CHAPTER 22: BLAST OFF

The air was thick with sorrow.

Toji's body lay still, Megumi kneeling beside him, silent and shaken.

But peace never lasts long in Shibuya.

A slow, cynical clap echoed through the shattered street.

"Hmm… fancy stuff is happening over here."

Mahito stepped forward with his usual smug smirk, hands in his pockets, head tilted like a curious child admiring chaos.

Megumi forced himself up, body trembling.

"You again…?"

His breath was ragged. His limbs barely moved.

Mahito grinned.

"Still standing? That's impressive. But come on, don't be stubborn now. I could end this quickly."

Before Mahito could take another step—

BOOM.

The pavement exploded.

Dust clouded the air, rubble flying.

And through it, heavy footsteps stomped in like a war drum.

"I apologize for being late…"

"But it took me a while to find lotion for my handsome hands."

A hulking silhouette emerged—shoulders squared, eyes blazing—

Aoi Todo.

Mahito's grin faded slightly.

"Another one…? Great. A musclehead."

Todo cracked his knuckles, stretching his arms.

"Yuji is my brother."

"And anyone who lays a hand on my brother…"

He stepped forward, aura exploding—

"Will face my rhythm."

The battle began.

Mahito lunged, trying to manipulate Todo's soul.

But—

Nothing.

"Wha—?"

Todo grinned.

"You think a man with perfect taste in women and a solid handshake has a weak soul?"

He caught Mahito's arm, spun him, and slammed him into the wall.

The impact shattered glass for blocks.

They clashed again and again—curse versus raw might.

Mahito morphed, shaped his limbs into spears, whips, claws—

But Todo met every strike with brutal elegance, matching blow for blow, dodging, blocking, striking back.

He was faster than Mahito expected.

And stronger.

"You're surprisingly sturdy," Mahito admitted, trying to morph into a blade again.

"You're surprisingly annoying," Todo shot back. "Yuji hits harder."

Mahito growled.

"You brat…"

Then—suddenly—

A voice cut through the chaos like a blade through smoke:

"STOP IT."

"I want to kill that fing bastard."*

A familiar voice.

Mahito froze, and Todo turned slightly.

From the shadows, Yuji Itadori emerged, bloodied but burning with rage.

His fists were clenched. His eyes were on fire.

The floor beneath him cracked from the pressure of his cursed energy.

"You killed Nanami…"

"You hurt Nobara… Maki…"

"I've had enough."

He looked at Todo, fury in his voice—

"Let me finish this."

Todo smiled slowly.

"Then allow me, as your brother…"

He stepped aside, raising his hand for a high five.

Yuji met it with a clap.

"Let's kill this bastard."

And so—

Itadori walked forward.

Mahito stepped back.

For the first time in his existence—

The curse felt fear.