CHAPTER 29: YUTA vs YUJI

The air in the subway corridor grew thick with tension.

Yuta's katana gleamed beneath the humming lights, his gaze sharp as a blade. Yuji stood opposite him, fists clenched, trembling—not from fear, but from fury.

"I know it's my fault!" Yuji roared, the sound echoing through the hollow tunnels. "I know I let Sukuna out. I know people died because of me. But I'm not dying today—not until I save Gojo-sensei!"

Yuta narrowed his eyes, unimpressed.

"You're just muttering things… empty words from someone who caused everything."

Yuji's aura exploded.

A dense wave of cursed energy pulsed from his body, raw and unstable. The lights overhead shattered from the force.

"I'm done running!"

The floor beneath him cracked as a shadow bloomed outwards.

Then—

A storm of black and red swallowed the tunnel whole.

Ryoiki Tenkai — Wings of Wrath

Black tendrils of cursed energy erupted behind Yuji like wings made from flame and vengeance. His eyes burned red. His body pulsed with cursed marks, veins glowing crimson.

Yuta's expression shifted for the first time—surprise, then curiosity.

"A Ryoiki Tenkai…? You've manifested one?"

Yuji launched forward, punches infused with raw cursed might. Each hit sent shockwaves against Yuta's blade, forcing him backward.

Inside the domain, Yuji's strikes were enhanced—not elegant, but brutal. Desperate. Determined.

Yuta danced around him, parrying, analyzing.

"Crude… but effective."

One punch clipped his cheek. Blood flew.

Yuta's blade responded, slicing across Yuji's ribs.

But Yuji didn't stop.

CRACK!

Another punch. Another flash of wrath.

But the strain…

Yuji's energy wavered.

The Wings of Wrath trembled… then shattered.

The domain collapsed.

Yuji's body slumped, his eyes rolling back. He dropped to the cold subway floor, breathing hard, unconscious.

Yuta stood over him, panting slightly, wiping blood from his lip.

"You're stronger than I thought…"

He looked down at the fallen boy.

"But strength without control… still isn't enough."

He turned his back.

But didn't lift his sword.

Not this time.