Chapter 148: A Complete Superior Replacement
"Hahaha, it's over."
Looking at the result he had created, Jogo spoke with a face full of confidence. After all, his fire technique had no redundant mechanisms; it was pure destructive power. High temperature, intense heat, explosions, and most importantly, long-range capabilities... although it lacked special "hax" mechanics, a technique with this many offensive traits was absolutely top-tier in terms of destructive power.
Having never failed before, Jogo did not believe anyone could survive after being hit by this move.
"So this is the 'strongest sorcerer'? Doesn't look like much. Now, time to find that item.
If that Cursed Tool is still there... but then again, it's a tool on the same level as the [Prison Realm], so it shouldn't be destroyed that easily."
Smoke permeated the air. It wasn't just high temperatures evaporating the water vapor in the atmosphere, but also the dust kicked up from the scorched asphalt road. Anyone who has studied physics knows that the damage brought by such high-temperature gases is not a bit lower than being burned by direct fire. Not to mention the magma formed by the flames Jogo created wouldn't simply vanish in such a short amount of time.
Despite not having studied physics formally, Jogo—whose very technique involved playing with fire—couldn't possibly be ignorant of this. Similarly, as one whose technique was fire itself, how could Jogo fear this level of heat? He ignored the obstacles and walked straight toward the direction of the vehicle Gojo and the others had been riding in.
He only took a few steps forward before his pace came to a sudden halt.
"?...!?"
"A Cursed Tool?" Amidst Jogo's wary gaze, a burst of chuckling echoed from the area covered in magma.
"Looks like the target of this Cursed Spirit is you, Emiya.
When did you provoke this spirit? Look, our car was almost ruined by it."
The long-range vision of the [Six Eyes] allowed Gojo Satoru to see Jogo the moment he appeared and pinpoint his location. In fact, with the power of the [Six Eyes] combined with his own [Limitless Cursed Technique], he could have aimed a [Cursed Technique Reversal: Red] at Jogo's direction and killed him from a distance.
However, because he had been "spoiled" by Emiya Shirou—having seen a Cursed Spirit seemingly tailing them just a moment ago, followed immediately by a Special Grade Spirit coming for them—Gojo Satoru preferred interrogation over a simple, efficient kill. He wanted
to squeeze information out of Jogo regarding Kenjaku and whether Suguru Geto's body had been taken over.
Of course, observing Emiya Shirou's combat was also one of his objectives.
"He didn't use a technique similar to my [Limitless] to isolate the flames, but instead controlled them directly."
Gojo stopped his movement to pull Emiya Shirou behind his [Limitless] barrier. While complaining to Emiya verbally, he let Jogo's attack play out while secretly using the [Six Eyes] to observe the surroundings and evaluate the situation in his mind:
'My previous guess was indeed correct; Emiya's technique is undoubtedly related to temperature control.
...No, according to Emiya, he used his technique to copy a certain Shikigami that can control temperature?
If that's the case, then this Cursed Spirit is truly pitiful.
To encounter its complete superior replacement.'
Thinking of this, Gojo Satoru couldn't help but look at Jogo as if looking at a pathetic soul. In the probing attack just now, Jogo's fire technique had undoubtedly had its temperature controlled by Emiya Shirou's [Pseudo-Magician's Red].
Or rather, using superior fire control and the Second Law of Thermodynamics—where heat spontaneously transfers from high-temperature objects to low-temperature ones—Emiya created "Stand" flames with a slightly lower temperature to "rob" the heat from Jogo's technique.
"Don't worry, Gojo, I have this range well under control," Emiya Shirou's voice drifted over. "I can make it look like the spirit's attack succeeded while ensuring the attack poses no threat. Besides, this spirit's target might not just be me; its true target might actually be you, Gojo.
After all, as the strongest sorcerer of the modern era, as long as you exist, these Cursed Spirits can never rebel against humanity on a grand scale."
"You certainly have an interesting way of speaking, Emiya. I'll take the compliment," Gojo Satoru said with a smile. "By the way, are you taking this spirit, or am I?"
Gojo Satoru's smile was genuine. Not only did he accept the flattery of being called the strongest, but more importantly, he understood the subtext of Emiya's words. If he had only suspected a link between Jogo and Kenjaku before, he was certain now.
Emiya's words were indirectly telling him: Jogo came specifically for him and was related to Kenjaku's plan.
That was enough for Gojo. He had been worrying about how to find Kenjaku's location from Emiya; now, a spirit who knew Kenjaku's whereabouts had delivered himself to the door.
Naturally, Jogo was extremely displeased by Gojo Satoru's behavior—treating him like he didn't even exist and automatically regarding him as a dish to be served, as if either one of them could casually step up and defeat him. Even his volcano-like head began to erupt with a pillar of fire toward the sky in emotional agitation.
"Just how long are you two brats going to keep ignoring me?!"
[Ember Insects]!!
He used his agitated eruption as bait, making it look like he was provoked by being ignored. In reality, through this seemingly emotional outburst, he released Shikigami (or rather, minor Cursed Spirits) resembling mosquitoes that he bred inside the volcano on his head. Using the impact of the eruption, he launched them toward Gojo and the others both rapidly and stealthily!
"Oh, the target is Gojo Satoru?"
"No, Jogo's target is me."
Since the life-detecting flames of [Pseudo-Magician's Red] were constantly draped over Emiya Shirou, both the [Ember Insects] Jogo released secretly and his attempt to feint were clear. While it looked like he was launching a surprise attack on Gojo, Jogo's actual movement toward Shirou's direction was glaringly obvious in the perception provided by the life-detecting flames.
Read ahead (100 chapters) by supporting me on buymeacoffee com/varietl or ko-fi edwriting