Capítulo 36: Only 4 Chapters Left...For JJK Manga That Is, For Me? 165.

As the dust settled around them, Megumi's eyes widened in recognition. The cursed spirit that loomed before him was none other than Hanami, the very same entity that had attacked Gojo. He quickly pieced together the gravity of the situation—the powerful cursed spirit, the curtain that had suddenly surrounded them, and the evident danger they were all in.

"It's her," Megumi muttered, clenching his fists as he recalled the encounter Gojo had described. "The cursed spirit that went after Gojo-sensei."

Noritoshi's gaze hardened as he took in their surroundings, noticing the curtain enveloping the area. "This isn't just an ordinary attack. They're isolating us," he remarked, his voice tinged with urgency. He knew they needed to act fast, or they'd be at a severe disadvantage.

Toge, always quick to assess the situation, pointed to Megumi's phone. "Call Gojo," he commanded, his cursed speech laced with the authority of his technique. But just as Megumi reached for his phone, Hanami moved with blinding speed. A sharp impact echoed through the air as Hanami's attack shattered Megumi's phone into pieces, cutting off any hope of immediate contact.

"Damn it!" Megumi cursed under his breath, frustration flashing across his face.

Without missing a beat, Toge unleashed his cursed speech, his voice reverberating with power. "Stop!" he commanded, and Hanami's movements came to an abrupt halt. It was only a temporary measure, but it was enough to give them a moment to regroup.

Noritoshi seized the opportunity, channeling his cursed energy into his blood. With a swift motion, he shaped it into a thin, deadly circle. "Slicing Exorcism!" he called out as he unleashed the attack on Hanami. The blood formed a razor-sharp edge, slicing through the air with lethal precision.

However, as the attack connected, Noritoshi's expression shifted to one of concern. The Slicing Exorcism, which would have been deadly to most curses, barely made a dent in the special grade spirit before them. Hanami's dark eyes glimmered with an almost dismissive gaze as the blood technique failed to inflict significant damage.

"Nue!" Megumi shouted, summoning his shikigami from the shadows. The large, bird-like creature descended from above, lightning crackling around it as it struck Hanami with a powerful bolt. Simultaneously, Megumi lunged forward, his sword flashing in a precise arc aimed at Hanami's legs. The blade connected, slicing through flesh, but even that wasn't enough to slow the spirit down.

Hanami stood tall, seemingly unfazed by the attacks. The air around her seemed to shift as she began to speak, her voice carrying an eerie, otherworldly resonance. The words she spoke were foreign, yet their meaning somehow reached the boys, sinking into their minds like a creeping shadow.

"I wish to protect this world… from the scourge of humanity," Hanami intoned, her voice calm yet filled with a feeling of deep, abiding sorrow. "Foolish children, cease your struggle. The planet needs time without your kind."

Megumi, Noritoshi, and Toge exchanged glances, a mix of confusion and resolve in their eyes. The cursed spirit's words were unsettling, yet they were also a clear declaration of intent.

Hanami continued, her voice carrying an almost motherly tone. "You who stand before me, you can become sages through death. The planet will heal, and in time, all will return to the earth."

"You think we're just going to lie down and let you kill us?" Megumi snapped back, his grip on his sword tightening. "We're not dying here today."

Noritoshi nodded in agreement, his blood-soaked hands ready to strike again. "We won't let you have your way, no matter what your twisted beliefs are."

Toge remained silent, but his determination was evident. His cursed speech was their key weapon, and he knew he had to use it wisely to keep them alive.

Hanami's gaze softened, almost as if she were pitying them. "Such foolish resolve," she murmured. "But if that is your choice, then I will grant you the death you seek."

...

Utahime and Principal Gakuganji step through the ominous curtain enveloping the school. Immediately, Utahime senses the formidable presence of special-grade curses, her intuition honed by years of experience. The tension thickens as the eerie silence is shattered by the creaking of stairs, revealing a sinister figure descending towards them.

Juzo Kumiya, the curse user responsible for the curtain, saunters down with a twisted grin. His eyes gleam with malevolent intent as he surveys the two sorcerers before him. "Where's Satoru Gojo?" he demands, his voice dripping with disdain.

Principal Gakuganji's sharp gaze narrows as he assesses Juzo. "You're no amateur," he mutters, recognizing the curse user's skill. Despite the situation, Gakuganji remains calm, with his years of experience guiding his every move.

Realization dawns on Juzo as he pieces together the truth. "So, they tricked me," he snarls, his fury barely contained. His eyes dart between Utahime and Gakuganji, the frustration evident in his twisted expression.

Gakuganji, sensing the growing threat, steps forward. "I'll handle this one," he says with quiet authority. "Utahime, go on ahead."

Juzo's lips curl into a sneer as he sizes up the elderly principal. "I'd much rather craft something from a woman's corpse than an old man's," he taunts, his voice laced with malice.

Insulted by the crude remark, Gakuganji's eyes flash with determination. Without a word, he unslings his electric guitar, the instrument humming with latent power. The air around him crackles with energy as he prepares for battle.

Juzo, unfazed by the display, cackles. "Come back after you've fixed your hollow bones, you rotting geezer!" he jeers, his laughter echoing through the corridor.

Gakuganji's grip tightens on the guitar, his expression hardening. "You'll regret those words," he declares, strumming a single chord that reverberates with ominous power.

...

Megumi, Noritoshi, and Toge are in a desperate situation as they flee from Hanami's relentless attacks. The cursed spirit manipulates wood, creating a mass of branches that seem impossible to escape. As they run, Toge gulps down more cough syrup, trying to keep his throat in fighting shape. Hanami emerges from the branches and launches a new assault, this time with wood balls that sprout sharp spears.

Toge grits his teeth, using his cursed speech to halt the deadly projectiles mid-air. His voice, though strained, still has the power to hold Hanami at bay, if only for a moment. Seizing the opportunity, Noritoshi focuses his blood into a single point, releasing it as Convergence: Piercing Blood, a concentrated bullet of blood aimed straight at Hanami's face. The attack lands, forcing the spirit to reel back in surprise.

Megumi is taken aback by the effectiveness of Noritoshi's attack. "That actually hurt him," he thinks, his mind racing to figure out their next move. Toge downs more cough syrup, his voice weakening with each use of his cursed technique. Noritoshi, catching his breath, reflects on their situation. "We can't keep this up," he says, his voice laced with frustration. "Toge's throat won't last much longer, and we're barely scratching this guy."

Megumi nods, his eyes scanning their surroundings. "We need to find Todo or anyone else who can help. We're running out of options."

Toge, despite his exhaustion, manages a nod. "Run away," he commands in a low, hoarse voice, his cursed speech giving them a brief respite as they dash through the forest, hoping to find an ally before Hanami catches up again.