Chapter 34: Mountains

A single day has passed since Null and Nabito have spoken. A meeting was announced by Naobito early in the morning surprising the Zenin clan. Hundreds of kids and high-ranking members were gathered at the Zenin residence.

Naobito sat on a chair with a serious face. He looked through the crowd before angrily talking, shocking the clan that was used to his unserious drunken state. 

" Last night, Gen Zenin was found killed in a forest. I'm sure all of you remember Null Zenin, she is the main suspect in killing him. But she can't be found anywhere. "

The Zenin clan stared at Naobito in surprise. After watching Gen Zenin battle in the tournament they were sure that He and Naoya were the future of this clan. A somber look appeared on everyone's face except for Naoya who stared at his father in shock. Before smacking his lips annoyed. 

Clearly frustrated after hearing about the death of Gen Zenin, the meeting continued explaining the details of Gen Zenin's death but while this was happening. Inside a snowy mountain range, two cloaked figures could be seen walking on a snow covered trail heading up a mountain. Mute and Null were walking through a blizzard heading towards the dungeon inside the mountain range. 

Mute and Null walked silently leaving trails of footprints behind them. After walking for half an hour, an old creaky wooden shack could be seen. The wooden shack roof was covered in layers of thick snow. Mute stared at the wooden shack before his sister spoke. 

" The dungeon is under this wooden shack. I'm sure you're confused on why we're using a new dungeon or cellar to train but I'll explain it to you later. "

Mute and Null walk into the creeky shack before Mute realizes the wooden walls of the shack are full of cursed energy. Mute rubs his hand across the wall catching Null's attention who looks down at him and talks. 

" The walls are full of cursed energy to ensure that this wooden shack doesn't collapse. The weather is harsh and cruel. No matter the season, it'll always snow on this mountain. "

Mute nods his head as Null walks to the middle of the wooden shack before reaching down and grabbing onto a wooden handle that sticks out. She yanks a trap door open. The trap door leads to a stone staircase. The stairs are covered in old dry blood. Null stares down the staircase with an odd look on her face until she looks back at her younger brother and gestures to him to follow. They both walk down the staircase. 

The staircase is pitched black. Mute's and Null's footsteps echo out into the dungeon until they take the final step off the staircase. The dungeon is pitch black. Mute stares into the darkness until Null reaches out her left arm and flicks a switch sticking out of the wall. The sound of gears moving ripples out bouncing off the stone walls. The sound of buzzing insects enters Mute's ears catching him off guard until hundreds of yellow lights glow in unison.

The glowing lights come from cursed fireflies. The exact same cursed spirit that Null gave Mute on his 11th birthday. Mute eyes stare at the fireflies before he starts to look through the dungeon. 

The dungeon has chains hanging from the ceiling. The chains have handcuffs attached to the ends of them. Dried blood covers the floor and walls. Hundreds of weapons lay against the wall and are piled up on the floor. All the weapons are rustic and clearly old. The room is far larger than the other cellar. Being hundreds of feet wide. 

Mute looks at his sister. Her mind is clearly full of thoughts. Null feels her little brother staring at her so she looks at Mute before talking. 

" You're lucky brat, there used to be hundreds of skeletons in this dungeon, but it looks like someone has tidied this place up, "

Says Null before looking forward and taking a deep breath. She thinks to herself before talking again. 

" I should explain something to you. We believe Gojo is catching on to the plan of you assassinating him, so I have decided to increase the intensity of your training. Expect I won't be torturing you like usual. Instead, I'm going to help you train your cursed technique in a way you have never thought to. "

Mute looks at his sister confused as she walks to the middle of the dungeon. Mute closely follows his sister until they both stop standing next to each other. Null looks down at Mute before talking. 

" You only use your innate technique on physical objects such as stone or wood. But that will be useless against Gojo's infinity. So instead, try using it on conceptual things such as distance or fear. I know this won't make sense for a long time but don't worry you're going to be stuck with me for another two years. "...