When Satoshi picked up Ryūjin Jakka again, a satisfied smile appeared on Tengen's face. The others also showed a hint of anticipation.
Everything was unfolding according to the plan. Perhaps, just as Tengen had envisioned, Satoshi would truly awaken Ryūjin Jakka's technique through this battle.
At the same time, everyone wondered—what kind of ability did this long-anticipated Zanpakutō truly possess?
...
"Ryūjin Jakka!"
Satoshi gripped the Zanpakutō tightly. The once-warm hilt began to heat up.
The sense of alienation from the world that he'd always felt completely disappeared this time.
In that moment, Ryūjin Jakka seemed to fully integrate into the world of Jujutsu Kaisen.
Ryūjin Jakka has awakened!
Satoshi felt a surge of satisfaction in his heart. After being tempered by the fire energy of this world, Ryūjin Jakka was finally able to express its will.
Flames? Who was their true origin?
Jogo was indeed powerful, but Ryūjin Jakka would show everyone who truly reigned over fire.
...
Ember Insects.
Inside the Domain, Jogo launched his technique again. Based on previous experience, he still didn't take the Zanpakutō in Satoshi's hand seriously.
His earlier fear of Ryūjin Jakka had completely faded.
After all, Ryūjin Jakka had looked powerful on the surface but weak in essence. To Jogo, it was just a decorative weapon, full of flash but lacking any real substance.
So he made no adjustment to his attack.
However, right at the moment he initiated the technique, he heard Satoshi repeat the release phrase he'd whispered before.
"Reduce All Creation to Ash"
Jogo sneered when he saw that Satoshi didn't even attempt to resist. A sinister grin stretched across his face, revealing rows of blackened teeth.
"I win."
The swarm of burning insects rushed straight toward Satoshi.
In Jogo's mind, everything was over. The exchange earlier had exhausted the youth in front of him. He was convinced Satoshi couldn't rise again.
He had finally won before the Domain collapsed.
...
The overwhelming fire attack struck Satoshi head-on. Yuto and Geto revealed faint expressions of pity.
In their eyes, Satoshi no longer had any chance of victory.
But anticipation still flickered on the faces of Satoru and Toji. They both realized something about Ryūjin Jakka must have changed, otherwise Satoshi wouldn't have made such a choice.
The moment the Ember Insects hit Satoshi, a violent explosion erupted. Thick, black smoke completely engulfed him.
No one knew what state Satoshi was in now.
The scene fell into silence, the tension thick in the air—only Tengen smiled faintly.
She could feel the fire surging through the space. It was unlike Jogo's fire. It was a flame that did not belong to this world.
...
Within the black fog, tiny sparks of flame flickered into view.
The spectators suddenly felt the temperature rise sharply. The entire Tombs of the Star seemed wrapped in a wave of invisible fire.
"What just happened?"
Geto wiped the sweat from his brow. The hall, which had previously been cool, now felt like a furnace.
Yuto furrowed his brow. His perception was keener than Geto's. He instantly sensed the change occurring in Satoshi, along with that mysterious fire element. He understood that the shift inside the Tombs of the Star was caused by Satoshi's clash with Jogo.
Toji and Satoru exchanged surprised glances. They knew this power well.
It was the same fire that had appeared when Satoshi first forged Ryūjin Jakka.
Did this mean Satoshi's control over Ryūjin Jakka had taken a step forward?
If Ryūjin Jakka released even a fraction of its full power, it would be enough for Satoshi to claim victory.
Yuki's face lit up with excitement. At least, all her efforts weren't in vain. She had truly helped Satoshi.
Seeing this scene, Tengen's expression grew even more satisfied.
Everyone was eagerly awaiting the outcome… everyone except Jogo, who was now nothing more than a tool being used to pressure Satoshi into growth.
...
Jogo never imagined that his first battle after birth would be this brutal.
He hadn't eaten any humans, hadn't killed anyone, hadn't even had the chance to indulge in a single wicked impulse. Yet he was already facing such a cruel end.
At this moment, even though he still held the upper hand on the battlefield, as time seemed to freeze, countless thoughts flooded his mind.
It felt like his life was about to end before it had even begun.
What memories did he have to cling to?
None.
A life without meaning. For a cursed spirit, that was true tragedy.
His short-lived existence would end without even leaving behind memories. Right now, Jogo had only one thought, if there were a next time, he'd run the moment he saw that kid.
I'm a special-grade cursed spirit. Why can't I even defeat a child?
I manipulate both earth and fire. So why am I afraid of fire?
Yes. Jogo was afraid.
He hadn't even seen the true flames yet, but he could feel the deadly threat radiating from the specks of fire in the black mist.
He knew if he took one more attack, he'd be burned to ashes.
So this is the real power of fire?
"It's over..."
Jogo murmured to himself, giving up all resistance. Facing an attack that hadn't even fully taken form, he had already lost the will to fight.
...
Suddenly, flames burst from the black fog like fireworks.
A burning sword emerged before everyone's eyes, engulfed in dancing flames. Though both Satoshi and Jogo controlled fire, the flames on Jogo's side looked rigid and lifeless, while the fire on Ryūjin Jakka's blade flowed with a wild, living grace.
Flowing Blade-like Flame.
In that instant, everyone finally understood why this Zanpakutō had such a poetic name.
Everyone present realized the battle was already decided.
Satoshi had mastered Ryūjin Jakka.
Jogo was no longer his match.
There was only one outcome waiting for Jogo—death.
He would become the first Special Grade Cursed Spirit to be purified by Satoshi.
(To be continued.)
***
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