Ch.73 Total Victory
Zen'in Maki actually had no particular desire to fight Kamo Noritoshi.
Sure, he was the young heir of one of the Three Great Families, but he wasn't from the Zen'in clan, so they didn't have any direct conflict.
The reason she sought him out specifically was all part of Akira's plan.
When Maki first heard about this plan, she didn't understand it at all.
You've got issues with the Kamo family? If you don't like him, go punch him yourself. Why are you making me do it? It's not like you can't beat him. If you really wanted to, you could take him out in just a few moves.
To this, Akira explained:
That outcome is exactly what I don't want to see.
He won't gain anything from that, and it won't become fuel for his growth.
How much frustration would you feel if you got defeated in one blow by Gojo Satoru or Rika? Wouldn't it just feel inevitable? It's not like you'd expect to win.
But if a successor of the Three Great Families is defeated by a dropout, a woman with no cursed energy, it's a different story.
Humans are like that—they only start to reflect when they're truly hurt.
This process will also benefit you.
If you want to become the head of the Zen'in family, you have to fight your way there, trampling over "traditional jujutsu sorcerers" with your own strength.
At the same time, this is also a test.
A test of the "battle of the weak" theory, and a test of your ability to fight jujutsu sorcerers independently.
I won't be offering you any extra help.
And so, Maki prepared for her showdown with Kamo Noritoshi.
Step 1: Gather Information on the "Blood Manipulation" Technique.
Blood manipulation allows the user to control objects using blood, enhance physical abilities through Crimson Pulse, and create highly compressed blood bullets—"Piercing Blood." Maki compiled all available information on the technique (these were indeed accessible, with the Zen'in family having records of both Blood Manipulation and Limitless techniques).
Step 2: Analyze, Hypothesize, Simulate, Prepare.
The information she gathered was just the surface, not the essence—like with the Gojo family's technique. Public knowledge covered only Blue, Red, and Infinity, but there was also the hidden Purple.
Kamo Noritoshi's family surely had secrets too, so Maki had to peel back the layers, analyzing each one.
Fortunately, Blood Manipulation was tied to blood, making it simpler to analyze than the Gojo family's Infinity.
If Blood Manipulation can control objects, what would happen if it controlled blood inside a human body?
To understand this, Maki consulted the school's doctor, Shoko Ieiri.
Shoko couldn't provide a direct answer, but she showed Maki the fractal characteristics of different blood types and samples of mixed blood types.
Maki finally realized how delicate a liquid blood was—a tiny impurity could disrupt bodily functions, even be lethal.
The key to defeating Kamo Noritoshi was simple: Don't let any blood touch you.
From the very start of their fight, Maki had been on high alert. Noritoshi's evasive maneuvers were met with Maki's deliberately restrained attacks. Her seemingly taunting posture from above was another layer of observation, even if it meant giving up the chance to exploit his vulnerable moments.
What if he's purposely spraying blood around? Gojo Satoru and Yuta had both warned her to beware of the JoJo-style "blood blinding" attack.
Maki had no idea what JoJo meant, but that didn't stop her from preparing.
She had strategies specifically for dealing with known techniques and had crafted thorough defenses against blood as a medium. Add to that the fact that Noritoshi had already been beaten down by Yuta once before, and the outcome was clear before the battle even started.
No matter how hard Kamo Noritoshi tried, he couldn't even touch the hem of Maki's uniform, while Maki's attacks landed cleanly and effectively.
Even if Blood Manipulation allowed him to control his own blood and suppress injuries, it couldn't withstand Maki's relentless blows.
"Give up," she finally declared.
When Maki revealed her prepared weapons—a set of hidden tools and hooks—indicating that she could take him out from a distance without even getting close, Noritoshi's resolve crumbled. He gritted his teeth, face pale, and forced out the words:
"I... surrender."
Maki turned and walked away, not sparing him another glance. Having suffered through bullying herself, she understood better than anyone that a proud person doesn't need comfort in such moments—they need solitude to lick their wounds.
That was the last bit of dignity Maki offered to Kamo Noritoshi.
She slipped her earpiece back on.
"It's done. I won."
"I knew you would. Now, there's only one thing left—" Akira's voice came through the radio, a smile in his tone.
"—Gardevoir, it's time. Let's end this."
"Gardevoir."
In the center of the screen, Gardevoir gracefully waved her green hand, while, in the distance, the two bruised yet fiercely fighting brawlers continued their clash.
Countless blows had left marks on each other's bodies, but the two fighters separated once again, roaring as they charged forward, fists aimed squarely at each other's faces.
Both fought without any defense, as if they wouldn't stop until the other's face was unrecognizable.
But just before their fists collided, Gardevoir's white dress fluttered, appearing between them in an instant.
Both fighters instinctively tried to pull back their punches, only to realize with shock that their bodies wouldn't obey them.
They couldn't advance, they couldn't retreat, they couldn't attack, they couldn't withdraw.
It was like being trapped in quicksand made of superglue.
"You are—?"
"Akira's—?"
Hakari Kinji and Todo Aoi clearly recognized Gardevoir. Surprised by her strange power, they noticed the phone floating in the air next to her.
On the other end, Akira casually tossed the remains of the Grade 2 cursed spirit high into the air.
A shadow flashed, and a dark claw effortlessly pierced through the cursed spirit's final remnants, shattering it completely.
Then, with a swift motion, it swallowed the fragments whole, leaving no trace behind.
This level of waste not, want not could only be matched by Darkrai.
Having finished the job, Akira spoke leisurely into the receiver:
"It's over. If you two haven't had enough, you can save it for tomorrow's individual match."
"Who cares what you think!"
"Tomorrow's a new battle. My spirit's still burning!"
True to their nature as muscle-bound warriors, even their responses were perfectly in sync.
As they spoke, their cursed energy surged, showing signs of breaking free from Gardevoir's psychic hold—a testament to the strength that even Gojo Satoru respected.
Unfortunately, they hadn't yet reached the level of a special-grade sorcerer and weren't strong enough to contest Gardevoir's powers.
Just imagine, if Darkrai and Pancham, who had only recently emerged, could grow to this extent, how could Akira's beloved Gardevoir lag behind?
"Psychic!"
The upgraded mental control locked them in place once more. Only because these two second-years were so strong did they remain standing—any weaker opponent would have collapsed.
"If you two want to settle things privately, that's your business. But this is a team battle—at least pretend to cooperate. I'd rather not have any complications. If you're still unsatisfied, you're welcome to challenge me anytime after the match."
People's personalities differ—some understand reasoning, while others only respond to strength.
Todo Aoi and Hakari Kinji clearly belonged to the latter category.
They exchanged a glance, then eyed Gardevoir's radiant display of psychic power. They knew it was futile to resist.
"Women, truly formidable," Todo Aoi declared. "I've found another person I want to challenge."
"As expected, the Pokémon around you are no ordinary creatures. After the exchange event, we need to have a proper conversation," Hakari Kinji added with a different focus.
"Anytime," Akira replied with his usual calm. "Everyone, regroup, and let's celebrate—this glorious victory is ours."
"No one can stand in our way!"