The looming threat [114]

As Gojo looked inside Kenzo domain,he noticed that they were in the middle of a battle field with the body of thousands of people on the floor.

"Welcome to my domain sensei"Kenzo said looking at Gojo with a smile.

"Inside of this domain,you are under my control"Kenzo said with a grin.

"Have you forgetten that we were clashing,you dont have access to your sure hit dont you"Gojo said with a smile to which Gojo replied.

"You lost the second i opened my domain"Kenzo said looking Gojo who looked at him for a bit before saying.

"We arent clashing are we"Gojo said to which Kenzo just smile.

"You won the clash the second my domain appeared dindt ya"Gojo added to which Kenzo just smiled before saying

"Arent you just a smart cookie"

Kenzo scoffed, a hint of arrogance creeping into his voice. "Sure, your domain might have crumbled a bit quicker if I'd amped my domain up a notch," he conceded, feigning nonchalance. "But the end result wouldn't have changed, would it, sensei?"

Gojo's gaze remained unwavering, his amusement morphing into a knowing smirk. "You're holding back, aren't you, Kenzo?" he countered, his voice laced with a playful challenge.

Kenzo's smirk widened, his eyes sparkling with a competitive glint. "Bingo!" he exclaimed, relishing the realization dawning on Gojo's face. "This entire fight, I haven't even broken a sweat. Consider it a mere 25% effort on my part."

The revelation sent a surge of pride through Kenzo. He had not only pushed Gojo to his limits but had done so while holding back a significant portion of his own power. It was a testament to his growth and a display of his potential.

Gojo's response, however, surprised Kenzo once again. Instead of anger or frustration, a genuine smile, warm and unexpected, spread across his face. It was a smile that spoke volumes, a silent acknowledgement of Kenzo's impressive feat.

"You did well, Kenzo," Gojo declared, his voice filled with genuine admiration. Kenzo, caught off guard by the unexpected praise, stammered in response.

"Are you... alright, Satoru?" he questioned, unsure of how to interpret his sensei's uncharacteristic display of emotion.

Gojo simply maintained his warm smile. "I admit," he conceded, his voice calm and collected, "you bested me fair and square."

The air crackled with a newfound respect, a silent acknowledgment of Kenzo's remarkable feat.

With a flourish, Kenzo deactivated his domain. The grotesque battlefield dissolved, replaced by the familiar sight of the Jujutsu High training grounds. The oppressive energy lifted, leaving behind a sense of normalcy, albeit one tinged with the weight of their recent encounter.

Gojo, his expression unreadable, stepped forward and landed a playful pat on Kenzo's shoulder. "You did well, Kenzo," he repeated, a hint of pride in his voice. "But remember, this doesn't make you the strongest. Enjoy the title while it lasts, because I'll be taking it back eventually."

Kenzo grinned, unfazed by Gojo's playful challenge. "Just try it, dumbass," he retorted, his voice laced with playful defiance.

The air crackled with a sense of friendly competition, a testament to the unique bond they shared. As if responding to Kenzo's words, the air shimmered around them. Purple portals, like rents in the fabric of reality, began to materialize around the Tengen barrier. From these portals, an army of shadow soldiers emerged, their forms coalescing from the inky darkness.

Dragons soared through the air, their wings casting vast shadows. Knights in imposing armor materialized, their weapons glinting menacingly. Archers nocked arrows onto their bows, their eyes fixed on unseen targets. The training grounds were transformed into a battlefield, teeming with Kenzo's formidable army.

Gojo's eyes widened slightly in surprise, a hint of amusement flickering in their depths. He turned to Kenzo, a single question hanging in the air.

"Are those shadow soldiers yours, Kenzo?" he inquired, his voice laced with curiosity.

Kenzo, a mischievous glint in his eyes, simply met his gaze and uttered a single, enigmatic word.

"No."

Kenzo approached the towering shadow creature, his hand instinctively slipping into his pocket. He wasn't naive; these beings were formidable, and if they posed a threat, he wouldn't hesitate to send them back to the void. Despite the creature's imposing size, Kenzo held his ground, his gaze unwavering.

Just as he braced himself for a fight, the unexpected happened. The colossal creature bowed deeply, its voice resonating with a thunderous respect.

"Grand Marshall Bellion," it boomed, its words laced with reverence. "We offer our unwavering loyalty and respect to our liege, the Shadow Monarch."

Kenzo's heart skipped a beat. The realization dawned on him like a bolt of lightning. These weren't just any shadow soldiers; they were the remnants of Ashborn's army, a formidable force gifted to him as a parting legacy. The sheer number dwarfed his own forces, their presence a testament to Ashborn's immense power.

A wave of emotions washed over Kenzo. Awe, trepidation, and a flicker of excitement coursed through him. He understood the implications. Ashborn's legacy lived on within these soldiers, and their arrival hinted at a connection, a thread that led to the enigmatic being who had chosen him.

"If you are here," Kenzo began, his voice barely a whisper, "then that means..." He trailed off, his gaze fixed on the vast army before him, his mind grappling with the possibilities. "He is near," he concluded, the weight of the revelation settling upon him.

As Kenzo grappled with the weight of Ashborn's legacy, a scene unfolded elsewhere, a stark contrast to the tension that gripped him. A figure, silhouetted against the fiery backdrop of a setting sun, soared through the vast expanse of space. Crimson hair, like a comet's tail, streamed behind him, catching the dying light. In his wake, a magnificent spectacle unfolded – an army of colossal dragons, their wings casting long shadows across the celestial canvas.

An enigmatic smile played on the figure's lips, betraying a thrilling anticipation. News of the Shadow Monarch's return had ignited a spark within him, a yearning for the long-awaited confrontation. He, who had once defied the enigmatic being's reign, now craved the opportunity to prove his own power, to settle an ancient score.

The Earth, a vibrant blue marble suspended in the cosmic void, grew closer with each passing moment. The figure's smile widened, his eyes burning with a fierce determination. The clash between two titans, fueled by past grievances and a thirst for dominance, was about to erupt, sending tremors across the very fabric of existence. The stage was set, the players poised, and the battle for supremacy was about to begin.