"So... this is the air of the outside world?"
Ryomen Sukuna took a deep breath, spreading his arms as if to embrace the entire world.
"Though it reeks of the stench of nauseating weaklings..."
"As an appetizer for my resurrection, it'll have to do."
Megumi Fushiguro's entire body went rigid.
The sheer pressure was like a massive mountain crushing down on his head.
This was Ryomen Sukuna? The legendary King of Curses?
Just the man's presence made it difficult for him to even breathe.
"Hey, sea urchin head over there."
Sukuna suddenly turned his head, his crimson eyes scanning Megumi Fushiguro from head to toe.
"While I have a bit of interest in you..."
"Don't bother me right now."
Bang!
Without even seeing a movement, Megumi was struck as if by an invisible truck.
He was sent flying, slamming heavily into the wall before losing consciousness.
Nearby, Nobara had already been knocked out by the earlier burst of cursed energy.
The stage was cleared.
Sukuna cracked his neck with a series of satisfying pops, looking pleased.
Then, he turned his gaze toward the black sphere.
The Innate Domain of that Special Grade Cursed Spirit.
"What a crude barrier."
"It's like something a child put together with building blocks."
Sukuna let out a disdainful sneer.
He slowly raised his right hand, pressing his index and middle fingers together, and made a light slashing motion toward the barrier.
"Dismantle."
There was no earth-shaking explosion, nor any blinding light.
Only the faint sound of fabric tearing.
Riiip—
That "indestructible" Special Grade Domain that had driven Yuji's trio to despair...
...was sliced clean through like a thin sheet of paper!
The black liquid collapsed instantly, revealing the scene within.
...
In the center of the ruins.
Yoru knelt on one knee, leaning on his blade for support.
His consciousness was already beginning to fade.
Just as that Special Grade Cursed Spirit was preparing its final blow, the domain had suddenly shattered.
Then, that arrogant Special Grade Cursed Spirit split apart right before his eyes.
Yes, it split apart.
From the crown of its head to its crotch, it was neatly sliced in two by an invisible slash.
Without even a chance to scream, it dissolved into a cloud of purple-black cursed energy.
"This..."
Yoru looked up with difficulty.
Against the light, he saw a figure both familiar and strange.
Pink hair, familiar features.
But those wild black markings and those eyes full of malevolence...
It was definitely not Yuji Itadori.
"Not bad, brat."
Sukuna stepped over the rubble, walking toward Yoru one step at a time.
He looked down at the battered swordsman, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes.
"To push a Special Grade with a domain this far with a mere mortal body..."
"This era isn't entirely filled with trash after all."
Yoru narrowed his eyes, his grip on his sword tightening once more.
"Ryomen... Sukuna?"
Though his voice was weak, it carried a bone-chilling coldness.
"Oh? You still remember me?"
Sukuna raised an eyebrow, the grin on his face widening.
"That wooden sword of yours back at the school left quite an impression."
Suddenly, his gaze fell upon the sword in Yoru's hand.
The black blade was now glowing a crimson red from the intense heat.
On the edge of the blade, there were still scorched remnants of the wounds the Special Grade Cursed Spirit couldn't heal.
Sukuna's expression changed.
It was a look as if he were seeing something utterly repulsive.
"This sword..."
"And this nauseating breathing style..."
"Hey, brat."
Sukuna suddenly squatted down and leaned into Yoru's face, his crimson eyes staring intensely into Yoru's pupils.
"You're clearly human, yet you reek of the same stench as those hypocritical gods."
"It's truly irritating."
Yoru didn't answer; he simply adjusted his breathing in silence.
Total Concentration: Constant.
Every cell in his body was screaming, blaring alarms.
The man before him was ten thousand times more dangerous than the Special Grade Cursed Spirit from before!
"Nothing to say?"
Sukuna curled his lip in boredom and stood up.
Splat!
Without warning, his hand plunged directly into his own chest!
Blood sprayed everywhere.
To Yoru's shock, Sukuna physically ripped Yuji's heart right out of his chest!
He casually tossed the still-beating heart onto the ground and crushed it underfoot.
"There."
Sukuna flicked the blood off his hand, his smile becoming increasingly twisted and manic.
"Now that brat won't be coming back for a while."
"If he tries to switch back, he'll die."
"Now..."
He beckoned to Yoru with a finger, taking a combat-ready stance.
"Entertain me, swordsman."
"As a reward, I might consider waiting a little longer before I slaughter everyone here."
Yoru took a deep breath.
This breath was longer and deeper than any he had ever taken before.
He forced down the burning sensation in his lungs.
Golden lightning and crimson fire intertwined over his battered body, erupting with unprecedented brilliance like a final surge of life.
Shiranui was crying out.
It was yearning—yearning to slay the ultimate curse standing before it.
"As you wish."
Yoru slowly straightened his back, gripping his sword with both hands as he took the starting stance of Sun Breathing.
His eyes were clear, like a pool of still water yet reflecting a scorching sun.
"Here, I shall cut you down."
The air froze instantly.
The next second, the ground shattered!
Both figures vanished from their spots simultaneously!
The strongest Demon Slayer swordsman vs. the King of Curses (2-finger state).
A peak confrontation spanning time and space... begins!
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