Brilliant light erupted outward with Shion at its center.
Even Gojo Satoru and Geto Suguru had to narrow their eyes against the radiance. As the light expanded, their overlapping domains began to dissolve before them.
They stared in disbelief.
When domains collide, only two outcomes are possible.
The first is overwhelming superiority, when one domain exists on a completely different level and crushes the other outright.
The second is absolute counteraction, when one domain's effect perfectly negates the other, like snow melting the instant it touches boiling water. Even without a vast difference in strength, the result becomes one sided.
Among the three of them, Shion was the strongest, but not by such an absurd margin that he could erase both of their domains through sheer power alone.
Which meant this was the second possibility.
But their domain effects were completely different.
So what exactly was Shion's ability, and how could it neutralize both at once?
The blinding light slowly faded.
When Satoru and Suguru opened their eyes, the sight before them left them momentarily speechless.
The sky was an endless, luminous blue. Clouds drifted gracefully across it. Though there was no visible sun, the world shone as if bathed in daylight.
Beneath their feet stretched a flawless mirrored surface that reached the horizon, reflecting the pristine sky above.
It was as though heaven itself had been laid flat.
Compared to this serene expanse, Unlimited Void and Myriad Phenomena now seemed dark and oppressive. Shion's domain felt pure, almost sacred, yet suffocating in its authority.
Not far away, Shion stood calmly, watching them with a faint smile.
Satoru ran a hand through his hair, irritated. "You mastered Domain Expansion too, Bro?"
Suguru remained composed, his gaze sharp. He cared less about the aesthetics and more about the mechanics.
Shion stroked his chin. "Why not try using your techniques?"
Satoru and Suguru instinctively attempted to activate their cursed techniques.
Nothing happened.
Their expressions shifted.
They searched inward.
There was not a single trace of cursed energy left in their bodies.
Not even a drop.
At that moment, aside from their refined physical abilities, they were no different from ordinary people.
Satoru blinked. "What is this?"
Shion answered evenly, "My domain is called Throne of Stillborn Stars. Its effect is simple. Within this space, all cursed energy except my own is stripped away."
He could have followed the path of Unlimited Void, refining the Six Eyes and Limitless into a similar direction. It would have been easier.
But Shion had never been interested in walking behind anyone, even his younger twin.
He chose his own path, and it surpassed even his expectations.
Suguru exhaled softly. "No wonder our domains collapsed simultaneously. Without cursed energy, there is nothing to sustain them."
Cursed energy was the foundation of all jujutsu. Technique activation, reverse cursed technique, Domain Expansion, every advanced art depended on it.
Remove the source, and even the most refined ability became meaningless.
A master chef without ingredients.
Suguru's eyes narrowed slightly. "Then what about someone like Toji Fushiguro?"
Those born under a Heavenly Restriction like Toji Fushiguro possessed no cursed energy to begin with. Instead, they were granted monstrous physical strength. If there was no cursed energy to strip away, would the domain lose its purpose?
Shion nodded. "Correct. There is no such thing as a perfect technique. But how many people like him exist?"
Satoru leaned toward Suguru and whispered mischievously, "Next time, maybe we should drag him in here and test it."
Before he could finish, Shion appeared behind him and smacked him on the back of the head.
A sharp crack echoed across the mirrored surface.
"My foolish little brother," Shion said calmly. "I said I would strip away your cursed energy. I never said I could not use mine."
Satoru dropped into a crouch, clutching his head dramatically. "Violence! Abuse of power!"
Shion only smiled faintly.
---
Later, at Tokyo Jujutsu High, a blond young man with a composed expression stood before the trio.
"My name is Nanami Kento. I am a first year student."
He adjusted his tie slightly.
"My technique is Ratio Technique. By establishing a seven to three ratio on a target, I can forcibly create a weak point."
After finishing his introduction, Nanami Kento looked at the three men in front of him.
The Six Eyes twins. The curse manipulator. The so called strongest trio in modern jujutsu society.
Titles like that stirred curiosity, even admiration.
Satoru leaned closer, inspecting Nanami's hair. "Blond, are you mixed?"
"Yes. My grandfather was Danish."
Suguru tilted his head. "Do you always look this serious?"
"I simply do not enjoy smiling."
Shion glanced over the report in his hand. "You exorcised a Grade Two curse three months ago alone. Several Grade Three as well. That makes you at least Grade Two in capability."
Nanami's posture straightened slightly. Finally, a serious discussion.
"Yes, Shion senpai."
"Impressive," Shion said lightly. "In that case, I have several Grade Three assignments here that require handling."
Suguru turned to him. "Those are your academy assignments."
Shion looked entirely sincere. "I am nurturing new talent."
"You just want to slack off. Bringing a first year to handle your workload, you have no sense of responsibility."
"Slander. I will sue for defamation."
Nanami raised a hand. "Shion senpai, does this involve overtime? I dislike overtime."
Shion answered without hesitation. "If I pay overtime, it does not count as overtime."
Silence filled the room.
Five minutes later, Nanami exited the meeting room with a complicated expression.
Outside, Haibara Yu hurried over eagerly.
"Nanami, how was it? The legendary strongest trio, they are amazing, right?"
Nanami adjusted his glasses. "Not quite what I imagined."
That only made Haibara more excited.
Moments later, Haibara burst into the room, eyes sparkling.
"Hello, seniors. My name is Haibara Yu. My technique enhances the output of allies within a three meter radius, effectively doubling their power."
He beamed as if meeting celebrities.
After some time, Haibara left the room as well, still smiling brightly.
Watching that unshaken grin, Nanami found himself thinking.
Surely they would not treat Haibara normally while teasing only me.
…Right?
____
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