The air above Death City vibrated with an oppressive intensity, thick with cursed energy that twisted the very fabric of the environment. The plaza was a ruin, shattered from previous battles, and yet it was here that the duel would reach its most critical stage. Kuma stood at the epicenter, Shira at his side, shifting fluidly between human and weapon forms, her presence an anchor against the turbulent force of Sukuna inside him.
The pulse of Sukuna surged violently, a tide of malevolence urging domination, destruction, surrender to instinct. "All must kneel! Unleash! Show your supremacy!" whispered the voice inside Kuma's mind, sharp and insistent.
Shira's voice cut through the cacophony of mental whispers and the roar of energy. "Kuma… this is the decisive confrontation. Every strike, every step, every breath must be precise. Sukuna will exploit hesitation, seek weakness, and tempt the dark within. We cannot falter."
Kuma tightened his grip on Shira, feeling her resonance stabilize his mind. Control first. Precision first. Strategy first. He exhaled, centering himself. "We act as one."
Sukuna manifested fully, towering and radiant with cursed power. Shadows twisted and rippled around him like living tendrils, every movement bending space, every glance carrying lethal intent. The oppressive force pressed on Kuma's mind, testing discipline, instinct, and will.
The DWMA team formed a strategic perimeter, civilians evacuated. Maka's eyes were sharp, her voice cutting through the tension: "Kuma… remember everything. Control, strategy, precision. Don't let him infiltrate your mind."
Soul adjusted his scythe, tense. "Yeah… he's testing you. Don't give him a crack."
Shira shifted into sword form, metal humming with latent energy. "Every strike, every movement, every decision is critical. Sukuna will push toward destruction—but control, coordination, and precision are your weapons."
The duel erupted without warning. Sukuna's attacks were blindingly fast, probing for weakness, baiting Kuma to succumb to the dark whisper. Shadows coiled into monstrous appendages, arcs of energy collided with steel, the ground fracturing beneath them. Shira alternated between human and weapon forms, guiding Kuma: "Observe! Redirect! Strike only when the opening is certain!"
The inner voice surged, seductive: "Destroy! All must fall! Unleash the fury within!"
Kuma resisted, grounding himself with Shira's presence. No. Control first. Precision first. Team first. Every strike, every block, every movement became a precise calculation, balancing instinct with intellect, raw power with discipline.
The battle escalated. Sukuna's attacks became multi-directional, unpredictable yet intelligent, forcing Kuma to adapt instantly. Shira leapt atop a ruined building in human form, issuing rapid guidance, coordinating the team's actions. Maka's scythe arcs flowed seamlessly with Kuma's blade, Soul intercepted lethal strikes aimed at allies, Kid's gunfire created tactical suppression, rear guard maintained flanking pressure.
Sukuna unleashed a massive wave of cursed energy, threatening to obliterate the entire plaza. The inner voice roared: "All or nothing! Strike! Crush all in your path!"
Kuma inhaled sharply, centering himself through Shira's guidance. Control. Precision. Strategy. He channeled the destructive surge into precise counters, dismantling it piece by piece, Shira's blade guiding each strike. Maka, Soul, and Kid harmonized perfectly, creating a seamless combined offensive.
Sukuna intensified the duel, moving with supernatural speed, attacks chaotic yet intelligent, testing Kuma's limits of mental and physical endurance. Shadows warped, energy arcs bent reality, every strike a challenge of mastery and coordination.
Stein's voice cut through the battlefield: "Kuma! Discipline, coordination, control! Every choice now dictates survival!"
Finally, Kuma noticed a subtle flaw in Sukuna's assault, a minuscule opening invisible to all but the most disciplined. He signaled Shira. "Now!" She shifted to blade form, resonating with concentrated power. Kuma moved, actions synchronized with Shira and the DWMA team. The strike landed with devastating precision, forcing Sukuna backward, the first clear breach in his defenses.
Sukuna roared, a mixture of fury and intrigued acknowledgment. "Impressive… but this is only the beginning."
The plaza fell into tense silence. Sukuna's presence remained, an oppressive shadow pressing against Kuma's consciousness, a reminder that the ultimate test—the decisive confrontation—was ongoing.
Shira returned to human form, placing a steadying hand on Kuma's shoulder. "You survived the first wave… every decision now carries weight. Sukuna watches. Be ready."
Kuma exhaled, muscles taut, mind sharpened. The duel had tested skill, coordination with Shira, and the team's cohesion. Sukuna's influence persisted, insidious, tethered to his consciousness.
Maka nodded. "You've proven strength, leadership, and control. But the path ahead demands even greater mastery. Sukuna's shadow lengthens with every challenge."
Soul adjusted his scythe. "Yeah… the real fight isn't over. He's testing you still. Stay sharp, Kuma."
As the city settled into uneasy calm, Kuma and Shira moved side by side through the ruins. The DWMA team had survived a duel against godlike power, yet Sukuna's presence lingered, an ominous reminder that the ultimate, life-or-death confrontation awaited, where every decision, every movement, every strike could determine life—or annihilation.