"Sukuna?!"
The expressions of Megumi Fushiguro and Nobara Kugisaki changed instantly.
Both of them immediately assumed combat stances.
Even though the Special Grade cursed spirit had just been eliminated by Yagami Sora moments earlier—
The existence standing before them now was completely different.
This was Ryomen Sukuna.
The King of Curses.
Even with the power of only one or two fingers, the oppressive presence radiating from Yuji's body was on an entirely different level.
"Step back."
Yagami Sora raised a hand, blocking Megumi and Nobara from moving forward.
He looked calmly at Yuji Itadori's body—
Or rather, the consciousness controlling it.
Sukuna.
There was not the slightest trace of fear on Sora's face.
Instead—
A faint smile.
"What's wrong?"
"Did the loser from earlier come back for another beating?"
"Loser?"
Sukuna burst into loud laughter.
"Hahahahaha!"
"Interesting!"
"Very interesting!"
He ripped open Yuji's shirt casually, revealing the toned muscles underneath.
"That cursed spirit you killed…"
"It possessed a decent amount of cursed energy."
"But it was nothing more than a mindless creature."
Sukuna stepped closer.
Each step echoed softly across the cracked floor.
"But you…"
"…are different."
His eyes glowed with curiosity.
"Your power is strange."
"It isn't a conventional cursed technique."
"Yet it dominates the battlefield absolutely."
"That feeling…"
Sukuna licked his lips slowly.
"…reminds me of certain monsters from a thousand years ago."
He stopped three meters away from Sora.
Then crossed his arms.
"Kid."
"How about a deal?"
Megumi and Nobara both froze.
The King of Curses…
Was negotiating?
"Become my subordinate."
Sukuna spoke casually.
"When I regain my full strength and collect all twenty fingers…"
"I'll grant you a position above all others."
"In this world, power is the only truth."
"You have talent."
"Instead of playing house with these weak sorcerers…"
"Why not follow me?"
"Together we could overturn the entire world."
Silence fell across the ruined detention center.
Even Megumi was stunned.
Sukuna—
Recruiting someone?
Yagami Sora blinked.
Then—
He laughed.
Louder than Sukuna.
"Subordinate?"
Sora shook his head slowly.
"I think you've misunderstood something."
"Old relic."
"The world has already changed."
He raised one finger and pointed directly at Sukuna's face.
"First."
"I'm not interested in being anyone's dog."
"Second…"
Sora examined Sukuna from head to toe.
Disdain filled his eyes.
"Your current strength…"
"…is pathetic."
"With only one or two fingers?"
"You're barely stronger than a chicken."
He smirked.
"Come back when you've gathered all twenty fingers."
"And when you can survive a Black Wing-level attack from me."
"As for now…"
Sora snapped his fingers.
Zzzzz—!
A violent electrical crackling sound filled the air.
At the tip of his finger—
A sphere of brilliant blue-white light condensed.
Plasma.
The new ability unlocked after his recent level-up.
Even in its beginner stage, the temperature was terrifying.
The surrounding air warped under the heat.
"Back to sleep."
Sora flicked the glowing sphere forward.
BOOM!
The plasma detonated at Sukuna's feet.
Not aimed at Yuji's body.
Instead—
The blast instantly consumed the surrounding oxygen through extreme heat and pressure.
"Cough—!"
Even Sukuna required oxygen while occupying Yuji's body.
The sudden vacuum disrupted him.
And in that moment—
SLAP!
A hand suddenly grabbed Sukuna's face.
But it wasn't Sora's hand.
It was Yuji's own hand.
"Give…"
"…it back!"
Yuji's willpower erupted violently.
He struggled against Sukuna's control with everything he had.
"Tch."
Sukuna clicked his tongue.
"Annoying vessel."
He knew he couldn't maintain control any longer.
But before disappearing—
He gave Yagami Sora one last look.
A cruel smile slowly spread across his face.
"Don't rush."
"The game has only just begun."
"When I start taking things seriously…"
"…I hope you're still this arrogant."
The black markings began fading.
Sukuna's presence retreated.
Yuji collapsed to his knees.
"Ha… ha…"
He gasped for air, drenched in sweat.
"I'm… back…"
He forced a weak smile.
"Sorry… everyone."
"Idiot!"
Nobara immediately punched him in the shoulder.
"You scared me half to death!"
Megumi also relaxed slightly and dismissed his shikigami.
Meanwhile—
Yagami Sora extinguished the plasma sphere in his hand and slipped it back into his pocket.
But his expression had grown slightly serious.
Sukuna's final gaze…
It didn't feel like empty intimidation.
It felt calculated.
As if something had already been set in motion.
"Let's go."
Sora looked toward the sky.
"The rain stopped."
"Mr. Ijichi is still waiting outside."
The four of them exited the detention center.
The clouds had cleared.
Golden sunset light reflected across the rain-soaked ground.
Outside the barrier—
Kiyotaka Ijichi looked close to tears when he saw them.
"You're all safe!"
"That's great!"
"Of course," Nobara said proudly.
"With me here—"
She coughed.
"And that pervert over there."
"A mere Special Grade curse is nothing."
But just as everyone prepared to leave—
Something changed.
The sky above the detention center suddenly pulsed with violent cursed energy.
Even stronger than before.
"What?!" Ijichi looked up in horror.
"The curtain…"
"…it's changing!"
Yagami Sora turned sharply.
At the same moment—
Yuji stopped walking.
His body began trembling violently.
This time the black markings appeared far more densely.
The power of the two Sukuna fingers had fully synchronized.
"Yuji—?" Megumi stepped forward.
"Don't!"
Sora suddenly shouted.
He appeared instantly in front of Megumi and shoved him backward.
A fraction of a second later—
SHRAAAK!
A terrifying slash cut through the ground where Megumi had been standing.
"Hehehe…"
Yuji slowly raised his head.
Crimson eyes burned with madness.
"I told you…"
"The game has only just begun."
The King of Curses had returned.
And this time—
Sukuna was not being suppressed.