CHAPTER 9: SPARKS OF THE STRONGEST

The clash between Gojo Satoru and Ryomen Sukuna wasn't just a fight.

It was a phenomenon.

Broadcasted through a large cursed screen connected to Yuki's old surveillance curse, the fight was visible from the Jujutsu High command center. Everyone was gathered. Some were seated, some standing—no one spoke at first.

The sky flashed red. Black lightning forked down. Gojo and Sukuna clashed mid-air, throwing each other through buildings, domains, curses, and space.

And the reactions…

—

Yuta Okkotsu stood still, arms folded.

His gaze didn't move an inch from the screen. A small twitch in his brow showed concern—but his lips were curved just slightly.

"That's sensei," he whispered. "He's not holding back anymore."

Beside him, Maki Zenin leaned against the wall, arms crossed. Her sharp eyes followed every punch.

"Tch," she clicked her tongue. "They're not human. I wouldn't survive three seconds in there."

"You'd survive four," Yuta replied with a faint smirk.

Maki grinned. "Generous."

—

Utahime sat beside Mei Mei, who was resting on a small hospital chair, still pale but fully conscious.

Utahime had her hands clasped. "He's laughing… in the middle of that…"

"I told you," Mei Mei chuckled weakly. "He'd be smiling at the gates of hell."

Then she added, half-serious, "Still, if he dies, I'm burning all five copies of that marriage contract."

Utahime blushed instantly. "Don't joke about that right now!"

—

Yuji Itadori was on edge. He had barely blinked. His fists were clenched.

"Sensei…" he whispered.

Behind him, Todo Aoi sat in full dramatic tension, one leg crossed, one hand on his chin, eyes wide with admiration.

"THIS. IS. THE ULTIMATE BROTHERLY SHOWDOWN!" he bellowed.

Yuji sweatdropped. "Can you be serious—?"

"Shh," Todo waved him off. "Our brother is walking a path of roses and blood. Let him cook."

—

Kinji Hakari leaned forward from a beanbag chair, scowling. His gum popped louder than usual.

"This ain't a normal fight, man. He's pushing himself hard. And Sukuna's not even trying to end it fast."

From the corner, Hajime Kashimo cracked his knuckles, electricity running along his arms.

"That's because Sukuna's savoring it."

Hakari looked at him. "You itching to join?"

"No." Kashimo stared. "But if Gojo dies, I'll be next."

—

Higuruma stood stiffly, watching silently. He wasn't used to this—this scale. His eyes were filled with both awe and dread.

"This isn't a battle between sorcerers," he said. "It's a war between gods."

From behind, a soft voice spoke.

"I agree," said Nobara Kugisaki, stepping out of the shadows. Her face was scarred but healed, her presence silent until now. "But our god's funnier than theirs."

Yuji turned, eyes wide. "N-Nobara…?"

She winked. "We'll talk later. Eyes on the screen."

—

The entire hall fell into silence again.

Sukuna's Malevolent Shrine erupted like a volcano. Gojo's Cursed Technique Reversal launched him into the sky like a comet.

And in those seconds, every one of them felt it:

The weight of what was at stake.

Not just Shinjuku.

Not just Gojo.

Everything.