The city lay beneath a brooding sky, the sun swallowed by dark, oppressive clouds that seemed to thrum in resonance with the latent soul energies vibrating through Death City. Kuma and Shira moved cautiously through the streets near DWMA, Shira in human form, eyes narrowed, muscles taut as she scanned the environment with an intensity that suggested premonition. A subtle hum lingered in the air, a pulse that raised goosebumps along Kuma's arms—the unmistakable echo of Sukuna's presence outside his own mind.
"This is no ordinary test," Shira murmured, voice low, carrying authority and unease. "Whatever approaches… it is tied to him directly."
Kuma's fingers brushed the hilt of his weapon instinctively, feeling the internal tug of Sukuna's energy. The voice whispered with sharper insistence today, urgent and commanding. "You must strike, show strength, let nothing survive. Prove your dominance."
He clenched his jaw, breathing slowly, forcing calm into his muscles. Control first, precision second, he reminded himself, feeling Shira's pulse through their link. "I am not alone."
From the shadows of a collapsed building ahead, a figure emerged. Dark robes billowed unnaturally, and energy warped around the being like smoke caught in a storm. The pulse of malevolent cursed energy emanating from the figure resonated disturbingly with the remnants of Sukuna's aura within Kuma. This was no ordinary adversary—it was a herald, a messenger of the curse, attuned to the dark influence that thrummed inside Kuma.
Maka and Soul arrived, flanking him immediately, with Kid and other students forming a perimeter. Maka's eyes narrowed, assessing the threat. "That energy… it's unnervingly familiar. Not just cursed—it's… attuned."
Soul's scythe tightened in his grip, alert. "Yeah… feels like it's reading him, probing him. Kuma, be ready for everything."
Shira shifted into her sword form, the metallic hum resonating with Kuma's energy, a tangible guide through the palpable tension. "Focus. Anticipate. We act together, not alone. Sukuna will test you, but we will not falter."
The herald moved with a speed and grace that defied normal perception, attacking from angles that challenged the team's formation. Shadows twisted around its strikes, each motion precise, intelligent, and lethal. Kuma felt Sukuna's pull intensify sharply, urging reckless action, encouraging him to obliterate everything without thought or restraint. "Unleash it! Strike without mercy!"
Kuma's grip tightened on Shira. He moved deliberately, blocking and countering with controlled force, integrating Shira's guidance into each movement. Her presence, alternating between human and sword forms, provided constant feedback: alerting him to openings, weaknesses, and the delicate positioning needed to protect his allies while remaining effective.
Maka and Soul synchronized their attacks with Kuma's movements, creating a fluid, coordinated pattern that disrupted the herald's strikes. Kid adjusted his positioning, pistols discharging precise bursts, forming barriers that channeled the energy flow of the battlefield.
The herald surged, a massive flurry of cursed energy aimed directly at Kuma, testing his reflexes, his restraint, and his capacity to resist Sukuna's seduction. He felt the darkness within him stir violently, whispering, "Crush it. All of it. Let none survive. Show them your strength!"
Shira shifted to human form mid-combat, leaping onto a rooftop to gain perspective. "No! Focus on coordination! Not destruction!" Her voice was a lifeline, a tether pulling him back from the edge of overwhelming power.
Kuma exhaled sharply, channeling the surge into precise, calculated strikes. His blade moved with Shira, cutting through the shadows that accompanied the herald, redirecting energy, protecting allies, and dismantling the enemy's formations. The battle became a symphony of light, steel, and cursed energy, each participant's actions harmonized by the subtle guidance of Shira and the conscious restraint of Kuma.
The herald, sensing resistance, intensified its assault. Its attacks became more erratic yet more devastating, each strike probing Kuma's limits, testing his control over Sukuna's presence. The streets shook, debris flying as the team adapted, weaving defensive and offensive patterns in real-time, never letting the adversary gain a foothold.
Maka's voice rang sharp and clear. "Kuma! You are stronger than the pull! Control it! Use strategy, not force!"
Soul pivoted, intercepting an attack aimed at a fellow student. "Yeah! Don't let it bait you! Work with us!"
Kuma's strikes flowed seamlessly with Shira's, each movement precise, each decision deliberate. The resonance between them strengthened, allowing him to channel the latent Sukuna energy without succumbing to its violent insistence. The herald faltered momentarily, unable to predict the coordinated pattern, giving the team a critical opening.
With a synchronized surge, combining Shira's blade, Kuma's movements, Maka's scythe, Soul's pivots, and Kid's gunfire, they struck the herald simultaneously. The entity screeched, cursed energy erupting violently before finally dispersing into nothingness. Silence settled over the streets, broken only by the heavy breathing of the team and the faint hum of residual soul energy.
Stein appeared, stepping from the shadows, his expression unreadable yet intense. "This was more than a test of combat skill," he stated. "It was a test of restraint, leadership, and coordination under extreme internal and external pressure. Kuma… you resisted the influence within you, guided your team, and faced a direct manifestation of Sukuna's reach. Your performance demonstrates mastery in progress, but the shadow of Sukuna grows ever stronger. Remain vigilant."
Shira returned to human form, standing beside Kuma. Her expression softened, yet her eyes retained their sharp intensity. "You held the line… but remember, the path ahead will demand more. Every choice, every strike… he is watching, always."
Kuma exhaled slowly, exhaustion mingling with relief. The first direct manifestation of Sukuna's influence outside of his mind had been confronted and overcome. He understood now that control was not merely an internal battle—it was a constant negotiation between instinct, external threats, and the whispering power within.
Maka stepped closer, her voice gentle but firm. "You handled yourself well. But don't let this success breed overconfidence. Discipline is the key, and Sukuna's shadow is long."
Soul's scythe lowered slightly, eyes alert. "Yeah… you've proven your skill, but don't forget—this is only the beginning. Stronger forces, smarter enemies… they're coming. Keep your head clear."
As the team returned to DWMA, Kuma and Shira moved side by side through the quiet streets. The night had tested them more than ever before. The bond between Meister and Weapon had deepened, Sukuna's influence had been resisted, and the DWMA team had proven their coordination under the most perilous conditions yet.
But deep within Kuma, the whisper lingered, persistent, insidious, a shadow never fully dispelled. The herald's arrival had been a warning, a reminder that Sukuna's reach was long and that mastery would never be absolute. And somewhere in the depths of that power, the next trial awaited, even more formidable and personal than this.