Though it looked harmless, the cursed corpse's punches were heavy as hammers.
It specifically targeted areas where Yuji hadn't reinforced his body with cursed energy.
"Seriously, why do I have to get beaten up while watching horror movies?!"
Yuji looked at the TV screen, tears practically in his eyes.
A classic B-movie horror flick was playing; the heroine's screams mixed with the roar of a chainsaw, creating a headache-inducing din.
"To train your fine control over cursed energy," Satoru Gojo explained leisurely from the side, snacking on a Kikufuku.
"Cursed energy stems from negative emotions."
"Fear, anger, sadness... these are the fuels for cursed energy."
"But this cursed corpse has a special technique imbued in it. As long as your cursed energy output fluctuates with your emotions, it'll wake up and wallop you."
"No matter what you see, you must keep your cursed energy steady. This is a mandatory course for becoming a first-class jujutsu sorcerer."
Yuji was a mess, struggling to dodge the corpse's hooks while staying focused on maintaining his energy.
"This mandatory course is way too twisted!"
On the other side of the basement...
In sharp contrast to Yuji's chaotic side was a deathly silence.
Yoru sat cross-legged on a yoga mat.
His eyes were closed, hands resting naturally on his knees, with Shiranui placed horizontally before him.
No movies, no cursed corpse sparring partner—even his breathing was so faint it was nearly inaudible.
He sat there silently, like a stone statue weathered by a thousand years.
"Sensei, Yoru's been sitting there for ages... is that really considered 'honing his blade'?"
Taking advantage of a moment when the cursed corpse was dormant, Yuji couldn't help but glance at the motionless figure, asking skeptically.
"He doesn't even have a whetstone..."
"Stupid Yuji."
Gojo flicked Yuji's forehead, cutting off his complaining.
"So-called 'honing the blade' doesn't necessarily require a whetstone."
"For a true swordsman, the heart is the sharpest blade."
"He is adjusting his state, focusing his spirit and essence to the absolute limit in preparation for the upcoming battle."
Gojo's voice was soft, seemingly not wanting to disturb Yoru.
But Yuji still caught the gravity in his tone.
"Battle? Against who?"
"Against me."
Gojo pointed to himself.
Yuji's eyes widened.
"For real? Yoru is strong, but how could he possibly be a match for you, Sensei...?"
"That's why he's adjusting," Gojo smiled.
"That kid is planning to give me a big surprise."
Time ticked by.
Yuji continued his struggle against the cursed corpse, getting bruised and battered, while Yoru remained motionless.
But if one looked closely, something was off.
The air around Yoru seemed slightly distorted.
Like heat haze rising from an asphalt road in summer, it caused the light to refract.
Moreover, though he sat right there, Yuji had a strange sensation.
It felt as if no one was there at all.
Yoru's presence was gradually vanishing, melting into the surroundings.
"What... what is this?"
Yuji stared blankly, even forgetting to maintain his cursed energy, resulting in a punch straight to his nose from the cursed corpse.
"Ow!"
Yuji cried out, clutching his nose, and the half-bottle of cola in his hand went flying.
The bottle traced a parabola through the air, heading straight for Yoru.
"Watch out! Yoru!"
Yuji was horrified.
If that bottle hit Yoru on the head, things would get messy.
However, the instant before the bottle reached Yoru, the boy who had been as still as a statue suddenly opened his eyes.
Swish.
Yoru's finger moved slightly.
He didn't draw his sword; he didn't even raise his arm.
It was a simple waving motion, as if shooing away a mosquito.
Slice—!
A faint sound of tearing silk echoed in the air.
In the next second...
The spinning bottle of cola was suddenly split neatly down the middle.
The cut was smooth as a mirror, looking as if it had been sliced by a laser.
Most bizarrely...
Though the bottle was severed, not a single drop of cola spilled out!
It was as if an invisible film had sealed the cut, locking the liquid inside.
Clatter.
The two halves of the bottle hit the ground. Only then did the cola inside seem to react, splashing out onto the floor.
"Holy... crap?!"
Yuji's jaw nearly hit the floor.
He looked at the bottle on the ground, then at Yoru, who still maintained his sitting posture, completely stunned.
"What was that?! What was that?!"
"An air slash?! Sword qi?! Or some kind of technique?!"
"Yoru, since when did you learn jujutsu?!"
Yuji ran over excitedly, circling Yoru several times, looking at him like he was an alien.
The emptiness in Yoru's eyes gradually faded, returning to his usual clarity.
He glanced at the cola stain on the ground, frowning slightly.
"It's not jujutsu," Yoru said calmly.
"And it's not sword qi either."
"Then what is it?" Yuji pressed.
"It's intent."
Yoru reached out, resting his hand lightly on Shiranui's hilt.
"When your heart is at its peak of stillness, your intent can interfere with reality."
"Though it's still crude, and I'm far from that level..."
Yoru looked at his palm, seemingly dissatisfied.
In that brief moment, he had indeed touched a certain threshold—the sensation that all things are empty and only 'I' exist.
It was the prototype of the Transparent World.
Though it was only for a moment and he couldn't fully grasp it yet, the seed had been sown.
"Intent? Interfering with reality?"
Yuji was baffled; he understood the words individually, but they made no sense together.
"Alright, don't think too much about it."
Gojo walked over at some point, smiling as he patted Yuji's shoulder.
"That level is still too early for you. Finish dealing with that teddy bear first."
Having said that, he turned to Yoru. His smile gradually faded, replaced by an expression of recognition.
"It seems your blade has been sharpened."
Yoru slowly stood up. Shiranui did not return to its scabbard; instead, it let out a crisp hum, craving battle.
"That level of intent is only the beginning."
Yoru's voice was calm, but a flame burned in the depths of his eyes.
"Sensei, about the special practical combat you mentioned earlier..."
"I also want to confirm exactly how far I can go now."
"Oh?"
Gojo raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise.
"What? Not going to train a bit more? Maybe warm up with a few Special Grade cursed corpses?"
"There's no need."
Yoru shook his head, his tone carrying the pride of the strong.
"Those dead things are meaningless to me."
"What you need is a stronger opponent," Gojo picked up the thread, his grin deepening.
"An opponent who can force out all your potential, making you constantly break through your limits on the edge of life and death."
"Right?"
Yoru didn't speak; he simply tightened his grip on the hilt.
His gaze grew sharp, like a sword about to be unsheathed, pointing directly at the man before him.
"Then..."
Yoru looked up, his red eyes locked onto Gojo.
"Is that opponent... you?"
The air seemed to freeze in that instant.
Yuji, standing to the side, even forgot to breathe, oblivious to the popcorn spilling from his hands.
He felt like a rabbit that had wandered into a lion's den, liable to be crushed by the aura of these two powerhouses at any moment.
"Bingo!"
Gojo snapped his fingers and casually removed his signature black blindfold.
Those azure eyes that seemed to contain the vastness of the stars and sea—the Six Eyes—were revealed without reservation for the first time.
"Having the strongest modern sorcerer personally act as your sparring partner is a Special Grade privilege, Yoru-kun."
"I wouldn't have it any other way."
Boom—!
The presence radiating from Yoru erupted.
Despite having no cursed energy, that purely refined sword intent caused the surrounding air to distort, letting out a strained groan.
"Careful, Sensei."
Yoru held his sword with both hands, assuming the starting stance of Sun Breathing.
A faint, scorching red light flickered on the pitch-black blade.
"This blade..."
"...will sever infinity."
The smile on Gojo's face widened even further.
He opened his arms as if embracing the entire world.
"Oh? Severing infinity?"
"Then I truly am looking forward to it!"
The special training had finally begun.