Chapter 157: Recognition!
In the next instant, a majestic tide of Demon Power erupted from Yuji Itadori's body.
It swept outward like a black gale, forcing Sukuna and the others nearby to retreat.
Within the pitch-black smoke, a figure slowly rose to his feet.
The sudden change drew every gaze on the battlefield.
As the dust and smoke scattered, the one standing there was none other than Yuji Itadori.
His eyes were clear.
His expression was resolute.
When he saw Gojo still unharmed nearby, and Megumi Fushiguro lying unconscious on the ground beside him, it felt almost like that false memory was replaying before his eyes.
But this time, it did not shake him.
It only made his resolve stronger.
This time, he would prove his worth.
Not far away, Sukuna stared at Yuji.
For some reason, unease rose in his chest.
It felt like he had lost something important.
Only when he looked at Yuji again and met those indifferent eyes did he seem to understand.
"Brat," Sukuna said, his face darkening, "you couldn't have..."
Kenjaku, standing beside him, also caught the meaning hidden in those words.
It was only a suspicion.
But that suspicion was enough to make the air turn suffocating.
Amid that tense silence, only Satoru Gojo smiled.
It was the same confident smile as always.
Under everyone's gaze, Yuji finally spoke.
His voice was calm.
"Sukuna, I'll kill you here and erase you completely from this world."
He tightened his hands.
"Maybe this is the reason I exist."
After saying that, he called out softly.
"Let's begin, Asuramaru."
Asuramaru's response came at once.
"Then take my power and go wild!"
The Slayer Mark appeared.
The Transparent World opened.
Demonization and Ittō Shura activated together.
Yuji's aura climbed to its limit in one breath. Twin swords materialized at his waist, and several demon masks emerged within the black surge of Demon Power.
At the same time, the knowledge of how to expand his Domain surfaced clearly in his mind.
Before everyone's eyes, Yuji drew the twin swords from his waist.
Demon Power roared.
His voice turned cold.
"Domain Expansion: Ashura Kannon."
The Domain unfolded.
Vast Cursed Energy swept outward, expanding to its maximum range and enveloping everyone present.
Only now did Sukuna truly confirm his impossible suspicion.
And what followed was rage.
Pure, overwhelming rage.
His face twisted.
No longer able to suppress the fury in his heart, Sukuna raised his head and roared.
"Yuji Itadori!"
This was the greatest anger he had felt in a thousand years.
No.
Even all the anger he had accumulated over the past millennium combined could not compare to half of what he felt now.
As long as he took over Megumi Fushiguro's body and worked with the Cursed Spirits here to kill Satoru Gojo, he could have tamed Mahoraga.
Then, with Mahoraga, he could have challenged and tamed Asuramaru.
Everything had been arranged.
Everything should have gone smoothly.
Yet the greatest variable turned out to be Yuji Itadori.
The brat he had never taken seriously.
Kenjaku watched the scene and immediately thought of retreating.
The plan had failed, but he lacked many things, not time.
Jogo, however, stared with widened eyes, his expression filled with despair.
Beside him, Dagon asked, "Jogo, what do we do now? That guy has already gained recognition. We can't win..."
Jogo snapped back to himself.
In his single eye, despair hardened into resolve.
A resolve prepared for death.
"This is our last chance."
His voice was low.
"Even if that brat has gained recognition, he is still at his weakest right now. We only have one opportunity."
Flames flickered around him.
"I won't hesitate, even if it costs me my life."
In Jogo's mind, the words he had once spoken to Mahito surfaced again.
[The one laughing on the wasteland a hundred years from now doesn't have to be me. As long as Curses can continue standing in this world, that is enough.]
Hearing Jogo's answer, Dagon remembered the time they had spent together.
"Hanami... Mahito... Jogo..."
His tear-filled eyes gradually became firm as well.
The three Death Painting brothers, however, had no intention of dying here with them.
They were only temporary allies.
Choso looked at his two younger brothers.
"You two go first," he said directly. "I'll cover you."
"Big brother..."
After Yuji expanded his Domain, a giant sword engraved with profound runes floated silently behind him.
Facing the many enemies before him, Yuji stood with both swords in hand.
"At this moment," he said, "I'm not fighting alone."
The moment his words fell, the giant sword behind him and the countless swords surrounding the Domain began to shine.
Several figures emerged from them.
Mahoraga.
Mahito.
Even Muzan Kibutsuji.
However, Tanjiro, Sukuna and Gojo did not appear.
Asuramaru's voice followed with the answer.
"The Domain summons the strong. The stronger the existence, the heavier the burden on you. This is the limit of what you can summon right now."
His tone turned sharper.
"Also, your Demonization time hasn't reset. You can last ten minutes at most. Don't die, Yuji Itadori."
Yuji replied calmly, "Thank you for worrying about me, Asuramaru."
"Shut up!"
Asuramaru snapped back irritably.
When the enemies on the opposite side realized that Tanjiro and the others had not appeared, hope rose in their hearts again.
Even Kenjaku chose to remain.
The corners of his mouth curled as he quickly analyzed the situation.
"It seems he's even weaker than I imagined."
Even if Yuji had gained recognition, a Sword Master with insufficient strength still could not draw out Asuramaru's true power.
Moreover, that godlike power from before did not appear to be usable by Yuji yet.
Was it because of his mental state?
These were all Kenjaku's guesses.
Ever since his consciousness had been dragged away that day and he had fainted, he had vaguely inferred some things.
The mind and body had to reach a certain standard.
Right now, Yuji's spirit was clearly exhausted. He could not meet that standard.
Beside him, Sukuna also noticed the same thing.
But at this moment, there was something else he needed to confirm.
He spoke loudly.
"Asuramaru, have you truly recognized Yuji Itadori?"
His voice was filled with suppressed fury.
"Do I still have a chance to tame you? Answer me, Asuramaru!"
Beside him, Uraume saw Lord Sukuna lose his composure like this for the first time.
But when they thought of the legendary god, Asuramaru, it seemed reasonable.
Within the Domain, Asuramaru's voice sounded once more.
"I do not forbid challenges from others."
His tone was arrogant and indifferent.
"However, before that, you need enough strength to defeat Yuji Itadori."
After receiving a definite answer, Sukuna's rage eased slightly.
Then came the desire to thoroughly crush Yuji here.
However, when he looked toward Megumi Fushiguro, who had already been carried to Satoru Gojo's side by one of the swords, he knew there was no longer any opportunity to take his body.
Therefore, Sukuna spoke without looking back.
"Uraume, bring that out."
"Yes, Lord Sukuna."
Uraume hurriedly took out a dried skull they had been carrying and respectfully handed it over.
.....
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