The Heian era, a thousand years ago, was a time of superstition and chaos.
In that era, countless malevolent Curse Spirits roamed freely, and powerful Curse Masters were seen everywhere. The entire world of sorcery resembled a vortex of curses, dragging all humanity into its turbulent depths.
Chaos...
Slaughter...
Blood...
Terror...
These elements constantly permeated the world of sorcery in that era, making death a commonplace occurrence.
And in such an era, a demon god was born.
He possessed four arms, two faces, and was the undisputed king even in an age when sorcery was at its peak.
Whether within Itadori Yuji or Fushiguro Megumi, this demon god always used the appearance of his vessel, never revealing his true form.
Until this day, at this hour, at this moment, at a juncture between life and death that he had never experienced before in life or upon revival, this demon god finally unveiled his true form.
......
When that figure entered Reigerās sight, he deeply understood why this being was considered a demon god and not a human.
Not only for his unmatched power, nor solely for his brutality and savagery, but because of his abnormal physique.
"I never thought a mere human sorcerer would force me to such an extent..."
In a low laugh tinged with either suppressed rage or emotional outburst, Ryomensukuna glided through the air, slowly approaching Reiger.
At this moment, he no longer retained Fushiguro Megumiās appearance; he exhibited a form identical to legend.
He had four arms, two faces, his body covered in ominous black markings, with even his abdomen boasting a large grotesquely eerie mouth.
Vicious curse energy emanated from him like tidal waves, as if it could erase the light of the world, enabling one to experience his evil, his darkness, his brutality, and his depravity.
"I suppose I shall never forget your existence, Reiger Brillhaut."
Ryomensukuna, revealing his true form, stared directly at Reiger, speaking with unexpectedly calm tone.
"Consider yourself honored, kid."
"Even I must admit now."
"Admit you can rival me, perhaps even surpass me as a sorcerer."
This was undeniably the first time.
Whether in the past or present, during the Heian era or in modern times a thousand years later, Ryomensukuna was the solitary absolute power who never regarded anyone as his equal.
There were many considered strong by him.
Not few received his acknowledgment.
Nonetheless, there was a major precondition: he never considered them capable of reaching him.
If ordinary people were mere roadside weeds, the strong recognized by him were at most mortals worthy of a second glance.
Even Gojo Satoru, in his eyes, was only considered strongest because he wasnāt born in this era.
From Ryomensukunaās perspective, Gojo Satoru was strong and unique, yet still mundane compared to himself.
This arrogance led to his unchecked demeanor.
This mindset fueled his lawlessness.
In truth, Ryomensukuna had the right to such thoughts.
His strength aptly allowed him to look down on everyone, even Gojo Satoru.
Until... Reiger appeared.
"What kind of being are you?" Ryomensukuna surprisingly questioned, staring intently at Reiger, asking: "Does this world truly permit someone like you to be born?"
"Perhaps others wish to ask you the same?" Reiger replied calmly, looking at Sukunaās true form: "This world already bears your existence, an utter catastrophe as you are a criminal of all evils."
"Even you say this?" Sukuna scoffed, "Otherwise, how do you want me to act?"
"Like Gojo Satoru, even with the strongest power, still obligingly flatter those despicable trashes?"
"What does he gain from that? Merely self-satisfaction!"
Sukuna spread all four of his arms, as though embracing the entire world, speaking out.
"Since it all revolves around self-satisfaction, what difference does it make between good and evil?"
"Is it wrong because slaughtering innocents is evil?"
"Because ravaging all existence is inherently wrong?"
"Isnāt the real mistake the weakness, being unable to defend oneself, merely begging for othersā forgiveness and benevolence, inherent within mankind?"
"Feeling content with weakness, they should stop dreaming of happiness and deserve to writhe in hell." Sukuna pointed a finger at the ground, letting his voice slowly spread.
"If someone else besides me possessed this power, they too would do whatever they please."
"Because no one could stop them, no one could match them; theyād be the unchallenged ruler, doing anything without opposition."
"I, too, need to generously express desires, donāt I?"
Such discourse by Sukuna made Reiger look deeply at him.
He knew Sukuna uttered these not to express sentiments.
Nor was it an emotional impulse; simply a declaration that not everyone must live by othersā expectations after obtaining power.
He cared not whom his actions harmed nor whom they tormented, as long as he was comfortable and entertained.
This world, in essence, was a playground for an invincible entity like him.
"What about you?"
Sukuna continued to question Reiger.
"Always pursuing power, seeking the path to strength, what is it that you truly desire?"
Since Reiger encountered Gojo Satoru and entered the Jujutsu High, he had been learning various jujutsu techniques.
This fact was known not only to Gojo Satoru and others, but also to Sukuna and even Knot, who constantly observed Reiger.
In their eyes, Reigerās desire for power was no less than anyone elseās, and perhaps even far exceeded anyone elseās.
Thatās why Sukuna posed such a question.
"After becoming stronger, what will you be able to gain?"
"When you reach the point where no one can challenge you, what will you wish to do then?"
"By that time, will you still restrain yourself as you do now, maintaining your decency, and not indulging in your desires at will?"
Sukunaās voice was low yet powerful, as if he wanted to see through to Reigerās essence.
"Is the life you thought of really this dull and uninteresting?"
In that case, it would be too pathetic.
At least thatās how it seemed to Sukuna.
But...
"Who can say what the future holds?"
Reiger remained so calm, so indifferent, completely unaffected by Sukunaās words.
"I only know one thing." Reiger calmly declared, "That is, no matter how strong I become, I donāt want to end up like you."
It wasnāt a matter of ideals, but merely a question of likes and dislikes.
"...Is that so?"
Sukuna wasnāt disappointed or angry at Reigerās answer; he merely smiled, extending his hand to form the Tan Tu Seal.
Reiger also extended his hand, forming a seal.
Seeing the hand sign Reiger formed, Sukunaās eyes flashed again.
Because Reiger had also formed the Tan Tu Seal.
"Even this, you can manage?" Sukuna laughed, "Iām impressed."
Clearly, Sukuna had already guessed what Reiger was planning to do.
"That is..."
Gojo Satoru, having returned to the scene, couldnāt be bothered to be surprised at Sukunaās new form, and was also stirred when he saw Reiger form the same Tan Tu Seal.
"As expected, heās capable of this."
This was a possibility Gojo Satoru had once imagined.
Because, unlike Okkotsu Yuta, Reiger didnāt just have a technique that replicates and imitates othersā techniques; he could truly learn, comprehend, and reproduce other peopleās techniques.
Therefore, Gojo Satoru had long speculated that if it were Reiger, perhaps he could achieve something that no one in history had ever accomplished.
Namely, possessing multiple domains.
"Domain Expansion.""
Two voices overlapped before Gojo Satoruās eyes.
"Malevolent Shrine."
Ryomensukuna called out the name of his domain.
And thenā
"Malevolent Shrine."
Reiger also calmly called out the name of his expanded domain.
Two identical domains unfolded simultaneously at that moment.
"Rumble..."
Accompanied by an atmospheric rumble, two shrines appeared behind Reiger and Sukuna.
The difference was that Sukunaās shrine remained as demonic as ever, filled with bones everywhere, whereas Reigerās shrine was as radiant and dazzling as the sun, filled with a sacred and splendid aura.
The reflection of the world took shape beneath their feet, allowing them to stand as if on water.
Above their heads, Sukunaās sky was formed by a blood mist, while Reigerās was a clear, vast sky.
The stark contrast clearly told onlookers who was the villain.
The overlapping domains had a massive range, nearly a thousand meters, which was quite intimidating.
"Come on!" Sukuna maintained the posture of hands forming seals and shouted loudly, "The final battle!"
Reiger silently released his posture, stepped out of the shrine, and walked towards Ryomensukuna.
"As you wish."
Calm cursed energy flowed through him, making Reiger emit an imposing presence far greater than before.
Conversely, Ryomensukuna also erupted with cursed energy far surpassing before.
This was the final battle, a showdown where both unleashed their full power.
One bore a sacred shrine, the other a demonic shrine.
One stood amidst a world of corpses and blood, the other under a vast clear sky.
The two dashed towards each other, leaving circles of fierce ripples on the waterās surface.
Finally, at the worldās juncture, they collided with a bang.