"What is more terrifying than death?"
"It is watching something happen and being powerless to stop it."
Eichi's fist could have landed on Naoya's handsome face half a second earlier.
But he deliberately slowed down, letting Naoya widen his eyes and watch the fist approach bit by bit.
Bang.
The moment the freeze lifted, Eichi's fist crashed into Naoya's face.
Hit cleanly, Naoya slammed into the ground like a basketball and bounced hard.
Blood ran from his nose and mouth.
"Cough, cough, how is this possible? How could you keep up with my speed?"
Clutching his nose, Naoya stared at Eichi in disbelief.
"What is impossible about it? Your speed is still far from Toji's."
Eichi's tone was mocking.
In truth, while Toji's speed could effectively counter Projection Sorcery, it did not surpass it.
But that did not matter, because saying so would rattle Naoya's mindset.
Sure enough, when "the opponent can keep up with my speed" and "how is it that man" surfaced together in Naoya's mind, he recalled the fear of being dominated by Toji.
He subconsciously placed Eichi in that same terrifying category.
"Young Master Naoya, let us handle this."
Ranta, eyes bleeding, and Futo, badly injured, stepped in front of Naoya.
"Tsk, as expected of the Zen'in Family, they train their dogs well."
Ranta and Futo's performance perfectly fit the definition of loyal dogs.
This time all three attacked together.
Ignoring the pain in his eyes, Ranta activated his Technique again.
Futo also launched an attack without hesitation.
Only, compared to before, his strike clearly lacked bite.
A moment later, the reason became clear.
Using Futo's cover, Naoya rushed into close range.
But it was meaningless.
Eichi reached out, seized Naoya by the neck, then turned and hurled him into the cage created by Ranta's Technique.
Pfft.
Black Divine Dog emerged from Eichi's shadow.
Its claws flashed, carving three bloody gashes across Futo's body.
"Young Master Naoya."
Seeing that his Cursed Technique had trapped Naoya, Ranta immediately deactivated it.
Eichi drove his fist into Naoya's face again.
Before Naoya could be sent flying, Eichi grabbed his collar and yanked him back.
Bang, slap.
A right hook smashed into Naoya's face, then Eichi's hand opened into a palm and delivered a ringing slap.
Bang bang, slap. Bang bang, slap.
Eichi struck in a steady rhythm.
Naoya's once-handsome face swelled into a pig's head under the barrage.
"Hm?"
In the midst of his rampage, a subtle ripple of Cursed Energy drew Eichi's attention.
His movements slowed for an instant.
Ranta seized the opening and activated his Technique.
Eichi froze for less than half a second, then forced his Cursed Energy outward and shattered the cage.
But that half second let Naoya slip free of his grip.
"Y-Young Master Naoya, go first."
Ranta's eyes bled heavily, crimson veins spreading across nearly the entire sclera.
Futo, body scored with wounds, stood silently in front of Naoya.
"Why does something feel off?"
"Wasn't the script about a rich scoundrel bringing his lackeys to bully me, the former good-for-nothing protagonist?"
"Logically, shouldn't this be where I righteously strike down the young master and receive applause?"
"Why does this scene make me feel like I am the villain?"
Looking at the two retainers ready to cover Naoya's escape with their lives, and Naoya himself in a miserable state behind them, the more Eichi watched, the more wrong it felt.
Futo charged again, attacking with reckless resolve.
Ranta's bloodshot eyes could barely open, yet he still rushed Eichi, trying to pin him down and buy Naoya time.
"Tsk."
Eichi pouted, annoyed.
Before, seeing Megumi, Itadori, and Nobara snap had been thrilling.
Now that it was his turn, it felt fine as well.
At least seeing Naoya, a man who is not a good person now or later, so pitiful was satisfying.
Why should villains do as they please while good people only get bullied?
Clearly, good people are the most terrifying when they snap.
But this was not the time to ponder it.
Lightning coursed across Eichi's body.
Empowered, he grabbed Ranta and Futo by the scruffs and flung them out of the building, one in each hand.
Right behind them went their beloved Young Master Naoya.
The three tumbled together into the snow.
Eichi appeared over them, a vast shadow swallowing their figures.
Max Elephant.
Because Round Deer was fused into Max Elephant's body, Eichi now summoned Max Elephant when using Reverse Cursed Technique.
He could perform it himself, but it was less efficient and more tiring.
Under the flow of Reverse Cursed Technique, the trio's injuries quickly mended.
"What do you want to do?"
Naoya stared in terror at the towering shikigami.
The four-meter-tall Max Elephant pressed down on them with sheer presence.
"I will give you a chance."
Eichi smiled gently.
In Ranta and Futo's eyes, that smile looked like the devil's grin.
"I will give you a chance to defeat Mahoraga."
"What did you say?"
Naoya's expression twisted with disbelief.
Mahoraga.
A legend spoken of only in historical chronicles.
Eichi raised his fists in front of him.
"Furube, Yurayura..."
"Stop, do you want to die?!"
Naoya screamed in terror.
In Zen'in Family history, every Ten Shadows Technique user who summoned Mahoraga did so for one purpose.
Mutual destruction.
At that moment, Naoya's heart filled with fear.
Rather than believe Eichi had already tamed Mahoraga, he chose to believe Eichi would self-destruct and take the Zen'in Family's young master with him.
This was his last shred of self-respect.
However, Murphy's Law says what you fear most tends to happen.
"Eight-Handled Sword Divergent Sila Divine General Mahoraga."
As Eichi spoke, a terrifying figure rose behind him.
Mahoraga.
The shikigami revered by the Zen'in Family for having fought the Gojo Family's Six Eyes to the death, the inner faith of every Zen'in.
They believed that as long as Mahoraga existed, the Zen'in Family would stand at the pinnacle of the Jujutsu world.
But now, the existence they worshipped bared its fangs at them.
"Just do not kill them."
Leaving those words to Mahoraga, Eichi turned and walked away.
Mahoraga's lips curled into a chilling smile.
Eichi no longer paid attention to what followed, but after walking a few hundred meters, he glanced toward an inconspicuous corner.
"Still not coming out?"
"Hahaha, as expected of a genius who can tame Mahoraga."
An old man in a yukata with a haori stepped out of the shadows.
The current Zen'in Family Head, Naobito Zen'in.
Perhaps out of concern for his son, while Eichi was enjoying himself beating Naoya earlier, Naobito, who had been concealing his presence, accidentally let a trace of it leak.
It was faint and brief, but Eichi and Mahoraga still caught it.
"Are you not cold?"
"This level is nothing, glug glug."
Naobito smiled, pulled out a sake gourd, and took a sip.
"I know a good izakaya. Want to sit for a bit?"
"That is great, lead the way, kid."
Naobito smiled and agreed. He loved sake, and sitting down to talk was exactly what he wanted.
Hearing his reply, Eichi showed a satisfied smile.
In truth, the choice was simple.
Mahoraga on the left, izakaya on the right. Old man, pick one.
For Naobito to be Family Head meant he was no fool, and he saw it clearly.
Eichi could have easily beaten Naoya and the others down with his fists. Why summon Mahoraga?
Clearly, it was summoned for Naobito to see.
But Naobito did not care.
Eichi had no intention of killing them, so letting Naoya suffer a little was fine.
Naoya had coasted too long without learning humility.
Moreover, if Eichi was willing to talk, it meant he definitely wanted something.
It is not scary when someone has conditions. It is scary when they mention none.
Thus, a strange scene unfolded.
Two people who were hostile, or at least currently opposed, walked to a table to drink, chatting and laughing.
(To be continued.)