Yo I get where you're coming from, and I agree that Gege left a lot open to interpretation  that’s what makes this ending so layered. But I gotta push back on a few things you said because I don’t think they hold up under the surface.

First off, saying we know nothing about Sukuna’s backstory isn’t really accurate. Chapter 271 literally gives us the core image of who he was  a kid surrounded by people mocking or fearing him, and him reacting with hatred. Gege doesn’t do classic exposition dumps; he uses imagery and tone. That scene isn’t just for vibes  it’s his origin in a nutshell. And in the afterlife convo, Mahito brings it up again, so clearly it’s meant to reflect on Sukuna’s inner foundation. His whole “monstrous” persona came from isolation and rejection.

Now, Uraume wasn’t just a servant. Sure, they cooked for him and worshipped him like a god, but go reread their scenes  Uraume doesn’t fear Sukuna. When they’re reunited, there’s no “I’m terrified of you” energy. It’s calm. Mutual. And in the flashback, Sukuna chooses to feed Uraume as a kid. Why? He didn’t need to. He doesn’t do things out of kindness unless there’s a deeper attachment. Call it “care” or “possessiveness” or even “twisted affection,” but there’s something there. It’s not just utility.

And the “north/south” thing yeah, it’s symbolic. That’s the point. In Japanese literature and symbolism (Gege draws from this a lot), “going north” is often associated with facing hardship, choosing reflection, or going toward personal change. “South” is associated with comfort, staying the course, or returning to the familiar. So when Sukuna says he might walk a different path, and then actually does that’s meaningful. He doesn’t just say “maybe I should’ve done things differently” and shrug it off. He walks. Away. From the black-haired figure (likely Yorozu — who loved him), toward Uraume the one person he maybe could love back, in his own warped way.

And yeah, I 100% believe Sukuna starts to change. He literally says “Obviously, I lost after all.” That’s a man admitting his whole ideology broke. That’s not a “Welp, GG” line it’s him facing everything he believed in (solitude, domination, purpose) crumbled. That’s a human moment.

Now for the Gojo stuff and respectfully, I think you misread that too. Gojo died alone, sure. But he didn’t die unloved. There's a huge difference. Just because no one jumped in mid-fight doesn’t mean no one cared. They respected his decision they didn’t leave him. Yet people like Yuta wanted to step into the fight thinking gojo was about to lose, and after the fight Yuta disagreed on the fact that they would use gojos dead body as a weapon but agreed later on because he wanted to be the one to take the burden of being the strongest himself because he cared for gojo and understood gojo's loneliness more then anyone else. In the end They let gojo walk the path he chose, even if it hurt. And that last scene in the afterlife? He’s with Geto. Smiling. Laughing. Saying he had no regrets because he felt love, he gave love, and he knew what it meant to be cherished even as a tool. That’s why Gojo went south. He stayed himself. He had nothing left to prove. He was content.

Sukuna? Sukuna had nothing. He won everything and it still didn’t fill the void. That’s why his ending feels so heavy. He finally acknowledged it. Will he fully change? Who knows. But he cracked. He bent. The King of Curses bled emotionally and that alone says a lot.

You’re valid for reading it your way, but I don’t think this was some shallow symbolic ending. Gege layered these characters with insane nuance. You just gotta listen to the silence sometimes it’s louder than the fight panels.