Time rewinds to half an hour earlier.
As soon as the cooldown ended, Gen, who had just arrived at Tokyo’s Second Barrier, immediately summoned Tiger Funeral.
Black shadows gathered into a sphere nearly the size of a small hill.
Then Tiger Funeral’s body burst into existence.
The moment Tiger Funeral appeared, Gen also lowered a Curtain to keep the other sorcerers from observing him.
Right after that, he sprang up, twisted in midair, and drove a fist into Tiger Funeral’s enormous head.
Black Cursed Energy erupted with flashes of lightning, striking Tiger Funeral’s head hard.
Gen then swung the [Caduceus] in his hand, and the black shadow condensed into a long sword in his grip.
“Roar!”
Tiger Funeral’s pained roar did not make Gen hold back.
On the contrary, the instant Tiger Funeral cried out, the longsword in Gen’s hand slashed hard toward its head.
Tiger Funeral quickly retreated.
Gen’s longsword cut into the ground without hitting it, but Gen immediately came up with another approach.
As the shadow of Cursed Energy gathered on the Caduceus suddenly changed shape, Gen planted one foot on the ground and shot toward Tiger Funeral like a cannonball.
The Caduceus in his hand transformed into a giant hammer.
The hammer, as massive as one of Tiger Funeral’s great claws, came crashing down from above.
Tiger Funeral clearly could not withstand the force and was slammed violently into the floor.
Then the Caduceus sank into the shadows.
Gen pressed both palms down toward Tiger Funeral’s body, which had been smashed into the ground, Cursed Energy surging over his hands.
[Dog · Cleave]
As he dropped, Gen’s palms landed on Tiger Funeral’s body.
Slashes instantly spread outward from the point of contact.
Unlike Itadori and Sukuna’s version, the cutting lines of Cleave clearly bore bite marks.
The spreading slashes quickly enveloped Tiger Funeral’s entire body.
Then, infused with enough Cursed Energy, an extremely high-speed slash of astonishing power erupted.
Tiger Funeral was peeled open like an onion, layer by layer from the outside in, torn apart by the slashes of Cleave.
Flesh and blood formed from Cursed Energy burst outward, blood spraying as if there were no end to it.
Then Tiger Funeral was swallowed by the Cleave slashes and vanished.
The subjugation ritual was complete.
Unlike Nue, who had to be let out for a chat after being subdued, Tiger Funeral was not such a talkative Shikigami.
Tiger Funeral needed a quiet space where it could rest and sleep properly.
Among the Shikigami of the Ten Shadows Technique, Tiger Funeral was second only to Mahoraga.
It possessed an extraordinarily powerful body, along with a “slash” Cursed Technique even stronger than Totality’s.
However, Tiger Funeral’s slashes could not be released at long range.
In other words, compared to Dismantle, they were closer to Cleave.
After subduing Tiger Funeral, the Cursed Energy required for Gen’s Cleave dropped sharply, while its power increased by a considerable amount.
More importantly, Tiger Funeral had another trait.
Because it was a Shikigami focused on close-quarters physical combat, Tiger Funeral placed far more emphasis on the timing of Cursed Energy and physical strength striking together.
The gap between Tiger Funeral’s physical impact and Cursed Energy impact was no more than an instant.
In other words, after using Tiger Funeral’s Cursed Technique, Gen only needed to pay attention to his own Cursed Energy allocation and his compatibility with his opponent’s Cursed Energy to quickly land Black Flash.
In fact, as long as Gen grasped both his own condition and his opponent’s, he could definitely land multiple consecutive Black Flashes on them.
At the same time, because this trait also affected Tiger Funeral itself, and because Black Flash could restore one’s condition, Tiger Funeral was also the best choice to serve as a shield and defender during the subjugation of Mahoraga.
As for the portion of “strength enhancement” attached when manifesting Tiger Funeral’s Cursed Technique onto himself?
Although it was only an added effect, it was still more useful than Gen directly reinforcing his body with Cursed Energy.
And just like Round Deer, it could be stacked.
Just as Gen successfully subdued Tiger Funeral, a voice rang in his ear at exactly the right time.
“Ding-dong, ding-dong.
A Player has added the latest General Rule to the Culling Game.
General Rule 10: Players may view information on other Players, including their names, scores, number of added rules, and the Barrier they are currently staying in!”
“Kogane, show me the Players other than me who have added rules.”
“Okay!”
Hajime Kashimo, 0 points, one added rule, located in Tokyo’s Second Barrier.
…
At the same time.
Gen, 0 points, one added rule, located in Tokyo’s Second Barrier.
The moment Hajime Kashimo saw that information, blue lightning burst from his body, wrapping around his light blue hair and making it bristle slightly.
“What the hell… Hasn’t he already walked right up to me?”
Hajime Kashimo chewed over the name.
Gen.
Gen.
He was sure he had seen that name somewhere before.
Maybe in some old record of powerful sorcerers?
A powerhouse from before the Edo period, and one strong enough to be recorded in books.
Seriously.
Just because he had been chasing Sukuna’s strength, had he forgotten everyone weaker than Sukuna?
Gen.
Gen.
In Hajime Kashimo’s mind, the shifting figure from that portrait suddenly appeared.
He remembered now.
The one every Jujutsu Sorcerer had called Sukuna’s equal.
The strongest of the Muromachi era, recorded in the books as having killed himself because “a life without an opponent is far too lonely.”
Then let me test you first, Gen.
Let’s see whether you’re really as strong as the books say.
Thinking that, Hajime Kashimo made no effort to hide his Cursed Energy.
He let his crackling, lightning-like Cursed Energy spill freely into the air as he walked toward the center of Tokyo’s Second Barrier.
…
On the other side.
Even from several thousand meters away, Gen could see the towering surge of Cursed Energy.
Based on its nature and sheer scale, Gen could easily guess who it belonged to.
The God of Lightning from the Edo period, Hajime Kashimo.
Come to think of it, Hajime Kashimo was also a Player aiming to fight Sukuna, wasn’t he?
Gen had not seen what came after Okkotsu’s battle in Sendai, so he knew absolutely nothing about Hajime Kashimo’s Cursed Technique.
He only knew that this person existed, and that meant he knew the other party was strong.
So Gen also released his Cursed Energy without holding anything back and walked toward Hajime Kashimo’s position.
Their total Cursed Energy was clearly astonishing, but because they were releasing it openly, there were always reckless people willing to get in the way.
After casually dealing with a few sorcerers who had Cursed Techniques but no brains, Gen and Hajime Kashimo faced each other from opposite sides of the very center of the Barrier.
Zzt!
BOOM!!!
Purple lightning collided with pale blue lightning.
A thunderous roar erupted as overflowing electrical energy slammed into the surrounding buildings.
Powerful Cursed Energy carried the current into a terrifying storm, and when the storm finally died down, two figures landed separately on the circular arena at the center of the Barrier.
“Hey!
Judging by your Cursed Energy… you’re ‘Gen,’ aren’t you?”
Hajime Kashimo slammed the Nyoi Staff in his hand into the ground and fixed his eyes on Gen not far away.
As his fighting spirit surged, the lightning marks on his face seemed to flicker with real arcs of electricity.
Gen waved his hand, and the Caduceus fell into his palm.
Immediately after, the shadow formed from condensed Cursed Energy took the shape of a massive scythe.
“I’ve got a question.
Are you… a man or a woman?”
“Huh?
Why ask that?
Are you the type who goes easy on an opponent because she’s a woman?”
Gen did not answer.
He only stared at Hajime Kashimo.
“I’m a man.
And if that’s what you’re thinking, I’d advise you to throw away that hypocritical mercy as soon as possible!”
Hajime Kashimo abruptly raised his long staff.
Boom!
Lightning poured from Hajime Kashimo’s body.
As a streak of lightning shot forward, the long staff in his hand smashed toward Gen.
Gen sharply raised his blade.
The enormous scythe caught the Nyoi Staff and hooked it upward.
The instant Hajime Kashimo’s weapon was half-knocked from his hand, he immediately lifted his leg and swept it across.
Gen’s scythe snapped back, and his body swiftly retreated, dodging Hajime Kashimo’s sweeping kick.
Hajime Kashimo slammed his long staff into the ground, grabbed it, and spun like a whirlwind, whipping both legs toward Gen.
Gen stomped the floor.
Lightning surged from his body, and he also shot backward at an astonishing speed.
Neither side’s attack landed.
Hajime Kashimo planted his foot on the ground, leaped as he stopped himself, then raised the long staff in his hand and brought it crashing down at Gen.
Gen raised the Caduceus.
The giant scythe in his hand transformed into a condensed spear.
The heavy Nyoi Staff struck the gathered Cursed Energy, producing a dull clash of metal against metal.
And the explosive roar of lightning.
After several hits, Hajime Kashimo used the Nyoi Staff to pour lightning straight into Gen before him.
“Not bad, Hajime Kashimo!”
Gen also tightened his grip on the Caduceus.
Nue’s lightning surged back toward Hajime Kashimo’s lightning.
Purple and pale blue light crashed together, and with a crackling blast, the two pulled apart again.
“You’re not bad either!
As someone who uses lightning Cursed Energy, this is the first time I’ve ever seen lightning equal to mine!”
Hajime Kashimo was now extremely excited.
Lightning Cursed Energy rushed upward from the soles of his feet, making every bit of fabric and hair on his body flare upward.
Once again, the two attacked at the same time.
Gen’s spear transformed again.
As he caught the long staff Hajime Kashimo struck down with, Gen grabbed the staff with one hand and sent Nue’s lightning rushing toward Hajime Kashimo’s palm.
Then he ducked forward, the condensed shadow of the Caduceus turning into a hand-and-a-half sword as Gen closed in on Hajime Kashimo’s waist at top speed and slashed.
Hajime Kashimo could only hold tight to the Nyoi Staff and endure Nue’s lightning head-on.
Then he immediately lifted the long staff, sacrificing damage to his palm to deflect Gen’s attack aimed at his core, his waist and abdomen.
After neutralizing Gen’s attack, Hajime Kashimo flipped backward at once, retreating to a safe distance and facing Gen from afar.
“Looks like… your technique and strength are both pretty good.”
“Ha… What, not coming at me anymore?”
Gen tilted his head up and tossed the Caduceus in his hand into the shadows.
“I’ve tested you enough.
If you’re at this level, then you really can let me enjoy dancing with you.”
“Like a tango, where only people on the same level can dance together.
Is that what you’re getting at?”
“Haha… More or less.”
“Then, as the strongest of the Muromachi era, I’ll allow you to make the first move.”
“What the hell… the strongest!”
Hajime Kashimo raised his staff.
Crackling pale blue lightning coiled around the Nyoi Staff and surged upward as he lifted his head too.
“Don’t get my hopes up… too much.”