The dim corridors of the Shibuya subway twisted endlessly, echoing with distant screams, collapsing rubble, and the hum of cursed energy in the air.
Itadori Yuji skidded to a stop as he felt it—a massive wave of bloodlust.
Something was coming.
No… someone.
From the darkness, a silhouette emerged. Calm. Focused. Menacing.
Choso.
His eyes burned with grief and fury. His footsteps echoed like gunshots in the silence.
"You…" Choso's voice was low, but full of weight. "You killed my brothers."
Itadori's breath hitched.
"Eso… Kechizu…" Choso said their names slowly, as if praying. "You murdered them."
Itadori clenched his fists. "They were killing people. Innocents. I had no choice."
"You always have a choice," Choso snapped. "And now I've made mine."
From his fingertips, cursed blood began to drip—then hover midair, glowing with violent cursed energy.
The entire subway trembled as Choso entered battle mode.
"Fine," Itadori said. "If this is what you want…"
He took a stance.
"…Then come at me."
The first wave of Piercing Blood shot toward Itadori like bullets. He dodged, flipping sideways off the wall, only for Choso to appear directly above him with a mid-air kick.
Itadori was slammed into the tiles.
But he jumped back instantly—fist first.
Choso blocked, but the sheer force sent him crashing backward.
They fought in a blur—fists against blood, speed against precision.
Each hit was personal. Each strike filled with emotion.
"Why are you so strong!?" Choso shouted, spitting blood. "You're just a child!"
"I have to be!" Itadori screamed back. "Because no one else can!"
They clashed again—an uppercut from Yuji, followed by a spiral of blood from Choso.
Their battle tore through the subway walls, crushed lights, and even bent the steel beams behind the concrete.
Choso slid back and stared at Itadori.
"...You fight like a cursed spirit," he muttered. "But you're human."
Itadori didn't reply.
He was bleeding. Breathing hard. But still standing.
So was Choso.
This fight was far from over.
The subway shook again…