Tension

[Author Note]

Disc: HrPrTeam

Did Kenjaku have plot armor in his fight against Yuki?

Surviving a planetary black hole is...interesting, even if his technique is suited for it.

Yes:

No:

__________

Naohiro

After getting up, I started to run again. However, I was much slower than before.

Sukuna really did a number on me. Even with adapted soul damage, his attacks were completely different from those of the soul splitter.

They are healing, but it did so much damage that it will still take a bit.

He, quite literally, removed my arms and legs from my soul. If I couldn't heal it, I would've never been able to use them again.

'clink'

Hah, thanks. It's faster now.

Thank God that I received pain resistance to a near-perfect immunity. It was one of the first things that I wanted to work on, so I would be able to fight even with immense pain.

It hurt so much that I couldn't even speak. I had to force out that last statement, but it was worth it. I needed to tell him what half of the fandom wanted to say, even if they weren't here to watch me.

My adaptations were heavily weakened, but the point stands.

Mahito, the curse whose whole schtick is soul manipulation, got one shot by Sukuna and scared him so much that he had to be at 120% of his potential to pull out a 0.2-second domain expansion to avoid him.

I'm not nearly strong enough to fight a full-powered Sukuna.

Duh.

If I could catch Sukuna in my domain and hit him with a world slash, maybe, but it would still be bad for me in a prolonged matchup if he can get a fire arrow off.

My slash resistance was extremely high, but I haven't been able to train for the Fire Arrow because of its insane potency. A domain from him would also suck.

At this point, I can beat at least 3-finger Sukuna, but I would lose in a domain clash. I'm not sure how strong Sukuna is until he reaches 15-fingers. The amount of cursed energy would most likely not cover the insane difference in refinement.

The problem is that the slash I can create won't be as useful as if Sukuna used it. I'm not better than Sukuna at using slashes since his whole cursed technique revolves around them. The range is also an issue; however, imbuing it into the soul splitter will cut through anything and cause a ton of soul damage.

Sukuna aimed it to hit Gojo in the stomach, where cursed energy comes from. I doubt that I can be that precise, but 99% of people can't even use the reverse cursed technique in the first place, so that isn't an issue unless I'm facing some of the stronger sorcerers.

Now, let's move on to what I gained from the fraudulent one.

1. Performing basic slashes.

The knowledge I gained was from dismantle, but I'm unable to use it like Sukuna.

2. Buffs gained as if Sukuna ate one of his fingers.

This means I got way more than a small fraction of cursed energy, increasing my physical stats as well.

3. Increase in cursed energy control.

Since I already had good control, mine is only second to an awakened Six Eyes user rather than a random mob with the Six Eyes.

I'll now be able to pick up almost anything.

Since it was only one-twentieth of his soul, I didn't gain as much as I would've liked. I didn't learn about cleave, the fire arrow, and Malevolent Shrine, but it is still really good.

I shouldn't complain when this is the fastest increase in strength I have ever had.

Now then...I finally reach my destination, which happens to be a cafe.

Are you kidding me!?

Walking inside, I look around before seeing Uraume and 'Geto' sitting down in a booth. Uraume with their eyes closed and Kenjaku with a smile.

'Geto' turns to me. "Hey, Naohiro! I ran into Nishida, and she suggested we sit down and catch up."

I make my way towards the booth before staring at them both. After a few seconds, I sit down next to Uraume, who looks disgusted but doesn't make a move.

With my neutral face, I speak up. "Where have you been? It's been two days, and nobody has heard anything from you."

He widens his eyes. "Two days? I was assigned to fight a grade-one curse. No way. It's just like that time when we went to save Utahime."

My hair covers my eyes. "This sucks."

Kenjaku tilts his head to the side.

I narrow my eyes. "Cut the shit. Even if your cursed energy is Geto's, I couldn't forget you. You have the same cursed energy as the woman from four years ago, but it's separate from Suguru."

Turning to Uraume, I speak up. "I know Noritoshi Kamo. So 'Nishida,' care to tell me who you are too? I'm assuming whoever this is across from me put you up to kill me."

Kenjaku speaks with a deranged smile instead of Uraume. "You're just as fascinating as you were four years ago. I'm glad to see you grow so much. Tell me, do you know why you are currently alive?"

I keep a neutral face. "No. Ever since I ate Sukuna's finger, I assumed that you would be trying to kill me based on your reaction and desire to keep it, but you haven't made a move after all these years."

Uraume touches my thigh, and it starts to freeze quickly. However, I use snatch to cut off their ice-cursed technique.

Turning to Uraume, I give them a smirk. "Did eating Sukuna hit a nerve?"

Veins started popping out of Uraume's face before whispering. "*Whisper* When he returns, you'll be the first one he kills."

Kenjaku narrowed his eyes, and I smiled. "You're planning on reviving Sukuna?"

I could tell. Kenjaku wasn't happy. "Uraume, get out."

Uraume stares at me with hatred as I move out of the way so they can leave, but making sure that they don't go anywhere.

I rest my hand on my chin. "Uraume huh? I have my own question for you. Do you think I will allow you to leave here alive? I'm no saint, nor am I evil. Based on your actions, you might've assumed that I wouldn't kill you because there are people around. However, you aren't an idiot, so you probably have something else in mind if it didn't work out. While I really hate dragging other people into my business, you're too deadly."

Kenjaku gives me a closed-eye smile. "You know, you are the most unpredictable variable, yet important. You aren't supposed to exist."

My eyebrow raises. "Tengen said the exact same thing. She also said that she had a friend who would be coming after me. So, 'Noritoshi Kamo,' do you happen to be this Kenjaku that Tengen talked about?"

He pondered for a moment. "That is one of my names, but I've had many. It's interesting. You remind me of someone...or something I encountered long ago. A truly horrifying creature that would kill all but the peak of sorcery."

I drop my facade and stand up before raising my hands and raising my cursed energy. However, Kenjaku does something that I couldn't even imagine.

He unwraps a cloth.

Is that!

...

...

...

Sukuna's fingers!?