“What…
what just happened?” Ogi staggered, unable to conceal the utter shock in his eyes.
He could not believe he had just been knocked flying by a brat.
Did the kid not know who he was?
Or had his physical strength already reached such a level?
Ogi gritted his teeth, forced to reluctantly accept Kaito’s ridiculous “swatting a mosquito” excuse just to save what little face he had left.
“Oh, it’s fine…
Youthful energy, a bit too much strength—overdoing it by accident is quite normal,” Ogi forced a laugh, then quickly changed his tone, his eyes glinting with contempt.
“As for the ‘trash’ I mentioned earlier, let me make it clear to you.
That Toji is merely someone bound by Heavenly Restriction, a person without a single drop of cursed energy since birth.
He’s nothing more than a monkey attempting martial arts, harboring delusional fantasies to cover up his own pathetic existence.
Why should a favored child of heaven like you, or my daughter—the future pinnacle of the jujutsu world—bother with such a person?”
At this moment, Satoru, along with his mother and the First Elder, arrived just in time.
Every single word dripping with prejudice reached their ears.
Satoru clenched his fists tightly, his murderous intent beginning to leak out: “That bastard, daring to touch my younger brother—you’re dead.” Lady Otome trembled with rage as well; no one was permitted to insult her son like that.
Just as the two were about to step forward, the First Elder reached out to stop them, his gaze deep and heavy:
“Rest assured, the child I raised is never that weak.”
Amidst the tense atmosphere, Kaito suddenly spoke up, his tone unnaturally calm:
“You’re mistaken.
I am not Satoru.”
“Huh?” Ogi froze, thinking he had misheard.
“I said…
I am the ‘monkey without cursed energy’ you were just referring to.”
Ogi turned in shock toward the side, only now realizing that Satoru was standing there with a cold expression.
Naobito also looked toward the First Elder, suddenly understanding why this senior had once asserted that there was only one Limitless user.
Both Toji and Tobu were stunned.
Although they had harbored suspicions before, having the truth exposed so directly like this still sent shockwaves through them.
The area instantly became the focus of every surreal gaze present, even Shoko’s family holding their breath as they watched.
Ogi’s mind began connecting the dots.
So that was it…
twin Six Eyes!
In the jujutsu world, twins were inherently an omen of misfortune.
The strange attitude of this brat, his deliberate approach toward Toji…
everything now made sense.
Ogi ground his teeth fiercely, his face contorting in rage: “So that’s how it is, you little bastard!
You’re the younger brother of the twins, your talent completely drained by your elder brother.
You’re just an impostor posing as the Six Eyes!” He roared: “You dared to hit me because I struck a nerve?
I’ll return this slap with interest!”
With that, Ogi swung his hand, intending to charge at Kaito.
But before he could even touch him, his wrist was locked tightly in Satoru’s iron grip.
“Laying a finger on my brother…
Are you tired of living?”
A massive wave of cursed energy erupted from Satoru, the heavy pressure making those nearby gasp for air.
Ogi panicked, trying to defend himself: “It’s not what you think, Satoru!
This brat impersonated you to fool everyone—I’m the victim here!”
Kaito calmly pried Satoru’s hand off and gently unsheathed his Asauchi.
He reintroduced himself serenely:
“I never claimed to be Satoru.
Pleased to make your acquaintance once more: I am Gojo Kaito—younger brother of Gojo Satoru, possessor of Heavenly Restriction.”
Whispers erupted throughout the hall.
Groundbreaking news!
One of the twin inheritors of the Six Eyes was actually someone lacking cursed energy.
But Kaito wasn’t done yet, his gaze as sharp as a blade:
“However…
whether I am real or fake is not for someone of your standing to decide.
You haven’t merely insulted me; you have insulted my bloodline and my family.”
“Therefore, Zenin Ogi, I challenge you to an Imperial Duel!”
The entire hall fell into a terrifying silence.
An Imperial Duel—an ancient tradition of the Three Great Families where all conflicts were settled through blood and sheer strength.
Once declared, both sides possessed absolute authority over life and death, and after the fight, both clans were required to continue cooperating as if nothing had ever happened.
Someone bearing Heavenly Restriction actually dared to challenge a Grade 1 elite sorcerer of the Zenin family?
This was without a doubt the most shocking event at this year’s banquet.
“Hey, calm down!” Satoru took a step forward, placing a hand on his brother’s shoulder with deep concern.
“I am very calm, Satoru,” Kaito replied, his voice devoid of any tremor.
“Your opponent is a Grade 1 sorcerer!
No matter how rotten he is, his strength is the real deal.”
“Ha ha ha!
The words have been spoken, the challenge issued—don’t even think about backing out!” Zenin Ogi burst into triumphant laughter.
He saw a legitimate opportunity for revenge standing right before him.
He told himself he would dismantle this weak brat right on the arena floor to wash away his recent humiliation.
Kaito maintained his indifferent expression, gently brushing off his brother’s hand: “You’ve protected me for so long.
This time, let me protect myself and reclaim my own dignity with my own hands.”
The resolve in Kaito’s eyes made Satoru pause.
Knowing he could no longer sway his brother’s mind, he took a step back, his voice dropping: “You must…
survive this.”
“Don’t worry.”
Kaito turned to look at Toji, who remained standing silently like a shadow in the dark corner.
He offered a faint smile: “Living with this old man must not be easy, right?
Let me teach him a lesson on your behalf.
After this match, let’s be friends, okay?”
Toji stood frozen.
He couldn’t believe a six-year-old kid, bearing the label of the Gojo family’s “failure,” was repeatedly trying to get close to an outcast like him.
The kid was even about to wager his own life to reclaim honor for the very title of “Heavenly Restriction” they both shared.
Standing beside him, Tobu was equally stunned.
She had always observed her brother, understanding the bone-deep loneliness Toji was forced to endure.
And now, someone her own age could empathize with that pain, even standing up against the entire world for it.
Tobu’s gaze toward Kaito suddenly shifted—no longer mere curiosity, but a profound emotional resonance.
By now, all the guests had gathered.
The Imperial Duel would take place on the very same stage where Satoru had engaged in a grand battle with Tobu not long ago.
Kaito stood on one side of the arena.
If an anime fan were present, they would surely exclaim: “Isn’t that Captain of Squad 10, Hitsugaya Toshiro?” His aura at this moment was as cold and sharp as an iceberg.
Opposite him stood Ogi.
He had changed into dedicated swordsmanship attire, holding his sword firmly.
Beneath the stage, incessant chatter filled the air.
The vast majority did not believe Kaito stood a chance.
To them, cursed energy was the sole measure of strength.
Being devoid of cursed energy meant it was impossible to become a powerhouse.
An Imperial Duel required no referee.
There was only one rule: it ended only when someone fell, or the victor showed mercy and spared a life.
Otherwise, it was a fight to the death with no end.
“Kaito…” Lady Otome was so anxious she squeezed her handkerchief tightly.
“Hmph, this brat is truly bringing shame upon the reputation of the Six Eyes,” the Second Elder standing nearby sneered bitterly.
Ogi slowly drew his sword, the bright steel reflecting the sunlight.
Conversely, Kaito remained still, his hand not even touching the hilt of his blade.
He simply lowered his center of gravity slightly, adopting an unfamiliar defensive stance.
“Hm?
You brat, why haven’t you drawn your sword?” Ogi frowned.
“To deal with you, this is enough,” Kaito replied curtly.
“You’ll die because of that arrogance!” Ogi gritted out, his murderous intent bursting forth.
Below the stands, the crowd began to discuss.
Some even speculated that Kaito wore the sword merely for show and didn’t actually know how to use it.
But in truth, Kaito was not being careless.
He had attempted to communicate with the Asauchi, but the blade conveyed a sensation: it did not wish to enter the battle just yet.
Kaito chose to respect the weapon’s will, deciding to fight bare-handed.
Ogi struck unexpectedly.
A flawless, immaculate Iai slash.
He funneled all his cursed energy into his calves, utilizing maximum elastic power to unleash a horizontal slash aimed squarely at Kaito’s neck.
The strike was vicious; if it hit, Kaito’s head would surely be severed from his body.
Whoosh!
The blade sliced through empty air.
Kaito had vanished from Ogi’s line of sight before he even realized it, leaping high into the air.
“Hmph, fool!” Ogi sneered, instantly shifting his footwork to deliver a vertical upward slash that tore through the air, aimed directly at the falling Kaito.
Normally, a opponent in mid-air was most vulnerable to attack due to lacking a foothold to change direction.
But Kaito had never been one to follow normal logic.
Harnessing the innate muscular strength of Heavenly Restriction, he twisted his body in mid-air in a completely illogical manner, dodging the blade by a hair’s breadth.
Kaito landed on the ground, light and silent like a leaf, completely unscathed.
“You bastard!” Ogi ground his teeth in frustration over the miss.
“Are you just going to run and dodge the whole time?”
“That’s only because you aren’t skilled enough to make me strike back,” Kaito retorted coldly.
Driven mad with rage, Ogi rushed in like a wild beast, swinging wildly with violent slashes.
The whistling sound of the blade tearing through the air made the onlookers shudder.
Yet, what astonished the crowd was not Ogi’s power, but Kaito’s footwork.
He evaded every single strike with leisure, not a single slash touching his sleeve.
“So you do know how to use a sword,” Kaito remarked casually, his Six Eyes serenely taking in every slow movement of his opponent.
“To return the gesture…”
Thud!
A heavy sound echoed directly against the center of Ogi’s face.
The punch, powered purely by the physical strength of Heavenly Restriction, sent him flying to the floor.
Unlike Satoru, who compressed cursed energy into his strikes, Kaito’s fist was a pure explosion of raw muscle.
The elders in the stands could no longer sit still, their expressions turning pale.
Ogi staggered to his feet, blood streaming from his nose.
He was stunned—this brat had dared to hit him straight in the face a second time!
This time, he immediately channeled cursed energy to reinforce his muscles and dull the pain, his eyes clouded with murderous intent:
“Is that why you’re so confident, brat?
I see…
but there won’t be a next time!”
Despite his vocal contempt, Ogi had fought Toji before; he understood full well how terrifying those “devoid of cursed energy” could be.
And the kid before him was simply a younger version of that monster.
“Secret Art: Falling Blossom Emotion!” Ogi roared.
The crowd stirred, and the elders all grew stern.
This was an inherited technique passed down exclusively within the Three Great Families.
Unlike Simple Domain, which was used to neutralize guaranteed-hit attacks, Falling Blossom Emotion enveloped the user in a specialized layer of cursed energy capable of automatically counterattacking the instant it was touched.
When applied to swordsmanship, Ogi’s entire blade was coated in this membrane.
The edge now seemed to possess a mind of its own, automatically slicing into anything that breached its defense.
Ogi launched an assault, his speed now matching Kaito’s.
The most terrifying aspect was that whenever Kaito threw a punch, Ogi’s body would instinctively counterattack immediately.
This technique was the ultimate counter to martial artists.
Rip!
Kaito’s sleeve was slashed open.
“I touched you!” Ogi sneered.
“A formidable technique,” Kaito commented, his eyes remaining unbothered.
“Wipe that arrogant look off your face!”
Ogi pressed his advantage, the tears on Kaito’s attire multiplying.
Seeing an opening, he circled behind to land a fatal horizontal slash when…
CLANG!
A sharp, metallic sound pierced the air.
Kaito had drawn his sword.
“The Asauchi has deemed you worthy enough for it to enter the battle.”
The moment the blade left its scabbard, a chilling sword aura carrying immense spiritual pressure enveloped the entire arena.
The sword in Kaito’s hand vibrated, humming with excitement.
“That is indeed a fine blade!”
Any master of cursed tools or swordsmanship present in the hall could feel the pressure radiating from the weapon in Kaito’s hand.
It was undeniably a Grade 1 cursed tool, or perhaps even higher.
Seeing that Kaito had drawn his sword, Ogi no longer dared to be careless, concentrating fully as his body was enveloped in a dense layer of cursed energy.
Kaito took a deep breath, then suddenly darted forward like a streak of black lightning.
He unleashed a rapid sequence of strikes: five horizontal slashes cutting through the wind, three powerful vertical cuts, and finally a finishing strike aimed straight at his opponent’s legs.
Ogi tumbled down; though he managed to use cursed energy to protect his limbs in time, blood began to soak his martial arts uniform.
“Well done…
I recognize the strength of your monkey self,” Ogi forced himself up, his voice raspy with rage mixed with pain.
“This is my strongest technique.
If you block it, I admit defeat!” Ogi sheathed his sword, channeling all his cursed energy into his legs while coating the steel blade with Falling Blossom Emotion, adopting an Iaijutsu stance.
“Then allow me to return the honor.”
Space seemed to freeze for a split second.
The two figures collided at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye.
A deafening CLANG echoed, shaking the entire hall.
After a single breath, both men stood with their backs to each other at the exact spots where their opponent had just been standing.
Ogi’s katana snapped in half.
Victory had been decided!
Everyone was dumbfounded; no one expected a child bearing Heavenly Restriction to break the sword of a Grade 1 sorcerer.
Satoru let out a proud smile, preparing to step forward to congratulate his brother.
Kaito was also preparing to sheathe his blade when suddenly…
FLAME!
A blazing slash suddenly struck downward from behind.
Relying on sharp survival instincts, Kaito managed to pivot and block with his Asauchi, but the violent fire still left a long diagonal gash across his chest.
“You bastard!
You cheated!” Satoru roared, his murderous intent flaring as he prepared to leap into the arena.
Ogi stood there holding the broken hilt, but a blade of pure fire burned fiercely from the fractured end.
He laughed arrogantly: “You assumed all along that this was a swordsmanship duel, didn’t you?
I am a jujutsu sorcerer—why should I follow the rules of you monkeys?”
This was Ogi’s innate technique: Blazing Force.
The roaring flame not only replaced the broken blade but also amplified his attack power to a lethal degree.
Although Kaito had dodged in time to avoid being cleaved in two, his wound was severe.
He could feel the heat from the flames ravaging his flesh, the smell of burning skin and intense pain tormenting his nerves.
The eyes of those around were filled with utter disgust toward Ogi, but he didn’t care.
In the jujutsu world, results were everything.
Tobu glared at Ogi with intense murderous intent, her disgust for her father reaching its peak.
Meanwhile, Toji remained standing calmly, his hand tightening slightly: “Is this all you’ve got, Heavenly Restriction?”
Toji understood Kaito’s potential clearly.
At just six years old, this boy had far surpassed who Toji had been at that age.
Toji hoped for Kaito’s victory—not merely out of personal grudges, but because he wanted to see living proof that without cursed energy, a human could still stand at the absolute top.
The entire hall let out a collective sigh.
They had been secretly rooting for Kaito, but against the violent flames of Blazing Force, everyone assumed Kaito had truly lost.
Although Kaito had inflicted numerous wounds, Ogi had begun using cursed energy to stabilize them.
While he could not use Reverse Cursed Technique to heal completely, by using cursed energy to compress his muscle fibers and blood vessels, he prevented blood loss and maintained his combat capability.
Conversely, Kaito’s situation was far more dire.
Ogi’s flame-wrapped slash had not only left a deep cut but also severe burns.
The excruciating pain from the flames of Blazing Force seemed to burn away at the six-year-old boy’s very willpower.
Ogi looked down at his opponent like a superior granting life: “Hmph…
if you bow your head and apologize right here, I’ll consider letting you keep your crippled life.”
Kaito suppressed the pain.
His breathing was heavy, yet his eyes remained as cold as ice.
He let out a faint smirk, his voice ringing clearly across the hall: “I only bow to my family…
or to memorial tablets.”
Rage exploded within Ogi, his face contorting hideously.
The flames on his broken sword erupted even more fiercely, radiating a scorching heat that forced even those standing nearby to step back.
“You’ve truly succeeded in infuriating me, you trash!” Ogi hissed through gritted teeth, his face twisted in the firelight.
“I’m going to kill you, burn you to ashes, and see if that stubborn mouth of yours can still speak!”
INNATETECHNIQUE RELEASE: BLAZING FLAMES!
A stream of deep blue fire connected from the broken hilt of Ogi’s sword as he swung it, drawing a ring of fire around himself.
The air vibrated, and several spots on the ground erupted into soaring pillars of fire, completely sealing off Kaito’s escape.
Immediately after, Ogi thrust the blazing tip straight forward.
BOOM!
An immense force of scorching heat crashed forward like it meant to crush everything in its path.
“Gasp…
gasp…”
Kaito managed to break free from the epicenter of the explosion in time, but the price paid was steep.
A severe burn appeared on his shoulder, and the lingering pain alongside the bleeding cut was eroding the six-year-old’s remaining stamina.
His pristine white Haori and Hakama were now shredded, leaving only the lower portion intact.
However, what astonished the guests was Kaito’s physical physique.
Beneath his ruined clothing was a well-developed body, with firm, defined muscle structure that was unbelievable for a six-year-old child.
This was true proof of insane training and the gift of Heavenly Restriction.
Kaito drove his sword firmly into the ground to support his balance.
“Haha!
Die!”
Certain of victory, Ogi swung his final, lethal strike aimed directly at Kaito’s head.
“Stop!” Lady Otome’s heart-wrenching scream echoed.
Yet at the exact moment the fiery blade was about to touch Kaito, a bone-chilling sword aura suddenly erupted, blowing away both Ogi and his violent blue flames.
A shroud of frost covered the entire arena in an instant.
Everyone witnessing this was stunned to the absolute extreme.
“This fluctuation…
it’s actually cursed energy!” The sorcerers stood up all at once.
“What is going on?
Could it be that the kid isn’t a Heavenly Restriction user?
Has he been deceiving us from the start?” Suspicion spread rapidly.
“No…
that energy source isn’t coming from the boy!” The most perceptive individuals, including the Elders, turned their eyes toward the violently vibrating sword.
“It’s coming from his sword!”
Satoru stood frozen, his Six Eyes operating at maximum capacity.
A surge of brilliant blue energy, swirling like violent waves, was beginning to pour out from his brother’s blade.
Freezing cold.
Razor sharp.
And terrifyingly brutal.
What on earth was that?
That sword was not just a Grade 1 cursed tool—it was like a living entity awakening.
Kaito—the epicenter of the duel—slowly raised his head.
His eyes were now colder than eternal ice.
Grasping the hilt firmly, his voice echoed crisp and commanding, overpowering even the howling wind:
“Sit Upon the Frozen Heavens — Hyōrinmaru!”