Silence was something Yuuji heard, an expression of annoyance on his face, a curse in front of him.
- Ah, damn it, how I hate these things, don't they understand their place?- Yuuji looked at that curse with disgust. Below him, the shadows moved like an animal waiting to be released and hunt its prey.
With a wave of his hand, Yuuji shattered the curse into cubes, turned around, and started walking until he reached a house he remembered perfectly.
- Grandpa...-
Yuuji touched the door frame, remembering his life, how happy he was, and then how hell came.
Yuuji had walked around the house, sadly looking at everything that had once belonged to him and his grandfather, and then simply turned around and left.
Yuuji had only walked a kilometer, but what he found on the other side paralyzed him. Yuta Okkotsu, once again, but not only that...
- Yuta Okkotsu...- The veins on Itadori's face stood out, not only from seeing Yuta, but also from what he had done once again.
-YOU... damn son of a bitch, how dare you usurp the teacher's body for a second time?- Yuuji glared at him, his expression pure rage, a rage that Sukuna also displayed when Yuuji expanded his domain.
- This is the only way to defeat you, Yuuji.-
Yuta raised his hand, crossing his fingers. Yuuji raised his hands, placing them in their domain position, and then they both chanted at the same time.
- Domain Extension.-
Yuta looked at Itadori seriously. He wasn't going to let him get away again. Not this time.
- Infinite Void.-
Yuta expanded Satoru Gojo and Yuuji's domain...
- Hunting territory.-
The two attacked each other directly: Yuuji's anger versus Yuta's calm.
- Yuta will never be like Gojo-sensei.-
Yuuji looked at Yuta seriously, and his thoughts were also shared by Yuta. They both knew they would never be Satoru Gojo.
- This fight will determine the outcome of the future. If I lose, then there's no saving grace. If I win, maybe I won't have to use that cursed spirit.-
Yuta moved quickly. With the time they had to practice, Yuta was able to adapt to Satoru's limbs. With renewed confidence, the two began to fight. Beyond the clash of domains, other sorcerers were already outside waiting for one of them to come out.
Yuta moved his hand, causing a blue to attract Yuuji, Yuuji tried to hit Yuta, but infinity prevented it, Yuta hit Yuuji, and with a black flash in process, Yuuji began to think about everything that happened with his friends, with his teacher, how he was fine, that fueled his determination to win, even if it hurt, when Yuuji hit, Yuta couldn't activate infinity in time, plus Yuuji had domain amplification active, another ability learned thanks to that piece of meat he ate from Sukuna, with a quick movement, Yuuji hit Yuta, he quickly started with his best moves, even his Maki came in, he wouldn't limit himself, Yuta and Yuuji learned one important thing, always go all out from the start.
A smile appeared on Yuuji and Yuta's faces. They both began to enjoy the battle. It was the only feeling the strongest could feel: the feeling of having an equal, having someone on their level who could beat them. Now they understood why Satoru Gojo died with a smile. He had found an equal in Sukuna, someone who could beat him, and that made him feel happy. Now they were experiencing that feeling. It was like being in heaven.
- So this is what you felt, Gojo-sensei.- Yuta moved. The smile on his face didn't leave him; it only excited him and pushed him to give even more.
Yuuji wasn't far behind. They were both giving their all, and that filled their hearts with a motivation they didn't know existed.
- Come on, Yuta Okkotsu, keep fighting.- Yuuji punched Yuta, but neither of them expected their domains to break, temporarily deactivating their techniques. However, Yuuji no longer had the intention of killing Yuta. Yuta was the only one who gave him that feeling of satisfaction, of being able to stop him even when he was at his peak.
Yuta fell to the ground, no longer able to move. Yuuji turned around and left. The other sorcerers were also surprised by the sudden destruction of the two domains. They quickly went to Yuta's aid. It was even more surprising that Yuuji didn't kill him.
Yuta was still slightly conscious, but a single thought came to Yuta and Yuuji's minds.
- You and I, we're the strongest, Okkotsu Yuta/Itadori Yuuji.-
Yuta then fell unconscious, and Yuuji felt that tiredness again, but he didn't care; he just wanted to feel that sensation again, the feeling of battling his new rival.
Some time later.
Yuta had returned to his body. He had narrated what had happened, omitting the fact that he and Yuuji enjoyed the fight. Now they knew something new: Yuta and Yuuji were the strongest, and they both had to battle to find out who was the strongest of the two. But this time, they ended in a tie.
- Now what do we do?- Maki looked at Higuruma, who just gave everyone a serious look.
- We have to allow them to fight again, it's possibly the only way for Itadori's humanity to return, maybe... we'll find the solution.- Everyone started to think about that prospect, but not Yuta, he was thinking of a way to feel that feeling again.
- What do you think, Yuta?-
Everyone's attention went to Yuta, who snapped out of his mind at Maki's question.
- I don't see a problem with that.-
- What happened? You always refused to fight at such a level against someone you knew.-
Yuta smiled. Maki was confused, as was everyone else, because that change was abnormal for Yuta.
- Gojo-sensei once told me that I wouldn't understand the feeling of being an equal if I wasn't the strongest. When I took his place, and when I fought Yuuji, I felt like I had found an equal... I'm eager to battle him again.-
Yuta clenched his fist, understanding his teacher more. The other sorcerers understood what Yuta was saying and left him in his own world.
Yuuji had a thoughtful look on his face until he looked up, a determined look. He had made up his mind.
- Yuta Okkotsu... we'll see each other another time. I hope you'll be stronger when that time comes.-
xxxxx