November 17th, 2018, Aomori colony

  That’s strange.

  The king of curses chewed down on the roasted limb he was eating, stuffing the last bit of it into his mouth before swallowing. His gaze was fixated on the exit where his servant had just left through. Leaving him and everything else they had prepared alone.

  Uruame normally freezes the leftovers for me to eat later after I reheat them. Did Kenjaku say something to annoy them more than usual…

  Sukuna had never asked Uruame to freeze his meal before; they normally did so on their own. Despite the lack of asking them to do so, Sukuna couldn’t recall a time when they hadn’t. Normally the only times Uruame ever made the slightest mistake were because of Kenjaku’s antics. They never directly blamed him once, but Sukuna had picked up on how grating he was to them. Sukuna had told Kenjaku to stop with their provocations a few times. Though he could never be quite sure if they actually did.

  The food will be fine to eat for the next few days anyway.

  Dismissing Uruame’s atypical forgetfulness. Sukuna turned away from the rest of his food and began to walk towards the bath chamber. He had eaten his fill for the day and had far more pressing things he wished to do.

  This vessel and the white-haired sorcerer are rather close. Looking through his memories, I should be able to learn more about him.

  Ever since the sorcerer who had declared himself as the strongest had defeated him in his weakened state. They had remained on Sukuna’s mind. It was intriguing to see him so boldly declare he could beat Sukuna at his best. It didn’t appear to be a bluff either. Sukuna had told him in kind that he would be the first to die after he gained control of his cage. Things had changed a tad since then in regards to who housed him, but his promise had not.

  Sukuna had let Angel get away with minimal wounds, just taking a small bite as a snack. If they had died, then those fools would have had no way of getting him out of the prison realm. He could always just tell Kenjaku to let him out so he could kill him, but where was the sport in that? Sukuna letting him out so they could fight whenever and wherever he wanted took all the fun out of it. It would be much more interesting to let him come up with some plan with the rest of the brat's friends. The more food there was to eat, the better.

  In that vein, he had a strange fascination with the current meal he was about to enjoy. It was rather unlike him in regard to how he treated his food, but in this case he couldn’t help but be drawn into the allure of who Satoru Gojo was. He was no stranger to people proudly proclaiming they could best him. Each and every one Sukuna had swatted with a fly, but Satoru Gojo felt different. Never before had any of the “strongest” been so… well strong.

  It made Ryomen Sukuna curious. Curious if Satoru Gojo had chosen a similar path to his own. Had he too cast off everything in order to reach the pinnacle? It was the only route to reaching the truest heights of Jujutsu Sukuna had ever known. A road he had proven to be correct after oceans of blood had been spilled.

  If it turned out that Satoru Gojo had indeed walked a separate road from Sukuna. It made their oncoming battle even more exciting. It was yet another chance to prove his way as superior to all others.

  Sukuna walked down into the bath, his flesh as bare as the day he was born. He didn’t feel the need to further submerge the soul of his vessel. It was instead to assist him in recalling the memories of his vessel. The bath would serve as a sensory deprivation tank of sorts. Allowing him to better focus on his memories. The one’s he wanted to see and didn't want to see. The process of having all the memories your vessel held thrust into your mind was disorienting to say the least.

  It was like uploading hundreds of thousands of different pictures to a computer. Then trying to sort through them all manually to find anything you wanted. It was precisely this information overload that the king of curses sought to avoid. He had done so with his first vessel by creating a barrier separating the two’s memories. Likewise, he had done so upon taking flesh within his current vessel.

  Now he needed to pick through his vessel’s memories precisely. In order to do that, he first needed to enter a state akin to unconsciousness. Having chosen the bath as his method to reach such a state.

  Water splashed with each step he took down into the bath. Eventually his entire body had been submerged in the mixture of curse spirit fluids. Closing his eyes, the king of curses relaxed his being, akin to how one might try to fall asleep. After a few moments of concentration, he had managed to reach his destination.

  Opening his eye’s Sukuna was greeted with an endless hallway, doors resting on either side. Looking behind him, he was greeted with a similar view. It was the second time he had gone exploring through another’s mind. The first had been with the brat, though he had done so only a few times before realizing he was a total bore.

  By isolating each memory, Sukuna could control what he could see; it was far easier to digest information this way than by having it come at him all at once. Though the search process still took quite some time, the king could only regulate memories based on the people who were present. In this case he had focused on all memories containing Satoru Gojo. The result was having to look through a dozen bales of hay to find a needle rather than an entire farm. It was still quite the lengthy task, but much quicker.

  So the king of curses decided to start from the bottom up, entering the first door on his right. The memories were arranged in chronological order, so this memory in particular would be the first meeting between Satoru Gojo and Megumi Fushiguro.

  Upon going through the door, Sukuna walked into what looked like an ordinary city street. The details of what this place was and the time period flowed into his brain a moment later, information and feelings felt during the memory coming into his head.

  Standing a few feet in front of him were the two individuals he had focused out. The strongest was still a teen while his vessel was a child. Sukuna recalled the emotions that were felt by the child as the scene played out before him. A mixture of confusion and irritation.

  From what the king could tell, the boy had been sold off by his father, and then this era’s strongest had prevented such a fate. Sukuna racked his brain to try to understand the strongest’s motive for such an action. While he did so, the rest of the conversation the two had that night played out before him. The words spoken by the two fell on deaf ears. It was only until the Satoru Gojo’s final statement before leaving that Sukuna’s attention became focused.

  “You better get strong. Don’t get left behind.”

  The words hung in the air as he walked away. Confusing both Megumi and Sukuna as to what he truly meant by them. Sukuna exited through the door he had entered with. Turning around and finding it hanging within the air. Leaning against the wall once he entered the hallway, he began to think over what he had watched.

  Did he get left behind by someone? It seems likely.

  Having collected one piece in the puzzle that was Satoru Gojo. Sukuna turned his head to look down the infinite hallway before him. Intent on collecting the rest of the pieces.

  The king of curses was beginning to lose track of how many memories he had stumbled through. Walking down this hall of memories and opening every door, integrating each one into his being and refining his understanding of the strongest. He by now had traversed five years worth of memories. With every year, his knowledge of Satoru Gojo grew, and his interest in him waned.

  The man’s interactions with his vessel hadn’t happened very often, only between twenty or thirty a year. Every time they met, it was Satoru Gojo checking up on the boy to see how they were doing in school. Things the cursed king, needless to say, had no interest in. However, things were beginning to change in the most recent string of memories.

  About a dozen or so memories ago his vessel had been told by Satoru Gojo that his training as a sorcerer would officially begin. His vessel held little enthusiasm towards his announcement, though from what Sukuna saw. Satoru Gojo was rather invested in starting his training. From then on, every memory was of his vessel being taught sorcery by him.

  The pair were always alone when doing so; as such, it seemed Satoru Gojo personalized his lessons for his students. It was the same way he had taught the king's previous vessel. Adjusting the pace and lessons he taught for the benefit of the student. In both cases, Sukuna always found it odd; it seemed rather inefficient to him. Slowing down the pace to adjust for the deficiency of others only would foster weakness. Those who were too weak to keep up should be left behind. It was the way Sukuna had come to understand how to teach in any matter.

  Stepping out of the one door that had led to one such lesson, the king walked across the hallway to open the next door. He expected it to consist of the same boring drivel the last memories had been filled with; surprisingly, the door opened to quite the original scene.

  The king could tell that he had entered the school’s medical bay. In front of him, sitting on one of the tables, was his current vessel. He was injured fairly heavily; his arms were covered with wounds, and his side had been gouged out. Sukuna was impressed he could keep maintaining his half-bored expression with such injuries. Shoko Ieri was sitting down next to him, running reverse cursed technique through him. That must have contributed to how he could just sit there.

  They both turned their heads to the sound of a door opening, Sukuna followed suit a moment later. The trio saw a white-haired man quickly running in, water running down the air a few inches away from his body before falling onto the floor. He was wearing shades that concealed his eyes, but it was easy enough to tell that he was concerned from the way his voice carried across the room.

  “What happened?”

  “One of the people from the Zenin clan offered to get me real combat experience and let me fight a grade three curse spirit. I killed it after a little scuffle.” The boy looked away as he spoke. Sukuna felt shame as the feelings his vessel felt during this moment ran through him.

  “... Is that so?” Gojo spoke quietly. Fists clenching at his sides.

  “Gojo, I don’t think doing that is going to be good for anyone. Especially him.”

  Shoko spoke with disinterest, but her true intentions weren’t concealed. Gojo seemingly took her point as his body relaxed. Letting out a sigh as he began to rub his forehead.

  “Don’t do anything like this again, Megumi. It’s bad to follow strangers and let them sic curse spirits on you.”

  “I’m sorry, I just wanted to… You’re not mad at me, are you?”

  The boy turned back to look at Gojo when apologizing, only to look away once more as he posed a question.

  “No, I’m not mad at you, Megumi. I’m mostly mad at myself for not realizing something like this would happen. You’re a smart kid, so I know you probably realized the person who offered to let you fight the spirit had alternative reasons. Why’d you do it then?”

  Satoru Gojo walked over to the boy and placed a hand on his shoulder. Attempting to get to the bottom of the issue.

  “Well, I thought the thing might be strong and I… wanted to show you I could beat it.” He didn’t meet Gojo’s gaze while he spoke. A faint blush coming across his tiny cheeks.

  “...Why?” Satoru Gojo looked dumbfounded, confused as to the boy's intentions. Sukuna, shared his reaction. Shoko Ieri, who was still healing the boy, let out a lengthy sigh.

  “I’ll explain it to you later, Gojo. God, you can be so dense at times.” With her free hand, she buried her head into her palm. Barely having words at his lack of understanding.

  “You’re one to talk, Shoko,” Gojo spoke half-heartedly as he looked at her briefly before standing up. Walking out of the room a moment later, Sukuna himself was prepared to follow suit before Shoko Ieri began to speak.

  “Despite how he acts, I'm sure he knows how hard you’re working, Megumi. He just… has a really hard time understanding people.” She ran her free hand over Megumi’s head and the boy shook her off a moment later. Twisting his head to free himself from the display.

  “You two seem to understand each other fine,” Megumi pouted with a spark of jealousy in his voice.

  “Hmmm, not really. Honestly, I don’t think either of us understand each other as much as we should. Gojo’s strong, probably the strongest there ever will be. Because of that, it’s hard for him to understand others and for others to understand him. He’ll never say it, but he’s really lonely; it’s why he became a teacher. He wants to make sure the void in his heart never forms in others. You’re his first student, so please be patient with him. He’s learning as he goes and trying his best. I know it’s really selfish of me to make such a request of you, but I think teaching is good for him, and I don’t want him to give up on it.”

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  A silence formed as Megumi considered everything he had been told. The minutes ticked by as Shoko finished healing him. She had stood up and was about to leave the room before Megumi spoke towards her back.

  “If he’s lonely, why don’t you try and help him? You don’t seem particularly happy yourself, Miss Ieri.” Megumi’s innocent yet cut remark caused Shoko to stop in her tracks. Turning around to look at the boy with saddened eyes.

  “When we were in school, there was someone called Sugeru Geto. You could say he rounded out our trio. He and Gojo had known each other since they were little kids. I came in several years later. To both me and Gojo, Geto was a special person. He… moved away after we completed high school. Neither one of us could ever replace what he meant to us.”

  “Isn't that just an excuse? If Gojo’s your friend, you should spend time with him and have fun together. That’s what me and Tsubomi do.” Ridiculing the reverse cursed technique prodigy for her defeated attitude. She could only stare back at the child before her.

  “Sorry, Megumi, but I can’t fix him.” Shoko Ieri left the room after muttering her curse.

  The king of curses turned around and exited the memory. Having listened intently and kept the temptation to form judgments while the memory was unfolding at bay. Now that it was over, Sukuna freely used everything he had heard when it came towards Satoru Gojo to assess him.

  So he was indeed left behind by Suguru Geto. That’s the same person Kenjaku’s currently wearing. Then he became a teacher to avoid anyone else becoming left behind the same way he did.

  Having understood the reason behind Satoru Gojo’s actions, it made Ryomen Sukuna feel disgusted. Satoru Gojo lived his life doing the best he could to ensure all those around him were coddled. Keeping them together and dependent on one another, dragging everyone down in an attempt to not “leave them behind”. Sukuna had no real reason to care for how he taught his students, but it caused his anger to flare at how content Satoru Gojo was at preaching a mindset that would only spread weakness.

  Sukuna was used to hearing such frivolous rhetoric by others back in the Heian era, but those had all been by weaklings who stood no chance in battle against him. Satoru Gojo was strong, someone who the king couldn’t wait to face in combat and devour. To think he would lower himself and sprout such foolish words. Even worse, he seemingly was bothered by his loneliness. It was through that solidarity that he had achieved his might.

  “Ultimate strength and the solitude it brings. I’ll teach you about love.”

  The bond you shared with that woman and Sugeru Geto, Is that love? Do you reach out and seek to rekindle that flame, or have you realized it’s a fire that will forever remain extinguished? Either way you long for it, you long to feel love.

  How revolting.

  Walking down the seemingly endless hallway, an end to it was finally in sight. There were only fifty or so doors left before the king could finish his trip down memory lane. He had been tempted to leave and consider his pre-fight research done quite a few times, but he resolved himself to leave no stone unturned.

  He had long since stopped seeing anything new about Satoru Gojo’s character. It seemed he really just simply was lonely. He had reached the same summit the king had, but instead of accepting what lay there, he despised it instead. Longing to feel love, or what that woman had proclaimed to be love at the very least.

  Having given it some thought, the king had come to see their differing perspectives in a new light. His initial reaction of disgust towards the weakness of this age's strongest sorcerer hadn’t completely faded, but he had come to see it in a new way.

  Satoru Gojo had been born with two cursed techniques, both powerful on their own, but together their strength was amplified a hundredfold. Sukuna of course had encountered those who were born with multiple techniques on rare occasions. All of whom held a certain arrogance about them the king hadn’t paid mind to. In the Heian era, he rarely gave those he killed any thought after the fact.

  Looking back on it, that arrogance was born from something other than pride and faith in their abilities. It was a belief they had been chosen by the world itself, being blessed with a combination of powers others could only dream of. Looking at it from that perspective. Satoru Gojo could be said to be the most blessed of them all. Having been blessed with the limitless, six eyes, and unfathomable talent. He was born standing at the pinnacle, never having understood what it was like to climb the steps to reach it.

  Sukuna had been powerful since his birth. Despite this, he was surrounded by powerful individuals throughout his childhood; it kept him constantly striving for improvement. If Ryomen Sukuna’s path to the strongest had been a lengthy one full of strife, then Satoru Gojo’s path was simply being Satoru Gojo.

  Satoru Gojo had been chosen by the world.

  After thinking it over, it was the sentence Sukuna best thought encapsulated his being. Defeating the person whom the world had blessed. It made Sukuna smile a tad at how fitting it was. He had never cared for the words that man had spoken to him in his final breath, the task he had left to him. It was one he had done, but he had only done it because it was what he wanted to, not because he cared about bringing about that man's dream. Despite Sukuna’s lack of care, he still was capable of acknowledging that killing Satoru Gojo would be the most fitting action he had ever taken towards it.

  Sukuna had to assume Kenjau knew all this and was probably part of the reason he had arranged everything as such. It was precisely like him to see how such a thematic battle would play out. To entertain his curiosities of just who the winner would be. He would never understand what went on inside his head.

  Having finished his assessment, Sukuna opened another door, determined to reach the end of this hallway and eat a snack. Walking through the door, it seemed he was within the school the brat frequented. Sitting on the teacher’s desk was Satoru Gojo; the rest of the room was occupied by his students—all four of them.

  There were three second years, the only one who was missing was the one who had said they would stop the king; of course, his vessel was one of the ones present as well.

  “All right then, Yuta’s gone overseas with Miguel, so I know all of you are itching to undergo some of your own training. That’s why today I think we’ll work on close combat for all of you. Inumaki, you can continue working on increasing the efficiency of your output,” jumping off the desk, Satoru Gojo instructed his class on the lesson plans for today.

  Having unfortunately seen well over a hundred of these damned lessons, Sukuna was able to tell something was amiss. Typically the students just looked annoyed at their teacher. Now they looked at him concerningly, glancing at one another as if to see who wanted to speak out first. Eventually, Gojo took note of his students silence.

  “What’s wrong There’s no need to be glum; just because none of you can beat me doesn't mean it’s not good training. How about all three of you come at me at once, or Maki can go fi--”

  “Are you sure you don’t want to take a few days off, Gojo?”

  “Yeah, you don’t have to teach today.”

  “Clean your damn blindfold on your day off.”

  “Salom.”

  Megumi was the first to speak up, who was quickly followed by the other three. Gojo looked at them surprised, or as surprised as you could be while your eyes were concealed.

  “I’m hurt to think you all would want to get rid of me. As soon as Yuta leaves, you stage your coup. I can’t believe he would be the only one who--”

  “Go find Shoko and get drunk or whatever irresponsible adults do. All of us can last one week without your ever so diligent instructions.” Despite the girl's remark at the end, it was clear she had meant the words.

  “Is that what this is? Shoko put you guys up to get me to join her. I’ve told her no more times than I can count these past ye--”

  “WOULD YOU STOP ACTING LIKE YOU'RE FINE!”

  A yell came from the side of the room as the dark-haired boy stood up, hands crashing onto the table loudly. Everyone looked at the boy in neutral shock over his uncharacteristic emotional display.

  “It’s only been a few days since the night parade of one hundred demons. Go take some time off and mourn Suguru with Shoko.” He seemed unbothered by the attention as he made his request through gritted teeth.

  “Sorry, but even if it’s a request from one of my students, I’m afraid I’ll have to refuse. I’m not acting like I’m fine; I just simply am. As for mourning him… me and Shoko agreed that the person we knew died a long time ago.”

  Gojo Satoru spoke cheerfully like he normally did as he disccused such heavy topics, the dichotomy put all the students on edge.

  “Anywho. Hand to hand, who wants to man up and fight me, or woman up? Come on, Maki, let's go.” Raising his fists in a mock fighting stance, the strongest gestured towards her.

  In response she just looked at him lazily before letting out a sigh, standing up and walking towards him. Satoru Gojo started jumping up and down erratically like a boxer with a grin on his face. He quickly stopped as his smile turned to a frown, Maki had walked past him and reached the door frame.

  “I always thought you were just an irritating jerk. I didn’t know you could be this sad.” Maki left after saying her piece, and Panda and Inumaki followed shortly after. Satoru Gojo looked at them while they left, staring at the empty door frame like a dog waiting for their owners to come back.

  “So then, I take it you're the one who told them about Suguru Megumi?”

  “I did, yes,” Megumi’s voice was quiet. His earlier vigor seemingly had been drained.

  Having been left alone, the two stared at each other. A certain intensity filled the room that wasn’t there before.

  “Might I ask why?”

  “Because as your students, we want our teacher to be fine,”

  “Why did you think I wouldn’t be fine? I’m the same as I always have.”

  “THAT'S THE PROBLEM, YOU MORON!” Megumi slammed his fist into the wooden wall as he shouted.

  “You’re always the same. Even now after you had to kill your best friend. You’ve built so many walls around yourself that no one can tell how you really feel. We care about you, Shoko cares about you, and I care about you. You don’t have to deal with everything alone; why won’t you let anyone help you?” Speaking from his heart, Megumi desperately tried to appeal to Gojo to let those who cared for him in. trying to show the strongest he didn’t have to be alone.

  “Because Suguru left me behind,” Gojo shot down his students' appeal bluntly. Letting his words hang in the air for a moment before continuing on.

  “There’s nothing anyone can do to fix that, Megumi. No matter how much you try to reach me. I’m sorry, but you’ll never make it.” Gojo’s voice was soft as he let his student down. Telling him to stop trying to reach him with all the care his voice could muster.

  “Why not? Because you don’t think we can? Who the hell says you have to be alone except you?” Megumi moved even closer to the strongest as his bombardment of questions laid into him. Now only standing a few feet in front of him.

  Sukuna watching from the sidelines couldn’t help but feel surprised by his uncharacteristic display of emotion. When he had been inside the brat, he had rarely seen his current vessel express himself. The most notable time had been when he had expanded an incomplete domain. Still, compared to then, the boy's emotions were much more front-facing now.

  His desire to comfort his mentor must have been what brought this side of him out.

  “Megumi, please just stop trying; I’ve already told you there’s nothing you can do,” Satoru Gojo began to walk away as he dismissed his students' plea.

  “Stop saying the same damn things and start--”

  “You’re too weak,” he interrupted his student with a curt assessment. Stating plainly the reality of the situation. Megumi looked towards his back, mouth agape.

  “What does that ha--”

  “Because anyone I let get close will just leave me eventually. It’s not your fault Megumi, so don’t blame your own strength. It’s just that no one in the world could ever reach my level.” Finally saying why he viewed connection as an impossibility. The strongest turned to face Megumi, looking at him from behind his blindfold.

  Megumi looked back, not sure what to say. That only lasted for a few seconds before Megumi spoke again. His words carried an intensity and desire that both Sukuna and Satoru Gojo were surprised by.

  “Don’t count on that. I’ll reach your level someday.” It was a simple statement, with an even simpler meaning. Everyone in their lives dreams of reaching the pinnacle of their desired lifestyle at least once. Most gave up on such foolish dreams quickly after realizing it was unobtainable.

  However, those who gave up on those naive desires often did so because they had a half-hearted reason for doing so. For Megumi Fushiguro, no such reason was the case. He would dedicate himself to reaching that very pinnacle for the sake of another—unaware that that very selfless dedication was precisely why he would never make it there.

  Megumi Fushigiro was an incredibly talented sorcerer. It was that very talent that had captivated Sukuna. Possessing a body that was not only perfectly suited to contain him but also an equally powerful technique that the king would utilize to the fullest. However, despite being born with a talent capable of reaching the stars. He lacked the desire to soar up to that sky.

  Megumi Fushiguro was undeniably selfless, willing to cast off his life at a moment's notice for the sake of others. Though this selflessness, while it could be said to be a positive trait, came from quite the negative complex. Every step Megumi Fushiguro had ever taken had been for the sake of someone other than himself.

  He became the pupil of Satoru Gojo for his sister’s happiness, not his own. His desire to reach for the summit was for Satoru Gojo’s sake, not his own. It was no exaggeration to say Megumi Fushiguro’s life had never once been directed by what Megumi Fushiguro wanted for himself. The selflessness he so often showed was rooted in his lack of self-worth.

  Megumi’s complex was only exacerbated by his technique. One where he called forth shikigami to fight in his stead. Not to mention his suicidal trump card he had developed a dependency on unleashing.Due to all these factors, Megumi’s selflessness and lack of self-worth had become one and the same. Nearly impossible for anyone except those who knew him well to tell apart.

  Megumi Fushiguro simply lacked the mindset for sorcery. Jujutsu was something one had to be selfish in order to strive in. To take hold of your ideal and bring it to reality with nothing but your own strength. It was something Sukuna had noticed lacking in this age’s sorcerers. So he was far from surprised at seeing the same issue be present in his vessel’s mentality. It simply was disappointing for the king to continue to see.

  “Is that so? I'll be waiting for you then, Megumi.” Satoru Gojo didn’t seem to see the same issue Sukuna had with Megumi's declaration. Or if he did, he certainly didn’t say as much. Walking out of the room a moment later, Sukuna followed suit as he exited the memory.

  The king had very little to think about in regards to the scene he had just watched. In accordance, he quickly walked towards the next doorway. Opening it and stepping through.

  While he didn’t dwell on that memory, which contained information the king had no use for. He did have a singular lingering thought that was stuck in his mind. It had been worded differently, but Megumi’s declaration reminded the king of the curses of what Uruame had told him over a millennia ago.

  It was a promise they had made of their own accord. One Sukuna rarely, if ever, thought of; he simply hadn’t found it to be anything of note. Though perhaps they had meant something the king hadn’t been able to understand back then. Though this in itself raised a different question that Sukuna found even more troubling.

  If he hadn’t understood what their promise had meant before, why had it become clear to him now? Had Sukuna changed since the Heian era? If he had, what had been the catalyst? He lived his life the same as he always had, however he desired. He would do what he wanted, eat what he wanted, and live how he wanted to. If others couldn’t understand that or got in his way. It was their problem; he wouldn’t change the way he lived for anyone.

  So then why had he been able to realize something he hadn’t before? Was it as simple as that particular memory giving him a flash of inspiration? It seemed too convenient and like something that could’ve come much earlier.

  Not paying the king's internal dilemma any mind. The memory that he had entered began to unfold, yet another one of the tedious lessons. Shaking his head, Sukuna sighed.

  Whatever, I'm thinking about it too much. Anymore and I’ll start talking like Kenjaku.

  Realizing he was starting to sound like his annoying teacher. Sukuna folded his arms over his chest. Smiling as he thought about the immediate future.

  I’m almost done here, and then I can go eat. The greatest meal I'll ever have is about to appear; it’s only right I give myself some time to prepare for it.

  November 19th, 2018, Aomori colony

  Liquid sloshed around Sukuna as he emerged from the bath. Rippling out and traveling across the mucky surface in waves. Sukuna walked to where he had placed his bathrobe and draped it over his body unceremoniously. Beginning his ascent upwards after.

  He had finally finished the tedious task of combing through every memory he had a desire to view. Most of which had been uneventful and rather dull of the king where to assess them, but he had managed what he had sought out to do so it was a worthy concession.

  The duration of the time that had passed while he had been bathing escaped him. It couldn’t have been very long, though. Uruame would have been waiting by the bath for him to emerge if they had retrieved his finger. At most only half a week had likely passed. The king paused as he realized there was a simple way to check where they had gone.

  “Kogane, where is Uruame?”

  “I’m sorry there’s no player under that name.”

  They didn’t participate in the game? Well, that makes sense; they’d rather use their domain to enter than concede to anything Kenjaku did. Still, it makes finding them a pain… It doesn't matter anyway; they prepared plenty of food in advance.

  Not being able to ascertain his servant's location, the king paid such a thing no mind as he proceeded to climb the steps. After all, Uruame would return with their task completed; any other option simply didn’t exist. Not once in their decades together had they truly failed him.

  Reaching the top of the stairs, Sukuna's head was preemptively turned so he could look towards his prearranged meal. Unsurprisingly, his meal had remained where it was. Though due to him looking towards his food, Sukuna had failed to see the person who had been waiting for him since yesterday in the middle of the room.

  “Hello, Ryomen.”

  Taking him by surprise, the king of curses looked towards the voice. His eyes widened in silent shock as they saw who it was, even more surprised by their lack of clothing.

  “Uro?”

  An acknowledgment of her identity was all the bewildered king could muster. Her appearance caught him completely by surprise. Kenjaku had told him Uro would be participating amongst others the king had known, but it had long since slipped his mind.

  “There’s…”

  Uro looked away as she paused, her breath catching before she puffed out her chest and spoke aloud.

  “We need to talk.”