The training yard didn't feel like a training yard anymore.
It felt like something had been rewritten there—over and over—until even the air seemed tired.
Sukuna stood still for a moment longer than usual.
Takeru, opposite him, was breathing hard but steady.
No techniques now.
No tricks.
Just the aftermath of raw exchange.
Yuji clenched his fists from the edge of the field.
"…Is it over?"
Hakari tilted his head.
"…Feels like it."
Maki didn't answer immediately.
Her eyes stayed locked on Sukuna.
Gojo's smile faded slightly.
"…Yeah."
Sukuna exhaled slowly.
Then looked at Takeru.
"…Acceptable."
Not praise.
Not insult.
Just acknowledgment.
Takeru nodded once.
"…Good."
A pause.
Then Sukuna stepped back.
The pressure in the air didn't vanish instantly—but it loosened.
Like a grip releasing.
And then—
control shifted.
Sukuna faded from the surface.
Takeru's body reclaimed itself.
He swayed slightly.
Just for a moment.
Yuji immediately stepped forward.
"…Takeru!"
Hakari followed.
"…Yo, don't collapse right after—"
Takeru raised a hand.
Small.
"…I'm fine."
Maki narrowed her eyes.
"…You're not fine."
Takeru blinked.
Then nodded once.
"…Condition: reduced."
Gojo sighed.
"…That's one way to say it."
And then—
it hit.
Not all at once like before.
Not catastrophic.
Just delayed.
Like reality catching up slower this time.
A crack.
Then another.
Takeru stiffened.
"…Ah."
Yuji froze.
"…Wait—what's happening—"
Hakari's expression changed.
"…Oh no."
Maki stepped forward instantly.
"…Don't move."
Takeru looked down at his arms.
Then his torso.
Then exhaled.
"…Half structural failure."
Silence.
Yuji shouted.
"…WHY ARE YOU SAYING IT LIKE A REPORT?!"
Takeru tilted his head slightly.
"…Accuracy."
And then—
his body gave in.
Not fully collapsing.
But enough.
Bones failing in multiple places at once, like the strain from everything finally settling.
Hakari rushed forward.
"…Alright, that's it, we're going back."
Maki was already supporting him on one side.
"…Move."
Gojo stepped in on the other.
"…Yeah, Shoko's gonna love this."
Yuji followed behind, panicked.
"…Why is it always Shoko—?!"
Takeru, still upright between them, blinked slowly.
"…I can walk."
Maki responded immediately.
"…No."
Hakari nodded.
"…Hard no."
Gojo grinned slightly again.
"…You got less broken than last time though."
Yuji stared.
"…That's not a victory condition!"
And just like that—
they carried him back toward the infirmary.
Again.
Takeru looking mildly annoyed but still conscious.
Like it was just another step in training.
Shoko was already waiting by the time they arrived.
She looked at him once.
Then sighed.
"…You again."
Takeru nodded.
"…Return visit."
Shoko walked past them immediately.
"…Put him down."
Hakari muttered.
"…She's not even surprised anymore."
Maki replied quietly.
"…That's the worst part."
Yuji looked at Takeru.
"…You are going to stop doing this someday, right?"
Takeru thought for a moment.
Then:
"…Improvement requires repetition."
Yuji buried his face in his hands.
"…That's not what I meant."
And as Shoko got to work again—
the rest of them stood outside the infirmary.
Quiet.
Tired.
Watching the pattern repeat itself.
But this time—
something was different.
He broke less.
Small improvement.
Terrible method.
But still—
progress.