Chapter 10: The Test

Inside Yuji

"What are you playing at, Kaede? Don't tell me you want to ally with those sorcerers," said Sukuna from his throne.

Kaede nodded and explained his reasons. "For now, I'll pretend to be their ally. Later, I'll figure out what to do since I don't know much about what's happening outside... And you, Sukuna, what's your plan?"

"Do you really think I'm going to tell you when you're plotting against me?" replied the curse mockingly. "Do whatever you want. If it doesn't bother me, there will be no need to fight. Otherwise, we'll have to repeat our last battle."

"Jeje, sure, but don't worry... All I want is to get back outside. It's horrible being trapped in here," replied Kaede.

"And what makes you think you'll be free, that they'll leave you alone, that they won't try to kill you? Sorcerers are the most treacherous and cowardly beings in the world. When they see you're too powerful and a possible threat, they'll do everything to kill you. But you already know that, right?" retorted Sukuna.

"..." Kaede didn't respond and turned his attention back to the outside.

Outside

"Nobara, Yuji. You two will go in and exorcise the curses in the building," said Gojo to his new students.

"Ew..."

"Uh? But a curse can only be exorcised with cursed energy, right? I don't know how to use it yet," explained Yuji.

"You're already something like a half-curse," replied Gojo, taking out a wrapped object. "Cursed power already flows through your body, but you can't control it in a day... That's why you'll use this." He handed over a weapon, a hilt.

"Wooow..."

"It's a talisman called Demon Slayer. It's a weapon imbued with cursed power. It should be effective against curses," explained Gojo to an excited Yuji. "Oh, also... Don't let Sukuna out. If you do, all the nearby curses will be slaughtered, and nearby people will be affected too."

"...?" Nobara hurried Yuji.

"I think I'll go too," Fushiguro told his sensei.

"Don't overexert yourself, you're still recovering," stopped Gojo.

"But Itadori needs to be monitored, right?" Fushiguro replied.

"Yes, but... This time the one being tested is Nobara, and it's also an extra test for Kaede."

"What do you mean?"

Gojo simply sat down before responding. "Let's say there's a curse in there that they won't be able to defeat..."

"What?! Why do that? They're novices, they won't know what to do," criticized Fushiguro.

"Don't worry. If what I think doesn't happen, I'll go help them."

Inside the building

"Ah, so annoying. Why is the first thing we do in Tokyo interacting with curses?" Nobara complained.

"Eh? We came to exorcise them," replied Yuji, nervous.

"Let's split up to save time. I'll start from the terrace and go down, while you start from the ground floor," explained Nobara. "Let's finish this and get some sushi."

"Wait, let's be more serious. Curses are very dangerous, it's better if we stay together."

"Eeh?! I don't want to hear that from someone who was acting like an idiot until recently," Nobara bellowed, kicking Yuji down the stairs.

"I DON'T UNDERSTAND YOU AT ALL! WHY DO YOU ACT LIKE THIS ALL DAY?!" shouted Itadori.

"Because you're unpopular."

"How do you know that?!"

Itadori started complaining. "Is she so popular to say that? Damn it..."

"Hey, I don't want to bother you with your petty problems, but I think there's a much bigger issue behind you," Kaede warned.

"Eh?"

Quickly drawing his weapon, Itadori cut the claw that was about to crush his head. "That was close. Thanks... I guess."

"You're welcome. Wow, it's really ugly. I didn't know curses had evolved to be more grotesque, or if it's just this particular case."

It was a quadrupedal curse that moved with agility. Its limbs ended in large, sharp pincers. Its body, covered in thick, scaly skin, had a slightly human structure, with an upright torso and a face that mixed human and animal features, highlighted by bright yellow eyes and a mouth full of sharp fangs. Its appearance combined the bestial and the human in a disturbing and sinister way.

"Jeje, work hard, kid. If you need help, just call me and we'll negotiate the price... though I'll give you a hint: aim below," said Kaede before disappearing again.

"What a help... tsk, what do I do?" Itadori didn't have much time to think as the curse, with great speed, swiped at him, forcing him to jump back.

Below... below... BELOW! Finally, he realized how far apart its legs were and that his hand couldn't reach there in time. So, he rolled between them, cutting one of its legs. Turning quickly, he stabbed its back, but found its skin too tough to pierce.

Tsk, its legs are its weak point... But now it's much more alert than before. Analyzing his surroundings quickly, Itadori realized something.

That eye... "Kaede, if I stab that, will it die?"

...

Tsk. "Fine, I'll do it myself. AAH!" With a shout, Itadori charged at the curse, taking advantage of its imbalance, landing several cuts on its body.

In a desperate move, the curse managed to wound Itadori's left arm with its single claw but lost its stance.

Taking advantage, Itadori stabbed the golden eye with all his strength, making the curse shriek before it started to disappear.

"Uf, uf... I DID IT!"

Inside Yuji

"Wow, I didn't think he would make it without my help. Jeje, I underestimated him," said Kaede, pleasantly surprised by his vessel's agility and cunning, smiling at Sukuna. "What do you think, friend?"

"..."

"Wise words, uh." With nothing more to say, he turned his attention back to the outside.

I honestly don't get it... What's your plan, Kaede? thought the King of Curses.

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I hope you liked it. See you next time!