The yard was still cracked from before.
Even after repairs, the damage kept showing through—like the ground remembered what had happened.
This time, no one said anything when Takeru stepped forward.
No jokes. No interruptions.
Just watching.
Sukuna stood across from him.
Relaxed.
Like he was waiting for something interesting to happen.
Takeru exhaled once.
Then spoke.
"…No techniques."
Yuji blinked.
"…Huh?"
Hakari tilted his head.
"…That's new."
Maki narrowed her eyes.
"…He's restricting himself."
Gojo smiled slightly.
"…Raw output training."
Sukuna's grin widened a fraction.
"…You wish to fight me without your borrowed tricks?"
Takeru nodded.
"…Yes."
A pause.
Then Sukuna laughed softly.
Not mocking.
Approving.
"…Very well."
The air changed immediately.
Not domain expansion.
Not cursed technique activation.
Just pressure.
Pure intent.
Sukuna moved first.
Fast.
Sharp.
A clean strike aimed straight at Takeru's center.
Takeru didn't dodge with technique.
Didn't shift with cursed energy flow.
He stepped in.
And took it.
The impact cracked the ground beneath him.
But he stayed upright.
Yuji's eyes widened.
"…He just ate that hit…"
Hakari leaned forward slightly.
"…Okay, that's insane."
Takeru exhaled.
Then threw a punch.
No cursed enhancement.
No technique layering.
Just raw strength.
Sukuna blocked it.
His arm shifted slightly from the force.
Just barely.
His expression changed.
Subtle.
But real.
"…Hm."
Takeru didn't stop.
Another punch.
Then another.
Each one heavier.
More grounded.
Less flashy.
More real.
Maki's eyes narrowed.
"…He's building power from repetition."
Gojo nodded.
"…No shortcuts. Just output."
Sukuna struck back.
Takeru blocked with his forearm.
The collision sent a shockwave through the yard.
Yuji winced.
"…That hurts just watching…"
Hakari grinned.
"…This is way more honest than their last fight."
Sukuna stepped in closer.
Fast elbow strike.
Takeru ducked.
Shoulder checked forward.
Hit landed.
Sukuna actually shifted back half a step.
Silence.
Yuji froze.
"…Wait…"
Hakari's eyes widened slightly.
"…He pushed Sukuna back."
Sukuna looked down at Takeru.
For a moment—
just a moment—
the amusement faded.
"…You are refining yourself quickly."
Takeru wiped his arm once.
No expression change.
Just breathing.
"…Again."
And they went back in.
No flashy techniques.
No domain pressure.
No cursed trickery.
Just two forces colliding.
One ancient.
One adapting.
Each hit mattered more because nothing was hiding behind it.
And from the edge of the yard—
everyone watching realized something slowly.
This wasn't Takeru trying to win.
This was Takeru trying to build something that could.