The two techniques reached their limit.
For one brief moment, everything stopped.
Maximum Output Blue pulled.
Maximum Output Red pushed.
Sukuna Number Four stood between them.
Takeru looked at Gojo.
Gojo looked back.
They released.
"NOW!"
Blue and Red collided.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
A massive sphere of cursed energy erupted across Tokyo.
HOLLOW PURPLE.
The blast tore through the battlefield.
Buildings vanished.
The streets were completely overwhelmed by the explosion.
Curses were thrown across the city.
Sorcerers were forced to shield themselves.
The sky itself seemed to flash purple.
For several seconds...
There was nothing.
Then the smoke began to clear.
Takeru stood among the destruction.
He slowly lowered his arm.
"…Did we get him?"
Yuji stared ahead.
Yuta's eyes widened.
"No."
A silhouette stood inside the smoke.
Sukuna Number Four.
His clothes were torn.
His white hair was burned and disheveled.
His body was badly damaged.
But he was still standing.
Takeru stared.
"…You survived that?"
Sukuna Number Four laughed.
"Did you really think that would be enough?"
Takeru was silent.
Then he smiled.
Not his usual playful smile.
Something far more dangerous.
"No."
He lowered his head.
"I didn't."
Sukuna's smile faded.
Takeru raised his left hand.
"That's why I'm doing something else."
Yuji frowned.
"Takeru?"
Takeru's cursed energy suddenly began moving.
Not toward one technique.
Toward all of them.
Limitless.
Shrine.
Ten Shadows.
Projection Sorcery.
Idle Transfiguration.
Every copied technique he possessed.
Cursed energy began gathering around him.
One layer.
Then another.
Then another.
Yuta stared.
"What are you doing?"
Takeru looked at him.
"Charging."
"For what?"
Takeru glanced down at his right hand.
Cursed energy was already gathering around it.
Then his left hand.
Then his entire body.
"I've got an idea."
Gojo's eyes widened.
"How long?"
Takeru looked at him.
"About an hour."
Yuji's expression dropped.
"An hour?!"
"Yep."
Takeru pointed at his hands.
"I can't use my techniques while they're charging."
Yuta immediately understood.
"You're combining them."
Takeru nodded.
"Everything I can."
He looked toward Sukuna Number Four.
"I'm making one final attack."
Sukuna laughed.
"You think I'll simply wait for you?"
"No."
Takeru smiled.
"I know you won't."
He raised his right hand.
The cursed energy continued accumulating.
His techniques began forming into layers around him.
But Takeru's left hand remained free.
He clenched it.
"So I'll fight you with this."
Yuji blinked.
"Your left hand?"
Takeru nodded.
"Yep."
He stepped forward.
"I can still punch."
Sukuna Number Four stared at him.
"You're charging your techniques for an hour…"
Takeru nodded.
"…while fighting me with one hand?"
"Yep."
Sukuna smiled.
"Arrogant."
Takeru grinned.
"Maybe."
He raised his left fist.
"Come find out."
Sukuna attacked immediately.
SHING!
A slash tore toward Takeru.
Takeru stepped aside.
He couldn't use Limitless.
Couldn't use Shrine.
Couldn't use any of the techniques being charged.
So he simply punched.
BOOM!
His left fist slammed into Sukuna's jaw.
Sukuna staggered.
Takeru followed.
Another punch.
BAM!
Another.
BOOM!
Sukuna blocked the next one.
Then countered.
Takeru ducked.
A slash passed over his head.
Takeru smiled.
"See?"
He raised his left fist again.
"I only need one hand."
Behind him, the massive collection of cursed techniques continued charging.
The energy became denser.
And denser.
And denser.
A timer had effectively begun.
59 minutes.
Sukuna Number Four stared at the growing mass of power behind Takeru.
For the first time...
He looked genuinely concerned.
Takeru wiped a little blood from his mouth.
"Better hurry."
He raised his fist.
"Because when that hour's over…"
His eyes narrowed.
"…you're gonna find out what happens when I stop holding back."