Just as the black cursed energy at Sukuna's fingertips was about to transform into a slash and end all life on these ruins...
A cold, respectful voice suddenly rang out from behind him.
Accompanied by a bone-chilling wind, a figure with short white hair in monk's robes emerged from the shadows like a ghost.
The ground, previously scorched black by high temperatures, instantly froze over with a thick layer of frost the moment they appeared.
It was Uraume, Sukuna's loyal servant from a thousand years ago.
"These eyesores aren't worth your personal effort. Please, leave them to me."
Uraume knelt on one knee, eyes filled with fanaticism and adoration for Sukuna.
After witnessing Lord Sukuna use that miraculous 'Open' (Fuga) to incinerate the troublesome white monster, Uraume's faith had become unshakable.
This was the true King of Curses!
This was the master he was willing to follow for a millennium, even crossing through time and space to serve!
Uraume slowly stood up, eyes coldly scanning the collapsed Suguru Geto, the heavily injured and unconscious Toji Fushiguro, and Kento Nanami holding Megumi Fushiguro in the distance.
His hands began weaving signs rapidly as the air temperature plummeted, and sharp icicles formed in front of him.
"No need."
However, Sukuna merely spared Uraume a glance and casually dispersed the cursed energy at his fingertips.
"I'll do it myself."
Though Sukuna's voice was calm, it carried an absolute authority that brooked no argument.
"Yes."
Uraume was briefly taken aback, but immediately withdrew his cursed energy and respectfully stepped aside.
Yet those cold eyes remained fixed on every corner like radar, alert for any variable that might attempt a sneak attack on Sukuna.
*Tap. Tap. Tap.*
Sukuna walked barefoot across the rubble and debris, his steps making a crisp sound.
He walked step by step until he stood before Suguru Geto.
He looked down at the man who was covered in blood, his cursed energy completely depleted.
"You're a foolish hypocrite..."
Sukuna glanced at the trembling civilians behind Suguru Geto with disdain before turning back to him.
"But for surviving in my domain for this long, you're a bit better than that trash who only knows brute force."
Facing Sukuna's mockery.
Suguru Geto felt neither anger nor fear.
He only struggled to lift his head, using narrowed eyes blurred by blood to look at the lives around him—fearful, but still very much alive.
He had done it.
He had truly saved everyone.
In this world he once viewed as a collection of monkeys, he had found his own true redemption.
"Say what you will, monster..."
Suguru Geto pulled a weak but incredibly relieved smile.
"At least... I didn't run away again."
"What a boring final word."
Sukuna lost his last bit of interest.
He slowly raised his right hand, pointing his index finger at Suguru Geto's forehead.
"Die."
At that moment, Toji Fushiguro, lying deep in the rubble, let out a suppressed groan.
It felt as if every bone in his body was shattered, blood soaking the charred earth beneath him.
Yet he still glared fixedly toward Sukuna, arms trembling as he tried to prop himself up, desperate to shield his son and comrades once more.
However, his severe injuries were like an insurmountable shackle, leaving him able only to let out a frustrated growl in the ruins, unable to move an inch.
Behind a nearby cover.
"Senior Geto!"
Kento Nanami clutched the deeply unconscious Megumi Fushiguro, his eyes nearly splitting from the strain.
He wanted to rush forward, but the agonizing pain of a fractured spine and completely exhausted cursed energy kept him from even standing.
He could only watch helplessly as Sukuna's finger prepared to pierce Suguru Geto's skull.
Despair.
A despair a hundred times deeper than when facing the Land Deity gripped Kento Nanami's heart.
'Is... is it all going to end here?'
In that suffocating final second!
*Clang!*
A crisp sword chime, seemingly capable of severing all causality in the world, suddenly exploded across the skies of Shibuya!
"What?!"
Uraume, who had been on high alert, felt his pupils constrict to needles.
He didn't even see an afterimage; he only felt a terrifyingly high temperature that made his soul tremble. It pierced through the clouds like a falling star, crashing toward Sukuna's head!
*Boom!*
A figure bathed in dark red flames and golden lightning, carrying a world-ending power, slammed down between Sukuna and Suguru Geto!
The terrifying shockwave instantly evaporated the frost on the ground, and even Uraume was forced back by the air pressure!
"Sorry I'm late."
Amidst the billowing smoke and fire.
A cold, calm voice slowly drifted out.
Yoru stood before Suguru Geto, holding Shiranui, which emitted a blindingly bright red light, like a true god of carnage.
His black uniform fluttered in the gale, and the Slayer Mark on his left forehead blazed as brilliantly as fire.
"Yoru..."
Suguru Geto looked at the back of the figure before him—not particularly broad, yet seemingly capable of supporting the entire sky.
He looked at the civilians behind him, those he had fought so hard to protect, now safe despite their terror. A smile of complete relief finally touched his lips.
He had done it.
In this completely twisted timeline, he hadn't let tragedy repeat itself; he hadn't let blood stain his ideals.
Then, Suguru Geto's eyes closed, and he fell into a deep unconsciousness.
"Oh?"
Sukuna, who had been forced back several steps by Yoru's strike, steadied himself and looked at the youth who had suddenly appeared.
When he saw the katana in Yoru's hand, radiating intense heat and a strange red glow.
In Sukuna's crimson eyes, there was no anger, but rather a complex look of intense interest mixed with disgust.
"That disgusting aura again..."
Sukuna flicked his tongue across his lips. Memories of the Juvenile Detention Center months ago involuntarily surfaced.
Back then, this kid who only had the power of a few fingers...
Had dared to act like a superior deity before him, even making a Binding Vow with his life to exchange for a one-minute burst.
"The fire kid from the detention center... no, Yoru."
Sukuna sneered. His battle intent was reignited, and the air grew heavy as lead under his surging cursed energy.
"Last time at the detention center, you used that fire dragon to sever one of my arms and said you'd kill me then."
"Even though I only had the strength of two fingers back then, that strike... it truly amused me."
Sukuna lowered his stance, his malevolent eyes locked onto Yoru's red pupils.
"I said it then: next time we meet, I'll tear your bones out one by one."
"It seems the time has come to fulfill that promise."
Yoru didn't answer Sukuna.
He only turned his head slightly and called out to Mei Mei and Maki Zenin, who had just arrived.
"Miss Mei Mei, Maki!"
"Get Suguru and Toji out of here!"
"Oh my, this kind of life-threatening work is going to cost extra."
Though she said that, Mei Mei moved with extreme speed.
She commanded her giant black bird to dive down. Together with Maki, they quickly pulled the unconscious Suguru Geto and the struggling Toji Fushiguro onto its back.
Once he confirmed everyone had been evacuated to safety.
Yoru slowly turned around.
He gripped Shiranui's hilt with both hands. The red flames on the blade were compressed to the extreme, even beginning to emit a faint, blinding white light.
His fire-reflecting red eyes were locked firmly onto Ryomen Sukuna.
"Now..."
"No one will disturb us."