Chapter 30

Hida Province.

The land ravaged by curses. So much so the jujutsu council refuses to do anything about it, not that any of them have tried to help cleanse the land... "We merely need fifty sorcerers. Surely. You can spare…"

"Enough Tooru!"

It the was the same story over and over again, the Tooru's followed the needs of the people, where the curses gathered was where they went to next to exorcise them. Yet, when the job appeared to be bigger than their capabilities, they sought help through the council and jujutsu society.

They were always turned down. Many sneered at the name Tooru, for they weren't afraid to stand up to the way things were. They sought change and wished for their ideas to be heard. Yet no one would listen. Despite how powerful they are, they never forced their strength upon others to gain what they desired. Even so, sorcerers of the time sought to gain the emperor's ear. Those with great power were given such privileges as well as payments for services to the emperor. If he ever caught wind of this powerful family, those in power soon wouldn't be. Thus, they were suppressed and ignored.

That was years ago.

The Tooru family left then and there for the Hida Province, no one has heard from them since.

For that matter, there was no word from the guard they sent to take that deformed child to the area either. It can take months to get from one place to another, there are no paved roads and the paths are tricky and full of danger, they were given the best horses and strongest sorcerers to ensure the child made it there alive. Perhaps matters have changed and the boy died on the journey, either way, it didn't matter to them.

Yet, as time passed, the heads of the jujutsu society were called. The emperor wanted to speak with them himself. The five elders went to see him in person, lowering their heads before their king as he stared at them with a rather concerning look. "Tell me, how was it done?" he asked.

"My emperor?"

"I have been given word of the Hida Province," he said with a leery tone. "What has plagued them… has ended. The land has become calm once more and the people have sent their gratitude to me, so I ask again. How was it done?"

None of them moved. It had been five years since the deformed child was sent, there was no way he could have done a thing in that land, considering he had no concept of his own abilities! The Tooru family was a mere handful; they couldn't have dealt with those curses on their own!

"We… have not been to the province great one. In fact, we merely did as you wished, sending the deformed child there as a deity. I doubt a mere boy could do anything to solve the issue…"

"Then go see!" he ordered. "I want answers, and I wish to know… whoever cleansed that land… must speak with me!"

They gulped their pride but did as they asked.

#

It took time to reach the land, yet once they did; it had drastically changed from the last time they were there. Before the earth was barren, the waters were dry as the people suffered under the effects of curses. Their desperation, despair and hopelessness all fueled the curses and allowed them to grow stronger and stronger.

Yet, they came to a mountain village, the ones most ravaged by such creatures and the energy… only to find it has grown lush and green once more. People were out and bout, children playing without a care in the world or fear for that matter.

Yet, as the elders arrived, the people stopped and stared. "Yes? Can we help you? Are you merchants or travellers?"

"Travellers," the eldest stated.

"Where is your deity?" asked the youngest of the elders.

They looked confused. "What deity? We have a young lord here that has tended to the lands, he may look different but he is quite wise."

A Feudal Lord, does this mean someone else has cleansed this land?

Curiosity got the better of them, they were led down to the foothills of the mountain where a modest castle awaited them. Not large but it stood out rather oddly. They approached it but instantly sensed the curse energy.

It was nothing like they have ever felt before!

They were allowed in without issue, there weren't any guards which was strange for a lord of the land to not have. Yet as they walked in, they froze at the sight.

Sitting on a throne, was a young, deformed boy. "We have yet to look at the issues in the east, however I strongly believe that the curse has travelled to that area…" the conversation came to a drastic stop as those before the young boy turned.

The elders froze as well. "Tooru!"

The Tooru family had prospered here, there were five elder men who spoke to the boy with such… respect. "Elders of the jujutsu society… welcome." They said and bowed respectfully, merely lowering their heads, but nothing more.

The deformed child merely nodded to them. "Back to the matter, we know it was a curse, quite strong at that, but is there any indication it traveled that far? We are merely shifting the pain here, and not solving the issue," the deformed child stated.

There was such maturity in him, the elders were quick to explain why the curse that caused damaged had moved to such a place, but they were looking into other factors.

"Don't turn your backs on us! We just arrived! This is how you greet your guests?!" the eldest demanded.

The boy rolled his eyes to it all, he stood from his throne and approached them. "You come here unannounced, and you expect hospitality?" he asked in a calm yet chilling tone. "If you are to lecture me on manners, I will be sure to return the same courtesy to you."

They sneered. "Do you remember us boy?"

He looked into their faces and nodded. "Too well unfortunately."

They were taken aback. This child dared to have lip on him! "You were to come here and be a deity to the people, why are you a feudal lord!?"

"So it was you," one of the elder Tooru men said aloud. "Should have known… oh, my apology for interrupting you, Sukuna."

He waved it off. "No, it was befitting to have your suspicions confirmed." It was creepy that he could focus on elders on either side of him without breaking eye contact. But he shifted his glare back to the elders of the jujutsu society. "Had you sent word of your arrival, I would have offered better hospitality. Those who come unannounced before me, are not to be greeted with such openness. State your business here."

They couldn't get over it, this boy… no more than ten years of age if they were to guess, and yet, he stood as tall as a young man. He spoke beyond his own maturity and with such power too. He feared none of them, despite the fact they are the strongest sorcerers known in Japan, he showed no anxiety or acknowledgement of such!

"How did you fix this land?"

Sukuna smiled. "A lot of work," he simply stated. "It was infested with curses, it grew worst after my arrival, but it was quickly managed as we learned various things about such creatures. But that's beside the point, why are you here? Curious to how it was done OR fearful as to how it was achieved?"

None could speak before him. How could they?

"I don't wish to be rude, but I have other matters to attend to, you are permitted to stay for four days, no more or less. After those days, I wish you to be gone." With that, he turned his back and focused on the Tooru elders.

How… how did it comes to this? A mere child possessing more curse energy than the five combined? The Tooru family must have known this as well, they are seeking to control this boy for their own gain! That's it isn't it? The Tooru family has finally found a way to be heard, and it's by controlling that deformed child!

They left shortly after without another word. The elders looked to each other and nodded. "We have to get him on our side, we have to show him the Tooru family is using him for their own benefit, then… we will use him for ours!"

They agreed on the notion and left to find a place to rest, for four days, they have to come up with a plan. But how to convince a child like that to listen to what they say?

#

He waited for them to leave. Turning to the elder Tooru members he nodded his head. They bowed and left the room, only to have five others appear. One older man, two older women and a young man and woman came before him. They were his true committee, the others were merely a cover for them, after all, the jujutsu council wouldn't approve of women being listened to.

"You heard them?" he asked.

"All too well," Kaida came out from behind his throne, she shook her head to it all. "The elders don't ever change…" she said in a defeated sigh. "No doubt they have come for you after hearing what happened here."

"Just as Ryujin predicted…" Sukuna said and paused to consider the next course of action. "What do you think we should do?"

"In all honesty, this is going to depend on your choices." Said Kaida's mother. Sukuna has affectionately called her Mother Tooru. She has always been the one to offer sound advice to him, "If anything, listen to their tone and how they speak to you. You know how people talk who undermine others. It sounds the same to me, but I don't wish to make that judgment call for you or for everyone here."

He nodded in agreement to her words. The Tooru family never forced their ideas upon him. Many time he wants to figure things out for himself, to better understand the world around him. They offer advice when he asks, but most of the time, he left to figure out what to do next on his own accord. He has to, he is the lord of the land and needs to do what is best for the people and not himself.

He knows what it's like when someone doesn't have their best interest at heart for those around them.

"I say we watch them for the first few days, and gauge how they react to the people here. Keep a close eye on them, and inform me of their activities,"

They nodded in agreement and left him with Kaida. He turned to her and said. "May I please speak with Ryujin?"

She nodded.

Her eyes closed, her hair became ablaze as her eyes altered to that of a dragon. "It's been a while Ryomen… you've grown stronger"

"Thank you for noticing, Ryujin, I am not trusting these elders words. They are the same who sent me to this land to be rid of me when I was merely a child. To be used as a scapegoat in an sense… but I don't know how to move forward if they are watching me the way they are."

Ryujin nodded. "It's a delicate balance that needs to be done, I agree with your thoughts. But, how to go about them is another issue. The family has long had problems with the jujutsu society, they seek to expand their power and influence, and don't appreciate commoners being part of their legions. Those who we have trained will not sit well with them."

Sukuna nodded. "What do we do then? This feels rather delicate to use force, and if I use force then it will only make them believe they are in the right for my lack of empathy…"

Ryujin smiled proudly. "You are really thinking over your plan, that's excellent. Far too many times have I see sorcerers go into battle without a plan and assume erasing everyone will solve the problem. How can it? You erase those enemies, but words spreads of your power, creating more of them, bringing them to your step and endangering those around you."

Sukuna nodded. "I fear what would have happened had you not taught me my abilities." He said and smiled. "I would have been a walking disaster,"

"You grow and continue to do so. Your curse energy and technique improve each and every day. That alone takes time, you have made great progress."

He nodded. Peering down they were the only marks he had for the time being, they wrapped around all four of his wrists and contained the jujutsu he has learned and gained as a child. If anything, these marks appeared when he was left to defend himself from the others who were forced to fight or die. "I will wait and see what these elders say and do here, I will make my decision then…"