Whoosh—Boom!
Piercing Blood hit Hayashi's gut, punching through the cursed energy armor. It absorbed some force, but still broke through.
A chill hit his stomach—like something inside shredded apart.
"It went through!"
Everyone gasped. Noritoshi Kamo, going all out, had finally pierced Hayashi's defense.
Yet Hayashi stood firm. He glanced down—a fist-sized blood hole ran through his gut.
"Got him," Noritoshi panted, half-crouched, drenched in sweat. That strike drained everything he had. Failing that? Years wasted.
Hayashi eyed him. "Nice power. But in this state, against a real enemy, burning all your strength on one hit? Sure, it's prepped blood, but that took a toll, right?"
Noritoshi frowned. "Why're you so calm? Your gut's blown open."
"So what?" Hayashi waved a hand over his stomach. Green light flared.
Then, the unthinkable: his gut healed in seconds—perfect, like it never happened.
"No way!"
"What—"
Everyone shot up—Kyoto, Tokyo, even the teachers in the stands—stunned.
This reversed cursed technique? Even Ieiri Shoko couldn't pull that off—not that fast, not that flawless.
Shock plastered every face. Hayashi's unseen technique flipped their worldviews.
Except Todo Aoi, Mai, and Miwa—everyone else gaped.
"Seriously, told us to keep quiet, now he's spilling it himself," Miwa muttered, pouting. Hayashi's secret wasn't secret anymore.
"Best outcome. Told you—pointless," Mai shook her head. She'd lost the will to fight this level ages ago.
Proving yourself was fine, but against a gap this wide? Just masochism.
"You knew already?" Nishimiya's jaw dropped. Her technique might not even scratch Hayashi. A first-year, really?
In the observation room, Gojo Satoru cracked a smile. Hayashi was showing his hand.
"A monster?" Noritoshi felt ice in his chest—helplessness creeping in. Years of grueling training, injuries, grit—all crushed by Hayashi.
Hayashi hadn't even swung. Still, Noritoshi's spirit was broken.
Hayashi dropped the cursed energy armor, eyeing Noritoshi on one knee. No point in hitting him now—too easy.
Silence fell.
A weird mix churned in everyone—defeat? Envy? Awe? Submission?
No one could pin it. This black-haired kid—beyond his looks, strength was his ace, not his face.
Put it this way: Hayashi's power plus his charm? Irresistible.
Gojo was the type too, but his clowning turned affection into something odd.
As the quiet settled, Miwa glanced up. "Huh? Where'd the crows go?"
Mai looked too. The surveillance crows—gone.
In the stands, screens went black. The last few talismans flared red, burning out.
"What's happening?"
"Match over?"
Iori Utahime, still reeling, blinked at the glitch.
Mei Mei stood. "Something's up."
Gojo sat still, pondering.
The field turned eerily silent.
Hayashi snapped alert—cursed energy armor flared back on. Black Steel drawn, he vanished.
"Finishing blow?" Noritoshi thought, bracing.
But as the word crossed his mind, a massive crash erupted behind him.
Boom!!!
"Ah!"
A thick tree split apart. Nishimiya hit the ground hard. Blocking her—Hayashi, armored, Black Steel parrying something.
Everyone tensed, on guard.
Hayashi's blade held back a crocodile-like cursed spirit, its jagged teeth gnashing at the steel. If he hadn't moved, it'd be Nishimiya's head in its jaws.
"Enemies!"
Mai and Miwa backpedaled fast. Mai drew her revolver, Miwa her blade.
Nishimiya's eyes bulged, tears welling—terrified.
"You okay?" Hayashi glanced at her, dazed on the ground.
"I—I'm fine…" Nishimiya's voice shook. She saw it now—Hayashi's blade locked against a hideous, gaping maw.
"Get her out!" Hayashi shouted. "Enemies incoming!"
"What enemies?"
Some hadn't clocked it—confused. Wasn't it just them here? Low-grade spirits, a few stronger ones, that's it.
Todo had warned Kyoto to stay sharp, but no one took it seriously. He wasn't chatty—especially with people he didn't vibe with.
Now, Todo reacted fastest. He bolted to Nishimiya, scooped her up like a chick, and hauled her off.
"Hayashi, go all out," Todo said, eyes sharp. He dropped the shaken Nishimiya at a distance, ripped off his shirt—muscles rippling.
"Been waiting for this," Hayashi sneered. Cursed energy surged wild. Black Steel thrust forward, shoving the spirit back a dozen meters.
"Not bad, not bad. Everyone's here—perfect," a loud laugh boomed. The sky darkened, like brown oil slathered over it.
Everything drowned in its shadow.