Tombs of the Star Corridor — Void Barrier
Entering the technique burnout phase, Kenjaku grew increasingly uneasy.
It wasn't because of the people in front of him—
But because of an inexplicable sense of dread.
As if a butcher's blade had already been placed against his neck—
Yet he couldn't see who held it.
Nor from which direction the blade would fall.
Tilting his head to dodge Yuki Tsukumo's shikigami whip, Kenjaku raised his shoulder and took Kento Nanami's heavy strike head-on with his body.
Boom!
He was slashed off the ground, a long gash tearing open along his forearm!
I can't drag this out any longer!
Blood dripped to the floor as Kenjaku unleashed the trump card he had prepared in advance!
ROAR!!!
From the barrier entrance he had previously broken open—
Countless cursed spirits poured down like a flood!
Crimson, pipeline-like streams descended from the sky, separating Kenjaku from the others into two distinct worlds!
"What's going on?!"
Barely repairing his battered body with cursed energy, Choso had just gotten up when he shouted in disbelief:
"Why can he still use his technique?!"
Nanami swung relentlessly, his blade forming afterimages as he cut down the cursed spirits in front of him!
Masamichi Yaga was only momentarily surprised before lowering his head and charging straight at Kenjaku!
"These are cursed spirits he hid at the entrance before entering the barrier!"
"That old bastard really came prepared!"
No one knew how long Kenjaku's burnout would last—
Not even a single second could be wasted!
Even the time needed to heal her body with reverse cursed technique was abandoned—Yuki pressed forward, lashing out with everything she had!
Her shikigami's elongated form roared through the air, each strike blasting apart swathes of cursed spirits!
Standing at the other end, Kenjaku's gaze was deep and calculating.
Nine seconds remained until his technique recovered!
BOOM!!!
Surging cursed energy exploded outward, the shockwaves sweeping across the entire hall!
Countless cursed spirits burst apart, purple blood splattering through the space!
To seize those final moments—
Yuki decisively hurled her shikigami into the mass of curses and detonated it!
The last obstruction was cleared!
Yuki, Yaga, Nanami, and Choso—
Without a single wasted word, all lunged forward!
At this distance…
Three seconds is enough!
Kenjaku's cold gaze swept across them, his sleeves flaring as he spread his hands wide!
Three seconds—
Was also the exact moment his burnout would end!
I'll make it!
Yet—
The instant he prepared himself—
He noticed the sudden shift in the four opponents' expressions!
The unease in his heart surged to its peak!
His pupils shrank violently as he turned his head—
"Yo. Long time no see, you old bastard."
The teasing voice came from behind—
Followed by four flashes of cold light!
Slash—!
"—Ghhk…?!"
Both arms. Both legs—severed!
Reduced to a limbless torso, Kenjaku collapsed into a pool of blood!
"White Zetsu?!!"
Lying on the ground, he cried out in shock:
"How is this possible?!"
The White Zetsu before him emitted no cursed energy whatsoever!
Before entering burnout, Kenjaku had confirmed all feedback from the cursed spirits within the Sendai Colony—
Zenin Mirai and White Zetsu should still have been inside the Culling Game barrier!
Only a few minutes had passed since his domain ended—
And outside, there was still Tengen's barrier surrounding the Tombs of the Star Corridor!
So how—?!
His thoughts halted—
As he noticed the long scar at the corner of White Zetsu's mouth.
Two bodies…
A Heavenly Restriction—
Toji Fushiguro!
Meeting White Zetsu's half-smiling expression—
Kenjaku suddenly understood!
White Zetsu's sudden appearance shocked not only Kenjaku—
But also Yuki, Yaga, and even Tengen hidden in the shadows!
None of them had sensed his intrusion!
A cursed spirit—
With absolutely no cursed energy?!
Yuki and the others instantly halted, their expressions turning grim!
Even if White Zetsu was targeting Kenjaku—
They weren't allies with Zenin Mirai.
Clad in black robes with red clouds, holding a long blade—
White Zetsu casually flicked the blood from his sword and sheathed it.
He lit a cigarette—
Carrying himself with effortless confidence.
Looking down at Kenjaku's mutilated body, he exhaled smoke and said:
"A thousand-year schemer… and this is all you amount to."
"You insignificant… cursed spirit!!!"
Kenjaku gritted his teeth, bloodshot veins filling his eyes!
From the severed limbs, flesh began writhing and regenerating!
His technique had recovered—
There was still a chance!
"How pitiful… you worm."
White Zetsu's voice was cold, his eyes filled with amusement through the smoke.
After the Shibuya Incident—
White Zetsu's first body had remained with Yuji.
When Yaga found the entrance and entered, Zetsu followed and infiltrated as well.
During the three days they waited—
White Zetsu had also been idling inside the Tombs of the Star Corridor.
He had observed the entire battle from start to finish.
So why—
Knowing Kenjaku's burnout was about to end—
Did he only sever his limbs?
BOOM!!!
The entire sky above the Void Barrier shattered!
As dazzling sunlight poured down—
A terrifying surge of cursed energy descended from above!
Everyone looked up—
Their pupils trembling violently!
The figure falling from the sky—
Was like a god or demon!
More radiant than the blazing sun itself!
"Kenjaku… long time no see."
"Zenin Mirai!!!"
Having just regained his footing, Kenjaku roared the name upon meeting those cold, blood-red eyes!
Despite all his careful preparations—
He had still fallen into the trap!
If Mirai had entered the Culling Game early—
Kenjaku would never have revealed himself.
Even while inside the Tombs of the Star Corridor—
He had checked Mirai's location every ten seconds.
If Mirai disappeared from the colony—
Kenjaku could have retreated safely.
Everything had been perfectly planned!
Except—
White Zetsu!
He had been watching everything—
Waiting for the perfect moment to strike!
Kenjaku raised his eyes, sighing:
"Fate really is a cruel thing…"
"Success by Heavenly Restriction—failure by Heavenly Restriction."
"You've got a point, kid."
White Zetsu raised an eyebrow in response.
Ignoring the others, Mirai looked at Kenjaku and said calmly:
"There are a few things I need you to confirm."
That—
Was why White Zetsu hadn't killed him earlier.
Kenjaku's words were always half-truths and lies.
Some information—
Could only be verified directly from him.
And it concerned the final endgame.
"I see…"
Kenjaku's gaze turned cold as he spoke in a low voice:
"You want to kn—"
BOOM!!!
The hands he was about to form seals with—
Exploded into blood mist!
A flash of crimson passed through Mirai's eyes.
"You've used that trick before."
"No need for you to speak. I don't trust your words."
Looking down at Kenjaku—
A vast surge of cursed energy erupted!
"Domain Expansion: Final Scene — Glazed Moon!"
—Ring!
In an instant—
Everyone inside the great hall froze in shock!
Only White Zetsu remained calm, exhaling smoke.
There was no need for Kenjaku to speak.
When Mirai previously explained this domain to Yuji and the others—
He had concealed part of its true function.
Within this illusion-type domain—
He could also view a large portion of the target's memories.
Though this depended on the strength of the target's soul and will.
Hidden in the shadows, outside the domain's range—
Tengen's four eyes widened in shock!
"An open-barrier domain!!!"
A bizarre cursed landscape—
Where sun and moon coexisted in the sky!
Tengen's avatar looked up at the blood-red moon floating above the hall, his entire body trembling!
This didn't match the information Yaga had provided!
Had Mirai been hiding this all along—
Or had he evolved again in such a short time?!
Staring at the figure standing at the center of the hall—
Tengen's lips trembled as he muttered:
"…A monster."