Threads of Infinity Mahoraga (i ran out of ideas for the title) 30 did i cook?
The air was heavy with cursed energy, and the faint hum of destruction filled the ruined subway station. Tsukasa walked through the chaos with calm detachment, stepping over rubble and bodies without a second glance. His six eyes glimmered faintly as they scanned the area, tracking fluctuations in cursed energy.
In the distance, a faint voice echoed:
"Eight-Handled Sword Divergent Sila Divine General Mahoraga!"
Tsukasa slowed, tilting his head at the surge of cursed energy rippling toward him. He turned a corner and found the source: Megumi Fushiguro, slumped against a pillar, hands raised in the aftermath of his chant. The summoning circle beneath him was glowing faintly, and in its center, the massive form of Mahoraga began to take shape.
Tsukasa observed silently, his expression unreadable. He didn't move to help—or to interfere. The hulking Shikigami materialized fully, its immense presence dominating the space. The ornate wheel above its head spun faintly as its glowing eyes locked onto the first target: Megumi.
Mahoraga lunged.
Tsukasa remained still, his gaze focused solely on the Shikigami's movements. When the attack landed, dust and debris filled the air. Tsukasa barely spared a glance at the aftermath—whether Megumi was alive or dead didn't matter to him.
Mahoraga's head swiveled toward him, its primal instincts honing in on the next living presence. Its massive form loomed as it charged at Tsukasa with reckless ferocity.
He sighed. "Big mistake."
Mahoraga's fist came down with the force of a collapsing building, but it stopped just shy of Tsukasa's body. Infinity. The air shimmered where the Shikigami's attack was halted, its sheer force rippling outward but unable to penetrate the invisible barrier.
Mahoraga tilted its head in confusion, the wheel above its head spinning faintly for the first time.
Tsukasa raised his hand, cursed energy pooling in his palm. The air distorted around him, vibrating with raw power. "Let's see how durable you really are."
A pulse of crimson energy exploded outward as Red blasted Mahoraga square in the chest. The impact sent the Shikigami flying, crashing into a wall with a thunderous boom that shook the entire station.
When the dust cleared, Mahoraga was already beginning to rise, its glowing eyes fixed on Tsukasa.
The wheel spun again.
Tsukasa smirked faintly, more to himself than at his opponent. "So, it's not just brute strength. Interesting." He flexed his fingers, preparing another attack. "But it won't save you."
Mahoraga rose from the rubble, its immense frame almost unscathed despite the devastation caused by Red. Its glowing eyes now focused intently on Tsukasa, a dangerous glint betraying its inhuman calculation. The wheel above its head spun again, a slow, deliberate motion that sent a ripple of energy through the space.
Tsukasa watched with narrowed eyes. "It's learning."
The Shikigami charged forward, faster this time. Its massive fist tore through the air, and though it was stopped once again by Infinity, Mahoraga didn't hesitate. It swung again, testing the boundaries, as though searching for a crack in the unbreachable defense.
Tsukasa sidestepped effortlessly, letting Mahoraga's blows hit the space where he once stood. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned Blue, the air distorting as the gravitational pull yanked Mahoraga violently to the side. The Shikigami collided with a steel beam, bending it like paper.
This time, however, the wheel spun faster, and Mahoraga rose without hesitation, its stance shifting.
Tsukasa's eyes sharpened. "So, brute force and raw cursed energy won't work. Let's see how you handle finesse."
He thrust his hand forward, cursed energy coiling and condensing into a crimson orb. With a calculated release, he unleashed Red once more, the air erupting as the blast tore through the station and struck Mahoraga squarely.
The Shikigami staggered, its body absorbing the impact, but the wheel above its head spun again, completing another rotation.
Tsukasa frowned slightly. "Adapting, are we? How quaint."
Mahoraga charged once more, its massive claws aiming for a calculated strike at Infinity. This time, it was faster, more precise. Tsukasa evaded with ease, his body moving fluidly as he dodged each blow. Yet he couldn't ignore the subtle shifts in Mahoraga's movements—it was adjusting, testing his limits.
With a flick of his fingers, Tsukasa released another Red, the explosion shaking the entire station. This time, however, Mahoraga braced itself, the blast pushing it back but failing to knock it down. The wheel spun again, faster now, leaving only four rotations before full adaptation.
Tsukasa clicked his tongue, annoyed. "Persistent, aren't you?"
Mahoraga lunged again, this time swinging its claws in a wide arc. The air itself seemed to warp as the attack came dangerously close to Infinity. Tsukasa raised his hand, preparing another attack, but the Shikigami was relentless, forcing him to step back.
"It's more trouble than it's worth," Tsukasa muttered to himself, his six eyes scanning the creature. "What kind of lunatic summons something like this?"
Mahoraga's wheel spun ominously as it began to close the gap once more, its glowing eyes locked onto Tsukasa.
The rubble shifted as Mahoraga rose again, the shimmering wheel atop its head completing another spin. Dust and debris settled across the station, coating Tsukasa's white-and-brown hair as he narrowed his eyes at the creature.
"Four more spins?" Tsukasa muttered to himself, watching the faint glow of cursed energy radiate from the wheel. "This thing just keeps getting more irritating."
Mahoraga charged again, its claws slicing through the air. Tsukasa raised his hand, summoning Blue to his palm. The space between them distorted, dragging the Shikigami off-course and sending it crashing into a nearby column. The impact left cracks running up the structure, dust cascading from the ceiling.
But Mahoraga recovered immediately, the wheel spinning once more.
Tsukasa scoffed, his six eyes locked onto the Shikigami. It's adapting faster than anything I've ever seen. Each attack I throw at it just makes it stronger... but it hasn't fully adapted yet.
The Shikigami lunged again, this time faster than before, its claws brimming with cursed energy. Tsukasa sidestepped the strike, his movements fluid, and slammed his hand forward, releasing Red. The repulsive force sent Mahoraga hurtling backward, its massive form skidding across the station floor.
The wheel spun again. Three rotations left.
Tsukasa's brow furrowed as he took a step back. "You're a persistent little pest, aren't you?"
Mahoraga, undeterred, stood once more, its eerie gaze fixed on Tsukasa. Then it charged again, its movements almost blurred by the speed. This time, its claws slammed against the barrier of Infinity, stopping mere inches from Tsukasa's face.
The Shikigami paused, as if analyzing the unseen wall that had halted its strike. Then, with a low growl, it pulled back. The wheel spun again. Two rotations left.
"Great," Tsukasa muttered. "It's learning about Infinity now."
He raised his hand, summoning another Red, but hesitated. The creature was adapting too quickly, and his usual techniques were only feeding its growth. He needed to think of something new—or at least delay it until he could figure out how to stop the wheel entirely.
The air in the station grew heavy, charged with cursed energy as Mahoraga lunged forward again. Tsukasa remained unmoving, his expression calm but his six eyes meticulously tracking every micro-movement of the Shikigami. The faint, flickering barrier of Infinity held firm as Mahoraga's claw struck—at first.
The wheel atop its head spun slowly, glowing faintly, and Tsukasa's gaze locked onto it.
One more spin left.
But this time, the strike didn't stop completely. Mahoraga's claw slowed as it approached, the cursed energy surrounding it shimmering with a strange intensity. Then, with a sharp screech that resonated through the station, the claw breached Infinity, cutting through just enough to reach its target.
Tsukasa's eyes widened as he felt the sting of Mahoraga's blade-like claw slice into his collarbone. Blood spattered onto the ground as he staggered back, his hand instinctively pressing against the wound.
"So it can get through Infinity now..." Tsukasa muttered, his tone a mix of irritation and begrudging respect. He stepped back, his movements calculated despite the pain. "You really are a tough bastard, aren't you?"
Mahoraga growled low, the sound reverberating through the shattered station. Its wheel spun again—this time completing its final rotation.
Tsukasa grimaced, his mind racing. If it's fully adapted to my techniques now... this just got a lot more dangerous.
He tightened his grip, ignoring the blood running down his arm. Blue and Red would only serve as distractions now, not solutions. He needed to push beyond his usual arsenal.
Mahoraga, emboldened by its breakthrough, advanced again, its massive form moving with terrifying precision. Tsukasa stood his ground, his cursed energy surging as he prepared for the next clash.
From a perch within the chaos of Shibuya, Sukuna observed the unfolding battle with sharp, predatory eyes. His expression was inscrutable, but a faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. The faint glow of Mahoraga's wheel, spinning against the backdrop of fractured Infinity, seemed to intrigue him.
"Hmm... so that's how it works," Sukuna muttered, his voice low, more to himself than anyone nearby. "A beast that adapts to anything it encounters, cursed energy or not. How fascinating."
From his vantage point, he could see the moment the Shikigami's claw breached Tsukasa's Infinity—a feat few had even come close to attempting. The spray of blood, the sharp intake of breath from Tsukasa, and the final spin of the wheel—these details painted a picture Sukuna found deeply satisfying.
"Ah, Mahoraga... a true manifestation of the shadows' potential. No wonder he summoned it. It has been centuries since I've seen anything like it."
The King of Curses leaned back slightly, his many eyes gleaming as he took in the scene. Though his body remained still, his thoughts moved swiftly, piecing together the mechanics of the Eight-Handled Sword Divergent Sila Divine General.
"Adapting to cursed energy techniques... one step at a time. Even to Infinity." Sukuna's smirk deepened, his tone edged with condescension. "That brat didn't even know what he was calling upon. Still, I can't deny he's proven useful."
He glanced toward Tsukasa, who was recovering from the blow. Blood dripped steadily from his collarbone, but his stance remained defiant, his cursed energy flaring with the cold precision of someone who refused to yield.
"Interesting," Sukuna mused, his gaze narrowing. "He's not Gojo, but there's potential there... if he lives long enough to use it."
His focus returned to Mahoraga, now fully adapted, its monstrous frame exuding an aura of dominance. A rare, genuine chuckle escaped Sukuna's lips.
"I wonder," he said softly, his voice laced with amusement and something darker. "Will the little sorcerer survive to see what comes next? Or will Mahoraga swallow him whole?"
Sukuna's gaze shifted, no longer fixed solely on Mahoraga. His many eyes now rested on Megumi, who stood at a distance, his stance tense, his breath labored from summoning the untamed Shikigami.
"Ah, Fushiguro," Sukuna murmured, his voice barely audible over the din of destruction around him. A glimmer of something wicked danced in his eyes. "I knew you were special. But this? Summoning that monstrosity… it's far beyond what I expected from you."
A slow, deliberate smirk spread across Sukuna's face as his mind churned with possibilities.
"This power, this potential... Mahoraga, a divine general of the Ten Shadows Technique," he mused. "Imagine the chaos, the destruction... if wielded by me."
Sukuna's fingers twitched, his cursed energy humming faintly. The vessel he currently inhabited—Yuji Itadori—had proven resilient and useful, but the limitations of his human body were clear. The thought of transitioning to Fushiguro Megumi had crossed his mind before, but this? This demonstration of the Ten Shadows Technique cemented it.
A rare laugh bubbled up from Sukuna's throat, low and menacing. "If I take him as my vessel, Mahoraga will bow to me. It will not flail mindlessly—it will kneel and obey. And then..." He trailed off, the smile on his face widening into something monstrous. "There will be no one left to oppose me. Not Tsukasa, not Gojo, not anyone."
His gaze flicked back to Tsukasa, now facing down Mahoraga with grim determination, blood staining his collar. Sukuna sneered.
"Let them play," he muttered, dismissing the scene before him with a wave of his hand. "This is merely a test. When the time comes, Fushiguro's body will be mine. And with it..."
The ground beneath Sukuna trembled slightly as his cursed energy rippled, his presence growing heavier even from afar.
"...I'll remind the world why they fear the King of Curses."
The wound on Tsukasa's collarbone knitted itself together, glowing faintly as his Reverse Cursed Technique worked rapidly. He rolled his shoulder experimentally, feeling the muscles align perfectly once again.
Mahoraga loomed before him, its wheel still spinning faintly, signaling further adjustments in its cursed energy. Tsukasa narrowed his eyes. He couldn't afford to underestimate the Shikigami any longer—its ability to bypass Infinity made it a threat unlike any he had faced before.
"So, you're cutting through it now," Tsukasa murmured, his voice low but steady. He flexed his fingers, gathering cursed energy into his palm. "Guess it's time to get serious."
Mahoraga charged again, its massive frame deceptively fast as it closed the gap between them. Tsukasa sidestepped, but this time, Mahoraga's blade followed his motion with precision. Tsukasa barely deflected the strike, sending a ripple of cursed energy through the station walls.
"Persistent little beast, aren't you?" Tsukasa's tone was sharp, though there was a flicker of begrudging respect in his eyes.
From his distant perch, Sukuna observed the scene, his expression unreadable.
"Mahoraga adapting to Infinity—a feat not even the strongest sorcerer could manage without effort. This Shikigami…" Sukuna's grin widened slightly. "It's more useful than I gave it credit for. Perhaps it's time to rethink my approach."
The King of Curses watched as Tsukasa pressed forward, his movements precise and deliberate, each attack testing Mahoraga's reactions. Sukuna's sharp eyes caught the faint changes in the Shikigami's wheel—a silent acknowledgment of its continued adaptation.
"How long until it surpasses even you, boy?" Sukuna mused, leaning back with a sense of dark amusement.
Back in the fray, Tsukasa decided to shift tactics. Instead of relying solely on Infinity, he channeled his cursed energy into a new technique, letting it build in his core before releasing it outward in a calculated burst.
"Red!" he shouted, the repulsive force slamming into Mahoraga with tremendous power. The Shikigami stumbled, its wheel spinning furiously as it recalibrated once more.
The wheel turned. One more adjustment complete.
Tsukasa clenched his fists, his cursed energy coiling tightly around him. He could feel the strain building—not just in himself, but in the battle as a whole.
"One more misstep, and that thing adapts fully," he muttered. "I need to finish this… fast."
The air around Tsukasa grew heavy as his cursed energy surged, twisting the very fabric of the station. Dust and debris floated, caught in the unseen pull of the growing singularity at the heart of his technique. His six eyes flared with intensity, locking onto Mahoraga as he funneled everything into this moment.
"You want to adapt? Let's see how far you can go," Tsukasa muttered, his voice calm yet laced with unyielding resolve. The space around him warped violently, creating a vortex that crackled with raw energy.
Maximum Blue.
The concentrated force erupted from Tsukasa's hand, a massive implosion that bent reality itself. The subway station seemed to groan under the sheer weight of the cursed technique, the destructive pull tearing apart walls and flooring as it raced toward Mahoraga.
The Shikigami stood firm, its wheel spinning faster than ever as the technique engulfed it. For a moment, the entire area was consumed by a deafening silence—a vacuum created by the overwhelming force of Blue.
Then, the explosion.
The compressed energy released all at once, a cataclysmic blast that sent shockwaves rippling through Shibuya. Mahoraga was thrown back, its massive form skidding across the station floor and slamming into a distant wall. The wheel on its head spun furiously, adjusting yet again as cursed energy flickered around it.
Tsukasa staggered slightly, his breath coming in short bursts. Maximum Blue had drained a significant portion of his energy, but the sight of Mahoraga's battered form brought a grim sense of satisfaction.
"That should keep you down," he muttered, though the spinning wheel made him uneasy.
From his vantage point, Sukuna chuckled darkly. "He's got fire, I'll give him that. But Mahoraga isn't so easily broken."
Sure enough, the Shikigami stirred, its wheel completing another rotation. It rose slowly, its wounds beginning to close as its adaptive nature worked against Tsukasa's technique.
Tsukasa's eyes narrowed. "You've got to be kidding me."
Mahoraga let out a low, guttural roar, the sound reverberating through the station. It was learning, adapting, becoming stronger with each attack.
"This thing doesn't quit," Tsukasa muttered, clenching his fists as he prepared for the next round. His mind raced, searching for a way to end the fight before Mahoraga's adaptations rendered his techniques useless.
The room trembled with the weight of Tsukasa's cursed energy as he stretched his hand out to his side. His gaze fixed on Mahoraga, now fully upright, the wheel spinning ominously. Blood trickled down his lip, but his determination burned brighter than ever.
"Let's see how you handle this," Tsukasa muttered under his breath.
He closed his eyes for a moment, focusing his energy as he began the chant, his voice low and deliberate:
"Phase Paramita, Pillars of Light."
The words carried a weight of ancient resonance, and as he spoke them, cursed energy coalesced in his palm, a violent crimson sphere flickering into existence. The pressure in the subway station intensified, a palpable wave of power radiating outward.
The sphere grew larger, more volatile, pulsing with destructive energy that seemed to reject reality itself. Tsukasa's six eyes gleamed, analyzing every shift in the cursed energy as he raised his hand.
With a swift motion, he launched Red into the air, the cursed energy streaking upward like a shooting star. It hovered above the battlefield, swirling ominously, its destructive potential palpable to anyone nearby.
Mahoraga shifted its stance, the wheel spinning faster in response to the new threat. Tsukasa didn't let up, his eyes flicking between the floating Red and the lingering remnants of Maximum Blue.
"It's time," Tsukasa muttered, his mind racing with calculations. If the conditions aligned perfectly, the union of Red and Blue could form a force even Mahoraga wouldn't withstand.
The Shikigami lunged forward, its massive form closing the distance between them in an instant. Tsukasa sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the attack as Mahoraga's claws scraped against the station floor, sending sparks flying.
"I've had enough of you," Tsukasa snarled, his voice filled with venom. He reached out with his free hand, dragging Blue closer to Red, the two opposing forces beginning to destabilize the air around them.
Sukuna, observing from the shadows, smirked. "So, the kid's finally putting it together. Let's see if he can pull it off before Mahoraga spins that wheel again."
The air between Tsukasa and Mahoraga was electric, the remnants of Red and Maximum Blue still swirling above as the combatants closed the distance. Mahoraga moved first, its massive frame deceptively swift as it lunged with claws aimed directly at Tsukasa's chest.
Tsukasa ducked low, pivoting on his heel, and delivered a sharp elbow to Mahoraga's ribs. The force of the strike sent a shockwave through the room, but the Shikigami barely budged. Its wheel turned slightly, signaling another layer of adaptation beginning to take place.
"Adapt to this," Tsukasa growled, shifting his stance. He leaped forward, his fists glowing faintly with cursed energy, and threw a series of rapid punches at Mahoraga. Each strike landed with precision, echoing through the hollow station.
Mahoraga countered with a sweeping strike of its claws, the sheer force carving into the ground. Tsukasa vaulted over the attack, flipping mid-air, and landed a spinning kick to the Shikigami's head. The blow staggered Mahoraga, its wheel spinning faster in response.
"You just don't quit, do you?" Tsukasa muttered, dodging a powerful downward slash. He stepped into Mahoraga's guard, unleashing a burst of cursed energy from his palm to shove the Shikigami back.
The two exchanged blows with deadly precision, each movement a blur. Tsukasa's six eyes tracked every shift in Mahoraga's posture, allowing him to anticipate and counter its attacks. But with every strike, the wheel spun again, adapting further to Tsukasa's techniques.
Mahoraga lashed out with a vicious backhand. Tsukasa blocked with a forearm, but the impact sent him skidding back several meters. The Shikigami pressed forward, unrelenting, swinging its claws in a relentless barrage. Tsukasa weaved through the strikes, his movements a combination of speed and grace, waiting for an opening.
As Mahoraga lunged again, Tsukasa sidestepped and delivered a devastating palm strike to its chest, channeling a burst of cursed energy that sent the Shikigami flying into the station wall. Dust and debris filled the air as Mahoraga rose, unscathed, its wheel spinning once more.
"Figures," Tsukasa muttered, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow. He flexed his hands, feeling the strain in his muscles. "Time to up the stakes."
The floating Red and Maximum Blue crackled ominously above, waiting for the final moment.
Tsukasa's breathing steadied as he prepared to unleash one of his most powerful techniques. His cursed energy surged like a storm, compressing around him as he extended his arm, his voice calm but carrying an edge of raw intensity.
"Phase twilight, eyes of wisdom."
The chant echoed ominously through the crumbling subway station, the energy in the air condensing further with each syllable. Tsukasa's focus sharpened as the space before him warped under the immense gravitational pull of Maximum Blue. The singularity crackled violently, its presence drawing in the debris scattered across the battlefield.
Maximum Blue hovered ominously beside Red, which continued to swirl and pulse, its chaotic energy contrasting the perfect compression of its counterpart. The two orbs remained in precarious balance, the anticipation of their combined release thickening the tension in the air.
Mahoraga, unfazed by the display, advanced slowly, its otherworldly wheel turning steadily. Tsukasa's eyes darted toward the creature, noting its calculated movements, the relentless adaptation evident in every step.
"Let's see if you can adapt to this," Tsukasa muttered under his breath. The clash was imminent.
Tsukasa stood firm, the battlefield pulsing with the terrifying resonance of colliding cursed energy. Above him, Red and Maximum Blue hovered ominously in the air, their opposing forces pulling at the very fabric of reality. The two orbs of energy slowly gravitated toward each other, their radiance growing more intense as they prepared to merge.
Tsukasa's voice rang out, steady and cold, each syllable imbued with his will:
"Nine ropes, polarized light... Crow and shōmyō... The gap between within and without."
The chant was a signal—not to himself, but to the energy converging above. The orbs of Red and Maximum Blue finally collided, their opposing natures imploding into a singularity. The result was Hollow Purple, a massive sphere of annihilation that hung in the air like a dark star.
Mahoraga froze, its unrelenting instincts briefly overcome by an almost animalistic sense of danger. The wheel above its head began to spin faster, as if desperately attempting to adapt to the incomprehensible scale of energy that was now unfolding.
The subway station trembled, cracks racing through the floor and walls as the sheer force of the technique distorted the space around it. The hum of Hollow Purple was deafening, a cosmic note that resonated with the inevitability of destruction.
Tsukasa's gaze remained locked on Mahoraga, his voice firm. "Let's see if you can adapt to this."
The sphere of Hollow Purple pulsed ominously, waiting only for Tsukasa's command to release its devastating power.
The sphere of Hollow Purple pulsed violently, its energy growing unstable as it began to expand outward. What was once a concentrated core of annihilation ballooned into a massive sphere, its diameter stretching wider and wider. The subway station was bathed in an eerie purple glow, the cursed energy warping the space it occupied.
Cracks spiderwebbed across the floor, walls, and ceiling, the structure groaning under the strain of the growing technique. Dust and debris began to fall, caught in the gravitational pull of the expanding Hollow Purple.
Mahoraga's wheel spun frantically, its movements desperate and erratic as it processed the cataclysmic force in front of it. For the first time, the beast hesitated, its primal instincts battling against the programmed drive to adapt.
Tsukasa clenched his fists, his icy gaze fixed on the ever-expanding technique. "This is it," he murmured, his voice low but firm. "Let's see if anything can survive this."
The sphere continued to grow, its edges distorting the air itself. The cursed energy within Hollow Purple began to ripple outward in faint shockwaves, the sheer scale of its power threatening to consume everything in its path.
Mahoraga finally moved, lunging forward as if to strike Tsukasa directly. Its wheel spun faster, the adaptation process now laser-focused on deciphering the threat of the immense attack. But Tsukasa stood his ground, his body surrounded by his own cursed energy, ready for whatever came next.
The air grew heavier, the tension rising to its peak. Hollow Purple hung like a dark sun, its power teetering on the edge of release.
The massive Hollow Purple reached its critical point, its core trembling violently before detonating in an apocalyptic burst of cursed energy. A deafening roar erupted as the technique unleashed its devastating power, the shockwave ripping through the subway station with catastrophic force.
The expanding wave of cursed energy instantly shredded Mahoraga's form. The divine general's wheel spun one last futile rotation before being engulfed, its body disintegrating into nothingness. Even its vaunted adaptation capabilities proved meaningless against the sheer magnitude of Hollow Purple.
Tsukasa stood at the epicenter, his infinity straining against the wave of destruction. For a brief moment, his barrier held, the cursed energy wrapping around him like a second skin. But then, the unrelenting force broke through.
The explosion tore into him, searing his flesh and ripping through his defenses. A jagged shockwave struck his face, carving deep scars along his features. Worse still, his right arm was caught in the blast, obliterated entirely, leaving behind a smoking, bloodied stump.
The pain was immediate and excruciating, but Tsukasa didn't cry out. Instead, he staggered backward, his balance faltering as he struggled to stay standing. Blood dripped down his face and arm, pooling at his feet as the remnants of Hollow Purple dissipated into the air.
From a distance, Sukuna watched the spectacle unfold, perched atop a crumbling structure. His eyes narrowed, the faintest hint of amusement playing across his face.
"So, he's willing to destroy himself to prove a point," Sukuna mused, his voice dripping with scorn. His gaze shifted to the smoking remains of Mahoraga, and a low chuckle escaped his lips. "And here I thought you were invincible, Tsukasa."
He leaned forward, his smirk widening. "Still, you survived. Barely. I wonder how much longer you'll keep up that facade of strength."
Sukuna's attention lingered on Tsukasa's injuries for a moment longer before turning away, his interest piqued but not yet fully invested. For now, he would let Tsukasa suffer. After all, there was no greater joy than watching the mighty brought low.
Tsukasa's vision blurred as blood poured from the deep gash across his face and the mangled stump where his arm had been torn away. The sheer force of Hollow Purple's detonation had shattered not only Mahoraga but also his own defenses, leaving him barely standing. He swayed on his feet, his body trembling with exhaustion and pain.
Breathing heavily, Tsukasa staggered backward, clutching his side. His cursed energy reserves flickered weakly, his once-precise control wavering under the strain. The station was eerily quiet now, the aftermath of destruction hanging heavily in the air.
He scanned the area with his Six Eyes, his focus clouded by pain. Tsukasa didn't fully comprehend what had just happened, but one thing was clear: he couldn't stay here. His mind screamed at him to retreat, to recover, to fight another day.
"Not here. Not now," Tsukasa whispered, his voice hoarse as he forced his legs to move. Each step sent a jolt of pain up his body, but he refused to stop.
With a flicker of cursed energy, he cloaked his retreat, disappearing into the shadows of the ruined subway tunnels.
Unbeknownst to Tsukasa, Sukuna stood atop the rubble at a safe distance, his arms folded as he observed the aftermath with a smirk.
"So, the boy's finally tasted his limits," Sukuna murmured, his tone laced with amusement. "But to unleash something of that scale and still walk away? Impressive, if not reckless."
He turned his attention to the remnants of Hollow Purple, the air still crackling with residual energy. The destructive force had left its mark, a testament to Tsukasa's raw potential.
"Still, you're blind to your flaws," Sukuna muttered. "That arrogance, that desperation... It'll be your undoing."
With a final glance toward the direction of Tsukasa's retreat, Sukuna's grin widened. "Let's see how far you'll go before you break completely."
Elsewhere, Tsukasa stumbled into a quiet alleyway, collapsing against a wall. Gritting his teeth, he began the slow and grueling process of healing himself with reverse cursed technique. The stump of his arm throbbed, and his face burned, but he forced himself to endure.
His thoughts churned as he replayed the battle in his mind. He clenched his remaining fist, determination flashing in his tired eyes.
"This isn't over," Tsukasa muttered to himself, his voice steady despite the pain. "Not by a long shot."
Tsukasa sat slumped in the quiet alleyway, his breathing ragged as he focused his remaining energy on healing. His Six Eyes flickered faintly, guiding him as he summoned his reverse cursed technique. A dim, greenish glow surrounded his body as he concentrated on the process.
First, his focus turned to his mangled face. Tsukasa gritted his teeth as the pain intensified, but the glow began to repair the torn flesh. Slowly, the burns and scars from Hollow Purple smoothed over, his features returning to their usual sharp precision.
Next, Tsukasa glanced at the stump where his arm had once been. He hesitated—regrowing a limb was no simple task, even for someone of his caliber. But there was no other choice.
Closing his eyes, Tsukasa channeled more cursed energy. The green glow intensified, pulsing with every beat of his heart. The process was agonizing; he clenched his jaw to stifle a scream as sinew, muscle, and bone began to reform.
Minutes passed like hours. Beads of sweat dripped from his face as he held the technique steady. Finally, the glow subsided, leaving a fully regrown arm in its place. Tsukasa flexed his fingers experimentally, relief washing over him as he confirmed its functionality.
He slumped back against the wall, utterly drained but alive. His face and arm were whole again, though his energy reserves were dangerously low.
Tsukasa stared up at the sky, the dim lights of the city reflecting in his icy blue eyes. His expression was calm, but his thoughts were racing.
"That power…" he murmured. "Hollow Purple. It was incredible... but reckless."
He clenched his newly regenerated fist. "Next time, I'll control it. No more mistakes."
Rising unsteadily to his feet, Tsukasa prepared to retreat further into the shadows, intent on recovering fully before the battles ahead.