The sky above Japan shimmered in hues of gold and crimson as dawn broke — another peaceful morning for the world. But not for two particular individuals who had surpassed its laws.
Far from the noise of civilization, a text message blinked on Kurotsuki Tenkai's phone screen.
Gojo Satoru:10 AM. Desert island coordinates below. Don't be late, genius boy.
Tenkai smirked.
"Figures he'd pick an island. Probably doesn't want the mainland erased," he muttered.
Behind him, the sleek hum of his personal AI-controlled helicopter echoed through the vast sky. The matte-black design bore the Kurotsuki Industries insignia — a symbol that had become synonymous with innovation beyond reason.
As the engines roared to life, a voice resonated in his mind.
Aion: "Destination locked. Estimated arrival time: one hour, Master. Shall I remind you this vehicle was purchased after the Defense Ministry transfer?"
Tenkai leaned back in the pilot seat, half amused. "You mean the billion-dollar defense contract? Yeah. Hard to forget when the world keeps reporting it every ten minutes."
Almost on cue, the onboard display switched to a live news broadcast.
[JNN World News]'Kurotsuki Industries has secured a multi-billion dollar deal with Japan's Defense Ministry to develop next-generation hypersonic aircraft and strategic AI-guided missile systems. Experts say this breakthrough could shift global defense standards.'
The anchor continued, awing every syllable.
'Sources claim their technology surpasses even the U.S. and Russian programs in speed, accuracy, and adaptive intelligence — some even speculate extraterrestrial-level design.'
Tenkai chuckled lightly. "Extraterrestrial? More like... post-human."
Aion: "It's mildly amusing, Master. Those hypersonic jets would appear frozen in motion compared to your current reaction speed. And the missiles? Harmless. Even nuclear-grade weaponry cannot damage you now."
Tenkai: "You're saying I'm basically immune to world-ending weapons?"
Aion: "That would be an understatement."
He smiled faintly, resting his chin on his hand as the ocean stretched endlessly below. "Then I guess today's fight might finally test something again."
10:00 AM — Desert Island
The helicopter slowed its approach over an isolated island surrounded by endless sapphire waves. White sand, jagged cliffs, and palm trees swayed under the morning sun.
On the beach stood Gojo Satoru — white blindfold fluttering in the sea breeze, hands in his pockets, grin unmistakable.
The helicopter hovered a hundred meters above the ground.
Tenkai: "Aion, don't land. Stay in the air. This might get messy."
Aion: "Acknowledged, Master. Initiating evasive orbit mode."
Without hesitation, Tenkai stepped off the helicopter. No parachute. No hesitation.
He dropped like a meteor — sand exploding beneath his feet as he landed silently, not a grain displaced beyond the shockwave's border.
Gojo tilted his head, impressed.
"Still love your dramatic entrances. You trying to outdo me, kid?"
Tenkai smiled. "Someone has to balance your ego."
Gojo laughed, removing his hands from his pockets. "You sound confident. Let's see if that pretty face can still talk after a few punches."
Tenkai raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Planning to use words as your only weapon again?"
"Cute," Gojo grinned, lowering his stance. "Try not to die."
...
The air split.
In less than a heartbeat, both vanished — shockwaves cracked through the island, sending sand spiraling into the air like glass dust.
No cursed techniques. No Infinity. No tricks.
Only raw physical force.
Their fists met in the air — the impact shattered the ground beneath, forming a crater that stretched across the beach. Waves surged outward, slamming against cliffs as the island quaked.
Every movement was beyond human perception. Their blows created sonic booms faster than thunder. Every time their feet touched the ground, the surface melted into shimmering heat from sheer kinetic pressure.
Gojo's smile widened as he dodged a punch that would've torn through mountains. "Not bad, Tenkai. You've got the timing of a monster!"
Tenkai countered with a spinning back-kick, voice calm. "You're holding back."
Gojo blocked with his forearm, sand bursting into the air. "Of course I am. I don't want to break my favorite student's ribs on a weekday."
Their laughter mixed with the roars of destruction.
Each strike was more than an attack — it was the clash of perfect equations, of limitless and balanced forces.
The environment began to warp — palm trees splintered, stones levitated from shockwaves, and the ocean bent upward in liquid arcs as atmospheric pressure fluctuated.
Lightning danced through the sky, though no storm was present. The magnetic field itself trembled.
...
As their fists connected again — time seemed to distort.
Both of them synchronized cursed energy perfectly at the instant of impact.
Black Flash!
A shockwave of dark light expanded outward — burning through the sand, splitting the ground, and igniting the atmosphere in black-red streaks.
The island cracked.
They didn't stop.
One Black Flash after another — the sound became a rolling thunderstorm. Craters layered upon craters, the sky dimming from the energy output.
Gojo smirked mid-combat. "You know… last time I fought someone this fast, he didn't have cursed energy."
Tenkai chuckled, ducking under a strike. "You're talking about Toji, right?"
"Yeah. Guy stabbed me once. Great reflexes, terrible personality."
"Guess I'm the upgrade version then."
Gojo grinned, flipping backward mid-air. "And much prettier."
Their fists collided once more — an eruption of light and sound engulfed the island.
...
Both halted suddenly — hair disheveled, clothes torn, yet neither showing exhaustion.
They stood in the center of a crater miles wide, surrounded by an island half in ruin, half suspended by the aftershock of their battle.
Wind howled through the silence.
Gojo cracked his neck. "So… warm-up done?"
Tenkai raised his right hand — his fingers forming an intricate, flowing motion that condensed into a single-hand seal. His expression calm yet absolute.
Gojo mirrored him, both standing straight now, energy vibrating through the air.
Sand began to lift off the ground. The sea around the island twisted upward into spiraling columns.
Gojo (smirking): "Heh. Been a while since I've said this seriously."
Tenkai (softly): "Let's see who rewrites reality first."
Their voices overlapped—
"Domain Expansion"
The world blazed white.
[To be continued…]