"As long as you're in mortal danger, I'll teleport you back."
Luosuo spoke carefully to Louhu. He feared Louhu might back out, and if that happened, their entire plan would fall apart. Louhu glanced at Luosuo deeply, then turned and walked into the darkness, his back filled with unwavering resolve.
This was someone who genuinely pursued his ideals—not like an ordinary person full of selfish thoughts, nor like Tuo Gen, who allowed emotions to cloud his judgment.
Unfortunately, he was a Cursed Spirit—while James was human.
---
James didn't feel anything unusual as he passed through the black curtain. The massive veil of black, like thick mud, loomed above the forest, cutting off the sky. Oddly, sunlight still trickled in—dimmed, as though the world had lost its vibrancy.
Distant roars echoed through the trees. The students had likely already engaged in battle, but who they were fighting remained uncertain.
Because at that moment, a short figure slowly emerged from the darkness, walking toward James.
James raised an eyebrow, a touch of surprise crossing his face.
He really does like high-difficulty opponents, huh?
A small volcano on the figure's head flickered red, and its single eye was bloodshot. It was Louhu—sent to intercept him.
"I thought there'd be a big surprise waiting for me... I was wondering who had the guts to challenge me. But now it seems..."
James shook his head, disappointed. He had no interest in Louhu. The priority now was to get the students out. Judging by their ferocity, the invading Cursed Spirits probably wouldn't stand a chance against these wolf-like rookies.
He stepped forward, passing by Louhu without even acknowledging him.
The cursed energy around Louhu grew heavier. His breathing turned ragged, and his teeth clenched.
"Don't underestimate me!"
With a furious roar, Louhu spewed flames from his head into the sky! A massive column of red light shot up, piercing the black curtain above the forest. Even the students locked in combat far away paused and looked up at the blazing sky.
So powerful! This was far beyond what they were currently fighting!
Okkotsu Yūta squinted toward the fiery light, stood up, and began moving in that direction—only to be intercepted by a green blur. A Cursed Spirit appeared behind him, grinning with glee.
In a flash, a white blade slashed through several trees. The Cursed Spirit was sliced in half but immediately reformed, looking surprised.
Yūta swung his sword again with deadly precision. Though the pressure was real, he was no longer the same as before.
Licking his lips, the enemy smirked.
"Interesting..."
---
Elsewhere, Itadori Yuji and Tōdō Aoi were also heading toward the pillar of fire when—
BOOM!
They skidded to a halt after crushing through boulders, finding themselves face-to-face with a towering female Cursed Spirit. Her figure was graceful but grotesque—two massive horns protruding from her head, blending a strange mix of beauty and horror.
"Special-grade Cursed Spirit…" Tōdō grinned. He knew this fight wouldn't be easy.
Itadori's feet dug into the earth. Though it was his first time facing a special-grade, he wasn't the same person anymore. The intense pressure didn't make him flinch—it fired him up.
"Fighting alongside your best friend… It's so touching, it makes me wanna cry!"
Tōdō threw his head back dramatically, tears flowing, even as he took a fighting stance. Itadori's muscles tensed in sync. Their eyes met.
Then—they both charged in!
Boom boom boom!!!
Fists clashed. Earth cracked. Two-on-one. A symphony of power and ferocity!
Up above, Nishimiya Momo was circling in the sky. She originally planned to head toward the pillar of fire, but hearing the chaos below, she turned her broom around.
That side looks like it needs more help!
---
On another battlefield, Zenin Maki and Zenin Mai had teamed up by chance. Together, they fought a monstrous Cursed Spirit that resembled a raging minotaur. The sisters were struggling—barely holding the line.
The Minotaur roared, its bellow echoing across the forest. Every swing of its arm carried devastating force. Maki didn't dare block directly, and Mai's bullets barely scratched the beast's thick hide.
Bang!
A black-and-white blur streaked through the trees. A single punch sent the Minotaur stumbling backward. Then—boom boom boom!
Dozens of small bombs exploded at its feet, shaking the ground.
Machamaru and Panda had arrived.
"Sorry we're late," Machamaru said. "We weren't fast enough."
"Then let's fight together!" Maki responded.
The Minotaur slowly emerged from the smoke, unharmed. The pressure was overwhelming.
This is the power of the Minotaur?
---
To the east, Inumaki Toge, Kamo Noritoshi, and two students from another local high school were beating Togen so hard that he ran in every direction.
The moment Togen spotted Kamo's Red Blood Technique, he cursed out loud—though his curses couldn't compare to the ones in his heart.
---
Meanwhile, on the forest's edge, Fushiguro Megumi and Kugisaki Nobara were coordinating with several first-grade Jujutsu sorcerers against a special-grade threat. Miwa Kasumi supported from behind with intermittent Simple Domain activations.
Everyone's having fun, huh...
Back near the forest center, James calmly looked at Louhu again.
The Cursed Spirit was now glowing red, his eyes burning with flame.
Ah... you really want to fight, huh?
With a calm expression, James gently placed one slender hand on Louhu's face. Before Louhu could react, a terrifying force slammed him downward.
BOOM!!!
Louhu's head smashed deep into the ground. Cracks spread dozens of meters across, and the earth shook violently.
The pillar of flame vanished.
Students still en route to the scene stopped in their tracks, rubbing their heads in confusion.
What just happened...?
James stood above Louhu's motionless form, his icy eyes emotionless.
"Is that all?"
He actually had some admiration for Louhu.
Perhaps because the spirit hadn't lived long enough to suffer the narrative collapse that plagued others later on... but still, Louhu embodied what people generally believed a Cursed Spirit to be:
Cruel. Obsessive. Tragic.
Brushing the dust from his hands, James turned to leave—only to hear gravel shifting behind him.
A ball of fire shot toward him.
He tilted his head slightly. The fireball soared past, exploding in the trees with a thunderous boom.
Setting fire to the mountain? That's an offense worthy of life in prison.
Louhu was getting up.
His face was battered—jaw dislocated, skin torn and bleeding. But cursed energy surged through him, rapidly healing the damage.
"You're more stubborn than I expected," James said. "You've earned my respect. Very well—"
He raised one hand and gestured invitingly.
"—I allow you to dance before me."
Louhu's body trembled. He knew what was at stake. The longer he stalled James, the greater the odds Zhenren had of obtaining Sukuna's finger.
Then let's dance.
He quickly formed a hand seal.
The showdown of Cursed Techniques was about to begin. He didn't dare hold back. Anything less, and he'd die instantly.
He recalled Nozomi's words:
> "The Cursed Spirits I arranged aren't enough to kill the students. But if you're serious enough, James will definitely engage. That's the window we need…"
The technique activates!
Flames erupted in every direction, engulfing the forest in a wave of searing heat.
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