Chapter 354: 354 Jujutsu Kaisen 19
A little over a year had passed since Utahime came here. She had now mastered not only technique reversal but also Death Beam—no, Cursed Wheel Cannon—and could even deploy a Simple Domain. I had to teach her Simple Domain because of Domain Expansion; the sure-hit effect of Domain Expansion is so broken that it couldn’t be helped.
Domain Expansion is the highest-level technique a sorcerer can achieve in the Jujutsu Kaisen world—a technique that combines one’s innate technique with barrier techniques to create a unique space. Simply put, the sorcerer deploys a barrier, separates a specific space, and imbues it with their own technique to gain a "sure-hit, sure-kill" effect.
Even with the major drawback of consuming enormous cursed energy, it is such a powerful technique that, assuming the opponent has no means to counter a domain, the formula "if you properly deploy your domain, you win" is considered almost absolute.
The strengths and weaknesses are similar for cursed spirits—even Mahito, among the upper echelon of special grade cursed spirits, evaluated it as a technique worthy of being a trump card in terms of power and cursed energy consumption.
However, there are ways to counter even this powerful Domain Expansion. Assuming equal skill between sorcerers, the first is to deploy your own domain, and the second is to endure with a Simple Domain.
As the most reliable means for those unable to use Domain Expansion to counter a domain, it can neutralize the barrier imbued with the opponent’s technique, nullifying the domain’s sure-hit effect.
That was why it was an essential technique for Utahime, who couldn’t use Domain Expansion. Other methods include escaping outside the barrier, exploiting gaps during activation, or receiving outside support, but those depend on luck, so I just told her about them.
"I taught you Simple Domain just in case, but now Domain Expansion is all that’s left."
"Is that so? Then please teach me Domain Expansion too."
"That’s not something you can learn. Domain Expansion cannot be acquired through simple training or external knowledge. It only becomes possible when a sorcerer, based on a deep understanding of cursed energy, grasps the essence of their own technique and can combine that power with a barrier."
"I see."
"So I think you’ve learned everything you need. Now, we’ll do the final test."
As I finished speaking, Tsukumo entered the training ground in light workout clothes.
"Hi, Utahime."
"Oh? Tsukumo-san, what brings you here?"
"The Head Priest called me."
I waited a moment for them to exchange greetings, then spoke.
"The final test is to earn recognition from special grade sorcerer Tsukumo."
At my words, Utahime seemed greatly surprised.
"Eh??? Is that possible?"
"Your goal is first grade, right? If you earn recognition here, you could also get a recommendation from Tsukumo—kill two birds with one stone, isn’t it? And from a special grade, at that."
"That’s true, but... I’m not going to die, am I?"
"Tsukumo wouldn’t do that. So don’t worry."
Tsukumo also seemed amused by the conversation.
"Oh! Sounds fun? Every time I came back to the mansion, you looked like a wreck, so I wondered what kind of training you were doing. Now I finally get to see."
"Tsukumo, you’d better be prepared too. I’ve only taught her for a little over a year, but still, she’s my disciple."
At that, Utahime looked touched, and Tsukumo chuckled.
"Okay! I’ll give it a try. The final test!"
"Then it’s decided."
Encouraged by my words, Utahime decided to take on Tsukumo. So the two warmed up and faced each other in the center of the training ground.
"If it gets too heated and looks dangerous, I’ll step in and stop it. So be aware."
"Got it!"
"Understood!"
Tsukumo took a fighting stance, but Utahime suddenly pulled out a cute pink microphone and began singing with rhythmic movements.
"I hope I can do everything I want to do~♪ As vast as the sky and earth, so many dreams~♬ Everything, everything, everything will come true~♫ With a神奇 pocket, it’ll all come true~♫♬"
"Huh? What are you doing... Doraemon?"
Tsukumo was utterly dumbfounded. But Utahime didn’t stop singing.
"I want to fly freely through the sky~♬ Okay! Bamboo Copter! I love you so much, Doraemon~♪♫"
"Ah! My cursed energy..."
While Tsukumo stood there blankly, unable to understand the situation, Utahime struck her with the technique reversal effect of Solo Forbidden Area.
Now Tsukumo’s cursed energy and output would both be reduced to 50%. The reason she could activate it so quickly was that, on my recommendation, she had formed a binding that allowed her to use Solo Forbidden Area with just a short song and dance, but doubled the required cursed energy.
"Y-y-you! That’s so sneaky!"
"Heheh! The fight has already started, you know."
Tsukumo looked utterly incredulous at the situation. Whether it was because Utahime had fought dirty, or because she herself had fallen for such an absurd trick, it was hard to say.
"Ha... fine! I won’t go easy on you either!"
Tsukumo moved quickly to close in on Utahime, but Utahime also began running away quickly. Tsukumo was once again flustered.
"Hey, why are you running? And what’s with this speed..."
Utahime’s current speed didn’t reach that of Toji, the Physical Gifted from Heavenly Restriction, but it was truly tremendous.
"Bang!"
BOOM!
"Guh!"
Utahime rapidly circled around Tsukumo and began firing off light Death Beams—no, Cursed Wheel Cannons.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
"Tch! So this is how you want to play!"
Tsukumo concentrated cursed energy on her arms to deflect or block the incoming Cursed Wheel Cannons. But the power of the Cursed Wheel Cannons was considerable, and Tsukumo knew she couldn’t keep defending forever.
’I see what you’re aiming at.’
From Tsukumo’s expression, she seemed to be calmly assessing the situation and looking for an opportunity.
"Now!"
The moment Utahime hesitated slightly while trying to fire a Cursed Wheel Cannon, Tsukumo quickly summoned Garuda, her semi-cursed-tool shikigami linked to her technique, formed it into a spherical shape, and kicked it toward Utahime.
As expected of a special grade, she immediately caught Utahime’s weakness—that she had to pause briefly to use the Cursed Wheel Cannon.
Whoosh—!
"Ugh!"
Utahime quickly stopped her Cursed Wheel Cannon and used the evasion footwork of the Shadowless Body Technique to dodge the incoming Garuda. But that was just a decoy to hide the real attack—Tsukumo immediately closed in and tried to punch Utahime.
Whoosh!
"Huh?"
But Tsukumo’s fist passed right through Utahime’s body, cutting through empty air. Then, unexpectedly, a Cursed Wheel Cannon flew in from the side.
"Bang!"
BOOM!
"Ugh! So it was an illusion!"
The Utahime in front of him faded away, and seeing the talisman at his feet that quickly turned to ash, Tsukumo immediately understood the situation.
It was a scene that showed how diligently Utahime had trained with me. While dodging Garuda’s attack, she had simultaneously touched the ground to plant an Illusion Talisman, activated it immediately, retreated behind cover, and hid herself among the obstacles. Every movement was as smooth and natural as flowing water.
’She really has worked hard.’
Watching her, I felt immensely proud. But Tsukumo was having a very hard time.
"This is awkward... I thought I had her."
Now Tsukumo seemed ready to use Garuda in earnest; Garuda circled around her, on standby. Seeing this, it seemed Tsukumo also acknowledged that Utahime was no ordinary opponent.
Tsukumo stopped simply waiting for an opportunity and began actively chasing Utahime. But she wasn’t just chasing—she used Garuda for long-range attacks simultaneously, a method to overcome the speed difference. As a result, Utahime couldn’t easily use her Cursed Wheel Cannon and instead actively used talismans to keep her distance from Tsukumo.
BOOM!
"Ugh! A slowing talisman and an exploding talisman..."
Utahime was now using Explosion Talismans as well. Originally, she had refrained from using them to avoid damaging the training ground, but against Tsukumo’s relentless assault, she was no longer in a position to hold back. Moreover, Garuda’s attacks could change direction mid-flight, making them difficult to dodge, and combined with Tsukumo’s simultaneous attacks, Utahime seemed to have lost her composure.
But there was a reason for this. Utahime had trained one-on-one with me every day, so she had never experienced a two-against-one situation. So this sparring session would definitely be a good experience for her.
BOOM! BANG!
"Dammit, you dodge like a squirrel!"
Tsukumo, having spent considerable time without landing a single hit, seemed frustrated. Moreover, as time passed, damage was accumulating on Tsukumo’s side. So she finally changed her strategy. Instead of directly targeting Utahime, she activated her own technique, ’Star Rage,’ and struck the ground on Utahime’s projected path with added mass.
THUD!!!
CRACK!
"Oh!"
Here, Utahime’s lack of real combat experience showed. With the terrain suddenly changing, Utahime, while moving quickly, flinched for a moment. Tsukumo didn’t miss that moment and immediately launched Garuda.
Whoosh—!
"Ugh!"
Utahime barely dodged Garuda, which came in with perfect timing, and prepared for the next attack. She also knew that Tsukumo would attack immediately after. It was always the same pattern. So while she had placed Sealing Talismans nearby to prepare, suddenly numerous fragments began raining down on her.
BOOM!!!
CRASH BANG BANG!!
"Wah!"
Tsukumo didn’t attack directly this time, but instead powerfully struck the raised ground from her previous attack toward Utahime, sending countless floor fragments at her like a shotgun blast. Unable to use talismans, Utahime tried to quickly get out of the way.
"Garuda!!!"
At Tsukumo’s call, Garuda, which had been waiting, quickly wrapped around Utahime’s body as she retreated to avoid the fragments, immobilizing her.
This was Tsukumo’s meticulous plan. Sending Garuda ahead, striking the raised ground to create a wide area of fragments and restrict Utahime’s escape space—all calculated moves. This was indeed a difference in experience.
"Finally got you! You little!"
Thwock!
"Ow! That hurts."
Tsukumo leisurely approached Utahime, who was pinned to the ground by Garuda, and thumped her on the head. She seemed annoyed that Utahime had given her such a hard time.
"Garuda, release."
Garuda, following Tsukumo’s command, released Utahime. Utahime, looking frustrated, got up, dusted off her clothes, and grumbled.
"If the space had been larger, it wouldn’t have come to this..."
So I said one thing.
"That’s an excuse. The battlefield is always changing. You might fight in a narrow alley, or face your opponent in an open field. You can’t always have favorable conditions. Besides, this sparring match was actually quite disadvantageous for Tsukumo too. As you saw, Tsukumo is a sorcerer specializing in close combat. Your fighting style—moving quickly and firing long-range attacks—is a bad matchup for her."
"I see."
Then Tsukumo patted Utahime’s shoulder as she looked dejected and said.
"I really struggled, you know. I was even thinking of using Domain Expansion. I heard you were a second-grade sorcerer. I never dreamed you’d grow this much in just one year. Now, first grade... no, if you get a powerful finishing move and can use Domain Expansion, you might even aim for special grade."
"Really?"
"Of course."
Utahime’s face brightened at Tsukumo’s praise.
"By the way, you two, look around. What are you going to do about this?"
When I said that, only then did Tsukumo and Utahime look around and take in the devastation of the training ground. The floor was cracked wide open as if from an earthquake due to Tsukumo’s technique, and the walls were cracked and collapsed, hardly a spot intact, from Utahime’s liberal use of Explosion Talismans. The training ground was completely devastated, reminiscent of an old abandoned factory.
"This building was completed not too long ago... you’ve turned it into a complete rag."
Tsukumo smiled awkwardly, embarrassed, and made an excuse.
"Ahaha... well, it happens. Now that your disciple has finished her training, you don’t need a training ground anymore, right?"
Tsukumo elbowed Utahime, signaling her to say something quickly.
"Th-that’s right... maybe we don’t need to use the training ground anymore?"
"You’re quite the talker. Well, fine. You’ve learned everything, and you’ve earned Tsukumo’s recognition, so training ends here. Let’s go back to the mansion and have a celebration party."
