A few days passed in the same rhythm, except lighter. Discharged or not, Tetsuya's body hadn't recovered to his peak. Despite all that, he didn't pause training.
His side throbbed with every twist. His left arm felt stiff, the muscles still recovering. He pushed through it anyway. If he couldn't even handle a little pain and discomfort, how could he become a real socrerer?
As he trained, his thoughts kept coming back to that last attack. The one that obliterated the warehouse. The trench carved through concrete and dirt like the earth had been torn apart.
It wasn't Missile Fist. Not the way he'd understood it. Not the way Jinichi used it.
But every time he tried to replicate it, nothing happened. Just normal projectiles slamming on the dummy.
'What the hell was that?'
The question looped endlessly in his mind, no answer in sight.
He fired another volley at it. Nine violet streaks arced through the air, curving slightly before impact.
The dummy rocked back but held.
Nothing like what he'd done in that warehouse.
Tetsuya exhaled sharply, lowering his fists, sweat dripping down his face despite the cool afternoon air.
Then he felt it.
A presence.
He turned.
Jinichi stood at the edge of the training circle, arms crossed, watching in silence.
Tetsuya stiffened instinctively, cursed energy humming faintly beneath his skin.
Another lecture? Another of his usual cold words?
But Jinichi didn't speak. Not immediately.
He just stood there, expression unreadable, that cross shaped scar catching the light.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Jinichi uncrossed his arms.
"It might be late." He said, voice flat. "But follow me."
Tetsuya blinked.
That was it. No explanation. No context.
Just an order.
Jinichi turned and walked away without waiting for a response.
Tetsuya stood there for a moment, confused, then followed.
They walked in silence.
Through the polished corridors of the inner estate. Past servants who bowed low at their approach.
Down hallways Tetsuya rarely visited, reserved for clan elders and high ranking members.
Tetsuya's mind raced.
'Where are we going? What's this about? Some kind of punishment? Come on. Surely I didn't deserve the disciplinary pit over being injured.'
Jinichi said nothing. Just walked with heavy, deliberate steps, never looking back.
Finally, they stopped.
In front of a massive set of doors.
Tetsuya's breath caught.
The Zenin Clan's Cursed Tool Repository.
He'd heard of it, of course. Even seen it in the anime.
The armory where the clan stored its most valuable weapons. Cursed tools passed down through generations, confiscated from enemies, collected from missions across decades.
Few were allowed inside.
Jinichi reached into his robes and pulled out a heavy iron key.
He slid it into the lock. Turned it once. The mechanism groaned, deep and resonant, like something waking from a long sleep.
Then the stitches appeared. Or rather, unfurled enough to be perceived as something other than smooth material. They were Thick, black threads woven across the seams of the door, pulsing faintly with cursed energy.
The stitches then unravelled.
The doors swung open slowly, groaning on ancient hinges.
Beyond them, darkness.
Then lanterns flickered to life, one by one, illuminating the space within in a red light.
The repository stretched back far deeper than it had any right to. Shelves lined the walls, floor to ceiling, each one filled with weapons. Swords. Spears. Chains. Daggers. Staves. Tools wrapped in cloth, sealed in cases, suspended in glass.
Cursed energy hummed in the air like static, thick and oppressive.
Jinichi stopped just outside the threshold.
He still didn't look at Tetsuya.
His voice was quiet. Almost awkward.
"Go in. Pick something you want."
Tetsuya turned sharply, staring at his father.
"What?"
Jinichi's jaw tightened. His hands clenched once at his sides, then relaxed.
"You heard me."
He still didn't meet Tetsuya's eyes.
Just stood there, stiff and uncomfortable, staring at the open door like it might close on its own if he looked away.
Tetsuya's chest tightened.
This was... an apology. It had to be right?
Or at least, the closest thing Jinichi knew how to give.
He wanted to say something. Anything.
But the words stuck in his throat.
'Do I even want to forgive him?' Tetsuya thought as he nodded once.
Jinichi grunted. A short, noncommittal sound.
"Just go."
Tetsuya stepped inside.
The repository was overwhelming.
Every step echoed softly against stone floors. The cursed energy pressed against him from all sides, each tool radiating its own unique signature.
Tetsuya walked slowly down the central aisle, eyes scanning the shelves.
Blades of every length and shape. Chains that rattled faintly despite being motionless. A staff that hummed with low, resonant energy. Gauntlets. Bracers. Rings.
Then he saw it.
Near the back, suspended on a simple wooden rack.
Playful Cloud.
The three section staff. Segmented, blood red and deceptively simple at a glance.
And yet, this was one of the most powerful cursed tools in existence.
A Special Grade tool that amplified raw physical force to absurd levels. No cursed energy required from the user. Just brute force.
In the hands of someone like Toji or Maki, it was devastating.
Tetsuya stopped in front of it, staring.
'This is it. This is the one.'
He reached out.
Then hesitated.
His hand hovered in the air, fingers inches from the staff.
'Is it though?'
He pulled his hand back.
'This is a one time chance. Who knows what else is in here?'
Playful Cloud was powerful, yes. Legendary, even.
'But would Playful Cloud even suit my style?' Tetsuya thought as his hand ran down Playful Cloud, gasping at its handle, and feeling the power within the tool.
He picked it up and threw a casual swing towards the entrance, making sure to not hit anything. Even then, a fierce wind roared forwards, surprising him.
'Even more powerful than I thought. But again. Mayeb soemthing is hidden here.'
Another thought then struck Tetsuya.
'Why haven't I tried making a cursed tool myself? Hell, Miwa's sword was made by her, right? Just pouring in cursed energy. Or am I remembering that wrong?'
Tetsuya thought as he put Playful Cloud back on its rack, starting to walk through the shevles and weapon holders for something.
[Author note:]
I already have something in mind for the future. The question I pose to you, is what kind of cursed tool will he get? What would you want him to gain out of this? plans or not to make something on his own, I wonder if some cursed tool that fits his style exists and just wasn't shown in the show?
Tell me your ideas. Both for now, and for the cursed tool he will probably make for himself.
[Author note end.]