Chapter 202: Are People Afraid of Ants?

"It doesn't matter."

Ryuji's calm response was delivered with a faint smile, completely unshaken by the tense atmosphere around him.

"Whether Sukuna regains his full strength or not, it doesn't make any difference to me."

"???"

The others froze in disbelief, their confusion mounting. But before anyone could process what he meant, Ryuji continued:

"To me, a fully resurrected Ryomen Sukuna is just an ant with sharper teeth—teeth that have already been pulled out. An ant is still an ant, and ants always get stepped on."

"..."

Ryuji's tone was calm, his demeanor nonchalant. It wasn't a boast or a threat, just a statement of fact, delivered with a serene smile.

"So Manly…" Nobara muttered under her breath, her eyes sparkling.

Maki, standing beside her, felt her heart skip a beat at Ryuji's words as well. But when she noticed Nobara's reaction, she narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

Her gaze sharpened as she looked at Nobara.

"What's wrong?" Nobara noticed Maki's intense stare and raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"Nothing," Maki quickly replied, shaking her head.

Though she had no official claim to Ryuji, her guard was up. It had been hard enough finding someone she admired, there was no way she'd let someone else snatch him away so easily.

"Haha! Hahahaha!"

Sukuna's sinister laughter echoed, breaking the tension.

It wasn't every day someone dared to call him an ant. Even Gojo who had looked down on him, had never dismissed him in such a manner.

"You've got quite the mouth on you," Sukuna said, his tone dark and amused.

Without hesitation, Sukuna popped the two fingers into his mouth and swallowed them.

As expected, the cursed energy within him surged, growing more chaotic and violent as his strength increased.

"I… I can't control him anymore!" Yuji's strained voice came through, his face contorting as he struggled to suppress Sukuna.

The overwhelming power coursing through Sukuna made it impossible for Yuji to maintain control.

"It's fine," Ryuji said calmly, his gaze steady as he looked at Yuji.

"If you can't suppress him, don't bother trying. Nothing will happen."

"But—"

Yuji hesitated, but Ryuji's calm expression reassured him. Reluctantly, he nodded.

"Alright, I understand."

In the next moment, Sukuna took full control of Yuji's body.

"This feeling of being in control… it's exquisite," Sukuna murmured, flexing his fingers and clenching his fists. His face twisted in satisfaction as he relished the sensation.

Maki and Nobara immediately tensed, their eyes locked on Sukuna with vigilance.

Sukuna, however, paid them no attention. His focus remained entirely on Ryuji.

"Aren't you afraid of me?" Sukuna asked, his voice laced with curiosity.

"Are people afraid of ants?" Ryuji replied with the same calm demeanor, his smile unwavering.

"..."

Sukuna's grin faltered for a moment before widening again. The response was irritating, yes—but there was something about it that intrigued him.

"Cleave"

"Swish! Swish! Swish!"

Without warning, Sukuna unleashed a flurry of invisible slashing techniques, each aimed directly at Ryuji.

"Shadow Manipulation: Shield," Ryuji said, his tone still calm, as though this had all been expected.

The shadows beneath Ryuji's feet shifted instantly, rising into the air and forming two shields. But instead of defending himself, Ryuji placed the shields in front of Maki and Nobara.

As for Ryuji himself, he faced the slashing techniques head-on, completely exposed.

"Hmm?"

Sukuna raised an eyebrow. He had initially thought Ryuji was creating a defense for himself, but realizing the shields were meant to protect others took him by surprise.

"Are you looking to die?" Sukuna sneered.

Even in his current state, his slashing techniques were lethal. Anyone reckless enough to face them directly wouldn't walk away unscathed.

"Ryuji!"

Maki and Nobara both realized what was happening and tried to intervene, but it was already too late.

The slashing techniques hit their mark.

Yet, when the dust settled, Ryuji remained unharmed. He stood there, brushing off the windblown fabric of his clothes as if nothing had happened.

"This breeze feels rather refreshing," Ryuji remarked with a faint smile, his tone lighthearted.

"..."

Sukuna fell silent, his expression darkening.

He had known Ryuji was strong, but this level of power was beyond anything he had anticipated. Not only had Ryuji taken the attack without a scratch, but even the corners of his clothes remained intact.

"You…"

Sukuna narrowed his eyes, staring at Ryuji with a newfound seriousness. He was starting to realize just how formidable this man truly was.

Could his strength even compare if he returned to his peak? Sukuna wasn't sure and that uncertainty infuriated him.

"Want to try again?" Ryuji asked, spreading his hands in a casual gesture.

"If not, then just give Yuji his body back."

"..."

Sukuna's grin tightened. If there was one thing he couldn't stand, it was being treated with indifference and contempt.

Without hesitation, he clasped his hands together.

"Domain Expansion—Malevolent Shrine!"

As Sukuna's domain unfolded, a massive shrine rose up behind him, its oppressive aura filling the space.

Ryuji watched the scene unfold, his expression unchanging. Instead, he smiled.

"Using a domain? Fine," Ryuji said, clapping his hands together.

"If that's the case, I'll do it too."

***

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