[The arena is bathed in a deep shade of obsidian, the atmosphere heavy with an unyielding aura of dread. Shadows seem to sway in a hypnotic pattern as if they were sentient beings, whispering secrets to each other in an unfathomable language. Above, the starless void looms, an omnipresent spectator observing the fate of its contenders with insatiable hunger. The stakes have never been higher: defeat means consumption by the void—a fate worse than death.] [On one side stands Yuji Itadori, the vessel of the King of Curses, Sukuna. His crimson spiked hair stands defiantly against the oppressive darkness, and his brown eyes burn with determination. Clad in a black long-sleeve shirt and pants, he bounces lightly on his feet, invoking both the calmness of a warrior and the restless spirit of a fighter. He glances sideways, feeling a flicker of Sukuna’s chaotic essence within him, but for now, he remains in control.] Yuji (Internal Monologue): I must be careful. Sonic’s speed is formidable. I can’t let him get the upper hand. I have to strike before he does, or all will be lost... [Opposite him, out from the shadows, emerges Speed-O-Sound Sonic. His slick black outfit and flowing cloak ripple with every movement, streamlining like air against a blade. He adjusts his grip on the ninjatō strapped to his side, a confident grin on his face. He flexes his fingers around an Exploding Shuriken—his killer's candy. The arena's darkness serves as a backdrop for the piercing light of his unsheathed blade.] Sonic: "You’re just another target, Itadori. You won’t even see me coming!" Yuji (smirking): "We’ll see about that, hotshot. Try not to blink." [With a swift movement, Sonic disappears into a blur, only to reappear behind Yuji in a split second. The arena vibrates with the shockwave of his speed. Yuji instinctively spins around, channeling his energy into a Black Flash, a burst of technique that enhances his strength for a brief moment. He throws a punch, but Sonic is faster.] [Sonic executes a Windblade Kick, propelling himself high above Yuji and aiming to stomp down onto him. Yuji, however, anticipates this movement just in time. He ducks under the descending ninja, shifting his weight to launch himself effortlessly into a counterattack. Summoning the power of Sukuna, he feels a sudden rush of dark energy coursing through him.] Yuji (whispering to Sukuna): Not yet! I can handle this. [As Sonic lands and turns to face Yuji, he throws the Exploding Shuriken. The projectile whistles through the air, glinting menacingly in the dark lights of the arena. Yuji reacts fluidly, sidestepping to evade the initial attack, but the shuriken explodes on impact with the ground, sending debris flying and obscuring the air between them with jagged pieces of earth.] Sonic: "Too slow! Now, let’s see how you handle this!" [Seizing the opportunity, Sonic launches himself forward, a blur of white and black. He draws several shurikens, unleashing his Carnage technique. The arena resonates with the air slicing sound as tens of shurikens rain down like shooting stars headed for Yuji, each one imbued with lethal precision.] [Yuji’s senses heighten, and he springs into action. Dipping and diving, he combines agility and his skill with the Divergent Fist, channeling Sukuna’s rage into swift punches. He mows through the oncoming shurikens, shattering them with each strike. Adrenaline surges through him, pushing his abilities to the brink.] Yuji (yelling): "Is that all you’ve got, Sonic?" [In a heartbeat, the two find themselves locked in a deadly dance around the arena. Sonic zips around Yuji, attempting to land a series of quick slashes with his ninjatō. Yuji struggles to keep pace with Sonic’s blinding speed, but he can feel Sukuna’s energy clawing at the back of his mind.] Yuji (Internal Monologue): I can’t hold back forever. If I get serious, I can turn this fight around. But I need to focus... [Just as Sonic prepares to deliver a flurry of swift strikes, Yuji unleashes a well-timed Divergent Fist, anticipating Sonic’s movement. The fist connects with a devastating force, sending Sonic tumbling to the ground. A crack reverberates through the void, and the sounds of celebration erupt from unseen spectators.] [Sonic scrambles up, momentarily disoriented, but his resolve is as unyielding as the void watching from above. He readies himself, frustration bubbling in his chest.] Sonic (huffing): "You’re no ordinary brat, Itadori!" [Undeterred, Yuji narrows his gaze; he can feel Sukuna's power urging him forward. He decides to let the cursed energy flow, keeping his instincts sharp. With a pulse of determination, he engages again, channeling malevolent energy into his fists.] Yuji: “Time to finish this, Sonic. Malevolent Shrine!” [Yuji lunges forward, his body becoming a veil of dark energy as the Malevolent Shrine manifests around him, a ring of cursed energy that distorts the very fabric of reality. It extends outwards in an attempt to trap Sonic and sap his strength.] [Sonic hops back, evading the coming resonance, but with each step he takes, the gravity of Yuji’s power weighs heavier on him. He darts toward the edges of the arena, employing every trick in his book, but Yuji’s energy is relentless, closing the distance.] Yuji (roaring): “You’re fast, but I’m faster with this!" [In an electrifying moment, the darkness surrounds Sonic, and Yuji strikes with a flurry of punches reinforced by the curse energy—each connection bursts like a volcano of despair against Sonic's resolve. Yuji has him cornered now, a predator toying with its prey.] [As Sonic falters, he reaches for one last shuriken but Yuji’s shadow engulfs him. He’s battered by relentless strikes, explosions from each impact lighting up the dark arena.] Yuji (resolutely): "This is for every curse you’ve underappreciated!" [Before Sonic could make any further movement, Yuji channels Sukuna’s raw power into a final blow, capturing the essence of the King of Curses, unleashing a devastating dismantle. The arena quakes, shaking with the raw power unleashed, and Sonic crumples under the weight of the attack, the void hungry and awaiting the outcome.] [At that moment, Sonic stumbles forward, defeated, as the shadows creep closer. The void, insatiable in its desire, wraps around him, and Yuji watches with a blend of guilt and relief.] Yuji (quietly): "I’m sorry it had to end like this." [As Sonic’s form disappears into the abyss of the void, Yuji’s heart races with mixed emotions. He has won, yet the sacrifice of his opponent leaves a haunting echo. The darkness settles, and Yuji stands alone, a vessel of power amidst the consuming shadows that applaud his victory.] Yuji (whispering to the void): "I’m not done yet… not until this madness ends." [The darkness continues to buzz around him, a testament to the enduring challenge that lies ahead.]