JJK: Wheel of Time

When Inumaki quickly dealt with the curse spirit using his cursed speech alongside Maki, a few figures were hiding in the nearby forest—Mai, Mechamaru, and Miwa from the Kyoto team. They had witnessed the entire scene.

Mai whispered to her companions, "It seems we were right to use a curse spirit to probe their techniques. That short white-haired guy's technique is Cursed Speech. Basically, it forces effects through his words."

"Good thing we didn't attack directly; otherwise, we might've been wiped out before we even realized what was happening."

Mechamaru responded in a cold voice, "Once we know the technique, it's not that scary anymore. We'll force him to use it by attacking from a distance, draining his cursed energy."

Miwa raised her hand, "Uh... what about me? I don't have any long-range attacks."

Mai smiled, "You'll be our backup. Let's move. Keep up with them, and get ready to attack."

In the sky above, the petite, blonde girl Nishimiya Momo was flying on her broom, watching both the curse spirits and the movements of the Tokyo students from a high vantage point. She used her phone to relay real-time information to her teammates.

Meanwhile, in the forest below, Shin Shuichi had climbed a tall tree, using the thick foliage as cover while keeping an eye on Nishimiya Momo in the sky.

"Oh, I forgot she can fly. But it doesn't seem like her combat ability is that strong. Even without my Extinction bow, I might as well try to shoot her down. When the opponent has view, it's only natural to try and take it away."

Shin pointed at the flying figure, and cursed energy began gathering at his fingertips, forming a bright glow. Cursed energy could be released as a direct attack, though it's generally less effective than using a technique or enhancing physical strikes. It's typically used for small fry or testing attacks.

Shin didn't intend to eliminate Nishimiya Momo directly with this attack. It could be too powerful, and even if he managed to compress the energy, a direct hit might cause serious damage. Since she was flying on a broom, all he needed to do was destroy the broom.

Aiming at Nishimiya, Shin waited until the right moment and mimicked a sound, "Bang!"

Nishimiya Momo, flying in the sky, suddenly sensed cursed energy fluctuations. Was it a curse spirit? Scanning the ground below, she spotted the source of the fluctuation not far away.

"Is someone trying to launch a long-range cursed energy attack? Are they trying to shoot me down by surprise? But now that I've noticed it, I can dodge it easily..."

Just as she started to evade, a gust of wind swept past her, and a part of her broom was broken. She lost her balance and began plummeting toward the ground.

"What... was that?"

Nishimiya stared at the remnants of cursed energy in the sky and her damaged broom, her face filled with shock.

"I didn't even see the attack. Is the enemy's technique really that fast? Their technique must involve speed! I need to report this information."

Barely landing on a treetop to soften her fall, Nishimiya pulled out her phone to inform her teammates. But as soon as she jumped down, still clutching her phone, a figure emerged from the woods.

Shin Shuichi looked at the injured Nishimiya, who had twisted her ankle, and whistled. "Didn't expect to actually shoot her down. Guess I'll eliminate her while I'm at it."

"You..."

Before she could finish, Nishimiya lost consciousness, and her phone slipped into Shin's hand. After removing his hand from the back of her neck, he casually hung her on a low tree branch. Someone would come to retrieve her soon.

And indeed, back at the observation post, the teachers had monitoring methods in place. Soon, someone was sent to bring Nishimiya back. Mei Mei chuckled, "Satoru, his speed is impressive. In an instant, he took down an airborne opponent, and before she could even report the information, he subdued her."

Gojo Satoru, lounging with his hands behind his head, was watching the screen, where Maki and Inumaki were being attacked. He flashed a bright smile. "Of course, he's my student. Shin's incredibly strong. Soon, when he completes more missions, he can apply to be a Grade 1 Sorcerer."

Mei Mei lowered her eyes, feeling the fatigue of continuously using her Black Bird Manipulation technique to share the visual field. But hearing that, she perked up, "If you ever need help, just call me. You're so generous after all, Satoru."

Gojo gave a thumbs up, "No problem!" and turned his attention back to Maki.

After they dealt with the curse spirit, Maki and Inumaki continued moving forward. Not long after, Maki suddenly halted and signaled for Inumaki to stop as well.

"Salmon?"

Scanning the surrounding forest, Maki felt an inexplicable sense of danger creeping up as they neared this area, prompting her to stop.

"Inumaki, be careful. Something feels off; we might be..."

Before she could finish, the sound of trees snapping echoed. Maki barely managed to turn her head toward the source before grabbing Inumaki and dodging to the side.

A stream of fire instantly engulfed the spot where they had just stood. Before they could catch their breath, more streams of fire followed, covering their escape routes. Seeing this, Inumaki had no choice but to use his technique.

"Extinguish!"

The streams of fire gradually shrank in mid-air and then vanished. Maki swung her naginata, and with a sharp sound of impact, deflected a bullet that dropped to the ground.

"Mai..."

"Inumaki, we can't let them create distance. They've already figured out your technique." Maki left those words and swiftly disappeared into the forest, heading toward the source of the attacks, with Inumaki following closely behind.

The dense forest may have obscured the enemies' location, but it also provided cover for Maki and Inumaki, making it difficult for their opponents' attacks to land.

Meanwhile...

Mai, Mechamaru, and Miwa's moods were grim as they retreated. It had been a while since they last saw Nishimiya in the sky, and they couldn't contact her. Could she have been eliminated? Damn it!

Mai gritted her teeth. Without a teammate in the air to provide accurate reconnaissance, they could only sense Maki's approach vaguely, since her cursed energy was minimal. They had to rely on environmental changes, but that was proving difficult.

At this rate, they'd be caught. They needed to deal with the Cursed Speech user first; otherwise, the first encounter would likely result in casualties.

As the three of them ran past a small river, a fast-moving shadow suddenly attacked—a fist-sized rock hurtling through the air with a sharp whistling sound.

Mechamaru reacted first, pouring cursed energy into his steel arm. He didn't dodge but met the rock head-on, shattering it upon impact.

However, their path was blocked by Maki, who stepped out ahead of them, a smile playing on her lips as she rested her naginata on her right shoulder.

"Don't be in such a hurry to leave. It's not polite to start a fight and then try to run away!"

Seeing the hostility in the approaching figure, Mechamaru's arms began to transform. His left arm revealed a cannon, and his right arm extended several gleaming blades.

"Mai, Kasumi, you two go deal with the cursed speech user. He probably only has techniques like stunning or binding. Even if it's a one-for-one trade, make sure to take him out. I'll hold this person off here. We can't let them surround us. If you fail, I'll escape immediately and look for others. You two should do the same."

Maki watched as Mai and the blue-haired Miwa Kasumi turned back to handle the situation, and finally spoke impatiently, "I said—"

Boom!

Her words, along with the impending battle, were suddenly interrupted by a loud explosion. Mechamaru stared in shock at the distance. "What is that? That massive figure and the terrifying energy waves—can something like that appear at the exchange event?"

Maki was also drawn to the commotion, her eyes scanning the area through her glasses. In the distance, dust rolled up as trees were crushed, revealing a gigantic figure.

After sending Nishimiya Momo out of the match, Shin Shuichi moved toward the middle line. With cursed energy enhancing his speed, he moved through the forest with ease, faster than even a monkey.

While speeding through the forest, Shin suddenly flipped backward at a strange angle. A blood-red shadow flew past him, slicing through the branches above.

"Not bad reflexes."

Landing safely on his feet, Shin saw Kamo Noritoshi emerge from behind a tree. Shin smiled and said, "Of course. After all... you're too slow." As he spoke, he shifted slightly to the left, and the blood-red blade silently returned, missing him once again.

Kamo caught the returning blade, which hovered in his hand. It was a circular blade made from blood, spinning continuously in his grip.

"Blood Manipulation."

The Kamo family's inherited technique, versatile and powerful. Kamo, provoked, showed no outward reaction as he manipulated the blood blade, launching it at Shin once again.

"You know... that teammate of yours, Nishimiya Momo, right? I already took her out earlier. She was flying pretty high." Shin stood calmly as the blood blade approached, while Kamo took a longbow from his back, nocking an arrow aimed at Shin.

So, this guy was an archer, but unlike me, Kamo likely combined his arrows with cursed energy. Mine were purely made of cursed energy—stronger, more portable, but not as efficient when it came to conserving energy. Still, Shin's massive reserves and fast recovery allowed him to keep using his technique this way.

As the blood blade and four cursed energy-laden arrows closed in on him, Shin's right hand finally moved, gripping his sword's hilt.

Wheel of Time: Slash

A blinding flash of light passed in an instant. Kamo's hand, pulling the bowstring, froze. In mid-air, the blood blade abruptly lost its power, shattering into a pool of blood on the ground, alongside four neatly severed arrows.

"What just... what was that? My technique was destroyed... when?"

Kamo quickly abandoned his long-range approach, activating his technique—Blood Manipulation: Flowing Red Scale. As he opened his eyes, red marks appeared near his right eye, and his heart rate, blood circulation, breathing, and body temperature all increased, enhancing his physical abilities.

This technique controlled his blood to act like a stimulant, boosting his overall physical prowess.

'That kind of speed... it surpassed my visual and reactive limits! If he had attacked me directly, I'd already be out of the match. But he didn't. I must've been underestimated.'

Kamo quickly pulled out two blood pouches, manipulating the blood into rope-like tendrils that surrounded him.

Crimson Binding

'With these ropes forming a web, if he attacks, even just a momentary block will let me catch his movement. Then, with my enhanced state, I'll counter with my full force, using Piercing Blood to disable him. Don't underestimate me.'

Shin held his sword casually, considering whether to test the famous Kamo family's inherited technique. However, just as the tension between them was about to escalate, a massive explosion and a powerful energy wave caught both of their attention.

"What is..."

As they watched the faintly visible giant figure in the distance and felt the ominous aura, Shin had a clearer idea of what it was compared to Kamo.

Rika had gone berserk! Something was wrong with Yuta Okkotsu.

"This shouldn't be happening. Yuta has been getting better at controlling his curse lately, so why is Rika out of control now? Could he be in danger?"

Shin instantly lost his desire to continue the fight. He had been curious to see the Kamo family's technique, but this was no longer the time.

Shin adjusted his grip on his sword and turned to Kamo, saying, "Sorry, but you saw it too. My teammate is in trouble over there, and I'm in a hurry."

"Wh—"

Before Kamo could even process his confusion, everything went dark as Shin appeared right in front of him. A sharp pain shot through Kamo's abdomen, and the web of blood ropes around them shattered into liquid. His defensive technique was already broken.

The wound wasn't fatal, but it was enough to incapacitate Kamo for the time being. He had no doubt that Shin could unleash more of those blindingly fast attacks.

Shin patted Kamo on the shoulder, tipping his balance and causing him to collapse onto the ground. Walking away, Shin casually reassured him, "That slash was fast. I avoided any vital spots, so you'll be fine. Just wait for help."

As Shin disappeared into the distance, Kamo, lying on the ground, watched with a conflicted expression before finally exhaling, giving up his resistance.

While hurrying toward Yuta, Shin reflected on Kamo's techniques. The blood web was somewhat useful; it tried to bind him when it was cut. If Kamo had managed to slow him down even for a moment, his counterattack could've caught that brief opening.

But Kamo had too many weaknesses, and he was too slow. So... it was useless

Kamo Noritoshi, eliminated.

°°°°

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