The creature's roar reverberated across the battlefield, a sound that seemed to pierce the very core of anyone who heard it. Gojo and Sukuna, standing shoulder to shoulder, assessed the abomination before them. Its many glowing eyes moved independently, scanning them with an unnerving intelligence.
Gojo adjusted his tattered blindfold, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "I'll admit, Sukuna. This thing might be uglier than you."
Sukuna chuckled darkly, his claws flexing as cursed energy began to ripple around him. "Careful, Gojo. Keep yapping, and I'll show you what real ugliness looks like."
Before Gojo could retort, the creature lunged forward, its twisted limbs extending like whips. Sukuna stepped in, unleashing a flurry of cleaving slashes, each one sharp enough to cut through mountains. But the creature moved unnaturally, twisting its body to avoid the attacks. It retaliated with a swipe of its claws, sending a shockwave that shattered the ground beneath them.
Gojo teleported just in time, reappearing above the creature and unleashing a blast of red cursed energy. The attack struck its core, causing the creature to stagger momentarily. Yet instead of collapsing, it absorbed the energy, its form glowing brighter.
"Oh, great," Gojo muttered as he landed beside Sukuna. "It's like feeding a fire with gasoline."
Sukuna's eyes narrowed. "It's adapting. The more we hit it, the stronger it gets."
The creature roared again, its pulsating core swelling as it prepared another attack. This time, it unleashed a barrage of energy blasts that rained down like meteors. Gojo raised his hand, activating Infinity to shield them, while Sukuna dodged with ease, his movements fluid and deliberate.
Kenjaku, still watching from a safe distance, clapped his hands mockingly. "Magnificent, isn't it? A creature born from the very essence of cursed energy. It has no limits, no weaknesses—only evolution. You two are nothing compared to it."
Gojo glanced at Sukuna, his smirk returning. "You thinking what I'm thinking?"
Sukuna's grin widened, his fangs glinting. "If you mean shutting that smug bastard up, then yes."
Without another word, Gojo and Sukuna turned their attention to Kenjaku. The sorcerer's confident demeanor faltered as he realized he was now their target.
"Now, now," Kenjaku began, raising his hands. "Let's not be hasty—"
Gojo vanished, reappearing inches from Kenjaku's face. "Hasty? Nah, this is long overdue."
Before Gojo could strike, the creature intervened, its massive arm swinging down between them. The ground quaked from the impact, sending debris flying. Kenjaku used the distraction to retreat, his laughter echoing through the chaos.
"Guess we're stuck with the big guy for now," Gojo said, dusting himself off.
Sukuna growled, his cursed energy flaring. "Then let's kill it quickly. I don't have time for this nonsense."
The two launched their next assault together, their movements synchronized despite their mutual disdain. Sukuna's slashes created openings that Gojo exploited with precision strikes. For a moment, it seemed they were gaining the upper hand.
But the creature adapted once again, its form shifting as it absorbed more cursed energy. Its limbs grew longer, its eyes multiplying, and its core glowing with an intensity that made the air around it shimmer.
"This isn't working," Gojo admitted, landing beside Sukuna. "We need a new plan."
Sukuna's grin faded, his expression hardening. "Then stop holding back, sorcerer. I know you're not using your full strength."
"And neither are you," Gojo shot back, his tone sharp.
Before their argument could escalate, the creature let out another deafening roar, this time causing the sky above to darken. Storm clouds swirled as cursed energy gathered, creating an oppressive atmosphere that made even Sukuna pause.
Gojo's smirk disappeared entirely. "Okay, yeah. This might actually be a problem."
The creature's core began to crack, light pouring out like molten lava. It was preparing an attack unlike anything they'd seen before.
"Get ready," Sukuna said, his tone unusually serious. "This thing isn't going down without a fight."
As the energy in the air reached its peak, Gojo and Sukuna braced themselves. For the first time in their lives, they were truly uncertain of the outcome.
But one thing was clear: the fight was far from over.