The air in Death City vibrated with an ominous energy, heavy and electric, as if the very atmosphere had been charged with malevolence. Kuma stood at the heart of the devastated plaza, Shira at his side, now shifting seamlessly between human form and weapon. The pulse of Sukuna within him surged violently, whispering in commands sharp as blades, urging the unleashing of destruction, tempting him to surrender to instinct and fury. Today would be the culmination: a duel with Sukuna himself, where every decision could mean survival—or annihilation.
Shira's voice, firm and steady, cut through the oppressive tension. "Kuma… this is the decisive moment. Every movement, every strike, every breath must be exact. He will exploit hesitation. He will attempt to dominate your mind. We cannot falter."
Kuma gripped Shira tightly, feeling the resonance of her energy in his own, a tether against the relentless influence of Sukuna. Control first. Precision first. Strategy first. The voice inside surged with temptation: "All must kneel. Unleash. Show your true dominance!"
He exhaled slowly, centering his mind. "We act as one."
Sukuna emerged, his form towering and radiant with cursed energy, each step bending reality around him. Shadows stretched and twisted with his movement, energy arcs crackling through the air, threatening to consume everything. His gaze met Kuma's, a predatory glint in his eyes, assessing, calculating, testing.
The DWMA team formed a strategic perimeter, knowing full well that direct intervention might cost lives. Maka's voice was sharp. "Kuma… remember everything. Control, strategy, precision. Don't let him manipulate your mind."
Soul's scythe glinted as he positioned himself. "Yeah… it's all on you now. He's testing your limits."
Shira shifted into sword form in Kuma's hands, humming with latent power. "Focus. Every strike, every movement, every decision is critical. Sukuna will push you toward destruction—but precision, control, and unity are your weapons."
The first exchange was instantaneous. Sukuna struck with supernatural speed and precision, each attack designed to probe Kuma's weaknesses, to bait him into succumbing to the dark whisper. Shadows twisted into monstrous forms, energy arcs collided with steel, and the ground fractured beneath their feet. Shira alternated between human and weapon forms, guiding Kuma with unerring clarity: "Anticipate! Counter! Strike only when the opening is absolute!"
Sukuna's whisper surged inside Kuma, sharp and insistent: "Destroy. All must fall. Unleash the fury within!"
Kuma resisted, grounding himself through Shira's presence. No. Control first. Precision first. Team first. Each strike, each parry, each decision became a calculated maneuver, balancing instinct with strategy, raw power with discipline.
The battle escalated. Sukuna's attacks became multi-directional, unpredictable, and intelligently adaptive, forcing Kuma to act with instantaneous precision. Shira leapt to rooftops in human form, observing and issuing commands, synchronizing the team's actions. Maka's scythe arcs flowed perfectly with Kuma's blade, Soul intercepted lethal strikes aimed at allies, Kid's gunfire created tactical suppression, and the rear guard maintained flanking pressure.
A massive wave of cursed energy surged toward them, intended to obliterate the plaza. The inner voice roared: "All or nothing! Strike! Crush all in your path!"
Kuma exhaled, centering himself with Shira's guidance. Control. Precision. Strategy. He channeled the destructive surge into precise counters, dismantling it piece by piece, while Shira's blade guided each strike. Maka, Soul, and Kid harmonized perfectly, creating a seamless counter-offensive.
Sukuna intensified the duel, striking with such speed and power that reality seemed to warp around him. Kuma was forced to adapt with near-inhuman reflexes, each movement measured, calculated, and executed with Shira's guidance. The shadow within him screamed for release, for dominance, but Kuma forced restraint, using Shira as the fulcrum of his will.
Stein's voice rang across the battlefield. "Kuma! Every movement, every choice, every strike determines survival! Maintain coordination, control, and focus!"
Finally, Kuma perceived a subtle flaw in Sukuna's assault, a slight opening invisible to all but the most disciplined. He signaled Shira. "Now!" She shifted to blade form, resonating with power. Kuma moved, his every action in perfect synchronization with Shira and the DWMA team. The strike connected with Sukuna's defense, a precise, devastating impact that forced the King of Curses back for the first time.
Sukuna roared, the sound a blend of rage and intrigued acknowledgment. He reevaluated Kuma with a piercing gaze. "Impressive… but the duel has only begun."
The plaza fell into tense silence. Sukuna's presence remained, a persistent, oppressive shadow pressing against Kuma's consciousness, a reminder that the ultimate trial had only begun.
Shira returned to human form, placing a steadying hand on Kuma's shoulder. "You endured the first wave… but remember, every choice carries weight. Sukuna watches. Be ready for the next stage."
Kuma exhaled, muscles tense, mind sharpened. The duel had tested his skill, coordination with Shira, and the team's cohesion. Sukuna's influence, though resisted, remained—insidious, a shadow tethered to his consciousness.
Maka approached, nodding in acknowledgment. "You've demonstrated strength, leadership, and control. But the path ahead will demand even greater mastery. Sukuna's shadow grows with every challenge."
Soul adjusted his scythe. "Yeah… the real fight isn't over. He's just testing you. Stay sharp, Kuma."
As the city settled into uneasy calm, Kuma and Shira moved side by side through the devastated plaza. The DWMA team had survived a duel with a godlike force, Sukuna's presence lingering, a constant reminder that the ultimate, life-or-death confrontation with the King of Curses awaited.