The fight snapped into rhythm.
No hesitation now.
No confusion.
Kechizu staggered back—already weakened from Yuji's earlier blows.
Nobara stepped forward.
Eyes sharp.
"…Got you."
She drove a nail into the ground—
linked to the blood she had already marked on Kechizu.
"…Resonance."
Kechizu's body jerked violently—
"—AAAA—!"
Yuji didn't wait.
He surged forward—
timing perfect—
focus absolute—
Black Flash.
The impact cracked the air—
distortion snapping around his fist as it connected cleanly.
Kechizu's body buckled.
Weakened.
Exposed.
Nobara smirked.
"…Now—"
She snapped her fingers.
"…Hairpin."
The embedded cursed energy detonated.
BOOM—
Kechizu exploded outward—
his form collapsing completely.
Silence.
Eso froze.
"…Kechizu…?"
For the first time—
his expression broke.
"…Kechizu…!"
Yuji stood there.
Breathing hard.
Nobara lowered her hammer.
"…One down."
Takeru watched quietly.
Still empty.
Still fighting-ready.
Eso's face twisted—
rage and grief colliding.
"…You… killed him…"
Then—
he ran.
Straight for the road.
A car—abandoned nearby—
He jumped in—
engine roaring to life—
"…I will not die here—!"
Yuji took a step forward—
"…Not happening."
Nobara didn't move.
She just looked down.
At something left behind.
Eso's arm.
Severed.
Still marked.
Her expression sharpened.
"…You're not getting away."
She raised her hammer again.
"…Resonance."
THUD—
Far down the road—
Eso screamed.
The car swerved violently—
"—AAAGH—!"
He lost control—
CRASH—
The vehicle slammed hard.
Yuji didn't wait.
He ran.
Fast.
Relentless.
Takeru followed—silent, focused.
By the time they reached the wreck—
Eso was crawling out.
Broken.
Shaking.
"…My… brother…"
Yuji stopped in front of him.
"…Yeah."
A pause.
"…You're not alone in that."
Eso looked up—
rage flickering one last time—
"…Monster…"
Yuji clenched his fist.
"…Maybe."
Then—
He stepped in.
One punch.
Clean.
Final.
Eso's body collapsed.
Silence.
The wind moved again.
The tension faded.
Two curses.
Gone.
Yuji stood still for a moment.
"…Let's go."
Takeru nodded.
"…Mission complete."
Nobara turned away.
"…Took long enough."
Megumi exhaled.
"…We handled it."
Later
Standing before them—
Mei Mei.
Todo.
Mei Mei smiled slightly.
"…Efficient work."
Todo crossed his arms.
"…You fought well."
Yuji blinked.
"…Uh… thanks?"
Nobara smirked.
"…Obviously."
Megumi stayed quiet.
Takeru stood still.
Mei Mei continued:
"…Based on performance…"
A pause.
"…You are all being recommended for promotion."
Todo grinned.
"…Grade 1."
Silence.
Yuji froze.
"…WAIT—WHAT?!"
Nobara lit up.
"…FINALLY."
Megumi blinked once.
"…That's fast."
Panda (somewhere, later hearing this):
"…Expected."
Takeru nodded once.
"…Understood."
Todo laughed.
"…You've earned it."
Cut To…
Darkness.
A figure stood alone.
Still.
Eyes closed.
Then—
opening.
Choso.
The air around him felt heavy.
Unmoving.
"…Kechizu…"
A pause.
"…Eso…"
His fists clenched slowly.
"…I felt it…"
His voice dropped.
Cold.
"…You were killed."
Silence.
Then—
"…Yuji Itadori…"
A sharper tone.
"…Takeru…"
His eyes hardened completely.
"…I will kill you."
No hesitation.
No doubt.
"…For my brothers."
And somewhere far away—
the consequences of the bridge had already begun.