Q: What is more terrifying than death?
A: Watching things happen and being unable to stop them.
Eiji's fist could have landed on Naoya Zenin's handsome face half a second ago.
But Eiji deliberately slowed down, allowing Naoya Zenin to widen his eyes and watch Eiji's fist approach him little by little.
Bang.
The moment the freezing effect was released, Eiji's fist landed on Naoya Zenin's face.
Naoya Zenin, struck, was slammed to the ground like a basketball and bounced back up fiercely.
Blood flowed from his nose and mouth.
"Cough, cough, how is this possible? How could you keep up with my speed?"
Naoya Zenin clutched his profusely bleeding nose, looking at Eiji with utter disbelief.
"What's impossible about it? Your speed is still far inferior to Toji Fushiguro's."
Eiji's face was full of mockery.
Actually, while Toji Fushiguro's speed could effectively counter Projection Sorcery, it couldn't surpass it.
But it didn't matter, because saying so would greatly damage Naoya Zenin's mindset.
As expected, when the thoughts "He can keep up with my speed" and "How is it that man" simultaneously appeared in Naoya Zenin's mind.
Naoya Zenin recalled the fear of being dominated by Toji Fushiguro.
He subconsciously categorized Eiji into the same realm of fear.
"Young Master Naoya, leave it to us."
Ranta Zenin, whose eyes were bleeding, and Futo Zenin, who was not lightly injured, appeared before Naoya Zenin.
"Tsk, as expected of the Zenin Family, you've trained your dogs well."
Ranta Zenin and Futo Zenin's actions perfectly embodied the definition of loyal hounds.
This time, it was a combined attack from the three of them.
Ranta Zenin, ignoring the excruciating pain in his eyes, activated his Cursed Technique again.
Futo Zenin also launched an attack without hesitation.
However, compared to the powerful attacks before, this one was clearly all bark and no bite.
The next moment, Futo Zenin's actions were explained.
Under the cover of Futo Zenin, Naoya Zenin charged into Eiji's inner circle.
But it was meaningless.
Eiji reached out and grabbed Naoya Zenin by the neck, then turned and threw him into the cage generated by Ranta Zenin's Cursed Technique.
Squelch.
Divine Dog: Black emerged from Eiji's shadow.
Its claws slashed, leaving three bloody wounds on Futo Zenin's body.
"Young Master Naoya."
Seeing that his Cursed Technique had actually attacked Naoya Zenin.
Ranta Zenin immediately dispelled his technique.
Eiji once again punched Naoya Zenin in the face.
Before Naoya Zenin could be sent flying by Eiji's attack.
Eiji grabbed Naoya Zenin by his collar and pulled him back.
Bang, smack!
A right hook landed on Naoya Zenin's face, and Eiji changed his fist into a palm, delivering a slap.
Bang bang smack, bang bang smack.
Eiji somehow found a rhythm as he beat him.
Naoya Zenin's once handsome face turned into a pig's head under Eiji's fists.
"Hm?"
Just as Eiji was getting into the swing of things, a faint surge of Cursed Energy caught his attention.
Eiji's movements faltered for a moment.
Ranta Zenin seized the opportunity to activate his Cursed Technique.
Eiji's movements were briefly trapped for less than half a second, after which he forcefully broke through the cage Ranta Zenin had created with his Cursed Energy.
However, this half-second was enough for Naoya Zenin to escape Eiji's grasp.
"Young Master Nao... Naoya, you go first."
Ranta Zenin's eyes were bleeding, scarlet veins filling his vision.
Beside him, Futo Zenin, bearing several wounds, stood silently in front of Naoya Zenin.
"Something feels off."
Wasn't the script supposed to be about some rich brat bringing his lackeys to bully me, the protagonist who used to be a piece of trash?
Logically, shouldn't this be the moment where I, the righteous one, strike back against the young master and earn applause?
Why does this situation make me feel like the villain?
Looking at the two servants desperately trying to cover for Naoya Zenin's escape, and the pathetic-looking Naoya Zenin behind them, Eiji felt increasingly uneasy.
Futo Zenin charged forward again, attacking Eiji with a resolve to die.
Ranta Zenin's bloodshot eyes could no longer open completely.
Yet, he persisted, charging towards Eiji, intending to use his body to hold Eiji back and buy Naoya Zenin time to escape.
"Tch."
Eiji clicked his tongue in annoyance.
Before, seeing Megumi Fushiguro, Yuji, and Nobara go wild felt pretty exciting.
Now that it's my turn...
It's not bad, I guess.
At least it feels good seeing Naoya Zenin, a guy who's not good now or in the future, in such a sorry state.
Why should villains get to act so high and mighty while good people are bullied?
Good people are scariest when they go wild.
But this isn't the time to ponder that.
Lightning crackled all over Eiji's body.
Empowered, Eiji grabbed Ranta Zenin and Futo Zenin with one hand each and flung them out of the building.
Hot on their heels was their beloved young master, Naoya.
The three tumbled into the snow.
Eiji appeared before them, a massive shadow completely engulfing their forms.
Giant Elephant.
Since Nue had been merged into Giant Elephant's body, Eiji now summoned Giant Elephant when using Reverse Cursed Technique.
He could use it himself, but it was less efficient and a bit tiring.
Under the healing of Reverse Cursed Technique, the three's injuries quickly recovered.
"What do you want?"
Naoya Zenin stared at the colossal beast before him in terror.
The four-meter-tall Giant Elephant exuded an immense pressure on them.
"I'll give you a chance."
Eiji Zenin offered a gentle smile.
But to Ranta Zenin and the others, this smile was no different from a devil's grin.
"I'll give you a chance to defeat Mahoraga."
"What did you say?"
Naoya Zenin's expression was one of disbelief.
Mahoraga.
It was a legend that only appeared in historical records.
Eiji clenched his fists in front of him.
"Buru-buru, yura-yura..."
"Stop it, do you want to die?!"
Naoya Zenin shouted in panic.
In the history of the Zenin Family, the purpose of the owners of the Ten Shadows Technique summoning Mahoraga was always one:
To perish together with the enemy.
At this moment, Naoya Zenin was filled with dread.
Rather than the answer that Eiji had already tamed Mahoraga, Naoya Zenin was more inclined to believe that Eiji intended to self-destruct, taking him, the young master of the Zenin Family, with him.
This was his last shred of pride.
However, Murphy's Law dictates that what one fears the most is precisely what will happen.
"Eight Handles Sword, Heretical Cursed Spirit, Mahoraga."
As Eiji's voice fell, a terrifying figure appeared behind him.
Mahoraga.
It was the summoned spirit revered as a legend by the Zenin Family, who had fought to the death against the Gojo Family's Six Eyes, and the object of faith in the hearts of every Zenin.
They believed that as long as they had Mahoraga, the Zenin Family would always be at the pinnacle of the Jujutsu World.
But at this moment, the being they worshipped bared its fangs at them.
"Just don't kill him."
After saying this to Mahoraga, Eiji turned and left the scene.
Mahoraga's lips curled into a chilling smile.
Eiji paid no further attention to Mahoraga's actions. After walking several hundred meters, he glanced towards an inconspicuous corner.
"Still not coming out?"
"Hahaha, as expected of the genius who could tame Mahoraga."
An old man, dressed in a yukata with a haori draped over it, emerged from the corner.
The current head of the Zenin Family, Naobito Zenin.
Perhaps worried about his son, Naobito Zenin, who had been hiding his presence, had accidentally exposed his aura while Eiji was thoroughly enjoying beating up Naoya Zenin.
Though faint and fleeting, it was still detected by both Eiji and Mahoraga.
"Aren't you cold?"
"This much is nothing. Gudududu."
Naobito Zenin smiled and pulled out a sake gourd, taking a drink.
"I know a nice izakaya. Want to go grab a seat?"
"That would be great. Lead the way, kid."
Naobito Zenin agreed to Eiji's suggestion with a smile.
He was fond of alcohol, and the opportunity to sit down and talk was exactly what he wanted.
Hearing Naobito Zenin's reply, Eiji on the side also revealed a satisfied smile.
In reality, the choice was quite simple.
Mahoraga on the left, an izakaya on the right – the old man had to choose one.
Naobito Zenin's ability to become the head of the Zenin Family clearly indicated he was no benevolent soul. Eiji saw this very clearly.
He had just beaten down Naoya Zenin and the others with his fists; why go to the trouble of summoning Mahoraga?
This Mahoraga was clearly summoned to be shown to him.
However, Naobito Zenin didn't care.
Eiji had no intention of killing them. Since that was the case, it was fine for Naoya Zenin to suffer a little.
Naoya Zenin had had too smooth a ride, never knowing what humility was.
Furthermore, since Eiji was willing to talk, it meant Eiji must have an ulterior motive.
It wasn't a problem if someone had conditions; the problem was if they didn't mention any conditions at all.
And so, a strange scene unfolded.
Two individuals, who were enemies, or at least currently enemies, walked towards a table of drinks, chatting and laughing.
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Translation by: randomtranslator.com
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