The undisputed King of Curses had only twenty fingers, yet each one contained enough cursed energy to rival his original form.
Ryuu also recalled something—not only did each of Sukuna's fingers hold immense power, but they also contained fragments of his immortal soul, preserved for a thousand years.
It was an interesting concept.
Ryuu lifted the finger pulsing with malevolent energy and, at the same time, dispelled the overwhelming cursed aura he had just released.
But it was already too late.
In the next instant, a new cursed spirit emerged, drawn by the residual energy of Sukuna's finger.
Instead of instantly exorcising it like before, Ryuu let it live.
Cursed energy gathered around him, and a massive skeletal hand materialized behind him. Without hesitation, it grabbed the cursed spirit and slammed it into the ground.
BOOM!
The entire floor trembled violently. Glass shattered. Tables toppled over.
People inside the bar screamed in confusion.
"What's going on?!"
"An earthquake?!"
But before panic could spread further—
Ryuu's Mangekyō Sharingan spun.
Every civilian in the bar collapsed instantly, unconscious.
Mei Mei, who had been watching silently, let out a small sigh.
"Really, Ryuu-kun…" she muttered, swirling her wine lazily. She had expected nothing less from someone as free-spirited as him.
Without even acknowledging the chaos, Ryuu turned his attention back to the cursed spirit still trapped in Susanoo's grip.
With a flick of his wrist, he tossed Sukuna's finger directly into the creature's mouth.
The transformation was immediate.
The moment the cursed object was absorbed, a massive surge of cursed energy erupted. The cursed spirit's bloated, grotesque body began to shift.
Its form contorted, peeled, and reshaped itself—
Until, finally—
It became humanoid.
A powerful special-grade cursed spirit now stood before them.
Even Mei Mei, who rarely showed emotion, felt a twinge of pressure.
"A special-grade curse…" she muttered, gripping her glass a little tighter.
Even after evolving, however, the newly transformed spirit remained trapped in Susanoo's grip—utterly helpless.
It didn't matter if it was first-grade or special-grade. In front of Ryuu, it was nothing but an insect.
Mei Mei tilted her head. "Are you planning to exorcise it now?"
Ryuu smirked. "Not yet. I just wanted to see something."
His Mangekyō Sharingan spun faster, and his vision shifted—
Piercing through the cursed spirit's very existence.
Straight into the depths of its soul.
---
It was a grotesque realm.
A sky filled with twisted bones, the ground drenched in pools of blood. At the peak of a hill made of corpses, a shadow loomed.
The undisputed King of Curses sat upon a throne of skulls, eyes closed in deep slumber.
Then—he stirred.
Sukuna's two faces slowly opened their four glowing eyes. His towering four-armed body stretched, his monstrous form exuding pure malice.
A demon.
A true monster that had once ruled an era of slaughter.
And now, after a thousand years—
Someone had dared to intrude upon his domain.
Sukuna glared down at the uninvited guest.
"To peer into my soul without my permission…"
His voice was both ancient and terrifying.
"Fool. Do you not understand your place?"
Then, a flicker of amusement.
"No matter. I am feeling generous today. Since it has been a thousand years, I will allow you to live…"
A blade of cursed energy materialized in his grasp—
And with a single, effortless slash—
He split the air beside Ryuu.
BOOM!
The force of the attack sent blood spraying into the sky, carving a deep gash in the land itself.
Ryuu, of course, was untouched.
He let out a soft chuckle.
"The strongest from a thousand years ago?"
His Mangekyō Sharingan gleamed with challenge.
"Show me what you've got."
Sukuna's expression darkened.
"Tch. Sorcerers are always so irritating, no matter the era…"
With an air of pure boredom, Sukuna raised one of his four hands—
And slashed downward.
The attack came blazing fast.
A cut so powerful it could cleave mountains.
CRASH!
But—it never touched him.
The attack collided against a barrier of bone, shattering on impact.
Sukuna's smirk vanished.
"…Interesting."
For the first time in centuries, something unexpected had happened.
Rising from his throne of skulls, Sukuna stretched all four arms outward.
With slow, deliberate steps, he descended the hill of corpses. The sea of blood rippled beneath his feet.
"Boy," Sukuna sneered, cracking his knuckles.
"I hope you don't break too easily."
Without hesitation—
Sukuna attacked.
###
Same old yada yada... Stones are appreciated.
P@treon // Kryzt