The newly born Jogo had no idea that the human standing before him would be this powerful.
His relentless, high-speed barrage was actually evaded by the human using just his body movements. This level of speed was far beyond normal human standards.
"Looks like you're done."
As Satoshi watched Jogo begin to pant, he stopped playing around.
Seeing his Hohō experience bar steadily rising, Satoshi felt that he had held back enough.
He returned Sode no Shirayuki to his waist, then prepared to end the battle using Hakuda alone.
Until now, the only one who had matched Satoshi in close-quarters combat was Toji, currently the strongest physical fighter in the world.
Now, finally, he had a Cursed Spirit with a sufficiently durable body to test his skills against.
...
"Why would he put away his Zanpakutō?"
Satoshi's action of sheathing Sode no Shirayuki left Geto puzzled.
That was a Special Grade Cursed Spirit. How could the one fighting it be so arrogant?
Yuto was just as confused.
Only Satoru and Toji seemed calm.
After witnessing Jogo's strength, they realized that Satoshi had essentially secured the win.
After all, Satoshi's raw physical power and close-combat ability were enough to overwhelm even a Special Grade.
Then, under the stunned gazes of Yuki and Tengen, Satoshi began ruthlessly beating Jogo into the ground...
"As expected, beings with Heavenly Restriction can't be judged by conventional logic."
"Lord Tengen, it seems you've made a mistake."
Yuki felt that since things had reached this point, it was better to let Satoshi go. Otherwise, if he defeated Jogo and broke out of the Tombs of the Star by force, the atmosphere would become even more awkward.
Tengen concealed her inner shock, rubbed her cheek with her fingers, and a faint smile crept onto her lips.
"Interesting."
"But, Yuki, do you think that's all I've prepared? If so, you're underestimating me."
Tengen narrowed her eyes, locking onto Satoshi.
The feast she'd laid out for Satoshi would be meaningless if the main guest didn't take his seat.
Use this, Satoshi. Use this battle of extreme flame to awaken your dormant Flame Zanpakutō.
Tengen pressed her palms together and formed hand seals, chanting softly:
"Coffin of the Iron Mountain."
This was Jogo's Domain. The newly born Jogo still didn't have the ability to open a Domain, but Tengen used the power of the Tombs of the Star to help her construct and expand it.
With the emergence of the Iron Mountain, the entire Tombs of the Star was encased in searing magma.
Logically, those outside shouldn't have been able to observe what was happening inside.
However, because Tengen had assisted in opening the Domain, she also had administrative authority over it.
Through the projections she created, the interior of the Domain remained visible.
The sudden Domain Expansion caught Satoshi off guard.
He hesitated. He could confirm that this was Jogo's Domain, but the cursed spirit had clearly been too busy getting pummeled to open a Domain on his own.
This Domain had appeared without warning.
Satoshi's thoughts immediately turned to the mysterious master of the Tombs of the Star. Tengen had forced him to fight Jogo while also forcing him not to use his Zanpakutō. What was the point of all this?
Satoshi didn't understand.
He couldn't see how any of this benefited Tengen.
Still, this was a rare experience.
In just one month, he had encountered Domain Expansion twice.
These consecutive experiences helped him further understand the gap in Domain development between humans and cursed spirits.
In the original series, each Special Grade Cursed Spirit in the villain group had its own Domain: Mahito's Self-Embodiment of Perfection, Hanami's Shining Sea of Growing Branches, Jogo's Coffin of the Iron Mountain, and Dagon's Horizon Of The Captivating Skandha.
However, aside from that group, very few other Special Grades had Domains.
That alone proved the overwhelming strength of this particular group. Still, compared to the adult Jogo's Coffin of the Iron Mountain or Dagon's Horizon of the Captivating Skandha, this domain's functionality felt rather one-dimensional.
The Domain of a Cursed Spirit often aligned perfectly with their innate abilities, but lacked the complexity and flexibility of a human sorcerer's Domain.
Satoshi grew increasingly vigilant.
Inside this Domain, he couldn't afford to take Jogo's attacks lightly.
Especially since the Domain was constructed with Tengen's Cursed Energy, boosting it far beyond its normal limits.
The moment the Coffin of the Iron Mountain appeared, the heavily beaten Jogo broke free from Satoshi's attack range and launched a fierce counterattack.
Satoshi, without the aid of his Zanpakutō, now found himself at a disadvantage, while Jogo was empowered by her Domain. In an instant, the tide of battle reversed.
From suppressing Jogo to being suppressed himself—Satoshi could hardly believe the sheer boost Jogo had received.
This is just cheating.
The thought flashed through his mind—but then he remembered.
He was the biggest cheater in the world.
Because of the guaranteed-hit nature of Domain Expansion, Satoshi's Shunpo couldn't fully avoid the attacks. After taking another hit from Jogo, Satoshi began to grow irritated.
You're not letting me use Sode no Shirayuki, huh?
But I still have another Zanpakutō.
When it comes to fire, no one outclasses Ryūjin Jakka.
Even if it's just a fire stick right now, it's still a battle-hardened fire stick.
Since I'm taking hits anyway, I might as well let Ryūjin Jakka see what these flame-wielding cursed spirits can do.
Jogo was basically the second-best fire user in this world, right behind Ryomen Sukuna.
But is he really worthy of standing against Ryūjin Jakka?
Satoshi reached for the hilt at his side. With a swift pull of his right hand, he drew Ryūjin Jakka.
Anticipation flickered in Tengen and Yuki's eyes. Yuto and Geto, unfamiliar with Ryūjin Jakka, were simply confused.
Satoru and Toji, on the other hand, looked visibly concerned.
They both knew Ryūjin Jakka's current state.
Would Ryūjin Jakka respond to Satoshi's call?
Neither of them could say for sure. But at this point, it was the only option left.
Hopefully, within this Domain, Ryūjin Jakka would finally unleash its technique...
It wasn't just what Tengen hoped for.
It was what they all hoped for.
(To be continued.)
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