The atmosphere in the large, dark room was heavy with shock and disbelief. The screens surrounding the central pillar, which had been broadcasting the battle, now showed a scene that no one had expected or dared to imagine – the demise of Gojo Satoru. The image of Gojo, the strongest sorcerer of their time, split in two, was a sight that shook everyone to their core.
The room was filled with stunned silence as the reality of what had just occurred sank in. Gojo's defeat was not just a personal loss; it was a monumental event that shifted the balance of power in the jujutsu world.
Hiro, along with the others, could hardly believe what they had just witnessed. His fists clenched tightly, a mix of anger, sadness, and disbelief coursing through him. Gojo had been a pillar of strength, a symbol of near invincibility, and his fall represented a devastating blow to their morale.
But there was no time to process their grief or shock. The battle against Sukuna was still raging, and they had to continue the fight without Gojo.
Ui Ui swiftly exited the room with Kashimo, who was now the next in line to face Sukuna. The urgency of the situation was palpable. With Gojo gone, the strategy they had carefully laid out was now in disarray, and each remaining sorcerer had to step up in ways they hadn't anticipated.
As Kashimo prepared to enter the battlefield, there was a sense of grim determination among the sorcerers. They knew the odds were now stacked even higher against them, but they also knew that giving up was not an option. They had to regroup, reassess, and continue the fight with everything they had.
Hiro, despite the turmoil he felt inside, knew that he had to be ready for whatever came next. Gojo's death was a stark reminder of the dangers they all faced and the sacrifices they might have to make. The battle was far from over, and they all needed to be prepared for the challenges that lay ahead.
Hiro's determination was clear. "Damn it, I have to go in," he asserted, his voice filled with a mix of resolve and urgency.
Kusakabe, however, was quick to caution him. "Don't do it, Hiro. We have a plan, remember?"
But Hiro was adamant. "Sukuna is too powerful. Honestly, I doubt you can handle him," he countered, his eyes reflecting his seriousness.
Kusakabe's response was firm. "And you think you can? You're not the same as you were before. You need to accept that."
Hiro, unwavering, insisted, "Trust me, I have a plan."
There was a tense pause as Kusakabe considered Hiro's words. Maki stepped closer to Hiro, her concern evident. "Hey, it's dangerous. Let Kusakabe handle this," she urged.
Kusakabe, after a moment of contemplation, relented. "Fine, Hiro. But if anything goes wrong, we will intervene immediately."
Hiro nodded, then added a crucial request. "In fact, if something goes wrong, I want you to wait just a little bit before stepping in."
Kusakabe met Hiro's gaze, searching for any signs of doubt or hesitation. Finding none, he gave a reluctant nod of agreement.
The room's atmosphere was charged with a mix of fear, hope, and determination. Hiro's decision to enter the fray was not just a personal risk; it was a pivotal moment in the battle. His actions could either turn the tide or spell disaster for them all.
As Hiro prepared to face Sukuna, the weight of his decision was felt by everyone in the room. They knew that the battle against Sukuna was a fight for their very survival, and every move, every strategy, had to be executed with precision and care.
The fate of the jujutsu sorcerers, and indeed the jujutsu world itself, hung in the balance. And now, it was up to Hiro to play his part in this epic and dangerous confrontation.
_________
The clash between Kashimo and Sukuna was over almost as soon as it began, with Sukuna emerging as the clear victor. The ease with which he dispatched Kashimo left a bitter taste in the air. "How boring," Sukuna lamented, his voice tinged with disappointment. "Was Gojo Satoru really the only worthy opponent?"
There was a moment of heavy silence as Sukuna, now in his true form, pondered aloud in a low voice, "No, there's still that brat. I wonder when he'll show up."
As if in answer to Sukuna's musing, Hiro appeared, descending from the sky with incredible speed. Sukuna's eyes lit up with a mix of excitement and anticipation. "You'd better not bore me, Hiro!" he shouted, readying himself for the confrontation.
Hiro landed gracefully and immediately assumed a combat stance, his focus entirely on Sukuna. The air around them crackled with the intensity of their energies, the atmosphere charged with the anticipation of the impending battle.
This was more than just a fight between two powerful sorcerers; it was a clash of wills, a test of strength and skill. Hiro, despite the doubts about his current abilities, was determined to prove himself, to push his limits and face Sukuna head-on.
As the two opponents sized each other up, the eyes of the jujutsu world were on them, knowing that the outcome of this battle could change everything. For Hiro, this was his moment to shine, to show that he was more than just a shadow of his former self.
Sukuna studied Hiro intently, noticing a distinct change in his demeanor. "Hey, brat, you've changed. Tell me, what happened?" he probed, his voice laced with a mixture of curiosity and challenge.
Hiro, his eyes locked on Sukuna, responded coolly, "It's nothing that concerns you."
Sukuna smirked at the reply. "You're quite insolent," he remarked, his tone carrying a hint of amusement.
The next moment, Hiro lunged at Sukuna with a burst of speed, his body moving with a fluidity and precision that spoke of intense training and focus. His first strike was a powerful right hook aimed at Sukuna's head, but Sukuna effortlessly leaned back, evading the attack with ease.
Undeterred, Hiro followed up with a swift kick, targeting Sukuna's midsection. Sukuna blocked the kick with his forearm, the impact resonating through the air. Hiro didn't pause; he spun around, attempting a roundhouse kick aimed at Sukuna's head. Yet again, Sukuna ducked, the kick narrowly missing its mark.
Hiro's movements were a blur of aggression and technique, each strike delivered with the intent to land a decisive blow. He unleashed a flurry of punches, each one faster and more forceful than the last. Sukuna, however, moved with a supernatural grace, his body weaving through the onslaught as if dancing to a rhythm only he could hear. He blocked and dodged Hiro's attacks, his expression one of mild interest, as if evaluating Hiro's abilities.
In a moment of swift agility, Hiro managed to land a solid uppercut on Sukuna's jaw. The impact, however, seemed to barely affect the powerful curse. Sukuna looked down at Hiro with a mix of amusement and disappointment. "Brat, you've become weaker. What a disappointment," he taunted.
Responding to Hiro's attack, Sukuna struck back with overwhelming force. His powerful blow sent Hiro flying, crashing into a nearby building with a thunderous impact. Dust and debris clouded the air as Hiro struggled to his feet, pain and frustration etched on his face.
"Damn it, we're in completely different leagues," Hiro muttered, wiping blood from his lip.
Sukuna, seizing the moment, unleashed his Cursed Technique of slicing. Hiro sensed the imminent danger, the deadly energy of the attack closing in. In a split second, his eyes gleamed with a fierce determination, and he nimbly dodged the lethal strike.
Wasting no time, Hiro launched himself at Sukuna, closing the distance between them with surprising speed. Sukuna continued to release his slicing attacks, but Hiro, moving with a newfound agility, evaded each one. He managed to get close enough to connect a solid hook to Sukuna's face.
However, to Hiro's dismay, Sukuna remained unfazed by the blow. His expression was one of mild irritation, as if Hiro's efforts were little more than a nuisance.
The realization that Sukuna was on a completely different level was a hard pill for Hiro to swallow. Despite his best efforts, his attacks seemed to have little effect on the powerful curse. Yet, despite the apparent hopelessness of the situation, Hiro refused to back down.
Sukuna, in his original form with four arms, launched a relentless barrage of blows at Hiro. Each arm moved independently, creating a whirlwind of fists that Hiro struggled to evade. Hiro's movements were quick and desperate, each dodge a narrow escape from the flurry of punches.
As the assault continued, Sukuna noticed something intriguing about Hiro. His eyes were glowing, a sign of some newfound ability. With a wicked smile, Sukuna spoke mid-attack, "I see, so you've learned something new with those eyes of yours. Let me guess..."
In a swift motion, Sukuna landed a powerful kick that sent Hiro crashing to the ground. Without giving Hiro a chance to recover, Sukuna began to pummel him mercilessly. Each punch was precise and brutal, and soon, blood began to stain Hiro's clothes and the ground around him.
Sukuna continued his ruthless analysis. "Due to your cursed ritual, you can now see cursed energy, even the kind that doesn't manifest, the kind that flows through our bodies every second. You've become more sensitive to it."
Then, with a sudden movement, Sukuna grabbed Hiro by the neck and lifted him off the ground. Hiro gasped for air, his legs dangling as he tried to break free from Sukuna's iron grip.
As Sukuna's grip tightened around Hiro's neck, cutting off his air supply, Hiro couldn't help but question himself. "Is this my limit?" he thought, struggling to break free.
Suddenly, an unexpected force struck Sukuna, causing him to release Hiro and sending him flying. Gasping for air, Hiro fell to his knees, coughing violently as he tried to regain his breath. When he looked up, his eyes widened in surprise at the sight of Naoya standing there.
"What are you doing here?" Hiro asked incredulously, still trying to process Naoya's unexpected arrival.
Naoya's response was filled with his typical arrogance. "I'm not going to let you take all the credit for defeating Sukuna," he declared, his tone confident.
Hiro, despite the gravity of the situation, couldn't help but smile at Naoya's comment. He stood up, still feeling the effects of Sukuna's chokehold, but ready to continue the fight. "Fine, but don't get in my way!" he said, assuming a fighting stance once again.
Maki, monitoring the unfolding battles on the screens, exhaled a sigh of relief seeing Naoya join Hiro. Her attention then shifted to another critical part of their strategy. She approached Kusakabe, concern evident in her voice. "How are Takaba and Yuta doing?"
Kusakabe, focused on a different monitor displaying Takaba's ongoing struggle with Kenjaku, updated her. "Takaba is still holding his own against Kenjaku. He just needs to hang on a little longer for Okkotsu to deliver the final blow."
His gaze then shifted to Maki, a silent question about Hiro's situation. Maki sighed, her worry for Hiro clear. "It's not looking good. Hiro's struggling, and even with Naoya's help, I doubt they can hold out for long."
Kusakabe raised an eyebrow, surprised by Naoya's involvement. "Naoya? Why would he risk his life?"
Maki shrugged, equally puzzled by Naoya's actions. "I don't know. He's not the type to do something like this without a reason."
The situation in both battles was tense, with the outcomes hanging in the balance. Takaba's role was crucial in buying time for Yuta to strike, while Hiro and Naoya, now unexpectedly teamed up, faced a daunting challenge against Sukuna.
Back in the control room, Maki and Kusakabe could only watch and wait, hoping that their comrades would succeed in their respective battles. The stakes were incredibly high, and every moment that passed was critical. Despite the uncertainty and danger, there was a sense of solidarity among the sorcerers, a shared resolve to do whatever it took to emerge victorious in this dire conflict.
In the midst of the chaotic battlefield, Hiro and Naoya launched a furious assault on Sukuna, their attacks a blur of speed and precision. They moved in tandem, a well-coordinated duo despite their lack of experience fighting together.
Hiro struck first, delivering a rapid series of punches aimed at Sukuna's torso. Sukuna, with his exceptional reflexes, dodged each blow, moving with an almost supernatural agility. Naoya, seizing the moment, followed up with a swift kick aimed at Sukuna's head, but Sukuna bent backward, evading the attack with ease.
The two sorcerers didn't let up; they attacked simultaneously, Hiro targeting Sukuna's lower body while Naoya focused on the upper. Sukuna, however, seemed to anticipate their movements, his four arms parrying and blocking their strikes with a deadly grace.
Sukuna's counterattacks were brutal and swift. He landed a heavy punch on Hiro, sending him reeling backward. Naoya, in an attempt to capitalize on Sukuna's momentary focus on Hiro, lunged forward, but Sukuna caught him mid-air, throwing him to the ground with immense force.
Despite the relentless pace of their attacks, Hiro and Naoya found themselves outmatched by Sukuna's superior speed and skill. Each attempt to land a hit was met with a swift and punishing response. Sukuna's movements were fluid and precise, a deadly dance that Hiro and Naoya struggled to keep up with.
Naoya, visibly exhausted and frustrated, turned to Hiro with a look of defeat. "This is useless," he gasped between breaths.
Hiro, equally fatigued but still determined, replied firmly, "I know, but we have to keep trying."
Naoya clicked his tongue in annoyance. "You know, this would be the perfect moment for your dragon technique," he pointed out, a hint of desperation in his voice.
Hiro shook his head, a mix of frustration and regret in his eyes. "I don't remember how to use it," he admitted.
Naoya scoffed, "You're an idiot."
Before they could continue their conversation, Sukuna swiftly moved behind them with an unnerving speed. In one swift, brutal motion, he grabbed their heads and slammed them into the ground. The force of the impact was tremendous, cracking the street beneath them and dragging their bodies across the pavement in a long, rough skid.
The sound of concrete breaking and the scraping of their bodies against the ground echoed through the air. Dust and debris flew up around them, creating a cloud of chaos and destruction. The sheer power of Sukuna's attack left a trail of devastation in its wake, a stark reminder of the curse's overwhelming strength.
Hiro and Naoya lay there for a moment, stunned and disoriented by the force of the impact. The physical pain was intense, but the realization that they were being utterly overpowered by Sukuna was even more crushing.
The brutal onslaught from Sukuna intensified, his every move a demonstration of his overwhelming power. Hiro and Naoya were barely able to regain their bearings before Sukuna was upon them again.
Sukuna's first strike was a ferocious punch to Hiro's side, sending a sharp jolt of pain through his body. Hiro staggered, trying to maintain his balance, but Sukuna was relentless. With a swift, powerful twist, Sukuna grabbed Hiro's arm and wrenched it violently, the sound of breaking bones echoing through the air. Hiro cried out in agony as his arm hung limply at his side, clearly broken.
Naoya, in a desperate attempt to retaliate, lunged at Sukuna. But Sukuna anticipated his move, sidestepping easily and delivering a brutal uppercut to Naoya's jaw. The impact was so forceful that several of Naoya's teeth were knocked out, blood spattering from his mouth as he stumbled backward.
Sukuna moved with a grace and speed that belied his monstrous strength. His next attack was a spinning kick that caught Hiro square in the chest, sending him crashing to the ground. Hiro coughed up blood, the taste metallic and sharp in his mouth.
Naoya, despite his injuries, charged at Sukuna again. But Sukuna effortlessly dodged and countered with a backhand strike that sent Naoya spinning through the air before crashing to the ground.
Sukuna towered over them, his presence menacing and dominant. He moved like a predator among prey, his every strike precise and calculated to inflict maximum damage. The air was filled with the sounds of their struggle – the thud of bodies hitting the ground, the crack of bones, the labored breathing of Hiro and Naoya as they tried to withstand the assault.
Blood pooled on the ground around them, a stark red against the gray concrete. Hiro and Naoya were battered and beaten, their bodies pushed to their limits. Despite their best efforts, they were no match for Sukuna's overwhelming power. The reality of their situation was clear – they were fighting a losing battle against a foe who seemed invincible.
Lying defeated and exhausted on the ground, Hiro and Naoya shared a look of mutual understanding and resignation. Naoya, with a hint of regret in his voice, turned to Hiro. "You know, I always wanted to call someone a friend. Looks like that won't happen."
Before Hiro could respond, Sukuna acted with a brutality that was chilling. He grabbed Naoya's head and, with a swift, merciless motion, tore it from his body. The sound was grotesque, a sickening tear that echoed through the air. Blood spurted from the wound, painting the ground in a grim reminder of Sukuna's savagery.
Hiro, witnessing this horrific act, let out a scream of rage and despair. Driven by fury, he surged to his feet and, using his good arm, launched himself at Sukuna in a last, desperate attack. But Sukuna, unfazed, caught Hiro's broken arm and ripped it off with a gruesome ease. Hiro's scream of agony pierced the air as his arm was torn away, blood spraying from the wound.
Without a moment's hesitation, Sukuna then delivered a devastating blow to Hiro's stomach. His fist drove through Hiro's body with terrifying force, emerging from his back. Hiro's eyes widened in shock and pain, his mouth agape as he felt the life draining out of him.
Sukuna's expression remained cold and unyielding, his actions devoid of any mercy or remorse. He stood over Hiro, a figure of absolute power and destruction.
Hiro collapsed to the ground, his body wracked with pain, his spirit shattered. The loss of Naoya, the physical agony he endured, and the realization of his impending death converged into a single, overwhelming moment of despair.
Overcome with fury and a relentless determination, Hiro somehow found the strength to stand once more. Sukuna, observing Hiro's defiance, taunted him. "Oh, you still want more?"
With immense effort, Hiro took a step forward, but Sukuna was quick to react. He struck Hiro across the face with a powerful blow, sending him flying through the air and crashing into a nearby building.
Hiro lay amidst the rubble, his body battered and broken. With one arm torn off and a gaping hole in his stomach, he was losing blood rapidly. The pain was excruciating, but it was nothing compared to the agony of defeat and loss.
Sukuna walked over to where Hiro lay. "Remember the time you bought me a burger, brat?" he said, his voice cold and unfeeling. "Well, I'll keep my promise. I won't kill you, but I'll let you bleed out. That is, if you aren't dead already."
Hiro, struggling to stay conscious, could only listen as Sukuna's footsteps faded away. The battle was over, and with it, the last hope of defeating the powerful curse. The realization that they had failed, that he had failed, was a crushing weight on Hiro's spirit.
The tension in the control room was palpable, a heavy air of despair hanging over everyone present. On the monitor, Hiro's still form lay in a crumbled heap, his fate uncertain but seemingly sealed. Maki's eyes were fixed on the screen, her heart racing with fear and desperation.
"We have to save him," she pleaded, her voice quivering with urgency. "Shoko can treat him. We can't just leave him there!"
Around her, the room remained eerily still, the other sorcerers either unwilling or unable to act. Maki's panic escalated into frantic desperation. "He's going to die if we don't do something!" she cried out, her plea echoing off the walls.
Shoko, her expression grave, responded with a heavy heart. "Even if he's alive, which is unlikely, my abilities can't undo such severe damage. The reverse cursed technique isn't so potent when used on others. His injuries are beyond what I can heal."
Tears welled up in Maki's eyes, blurring her vision as she absorbed the gravity of Shoko's words. In a last-ditch effort, she turned to Ui Ui, her voice cracking with emotion. "Please, take me to him. I need to be there."
Ui Ui's response was gentle but firm. "I can't, Maki. Kusakabe has given strict orders."
Frustration and anger boiled within Maki as she faced Kusakabe. "Let me go to him!" she demanded, her voice laced with a mix of anger and fear.
Kusakabe met her gaze, his own eyes filled with sorrow. "I'm sorry, Maki. You have to stay here. We need you to protect Shoko. We will move soon, but not for Hiro. You know why."
Maki's fists clenched at her sides, her body trembling with a maelstrom of emotions – anger, helplessness, grief. The unbearable realization that she couldn't do anything to save Hiro, that she might never see him again, tore through her like a knife.
She stood there, tears streaming down her face, a silent scream of agony in her throat. The control room, filled with her comrades, felt like a prison, holding her back from reaching Hiro. The image of him lying broken and alone haunted her, a cruel reminder of the brutality of their reality.
In that moment, Maki's world narrowed to a single, devastating point of focus – the loss of Hiro, the person who had become so important to her. The pain of that loss, the frustration of being unable to act, consumed her. It was a moment of profound helplessness and despair, a moment that would stay etched in her memory forever.
In the dimly lit room, Yuji Itadori stood frozen, his eyes glued to the monitors displaying the catastrophic events unfolding outside. The scenes playing out before him were like a series of brutal blows, each one hitting harder than the last. The losses were piling up, each one a crushing reminder of the unforgiving world in which he lived.
He remembered the day he lost Nanami, a mentor and a guiding light in the dark world of Jujutsu Sorcery. Nanami's calm, composed demeanor and unwavering sense of justice had been a beacon for Itadori, guiding him through his early days as a sorcerer. His death had left a gaping hole, a sense of loss that Itadori still struggled to comprehend.
Then there was Nobara Kugisaki, his teammate and friend, whose fierce spirit and unyielding courage had inspired Itadori from the day they met. The memory of her falling in battle, her dreams and aspirations unfulfilled, was a wound that refused to heal.
The loss of Satoru Gojo, his teacher and the strongest Jujutsu Sorcerer, had shaken the very foundations of their world. Gojo had always been the unbreakable pillar, the one they all looked up to and believed in. Watching him fall was like watching the sky collapse, leaving them exposed and vulnerable in a world full of threats.
And then there was Megumi, overtaken by Sukuna, losing himself to the very curse they were all fighting against. Itadori felt a personal responsibility for Megumi's fate, their fates intertwined from the very beginning.
Now, Hiro, another comrade, lay defeated and lifeless. The image of his broken body was etched into Itadori's mind, a haunting reminder of their failure.
Itadori's fists clenched at his sides, his nails digging into his palms. He felt a surge of emotions overwhelming him – grief, guilt, anger, and helplessness. Each loss was a personal failure, a reminder of his own shortcomings.
Tears began to stream down his face, unbidden and unchecked. The room around him faded, the voices of his comrades turning into distant echoes. In his mind, he replayed each loss, each moment of despair, feeling them cut into him all over again.
Itadori's legs gave way, and he sank to his knees, his body shaking with sobs. He had always strived to be strong, to protect and save people, but now, he felt utterly defeated, crushed under the weight of his losses.
In this moment of vulnerability, Itadori confronted the harsh truth of their battle against curses – it was a fight that demanded the highest price, and no one was immune to its toll. The path of a Jujutsu Sorcerer was fraught with danger and heartache, and Itadori felt the full burden of that path now more than ever.
In those final fleeting seconds of life, Hiro's mind was flooded with memories, particularly those formed with Maki over the past month. Despite the pain and the darkness closing in, it was the thought of her that remained brightest in his fading consciousness. "I don't want to die," he whispered, a plea to the uncaring void that was enveloping him.
As his life ebbed away, a glimmer of a memory sparked in Hiro's mind. It was the technique that Gojo had taught him just the night before. In his weakened state, Hiro barely had the strength to focus, but the thought of this technique brought a faint glimmer of hope.
With the last ounce of his energy, Hiro whispered something. It was so faint, so delicate, that it was swallowed by the sounds of the distant battle, unheard by anyone else. In those final words, there was a resignation, an acceptance of his fate, and perhaps a faint hope that his last act might make a difference.
And then, Hiro exhaled his last breath. The life that had been hanging by a thread slipped away quietly, leaving his body still and cold on the broken street. The vibrant, determined sorcerer who had fought so fiercely was no more.
In that moment, the world lost not just a powerful jujutsu sorcerer, but a brave soul who had dared to stand against overwhelming darkness. Hiro's journey, filled with struggles and challenges, ended there, on a battlefield that had claimed so many.
Far away, in the control room, Maki's heart ached with an unspoken grief, a deep sense of loss for someone who had become so dear to her. Hiro's passing marked the end of a chapter, a stark reminder of the sacrifices made in their relentless fight against curses and the darkness that threatened to consume their world.