Chapter 33

They came from all across the lands.

The jujutsu council kept track of those who came, and the lords who answered the call of the emperor. The warriors were separated from the sorcerers to ensure there was an even count. Yet there was a commotion.

Those who came from other lands stopped, stared and froze.

The council themselves also froze as they saw a massive creature approach! A man with four arms and two faces had come and was awaiting his turn to enter.

"M… monster! MONSTER!" someone shouted.

"Sukuna," he replied rather bluntly. "Are you answering the emperor's decree or are you merely waiting outside the walls to be invited in?" he demanded.

Suddenly, people parted and allowed him to the front, he saw the council and merely smirked to them. "Greetings, Lord Ryomen Sukuna, personally answering the Emperor's decree."

They froze as they looked around him. "Where is the other?"

"Unnecessary," he stated. "I will answer both challenges with my own power and strength." He spoke confidently and walked on to the emperor's castle grounds.

#

It was to be expected.

He told the Tooru family his notion, despite the fact that Ryoto wanted to go with him. "Two warriors, I should go with you" he said.

Sukuna turned him down. "I need you here, why summon two of the strongest warriors suddenly to the emperor's domain?" he asked. "If anything, he will have spies there, watching those who are sent carefully. If anyone appears threatening they will certain counter strike while their strongest two warriors are away. If anything, I want the Emperor to see who I am, the child he sent to he his scapegoat has returned!" he said and smiled wickedly. "I do think he won't be expecting me, let alone understand why I declared myself a feudal lord rather than a deity."

Ryoto sighed aloud, he didn't agree but he understood the reasoning. "We will make certain the village is safe and those in the remote regions."

"Please do, while I am gone, Ryoto, you, Kayda and Ryujin are in charge of the lands in my absence."

"Only Ryoto," came the voice of Ryujin.

Sukuna paused. "Why is that? Ryujin I have complete…"

"For there are those in the empire looking for me as well. If they knew I existed here… it will only spell trouble for the likes of you and those around us." Ryujin explained. "When you return, I will explain myself, for the moment… keep your mindset and focus on what is before you."

He paused to his words, yet nodded to him.

He shook his head clear as he found himself being stared upon. Men were gawking and smirking towards him, some dared to speak aloud. "It won't matter if we kill him, we would be seen as heroes if we do!"

"If you speak of what has yet to happen, it is best you don't speak at all. Your words… will haunt you." Sukuna warned.

He paused as he felt the presence of other sorcerers. Those moved to the other side of the court were staring at him with great aw and some even with admiration. His curse energy has grown once more, and it continues to build over time. But for the moment, he doesn't need to display his full power to them.

The emperor appeared on his balcony, looking over the masses, but he saw the fear in his eyes the moment his gaze fell upon him. Sukuna smirked to him as the emperor called for the non sorcerers to be ready. "FIGHTERS! YOU ARE TO BATTLE THOSE AROUND YOU UNTIL ONE REMAINS! DO NOT AIM TO KILL UNLESS NESSASSARY!" the court's guard called.

He soon became surrounded.

But he saw this coming…

#

The emperor peered down and sneered at the disfigured man. "That child was to die, why has he grown so strong?" he demanded of his aides.

"We don't know your grace, we only became aware of his presence, he claims to represent his people, and he is here to fight as a warrior and sorcerer."

"Ensure that he dies sooner than later. But first, I want to be abreast the moment he uses his curse power. I have been informed he is very talented and no doubt will use that to overcome the odds before him."

His aides nodded.

They watched on as the called for the battle to commence. Sukuna, despite his massive size, was very nimble. He took out ten men in a single strike! He aimed his fist to the ground causing them to lose balance and be blown back. He instantly claimed those who dropped their weapons as he made good use of them. He was ambidextrous in many ways. He controlled a sword, dagger, spear and battle ax with his four arms and was very well coordinated! They began to fall in great numbers. Until finally, he stood tall before the king and smiled. "I did not kill any man here, you can sent your gratitude to me after the contest."

This, won't stand!

"The sorcerers will have a better chance of defeating him… right?" the emperor asked.

"Of course, he is but one sorcerer!" they said with bright grins.

They were next to face him, once more, they gathered around Sukuna and waited for the queue to strike. The moment they called for the contest to start, his hands made an odd formation. Then he spoke two haunting words.

"Domain expansion."

Curse energy flowed out of him, covering the grounds were the contest was held, everyone caught in his sights were suddenly cut and hacked into. Not deep enough to kill but immobilize them. When he stopped, the sorcerers laid wounded on the ground. He then looked up at the emperor and smiled. "Is this sufficient? Those who are under my protection are done so with great care and dignity!" he called to the emperor.

He shuttered at the sight of this creature, but maintained his composer. "And what do you desire of me? You must have come here in search of something, have you not?"

Sukuna smiled. "Acknowledge me as the feudal lord of the Hida province!"

That was it?

He wants acknowledgement?

It was a simple request considering. However, such a position is wasted with a being of his talents. "Why be a Lord, when I can make you my right hand?"

Sukuna merely smile. "I don't wish to be your right hand. I merely ask to return to the lands I have looked after in your name."

Perhaps it was for the best, this… thing, if he is content with such a title, then it would be better off this way. The emperor nodded to his request and granted him the title of lord.

Sukuna merely smiled to him and left then and there to return home without speaking any farther to the emperor or those who answer to him.