A first-grade sorcerer from Kyoto Jujutsu High couldn't even escape the flames of Jōkaku Enjō.
The moment Kamo Kenshin was engulfed, the audience who had previously dismissed Satoshi's flames as superficial were all stunned into silence. The shock struck like a slap across the face.
Gakuganji's expression was especially grim.
Kamo Kenshin was the pride of Kyoto's sister school goodwill event. Their strongest representative. Yet he was burned down by Gojo Satoshi in a single move?
Was Jōkaku Enjō really that terrifying?
Watching Kamo Kenshin be swallowed by the flames, Suguru—who had initially thought to "test the technique personally"—froze.
So that's it. Satoshi hadn't left a weakness at all.
The open space at the top of the flame ring was a lure. If anyone tried to escape from above, they'd be met with the true danger hidden behind the trap.
If you wanted to break through the flames, the only real path was from the front—through the wall itself. Breaking out upward would trigger fire from all directions.
Now armed with Kenshin's example, Suguru adjusted his own thoughts on escaping Jōkaku Enjō. His approach became much more cautious.
"Satoshi, Ryūjin Jakka didn't actually burn Kamo Kenshin to death, right? If so, the relationship between the Gojo and Kamo families might really hit another freezing point."
Satoru shrugged. Though his words carried a note of concern, his expression made it clear he didn't care.
Over the last nine years, the Gojo family had been in constant conflict with both the Kamo and Zenin families. Satoru had never harbored warm feelings toward either.
Even if Satoshi had accidentally killed Kamo Kenshin, it would only be chalked up to the risks of battle. Everyone had signed agreements stating they were responsible for their own lives during the goodwill event.
Of course, if a death occurred, it would stir plenty of trouble. But the Gojo clan wasn't afraid of that. Even now, in the middle of the event, Satoru was already thinking through the potential fallout.
"Oh, don't worry. I didn't use Ryūjin Jakka's full power," Satoshi replied calmly. "I lowered the flame temperature. It won't burn Kamo Kenshin to ash... but it'll still hurt like hell."
He added with a smirk, "And besides, don't forget—Shoko is inside the flame ring too. With her around, how could anyone die so easily?"
Satoshi then looked back at Satoru, his gaze steady.
"So, what about you? Are you ready? I've given you plenty of time. You should have fully adjusted to the power of Senbonzakura Kageyoshi by now, right? Just how many of its techniques have you mastered since activating Bankai?"
...
While Satoshi and Satoru were speaking, Kamo Kenshin, now burned and battered, had crashed back to the ground.
"Kamo-senpai!" Mei Mei and Utahime rushed over, their expressions tight with concern.
Though Kenshin could be gloomy and arrogant at times, they were still a team. They represented Kyoto Jujutsu High together at this goodwill event.
The stench of scorched flesh hit them as they approached. Utahime's face twisted with unease. Kamo Kenshin was unconscious, with severe burns all over his body. He was in no state to fight.
A flicker of shock passed through Mei Mei's eyes. She now had a far deeper appreciation for the might of Ryūjin Jakka's Jōkaku Enjō.
If I'd tried using Black Bird Manipulation just now, the birds would've been burned to ash before they even touched the flames.
"Move aside!"
Shoko's nose caught the scent of scorched flesh immediately. She didn't need to look to know how bad Kenshin's condition was.
As the designated medic, she rushed forward, immediately preparing to use the Reverse Cursed Technique to treat him.
To Shoko, Kamo Kenshin was first and foremost a severely injured person. And secondly, she didn't want Satoshi to carry the label of murderer just because of this.
"It's pretty serious. My Reverse Cursed Technique won't be able to fully heal him."
Shoko frowned.
The fire-based toxicity of Ryūjin Jakka was resisting her healing energy, preventing her from purging the flames completely.
"What... what do we do? Is Kamo-senpai going to die?" Utahime's voice trembled.
She was a sorcerer too, but as someone focused on support and logistics, she had never seen someone die before her eyes.
Let alone a teammate.
There was a trace of pity in Mei Mei's expression.
Kamo Kenshin might have brought it on himself, but to suffer this kind of critical damage in a single moment was still chilling.
Wasn't Satoshi worried that Jōkaku Enjō would go too far and take someone's life?
...
Meanwhile, in the Kyoto spectator area.
Gakuganji's face darkened after hearing Shoko's words. He suddenly stood up.
"We must treat Kamo Kenshin. Get someone else in there immediately to help with his recovery!"
As a key figure of the conservative faction in the General Directorate, Gakuganji had close ties with the Kamo clan. Kamo Kenshin had originally intended to attend Tokyo Jujutsu High, but it was at Gakuganji's invitation that he joined Kyoto instead.
If Kenshin died here, how would he explain that to Kamo Shinji, the clan head?
Gakuganji was even prepared to suspend the event, no matter the consequences.
Sure, most viewers were eagerly awaiting the showdown between Satoru and Satoshi. But if it was to prevent a student's death, surely people would understand?
"Principal, are you seriously thinking of interrupting this event? That's never happened before."
Yuki crossed her arms and leaned back, golden hair cascading behind her. Her gaze was sharp, tone indifferent.
"Plenty of students have died during past goodwill events. And back then, you just stood there and let them die. But now, because it's Kamo Kenshin, you're ready to break tradition?"
(To be continued.)
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