Battles between sorcerers are, for the most part, pure close-quarters combat, with Cursed Techniques existing as trump cards.
Unlike Fushiguro Megumi's side, where they were clearly just testing each other, the fight between Itadori and Ryū Ishigori was a no-holds-barred brawl.
In a clash of physical combat and Cursed Energy, Itadori, the sports student possessing a body identical to Sukuna's, found himself at a disadvantage.
Ryū Ishigori's close-quarters combat, much like his Cursed Technique, was full of explosive power; his Cursed Energy output was immense, with vast amounts of Cursed Energy barraging Itadori's body like cannon fire.
Although his total Cursed Energy was greater, Itadori's output was still far too lacking.
"Truly strong. Such an abundance of Cursed Energy; you are indeed a perfect opponent."
Ryū Ishigori praised Itadori, while also wiping blood from the corner of his mouth.
Constantly releasing Cursed Energy was also taking a heavy toll on him. Itadori wouldn't allow him space to create distance, and injuries were unavoidable in close combat.
More than sorcerers, the two of them currently looked like street brawlers.
"You… you're not bad either." Itadori panted heavily; this was his first high-intensity battle of this kind, and it gave him a tangible sense of his current combat power.
Was this Sukuna's body? He didn't even have a Cursed Technique, only using physical prowess and Cursed Energy enhancement, and this was merely the power of three fingers.
Were there disparities even among Special Grades, or was this the true caliber of the King of Curses?
The stalling quickly ended. Ryū Ishigori was merely buying time, a fact Itadori naturally knew, but he also needed a moment to catch his breath.
'It's time to end this, Itadori, attack with full force.'
'Don't worry about his attacks; clash with him head-on.'
Kakashi, who had been observing, noticed their conditions and spoke.
His voice directly reached Itadori's ear, and he instantly understood Kakashi's intention, subtly clenching his fists.
Because of their trust in Gojo Satoru, there were no secrets between them, so Itadori was very aware of Kakashi's abilities.
Therefore…
"Hey! Ryū Ishigori! Let's settle this!"
"Oh?"
Hearing Itadori's voice, Ryū Ishigori saw the fighting spirit in his eyes, and the vast amount of Cursed Energy converging on his fist—
Is he going to clash with me head-on? He confirmed this from Itadori's gaze.
"Relying purely on your physical body, you'll be at a significant disadvantage."
Ryū Ishigori's Cursed Technique was Cursed Energy Discharge, an unpretentious ability. This resulted in an extraordinarily high Cursed Energy output, making him a true cannon.
Itadori, on the other hand, could only use Cursed Energy to strengthen his body. Although he inherited the physique as Sukuna's vessel, he lacked offensive means of releasing Cursed Energy, meaning he would have to use his physical body to contend with Ryū Ishigori's Cursed Energy shockwaves.
"It's not certain who will be at a disadvantage."
Itadori's attitude was exceptionally resolute, as he wholeheartedly mobilized the Cursed Energy within him. Battle was the best teacher, and the Cursed Energy from Sukuna inside him, far exceeding his usual strength, now moved completely at his command.
Such confidence was infectious to Ryū Ishigori; if he were in his opponent's position, he would probably make the same decision.
"I see. The grand feast of my life is finally about to be completed with this last 'dessert'."
Ryū Ishigori raised both hands, as if sweeping his hair back, placing them on his pompadour. The cannon-like muzzle at the center of his hairstyle began to gleam.
Both sides prepared for this to be their final confrontation, concentrating all their power into this single strike.
Even when at a disadvantage, he didn't shrink back, even deciding to clash head-on.
"Let me see what you're capable of! Just don't die!"
Itadori paid no heed, instead using his actions to show his choice.
All he could use were his fists; a well-trained body might not necessarily be weaker than a Cursed Technique!
"Granite Blast—"
This was no longer a minor skirmish; this was Ryū Ishigori's unrestrained Cursed Energy release, his strongest attack. He was once acclaimed as the sorcerer with the most powerful Cursed Energy output.
Itadori's figure charged directly towards Ryū Ishigori, towards his Cursed Technique. In the blink of an eye, he was about to collide with the terrifying shockwave, yet Ryū Ishigori saw a trace of apology in his eyes.
"My apologies—"
Whether it was the fighting spirit in his eyes or his desperate assault, he was serious, because only by first deceiving himself could he deceive his enemy.
He had discerned Ryū Ishigori's true nature: a longing for battle against an equally powerful opponent.
Under normal circumstances, he might genuinely have been willing to satisfy that desire and fight him fair and square, right?
But now, he could not lose!
"Kamui!"
A spatial distortion appeared before Itadori. Kakashi, having just awakened his Mangekyo, wasn't fully accustomed to it, but with preparation, using his ocular technique was no problem.
He had already figured out what his Mangekyo's technique was: Kamui, which could distort space and absorb objects into an alternate dimension, a truly powerful Space-Time Ninjutsu.
The cost was an immense expenditure of Chakra, so he had to use it very carefully now.
Just like now, a well-executed Kamui was a sure-kill technique that could turn the tide of battle!
"What?!"
Ryū Ishigori maintained his firing posture, yet his Cursed Technique, before Itadori, was swallowed by the distorted space, vanishing without a trace.
Was it Itadori's Cursed Technique? No, it was someone else!
No wonder he apologized at the end; was it because he used someone else's power?
However, the strength of comrades and teammates was also his own strength; he wouldn't deny that.
Maintaining the recoil of releasing his shockwave, Ryū Ishigori knew he could no longer react in time.
Itadori had absolute trust in Kakashi, or rather, absolute trust in his comrades; he had never considered the possibility of Kamui failing or Kakashi making a mistake.
This trust, coupled with his resolve, transformed into the jet-black Cursed Energy in his hand, once again seizing that 0.000001-second window.
"Black Flash!"
Under Itadori's control, the King of Curses' body became the King of Elbows. This punch, with its 2.5-power multiplier, landed on Ryū Ishigori's shoulder!
"Boom—"
The residual force of the punch shattered the wall behind Ryū Ishigori, his shoulder exploded under the impact, and his severed arm flew off.
"I'm sorry, I have to win!"
With another swing, a fierce uppercut knocked Ryū Ishigori to the ground, incapacitating him.
Itadori chose not to kill him; Ryū Ishigori still held crucial information: what exactly was this so-called contract, why had they been resurrected, and why did they intend to kill Gojo Satoru?
According to him, he didn't even know who Gojo Satoru was, so why was he searching for him?
Who exactly was targeting Gojo Satoru? Was it Geto Suguru? If so, it made sense; after all, he was the administrator, and it wasn't impossible for him to have left behind some kind of authority.
"Achoo~" Inside the God Tree, Geto Suguru sneezed, completely unaware of who was talking about him again.
________________________________________
If you want more chapters, please consider supporting my page on Patreon. with 40 advanced chapters available on Patreon
patreon.com/Ms_Medusa