Chapter 179 - 179: Cursed Technique Reversal · Broken Phantasm

[Cursed Technique Reversal · Broken Phantasm].

Of course, this wasn't the version of Broken Phantasm used by Archer (EMIYA). To describe it accurately, it was more akin to the version developed by the original Emiya Shirou from the Fate/stay night storylines when he traveled to the Clock Tower to study with Rin Tohsaka.

After diverging from Archer's path, he gradually mastered a variation of Broken Phantasm. Instead of detonating a projected Noble Phantasm, it involved overlaying the abilities and attributes of one Noble Phantasm onto another—Broken Phantasm: Kai.

(PS: This originates from The Adventures of Lord El-Melloi II.)

Shirou had referenced both the name and the mechanics. As he came to understand that Domain Expansions and Cursed Techniques in Jujutsu Kaisen were sub-species of Reality Marbles, he realized that possessing a Reality Marble himself meant he essentially possessed a sorcerer's "technique."

By studying Cursed Energy through Gojo Satoru's projected blindfold, Shirou had used his experience with Ripple (Hamon) Breathing to rapidly master not just normal Cursed Energy extraction, but the synthesis of Reverse Cursed Technique energy as well.

When he channeled this Reverse Cursed Technique energy into the "technique" within his body—driving his [Unlimited Blade Works]—the infinite and diverse "Swords" were immediately reversed into a single, ultimate "Sword."

This allowed him to fuse the Stand ability of [Pseudo-Magician's Red] into the body of [Pseudo-Anubis], creating a brand-new Stand ability!

This was Emiya Shirou's unique Cursed Technique Reversal. His very own— [Cursed Technique Reversal · Broken Phantasm]!!

Having demonstrated this force—and essentially practiced his newly acquired ability—Emiya Shirou continued: "However, you guessed one thing correctly, Fushiguro Toji.

I do indeed need to use your identity to accomplish something, but this isn't a threat.

Rather, if you don't follow my instructions, I truly cannot guarantee the safety of Fushiguro Megumi.

Because the collaborators of that curse user who summoned you are very likely to turn Fushiguro Megumi—an excellent vessel who inherited the [Ten Shadows Technique]—into a container for Sukuna's resurrection."

Shirou wasn't blind or deaf; he had seen and heard how Granny Ogami and the others complained about Mahito's [Idle Transfiguration] after their disguises were seen through as they infiltrated Jujutsu High.

"Coming from the Zen'in family, you shouldn't be ignorant of what happens when a normal sorcerer consumes a cursed object left behind by Sukuna, the King of Curses from a thousand years ago...

Even if they're lucky enough not to be poisoned to death on the spot, they become a new physical body for the cursed spirit dwelling within the object to manifest in the world once more."

Shirou stated this basic jujutsu common sense, along with secrets recorded in both the Gojo and Zen'in families: "After all, for a thousand years, the only technique capable of defeating the Gojo family's [Limitless] has been the Zen'in family's [Ten Shadows Technique].

Those curse users and spirits wanting to defeat Gojo Satoru can only pin their hopes on another, even more powerful technique."

Having laid it all out, Shirou believed Fushiguro Toji would understand. As someone who had fought Gojo Satoru twice and hailed from the Zen'in clan, Toji knew the [Limitless] inside and out.

He knew that before Gojo mastered the Reverse Cursed Technique, there was a chance to defeat him. But after that mastery, defeat became nearly impossible.

That was how Toji had lost back then. It wasn't just his choice to face Gojo head-on, or the high recovery speed provided by the Reverse Cursed Technique. It was also the fact that by inputting positive energy into the [Limitless], Gojo created a "repelling force" through Technique Reversal, covering his last mobility weakness and granting him the high-output finisher: [Hollow Purple].

Faced with a Gojo Satoru who was invulnerable, mobile, and capable of massive damage, the [Ten Shadows Technique] was the only recorded instance in history of a technique capable of a double-kill against the [Limitless].

Fushiguro Megumi's rarity was far beyond Toji's imagination.

'Damn it, I undersold him!

When that guy Zen'in Naobito came looking for him, I knew he was up to no good! I should have sold Megumi for a much higher price!'

Toji cursed inwardly, finally realizing the value under Shirou's explanation.

Knowing that Megumi would eventually be either snatched back or bought back by Gojo Satoru, the fact that a chance to screw over both the Zen'in and Gojo families had been right there made it hard for Toji to accept, if he could do it all over again.

"So, you want me to give up the locations of that curse user's other companions?"

Thinking about the missed opportunity to rip someone off, Toji said with a bit of "heartache": "What a shame. I didn't find any intel from the soul of the person who summoned me.

Besides, according to Zen'in records, the [Ten Shadows] only managed to take the [Limitless] down with it. I don't think Gojo Satoru plus you would have trouble dealing with that lot."

There was one more thing Toji didn't say: if Gojo and Shirou really couldn't handle it, he could always help. With a lineup like that... honestly, Toji couldn't imagine anyone winning.

Who could possibly snatch Fushiguro Megumi from their hands to use him as a vessel?

"That's true enough, but I personally prefer things to be a bit simpler," Shirou nodded in acknowledgement.

He didn't deny it. He knew Gojo Satoru alone could wipe out the Four Disaster Curses. Even Sukuna, occupying Megumi's body and using the "World-Cutting Slash" learned from [Mahoraga], might have been defeated by Gojo if he hadn't relied on that one-time, "binding vow" instant-cast opportunity.

Shirou felt that even without him, as long as Gojo was a bit careful—now that he had a "spoiler" warning—he wouldn't end up like the "Sat/oru" from the original manga.

However, Gojo's personality was prone to "playing with his food." If they didn't know exactly what Mahito and the others were planning, who knew if Gojo would mess up again?

So...

"Would you like to play a game of Rock-Paper-Scissors with me, with our souls on the line?"

As Shirou spoke, he projected and swapped in a new katana with one hand, while making a Rock-Paper-Scissors gesture with the other.

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