" ah... how long, how long did you say is left to get there? "
" one more week "
" but we've already been a week... and my body can't take it anymore, we've been training nonstop... I can't " Genshō dragged his body instead of running like any ninja, since they didn't have any time, and were wandering, they took the path to the Land of Whirlpools at a leisurely pace.
At least this time Yūji wanted it that way because he had asked Daigo to train him, and on his part, he was training Genshō.
" so much complaining? very well! It's time to stop and train a little more " the boy wore a threatening aura, and a sinister smile that made Genshō shudder.
" w-wait, I wasn't complaining, actually, ah, I just had doubts! we can continue! " he began to wave his arms wildly in all directions, a nervous smile appearing on the white-haired boy's face.
Yes, he had literally begged Yūji to train him, but now that he had felt his training, he regretted choosing this path; now that the boy was teaching him movements he didn't know and using him like a sandbag, he regretted ever pleading to be taught his techniques.
But just as Yūji was training, Daigo smiled amused, crossing his arms " since you want to train him, once you finish, I'll teach you to manipulate lightning nature better, those wisps you release are very pathetic "
And the red-haired boy's discouragement showed; Yūji let his shoulders drop in embarrassment, causing Genshō to laugh in his face.
Although a blow to the white-haired boy's head silenced him, even from behind. Yūji turned with the dark-haired man this time quite firmly " what are you going to teach me this time? "
" you're very good at your chakra traits, but in lightning you're terrible, so I'll show you easy-to-execute jutsus. I know you want to learn the chakra armor, but it's very dangerous for you to do it; unlike other natures, if you try to cover yourself with lightning you'll get harmed. I can't let you injure yourself even though you have that very powerful jutsu, you'll only waste necessary chakra. One must treat one's chakra like a limited resource and... " he raised his finger as if teaching without stopping talking. Yūji simply had a tic in his eye, it wasn't necessary for him to repeat that he was awful.
He still remembers when he tried to perform a basic jutsu... it was horrible. He was supposed to just launch two bolts from his fingers toward the sky; that's what Daigo told him was useful when he wanted to execute SS or S jutsus. When he launched the jutsu, they were literally pillars, as if the sky itself sent down lightning, not that he had launched them.
He recalls making a face of excitement; when he did it, he imagined it would look truly epic with him too, maybe even to the point of going blind from the power of his lightning as he executed it.
It was so... lamentable.
Instead of leaving pillars, it was as if a short circuit occurred and sparks jetted from his fingers. It was the worst humiliation he had ever experienced; Daigo laughed so hard he fell on his back. Genshō shamelessly pointed his fingers that emitted small sparks, while he felt his face burn and wanted to hide forever. Their laughter never left his head all this time.
He should have abandoned them at Hōzuki Castle, he thought as he correctly remembered what happened a week ago.
" w-well! This time I'll make it, I know I can be good at this " he cleared his throat a bit, ¡he is Uzumaki Yūji! If he's good with cursed energy, he can handle chakra; he's good at everything by adapting. He managed to understand the chakra system very easily and could operate, though, well, in part it was due to Sukuna's experience, which was minimal. But... this time it's not much about talent, it's that it's not his trait and he has to make it acceptable for him.
Daigo, for his part, smiled amused at the mention " well, first of all, I need to see how you progress with lightning nature; when I see you're capable of doing a powerful A-rank jutsu, then I'll show you the chakra armor you keep begging for " although he didn't say it, Daigo felt excited to teach Yūji, a prodigy child asking for his help, a prodigy! He would be this child's master, who seemed destined to one day change everything; without a doubt, he would be very powerful in the future, at least that's how he felt in the little time he had traveled with him.
" and what about me? " the white-haired boy's complaints vanished as he approached the child and the man; Yūji looked at him, narrowing his eyes gently.
Genshō has a good physique, good endurance, though he doesn't have powerful jutsus from what little he's shown; he has puppet techniques capable of restraining a man with powerful taijutsu. He knows this because Daigo wanted to gauge his power level among the three. He's the weakest of the three, but if they faced a Jōnin, he could handle him with some effort.
" umm... " he doesn't know if he could do it well; he has a lot of cursed energy, more than other ninjas. The difference is that Genshō emanates cursed energy, while he, unconsciously, formed the cursed energy core. He doesn't know if he can teach him to handle CE " well... "
But it costs nothing to try, does it?
" this time it's something different; I think I could teach you something important to me, and I feel Daigo can learn as well " among all the people he has seen who can handle CE, Daigo and Genshō are the first who emanate it but also formed cores, more specifically near the heart. It's strange, since his core is in his stomach; that's why his CE conflicts with his chakra so many times.
The first person he's seen who also has it is his sister, but... that will be later, when he can see her face again.
Yūji narrowed his eyes trying to think; CE is different from chakra, chakra is spiritual and physical, but cursed energy is basically negativity; you could say it's more mental.
Again... he'll have to deal with Sukuna.
" well, first I'll meditate a bit; when I return we'll start training " he gave a determined smile; in this week neither Suiren nor Sukuna had shown up, this time he would again contact Sukuna, his embarrassment had passed its time limit for him.
Genshō only blinked a few times when he saw Yūji walk alone into the lush forest to meditate " it seems he really likes meditating; I don't know how this kid likes doing things like that " he scratched his head a bit, seeing Daigo narrow his eyes as he watched Yūji disappear.
The boy, being far away, sat and crossed his legs, closed his eyes, and began to sigh softly. He had discovered how to willfully enter his own area of consciousness. He wasn't worried if ninjas or bandits found his location; with Daigo's protection, it was enough while Suiren seemed to finish assimilating Satori.
When he opened his eyes, he was no longer in the forest; he was now in his consciousness, in his own soul, the sky beneath his feet, the sea above, those floating cubes, and again those blue eyes that looked at him the first time.
He relaxed again; this at least was a good sign: previously Sukuna wouldn't let him even enter his own consciousness. He stood up, hearing the sound of water flowing to his stream; as he walked to the edge of his consciousness, he couldn't see any further, Sukuna blocked the way. He sighed a bit.
" Sukuna, I'm sure you're still in shock that this curse defeated you; look... " he doesn't know what to say. In a way he's doing all this because Sukuna is the one with all the experience; and even though he has his abilities, he lacks what's important " maybe that newly born curse defeated you, you who were proclaimed the King of Curses for centuries, but we're no longer in Japan; cursed energy is not our only source of power anymore. There are opponents who could defeat us in this place, but... "
" but you, you are Ryōmen Sukuna! And you yourself are so arrogant, saying you'll defeat everyone and kill them. Surely you'd kill everyone like you did in Japan, so get out of that damned place and show your disgusting dignity you always flaunted at me! " he angrily pointed at the wall that separated him from everything.
Sukuna, at the other end, heard the brat's words; in his twisted face and clenched teeth, he had no interest since he lost to that curse, holding all the anger he had been bearing these days. But he hated more the fact that brat always appeared and yelled so many silly words at him.
However, all the while he was seriously thinking about something that could change the course he wanted to take.
Yūji began to strike the wall, knowing Sukuna wouldn't take the initiative to come out " I'm also weak and cursed energy may no longer be powerful! If we want to be strong, first we have to train and go back to how we were in terms of strength! If you so much desire to be king again, you have to come out of this place! Are you listening to me—Whoah!? " when he delivered one last blow Yūji fell on that side.
Blood stained his face and that gloomy aspect in his consciousness appeared; unlike what he imagined, Sukuna didn't look afflicted at all, he looked irritated, emanating an aura that, even if he wanted to be strong, you could feel a bit intimidated. Those slitted eyes shone brighter than he remembered.
He had been furious since that week, having been beaten by a newly born curse. It's something he didn't even feel with Yūji.
And it was worse knowing that Yūji was the one who killed him because he ended up affected by his technique.
The brat was right; this time there was no significance in foremost causing chaos and killing without necessity like he always had since he became conscious. In the first place, he lost his title in such a shameful way that not even the most powerful sorcerer could remove, he has to recover it and erase that disastrous stain that curse caused on his great pride.
He has to become the most powerful being everyone fears with his mere presence, and proudly reclaim his title.
Sukuna rose in silence to turn toward Yūji; the boy blinked curiously, that expression on the man... he had never seen it like that, he always had an arrogant, psychopathic look, always a mocking, disdainful face as if everyone were mere insects.
But now\... it was a serious face, instead of the usual arrogance; his face showed nothing.
He grabbed him by the hair and lifted him; Yūji didn't even flinch, but neither did he say anything. Sukuna hoisted him until they were face to face, centimeters apart.
There was an uncomfortable silence, but Sukuna remained neutral, though the veins in his neck revealed his silent rage; time passed until the curse spoke " I will make you strong, brat, so strong you won't even recognize yourself... I will make you so strong that now, no one can trample us. We'll be the most united, Yūji " Sukuna's eyes opened, staring at him; " I will tell you how to become strong, if that is what you wish; I read your thoughts... I hate when we have the disadvantage " he growled, releasing the boy, who blinked several times. Could he have heard that? Sukuna saying something so easy?
" were you meditating just to say that? " he stroked his hair, easing the discomfort from when Sukuna squeezed his scalp, still surprised by it.
Sukuna crossed his arms without erasing that neutral expression. To Yūji it was incredible to see that face without the slaughter frenzy " you could say it cost me much to think it, and saying it was horrible, but although I have the binding vow, I planned another unilateral massacre... " he snorted as if it were unimportant, though Yūji got angry " however, I hate being humiliated; when I fought that damned one, you don't know how much I hated being cornered, it's something I never felt since I dominated in the Heian Era and in your own Era. It was... disgusting. I will never feel that way again " he clenched his fists at the thought; just thinking about it was terrible.
Sukuna looked at Yūji with his four eyes " so I will train you and teach you everything, answer your doubts; after all... "
" you are me "
Yūji spoke last with firmness, causing Sukuna to widen his eyes for a moment; he stole the words Sukuna was about to say, this time narrowing his gaze at the brat.
Unlike the first time he saw him in this new plane, Yūji had changed a lot.
In front of him was no longer Itadori; it was a child who, although combining that bravery and strength he detested, also had an endearing maturity. Those eyes were no longer just kindness, they said that if anything obstructs his purposes, he doesn't care about the method; he will proceed.
His eyes formed an invisible smile as they narrowed.
" yes... I am you "
Upon hearing this, Yūji couldn't help but smile, showing determination in his expression " that's why we will become the strongest so that no one can ever trample us again, Sukuna; we will rule "
Sukuna couldn't help but smile; the half-smile appeared " only in this will I give you some credit... "
Although it's strange, the two didn't notice that the fissure of their consciousnesses had fused more than they thought, since although it's just the beginning, Yūji's personality has contaminated Sukuna's, and Sukuna's personality has contaminated Yūji's. Maybe that will also change differences like Sukuna's arrogance or Yūji's pure goodness.
" well, now get out of here, you've been bothering me so long that you're very irritating, damned brat "
Yūji didn't even have time to say anything as Sukuna cut him into small squares. In the end, the boy slowly opened his eyes, letting out a amused sigh, it's strange, after eight years Sukuna had shown a different change.
Could a redemption of the so-called curse be possible?
For now he wouldn't think about that; it must not be as important as it is now. He looked around again, seeing that not much time had passed since he entered his consciousness.
' you bothered me for something important... I wanted you to help me train two people; I'm not a teacher, but I think you can do it... they can see the flow of cursed energy; I feel they could be powerful allies for us ' while Yūji chatted in his mind, he was already returning to where they both had been.
' you'll say to yourself, I don't need slaves '
The boy's eyes went blank ' I assure you my intuition tells me they will be strong; can you help me? '
There was an awkward silence, and when he arrived with Daigo and Genshō, Sukuna didn't answer. Daigo was relaxed, leaning against a log, and Genshō was striking a tree, wanting to improve his taijutsu.
He felt an eye open after so long in his cheekbone ' umm... you're right; they have a cursed energy core, but not being able to control it makes it come out of their bodies... although like all of them, they're not curses; it just comes out like other stupid ninjas ' Sukuna was indirectly analyzing the two.
Yūji smiled a little ' do you have a training method and how to make them control that cursed energy? '
He felt Sukuna smile too, now with that arrogant manner he had been avoiding ' of course, brat, and it's to put them back in a state where their lives are on the edge of death; with that weakling it won't take much, but that man will be tough as wood, his cursed energy is very large and condensed. The best way to train is to make them face their worst nightmares, all the negativity of their soul in a specific point: survival '
Sometimes Yūji still didn't understand, he blinked a bit ' so... does that mean...? '
' you're still as stupid as ever, damn it, I shouldn't have seen that you had matured ' he snorted in his mind, causing the boy to blush ' I'll tell you the training... it will be, very fun '
Yūji applauded, causing both people to awaken from their boredom; this time he had an excited but malicious smile " I already know your training "
" you surely say that because you don't want to train " Genshō murmured, stopping his strikes. Daigo, though he didn't show it, was interested in what the child intended to show them.
Yūji sighed; he didn't know if it was a good idea, but he had no better thought than what Sukuna said, plus he had the binding vow, so he felt a bit more secure " fine... it's something you'll discover along the way " he began to form the corresponding seals, whispering the jutsu's name, and beside him appeared a water clone.
It was something Sukuna had also told him recently; it seems he really wants to make him improve, since next to him, even if it's a shadow clone, it could be him. The main body he left to Sukuna, while he can pass his chakra and consciousness of Yūji through it.
It's quite ingenious and he had never thought of it, but Sukuna deciphered it with ease; it shows years of CE manipulation experience, and although chakra is recent, Sukuna seems to have understood it more deeply. Chakra is an extension of one's soul and body, so he can maintain the connection, even if it's basically weak and can explode at any slight moment, it's meant to be enjoyable and not just to be a spectator.
Daigo was surprised by why the water clone appeared " could you explain why you made a clone? "
" I was recently asked what this is " the clone spoke this time, being Yūji's consciousness. In its hand CE appeared, that darkened flaming shape emitting terrible negativity; its face turned serious " it is... what I will teach you today, but it's something I'm sure only you can do "
Sukuna, being in the main body, smiled with excitement, twisting his neck repeatedly. There will be an exciting training session and he will make them manifest their cursed energy control.
But also, in order to make Yūji strong, he will have to show him what he has been hiding all these years; it will no longer be necessary, even though Yūji never felt it. Recently he could reconnect with that important thing from the last fight with Itadori.
" well, shall we begin? "
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[ im comeback, the adult life is hard okai, srry]