The air above Death City quivered with a suffocating weight, as if every stone, every shadow, had sensed the presence of the most malevolent force yet to challenge the DWMA. Kuma stood in the shattered central plaza, Shira beside him in human form, her eyes sharp and unwavering. The pulse of Sukuna within him throbbed like a second heartbeat, insistent and merciless, whispering commands that clawed at the edge of his sanity. Today was the true test—the full, unrelenting confrontation with Sukuna himself.
Shira's voice, steady and urgent, cut through the oppressive silence. "This is it, Kuma. Every strike, every decision, every breath must be precise. He will tempt you, push you, exploit any hesitation. We cannot falter."
Kuma's hands gripped Shira's hilt tightly, feeling her energy resonate with his own. Control first. Precision first. Strategy first. The voice inside surged, insistent, domineering: "All must kneel! Unleash! Destroy! Show them your supremacy!"
He closed his eyes for a brief instant, centering himself. "We act as one."
From the shadows emerged Sukuna, his presence radiating an aura of pure malice. He moved with a predatory grace, energy crackling around him like living flame, and every step seemed to bend the air, the city itself trembling under his gaze. Kuma could feel the sheer force of Sukuna's intent pressing against him, a mental weight designed to break willpower and incite instinctive violence.
Maka, Soul, Kid, and the remaining DWMA students formed a defensive perimeter, ready to support, yet fully aware that the heart of this battle lay with Kuma and Shira. Maka's gaze was unwavering. "Kuma… remember. Control. Strategy. Precision. Don't let him dominate your mind."
Soul's voice was taut with caution. "Yeah… this isn't about speed or strength alone. He's trying to make you lose your head."
Shira shifted into sword form, the metallic hum resonating with latent power. "Focus. Every strike, every movement, every decision is critical. Sukuna will push you to destruction—but precision, control, and unity are your weapons."
The first clash erupted with explosive force. Sukuna struck with a speed that blurred perception, his attacks designed to probe every weakness, to bait Kuma into succumbing to the dark whisper. Shadows swirled like living tendrils, energy arcs collided with steel, and the ground beneath shattered with each impact. Shira alternated between human and weapon form, directing Kuma's movements with absolute clarity, her voice a lifeline in the chaos: "Redirect! Observe! Strike when the opening is absolute!"
Sukuna's whisper surged, seductive, demanding: "Unleash. Destroy. All must fall before you! Prove your supremacy!"
Kuma forced his jaw to unclench, resisting the tide of instinctive aggression. No. Precision first. Strategy first. Team first. Every strike, every parry, every movement became a calculated decision, balancing raw power with controlled execution.
The battle intensified. Sukuna's attacks became unpredictable, multi-directional, and extraordinarily intelligent, forcing Kuma to adapt instantly. Shira leapt to the rooftops in human form, directing the battlefield, coordinating the team's defenses with precision. Maka's scythe arcs synchronized with Kuma's blade, Soul intercepted lethal attacks aimed at allies, Kid's gunfire created a suppressive network, while the rear guard maintained flanking pressure.
Sukuna unleashed a colossal surge of energy, a wave that threatened to obliterate the plaza entirely. The voice inside roared, insistent: "All or nothing! Crush them all! You are mine!"
Kuma drew in a sharp breath, centering himself with Shira's guidance. No. Control first. Precision first. Strategy first. He channeled the destructive wave through precise counters, dismantling it incrementally, while Shira's blade guided every strike with unerring accuracy. Maka, Soul, and Kid synchronized perfectly, their combined forces creating a seamless counter-assault.
The apex moment approached. Sukuna's form flickered with unnatural speed, his attacks growing more chaotic, yet more intelligent. He pressed harder, forcing Kuma to make instantaneous, life-or-death decisions. Each strike was a test of mastery, of coordination, of endurance against both physical and psychological onslaught.
Stein's voice rang sharply across the plaza. "Kuma! Discipline and coordination now determine survival! Every choice is critical!"
Finally, Kuma saw the opening—a subtle, almost imperceptible flaw in Sukuna's assault. He signaled Shira. "Now!" She shifted to blade form, metal resonating with latent power. Kuma moved, every motion synchronized perfectly with Shira and the team. A precise, calculated strike cut through Sukuna's defense, forcing him back for the first time.
Sukuna's roar echoed across the ruins, a mix of rage and intrigue. He stepped back, evaluating Kuma with a piercing gaze. "Impressive… but you have only just begun."
The plaza fell silent, heavy with tension. Sukuna's presence lingered, a dark shadow pressing against Kuma's mind, reminding him that the ultimate trial had only just begun.
Shira returned to human form, placing a steadying hand on Kuma's shoulder. "You endured the first wave… but remember, every choice now carries weight. Sukuna watches. He is patient. Be ready."
Kuma exhaled slowly, muscles taut, mind sharpened. The battle had tested his personal skill, his coordination with Shira, and the team's cohesion. Sukuna's influence, though resisted, remained—a persistent, insidious shadow.
Maka approached, nodding in acknowledgment. "You've proven strength, leadership, and control. But the path ahead will demand even more. Sukuna's shadow is long, and his reach grows with every challenge."
Soul adjusted his scythe, voice cautious. "Yeah… the real fight is just starting. Stay sharp, Kuma. He isn't finished."
As the city settled into uneasy calm, Kuma and Shira moved side by side through the devastated plaza. The DWMA team had survived a confrontation that would have broken most warriors. Sukuna's presence lingered, silent yet omnipresent—a constant reminder that the ultimate trial, the life-or-death clash with the King of Curses himself, was still ahead.