There were many reasons why Eichi did not directly eliminate Mahito.
For example, Mahito's Cursed Technique was indeed very useful, and Eichi wanted to study it thoroughly.
Furthermore, Mahito was simply too adorable. Eichi truly could not bear to exorcise him so casually.
Finally, Eichi hoped that Mahito would, like in the original story, comprehend Domain Expansion in the midst of life and death.
After all, he still had to give him to Suguru.
Suguru's combat power largely depended on Cursed Spirits.
Therefore, although his strength was among the top Jujutsu Sorcerers, Domain Expansion had always been Suguru's weakness.
Although Suguru also had Cursed Spirits capable of Domain Expansion, their intensity was too poor.
Let alone Eichi and Satoru's Domains, even Yuta had a chance to use his Domain to completely shatter the Domains of several of Suguru's Cursed Spirits.
However, Suguru also had his own advantages. For instance, many of his Cursed Spirits possessed peculiar abilities, capable of launching curses and attacks from several kilometers away.
With these Cursed Spirits, as long as it was not an open-type Domain, they could directly shatter the outer shell of the enemy's Domain from the outside.
Even if the opponent switched the internal and external sealing conditions, he would not be afraid.
He could directly release thousands of Cursed Spirits from within to burst your Domain from the inside.
Although that was how it was said, there was still a significant difference in practicality between Cursed Spirits with a Domain and those without one.
So, when there was time and it was not difficult, Eichi continuously "taught" Mahito, helping him master his Domain as quickly as possible.
He just did not expect such an unexpected gain.
Eichi remembered that the move "All Kills Are Spiritual Bodies" was a move Mahito developed much later, after comprehending his Domain, in order to delve deeply into jujutsu with Itadori Yuji.
He did not expect it to appear even before the Domain this time.
What Eichi did not know was that Mahito developing "All Kills Are Spiritual Bodies" first was actually his own doing.
Because the layer of shadow armor on Eichi's body was simply too restrictive for Mahito.
During the continuous injuries and constant proximity to death just now, Mahito touched the essence of his own Soul and the core of his Cursed Technique.
He could indeed use his Domain now, but Mahito knew that even with his Domain, he had no chance of winning.
Although Kenjaku had not told Mahito the specific details of Eichi's Domain, even if Eichi did not use a Domain, that layer of shadow armor would make Mahito very passive.
Because Mahito's Domain only took effect through touch, and while touch was a sure hit, he still had to destroy that layer of shadow armor before the Cursed Technique could take effect.
Mahito was not sure whether he would be the first to peel open Eichi's turtle shell,
or whether Eichi would endure the Cursed Technique's effects and beat him to death first.
So Mahito chose to touch his own Soul, change his form, and use "All Kills Are Spiritual Bodies," which consumed less Cursed Energy and had a better chance of shattering Eichi's armor.
Bang!
Fists collided, and a huge impact spread out from the two of them.
"Oh?"
Mahito's speed and strength began to surge, and Eichi actually felt pressure.
"Interesting. It seems I need to increase the intensity."
The shadows at Eichi's feet boiled, and an incompletely summoned great serpent appeared.
One, two, three... eight huge snake heads appeared behind Eichi, and under Eichi's command, an endless barrage of attacks rained down on Mahito.
'Damn it, even All Kills Are Spiritual Bodies isn't enough.'
Scars began to appear on Mahito's body.
'In that case, I can only retreat first.'
Mahito, who firmly believed that his life was paramount, prepared to withdraw.
Let that Curse User Kamo worry about this guy himself.
For Mahito, whether it was Kenjaku or the other few disaster Cursed Spirits currently, they were all expendable in the face of his own life.
Although he was very good to the other disaster Cursed Spirits, that was only when his life was not threatened. Once his life was threatened, nothing was more important.
Bang!
Mahito was sent flying by Eichi's punch, then his body went limp, falling weakly to the ground.
"Hmm?"
Eichi frowned, thinking he had accidentally used too much force and killed Mahito.
He quickly reconsidered, thinking that was not right. He had not used Cursed Energy to attack the Soul just now, he was just enjoying the fight.
"A Clone?"
Eichi looked down at Mahito, who was limp on the ground, and came to a conclusion.
"Over there?"
Just now, the 360-degree barrier without blind spots that Eichi had set up was triggered.
Eichi immediately understood Mahito's intention.
This little darling wanted to run away again.
On the other side, Mahito punched the barrier, feeling its rock-solid nature, and a hint of despair rose in his heart.
"It really is... hitting a brick wall."
He truly could not figure out why he had only intended to casually attract one or two Jujutsu Sorcerers to study his Cursed Technique.
How did he end up attracting such a pervert?
The Jujutsu World's ceiling was dispatched for just a troublesome Cursed Spirit case.
Was this reasonable?
Mahito leaned weakly against the wall.
"You're giving up already?"
"What else?"
Facing Eichi, who had caught up, Mahito showed a helpless expression.
"I surrender. I have important information and can apply for meritorious service."
...Do you think we would accept a Cursed Spirit's surrender?
This was truly a Way he had never imagined.
"We can make a Binding Vow. I'll provide you with important information, a conspiracy that can destroy the Jujutsu World, and you let me go. How about it?"
Mahito raised his hands, indicating his sincerity.
Eichi hesitated for a moment. Due to Abe no Seimei's appearance, he was actually a little curious to see what Mahito could offer.
"However, I refuse."
The next second, Eichi cast this thought out of his mind.
If he could believe Mahito, he might as well believe Sukuna had become a vegetarian.
Indeed, while Eichi's attention was fully on the Mahito in front of him, another Mahito appeared behind him.
Crack.
Mahito had only transformed one arm into the "All Kills Are Spiritual Bodies" form, and the powerful attack created a small gap in Eichi's shadow armor.
'I got him!'
Mahito was ecstatic. After realizing he could not escape, he had been preparing for a final gamble.
Modifying only his right hand was to conserve Cursed Energy.
"Domain Expansion: Self-Embodiment of Perfection."
Countless large hands appeared behind Mahito, and a pitch-black space trapped Eichi within it.
"Hahaha, I'll remember you, Azuma Eichi. Thank you for holding back multiple times, which allowed me to make such progress, hahaha."
Mahito covered his face with one hand and laughed wildly, looking up at the sky.
"Now then, die."
The sure-hit Cursed Technique effect penetrated the gap in the armor and directly struck Eichi's physical body.
Mahito's lips curled into a cruel arc.
He wanted to turn Eichi into his strongest pawn.
"No need to thank me. After all, if the ingredients are too poor, I can't present them."
Eichi turned around as if nothing had happened.
"Ah?"
Mahito looked in disbelief at Eichi, who had voluntarily dispersed his shadow armor but was completely unaffected by his Cursed Technique.
"I was still wondering why you hadn't comprehended your Domain yet. So it was this armor of mine, convenient for close combat, that made you wary, huh? Honestly, I should have known not to use it."
Eichi scratched his head, not expecting that he had actually increased his own workload.
"You, why are you fine?"
Mahito looked in surprise at Eichi, who was sightseeing in his Domain.
"You don't even know Mahoraga's ability?"
"But you didn't summon Mahoraga?"
...That guy didn't tell you Mahoraga can be placed in shadows?
Under Mahito's despairing gaze, Mahoraga emerged from Eichi's shadow with a cheerful smile.
After appearing, Mahoraga even gave Mahito a thumbs-up.
However, in Mahito's eyes, that bright and cheerful smile looked terrifying no matter how he saw it.
"Your information sharing is quite poor."
Eichi shook his head, then formed hand signs.
"Domain Expansion: Abyssal Dark Shadow Garden."
A pitch-black Domain devoid of any light completely swallowed Self-Embodiment of Perfection. The next moment, countless Shikigami fangs bit into Mahito's flesh.
In the dark sewer, screams echoed endlessly.
After an unknown amount of time, another set of footsteps appeared in the sewer.
Suguru, who had just arrived, saw Mahito, eyes vacant, slumped on the ground in despair, with an expression of being utterly broken.
It was just that his completely spread-out body, like it had been soaked in vomit, soft and rotten from being bitten by Shikigami, though Eichi had not let the Shikigami eat it, and riddled with holes, made one feel a bit strange.
"...Eichi."
"What's wrong?"
"Although I said Cursed Spirits taste like rags wiped with vomit, you don't have to recreate it so accurately, do you? You even added the taste of the sewer?"
(To be continued.)