The afternoon sun was dimmed behind a canopy of blackened clouds that swirled unnaturally over Death City. Kuma and Shira moved cautiously through the outer districts, Shira in human form, her eyes scanning the streets with sharp precision. The air was thick, vibrating with a malicious energy that seemed to seep into the bones themselves, and the pull of Sukuna within Kuma thrummed louder than ever, a persistent whisper pressing for domination.
"This is no ordinary opponent," Shira murmured, voice taut, echoing her unease. "This one is a direct agent… attuned to him, to you. Every move will be calculated, every strike deliberate."
Kuma's hand rested lightly on Shira's hilt, feeling the subtle pulse of her energy resonate with his own. The whisper surged urgently. "You must destroy them. Let none survive. Show the world your strength!"
He closed his eyes briefly, grounding himself. No. Precision first. Control first. Strategy first. Shira's calm presence anchored him, her human form beside him giving silent assurance. "We act as one."
The agent emerged from the shadows of a crumbling plaza ahead, a figure cloaked in black robes that seemed to flicker with cursed energy. The aura around the being was familiar, yet twisted, resonating disturbingly with the latent power inside Kuma. Its eyes, glowing faintly, locked onto him, recognizing both the influence of Sukuna and the potential within him.
Maka, Soul, and Kid arrived quickly, flanking Kuma and forming a defensive perimeter. Maka's eyes narrowed, her scythe at the ready. "This energy… it's personal. Be careful. This one knows him—and you."
Soul's grip on his scythe tightened. "Yeah… feels like it's studying us, learning our patterns as it fights. Kuma, keep your head."
Shira shifted instantly to sword form, the metallic hum resonating with Kuma's aura. "Focus. Every movement counts. Sukuna will push you toward instinctive destruction, but we will prevail through precision and coordination."
The first strike came suddenly, a surge of cursed energy and shadows twisting into blades aimed directly at Kuma. He moved with fluid precision, blocking with Shira, deflecting energy bursts, while Maka and Soul synchronized their attacks to cover flanks and redirect pressure. Kid's pistols fired with calculated timing, forming suppressive barriers against the agent's probing assaults.
Sukuna's voice surged in Kuma's mind, insistent and seductive. "Overwhelm them! Let nothing survive! You are the vessel of dominance!"
Kuma clenched his teeth, resisting the urge to unleash destructive force. He drew on Shira's guidance, integrating her blade movements with the team's coordinated strikes. Every action was a careful calculation, balancing offense and defense, instinct and control.
The agent adapted immediately, striking from angles that challenged the team's formation. Its energy pulses sought to exploit any hesitation, and Kuma could feel the pull stronger than ever. "You are mine! Use it!"
Shira shifted to human form, leaping onto a higher ledge to oversee the battlefield. "Anticipate! Redirect! Strike only with purpose! Do not give in to his voice!"
Kuma adjusted, flowing seamlessly with Shira's guidance. Each strike disrupted the agent's rhythm, each movement countered its probing attacks, and every action was synchronized with Maka, Soul, and Kid. The streets became a whirlwind of steel, light, and cursed energy, the ground cracked under the sheer force of combined assaults.
The agent unleashed a massive surge of energy, a wave that threatened to engulf the entire plaza. Kuma felt Sukuna surge within him, a roaring insistence to abandon control. "Destroy them! Leave nothing standing! Show your true power!"
He resisted, channeling the force through Shira, redirecting it with precision. Maka's scythe carved arcs in perfect coordination with Kuma's strikes; Soul pivoted, intercepting lethal attacks aimed at their allies; Kid's gunfire formed a network of controlled energy suppression. The apex of the agent's assault faltered against this precise, disciplined counter.
Stein's voice echoed from a nearby rooftop. "Observe! This is the test of control and coordination! The shadow within him will attempt to dominate. Kuma, the team relies on your mastery!"
The battle intensified further. Shadows and cursed energy clashed violently, arcs of light slicing the darkness. Sukuna's whispers pushed relentlessly, tempting Kuma toward reckless destruction. "All or nothing! Strike with annihilation! Show them your dominance!"
Kuma exhaled sharply, eyes narrowing. No. Strategy first, precision first, coordination first. He integrated Shira's movements and his team's positioning, each strike dismantling the agent's defenses, protecting allies, and maintaining the flow of combat.
The agent roared in frustration, a shockwave of dark energy rolling outward. Buildings trembled, debris scattered, but Kuma's control held firm. Every decision, every strike, was a demonstration of restraint, leadership, and mastery over Sukuna's influence.
With a final coordinated surge, Kuma and Shira struck in perfect synchrony with Maka, Soul, and Kid. The agent faltered, its cursed energy unraveling under the combined precision of the team. With one last, calculated strike from Shira guided by Kuma, the agent disintegrated, leaving only a faint residual pulse that quickly dissipated.
Silence descended, broken only by the heavy breathing of the team and the hum of lingering soul energy. Sukuna's whisper had diminished, leaving a tense quiet, yet its presence remained—a reminder of the ever-present shadow.
Stein appeared beside them, eyes sharp and evaluating. "Excellent. You have faced an opponent directly linked to Sukuna and maintained discipline, coordination, and control. Kuma… your mastery has allowed the team to succeed without succumbing to the destructive impulse within. But this is merely a step. Sukuna's influence grows. His agents will continue to test, probe, and challenge you. Prepare accordingly."
Shira returned to human form, placing a hand lightly on Kuma's shoulder. "You held the line… but remember, every decision now carries greater weight. He watches, always."
Kuma exhaled, muscles tense, mind sharpened from the confrontation. The battle had tested his personal skill, his coordination with Shira, and the team's strategic cohesion. The shadow of Sukuna remained, a constant pressure that would continue to shape every choice.
Maka approached, her expression measured. "You've proven your strength today, but the path ahead demands even greater control. Do not let victory blind you to the challenges to come."
Soul adjusted his scythe, voice cautious. "Yeah… today was a success, but the bigger threats are still out there. Stay sharp."
As the streets settled back into uneasy calm, Kuma and Shira moved side by side, their bond strengthened yet challenged by the encounter. The DWMA team had survived, Sukuna's agent had been defeated, but the shadow within Kuma lingered—silent, persistent, and waiting for the next trial.