The skies above Shinjuku quivered. Cursed energy thundered like an earthquake beneath the ground.
Mei Mei's words had barely left her mouth—
"I brought friends."
—when the four cardinal directions exploded.
From the right, a shockwave of cursed power surged as Itadori, Nobara, Maki, and Yuta sprinted into the battlefield, their faces locked with deadly resolve.
From the south, the ground trembled as Todo, Yuki Tsukumo, Inumaki, Panda, and Choso charged in like a barrage of living artillery.
From the west, streaks of energy flared as Higuruma, Hakari, and Kashimo advanced, glowing with bloodlust and purpose.
And from the east, the final pair—Utahime Iori and Shoko Ieiri—appeared beside Gojo.
Sukuna's eyes darted, scanning the entire grid. A flicker of surprise. A growl in his throat.
"What is this…?"
A full-scale assault.
He turned to Mahoraga and Agito.
"Kill them all."
But before the monsters could move—
"Ryoiki Tenkai."
Utahime's domain activated like a blooming lotus, ethereal petals of cursed energy unraveling into the air.
Suddenly, every sorcerer radiated a surge of cursed power, their energy doubling, tripling.
Gojo blinked from where he now sat on a bench to the side, propped up like a bloodied spectator.
He looked around.
Yuta's blade glowed brighter.
Itadori's fists cracked with pressure.
Hakari was literally glowing.
Choso's blood cursed technique seethed.
Even Nobara's cursed nails shimmered like silver meteors.
He turned his head lazily toward Utahime.
"Hey, Utahime… what the hell am I watching? Why the hell is everyone glowing like anime protagonists?"
Utahime gave a proud grin.
"Obviously, it's my Ryoiki Tenkai. It boosts the cursed energy output of all allies inside it."
Gojo stared at her, actually surprised.
"…No way. Utahime's the buff character?"
He whistled.
"Damn. I didn't know you were so powerful."
Utahime crossed her arms smugly, hair flowing in the domain's cursed wind.
"Of course I am. I'm your future wife, remember?"
Gojo smirked.
"…Alright, alright, fine. I get it. You're the MVP now."
Shoko, kneeling beside Gojo, took out her surgical-grade reverse cursed energy.
"I'm going to start healing. You're a mess."
Gojo waved a hand lazily.
"Meh. Don't bother. I just want to sit for a while. Let me enjoy the show. I'm not done yet, just tired."
Utahime snapped, "Don't let him off easy, Shoko. This idiot acts like he's invincible."
"Shhhh," Gojo said, slouching deeper into the bench.
"Let me pretend I'm retired for five minutes."
And so he sat there.
Blood on his lips. Hands twitching with residual power. Eyes still sharp as razors.
Watching.
As his students, his comrades, his friends—every one of them—charged forward in unison toward Sukuna, Mahoraga, and Agito.
The true battle had begun.