Jujutsu Dragon Emperor Chapter 8 — The Strongest Sorcerer (Patreon)

The arena hung in a stunned hush for what felt like an eternity. Dust still drifted upward from the crater where Gojo's body had punched through the far wall and every eye in the stands remained locked on the empty space where the invincible heir had just been standing.

Satoru Gojo. 

The inheritor of Limitless and the Six Eyes. 

Who was agreed to eventually be the strongest sorcerer in current jujutsu society.

Had been beaten.  

The silence shattered.

A single shout broke from the Gojo section. "That's impossible!"

The words acted like a match to dry grass and murmurs erupted into a roar with voices starting to overlap each other.  

"Cheating! He must have cheated!"

"Some kind of forbidden tool?!"

"The Penetrate technique isn't even real sorcery, I've never heard of the Zenin having such a technique, it's a trick!"

Ren Gojo, Satoru's father, was already on his feet, his face looking like someone had just shoved a knife up his rectum and squeezed a lemon over the hilt. "This match is invalid. The Zenin boy used a forbidden cursed tool to bypass Limitless. That constitutes foul play."

Beside him, Tetsuo Gojo slammed a fist against the railing hard enough to bend the metal. "He didn't win. He cheated. Everyone saw it!"

Aiko remained seated, one manicured hand resting lightly on her knee, but her eyes burned fiercely at Naoto who had dared to hurt her son. She said nothing. She didn't need to. The rest of the clan was already surging to their feet and surging forward. 

Across the field, the Zenin elders exchanged glances. Naobito's expression remained unreadable, but his fingers tightened on the armrest of his chair. Naoya, for once, looked genuinely stunned; his usual smirk had vanished. Then, slowly, one of the older Zenin councilors stood.

"Invalid?" Jinichi's laugh was short and harsh. "The boy used his own cursed energy and a tool he carried openly. If your precious Limitless can't handle that, maybe the problem isn't with the Zenin heir."

The Gojo side bristled and Tetsuo took a step forward. "Watch your tongue, old man. We'll settle this right here if we have to."

Yumi Gojo rose smoothly, light threads already coiling faintly around her fingers. "I'd enjoy that."

Naobito finally spoke. "Enough. This is not a battlefield. The match concluded under agreed rules. My son won. Accept it."

Ren's head snapped toward him. "Your son? He's a Zenin mongrel who just humiliated the future of our clan. You think we'll simply bow and congratulate him?"

The sorcerers of the Gojo and Zenin clans began to bristle and step forward, cursed energy began to emanate from them and fill their air. It seemed that things were only a few moments away from escalating into a fight.

Jujutsu High staff hurried forward, in an attempt to separate both clans. "Stand down! All of you! This is not the time to be fighting each other this is supposed to be a place of learning!"

No one listened.

Meanwhile Naoto, still standing alone in the center of the ruined field, let out a long, tired breath. The Power Pole had already shrunk back to its pin form and was tucked behind his ear. His torn shirt hung in rags around his shoulders to the point he just tore it off and threw it on the ground. He rolled one shoulder, feeling the ache settle in, then turned toward the broken wall.

Gojo was already climbing out of the rubble. He moved slowly, one hand pressed to his jaw, the other braced against the cracked stone. Dust coated his white hair and clung to the torn edges of his uniform. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, but otherwise  he loooked okay.

Naoto walked over without hurry, while the shouting behind him continued to swell.  "You alive?" Naoto asked when he was close enough. 

Gojo lifted his head and one blue eye peered out from under disheveled bangs. "M fiiiine," he managed. "'Ust... jaw hur's a lil'."

Naoto stared for half a second.

Then he laughed.

"AHAHHHHAAHAHA!!"

Gojo's good eye narrowed dangerously. He stepped forward and drove a weak punch into Naoto's shoulder. "Oo laughin' a'?" Gojo demanded. "'Oo think 'at's funny?"

Naoto grinned wider, rubbing the spot where the punch had landed. "Yeah. You sound like you're gargling someone's balls."

Gojo tried to scowl. The expression pulled painfully at his broken jaw and only made it worse. He made a frustrated noise somewhere between a growl and a whine.

Naoto reached out, fingers closing around Gojo's wrist before he could throw another punch. "Come on, idiot. Let's get you to the healer before you bite your own tongue off."

Gojo resisted for a heartbeat out of pure stubbornness, but then let himself be pulled forward. They walked side by side across the ruined field, ignoring the escalating shouting match behind them.

The two clans were at full volume now to the point where Jujutsu staff members had formed a human cordon to try and separate them both. 

Naoto glanced over his shoulder. "Man, they're such a pain."

Gojo followed his gaze. His swollen mouth twisted into what might have been a smirk if it could move properly. "Ell me 'bout it," he mumbled.

Naoto snorted again, louder this time. "You're really committed to sounding like a toddler, huh?"

Gojo elbowed him in the ribs. Hard enough to make Naoto grunt.

They reached the healer's tent at the edge of the arena. Inside smelled of antiseptic herbs and ozone from active reverse cursed technique. An older woman with gray-streaked hair looked up from her table, took one glance at Gojo's face and sighed. "Sit," she ordered, pointing at the padded bench.

Gojo dropped onto it without argument. 

Naoto leaned against the support pole and watched with his arms crossed. 

Geto and Shoko slipped in a moment later.

Geto's expression was almost amused though he kept it hidden. "Impressive, Naoto. I didn't think anyone would be able to hit him based on the reading I did regarding limitless."

Shoko lit a cigarette without asking permission, took a long drag, and blew smoke toward the ceiling. "Yeah. Congrats on making history. Also, nice job turning the strongest into a drooling mess." She smirked at Gojo. "How's it feel to eat dirt, pretty boy?"

Gojo tried to snap back. What came out was "'Uck 'ou, Shoko..."

Shoko burst out laughing while Geto covered his mouth.

Gojo's ears turned pink and he jabbed a finger at them both. "'Augh all you wan'. 'I'll remem'er 'is."

The healer knelt in front of him. "Hold still. This will hurt for a second." She pressed her palms to either side of his jaw and used her RCE. There was a wet crunch of bone sliding back into alignment followed by a hiss of air through Gojo's teeth. The glow intensified, then the swelling vanished in second and the bruising faded into nothing. 

She stepped back. "Done. Try not to get hit in the face again for at least a week."

Gojo worked his jaw experimentally. Opened and closed it and touched the spot carefully. "That's better," he said before he grinned. "Thanks, doc."

Shoko exhaled another plume of smoke. "Look at that. He can talk again. Shame."

Gojo shot her a mock-offended look. "Hey. I was temporarily disadvantaged. You wouldn't make fun of a disabled person would you."

Geto folded his arms, smiling faintly. "I would. Plus you deserved it when you were like 'Hoh hoh hoh I'm the strongest' then receiving one of the cleanest punches anyone's ever."

Gojo turned to Naoto, grin widening. "You got lucky. Next time I'm not playing nice and I'll use my full power from the start."

Naoto raised an eyebrow. "Oh so you know more than Lapse: Blue and neutral Infinity?"

Gojo laughed a bit sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "Well... not exactly, but don't underestimate me, I'm the strongest for a reason."

"Ex strongest..." Shoko commented.

Gojo's head snapped toward her immediately, his grin faltering into something closer to mock outrage as he planted his hands on his hips and took a step forward across the small space. "Hey, hey, that's not fair at all. I was literally holding back the entire time because I thought this was supposed to be a friendly little exhibition match. If I had gone all out from the start, that wall wouldn't have been the only thing getting smashed."

Shoko tilted her head to the side, cigarette dangling loosely from her lips while she crossed her arms under her chest and gave him an unimpressed look. "Oh really? Because from where I was standing it looked like you were trying pretty hard right up until that big dramatic punch sent you flying. And come to think of it, even Geto made it all the way to the finals while you got knocked out in the first round. Technically that makes you joint last place with me, right? So you're not even second storngest."

Geto, who had been standing quietly near the entrance with his hands tucked into his pockets, let out a surprised chuckle. "I appreciate the vote of confidence, Shoko, but I'm not sure I want to get dragged into this particular argument."

Naoto finally raised a hand, still chuckling under his breath as he looked directly at Shoko. "Alright, alright, give the guy a break already. He's probably going to get enough grief from his entire clan later today when they all sit him down for that long, painful clan meeting."

Gojo groaned loudly at the words as he tilted his head back and stared up at the tent ceiling for a long moment. "You have no idea how bad it's going to be. I haven't lost a single fight since I was five years old. Five. That's how long everyone in the clan has been kissing my ass like it was made out of solid chocolate or something. They'd throw parades every time I so much as breathed. Now I'm going to walk back in there and they're all going to be staring at me like I just personally insulted the entire Gojo bloodline."

Naoto reached out and tapped his shoulder. "I feel for you bud."

Before Gojo could respond, the tent flap rustled open and Mirajane stepped inside carrying both twins on her hips as though they weighed nothing at all. Her lips curved into a warm smile the moment her eyes landed on Naoto and she moved straight towards him.

Maki and Mai spotted him instantly and let out twin squeals of delight that cut through the tent like bright bells. They wriggled free from Mirajane's arms and bolted forward towards him. Naoto dropped into a crouch without thinking, his arms opening wide just in time to catch both of them as they launched themselves at his chest. He straightened up smoothly, lifting them high into the air while their combined weight settled comfortably against his torso, he felt their small hands clutching at his shoulders as they giggled and talked over each other in rapid bursts.

"Oni-chan you were so cool!" Maki exclaimed first while she kicked her legs in the air and pointed back toward the arena. "You made that tall white-haired guy fly like a bird and then boom he crashed right through the wall! It was the biggest crash ever!"

Mai nodded so fast her head nearly blurred, pressing her cheek against Naoto's neck. "Yeah and then he looked all dizzy like a silly baby! We called him Flying Baby Gojo because he went whoosh and then splat! Did you see his face when you punched him, oni-chan?!"

Gojo's eye twitched visibly at the nickname, his grin freezing in place while he stared at the two girls dangling happily in Naoto's arms. He opened his mouth, closed it again, and then let out a quiet, defeated huff that only made Shoko snicker softly from her spot against the wall.

Mirajane stepped closer, her smile softening as she watched Naoto balance the twins. "You did really well out there," she said while one hand reached out to brush a stray bit of dust from his shoulder. "I was worried when he used his infinity barrier, but you handled it perfectly."

Upon fully seeing Mirajane Gojo recovered quickly, sliding his tinted glasses down the bridge of his nose with one finger so his bright blue eyes could peer over the rims at her. He flashed her his most charming smile and tilted his head slightly while he took in her full figure with open appreciation. "Zenin, you planning on introducing us anytime soon? Because I have to say, your... companion here is far too beautiful to be standing in your company."

Naoto rolled his eyes but obliged anyway, shifting the twins higher on his hips while he gestured with his free hand. "This is Mirajane Strauss. She's been with the clan since before I was born, basically raised me and now helps look after these two, Maki and Mai Zenin. Mirajane, this is Flying Baby Gojo. That's Suguru Geto and Shoko Ieiri, my new classmates."

"Hey don't introduce me like that!" Gojo hissed. 

Shoko immediately crouched down to the twins' level once Naoto set them back on their feet, while she grinned at them both. "Hey there. You two want to tell me more about how Flying Baby Gojo looked when he went splat? I be you missed a couple of the best parts from back there."

Geto bowed his head politely toward Mirajane. "It's an honor to meet you."

Mirajane returned the bow with graceful courtesy, though her attention stayed mostly on Naoto while she scanned him quickly from head to toe. "It's nice to meet all of you as well. Naoto, are you hurt anywhere? That last hit looked like it carried a lot of force even if you walked it off."

Naoto shook his head, offering her a reassuring smile while he flexed one arm experimentally. "I'm fine. A little sore, but nothing the healer couldn't fix if I needed it. How was it out there once I left the field?"

Mirajane exhaled slowly, one hand resting lightly on Maki's head while the girl continued chattering to Shoko. "The clans were still arguing when you walked away, but the principal stepped in and proved there was no foul play with the staff or your technique. They ran some quick checks  and confirmed everything was within the agreed rules. Things are calming down now, though the Gojo side still looks like they swallowed something sour."

Gojo let out a dramatic groan at that, throwing his head back again while he clutched at his chest as though wounded. "I was literally playing around the whole time, testing the waters, and then bam, one lucky shot and suddenly everyone thinks I'm washed up."

Shoko didn't miss a beat, blowing another thin stream of smoke toward him while she smirked. "Sure, sure. Keep telling yourself that, Flying Baby Gojo. We all saw what happened."

Gojo stuck his tongue out at her in pure childish retaliation. "Whatever. Naoto owes me a rematch anyway. Next time no holding back, just us until one of us can't stand up."

Naoto sighed, the sound long and resigned, but the corner of his mouth twitched upward in amusement while he nodded. "Fine. Rematch it is. Just don't cry when I send you through another wall."

The tent flap rustled again, and one of the Jujutsu High announcers poked his head insid. "Next match is about to begin. Geto Suguru, Zenin Naoto. Both fighters to the arena floor immediately."

Naoto looked down to Maki and Mai. "Be good for Mira while I'm out there, okay?"

The girls nodded with smiles on their face. 

Geto smiled at Naoto. "Try not to be too hard on me out there. I'd like to walk away with at least some dignity intact."

Naoto smirked, already turning toward the arena while the distant roar of the crowd filtered back in through the tent walls. "Wouldn't dream of it, but to be fair look what happens when you try and hold back." He pointed one thumb over his shoulder at Gojo, who immediately sputtered in protest.

The entire group burst into laughter again while Gojo's face flushed with genuine annoyance. He fell into step behind them anyway, grumbling under his breath as they all filed out into the sunlight and headed toward the arena floor.

Geto adjusted his sleeves and looked across at Naoto. "Let's keep it clean."

Naoto rolled one shoulder and smirked faintly. "No permanent injuries of course."

"That would make things annoying."

"Naturally."

Geto's expression softened by a fraction. "Try not to embarrass me too badly."

Naoto barked a quiet laugh. "I'll do my best."

Naoto and Geto walked side by side across the dirt and both boys took their positions at opposite ends of the field. The boundary barrier hummed back to life around them and up in the stands the crowd noise swelled again as the announcer called their names one final time.

For a second neither moved.

Then Geto lifted one hand slightly in acknowledgment. "Good luck."

Naoto answered by raising his chin. "You too."

Naoto stepped forward first and threw a straight jab aimed at the center of Geto's chest. Geto slipped it with a smooth shift of his hips and answered with a quick counter punch that grazed Naoto's forearm.

"You're fast," Geto said.

Naoto drove another hook toward his ribs. "You're no slouch yourself."

They circled each other and Naoto pressed in closer driving a series of short hooks from the inside while Geto blocked each one with forearm checks and fired back a kick that Naoto hopped over before snapping his own leg out in a side thrust. The kick connected with Geto's thigh and forced him to step back but he recovered instantly and closed the distance again throwing rapid palm strikes that Naoto deflected with open hands before countering with an elbow that clipped Geto's shoulder.

"You're a pretty skilled fighter," Naoto said.

Geto's answer was a short exhale as he pivoted around another punch. "From you I'll take that as a compliment."

"You should."

They kept trading like that for several long minutes building speed and power with every exchange. Naoto slipped under a high punch and drove his knee upward into Geto's midsection forcing a grunt from the other boy. Geto twisted away from the follow up and answered with a spinning back fist that Naoto ducked under while driving his own fist into Geto's ribs in return. The impacts landed with solid thuds that echoed across the arena and the crowd began to murmur as it became clear Naoto was the superior martial artist. 

Geto blocked another chain of punches but each block cost him ground and Naoto kept advancing forcing him to retreat step by step until the edge of the barrier loomed behind him.

Up in the stands several of the clan elders who had come to observe shifted in their seats.

A member of the Kamo clan narrowed his eyes. "That Geto boy is only a first year?"

"He moves well for one with no clan backing," one of the lower-ranking Zenin attendants muttered, sounding almost disbelieving.

Below, Geto exhaled sharply and changed tactics. He raised one hand and a pair of small cursed spirits materialized at his sides twisting through the air like living shadows.

The reaction in the viewing section was immediate.

Gojo leaned forward so fast the bench creaked under him. "Wait."

Shoko's gaze sharpened. "Did he just—"

At first the two of them had assumed it was some concealed medium. A talisman tucked in the sleeve. A prepared charm. Some kind of marked object acting as an anchor. That was common enough. Plenty of sorcerers relied on external mediums when they summoned shikigami or semi-autonomous constructs.

But there had been no paper tag.

No spoken activation.

No hand sign beyond the simple lift of Geto's arm.

The spirits had simply appeared.

Shoko frowned, studying the cursed energy flow around him. "That's not a talisman."

Gojo's annoyance from earlier vanished completely, replaced by sharp interest. "No, it isn't. He's not shaping cursed energy into a servant either." His grin faded into something more analytical. "Those are real cursed spirits."

Shoko folded her arms. "And he's controlling them."

"What an interesting Technique," Gojo murmured, eyes fixed on the field. 

One darted down and clawed at Naoto's legs while the other lunged high aiming for his throat. Naoto spun away from the claws and smashed the high spirit aside with a heavy kick that sent it tumbling across the dirt.

Geto used the distraction to rush in and throw a combination of punches that Naoto met head on trading blow for blow while the spirits circled and struck from the flanks. One spirit clamped onto Naoto's arm and tried to drag him off balance but Naoto yanked it forward and slammed his fist down through its body dispersing it in a burst of black smoke. The second spirit lunged again and Geto followed right behind it blending their movements so the spirit acted like an extra limb extending his reach.

Naoto shifted his weight and drove a low kick into Geto's leg that made him stumble then followed with an uppercut that lifted the spirit off the ground and scattered it into nothing.

Geto slid back one step and reset. "Even when out numbered it seems you surpass me in hand to hand combat."

Naoto rolled his wrist after dispersing the spirit. "I'd say it's my speciality."

"Then I suppose I should show you mine." Geto summoned another wave of smaller spirits that swarmed like a pack of wolves biting and clawing from every angle while he kept up the pressure.

The murmur in the stands grew louder.

"That isn't shikigami summoning," one of the clan representatives said under his breath.

"No," another answered slowly.

Naoto waded through them knocking spirits aside while closing the distance until he could grab Geto's collar and drive a knee into his stomach. Geto broke free and retreated summoning a new spirit this time a massive grade one cursed spirit with four thick arms and a heavily muscled body that dropped into the arena with a heavy thud.

Several of the watching clansmen visibly stiffened.

A woman from the Kamo delegation leaned forward. "A grade one? A student is fielding a grade one under control?"

An older Zenin observer's eyes widened before he caught himself. "Is this allowed?"

Shoko watched the large cursed spirit start to lumber forward. "How horrifically ugly."

Gojo grinned now, bright-eyed and fully invested. "It's great isn't it!"

The four armed spirit charged immediately swinging two fists high while the other two went low. Geto moved in sync with it throwing punches from the opposite side so the attacks came from multiple directions at once.

[Boost]

Naoto boosted before ducking under the high swings and grabbed the arms to vault over the bottom arms, landing behind the spirit and driving a heel kick into its spine. The spirit staggered but spun around fast and the four arms came at him again in a whirlwind of strikes. Naoto blocked the first two, even though it rattled his bones to do so,  then slipped inside the third and fourth grabbing one wrist and yanking the spirit off balance before slamming an elbow into its jaw.

"You really can summon Cursed Spirits without a medium," Naoto said, breathing just a little harder now. "What an amazing technique!"

Geto pressed the advantage and landed a solid punch to Naoto's side that made him grunt. "Thank you for your kind words."

Naoto answered by shoving the spirit forward and driving a series of rapid straight punches into Geto's chest that sent him tumbling away across the dirt. Naoto reached into his hair and pulled the pin free. The Power Pole extended in his grip with a whoosh and he swung it in a wide arc that cracked against the spirit's side sending it sliding across the dirt along with its master.

Geto recalled the spirit for a moment then sent it charging again while he circled to the left. Naoto planted the pole in the ground and vaulted upward using it as a pivot to flip over the spirit's head and land behind Geto. He drove a spinning kick into Geto's back that sent him stumbling forward then turned and smashed the pole across the spirit's chest with enough force to break one of its arms. He then turned on Geto again and drove a combination of punches that landed across his ribs and jaw forcing Geto to retreat again.

"How about we even the playing field," Naoto commented before he pulled a small talisman from his sleeve and slapped it against the ground. Cursed energy flared and a goblin like shikigami rose from the dirt small and wiry with a long scorpion tail that lashed behind it.

Gojo's eyebrows shot up. "Now that one is a talisman."

Shoko nodded. "So Naoto uses external mediums, seems pointless when he's that strong."

"Pffft I know right, you don't see me using them." Gojo's grin widened again.

"Maybe you would've won if you did," Shoko teased. 

The creature darted forward and stabbed its tail at the four armed spirit and fought against it while Naoto pressed Geto with a fresh series of strikes. Geto managed to hold off against Naoto but unfortunately for his cursed spirit the shikigami's tail caught the spirit in the side and injected a burst of venom that made the larger creature roar and start to go mad, it grabbed the goblin like shikigami and slammed it into the ground before throwing it at Naoto who flipped backwards and caught it. 

[Cursed Technique Extension: Transfer]

Naoto pressed his hand against the goblin shikigami's back and his Cursed energy poured into the small creature and its body swelled growing thicker muscles and longer claws until it stood as a full grade two cursed spirit with armored plates across its shoulders and a tail that dripped venom.

The upgraded shikigami lunged at the four armed spirit and the two collided in a tangle of limbs though the fight was much more even this time.

The surprise among the spectators sharpened again.

"What did he do, did he transfer his cursed energy into it?" one of the clan observers said. "He can elevate the summoned shikigami that much?"

"His cursed energy output is absurd," another replied.

A Zenin elder who had remained quiet until now stared at the field with his mouth set in a thin line. Pride and unease were both visible in his expression.

Geto found himself on the back foot now. Naoto's strikes came faster and heavier landing across his arms and torso with wind cracks that forced him to guard tighter. Geto tried to create distance but Naoto closed it instantly driving a knee into his stomach and following with an elbow that grazed his cheek.

Geto breathed out through his nose and smiled despite the blood at the corner of his mouth. "I can tell since I watched the fight with Gojo, but it bothers me how much you've been holding back."

Naoto's fist slammed into his guard again. "Only enough to keep this friendly."

"How considerate."

The upgraded shikigami overpowered the four armed spirit and tore one of its arms free before stabbing its tail through the chest and dispersing it in a cloud of smoke. Geto kicked Naoto back and made some space before he summoned a different variant of the four armed creature again but the effort cost him a second of focus and Naoto capitalized with a heavy punch to the stomach that doubled him over.

Gojo's eyes flashed with understanding. "That's it."

"What?" Shoko said. 

"That's his technique," Gojo said. "He isn't making them. He's collecting cursed spirits and bringing them out under his control." He leaned further forward, elbows on his knees, completely intent on the fight. "He stores them in his soul that's why I couldn't see them before."

"Seems I'm going to have to give it my all," Geto said as  he staggered back and raised both hands summoning his strongest spirit yet. Rainbow Dragon burst into existence above the arena its massive serpentine body glowing with shifting colors as it roared and dove straight at Naoto.

The stadium reacted all at once.

People rose half out of their seats.

Several clan members who had remained composed through the entire match openly swore.

Even the higher-ranking observers who prided themselves on restraint could not hide the shock on their faces.

"That's far beyond a first-year!"

"He has a cursed spirit like that under control?"

The dragon's jaws snapped shut around the spot where Naoto had stood a moment earlier but Naoto had already rolled clear and the impact cratered the ground with a deafening boom. 

[Boost]

Naoto boosted once more and the red aura flared around him doubling his output as he swung the Power Pole upward to meet the dragon. The staff extended and cracked against the scales with a metallic clang that echoed through the stands but the dragon barely flinched and whipped its body around slamming Naoto across the chest and sending him flying backward, only for him to extend the pile into the ground and stop his momentum.  

Geto stood with one hand still raised, breathing harder now. "That one usually ends things."

Naoto slid down the pole.  "Sorry to disappoint."

Gojo laughed out loud from the stands. "Break his jaw Geto!"

[Boost]

Naoto boosted a third time and the aura brightened pushing his body harder. He then vaulted onto the extended pole and used it like a springboard to launch himself at the dragon's head. He drove both knees into the side of its jaw and the impact made the dragon roar and thrash. 

[Boost]

Naoto dropped back to the ground and boosted a fourth time just in time for the dragon to dive at him and open its maw in an attempt to eat him. Naoto extended his pole and caught himself before he could be swallowed, but he was forced back through the dirt, making a large trench through the ground. With a roar he pushed back and stopped the dragons momentum. 

They stood there at a stalemate for a moment, at least until Naoto boosted a final time. 

[Boost]

This one hurt, but it let him flip over his pole and land an axe kick directly on the dragons head before he called his pole back to his hand and twirled it before slamming it on the same spot. When he landed on the ground he drew his fist back and channeled as much cursed energy as he could before slamming it into the dragons body. 

BOOM

With a massive shockwave the dragon was sent tumbling across the dirt like a ragdoll. 

The shock in the audience deepened into outright uproar.

"He beat it?"

"With raw power?"

One of the clan representatives who had spent most of the tournament with an air of practiced indifference was now staring openly. "Monsters," he said quietly, and there was no insult in it. Only disbelief.

Geto dismissed the dragon before it could take more damage and the spirit vanished in a swirl of rainbow light. At the same time his other spirit had overpowered Naoto's upgraded shikigami and torn it apart. Geto absorbed the remains swallowing them down before summoning it for himself. 

Naoto stood in the center of the field radiating fresh cursed energy while the red aura pulsed around him. He wiped a streak of dirt from his cheek and smirked. "Stealing my shikigami now?"

Geto wiped blood from the corner of his mouth and returned the smirk breathing heavily but still standing. "All's fair in a fight. Besides I think it suits me better."

Naoto spun the Power Pole once before resting it across his shoulders. "You're getting cocky."

"You started winning too comfortably. I had to do something."

From outside the barrier Gojo called down, unable to help himself, "He's got a point!"

Shoko didn't look away from the match. "Stop commentating."

"I'm encouraging them."

"You're annoying them."

Naoto and Geto both ignored him.

They reset their stances at the same time and the air between them crackled. Geto raised his hands and summoned hundreds of small grade four cursed spirits that swarmed forward like a black wave turning them into living bullets that shot across the field in dense clusters.

Gojo's grin widened. "Now that's clever."

"He's compensating for the raw power gap," Shoko said.

"And Naoto's about to ignore all of that and go straight through him anyway, it's what I'd do," Gojo replied.

Naoto whipped the Power Pole in wide spinning arcs deflecting the first wave with rapid clangs that sent spirits bursting into smoke on every impact. He advanced through the barrage dodging left and right while the pole blurred around him blocking and smashing spirits aside until he reached the two larger ones that remained. In one continuous motion he extended the pole to full length and swung it in a horizontal circle that caught both the grade one and grade two spirits at once. The staff cracked through their bodies with a single heavy thud and both spirits exploded into black mist.

Naoto dropped the pole back to normal length and rushed straight at Geto.

Geto's eyes narrowed but there was respect in them now more than surprise. He tried to create distance by summoning a final wall of small spirits but Naoto powered through them with a burst of speed and closed the gap in three strides. Geto threw a desperate punch but Naoto slipped under it drove his shoulder into Geto's chest and followed with a devastating uppercut to the stomach. The impact landed with a deep crunch that lifted Geto off his feet and folded him forward. Geto collapsed to his knees then fell face first onto the dirt and lay still.

For one moment the arena went silent.

Then the announcer's voice rang out across the arena. "Winner! Zenin Naoto!"

(AN: End of the little exhibition matches between the first years and with that Naoto is the strongest sorcerer. Anyway I hope you enjoyed this. I like this story and hope I can do it more often.)