Chapter 44 — Domain
"Guaranteed hit… guaranteed kill?"
Ren stared blankly.
"Isn't that ridiculously unfair?"
And on top of that—it neutralizes techniques.
No wonder his Limitless, which should have automatically invalidated any incoming attack, had failed. The opponent hadn't just bypassed it—it had nullified it outright, then struck him with an unavoidable, lethal effect.
"So that thing was invincible?"
He couldn't wrap his head around it.
It was an area-type ability too—capable of targeting multiple people at once. If that curse could just keep its Domain open, wouldn't it be able to slaughter its way through Jujutsu High effortlessly?
Unless—
"Not exactly," Utahime replied calmly. "You've probably already figured it out."
"It's not the only one who can use a Domain."
So there were Domain users on the Jujutsu High side as well.
A bitter smile tugged at Ren's lips.
With twelve times the baseline control and output, and the ability to learn techniques postnatally, he had begun to think he was already—or soon would be—invincible.
And yet, in a single moment, this so-called Domain had shattered that illusion.
Neutralizing all techniques.
Guaranteed hit, guaranteed kill.
It rendered everything he had trained—everything he had built—utterly meaningless.
"Domain…"
"Yes. Only a Domain can counter another Domain."
"…Is there no other way?"
Utahime hesitated briefly.
"Not entirely. The New Shadow Style has something called a 'Simple Domain.' It can partially counter a Domain."
"But because it's incomplete, it's purely defensive. It can buy time and resist the guaranteed-hit effect—but it can't overpower a full Domain in a clash."
New Shadow Style. Simple Domain.
Ren's lips twitched. He almost said something—then swallowed it.
Utahime noticed his strange expression. "What?"
"N-nothing."
Should he tell them he had already learned Simple Domain just by observing Miwa?
No.
It was a secret art of the New Shadow Style. Better not advertise it.
He could just use it quietly when necessary.
Still… even that wasn't enough.
Utahime had made it clear—Simple Domain could only defend and stall. It couldn't win.
This time, they were inside Jujutsu High. Reinforcements had arrived quickly.
But what if he encountered a Domain user alone, out on a mission?
Ultimately—
The real solution lay in mastering Domain itself.
"Sensei," Ren lifted his eyes, earnest and burning with curiosity. "When can you teach me Domain?"
"Ah… well…" Utahime's cheeks flushed faintly as she laughed awkwardly, suddenly evasive.
The woman in the lab coat glanced at her—and snorted softly.
"What?"
The brown-haired woman exhaled a ring of smoke, her slightly husky voice carrying a calm authority.
"Domain is an extremely advanced ability. It's the dividing line between ordinary sorcerers and the elite."
"Among the active personnel of both schools combined—there are fewer than five who can use it."
The implication was obvious.
Utahime-sensei didn't know Domain Expansion.
Ren instinctively turned to look at her.
"Don't worry!" Feeling her student's doubtful gaze, Utahime quickly straightened up and declared, "I'll ask a sorcerer who does know Domain to guide you."
Ren visibly relaxed.
"Thank you, Utahime-sensei."
He paused, then another thought surfaced.
"By the way… since Domains are that powerful—who saved me from that 'guaranteed-kill' Domain?"
He looked around at everyone.
Utahime opened her mouth to answer—
But Ren's eyes shifted, locking directly onto a tall, slender girl standing quietly at the back of the group.
"Was it you, Zen'in Maki?"
His gaze shone with admiration and faint astonishment.
"You were the one who pulled me out of that curse's hands, right?"
So you finally showed your true strength?
No wonder her control over cursed energy was so refined. So precise.
She must already have mastered Domain—the pinnacle of jujutsu.
That must be why she never went all out against him.
If she had used a guaranteed-hit Domain in their match, the outcome would have been decided instantly. And that wouldn't have aligned with the spirit of a friendly exchange.
What a pity…
He'd never get to witness that hidden brilliance.
Ren was silently lamenting this missed opportunity—
When he noticed everyone staring at him strangely… then turning in unison to look at Maki.
"You… you guys…"
The looks on their faces clearly said:
Is there something going on between you two?
Even the perpetually cool Maki flushed bright red under the scrutiny, looking like she wanted to dig a hole and crawl into it.
She opened her mouth to say something—
But no words came out.
Instead, she simply glared at Ren furiously.
Ren, meanwhile, sensed that the atmosphere had suddenly grown… odd.
After a moment of awkward silence, the woman in the lab coat spoke, amusement flickering in her tone.
"No. It was Gojo who saved you."
She glanced between Ren and Maki again before continuing her explanation.
"He should've arrived earlier. But the intruders set up a curtain specifically targeting him. Because the binding condition was 'only block Satoru Gojo,' the barrier's strength was significantly amplified."
"It took him some time to break through."
"And the curse somehow sensed the curtain collapsing from inside its Domain. The moment it realized Gojo had entered, it immediately dispelled its Domain and fled."
Ren recalled that silver-haired, carefree face.
Satoru Gojo.
If it was him… that made sense.
Still—
Was his presence alone that terrifying?
Ren had assumed there had been a Domain clash—Gojo overpowering the curse's Domain to save him.
But no.
The curse had simply fled the moment Gojo arrived.
Just from his presence.
That overwhelming?
"By the way," Shoko added casually, her deep brown eyes—shadowed by heavy violet makeup—suddenly lighting up with unmistakable curiosity as she glanced between Ren and Maki again, "why did you think Maki was the one who saved you?"
"Isn't she really strong?" Ren replied matter-of-factly.
Maki shot him another glare, then lowered her head, face burning red. The more she tried to look indifferent, the more suspicious it seemed.
Ren raised a hand again.
"I have another question."
Everyone braced themselves.
"Between Gojo Satoru and her—who's stronger?"
His eyes gleamed with unfiltered competitive curiosity.
"Shut up!"
Maki finally snapped.
She pushed past the others, strode straight to Ren's bedside—
And slapped her hand firmly over his mouth.