokiya Shingen glanced sideways at Gojo Satoru. Though he said nothing, the meaning in his eyes was clear: Is Yuta going to be okay?Gojo simply gave a thumbs-up. Whatever method he had used to ensure Rika wouldn't lose control again, his confidence was unwavering. That was enough—there was no need to worry.
After exchanging bows, the two fighters assumed their stances and began with cautious probing attacks.
Kamo's hand-to-hand combat skills were solid. Using his technique, he manipulated blood into weapons at will, shifting seamlessly between close-range and long-range combat. The weapons he formed were both durable and razor-sharp. His earlier move, slicing blood into spinning circular blades, had already proven just how dangerous it was—ordinary weapons would likely shatter on contact.
But the sword in Yuta's hand was a cursed tool, reinforced by the curse he carried. That wasn't something he needed to worry about.
Yuta's talent was undeniable—something everyone had come to agree on after spending time with him. He learned everything at an astonishing pace. From being an ordinary person to mastering cursed energy and combat techniques, his progress had been nothing short of explosive.
The others all had foundations:Maki Zenin came from the Zenin clan, and despite her Heavenly Restriction, her combat instincts were exceptional.Panda had been raised by Masamichi Yaga and trained from the beginning.Toge Inumaki inherited his cursed speech, even if his clan had distanced itself from sorcery.And Tokiya Shingen had grown up under Gojo Satoru alongside Megumi Fushiguro—though Gojo wasn't exactly the most conventional teacher, Shingen's own intellect and discipline made up for it.
But Yuta? He had been here less than half a year—and yet he had already reached this level. His cursed energy was immense, enough to astonish even Gojo. Only someone like that could have unconsciously created a being like Rika.
After the initial probing, the fight escalated.
Yuta's blade, infused with cursed energy, sliced apart two of Kamo's blood blades in quick succession. Realizing that long-range tactics wouldn't work, Kamo abandoned that approach. Yuta's swordsmanship was precise and fast—while not as overwhelmingly incomprehensible as that monster, it still surpassed him.
Then I'll have to use it…
Kamo activated Flowing Red Scale once again.
With his physical abilities enhanced, he could finally meet Yuta head-on. But even as he dodged one thrust, Yuta's follow-up strike twisted mid-motion and sliced across his chest.
Just as injury seemed inevitable, blood burst from Kamo's torn clothing, weaving into a net midair that dropped toward Yuta.
From the sidelines, Tokiya Shingen's eyes flickered.That move… "Crimson Binding." Not bad.
The net was made of interwoven strands—cutting one or two wouldn't matter. It would simply regenerate. The only way out was either to disrupt the caster or destroy it entirely with cursed energy.
Yuta was too close. The net sealed off his escape.
Without hesitation, he slashed.
In a single breath, his blade flickered again and again, carving gaps into the net—but before he could react further, the severed strands regenerated, binding him completely.
Kamo had been waiting for that moment.
He clasped his hands together, compressing blood between them to an extreme density.
"This technique… I couldn't use it on Tokiya Shingen earlier. Now I'll show you. With a healer present, there's no need to hold back. This is where it ends…"
Piercing Blood.
A thin, nearly invisible streak shot forward. To the eye, it was barely a blur—but the attack itself had already reached its target.
Yuta broke free of the net almost instantly, cursed energy surging outward. His instincts screamed in warning. He could even feel Rika's desperation—her urge to emerge and protect him.
But Yuta suppressed it.
Don't come out.
He poured everything into the present moment.
No self. No sword. No victory or defeat.Just instinct—like breathing.
Then, suddenly, something shifted.
He saw it.
The thin streak of blood, moving through the air as if slowed—clear, undeniable.
A thought surfaced:
Cut it.
But what did it mean to "cut"?
Before that thought could fully form, a flash of light answered it.
A single stroke.
Steel met blood in an instant.
A sharp vibration rang out as Yuta completed the motion, panting lightly. At his feet lay a small pool of blood.
The ground before him bore a deep scar—the aftershock of that strike.
From the sidelines, Tokiya Shingen blurted out under his breath:
"…Holy crap. Sword energy?!"
It had all happened in a flash.
Kamo's Piercing Blood was released just as Yuta broke free. In that instant, guided by instinct, Yuta struck—his blade colliding perfectly with the attack and splitting it apart.
Before Kamo could react, Yuta had already closed the distance. The blunt edge of his sword rested against Kamo's throat.
The match was decided.
Yuta returned to the group, but there was little joy on his face. He smiled at the praise, yet something troubled him.
Shingen noticed immediately.
Kamo's attack had been powerful—fast and destructive. Even with cursed energy reinforcement, the blade had suffered. Fine cracks now ran along its surface.
The sword wasn't particularly high-grade, but it had been given to Yuta by Gojo for training. Breaking it would be… awkward.
Understanding at a glance, Shingen gestured for the sword.
Yuta hesitated, then handed it over.
Shingen placed his hand over the cracked portion. When he lifted it again, the damage was gone—the blade looked as good as new.
"Shingen…"
He raised a finger to his lips.Yuta smiled and mouthed a silent thank you.
Shingen had reversed the sword's state using his technique. Compared to living beings, objects were far easier to restore—even cursed tools.
Only one match remained:
Tokiya Shingen vs. Aoi Todo.
Shingen stepped into the arena empty-handed, encouraged by Yuta and Panda.
Across from him, Todo entered the same way.
Even as the referee spoke, Todo's excitement was already obvious.
"I didn't get to fight Okkotsu—but you'll do just fine. You were the one who finished off that special-grade curse, right? That alone is enough to get me fired up! Even defeat would be exhilarating!"
As the match was declared, Todo tore off his shirt, revealing a body carved like stone.
"Forget the formalities—let's fight!"
Shingen rolled up his sleeves.
He wasn't someone who chased battle for its own sake like Todo—but even he felt a rising excitement.
Cursed energy allowed feats impossible for ordinary humans. And when you possessed such power, it was only natural to want to test it.
He had explored his technique in many ways—but pure physical combat? That had always been restrained. Sparring with Maki had focused on skill, not power.
And when he used his technique… fights ended too quickly.
But now—
This was different.
Todo was strong. That much was clear. He had pushed both Yuta and Panda to their limits—and survived Rika's initial assault.
"…Let's go."
Both of them moved at the same time.
Like arrows released from a bow.
Their fists collided—each catching the other's strike.
They grinned.
Muscles tensed, veins bulging.
After a brief stalemate, Shingen drove his knee toward Todo's abdomen.
Todo laughed—and took it head-on.
Then, seizing the opening, he lifted Shingen off the ground, spun, and slammed him down.
Shingen rolled, dispersed the force, and sprang back up—just in time to see Todo's kick already descending.
He crossed his arms to block, but the impact sent him sliding back several meters.
His physical strength is insane…Shingen assessed quickly.Without cursed energy, I wouldn't stand a chance.
Todo cracked his neck, smiling.
"Shingen—when it comes to pure physical combat, cursed energy reinforcement has limits. The human body isn't a technique—it can't handle infinite output."
"So what determines strength?"
He spread his arms, eyes gleaming.
"Understanding. Control. Your relationship with cursed energy."
"You've used Black Flash before, haven't you? When you reach that state… cursed energy becomes something entirely different."
He grinned.
"Tell me—what is cursed energy to you?"
Shingen blinked.
"…If I had to say… it's like my hands and feet."
Todo inhaled deeply.
"…What a shame. We were so close to becoming best friends."
Shingen almost said he actually respected Todo's taste—but immediately thought better of it.
Some things were better left unsaid.
Without warning, Shingen attacked.
A double kick.
Todo blocked instinctively, sliding back slightly.
Then he smiled again—wide, unrestrained.
"Now then… let's begin!"