Chapter 149: Overdrive
"Could Gojo have actually called it? Did Kenjaku's target stop being Gojo and switch to me, an interloper whose background is unknown?"
Seeing that Jogo's primary target wasn't Gojo Satoru—after summoning the [Ember Insects] to temporarily distract Gojo by attacking Itadori Yuji and the others, he rushed toward Shirou at full speed—Emiya Shirou couldn't help but mutter to himself in his heart.
—'Or is this simply Jogo's instinctive stimulus response to something that can threaten him?'
Both possessed the ability to create and control flames. Compared to Jogo's fire technique, [Pseudo-Magician's Red] not only had an extra attribute—the ability to control temperature—but after Shirou's improvements, it had even derived a "Stand" ability to create ice through low temperatures. It was almost a perfect counter to Jogo's fire technique. It seemed only natural that Jogo would want to eliminate the threat and take down Shirou first, an enemy who possessed such extreme compatibility against him.
"Forget it, I won't think about it. Regardless of who Jogo chooses as his opponent, his end is already predestined."
—'In fact, by choosing me as his opponent, his end might be even worse.'
Thinking this, Emiya Shirou, who had prepared in advance through the feedback of his life-detecting flames, had early on completed the steps for this counterattack.
Unlike when he first arrived in this new world—where Cursed Spirits were essentially invisible and immortal to anyone who didn't know how to use Cursed Energy—the current Emiya Shirou had not only projected Gojo Satoru's blindfold but had also learned how to use Cursed Energy.
Although limited by the fact that Projection Magecraft cannot replicate physical constitutions or bloodlines, meaning he could not acquire the [Six Eyes] (which are part of Gojo's body) or the [Limitless Cursed Technique] (which is engraved into Gojo's soul from birth), much like how Shirou could project the Jeweled Sword of Zelretch but couldn't use its true power without the Tohsaka Magic Crest... the knowledge itself brought by the modern era's strongest sorcerer was what mattered most to Shirou.
Now, he didn't need to project [Gáe Bolg] to counter a curse with a curse. Instead, he could directly...
"Hand? My... hand?! My hand, aaaaaaahhh!!"
Jogo screamed in shock. The cold, calculated look of a surprise attack on his face instantly turned into horror at a certain power the moment he successfully approached and made contact with Emiya Shirou.
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"Ripple (Hamon) transmitted through flames... I believe that's what this move is called."
Emiya Shirou's fist, covered in "Stand" flames to enhance its destructive power, was not only burning with scorching fire but also flickering with a brilliant golden light:
"—Scarlet Overdrive!!"
Ripple energy—a positive energy filled with the attribute of life. For a Cursed Spirit, whose entire being was composed of Cursed Energy (negative energy), the moment Ripple energy entered their body, their fate would be no better than that of a vampire in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.
Not only was the arm Jogo used to touch Shirou instantly evaporated, but if Jogo—who was at least a Special Grade Spirit—hadn't sensed the intrusion of the Ripple and quickly used a hand-blade to sever his own arm before the positive energy completely invaded his torso, he might not even be standing to speak in front of Shirou.
Even so, having lost an arm and had a significant amount of Cursed Energy neutralized by the Ripple's positive energy, Jogo was now panting as he stared at Shirou. He questioned loudly with a face full of wariness: "Just now... what was that?! Was it your technique, or the effect of that Cursed Tool?
What on earth did you do, you bastard?!"
In the world of Jujutsu Kaisen, is there a power of the same type as Ripple energy? Yes. This was something Emiya Shirou recalled only after projecting Gojo Satoru's experience.
—Reverse Cursed Technique!
Since Cursed Energy is a special energy born from human negative emotions, it is naturally an energy with high destructive power. One cannot expect energy born from hatred, loathing, or the desire for someone to die to be beneficial to the human body or capable of healing it. To apply Cursed Energy to the field of healing, one must use the Reverse Cursed Technique—multiplying Cursed Energy (negative energy) by itself to produce positive energy.
Although Cursed Spirits are composed of negative energy, and the fact that humans cannot use raw Cursed Energy to heal doesn't mean Spirits can't, it didn't mean Jogo was ignorant of this common knowledge of the Jujutsu world.
But was the attack Emiya Shirou used truly the Reverse Cursed Technique? Rather, was that truly a technique a human could perform?!
Ripple energy, as dazzling as the sun and sweeping away all evil like sunlight, made Jogo feel as though he wasn't facing a human at all, but was standing directly in front of the sun!
Facing Jogo's curious and questioning desire to overcome his fear, Emiya Shirou simply rubbed his chin and replied calmly: "What benefit do I get from explaining it to you?
Or do you think I need to use the 'Revealing One's Hand' binding vow to enhance the power of this attack? Do you think that's the only way I can defeat you?"
"Wh-what..." Jogo was rendered speechless by Shirou's retort. Because Shirou wasn't lying. He truly didn't need any "Revealing One's Hand."
Of course, the binding vow of "Revealing One's Hand" likely wouldn't have any effect anyway for Shirou, who wasn't even using Cursed Energy to attack. Jogo, who was trying to frame things according to the rules of the Jujutsu Kaisen world, had miscalculated from the very beginning.
"So, Cursed Spirit, I don't need 'Revealing One's Hand' to increase my attack power, but what about you?"
Emiya Shirou, who understood exactly what kind of lifeforms Cursed Spirits were, gazed at Jogo with emotionless eyes. "Besides these moves and Domain Expansion, do you have any other tricks?
Or rather, you could try saying things like: Why did you come here? What is your purpose? Who is the mastermind behind the scenes who incited you to come?
...It would be perfectly fine to treat those questions as your 'Revealing One's Hand'.
Out of the kindness of my heart, I will give you a chance to organize your words and perform this 'Revealing One's Hand'."
Having said this, Emiya Shirou held up three fingers in front of Jogo and counted down rapidly.
"3!"
"2!"
"1!"
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